Each week, our authorised teachers visit local public schools to teach Sikhism to students whose families have nominated it — from the Gurdwara and seva in Kindergarten through to Sikh history, philosophy and Gurbani in the senior years.
Special Religious Education (SRE) — often called “scripture” — is education in the beliefs and practices of an approved religion, taught in NSW government schools by authorised representatives of that religion.
SRE is opt-in. Your child only attends if you have nominated Sikhism on your school’s participation form. Students who aren’t enrolled in any SRE class take part in supervised alternative activities such as reading or private study.
Lessons run during a set period each week, timetabled by the school. Sikh SRE is provided by The Australian Sikh Association Ltd. (ASA), an approved provider under the NSW Department of Education’s Religious Education and Special Education in Ethics policy.
Every lesson follows a curriculum authorised by ASA, published in full below. Teachers may only use materials the provider has approved.
All SRE teachers hold a current NSW Working With Children Check and complete child protection training.
Participation is entirely voluntary. You can change or withdraw your child’s enrolment at any time.
Approved providers must publish their curriculum outline publicly so families and principals can see exactly what is taught. Below is our full authorised curriculum, term by term, from Kindergarten to Year 10.
Sikh SRE is currently offered at these NSW public schools. If your school isn’t listed and you’d like Sikh SRE offered there, please get in touch — classes start when a school has enough interested families.
SRE is opt-in — your child will only attend if you nominate Sikhism. Here’s how.
Search the list above. If your school isn’t there, contact us — we may be able to arrange a teacher.
Your school will send a participation letter at enrolment or at the start of the year, listing every religion available at that school. Nominate Sikhism. Some schools collect this through the online enrolment system instead.
The school timetables the lesson and lets you know the day and time. Our authorised teacher takes the class at the school.
You can withdraw or change your child’s SRE enrolment whenever you wish — just let the school office know in writing.
Every Sikh SRE teacher is authorised by The Australian Sikh Association and meets the Department of Education’s requirements for teaching in public schools.
Teachers are formally authorised by ASA and carry photo identification and a name badge in schools.
All teachers aged 18+ hold a current NSW Working With Children Check, verified before they enter a classroom.
Professional development runs before the start of each term, covering child protection updates, the Code of Conduct, classroom management and curriculum.
Our SRE Coordinator provides classroom observation, mentor support and feedback, and assures adherence to the authorised curriculum.
If something isn’t right, please tell us. We take every concern seriously and aim to resolve it fairly and promptly.
Email our Director of Education at education@gnps.nsw.edu.au. Most concerns are resolved with a conversation.
You can speak to your school’s SRE Coordinator or principal, who will contact our Director of Education. Our General Secretary then works with the teacher involved to resolve the matter, and we close the loop with your principal so everyone knows the outcome.
Any complaint relating to child protection is notified to our Director of Education immediately, and follows the Department of Education’s child protection procedures.
You can always raise a concern with the Department of Education directly. We will cooperate fully with any review.
We’re always looking for volunteers to teach Sikhism in local public schools. Training, curriculum and ongoing support are all provided — you don’t need teaching experience.
Tell us a little about yourself and our Director of Education will be in touch within 2 business days.