RE Accreditation
Teachers in Catholic schools seek to integrate life and faith. Our primary school teachers in particular are required to teach Religious Education in their classes as an integral part of the curriculum. Although some secondary teachers may not be directly involved in teaching Religious Education, all teachers are required to promote a Catholic view of the human person and world.
To gain accreditation to teach Religious Education a teacher will require a minimum of four tertiary units of study in the fields of Scripture, Theology and Religious Education in Graduate or Post Graduate studies at a University like Notre Dame or Australian Catholic University. Where required, the diocese makes provision for teachers to hold Temporary Accreditation to teach RE while they complete the appropriate qualifications.
What is Accreditation to Teach RE?
A teacher who has Accreditation to teach RE is recognised by a Diocese as having suitable qualifications to teach Religious Education in the schools of that Diocese. In the Diocese of Parramatta the Certificate of Accreditation to Teach RE is signed by both the Bishop and the Executive Director of Schools. To be accredited to teach Religious Education a teacher in the Parramatta Diocese must be a Catholic and needs to have completed the required study.
Accreditation to Teach Religious Education 2012 - 2015
These guidelines for Accreditation to Teach Religious Education will have effect for a period of four years from 2012-2015. All teachers who teach Religious Education must be accredited, either by receiving the Accreditation to Teach Religious Education or by receiving Temporary Accreditation to Teach Religious Education.
In 2010 the Catholic Diocesan Directors approved a statewide framework to provide 5 categories of Accreditation applicable to all who work, teach or lead in Catholic schools. Within the context of that framework, namely An Accreditation Framework for Catholic Schools, Accreditation to Teach Religious Education will begin phasing in some changes in 2012.
The framework requires that in order to qualify for Accreditation to Teach Religious Education, applicants must be suitably qualified Catholic teachers, who have met one of the following standards of tertiary education:
- Parramatta Certificate of Religious Education (Institute for Mission)
- Undergraduate studies which include a minimum of six units, (CEO approved), in Theology/Scripture/Religious Education, at a tertiary institutio
- Undergraduate students commencing their studies in 2013 and beyond require undergraduate studies which include a minimum of six CEO approved units in Theology/Scripture/Religious Education at a tertiary institution
- A minimum of four CEO approved postgraduate units of study in Theology/Scripture/Religious Education
Teachers who are already Accredited to Teach Religious Education do not need to re-apply.
Full recognition will be given to teachers who have received Accreditation to Teach Religious Education from another diocese.
Once accredited to teach Religious Education it is a requirement that 45 hours over 5 years of professional religious formation be undertaken to maintain currency.
In general, undergraduate/postgraduate units in Theology/Scripture/Religious Education will be accepted as qualifications for Accreditation to Teach Religious Education. In order to support the requirements of the framework and in addition to courses offered at ACU, BBI and CIS, the University of Notre Dame is commencing courses for a Post Graduate Certificate in Religious Education. These courses will commence in 2012 and be conducted at the Diocesan Assembly Centre (DAC) and at Angus Kavanagh Centre (AKC). While release is not available to attend these courses, some funding to cover the cost of units is available if the teacher has been appointed to a school. Applications for consideration for study grants can be made through Staff Services.
Minimum Qualifications
The minimum qualification to be accredited is four Units of study in Theology, Scripture, Religious Education in Graduate or Post Graduate Studies.
Steps for applying to CEO for Accreditation to Teach Religious Education
OR
- Apply for Temporary Accreditation to Teach RE if the required study has not been completed.
Temporary Accreditation to Teach Religious Education
Teachers required to teach RE but who do not have appropriate qualifications to be fully Accredited to Teach RE must apply for Temporary Accreditation and undertake to complete suitable qualifications within five years. To be granted Temporary Accreditation to Teach RE, teachers send in the Application form, signed by their principal, to the RE Accreditation Officer at the CEO. Temporary Accreditation is confirmed by a letter to the teacher from the Executive Director which will include the expectation that studies will be completed within five years.
Personnel Assisting Teachers with RE Accreditation Applications
In the school
At the CEO
- Cecilia Zammit
Adult RE Education
Liaising with teachers re applying for RE accreditation
p 9840 5718
- Carol Hendricks
Team Leader Professional Services
Processes applications for accreditation and for study grants
p 9840 5616
Further RE professional development
Religious Education stands at the very heart of Catholic education. The Parramatta Diocese encourages teachers not to see accreditation as the end of a Religious Education teacher’s professional development journey, but more as a staging point along the way.
Ongoing professional development of Religious Education is available in a range of professional development and study support opportunities we are fortunate to have in the diocese.
The Catholic Education Office offers subsidies for teachers wishing to complete postgraduate studies such as a Graduate Certificate or Masters of Religious Education.
Click here to learn more about further RE professional development