On Tuesday, 12th November 2024, faith leaders gathered in the halls of NSW Parliament House to honour the contributions of Special Religious Education across New South Wales schools. 

The event, attended by the Hon. Prue Car MP, Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, along with a bipartisan assembly of Members of Parliament, highlighted the profound impact Special Religious Education has on students’ personal and spiritual development.

Among those honoured was Father Eusebios, Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne and Abbot of Pantanassa Monastery, awarded for his instrumental role in creating and developing the Greek Orthodox curriculum, ‘Christ in Our Midst,’ a work carried out with the blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia. 

The Greek Orthodox curriculum for scripture students represents nearly four decades of work and stands as a testament to the commitment of the Monastery, which not only designed but financed the development of this high-quality series. The curriculum includes over 500 meticulously developed lessons, bolstered by engaging Scripture workbooks, audio-visual materials, and teacher resources. The curriculum was commenced by Elder Stephanos, the former Abbot of the Monastery, in the 1960s.

Father Eusebios’s leadership extends beyond curriculum development to teacher training and support, a role that began with the Monastery’s initiation of the first Greek Orthodox Scripture Teacher training courses. His vision has ensured that the curriculum also nurtures essential qualities for civil society: personal growth, civic responsibility, tolerance, and identity.

We pray that leaders across faith communities and political lines continue to advocate for SRE as a vital element of a well-rounded education in New South Wales public schools.