Accreditation Training

Index

• Forms
• Background
• Levels of Accreditation
• Accreditation Training Requirements for Volunteer SRE Teachers
• Training Modules
• Maintaining Accreditation for Volunteer SRE Teachers
• Maintaining Accreditation for Vocational High School SRE Teachers
• Prior Learning & Exemptions

FORMS

Register for training. Click here

The Guide to Understanding Primary SRE. Download

SRE Accreditation Form. Download

DEC guidelines on SRE. Click here

Background

The Department of Education and Communities (DEC) require all SRE teachers to be authorised to teach by their denomination and appropriately equiped theologically and practically within the context of a public school classroom. This is consistant with our own commitment as Christians and Anglicans to proclaim the gospel faithful and clearly.

In 2010  the Anglican Education Commission (AEC) revised the policy for Authorisation and Accreditation to ensure that we fulfill and exceed the expectations of the DEC, the local public schools and the community. Accreditation Training is now required for all Primary and High School SRE teachers authorised to teach Anglican SRE.

Youthworksis responsible for overseeing and implimenting authorisation and accreditation and is committed to supporting and training SRE teachers, as they invest time, energy and their gifts in teaching young hearts the truths of the gospel.

Levels of Accreditation

There are various required levels of accreditation for SRE Helpers, Volunteer SRE Teachers and Paid SRE Teachers. Please read this section carefully in order to understand the requirements for yourself and your team members.

Level 1: Helper
Description: A helper is anyone who assists an SRE Teacher in delivering a lesson or a seminar. A Helper does not have authority to teach a lesson/seminar alone but may participate under the supervision of the SRE Teacher in various aspects of the lesson/seminar (i.e. leading small groups, presenting their testimony, performing a musical item, providing technical support).

Requirements:

• Safe Ministry
• SRE Engagement Form
• Working with Children Check
• Carry a blue authorisation card when on school property.
• Helpers are not required to complete Accreditation Training.

Level 2: Voluntary SRE teacher
Description: A voluntary SRE teacher is anyone authorised to teach a class alone or who has oversight of a group of people delivering SRE via a seminar arrangement. A Voluntary SRE teacher may include a youth minister or ministry apprentice. SRE is part of their ministry role but they are not employed specifically as an SRE Teacher.

Requirements:

• Safe Ministry
• SRE Engagement Form
• SRE Accreditation Training
• SRE Lesson Observation
• Working with Children Check
• Carry a blue authorisation card when on school property.

Level 3: Employed SRE Teacher
Description: A Paid SRE Teacher is anyone who is employed for the specific task of teaching SRE in a state school. It can include classroom teaching and/or seminars. This category is most relevant for employment in state high schools.

Requirements:

• Safe Ministry
• SRE Engagement Form
• Diploma in Theology or above from an ACT or other equivalent training institution. It is reasonable to expect that some of this training is ongoing in the first year of employment.
• SRE Lesson Observation
• Working with Children Check
• Carry a blue authorisation card when on school property.

In cases where the SRE teacher(s) is employed through a board it is the responsibility of the Rector involved 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.

Top

Accreditation Training Requirements for Volunteer SRE Teachers

The Accreditation process aims to equip Anglican SRE teachers to teach the Word of God to children in our government schools. This includes understanding our rights and responsibilities as well as how to engage with the Bible and the practical issues of teaching and learning.

High School and Primary SRE have the same accreditation requirements. Irrespective of the training completed a teacher will be accredited to teach in both primary and high schools.

Please note classroom helpers need to be authorised but do not need to do accreditation training. Click HERE for more information.

Teachers with prior SRE training or relevant vocational education are exempt from some training (see Prior Learning and Exemptions)

In order to attain Accreditation each SRE teacher is expected to complete the following process.

1. SRE Theory and Practice.
This consists of four 2 hour training modules (see Training Modules).

2. Bible Foundations. 
A two-hour course based on a prior reading of the book “God’s Big Picture” by Vaughan Roberts. Click here to purchase at the CEP website.

