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.
Note: Religious Instruction is currently on pause and will recommence in Term 4, 2021.
A description of the RI available is provided below.
Combined Christian Religious Instruction
Participating faith groups: St Lucia Uniting Church, St Lucia Bible Church, Chinese Christian Church, St Lucia &Taringa Baptitst Church.
Authorised programs: Beginning with God; Big Questions; God Space.
Aims and goals: To enable an understanding of basic Christian ideas and the values that underpin them. To note the worth of these values as contributing to positive individual and community living. To enable skills in dealing with and reading sacred texts, in this case, The Bible. To nurture children's spiritual side by giving informed answers to spiritual questions.
Lesson structure: 30 minute lesson, once per week.
Buddhist Religious Instruction
Authorised program: Buddhist Edcuation Services for Schools Inc - Buddhist studies in English is designed for Buddhist and Non-Buddhist students
Aims and goals: The program will incorporate Buddhist belief and value systems - The Four Noble Truths, The Noble Eight - fold Path and The Five Precepts. The goals of the program are 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 & caring community. Lesson structure: 30 minute lesson, once per week.
Catholic Religious Instruction
Authorised program: Access Ministries
Aims and goals: To help children know that we are all one with all of mankind and that we all have a divine spirit within us. To love God with all our heart and mind and soul, to know that God is within us all. To show love, honour and respect to ourselves and then toall around us. Students are invited to participate in the sacraments of reconciliation, Eucharist and confirmation.
Lesson structure: 30 minute lesson, once per week.
Islam Religious Instruction
Authorised program: Islam RI
Aims and goals: The aim of Islamic RI classes is to inspire the young generation to develop noble characteristics of patience, truthfulness, trustworthiness, piety, love, strength, compassion and empathy through the learning about the lives of the Prophets. To provide students an appreciation of Islamic beliefs, culture and heritage. Encourage and motivate students to become productive and contributing members of Australian global society through faith, morals, discipline and human values.
Lesson structure: 30 minute 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 such as creative writing or literacy and/or numeracy activities which could include online programs currently accessed by the students of that school
- 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.