Information for Parents
Information for Parents
Information For Parents
Lunchtime groups are a relaxed and safe place for your child to make friends, ask their questions, and learn more about Christianity. All SUNSW lunchtime groups are run in accordance with Department of Education policies and with principal permission. Students also require a signed parental permission form in order for them to attend the group – please find the link to the parent permission form below.
Scripture Union NSW coordinates the volunteers that lead lunchtime groups, and these leaders may be Scripture teachers, youth ministers, chaplains, church volunteers, parents, or in the case of student-led groups – the students themselves. As we are committed to the safety of your child, before being approved as an SUNSW volunteer leader, we conduct comprehensive screening including verifying a volunteer’s Working with Children Check, ensuring current safe ministry certification and completing 2 reference checks, which are updated every 3 years.
The groups are designed to be fun, engaging and inclusive environments for kids to safely explore more about Christianity. They can support a child’s sense of belonging, wellbeing and spiritual health, as well as provide opportunities for learning skills in leadership. The group time will usually include a combination of games, an age-appropriate Bible talk, group discussion and time to pray.
If you have any further queries, please see our frequently asked questions below or feel free to call us on 9638 9000 or send us an email at [email protected].
Permission Forms
In accordance with the Department of Education NSW, students wishing to attend an SUNSW lunchtime group require parental permission to attend. To view or complete the permission form for your child to attend the group at their school, please click here…
Permission form
Frequently Asked Questions
The time spent in the group is relaxed, engaging and fun. It will usually include a combination of games, Bible talk, group discussion and time to pray. Leaders customise their plan to accommodate the children in the group, their needs and where they are at, with the aim to keep it a fun and supportive time.
Lunchtime groups are fun, welcoming environments where students can explore and ask questions about faith in an informal setting. Whilst we offer teaching resources for leaders to use, there is no set curriculum, allowing leaders to customise their group time according to the needs of the students in their particular group.
Aims of lunch groups include:
· For students to grow in their faith and knowledge of Christian spirituality.
· To promote wellbeing and spiritual health amongst students.
· To empower students to lead and have a voice.
· To create a safe and inclusive environment for students to explore issues of faith and spirituality.
Some students may not be comfortable, able or interested in attending SRE classes but may be open to exploring faith outside of the classroom environment.
These groups run with principal permission and under the Department of Education’s policy for VSA (Voluntary Student Activities). Scripture Union NSW coordinates the volunteers that lead lunchtime groups, and these leaders may be Scripture teachers, youth ministers, chaplains, church volunteers or parents, or in the case of student-led groups – the students themselves. As we are committed to the safety of your child, before being approved as an SUNSW volunteer leader, we conduct comprehensive screening including verifying Working with Children Check, ensuring current safe ministry certification and completing 2 reference checks.
Be assured that your child’s safety is important to us! Approved leaders of a registered SUNSW lunchtime group have a current WWCC, hold safe ministry training (updated every 3 years) and we have completed 2 reference checks on them which are updated every 3 years.