NSW Scripture Classes

AUTHORISATION AND TRAINING OF SCRIPTURE TEACHERS FOR SPECIAL RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

AUTHORISATION

The Archdiocese uses the following form of authorisation:

This authorisation is issued by each parish after these formal requirements for teachers:

• Awareness of the Department of Education Code of Conduct
• Working with Children Clearance
• Child Protection Training
• An undertaking of no criminal convictions
• Completion of the Basic Accreditation Course for Greek Orthodox Scripture Teachers

The following records are kept for each teacher: Full name, Contact details, Date of birth, Working with Children Check number, Verification date, Verification outcome and Expiry date

The nature and scope of the process for the Authorisation of Teachers of Greek Orthodox Special Religious Education in the State Schools of New South Wales is outlined in the document Scripture Teacher Authorisation Processes.

A new application to be an authorised teacher is completed each year. This is contained in the Teacher Compliance and Acknowledgement by the Scripture Teacher and it is authorised by each parish priest.

A Letter to the Principal of each school that indicates the name of the teacher, their date of birth and their completion of the authorisation procedures is sent by the parish to each school.

TEACHER BASIC TRAINING

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia is an approved provider of Special Religious Education. It makes every effort at a centralised as well as parish level to ensure that all Scripture Teachers have access to basic training.

For instance, training has been provided annually for almost 40 years and now takes the form of a Basic Accreditation Course, an online Basic Accreditation Course, an Annual Advanced Course as well as specialist in-service training in craft, use of teaching resources, content or teaching skills.

The Teacher Basic Training is consistent with the standards set out by the Inter-Church Commission on Religious Education in Schools. It covers the following:

• The history of Special Religious Education in New South Wales
• The role of the Special Religious Education teacher
• Special Religious Education Procedures, Code of Conduct, Child Protection and Working with Children Check requirements
• School protocols
• Planning for and implementing effective teaching and learning
• Creating and maintaining supportive learning environments
• Reviewing, reflecting and assessing personal feedback
• Engaging in professional training and ongoing learning

GO1 Teacher Authorisation Process Final pdf

GO2 Teacher Basic Training Final pdf

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia has authorised the material and pedagogy used by teachers. This is the curricula of the Pantanassa Monastery.
A summary of the 2024 curriculum for infants, primary and high school can be found here:
GO5 2024 GREEK ORTHODOX SCRIPTURE PROGRAM AND CALENDAR

Curriculum contact details

The contact details for further information about the contents of lessons are available from the Pantanassa Monastery

Cyclical review of curriculum

There is an ongoing review of curriculum. Each lesson is reviewed and amendments are made.

Every stage in the curriculum is reviewed and re-issued every three years for Infants, every four years for Primary and every three years for High School.

Curriculum scope and sequence

The list of topics together with the general aims and learning outcomes are published each year and are available on the web-site.

Specific enquiries about the aims and learning outcomes for any one of the 400 lessons are readily available upon request from [email protected]

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY AND PROCEDURES
AUDIO-VISUAL MATERIAL IN SCHOOLS
INTERACTIVE WHITEBOARDS

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese recognises the value of audio-visual resources but is also cognisant of the dangers of indiscriminate use of such teaching aids. A balance is required in teaching so that the personal effectiveness of the spoken word is not diluted. Religious education is more an interaction than subject matter instruction.

Accordingly, there is a strict policy on the use of social media and audio-visual materials for special religious education. This policy is outlined in the document Social media policy and procedures.

It is recognised that the use of social media is increasingly part of everyday activities. There are some positive aspects of these developments but there is concern about their relevance for religious education.

It is essential to maintain a Greek Orthodox ethos so that it remains as special religious education. At the present time it is not clear that social media is beneficial over and above the interpersonal contact of student and teacher.

The Greek Orthodox Advisory Committee for Teaching Religion in State Schools will only approve audio-visual materials that are (a) available at all schools and (b) which link to specific lessons. Audio-visual resources cannot be used willy-nilly or in an unplanned fashion.

At present, it is not permitted for teachers to distribute any materials without the approval and authority of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.

Summary

The history of religious education shows that effective religious instruction has been possible without the use of social media, computer games or videos.

