Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD)
The Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) was founded in 1536 in Milan, Italy, and has a long history of being recommended by Popes and Vatican Congregations to address the perennial need for evangelisation, renewal (re-evangelistion) and catechesis. In the late 1950s, the CCD was established in Sydney, Australia, for the purpose of providing religious education and Christian formation for Catholic children in government (public) schools. The CCD was then established in Catholic dioceses around Australia.
“Being a catechist is not a title, it is an attitude: abiding with him, and it lasts for a lifetime!
It means abiding in the Lord’s presence and letting ourselves be led by him”.
Pope Francis
Special Religious Education (SRE)
“Special Religious Education (SRE) is education in the beliefs and practices of an approved religious persuasion. Under the Education Act 1990, s. 32, government schools allow time for special religious education.” (DoE SRE)
The Catholic Diocese of Wagga Wagga provides a ministry to students in state schools through groups of volunteer Special Religious Education (SRE) teachers. Volunteer SRE teachers and assistants carry the message to the students in state schools that God is love and Jesus came to bring the Good News.
SRE COORDINATOR
The Diocese provides support and encouragement to SRE teachers and helpers through the Catechist Coordinator:
P: 02 69370003 E: catechist@wagga.catholic.org.au
A: PO Box 473, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650
Catholic Conference of Religious Educators in State Schools
CCRESS is the Catholic Conference of Religious Educators in State Schools in NSW-ACT. CCRESS draws its membership from every Catholic Diocese in NSW and the ACT and exists to assist Bishops to promote the evangelising mission of the Catholic Church through the work of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD). Bishop Brian Mascord (Wollongong Diocese) has been allocated the responsibility by the NSW-ACT Bishops for issues associated with the work of CCD via CCRESS.
Inter-Church Commission on Religious Education in Schools (NSW) inc.
ICCOREIS is the peak body that represents many churches that provide Special Religious Education in public schools in NSW. More information can be found at http://www.iccoreis.asn.au/
CURRICULUM
All catechists who teach SRE in public schools are required to only use the authorised curriculums which have been approved by the Bishop of Wagga Wagga. This important regulation is in place to ensure the consistency and quality of SRE delivery. Catechists should not deviate from the authorised materials, and/or introduce or teach their own content.
Three Catholic curriculums approved for use in the diocese:
Christ Our Light and Life http://www.ccdsydney.catholic.edu.au/currRes.html
Walking with Jesus https://www.bbcatholic.org.au/our-faith/ccd/curriculum
Faith and Life Series https://www.ignatius.com/promotions/faithandlife/
The current recommended Joint-denominational SRE programs are Connect (https://cepconnect.com.au/curriculum) and Godspace (https://godspace.org.au/curriculum/).
The scope and sequence for each of these curriculums allow participating schools, parents, and caregivers to understand and have confidence in what is covered in SRE lessons. Approved providers are required to have in place a cyclic review of their curriculum e.g. every 5 years.