The CCD offers training designed to assist the Special Religious Education (SRE) teacher (catechist) in the development of the knowledge, skills and understanding required to teach SRE in government schools in the diocese. Training covers such topics as classroom management, Safeguarding/child protection, including mandatory reporting requirements, curriculum, teaching methods, child/adolescent development, the Scriptures, church and spirituality.
Training offered:
• CCD Ministry Induction Course (CCDMI) CCD Ministry Induction course is compulsory training for all new catechists and those returning to teach after an extended break from teaching. It consists of eight 2-hour units. Click here for a printable Information flyer on CCDMI.
• Level One - ‘Tools for Ministry” consists of six, 2-hour units, and is complimentary to the CCDMI. The units offered are ‘tools for the CCD ministry’ presenting teaching strategies for the classroom. It is offered as additional training and is not compulsory. A certificate is awarded on successful completion of the CCDMI and Levels One.
• Level Two – The Church in the 3rd Millennium consists of twelve 2-hour units. Units offered cover the teachings of the Catholic church. A certificate is awarded on successful completion of Level Two.
• Level Three – Faith in Ministry consists of twelve 2-hour units, however unit numbers may vary depending on the topic. A Diploma in Special Religious Education is awarded on the successful completion of all three levels of CCD ministry training.
• Ongoing training Compulsory SRE Training:
The Department of Education requires that all catechists undertake ongoing training which includes safeguarding/child protection including mandatory reporting, classroom management strategies and implementation of the authorised curriculum. These units are continually updated and are required to be undertaken every three years.
In-service training units are not suitable for new catechists as they take into account the knowledge and classroom expertise of experienced catechists.
Additional Ongoing Professional Development Resources
The quarterly catechist magazine, Connections, contains regular articles relating to current information in the areas of curriculum, classroom management and safeguarding/child protection which includes mandatory reporting requirements.
New and returning catechists.
New or returning catechists who have not completed the initial accreditation training since 2016 must undertake the CCD Ministry Induction (CCDMI).
To Register or enquire about training Phone: 8379 1643 or email: Registrations
CCD Ministry Induction (CCDMI)
The Mission and Ministry of the Catechist
Presentation and discussion of the Mission of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine and the Ministry of the Catechist in the Church today.
The SRE Teacher in the Parish and the School
An outline of the rights and responsibilities of the Special Religious Educator, the Parish, the parents of the children we teach and the School and the students themselves. This unit includes training in the Department of Education's Code of Conduct, which includes the Social Media policy.
Safeguarding/Child Protection/Mandatory Reporting
The Diocese has a strong commitment to the wellbeing, belonging and security of children and young people. This unit reflects the Diocese of Broken Bay’s commitment to implement the Child Safe Standards identified by the Royal Commission in the context of Special Religious Education in public schools. This unit further includes training in legislative requirements in relation to Mandatory Reporting and informs participants of their responsibility as a mandatory reporter and the systems in place to meet this legal responsibility.
Lesson Planning: Teaching the Authorised Curriculum
Workshop on using the authorised curriculum of the Catholic SRE program in the Diocese of Broken Bay. How to plan, prepare and present a lesson with confidence and enthusiasm and teach with sensitivity and in an age appropriate manner. .
The Development of the Child and Adolescent I
An introduction to current cognitive developmental theories used in curriculum design by examining Piaget, Vygotsky and Gardener's theories of cognitive development.
Classroom Management: Positive Discipline
Identifying the needs of students and a range of strategies to create and maintain a classroom climate conducive to effective teaching and learning.
Introduction to the Bible
An overview of the structure and formation of the Bible, so as to appreciate its nature and purpose.
Lesson Planning: Using Digital Resources
An activity based workshop to train teachers in the use of the digital resource that has been designed to complement the Walking with Jesus curriculum. (This unit is compulsory for SRE teachers who wish to use digital resources.)
Level One Certificate - Tools for Ministry
Teaching Strategies: Prayer in the Classroom
An activity-based workshop to help teachers feel confident in designing and leading their students in prayerful experiences, which will encourage the students into deepening their relationship with God through prayer.
Teaching Strategies: Listening and Questioning
Techniques in listening and questioning, which promote effective classroom communication.
