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.
The following SRE classes are offered at Ryde Secondary College via a seminar each term.
Combined Christian & Catholic
What is Catholic SRE?
Special Religious Education (SRE) is the time set aside in Government Schools for Catechists (also called SRE Teachers) from the local Catholic Church to teach Catholic children about Jesus and his message of salvation. SRE is mandated by the Education Act (1990) and gives parents the choice to have children formed in the faith of their family.
Why is SRE Taught? The Catholic Church sees the education of Catholic children in the Faith as integral and key to its mission. The NSW Department of Education (DOE) describes SRE “as an integral part of school activities.” SRE can be seen then, as part of “a well-rounded education that values and supports the intellectual, creative, physical, social, spiritual and emotional development of each child.”
What is Taught? Catholic SRE teaching programs are approved by the Bishop of the Diocese in liaison with educational experts, for use by SRE Teachers. Programs contain suitable lessons for students from Year 7 to Year 12. Roman Catholic SRE is provided by St Charles Catholic Church. This Parish belongs to the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney. For more information about Roman Catholic SRE, including the authorised curriculum scope and sequence, please visit Catholic Diocese of Sydney
Combined Christian
Christian SRE is education in Christian beliefs and practices for children of families from various Christian denominations and churches. Christian SRE teachers at this school are authorised and trained by the following approved SRE providers; Anglican Diocese of Sydney, Australian Christian Churches, Baptist Union of NSW, Presbyterian Church of Australia (NSW). With teachers from North Ryde Anglican, St Anne’s Ryde, and St Phil’s Eastwood.
The Christian SRE curriculum used in this school is produced by Christian Education Publications and is approved by each SRE provider. The curriculum explores the good news about Jesus Christ found in the Bible and the depth of God’s love for people. Each lesson has been developed to be taught in an age-appropriate manner. Lessons include activities which make the lessons fun and inclusive for all students and give them the opportunity to critically explore and deepen their faith, pray, and reflect.
Use the below letter to enrol in SRE classes or withdraw from them.
Voluntary Student Activities
VSA is a non-compulsory opportunity that students must 'opt-in' for. These activities usually meet during lunchtime.
SOUL Christian Group
SOUL Lunchtime Christian Group operate every Wednesday at lunchtime in Learning Commons 1 (pavilion)
The VSA-SOUL Christian Group Letter needs to be completed and returned before attending the lunchtime sessions
Islamic Prayer Room
A student-led Islamic prayer room will operate every Friday at lunchtime in GLS3 (pavilion). The prayers will be student led.
The VSA-Islamic Prayer Room Letter needs to be completed and returned before attending the lunchtime sessions.
Ethics Years 7 & 8 - Lunchtime classes from 2025
Ethics classes support students to develop well-reasoned decisions about ethical issues. Through the give-and-take of reasoned argument students learn to disagree respectfully, to challenge ideas and to support their arguments with considered evidence rather than according to habit or peer pressure. Trained volunteer ethics teachers, use detailed lesson materials which present a range of stories, scenarios and questions to generate discussion. Ethics teachers are trained to impartially facilitate student discussions, helping students develop their critical thinking and collaborative inquiry skills. Ethics teachers support student learning by:
modelling the inquiry process – by asking questions and encouraging discussion
showing genuine curiosity and interest in the questions being discussed
staying neutral – ethics teachers are trained to keep their own views out of the discussion
creating a positive learning environment – by allowing students time to think and encouraging students to share ideas and give reasons.
You can find out more information about Primary Ethics by visiting the Primary Ethics website (www.primaryethics.com.au); the Stage 4 (Years 7 and 8) curriculum can be found here: https://primaryethics.com.au/about-ethics-classes/our-curriculum/.
The VSA-Ethics Letter needs to be completed and returned before attending the lunchtime sessions
