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 at McDowall State School is provided below.
Co-operative Arrangement Religious Instruction Program
Authorised program: Christian Religious Education Program
Aims and Goals:
- Communicate to students that God loves them and that they are important to Him
- Make connections between what they are learning about God and how they live today
Lesson structure: 1 x 30 minute lesson (5 times per school term).
For further information, including module and/or lesson descriptors visit: cepconnect.com.au
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, Literacy Pro, Soundwaves Online)
- wider reading such as independent reading appropriate to the student
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.
Students will be automatically placed into this program if the school has written parental instructions for their child to attend this religious instruction program.
If you wish to change your previous written instructions or you wish for your child to attend this religious instruction program, please provide written advice to the school.
Programs of religious
instruction are available at McDowall State School. Students from
Year 1 can elect to participate.