Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a question that isn't answered here, please contact us with your enquiry.

What is SRI/CRE?
Christian religious education (CRE) is a 30 minute lesson given by accredited ACCESS ministries CRE volunteers during school time which teaches children the Christian faith and the values which come from Christianity. Our CRE program is technically a program of “Special Religious Instruction” (SRI). Other faith providers of SRI (including Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, Baha’i, Greek Orthodox, Hare Krishna, and other faiths), refer to the SRI they provide to students in their own ways.

Why is CRE in government schools at all?
The provision of SRI is under the direction of the Minister for Education and DEECD. ACCESS ministries complies fully with legislation and departmental guidelines regarding the provision and conduct of SRI in schools. Special religious instruction is provided for in the Victorian Education and Training Reform Act (2006). It provides for religious instruction to be given in Victorian government schools by approved instructors from recognised religions (not just Christianity). The presence of SRI does not undermine the secular nature of Victorian government schooling. It has been an accepted presence in Victorian government schools for many decades.

Is CRE compulsory for all students? Why must religious instruction be forced on children?
CRE is NOT compulsory for any student to attend. The wishes of parents regarding their child’s participation in any SRI are well respected by schools and the various providers of SRI. The fact remains that many parents across the state are happy for their children to participate in the ACCESS ministries CRE program, and learn about the Christian faith, the stories of the Bible, why Christmas and Easter are significant, and how children are precious to God.

What is taught in CRE lessons?
In CRE lessons children are taught the Christian faith in ways appropriate to their age and stage of learning. All ACCESS ministries CRE teachers use the Agreed Curriculum which is published by ACCESS ministries, and written by Australian and New Zealand classroom teachers for our specific context. Children learn Bible stories about Jesus; hear about the Good Samaritan, caring for the poor, and what it means to pray. The values which come from the Christian faith are also discussed, and especially how these can apply to the everyday lives of children.

Who is ACCESS ministries?
ACCESS ministries is the trading name of the Council for Christian Education in Schools. Our organisation (and its forerunners) has been providing SRI in government schools for many decades. The Council is made up of representatives of 12 member churches (Anglican Church, Australian Christian Churches, Baptist Union, Christian Brethren Fellowships of Victoria, Christian Reformed Churches, Churches of Christ in Australia, Churches of Christ in Australia, CRC International, Lutheran Church, Presbyterian Church, Salvation Army, Uniting Church, Wesleyan Methodist Church.

Why is only Christianity taught in our schools? What about the other faiths, why aren’t they represented?
Other faith providers DO provide SRI for students in Victorian government schools. There is Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, Baha’i, Sikh, and Muslim SRI, as well as some separate Orthodox and Catholic programs operating in schools. Different organisations oversee the work of these providers. The numbers of students participating in other SRI programs is smaller than the number participating in CRE, which reflects the demographic spread of religions within our Australian context.

Why don’t we have multi-faith lessons?
Each of the various providers of SRI teaches only their own religion to students in their classes. This is what is provided for in the Act of Education and the Department of Education guidelines.

Who teaches the CRE lessons?
ACCESS ministries CRE lessons are taught by 3200 volunteers each week. They are among the thousands of volunteers who contribute 713 million hours of service annually to Australian society (Australian Bureau of Statistics, Voluntary Work survey 2006). All ACCESS ministries CRE teachers must successfully complete the prescribed application and training requirements for this important role. All ACCESS ministries CRE teachers have a valid Working with Children Check, an endorsement from their local Minister/Pastor/Priest who has known them for at least 12 months, and have successfully completed their initial training. They have also been approved by the Minister for Education for the purposes of delivering SRI. All ACCESS ministries CRE teachers are also required to participate in ongoing training every year.