Accreditation Training

Index

• Levels of Accreditation
• Requirements For Volunteer SRE Teachers
• Training Modules
• Maintaining Accreditation
• Prior Learning & Exemptions

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

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: Helpers are required to complete an SRE Engagement Form, the Attachment 4 declaration (to be kept by their church) and 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: Voluntary SRE teachers are required complete an SRE Engagement Form, the Attachment 4 declaration (to be kept by their church) and carry a blue authorisation card when on school property. In addition they need to complete the required Accreditation Training as further outlined below.

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: Paid SRE teachers are required to have a 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.

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 cross-authorised by each of the participating denominations.

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Requirements for Volunteer SRE Teachers

Here you will find what is required to be accredited as a volunteer SRE teacher and the steps to complete the process. Some teachers will have exemptions due to prior training or vocational education.

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 current Primary SRE teachers will be required to complete Accreditation Training by January 1, 2012.
All new primary SRE teachers, after January 2012 will be required to complete Accreditation Training within six months of being authorised to teach SRE.
High School SRE teachers will only begin Accreditation Training after February 2011. 

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Training Modules

This section contains descriptions of all five required accreditation modules, costs and information on available courses dates and locations.

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.)

SRE Training Costs for Anglican and other Denominations

Accreditation training is free but participants will be asked to consider donating to Youthworks and financially partnering with us to support SRE.

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. 

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Maintaining Accreditation

To maintain your accreditation you must complete two hours of Development Training each year, and be observed teaching one lesson each year by an approved person. 

How do I maintain my Accreditation?

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
• Youthworks Theology of Youth Ministry Conference
• GenR8 Ministries Annual Conference
• GenR8 Ministries Training Days
• 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)

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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.

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