Newtown High Parents Speak Up Over Concerns With Religious Education Subject

A parents and citizens group associated with Newtown High School of Performing Arts have spoken out about their concerns over the Special Religious Education (SRE) subject taught at the school.

P&C President Lassity Martin alleges that students who opt out of SRE at Newtown High – reportedly the vast majority of students – have been given activities like colouring in during the allocated class period when others are in SRE.

“It flies in the face of other initiatives … I find it very confusing,” she told SMH, saying that it adds up to 80 minutes each fortnight of students’ learning time.

94 per cent of students in Years 7-10 reportedly do not participate in the SRE subject, but the Department of Education (DoE) said students cannot continue with their regular lessons while others attend religious education.

DoE also told City Hub that colouring in is not a permitted alternative activity for students who are not undertaking SRE.

“Parents who do not wish for their children to participate in Special Religious Education or Special Education in Ethics can opt for their children to undertake alternate activities. These include reading, private study, or completing homework,” said a spokesperson.

The Inner West public school introduced a trial of SRE in Term 4, with classes led by Anglican organisation Youthworks once a fortnight.

“Under the Education Act, government schools allow time for Special Religious Education and Special Education in Ethics if there are approved providers in the community,” the Department of Education spokesperson said.

Youthworks was the only provider to approach the school for SRE, meaning Christianity is the only religious instruction offered.

What alternatives are available?

Students from Kindergarten to Year 8 can participate in Special Education in Ethics (SEE) instead of SRE, where it is available and requested by parents or carers.

The SEE program teaches ethical decision making and reflection, and does not involve religious beliefs or practices.

Students whose parents or carers choose not to have them participate in either SRE or SEE must undertake alternate activities. But these cannot include continuing with their regular lessons.

“Providing core curriculum instruction to students who are not undertaking Special Religious Education, while their peers attend those classes, would disadvantage students undertaking Special Religious Education,” the Department of Education spokesperson said.

It is unclear whether any Newtown High students have taken up the SEE program as an alternative, or whether it is available as part of the school’s arrangements.

The Department said Newtown High’s timetable exceeds the mandatory curriculum requirements set by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), with SRE scheduled around, and not instead of, teaching time.

City Hub contacted Newtown High School’s P&C Association for comment, but did not receive a response at the time of publication.