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.
Catholic Religious Instruction
Participating faith groups: Capricorn Coast Catholic Parish
Authorised program: Christ Our Light 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 of love of God and of neighbour can be expressed and experienced in their daily living.
Lesson structure: One, 30 minute lesson per week.
Combined Church’s Religious Instruction
Participating faith groups: Capricorn Coast Combined Group
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 Bible and that He desires a relationship with Him.
- To help children understand how a relationship with God should affect how we relate to other people
- The program aims to teach this in an age appropriate manner
Lesson structure: One, 30 minute lesson 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 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
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