Top Tips for Collaborating in SRE - Part 3
Know the importance of collaborating with other local churches through SRE
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In my previous two articles, I discussed the benefits that can come from cross-church collaboration in SRE, as well as sharing some tips and tricks for healthy collaborations in Primary SRE. In this article, I will share some different tips and tricks for fruitful collaboration in High School SRE.
Top Tips for Collaboration in SRE - Part 1
Know the importance of of collaborating with other churches through SRE
These tips are different, as SRE can look quite different not only when compared to Primary SRE, but when compared from High School to High School.
1. Decide what model of SRE will work best - volunteer or paid
The first step in collaborating in High School SRE is to look at your specific school and decide which model of SRE delivery will be the most appropriate and see the largest number of students have access to classes.
In some instances, this means that a team of volunteers teaches all of the SRE lessons for the grade (or school) at the same time (e.g. last period on Tuesday). In others, (like the school at which I taught), SRE is spread across a 4-day a week timetable and the only way to cover so many classes is to employ a teacher to teach them all.
In both instances, collaboration is highly likely to feature – either as you partner with other churches to fill your volunteer team or as you form an SRE board to employ a teacher. The best model is always the model that will ensure that students whose parents want them to receive SRE lessons will have access to these classes – from Kindergarten all the way to year 12.
2. Decide if a board structure will help SRE to grow and thrive
As I mentioned in my first article, SRE boards are key collaboration points where churches can work together to support SRE in High Schools. If you have decided that employing an SRE teacher will see more students have more access to SRE lessons, but your church can’t cover the entire bill, then perhaps forming an SRE board is a good next step. There are numerous logistical requirements for such boards, which brings me to my next tip.
3. Utilise supporting organisations like Generate
If the best form of collaboration for your church is via an SRE board, you can set this up independently, or you can work with supporting organisations like Generate. Generate supports combined churches’ high school SRE Boards by providing all of the nuts and bolts necessary to ensure these boards are running above-board (so to speak). Generate also provides employment services such as HR, Payroll and insurance for the teachers employed through a board arrangement. Generate are there to make SRE collaboration run as smoothly as possible. Generate is not an SRE provider, but rather provides the support necessary to see SRE grow in as many high schools as possible.
4. Use ISCF Lunchtime groups as opportunities for further collaboration
Unlike SRE, these groups run at the principal’s discretion, but often have local church members come to facilitate and support the students who run the group. Scripture Union NSW is another support organisation with training and resources to help these groups run in full compliance with school policies and procedures.
I hope these articles have opened your eyes to some of the amazing ways we can be working together across parish boundaries and between different Christian denominations to strengthen the delivery of SRE in local Primary and High Schools.
Top Tips for Collaborating in SRE - Part 2
Helpful tips to create a better support network when working alongside and collaborating with other SRE teachers and providers