NSW public schools offer special religious education and special education in ethics, delivered by approved providers wherever available.
During enrolment, you can choose a special religious education option for your child from the school’s available approved providers. You can withdraw your child from special religious education by selecting alternative meaningful activities, or special education in ethics if it’s available.
You can update your preference by writing to the school or through the online form available at participating schools.
Visit the department’s website for more information about religion and ethics.
At Newtown Public School, Special Religious Education (SRE) and Special Education in Ethics (SEE) classes take place each Thursday afternoon from 2:00pm-2:30pm.
SRE – We have 2 authorised providers of SRE at Newtown Public School. The curriculum for each of these providers can be accessed through the links below.
- Anglican Diocese of Sydney CEP
- NSW Board of Jewish Education
Parents and Caregivers can choose to enrol their child into SRE from the above approved providers.
Parents and Caregivers may at any time notify the school in writing that they do not wish to attend SRE or to change their SRE nomination. Students who were attending SRE classes last year, will continue in the same arrangement unless a parent/caregiver has requested a change.
SEE – We have 6 trained facilitators of the Primary Ethics program. The curriculum for Primary Ethics can be accessed through the link below.
- Primary Ethics
Parents and Caregivers who have not chosen to enroll their child in SRE classes, can choose to enrol their child into SEE.
SEE classes are organised in accordance with the amount of authorised teacher (volunteers) available, and only to students who have not elected to attend SRE. In 2020, SEE was offered to Stage 3, Stage 2 and Stage 1 students.
Students who were attending SEE classes last year, will continue in the same arrangement unless a parent/caregiver has requested a change. Parents and Caregivers may at any time notify the school in writing that they do not wish to attend SEE.
Based on the current number of volunteers in 2021, most students who participated previously have been allocated a position. All new students who have nominated to attend SEE classes this year will be offered positions in SEE classes based on a 'first in, first served' as they become available.
Students who do not attend SRE or SEE are organised into class groupings where they are supervised in alternative meaningful activities. These could include reading, private study or homework tasks. Students will not be participating in lessons in the school curriculum or other extra-curricular activities during this time.
New students to Newtown Public School should complete their SRE / SEE preference at the time of enrolment.