Lesson Observation

Every SRE Teacher needs to complete a lesson observation each year (NB: as of 2023 there is no longer any exemption for this requirement).  This process includes completing a written appraisal form and constructive feedback. This observation can be conducted by any one of the following:

• Another accredited SRE Teacher

• An accredited SRE trainer

• A parish rector

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

• A suitably qualified observer, who may not be an accredited trainer but has professional skills that make them suitable to observe and offer constructive comments, for example, a Christian who is a qualified teacher or qualified in adult education.

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.

Safe Ministry

The Anglican Diocese of Sydney requires that all Anglican SRE Teachers and helpers have undertaken Safe Ministry training within the last three years. Since April 2017 The Professional Standards Unit has taken over the delivery of all Safe Ministry Training for the Diocese. Safe Ministry training can be done online or face to face.

Please send your certificate to your SRE Coordinator once you have completed the training.

Working with Children Check

The Working With Children Check (WWCC) is a requirement for all people who work and volunteer with children in NSW, including SRE teachers and helpers. It includes a national police check and review of findings of misconduct involving children. The result is either a clearance or a bar. All SRE teachers and helpers must have a valid clearance to enter NSW Public Schools.

Your WWC clearance lasts for five years. Please make sure your contact details are up to date with the Office of Children’s Guardian so that you will receive a notification when it is time to renew your WWC number. You will need to renew your WWC number before it expires. Renewal applications cannot be submitted until three months before your expiry date. Once renewal is complete, please ensure your SRE coordinator has your renewed WWC number and expiry date.

Note that:

• The WWC number will stay the same when renewed.

• Re-applying is NOT required to renew a WWCC.

• A visit to a Services NSW office (RMS) is required to provide proof of ID (the same process as when applying for the first time).

• Volunteers do not pay anything but a fee of $80 applies to workers employed in child-related work.

Requirements for returning to SRE teaching

Any SRE teachers who have previously been authorised to teach but have taken a break of a year or more from teaching SRE are likely not to have maintained the annual observation and development training requirements to be authorised. A returning teacher who has previously completed all relevant SRE training, has current safe ministry training and a verified WWC number may return to teaching SRE with the understanding that they will be observed teaching an SRE lesson and complete 2 hours of development training within a term of returning to teaching.

Your SRE coordinator will need to contact the SRE Office to explain your return to teaching and to request a valid SRE authorisation card for you.