ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø

Clear communication with parents, carers and the community supports:

• a better understanding of the content being covered or materials being used for content delivery
• a stronger understanding of the aims of programs and underlying concepts for all involved
• students to feel comfortable and engage in purposeful learning
• leaders and teachers to make informed decisions.

Communicating with parents and carers

Clear and proactive communication with parents and carers prior to delivering Respectful Relationships ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø (RRE) helps build understanding and transparency. This allows for parents and carers to make informed choices and to support the learning through discussions at home.

All NSW public schools must teach the approved mandated syllabuses and prescribed texts. Some of the mandatory content delivered in RRE could be considered controversial or sensitive for some families and groups.

For this reason, it is important for schools to be open and transparent about how RRE will be delivered in their context. How information is communicated to parents and carers is a school-based decision. This communication should be done prior to delivery of the content to allow parents, carers and students to raise any concerns or ask any questions regarding the content, resources, timing or modes of learning.

Schools should:

• provide initial information at the start of the school year to inform parents and carers about RRE, including its place in the curriculum, key topics, resources to be used and any involvement of external providers or extracurricular activities
• use school communication channels to share reminders and updates before RRE is delivered, outlining the timing (for example, term or week) and the intended learning outcomes
• include information for parents and carers about sensitive or potentially controversial topics that will be addressed, and explain how these are approached in line with curriculum requirements and school programs
• offer a point of contact for parents and carers such as the class teacher, school executive or principal. This allows parents and carers to access further information or to discuss any concerns.

Religious exemptions from curriculum

Principals are responsible for the delivery of curriculum, school programs and activities, inclusive of the study of controversial issues. This includes the approval of content and supervision of activities delivered by external providers.

Principals may receive questions from parents or carers about exemptions from RRE on religious grounds. If there are objections to a child being taught a particular part of a course of study (section 26 of the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Act 1990), principals must follow the process outlined in the Other activities of a religious nature in schools policy, specifically section 3 – Parents or carers may apply for exemption from classes when they conscientiously object on religious grounds.

If a parent or carer has concerns about what their child is learning in class, they should first:

• speak with their child’s teacher, who can provide them with further information about the curriculum
• speak with the school principal if they continue to have concerns.

Students will continue to attend classes until a certificate of exemption is issued.

Sample information letters

Use the sample information letters to communicate with your school community about RRE teaching and learning programs.