Religious diversity

Queensland is a dynamic and diverse society with many cultures, languages and religions. People from all over the world have come to call Queensland home, bringing with them a broad range of experiences, skills and customs.

Queensland state schools embrace this multitude of cultural, religious and non-religious beliefs and encourage students to grow and develop as a whole person, in particular, in beliefs, values and attitudes. State schools respect the background and beliefs of all students and staff by not promoting, or being perceived as promoting, any particular set of beliefs in preference to another.

Queensland state schools respond to the religious diversity of students through whole-school approaches, adjustments for specific students or adjustments in certain circumstances.

Some examples of ways that schools respond flexibly include:

Attendance - although parents are encouraged to ensure their child misses as little school as possible, in some circumstances it may be reasonable for a student to be absent to participate in a special religious observance or attend a funeral. These absences should be documented through the provision of a written or verbal explanation from the parent and recorded in the school roll appropriately.
Dress code - ensuring there are strategies to accommodate special circumstances of students e.g. religious and cultural beliefs.
Tuckshop - providing healthy food and drink choices that meet the range of dietary requirements for students at the school e.g. halal, vegetarian.
Class activities - adjusting a class activity to accommodate religious and cultural beliefs e.g. providing information in text or picture form instead of a television program.

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