3) Observation.
The aim of observing SRE teachers is to make sure they are practically and theologically competent and to encourage them in their ministry. Teachers need to be observed for one lesson by:

• An accredited SRE Trainer, or
• A Diocesan Rector, or
• A Licensed paid ministry worker (Assistant Minister/ Youth Minister/ Children’s Minister etc)
• A suitably qualified observer. 
  These people are not accredited trainers but have professional skill that makes them suitable to observe and offer constructive comments. This role is at the discretion of the church but would include:
  • 
    A Christian who is a qualified teacher.
  • A Christian who is qualified in adult education

Teachers who are theologically trained at the level of Diploma or above are exempt from being observed.

4) Inform Youthworks
Email or phone Youthworks with the name and church of the accredited teacher.
Email: training@youthworks.net
Phone: 02 8268 3355

When do I need to be Accredited by?

All Primary and High school SRE teachers are required to complete Accreditation Training within six months of being authorised to teach SRE.
 

Top

Training Modules for Volunteer SRE Teachers

Please note: High School and Primary SRE have the same accreditation requirements and run equivalent courses but the content of the courses are context-specific. Teachers can complete the primary SRE Accreditation training OR the High School SRE Accreditation Training and will be qualified to teach both primary and high school SRE.

Training Dates and Locations

CLICK HERE to register for one of the upcoming training modules run by Youthworks or Senior Trainers in various locations throughout Sydney.

Module Descriptions

All modules are two hours in length and will be regularly run by Youthworks and local Senior Trainers in various Sydney and regional locations.

SRE Theory and Practice for Primary and High School SRE

Module 1: Understanding Our Ministry Context SRE Foundations
This course aims to introduce the big picture of teaching SRE. The course provides a biblical framework for why we teach and helps teachers understand their rights and responsibilities as a teacher in a public school.  Participants will also consider how SRE complements the mission of the local church.

Part 1: Developing a Biblical Perspective of SRE –This part of the course looks at biblical principles and how they shape the way you do SRE.
Part 2: Understanding SRE in NSW – This part of the course looks at the context of SRE, the objectives of SRE, & the legislation for SRE, as well as the rights and responsibilities of [Anglican] SRE teachers.
Part 3: Making the Most of SRE – This part of the course looks at how we can build connections beyond the classroom.

Module 2: Understanding the Developing Child
This course will look at child development and faith development; how children think & learn, as well as the influence of culture, media and family.

Part 1: The Developing Child – exploring the key developmental features of Children in different years.
Part 2: How Children Think & Learn – from thinking styles to learning styles and how to implement them in the classroom.
Part 3: Understanding Children & Faith Development – Looking at Westerhoff’s faith development model and what that means for our approach to SRE.
Part 4: Aussie Kids – A look at the culture our kids grow up in, and what the implications are for teaching them SRE.

Module 3: Preparing and Delivering the Lesson
This course aims to help participants understand the basics of preparing and delivering a lesson. We will consider different teaching styles and engage with multi-sensory learning theory, along with asking and answering questions. In this module you will be introduced to your curriculum and how to use it effectively.

Part 1: Developing a Lesson – from defining the big idea through to building a lesson around it. Understanding the process of developing a lesson is key to creating effective teaching time.
Part 2: Using a Lesson – As most SRE teachers are using a pre-prepared lesson plan, this section focuses on how to use it successfully.
Part 3: Presenting the Lesson –Helpful tips for lesson delivery and to use language appropriate for the age of the children you are teaching
Part 4: Evaluating the Lesson –How to evaluate your lesson so that you continue to improve your teaching techniques
Part 5: Engaging Students – How to engage your students using storytelling, prayer, visual aids, memory verses, singing and games, as well as how to use the Bible is class

Module 4: Group Management
Participants will consider the biblical background to discipline and consider various strategies for appropriate and effective management of children, to ensure that classroom lessons run smoothly.

Part 1: Attitude – explore why your attitude has such a significant impact on your class and how you can express a positive attitude to students.
Part 2: Content – the content of the lesson and how you teach will have a big impact on how well students learn and behave.
Part 3: Environment –How to set up classroom environments and routines in order to have a well organised, smooth running class.
Part 4: Behavior Management – issues of discipline, positive reinforcement, how to manage behaviours, and how to deal with unacceptable behavior.
Part 5: Evaluation – A skill that every teacher needs to learn is how to critically reflect upon their teaching.  This involves thinking back over all the different parts of the lesson and considering its strengths and weaknesses.

