RELIGIOUS EDUCATION POLICY

Religious Education is to be provided to students if accredited and approved instructors are available.

To provide quality religious education classes for students whose parents request them.

• The principal should make provision for religious education to be scheduled on the school timetable (30 mins per week) where an accredited and approved instructor is available.
• All potential instructors must provide to the principal documentation indicating that they are accredited by their respective religious body and approved by the Department of Education.
• School Council will approve both instructors and the content of the Religious Education program.
• A qualified teacher is normally required to remain in the classroom with the instructor, however, where a principal is satisfied that a particular instructor is able to fulfil the required duty of care, the principal may agree that the teacher is not required to remain in the class continually. Such decisions must be recorded and regularly reviewed.
• The principal will ensure that prescribed form (GC566-revised 1996) or at least the precise words contained therein, is used to obtain parent consent or refusal to allow a child to take part in religious education. Failure to return the form within 14 days is taken to be consent to the child taking part in religious education.
• Attendance at religious education classes is not compulsory for students whose parents request that they be excused, in which case, the principal will make alternative supervisory arrangements for these students.
• Where the agreed syllabus is taught, students are not to be grouped according to denominations, but are to be taught in their usual classes.