Religious instruction
Queensland state schools embrace a multitude of cultural, religious and non-religious beliefs. Under the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006, schools are to provide Religious Instruction (RI) if approached by a faith group seeking to provide RI and students of that faith attend the school.
RI informs students about the beliefs and values of a particular religion. It is delivered by volunteers of a faith group using instructional materials approved by that faith group. RI is required to be consistent with legislation and Department of Education policies and procedures.
All RI instructors must hold a blue card and participate in compulsory Student Protection and Code of Conduct training. RI instructors are only entitled to deliver the RI program outlined below. A school staff member will be present during the delivery of RI.
Participation in RI is not compulsory. Any student (except Prep students) may participate in RI if a parent has provided written instructions to the school.
Students are allocated to RI based on information provided by parents on the completed Application for student enrolment unless other written instructions have been provided to the school.
Note: This consent remains in effect unless the parent informs the school otherwise in writing.
A description of the RI available is provided below:
Combined Church's Religious Instruction
Participating faith groups: Combines Church's
Authorised program: “Connect"
Aims and goals:
- to provide an overall understanding of the major Bible stories
- to help children understand God as revealed in the Bile and that He desires a relationship with Him
- to help children understand how a relationship with God should affect how we related to other people
- the program aims to teach this in an age appropriate manner
- the program aims to make connections between the lessons and their life experience
Lesson structure: Students are divided into year levels and have 1 half hour lesson once per week.
Parents of students participating in these programs will be advised if a faith group requires funds to cover the expense of materials used in RI.
Catholic Religious Instruction
Participating faith groups: Catholic
Authorised program: “Christ our Life and Life"
Aims and goals:
- to create a deepening awareness of Jesus Christ
- to create a deepening knowledge of Jesus Christ through Scripture and Tradition
- to present through learning experiences the beliefs and practices of Christianity in the Catholic tradition
- to encourage students to understand these beliefs and practices in terms of their daily lives
- to encourage students to reflect on how the Gospel values and love of God and of neighbour can be expressed
Lesson structure: Students are divided into year levels and have 1 half hour lesson once per week.
Parents of students participating in these programs will be advised if a faith group requires funds to cover the expense of materials used in RI.
Other Instruction
Students who are not participating in RI will be provided with other instruction in a separate supervised location. Other instruction must relate to part of a subject area already covered in class and may include:
- personal research and/or assignments
- revision of class work
- Wellbeing Programs
Parents will be advised of any changes to the RI and other instruction programs to ensure they are able to make an informed decision on their child's participation.