Everything you need to know to become an accredited Anglican SRE teacher

Youthworks is committed to supporting you to be the most effective SRE teacher you can be as you help orient young lives to Jesus.

And because SRE teachers must be authorised to teach by their denomination and appropriately equipped for the task—theologically and practically—Youthworks offers a range of Anglican SRE accreditation and development training options.

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Accreditation levels

Find out the level of accreditation you need to be a helper, voluntary teacher or employed teacher

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Training modules

To be accredited you need to complete five two hour modules in education and Bible foundations

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Exemptions

If you have the relevant qualifications, you may be exempt from further training


What level of accreditation do you need?

There are various levels of accreditation required for Anglican SRE helpers, voluntary SRE teachers and employed SRE teachers.

In order to be accredited, you must complete all the steps in the Anglican SRE helper, voluntary SRE teacher or employed SRE teacher pathway. You will not be authorised to start teaching until you have completed all the requirements for the level of accreditation you wish to attain.

***Please be aware that until further notice it is a Department of Education requirement that all visitors to schools show proof of COVID vaccination.***

SRE helper / Level 1

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An SRE helper does not have authority to teach a lesson or seminar alone, but may participate under the supervision of the SRE teacher in various aspects of the lesson or seminar (eg leading small groups, presenting their testimony, performing a musical item, providing technical support).

SRE helper accreditation requirements

SRE helpers do not need to complete annual development training or lesson observations.


Voluntary SRE teacher / Level 2

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A voluntary SRE teacher is anyone authorised to teach a class alone or have oversight of a group of people delivering SRE via a seminar arrangement.

A voluntary SRE teacher may include a paid ministry worker who has SRE as part of their ministry role but they are not employed specifically as an SRE teacher (for example, youth minister or MTS apprentice).

Voluntary SRE teacher accreditation requirements

SRE teachers are required to complete two hours of development training and a lesson observation every year. Find out more about annual development training and observations.


Employed SRE teacher / Level 3

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An employed SRE teacher is anyone who is paid for the specific task of teaching SRE. This category is most relevant for employment in public high schools.

Employed SRE teacher accreditation requirements

In situations where an SRE teacher is employed through a board, it is the responsibility of the senior minister to make sure the SRE teacher is suitably qualified for the role. The teacher must be authorised by an SRE provider and cross-authorised by each of the local denominations.

Employed SRE teachers are required to complete two hours of development training and a lesson observation every year. Find out more about annual development training.


SRE helper under 18

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Churches may engage young people under the age of 18 as SRE helpers.

An SRE helper under the age of 18 does not need a Working with Children Check.

SRE helper under 18 accreditation requirements

  • SRE Authorisation Form (Under 18)—signed by a parent/guardian, a representative from their school*, and an Anglican minister
    * If applicable

  • Wear an authorisation card as a name tag when on school grounds

  • Supervised by an authorised SRE teacher when on school ground.


Your SRE accreditation pathway

The accreditation process aims to equip Anglican SRE teachers to teach God’s word to children in NSW public schools. This includes understanding your rights and responsibilities, as well as how to engage with the Bible and the practical issues of teaching and learning.

In order to be accredited, you must complete all four steps in the teacher accreditation pathway. You will not be authorised to start teaching until you have completed all four steps.

Complete Modules 1 - 4

The course of study consists of four two hour modules in SRE theory and practice.

Complete Module 5

This two hour course in Bible foundations is based on your prior reading of God’s Big Picture by Vaughan Roberts. You can purchase a copy of the book when you register for the training.

Be observed teaching your first lesson

The aim of observing your first lesson is to make sure you are practically and theologically competent and to encourage you in your ministry.

Please download a teacher observation/feedback form for your observer to complete. You can also download a teacher self-evaluation/reflection form to help you review your own teaching.

Your first lesson needs be observed* by either:

  • An accredited SRE trainer

  • A Rector

  • A licensed paid ministry worker (eg Assistant Minister, Youth Minister, Children’s Minister)

  • A teacher or retired teacher.

* You are exempt from being observed if you are theologically trained at diploma level or above.

Update your parish data file

Once you have been accredited, please ask your SRE coordinator to update your parish’s SRE data file. 

Email us or call 02 8268 3355 if you have any questions.


Training modules

Anglican primary and high school SRE have the same accreditation requirements and run equivalent courses. But the content of these courses is context specific. This means teachers can complete the primary SRE accreditation training or high school SRE accreditation training and will be qualified to teach both primary and high school SRE.

In order to attain your accreditation to teach primary or high school SRE, you must complete training modules Modules 1 - 5. Modules 1 - 4 cover the foundations of teaching SRE. Module 5 is a theological foundations course. Each module is two hours long, plus reading time.

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Module 1 / Understanding our ministry context

Consider the biblical, legislative, school, family and church contexts in which SRE is taught

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Module 2 (primary school) / Understanding how children learn

Explore the development features of children and how you can help them learn

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Module 2 (high school) / Engaging students in understanding their God

How the physical, mental, and spiritual development of students influences their understanding of God

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Module 3 (primary school) / Preparing & delivering the lesson

The basics of preparing and delivering a lesson using the authorised curriculum

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Module 3 (high school) / Preparing and Delivering the Think Faith Curriculum

The basics of preparing and delivering a lesson using the ThinkFaith authorised curriculum.

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Module 4 / Group management

Strategies for appropriate and effective student management for quality teaching and learning

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Module 5 / Bible foundations

A theological foundations course that will help you explain the whole message of the Bible

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Module 6 (high school) / Sensitive Issues and Curriculum Boundaries in High School SRE

Consider what sensitive issues are likely to arise in the High School SRE context, and some strategies for dealing with these in an appropriate manner.


Your prior learning exemptions

If you have prior SRE training or other relevant formal qualifications you may be exempt from further training in these areas. Below is a list of recognised prior learning for each module.

 

Module

Recognised prior learning

Module 1 / Understanding our ministry context

  • Youthworks course: Awesome Opportunity and Bible
  • Youthworks course: Evangelism and Children
  • Diploma in Ministry to Children
  • Diploma in Ministry to Youth

Module 2 / Understanding how children learn (primary)

Module 2 / Engaging students in their understanding of God (secondary)

  • Youthworks course: A Class Act
  • Youthworks course: Teaching SRE
  • Introduction to Christian Education
  • Diploma/Degree in Psychology
  • Diploma/Degree in Early Childhood Learning
  • Christian Education and Practice (CEP)
  • Teaching qualification

Module 3 / Preparing and delivering the lesson (primary)

Module 3 / Preparing and delivering the Think Faith curriculum (secondary)

  • Youthworks course: A Class Act
  • Youthworks course: Teaching SRE
  • Introduction to Christian Education
  • Christian Education and Practice (CEP)
  • Teaching qualification

Module 4 / Group management

  • Dynamics of Discipline #1
  • Youthworks course: A Class Act
  • Youthworks course: Teaching SRE
  • Introduction to Christian Education
  • Christian Education and Practice (CEP)
  • Teaching qualification

Module 5 / Bible foundations

  • Diploma or above theological training
  • Bible themes: Introduction to the Bible (PTC)
  • Presbyterian Youth Cafe Theological Qualification
  • SWEATCON: Strand 2 or above
  • NextGen: Strand 2 or above

Observation

  • Diploma or above theological training

 

Helping you become a more effective SRE teacher