Greek Orthodox special religious education must not be relegated to the level of entertainment.

To a large extent special religious education is a personal encounter and not merely a “lesson”. Its content and purpose are vastly different from other school subjects or instruction that benefits routinely with audio-visual experiences.

The failure to cultivate good teaching cannot be replaced by audio-visual experiences, which may have unintended consequences.

To avoid negative consequences, it is mandated that for the time being:

• No social media is to be used for Greek Orthodox special religious education in State Schools
• No computer games may be used for Greek Orthodox special religious education in State Schools.
• Powerpoints may be used only if they are approved by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
• No written or printed materials may be distributed without prior approval of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and its Advisory Committee for the Teaching of Religion in State Schools

Meanwhile, we are working towards a policy where approved materials can be made available to all parents. In this way, social media will complement the face-to-face instruction that is essential for special religious education.

GO4 Social Media Policy and Procedures Final pdf

On this page we have listed some teacher resources for downloading , if required.

FORMS

Form A Teacher Compliance and Acknowledgement
Form A comprises a declaration of no criminal convictions. It is required by the Department of Education.

A new application to be an authorised teacher must now be completed each year. It is the Scripture Teacher Declaration (click here)

For those without Internet access a hard copy of Form A can be completed by each teacher and retained by the Parish Priest or the Parish Scripture Coordinator. On the reverse side of the form is also a record of the teacher’s training.

Form B Letter to the Principal
This is the formal letter to the Principal of each school to advise them of the names of the teachers and some details. It is sent by the Parish to each school.

Form C Teacher Audit/Annual Teacher Evaluation
The Teacher Audit is used to observe and assess the performance and conduct of a teacher. It also serves as a checklist for teachers to assess their competency.

The Annual Teacher Evaluation is a report on the progress of the teaching over the year. A copy is kept in the parish. It is not distributed and is private and confidential. It is an opportunity for reflection and self-report on the quality of teaching.

Form D Scripture Teacher name tag labels
These name tag labels have been approved by the Department of Education. They may cut to size and inserted in a plastic name tag that is worn at the school. Some schools may have a different policy and issue their own visitor badge. It is recommended that teachers have their blue authorisation card and a photo ID with them at all times.

Form E Professional Conduct for Scripture Teachers

This document summarises the Code of Conduct of the Greek Orthodox Scripture Teacher.

TRAINING RESOURCES

GO3 Teacher’s Manual
This document is the latest teacher’s manual that accompanies the Basic Accreditation Course. It is updated on a regular basis and a copy is available to Scripture Teachers on request from [email protected]

GO7 Greek Orthodox Child Protection Awareness Training
This is a module of training on aspects of child protection. It is a detailed presentation of around 53 slides on classroom management and child protection aspects that was prepared by the Department of Education.

GO8 Code of Conduct 2019 Update
The Code of Conduct training is an update on all the requirements for those engaged within the Department of Education. It comprises 22 slides on various aspects of the requirements and professional behaviour expected of any teacher.

GO9 Chanting hymns and words for Greek Orthodox Special Religious Education
Eight hymns in both Greek and English have been prepared for trial use in Special Religious Education or Scripture classes.
The hymns are accompanied by a draft booklet with the words in Greek, English and also Greek-English transliteration.
The files are in MP3 format and may be downloaded freely for use in religious education. There are separate Greek and English versions. Each hymn can be downloaded separately.

LIST OF HYMNS (Click on hymn for recording)

• Lord have mercy
  Κύριε ελέησον
• The Trisagion Hymn
  Άγιος ο Θεός, Άγιος ισχυρός…
• Through the intercessions of the Theotokos
  Ταις πρεσβείαις της Θεοτόκου…
• Save us Son of God
  Σώσον ημάς, Υιὲ Θεού…
• Christ is Risen
  Χριστός Aνέστη εκ νεκρών…
• Of Your Mystical Supper
  Του Δείπνου Σου του Μυστικού
• O Virgin Pure Immaculate
  Αγνή Παρθένε Δέσποινα
• As You were baptised in Jordan
  Εν Ιορδάνη βαπτιζομένου σου Κύριε