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Update on religious and ethics activities in NSW schools

Special Religious Education (SRE)/Special Education in Ethics (SEE) is not currently permitted in Greater Sydney, including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour.

Approved providers have modified their authorised curriculum to enable students to learn from home.

Parents/carers may wish to access the SRE and SEE resources through the portal entry points to lesson content below:

For more information or support on these resources, please contact the approved provider.

Refer to the department’s COVID-19 Advice for families page for more information on school operations.

New virtual courses available for NSW students

Is your child interested in learning new skills at school through virtual vocational education and training courses? 

From next year, schools in NSW will be able to offer 20 new virtual vocational courses to Year 11 students. These new industry focused courses will contribute to a student’s HSC and ATAR. They will also give students great in-demand and practical skills for the workplace. 

The courses focus on current skills needs and include: 

  • allied health assistant

  • game design

  • cyber security 

  • robotics 

  • digital supply chain.

The virtual courses are different to ‘online’ learning in that they are delivered via a virtual classroom with a teacher, other students in the class, and an established weekly timetable. This will be complemented with 24/7 access to content, chat rooms and tutorials to connect with other students. 

Each of the new courses is part of an existing NESA Industry Curriculum Framework (ICF) syllabus. 

Expressions of interest (EOI) for the courses are open now but be quick, as they close on 3 September 2021. Students can find out more at Skills at School, and speak to their school’s VET coordinator or careers advisor to discuss the options available to them.

Parent and carers survey on consent education now open

Have your say. A short survey for parents and carers is now open to help the Department strengthen consent education for students.

Students from across the state, both past and present, have this year called for improved consent education.

This was sparked by a petition by former Sydney student Chanel Contos, which led to thousands of young people sharing their stories of witnessing or experiencing, sexual harassment, abuse and violence amongst young people.

In response to the voices of young people, the heads of the three education sectors signed a Statement of Intent. In this Statement, the NSW Department of Education committed to a number of actions – including partnering with parents and carers to improve consent education.

There is now an opportunity for parents and carers to have their say by completing a short survey.

This anonymous survey is available in 10 languages other than English and will take less than 10 minutes to complete.

It is part of a collaboration between the NSW Department of Education and the Federation of Parents and Citizens Associations of NSW (P&C) to strengthen students’ understanding of consent and prevent sexual violence among young people.

The results will be shared through NSW Department of Education and P&C websites.

They will help the Department plan how we can better support consent education at school and at home, and understand the kinds of resources parents and carers would find helpful in having important conversations with their children.

Visit the Department’s webpage for frequently asked questions (FAQs) and to find out more about the Statement of Intent or how consent education is taught in NSW Public Schools today.

Update – Proposed teachers strike

Earlier this week, the Industrial Relations Commission ordered the NSW Teachers Federation to stop strike action planned for Tuesday, 7 December.

The order extends to any other form of industrial action relating to the Federation’s current wage claims. The Federation has declared it will defy these orders and the strike is likely to go ahead. I want to reassure you that we are doing all we can to ensure teaching and learning continues without disruption – especially given the difficulties and challenges students, parents and families have experienced during the course of this year.

The current Teachers’ Award expires on 31 December 2021 and the department has been negotiating a new Award with the Teachers Federation, with the assistance of the Commission. We have been unable to reach agreement on a final Award and the matter will be arbitrated by a Full Bench of the Commission, scheduled for May 2022.

Rather than wait until the outcome of the arbitration in May, the department has made an application for an interim Award to deliver a 2.5% salary increase for teachers and related employees as soon as the current Award expires. This is the maximum amount allowed per annum under the Industrial Relations Act. It would be effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 January 2022, ensuring our teachers and related employees don’t miss out.

The department is strongly encouraging the Federation and its members to comply with the Commission’s orders. But we are also working to make sure our students and their families are supported should industrial action proceed. We will keep you updated as developments come to hand, both on our website and social channels. Principals will also be in contact about plans for your local school.

Summer skills for 2021 school leavers

Get job-ready this summer with fee-free courses across in-demand industries.

The NSW Government’s Summer Skills program of fee-free short courses is now available to all school leavers aged 16-24.

School leavers can choose from a wide range of vocational courses in booming industries such as hospitality, agriculture, retail, construction, information technology, business and many more.

CTA: Explore courses

Participants can gain training and valuable workplace skills whilst building their CV’s as they explore their interests in growing career sectors.

With courses located across NSW, this summer is an excellent time for NSW school leavers to build their skills and get ahead in 2022.

Registrations for the Summer Skills program with prioviders will close on 28 February 2022.

Explore our course and find out more about the program on our website.

COVID-19 vaccination for students aged 12 years and over

As schools prepare for the start of Term 1, 2022, parents and carers of students aged 12 years and above are reminded to book their children’s Pfizer or Moderna vaccination as soon as possible. Bookings are available through the Vaccine Clinic Finder. 

NSW Health advice indicates that vaccinations offer excellent protection against COVID-19 in children. Even though COVID-19 in children is often milder than in adults, there’s strong evidence to support vaccinating children.

Vaccines give the immune system a helping hand to protect against serious illness and possible long-term effects from COVID-19. Vaccinations also help to protect friends, family and our school community by reducing the spread of the virus. 

Visit the NSW Government website for more information or talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about the COVID-19 vaccination for your child to help you make an informed decision.

All staff are also advised that booster vaccinations will be included in an updated Public Health Order as announced by the NSW Government on Friday 7 January 2022. Further information be provided by the department as it becomes available.

If you require a free telephone interpreter, call 131 450, say the language you need in English and ask the interpreter to connect you to the COVID-19 vaccine helpline.