SRE Good News - April 2026
There are good weeks and not-so-good weeks for most of us as SRE teachers. When we’re feeling discouraged, it’s wonderful to hear about the wins from others. Here’s some of the Term 1 good news from both primary and high school SRE teachers.
The blessing of solid scripture teaching throughout primary school
An SRE teacher shared about a big class at Leichhardt (38 students) where one of the new Year 7s is a friend of her son. He’s a big, sporty guy who has no church background. But he faithfully attended all his primary school scripture classes. His Bible knowledge is frankly astounding. He sits up the front and answers so many questions correctly. The teacher’s son commented, 'J__ paid attention in every scripture class in primary school because he loved that class, so he listened to everything (the teacher) David said and he remembered everything.' Amazing!
The high school SRE teacher can see the blessing of the faithful teaching this teenager experienced from the local Anglican minister and staff team. These people have been faithfully teaching Bible lessons from K-6 in their local public schools, and the value of all those deposits is clear. Those weekly lessons have made a massive difference to this student. They have held his attention, and the teacher believes he loves Jesus and is keen to keep learning and enjoying God’s word.
SRE for Year 11 & 12
An SRE teacher shared she is rejoicing that there is now SRE for the biggest cohort of Year 11 & 12 in the state at Blackwattle Bay Glebe. Since term 1 SRE lessons are now part of the timetable. And there’s a new lunchtime group, with students stepping up to promote it and invite their friends so they can hear about Jesus.
SRE in the Inner West
An SRE teacher shared that some Year 10 boys at Sydney Secondary College, Leichhardt, came to find her as she was finishing up with her Year 7 SRE class so that they could get permission notes to join SRE the following week. It is encouraging that new students continue to join throughout the year as their peers share how much they enjoy it.
And at Strathfield Girls High there are so many students that they can’t fit them all in the classroom!
Teaching Exodus
One teacher has been encouraged by how excellent the high school Think Faith curriculum is and has been amazed at Year 9 & 10 students' responses to the Exodus unit this term. After going through the plagues and how they are a strike against the Egyptian gods and display God's power, one of the teacher’s favourite comments was 'If you were an Israelite how do you think you would be feeling about your God?' Answer: 'My God is insanely AWESOME!'
New SRE starting
Good news! On Wednesday, 25th March, Liverpool Girls High School held an SRE class for the first time in at least the last 10 years. Since then, weekly lessons are now running with an SRE teacher from St Luke’s Liverpool teaching 19 girls from Years 7–10.
Many new primary schools on the outskirts of Sydney are actively seeking SRE teachers. Pray that local churches will be able to meet the demand.
New SRE Collaboration in Penrith
Recently a new SRE board was set up in the Penrith area to grow SRE across the many local high schools. The board is planning to employ an SRE team leader to help local churches work together to develop opportunities in local high schools, recruit, train and lead the team of volunteer high school SRE teachers. Please pray for wisdom in appointing the right person into this role and for the many young people who will engage with God’s word in schools.
Those interested in applying for the position can find more details here: https://apply.chappy.org.au/job-details/query/sre-teacherco-ordinator-penrith-sre/in/australia/9669772/