About Us
Who we are
Christian Education In Schools (CEIS) is a wonderful service established by the ACT Churches Council, in response to the allowance for religious education within the ACT Education Act 2004. CEIS has grown a trusted partnership with the Education and Training Directorate (ETD) to provide this service. CEIS can be viewed as an added layer of education for your child; a valuable option for any family that feels this is right or them.
Why we exist
CEIS exists as an option within the public school system for children to seek, question and explore Christian faith and values.
The ACT Education Act 2004 addresses the fact that parents within the government education system may desire specific religious education for their children. In response to this allowance for parents, the ACT Churches’ Council established Christian Education In Schools – CEIS.
What we believe
For the full statement of faith shaping CEIS, see here.
Christians believe in Jesus Christ as God’s own son, both human and divine. We seek to follow his teachings as outlined in the Holy Bible. Jesus’ teachings focus predominantly on God’s love, loving God and loving others. We do all this in light of God’s promise of eternal life.
What we provide
CEIS provides a framework for assurance in providing quality, interactive sessions for students in government schools to seek, question, and explore Christian faith and values through a primary school curriculum; volunteer management; partnering with a broad range of churches across Canberra; and liaising with the ACT Education Directorate for effectively responding to parent requests for Christian Education.
seek question explore
From birth, children are on a journey of discovery and development – physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially and spiritually. Modern education focuses on supporting and encouraging holistic, lifelong learning for each child in all areas, to enhance their participation in a rapidly changing world. CEIS provides a platform of discovery and learning across open-ended educational sessions that in no way demands beliefs, decisions, or church attendance.
FAQ'S
FAQs FROM PARENTS
Yes. The CEIS service is for ACT government schools. Families of students in a government primary, high-school or college can place a request for Christian Education (and CEIS will assist in coordinating a provider).
CEIS can only occur in a government school when a parent requests it for their child. Once a request is placed, CEIS assists the school in organising the sessions and informing the school community. This also involves liaison with local churches to organise volunteer teams that are trained and coordinated by CEIS.
CEIS may be requested by speaking directly with your school principal. Requests can also be
made via the parent request form, which CEIS then directs to your child’s school. If it is a school that does not yet have CEIS seminars, please let your principal know in person that you have made a request.
Requests can be made at any time, and the permission remains in effect until your child leaves the
school or until you provide an alternative request.
The CEIS curriculum is available to all schools and based on the core idea that “the Bible is one big story about how God loves his children, and comes to rescue them forever.” Session overviews are provided to schools and parents upon request.
The term themes are:
Term 1: Easter Extravaganza
Term 2: Beyond You
Term 3: Bible Bonanza
Term 4: Christmas Celebrations
No. CEIS sessions are open to all students of any age with no prior understanding required. The sessions are designed for children with different levels of understanding and ideas. All thoughts and responses respected. Sessions are intentionally open-ended to allow students to form their own thoughts.
No, students always have a choice about how they participate.
Sessions are based on the Bible and may explore relevant verses using age-appropriate resources.
Praying may be discussed in sessions, and volunteers may say short, generic prayers relevant to the topic. Students are not required to be involved.
No. CEIS sessions are specifically about Christianity. However, the place of religion in people’s lives is greatly respected, and any discussion that might occur will be done in the spirit of curiosity and respect.
CEIS sessions are non-denominational and represent the Christian church as a whole. The content covers basic festivals and messages of Christianity.
Volunteers coming from a range of Christian denominations. All volunteers agree to the SU statement of faith (based on the Apostles’ Creed, the basic creed of the whole Christian church) and commit to working as a united team in line with the Scripture Union aims, beliefs, and working principles.
Volunteers are from local churches and have been approved through SU. This process requires an endorsement from a minister and friend, completed WWVP
screening documents, child safety training, and CEIS-specific training.
On the ground, each team of volunteers is guided by a trained CEIS staff member or a suitably qualified volunteer. The ACT education directorate also requires a school staff member to be within observation distance of each session.