Teaching Strategies: Using Music in the Classroom
An activity-based workshop to help develop skills, so that teachers feel comfortable in using music with lessons and teaching their students songs and hymns.
Teaching Strategies: Miracles and Parables
To appreciate the similarities and differences between each of the Synoptic Gospels by examining the Parable of the Sower and the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes in each of the three Synoptics.
Teaching Strategies: Using Drama in the Classroom
An activity-based workshop to help teachers feel confident to use drama as a learning activity in the classroom.
Teaching Strategies: Using Stories and Visual Resources
An activity-based workshop to help teachers maximise the effectiveness of their lessons by identifying and using appropriate resources.
Level Two Certificate -The Church in 3rd Millennium
Catechist Spirituality
A discussion of some features of Spirituality of the Catechist that are of special significance to the ministry.
Renewal in the Church
A workshop to provide an overview of the biblical, theological, liturgical and ecclesiological changes initiated by the second Vatican Council.
Development of the Child and Adolescent II
An introduction to current moral and social developmental theories by examining Kohlberg and Erikson's theories of moral and social development.
Catholic Sacraments of Initiation
Examine the theology and celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation and their role in the faith development of a Catholic.
Tools for Catechesis: The Catechism and Directory for Catechesis
A discussion of the two key tools for catechesis in the 21st century: the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC, 1993) and the Directory for Catechesis
The Natural World and Religion
Examining the relationship between Science and Religion through the ages to the present day, with practical focus on the teaching of SRE units that relate Religious Education and Science.
The Old Testament: The Story of the Faith Community - Exodus/Sinai
A study of the Exodus/Sinai covenant as a central event in the Old Testament, so as to gain an understanding of its significance in forming them into a Faith community.
The History of Liturgy
An examination of the historical development of the Liturgy of the Eucharist in order to appreciate the liturgical renewal of Vatican 2. This unit also includes an introduction to the Liturgy of the hours - the Church's Prayer.
The New Testament: Jesus the New Covenant
A study of the Pascal Mystery and its significance as a Covenant event.
Catholic Social Teaching
A workshop to provide an understanding of the origins and development of Catholic Social Teaching, through the examination of Scripture and Church documents.
Interfaith Dialogue and Ecumenism
A presentation of the position of the Catholic Church in dialogue with other Christian churches and major world religions.
An Australian Perspective on World Religions
A workshop exploring the nature of religion and providing an overview of the features of the major world religions
Level Three Diploma - Faith in Ministry
The Development of the Child and Adolescent III: Spirituality
An examination of current theories on the spirituality of the child and/or adolescent, with discussion of ways to bring the student's innate spirituality into dialogue with religion in SRE classes. This unit incorporates the communication of Faith.
A Method of Theological Reflection
A presentation of a method for reflection on the scriptures to be employed in the study of the synoptic Gospel of the Liturgical year.
Bible or Vatican Text
Each year a book of the Bible or a Vatican document is studied. There is a series of approximately eight workshops presenting themes of the chosen text. The workshops will include input, reflection and discussion of specific aspects of the text.
Spirituality of Leadership
A workshop examining the unique spirituality of the leader in ministry in the Church today.
Identity and Integrity in Ministry
A reflective session designed for the participant to create a unique synthesis of his or her learning experience and explore future directions for ongoing learning.
Ongoing training Compulsory SRE Training
The Department of Education requires all SRE teachers to undertake ongoing training in the following topics.
Safeguarding/Child Protection
The Diocese has a strong commitment to the wellbeing, belonging and security of children and young people. This unit reflects The Diocese of Broken Bay’s endeavours to implement the Child Safe Standards identified by the Royal Commission in the context of Special Religious Education in public schools. (This unit of ongoing training is compulsory for experienced catechists)
Classroom Management
Preventative Discipline Strategies aims at informing and skilling the catechist with tools that will anticipate classroom management problems and prevent them from becoming an issue that disrupts the flow of the Special Religious Education lesson.
(This unit of ongoing training is compulsory for experienced catechists)
Teaching Authorised Curriculum
Teaching with Sensitivity and Age Appropriateness aims to equip the catechist with the skills to focus on the learners in their class so that they can teach their lessons in an age-appropriate and sensitive manner.
(This unit of ongoing training is compulsory for experienced catechists)