Religion Education in state schools

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October 2005

Religion Education in state schools

Alan Bulmer explains the changes to be made to Religion Education in Tasmanian schools.

From first term next year there will be some significant changes to the way RE is conducted in our state schools. For many years the Education Act has made provision for RE to be made available in class time and this will continue to be the case but the rules and guidelines have been changed quite dramatically.

Applications will now have to be lodged with the School Association of each school wishing to hold RE Classes and, as part of that application, the Principal will need to assess the program content and delivery as well as deciding whether RE fits in with the overall school program and ideas.

For students to participate their parents must be kept fully informed of the program and content and they will need to give permission for their child/children to attend. Previously all children attended unless parents chose for them not to.

Permission to teach RE and parent approval will only be valid for one year which means applications must be lodged every year.

All RE Teachers must be accredited and part of this process will include a police check, a reference from their Church and attendance at training days.

These new guidelines will create a lot of work for Principals and schools in general. The Primary Working Group of the Commission for Christian Ministry in State Schools (CCMISS, a commission of the Tasmanian Council of Churches) is working hard at producing material to help Principals deal more easily with these guidelines. Members of this group will soon be travelling throughout the State holding training days for RE teachers so that they will be fully prepared for these changes.

With so few children in our state schools having any real opportunity to hear the message of the Good News of Jesus Christ it is imperative that we all get behind our RE teachers and the CCMISS by supporting them with prayer at this time.

The Rev. Alan Bulmer is Convenor of CCMISS, formerly CCRESS

Further details may be obtained from the convenor of the Primary Working Group of CCMISS Marylou Townsend 03 6337 0444 (w.) or 03 6344 3161 (h.)

	The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search
	a healthy church...transformingLIFE
	Home About Contact us News Issues Parishes Prayer Calendar Youth Resources

				October 2005

		Religion Education in state schools Alan Bulmer explains the changes to be made to Religion Education in Tasmanian schools. From first term next year there will be some significant changes to the way RE is conducted in our state schools. For many years the Education Act has made provision for RE to be made available in class time and this will continue to be the case but the rules and guidelines have been changed quite dramatically. Applications will now have to be lodged with the School Association of each school wishing to hold RE Classes and, as part of that application, the Principal will need to assess the program content and delivery as well as deciding whether RE fits in with the overall school program and ideas. For students to participate their parents must be kept fully informed of the program and content and they will need to give permission for their child/children to attend. Previously all children attended unless parents chose for them not to. Permission to teach RE and parent approval will only be valid for one year which means applications must be lodged every year. All RE Teachers must be accredited and part of this process will include a police check, a reference from their Church and attendance at training days. These new guidelines will create a lot of work for Principals and schools in general. The Primary Working Group of the Commission for Christian Ministry in State Schools (CCMISS, a commission of the Tasmanian Council of Churches) is working hard at producing material to help Principals deal more easily with these guidelines. Members of this group will soon be travelling throughout the State holding training days for RE teachers so that they will be fully prepared for these changes. With so few children in our state schools having any real opportunity to hear the message of the Good News of Jesus Christ it is imperative that we all get behind our RE teachers and the CCMISS by supporting them with prayer at this time. The Rev. Alan Bulmer is Convenor of CCMISS, formerly CCRESS Further details may be obtained from the convenor of the Primary Working Group of CCMISS Marylou Townsend 03 6337 0444 (w.) or 03 6344 3161 (h.)