If your child has questions coming out of the CEIS sessions and you’re not sure where to go, you could contact the CEIS coordinator and/or personally arrange
to visit a minister at a local church, who would be happy to provide you with more information and help answer your questions.
FAQs FROM SCHOOLS
Please contact the CEIS Coordinator who will arrange a meeting with you to discuss the process for implementing CEIS.
Each term we create a summary of the up-coming content to put in the school newsletter.
An overview of each session of the CEIS curriculum is available to all schools (link coming soon).
Yes. The resources and activities included in the CEIS sessions are based on modern teaching practices, considering variations in students’ development, learning styles and abilities.
CEIS sessions are scheduled on a day negotiated with each school during lesson time (as per
CEIS runs one-hour sessions with groups of up to 30 students at a time. If more students want to participate, an extra hour will be needed per group.
Primary schools usually have one or more CEIS sessions per term. Secondary schools have fortnightly sessions
CEIS does everything it can to make this a smooth process. Your school will need to:
• provide a suitable time and space for CEIS (while regular lessons continue for other students)
• provide permission slips and relevant information about the CEIS sessions to school families
• maintain a list of participating students
• ensure students are organised to attend on the scheduled day, along with a supervising staff member
• welcome CEIS volunteers and show them the allocated space and amenities
FAQs FROM VOLUNTEERS
Any member of a Christian denomination can volunteer (those under 18 can be placed in an
assisting role). New volunteers are encouraged to come along to one of our next training sessions
or arrange a meeting with the CEIS Coordinator.
Volunteers are required to:
• undertake a WWVP check
• complete relevant documents including a minister endorsement
• attend a training session each term (or visit a school to view materials)
• work with a volunteer team under the direction of a CEIS leader
Volunteers require about 2 hours for training each term (available during day or evening) and 1
hour for each school session they assist with (over 100 hours to choose from). Many volunteers use
flex-time or lunch-time to commit to CEIS.
Ideally each one-hour session of CEIS requires 4 volunteers plus the CEIS leader. This allows a
volunteer to be available for any small-group stations or to assist with students as required.
Volunteers are very welcome to come along to any session simply to provide extra support or
care.
FAQs FROM CHURCHES
Your church can partner with CEIS as an organisation through:
• organising a CEIS presentation
• committing to be involved in a local school
• celebrating ‘Let’s Go Sunday’
• adding CEIS to your annual budget
• supporting and promoting CEIS fundraisers
Churches can partner with CEIS by encouraging individual members to:
• volunteer
• request CEIS at their child’s school or tell parents about it
• subscribe to the termly CEIS Shared Prayers
• become a personal donor
• participate or help with fundraisers
• follow CEIS on Facebook
CEIS sessions work best in schools when local churches commit to regular leading and
volunteering. This allows relationships with students and staff to consolidate and student
exploration to be well supported. Contact the CEIS Coordinator who will help your church to
facilitate this process.
CEIS presentations take about 10 minutes and are tailored to suit individual churches. They usually
include:
• a brief overview of CEIS
• information specific to your area
• highlighting biggest needs
• celebrating student participation
Presentations can be a mix of verbal, video, power-point, resources and activities, depending on
your church preferences and capabilities.
Now called ‘Let’s Go Sunday’, CEIS designates the Sunday at the end of week 1 of the new school year as a moment for
churches to unite in prayer and celebration for all school ministry. Some churches choose an alternative date later in the year. Information and resources are provided for SMS and CEIS staff are available to make a presentation.
The School Prayer Network is simply a gathering of all interested Christians (church members,
ministers, chaplains, volunteers, etc) who consider it valuable to pray for children, families, schools
and community connections. Gatherings vary in style each term.
CEIS hosts some specific fundraisers through the year. Please contact the CEIS Coordinator for further information.
Additionally, CEIS encourages and welcomes ANY fundraising by ANY church, group or individual at ANY time!
CEIS runs only on donations and directs all funds towards children being able to seek, question and explore God, Jesus and the Bible.