The history of Korus Connect

The work to establish the Council for Christian Education in Schools (CCES) began after the passing of the Education Act of 1872, which paved the way for government schooling. The question of religious instruction was never very far from the minds of the Churches. They had previously been heavily involved with the provision of education in Victoria. Religious instruction in these early years could be provided by volunteers after school hours and students participated according to their church denomination.

THE 1800s

The first teaching material for Religious Instruction (RI) was developed in 1890 by the Geelong Association for Giving Religious Instruction in State schools. Within a year more than 100 volunteer instructors were involved. Some travelled in buggies similar to the one pictured above.

Through the 1890s, the work spread to other areas of the state, requiring a more coordinated approach. So in 1896, the newly formed Presbyterian Elders Association undertook this coordination role.

THE 1900s

The work continued to grow and so a broader church representation in the oversight was needed. In 1920 the Joint Council for Religious Instruction in Day Schools was formed and within two years took over the oversight of this important work. At the time more than 59,000 children were being taught by 729 instructors. Some children in remote areas received their RI by correspondence, as it was so much more difficult to get around!

The Joint Council was later renamed the Joint Board of Christian Education, followed by The Council for Christian Education in Schools, first in 1943 but incorporated in 1945.

The Council at this stage was made up of representatives from The Church of England, Presbyterian, Methodist, Congregational and Baptist churches, the Churches of Christ and the Salvation Army.

1945-1960

The Rev Rex Matthias served as the first full time Director of CCES (1945-1948), and was succeeded by Rev H R Trenaman (see image below) who led for a short period before Rev L M Thompson (1949-1956) became Director.

CCES was tasked with overseeing the development of a common Agreed Syllabus (achieved in 1946, for both primary and secondary schools) and with training the RI volunteers.

This early period was very busy. A process of accrediting volunteer RI instructors was developed which included: local committees for RI supervision and selection of suitable candidates to be trained as RI volunteers; planning for the Agreed Syllabus; improvements to correspondence RI materials for rural and remote schools (with 2700 children receiving these); and hosting RI training conferences. The first two parts of an upper secondary RI series called ‘Plans for Living’ were published during the first three years, with the third part in the series and the primary school Agreed Syllabus being published during Trenaman’s time as Director.

In 1945, 151,600 students received religious instruction.

Rev Thompson was Director (1949-1956), a generous anonymous donation followed by a church donation, enabled chaplaincy to commence. The first chaplains were appointed in 1955 to commence the following year: to Brunswick, Footscray and Collingwood Technical Schools. Their roles were developed in response to the needs of their local schools.

Funding at the local level was important right from the beginning of school chaplaincy. Along with the expanded work, an Assistant Director was appointed; the Rev Dudley Hyde (who later became Director from 1957-1962).

During this time, the Council included: Dean Langley (Chair, pictured below), MLC Sir James Kennedy, Rev S Barton Babbage (Principal of Ridley College), Professor N Lade (Bishop of Gippsland) and the Very Rev Francis Roland (Moderator-General of the Presbyterian Church of Australia).

Strong support was also given by the Lieutenant- Governor, Sir Edmund Herring. What great support was provided by church and civic leaders!

CCES initiated conversations with theological colleges around upskilling chaplains. This enabled chaplains to be trained in Religious Education methods as part of theological education courses, equipping them to fulfil the paid roles that they undertook.