Catholic Diocese of Wagga Wagga

CCD

The Confraternity of Christian Doctrine is an Ecclesiastical Organization of the Catholic Church. The Confraternity was established in the Diocese of Wagga Wagga by in. Its primary and principal purpose is to provide religious education and Christian formation for Catholic children in State schools.

Special Religious Education (SRE)
SRE has had an integral place in public education in NSW since the Public Instructions Act of 1880 and its place is currently governed by the Education Act of 1990.The Confraternity for Christian Doctrine (CCD) in the Wagga Wagga Diocese is responsible to the Bishop for Special Religious Education (SRE) in the State schools. The Education Act 1990 makes the following provisions for religious education of children in NSW Government Schools.

Secular instruction (30)
In Government Schools, the education is to consist of strictly non-sectarian and secular instruction. The words secular instruction are to be taken to include general religious education as distinct from dogmatic and polemic theology.
All providers of SRE are obliged to adhere to the Criteria for Approving a Religious education to teach SRE2.4.2 (ICCOREIS “SRE Handbook” 26.02.2003
Who are they?
Catechists or SRE (Special Religious Education) teachers are Catholic adult volunteers, who are approved by the bishop on the advice of the parish priest to teach or assist with religious education of Catholic children who attend public schools in the diocese of Wagga Wagga.
SRE is Special Religious Education which means that the curriculum offered is approved by the bishop or by the authority of the particular church. In our case the Catholic Church provides the programme, the training of teachers and the responsibility for the teachers' or assistants' professional behaviour. All teachers and assistants are requested to sign a Prohibitive Employment Declaration for the protection of the children and must carry a statement of authority signed by the bishop.
The services of committed Catholic parents or other parishioners are sought for this special work.
What qualifications are required?
• To be a Catholic adult male or female with a concern for the spiritual growth and wellbeing of children.
• To be willing to undertake the necessary training required in knowledge of the programme, class management, school protocol.
• To be a citizen in good standing with the legal requirements in dealing with children.

Previous teacher training or work with children is an advantage.
How do I volunteer?
Make yourself known to your parish priest who will advise you and make the necessary arrangements for training and issue of documentation. If you are new to the area a reference from your previous parish priest or parishioners will be required.
Special Religious Education (32)
1. In every Government School, time is allowed for SRE but will not exceed the number of weeks in a School Year. (This allows approximately 40 hours, but NB we normally take 30 minutes per week, i.e. half of the time allowed.)
2.The SRE given is to be given by a member of the clergy or other religious teacher of the persuasion authorised by the Religious Body to which the teacher belongs.
3.The Religious education to be given is in every case to be the religious education authorised by the religious body to which the giver belongs.
4. The times for the lessons are to be fixed by agreement between the principal and the member of clergy or the SRE teacher.
5. Children attending are to be separated from other children at the school while the class is held.
6. If the SRE teacher is unavailable, the children are to be cared for at the school during the period set aside for SRE.
7.(33) No child is to be required to attend general or special religious education if the parent of the child objects to the child’s receiving that education.