NSW public schools offer special religious education and special education in ethics, delivered by approved providers wherever available.
During enrolment, you can choose a special religious education option for your child from the school’s available approved providers. You can withdraw your child from special religious education by selecting alternative meaningful activities, or special education in ethics if it’s available.
You can update your preference by writing to the school or through the online form available at participating schools.
Visit the department’s website for more information about religion and ethics.
At Girraween High School, special religious education is delivered once a week for 7-10 students (Thursday Period 4). Parents will be issued an information note prior to commencement of special religious education classes.
Parents/carers are given the special religious education and special education in ethics participation letter to complete and return. After the initial enrolment, notification of changes to a child's enrolment in special religious education should be given to the office, in writing.
The following SRE classes are offered at Girraween High School:
| Catholic | St Anthony's Catholic Church, Toongabbie |
| Combined Christian SRE | Holroyd Christian Ministers Fellowship |
| Islam | Islamic Council of NSW |
During the time that special religious education classes are being held, students not participating will remain in their classrooms with their class teachers and will participate in meaningful activities – such as reading, private study, revision or completing homework.
Students participating in special religious education will be located in a separate space and be supervised by representatives of the organisations in the atable above.
Voluntary student activities of a religious nature
Voluntary student activities of a religious nature in schools (VSA) are not part of Special Religious Education. Girraween High School has a VSA group that meets at lunchtime on Thursdays, cordinated by an external provider. Students are required to return a permission note to attend this group. The sessions include students participating in Christian readings from the Bible, reflection and discussion about Christian views with the beliefs and viewpoints of all students respected.