Religious instruction

​​​​Religious Instruction at Middle Ridge State School

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 Religious Instruction programs available at MRSS is provided below.

​Religious Instruction Program 1:

A multi-denominational Co-operative Program based on the Christian faith is offered at MRSS as agreed upon by the participating faith groups

Participating faith groups:

• Hume Ridge Church of Christ
• Toowoomba Christian Assembly
• Church in the Park
• Anglican Church
• Bethlehem Lutheran Church
• St Bart's Anglican Church
• Christian Outreach Church
• Rangeville Community Church​
  

•  Authorised program:
              s CEP Connect – A Christian Education Curriculum
              s CEP Connect Series

•  Lesson structure:
  Lessons are drawn from the Connect Program handbook issued to accredited RI program volunteers who facilitate learning about the Christian faith. Lessons and activities are undertaken for 30 mins each Monday afternoon across various classes between 2.00-3.00pm, on the following basis: 
              s Year 4-6 students - Semester 1
              s Year 1-3 students - Semester 2
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​Religious Instruction Program 2:

An Islamic Studies (non-sectarian) program based on the Islamic faith is offered at MRSS as agreed upon by local members the participating faith group, the Toowoomba Islamic Society.

• Authorised program:
  s The Five Pillars of Islam (ISRE - Islamic Special Religious Education program)

Lesson structure:
Lessons are drawn from the ISRE - Islamic Special Religious Education Program provided to accredited RI program volunteers who facilitate learning about the Islamic faith. Lessons and  activities are undertaken for 30 mins each Monday afternoon across various classes between 2.00-3.00pm, on the following basis: 
            s Year 4-6 students - Semester 1
            s Year 1-3 students - Semester 2

Additional Information about RI Programs at MRSS
For further information about any aspect of the Religious Instruction program at Middle Ridge SS, please enquire through our school office and request to speak with Deputy Principal Belinda Brett. 

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 undertake review and consolidation activities relative to schoolwork alraedy underatken at class level, in a separate supervised location. These other activities will 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 and potentially may include online programs currently accessed by the students at school 
  
• wider reading such as independent reading appropriate to the student​
  

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