Marsden Chaplain and Religious Education teacher Sarah King is one of three educators who have developed a new Religious Education Curriculum Framework for Anglican schools across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Published in October 2026 following two years of collaborative work, the framework provides a shared foundation for Religious Education from Years 1–13, while allowing schools the flexibility to reflect their individual character, communities and teaching programmes.

Sarah worked alongside Denis McLay, Head of Faculty – Religious Studies at Diocesan School for Girls in Auckland, and the Reverend Mannie Marara, Chaplain at Hadlow Preparatory School in Masterton.

The project followed a review of the Anglican Schools' Office, which identified the need for a nationwide framework. Until now, Anglican schools have largely developed their own Religious Education programmes, without a shared guide to the key Anglican concepts and traditions students might explore at different stages of their schooling.

The new framework addresses this by providing a progression of learning from the early Primary years through to Year 13. It explores themes including the life and teachings of Jesus, the Anglican Church's Five Marks of Mission, the Christian calendar, Anglican identity and traditions, and, at senior levels, theology, philosophy and ethics.

Importantly, it is designed as a flexible guide rather than a prescribed programme of study. Schools can select and adapt content to suit their students, while continuing to offer learning opportunities beyond the framework, including the study of other world religions.

Drawing on expertise across Anglican schools

Sarah's involvement grew from her wider professional connections in Religious Education. As Secretary of the New Zealand Association of Religious Education Teachers and School Chaplains, she is part of a network of educators working across different Christian denominations.

When the Anglican Schools' Office called for volunteers to develop the new framework, Sarah put her hand up, bringing particular expertise in Religious Education at Primary and Middle School levels.

The three educators worked collaboratively, meeting online and in person, and contributing their time and expertise to develop the resource.

The framework is also intended to evolve over time. Its developers hope future revisions will benefit from direct contributions from Tikanga Māori and Tikanga Pasefika, further strengthening its reflection of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia.

Strengthening Marsden's Anglican special character

As an Anglican school, Marsden already incorporates many of the themes identified in the new framework into its Religious Education programme and wider school life.

While the framework focuses on Anglican beliefs, traditions and teachings, Marsden's Religious Education programme also explores other faiths and belief systems. In Year 10, for example, students study World Religions, developing a broader understanding of the diverse beliefs and cultures that shape our world.

Sarah sees the framework's publication as a useful opportunity to review what is currently taught, identify any gaps and consider how the programme might be further strengthened.

One of the framework's key contributions is its emphasis on distinctly Anglican concepts, including the Five Marks of Mission, which connect Christian faith with service, social justice and care for creation.

With the framework now available for schools to use, its publication comes at an ideal time as teaching departments begin reviewing their programmes and planning for 2027.

Marsden Principal Paula Wells says Sarah's involvement is a wonderful example of the expertise, commitment and service that characterise the school's teaching staff.

"Sarah's contribution reflects not only her knowledge and expertise as an educator, but also her deep commitment to the Anglican faith and to education. She has quietly and generously given her time to something that will benefit schools well beyond Marsden. That spirit of service is at the heart of our school's Anglican special character, and we're incredibly proud of the part she has played in developing this important resource."

The Religious Education Curriculum Framework 2026 is published by the Anglican Schools' Office, Aotearoa New Zealand.