Our Team of SRE Teachers

All people involved in SRE regardless of their role, have to be authorised. Each of our SRE Teachers has been authorised by the NSW & ACT Baptist Association and as such has completed the following:

  • A cleared and verified Working With Children Check (WWCC) Number

  • Child Protection Training

  • Initial and Ongoing Training which includes SRE specific, child protection and classroom management

  • A letter of authorisation addressed to the school/s

  • An Authorisation card

  • Warners Bay High School - Sara Cooper

    Sara Cooper is a qualified NSW teacher with a strong background at Warners Bay High School. She graduated from Warners Bay High School in 2005 before going on to study teaching and fine art at Newcastle University. While studying; Sara volunteered in the Canteen at the school for 4 years. After completing her degree in 2009 Sara returned to Warners Bay High School regularly as a casual teacher.

    Sara has been teaching Special Religious Education at Warners Bay High School since 2012. Special Religious Education at Warners Bay High School runs two days a week and is offered to all year 7 students in an “opt in” program. Student come down to our specially built classroom one period a week for a high energy, interactive and educational lesson about Christian principles and the relevance this has to them as 21st Century teenagers.

    Sara grew up in a non-Christian home and became a Christian herself at 14. Which has given her a real heart for teaching young people about the message of Jesus. She has been part of Warners Bay Baptist church since 2004. Sara is also a loving single mum to her daughter Emma and a massive fan of all things Disney.

  • Glendale Technology High School & Cardiff High School - Ben Waters

    My name is Ben (or Benny) Waters. I’m the Special Religious Education (SRE) Teacher at Glendale Technology High School and Cardiff High School. I studied theology (B. Divinity) at Moore Theological College and have had many years of experience teaching young people about the Christian Faith.

    My family attends and worships at Warners Bay Baptist where I also serve as the Associate Pastor. I minister to our church community in various ways through leading worship, teaching the Bible at our Sunday evening service, Evenings @ WBBC. Likewise, I also lead the team at IGNITE Youth group on Friday nights where teens from years 7 to 12 can get together, we play games and activities and learn from the Bible about what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

    When I’m not hanging out with my wife and kids, I’m usually reading, making coffee, running or playing around with my guitar or ukulele.

    I love SRE, because it is a great opportunity to ask questions about faith, God and the Bible as we investigate the Christian Faith, and we also have fun learning together.

    I look forward to meeting you,

    Benny.

  • West Wallsend High School - Lysander Lawrence

    Hi there, my name is Lysander Lawrence. I am the Scripture (SRE) Teacher at West Wallsend High for years 7-10.

    For many years now I have been working as a youth worker and Scripture Teacher, in teaching Scripture in high schools all across the Hunter. Believe it or not our Scripture classes and seminars are actually fun! Time and time again students have provided feedback stating that they have really enjoyed what has been presented.

    Teaching what is common across the denominational spectrum, scripture lessons are engaging, relevant and thought provoking as we make use of short video clips, interactive games as well as special groups such as World Vision, Jesus Racing or Compassion Australia. Whether religiously minded our not, students are given the opportunity to ask questions, explore and learn for themselves what it is exactly that others believe.

    All across the Hunter many schools have found a professional SRE program to be a valued part of their schools curriculum and overall educational experience.

    Looking forward to meeting you all - Lysander