Strategies for school leaders

School leaders are key to fostering a committed and respectful school environment that value and acknowledge the diversity of students and staff. Leaders model and create foundations for safe, inclusive environments that support wellbeing, engagement and positive outcomes for all.

Understanding your school community

Consider analysing enrolment data and local statistics to identify the cultural and faith diversity within your school community, including staff.

Review the SRE enrolment data for insights into student faiths and local government area statistics for the cultural and religious diversity in the local community. Visit the Multicultural NSW Compass and select your LGA and ‘Cultural Diversity’ for statistics about your local community.

Lead initiatives that actively promote multifaith understanding, demonstrating shared responsibility alongside families

Incorporating significant events

Where possible, integrate important religious holidays and cultural recognition days into the school calendar for whole school events. The Calendar for cultural diversity can assist to identify significant dates, such as International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and Diwali. Consult with the communities of faith for guidance where needed.

Practical considerations include discussing relevant events in assemblies and encouraging classroom activities that acknowledge these significant events.

Inclusive communication

Keep the school community informed about school activities that may impact on religious beliefs and/or practices. Consider including representation of the student and staff diversity in newsletters, social media, and translated materials to build deeper community awareness.

Share information about upcoming cultural or faith events with families and carers for genuine engagement and planning. Actively include families in school decision-making processes and in the Parents and Citizens (P&C) Association.

Planning multi-faith visits creates opportunities to bring diverse groups of students together across school communities and networks.

Invite guest speakers, excursions, incursions, and student-led projects to support an understanding of diverse faiths.

Consult the Controversial issues in schools and Other activities of a religious nature in schools procedures regarding exemptions and activities. Maintain up to date information about Special Religious Education (SRE) providers on the school website and in communication and orientation materials.

Where appropriate, build respectful relationships with local religious or faith leaders and communities.

When scheduling school events such as swimming carnivals and exams, consider accommodating for religious observances or other significant days where possible. Find further information on Engaging communities webpage, along with Engaging culturally and linguistically diverse communities professional learning.

Accommodating religious observances and practices

Where possible, provide staff and students flexible break times and designated, quiet spaces for prayer. Embed these accommodations in school policies and supervision arrangements. Refer to Other activities of a religious nature in schools for detailed advice.

Make staff available to oversee Other activities of a religious nature in schools, including prayer groups, to enable them to be held.

Consider the Uniforms at school procedures to ensure uniforms respect students’ faith requirements and practices. School uniform policies are designed to accommodate the diverse needs of individual school communities. For example, religious garments can be provided in school colours, such as hijabs, kufis, turbans, patkas, kippahs, and tichels. Schools can offer modest sports uniforms and sun protection options tailored to accommodate religious dress practices.

Consult the Knives in schools legal issues bulletin for protocols relating to baptised Sikh students wearing a Kirpan.

Collaborate with students, staff, and families to identify dietary requirements for canteen menus and food related classes or events. See Supporting students’ religious dietary requirements in school for more information.

Reporting religious intolerance

Leaders are required to provide clear, well-communicated procedures and documentation for reporting religious intolerance for students and staff.

Reinforce the importance of reporting. Ensure students and staff know how to report discrimination and are encouraged to do so.

Demonstrate that there is a consistent process for all reports and that they are taken seriously and are correctly identified. It is vital that all staff understand that addressing religious intolerance is a shared responsibility. Address reports of religious intolerance respectfully, promptly, and manage issues locally where possible.

Communicate outcomes to those involved to ensure transparency and closure for all parties.

Refer to the Religious Intolerance Helpline for additional guidance and support.

Support staff inclusive practices

Share related resources and learning opportunities.

Share the Multifaith inclusion – staff page with staff. The page provides guidance and professional learning. Consider scheduling and approve additional professional learning for staff on strengthening inclusive practices with people from diverse backgrounds.

Resources

• Religious Intolerance principal toolkit – designed to help principals and school leaders share consistent messaging with their school communities about religious intolerance, promoting safety, respect, and social cohesion.
• Supporting religion and spirituality – provides school leaders and teachers with general information about religious practices that have implications for NSW public schools and the diverse communities they serve.
• Information for parents, carers and students on religious intolerance –available in 25 languages.
• Special Religious Education (SRE) and Special Education in Ethics (SEE) participation letter-SEE available and Special Religious Education (SRE) and Special Education in Ethics (SEE) participation letter - SEE unavailable – letters for parents, available in 35 languages
• Anti-racism toolkit – helps school principals communicate and implement anti-racism practices aligned with the Anti-Racism Policy, offering templates, resources, and strategies to engage school communities, promote cultural inclusion and respond effectively to racism.