Bible Foundations

Module 5: Bible Foundations (2 hrs + reading)
The aim of this module is to equip teachers with a theological foundation that will help them articulate clearly the whole biblical message of God and humanity. This module requires that participants read Vaughan Roberts' book “God’s Big Picture” and attend a two-hour training course. The module will discuss the key themes of the book and apply them to the context of teaching children.

Part 1: The God who Speaks – This part of the course looks at what we believe about the Bible as the word of God and how that impacts the way we teach.
Part 2: The Unity of the Bible – God’s word is not found in isolated texts or passages of Scripture.  Each word, sentence and paragraph draws its meaning from the context in which it is read.
Part 3: Understanding the Big Picture – It is important to have a clear picture of how the bible fits together as we prepare and teach.  In order to understand and appreciate what a passage means for us today, we need to understand where it fits within the big picture of God’s unfolding plan.
Part 4: The Big Picture in Practice – This part of the course looks at how to apply your knowledge of how the bible fits together.

(N.B. Participants will need to purchase this book and read it prior to attending this module. Click here to purchase God's Big Picture at the CEP website.)

Children’s Ministry

While these requirements do not apply to church-based children’s ministry or youth ministry the accreditation modules are designed to help both ministry workers understand the fundamentals of engaging young people with the Bible and the body of Christ. For this reason we welcome children's and youth ministry workers to also participate in the training for their own development. 

Top

Maintaining Accreditation for Volunteer SRE Teachers

1. Complete two hours of recognised SRE Development Training each year.

Examples for Primary SRE Teachers are:

• Youthworks Training Days
• Youthworks Theology of Children’s Ministry Conference
• Youthworks Intensives
• SMBC Children’s Ministry Conference
• Training by an Accredited SRE Trainer.

Examples for High School SRE Teachers are:

• Youthworks Training Days
• Thetacon (Youth Ministry Conference)
• Training by an Accredited SRE Trainer.

2. Be observed teaching one lesson each year by an approved person, such as:

• Peer Review (by another accredited SRE Teacher), or
• An accredited SRE Trainer, or
• A Diocesan Rector, or
• A licensed paid ministry worker (Assistant Minister/ Youth Minister/ Children’s Minister etc)

Development Training can be run in your parish by your Local SRE Trainer.
Additionally, Youthworks runs SRE Development Training days throughout the Year.

CLICK HERE to see what events are currently running, and to register.

Top

Maintaining Accreditation for Vocational High School SRE Teachers

1) Complete 3 days of Professional development each year.

Examples for vocational High School SRE Teachers are:

• Thetacon (Youth Ministry Conference)
• Genr8 Jancon
• Genr8 mid year training day

2) Receive an annual Professional Review

Teachers authorised by the Sydney Anglican Diocese and employed by a local SRE Association (Board) or Genr8 Ministries need to receive a professional review each year with opportunities to hear constructive feedback as well as give their feedback to the board or authorising minister. Professional reviews should be conducted every 12 months and within 6 months of a teacher starting in the position. The purpose of the review can be read at the beginning of the Professional Review Form.

A professional Review should consist of the following processes

1. Teacher observed teaching at least one lesson by a person suitably qualified to give constructive feedback
2. Teacher completes the Lesson Observation form as part of their self appraisal
3. A qualified observer completes the Lesson observation form
4. A Professional Review form (external) should be completed by a representative of the school
5. A  Professional Review form (internal) should be completed by a representative of the board or by the authorising Anglican Minister
6. There should be a Professional review interview with the teacher and representatives of the board
7. If further action is required after the meeting it should be given to the teacher in writing with specific requests and support.

Prior Learning & Exemptions

SRE Teachers with prior SRE training or other relevant formal qualifications may be exempt from further training in these areas. Below is a list of recognised prior learning for each course.

If you have completed training that you feel should be recognised please email training@youthworks.net with details of the course. If appropriate we will add the course to the list.

Top