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.
Religious Instruction: Christianity
Authorised program: Beginning with God - Connect
Aims and goals: To inform students about the belief of the Christian faith from a non-denominational perspective
Lesson structure: 1 x 30 min lesson / week from Year 1 – Year 5
For further information, including module and/or lesson descriptors, please contact the school to speak to the Religious Instruction coordinator.
Religious Instruction: Sikhism
Authorised program: RI program for Sikhism
Aims and goals: To impart structured Religious Instruction on Skihism and raise awareness in studenst about Skih identity.
Lesson structure: 1 x 30 min lesson / week from Year 2 – Year 5
For further information, including module and/or lesson descriptors, please contact the school to speak to the Religious Instruction coordinator.
Religious Instruction: Hinduism
Authorised program: Hindu Dharma & Scripture Education
Aims and goals: To teach moral values from the Hindu Dharma Scriptures and celebrate various Hindu festivals to emphasise the importance of Hindu cultural values and traditions.
Lesson structure: 1 x 30 min lesson / week from Year 1 – Year 5
For further information, including module and/or lesson descriptors, please contact the school to speak to the Religious Instruction coordinator.
Religious Instruction: Buddhism (currently not being offered)
Authorised program: BESS Program
Aims and goals: To teach universal Buddhist values; To enhance children's ability to better relate to themselves & to others through these values; To provide children with valuable life skills that will help promote a more harmonious and caring community.
Lesson structure: 1 x 30 min lesson / week from Year 2 – Year 5
For further information, including module and/or lesson descriptors, please contact the school to speak to the Religious Instruction coordinator.
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 such as creative writing or literacy and/or numeracy activities which could include online programs currently accessed by the students of that school (i.e. Mathletics, Reading Eggs)
- wider reading such as independent reading appropriate to the student
- other consolidation activities
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.