Scots College does not ask prospective principals about sexual activity, despite opposition from the Presbyterian Church
According to the Scottish website, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church elects a council responsible for the overall governance of the college.
In a letter sent to parents on Monday, Headmaster Ian Lambert said the move was not an attempt to distance the school from the Presbyterian Church.
Scotch The Melbourne college, which is also affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, wrote a letter to parents on Monday saying it rejected the idea that students in gay relationships could not be principals.
The Australian Law Reform Commission’s final report is due to be handed over to Attorney General Mark Dreyfus on Friday.
The federal government is considering removing anti-discrimination exceptions for religious schools that would allow them to discriminate against people on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or marital status or their pregnancy.
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The Presbyterian Church of Australia said in its submission that it was important that its schools “have the freedom to employ staff who are not only consistent with our ethos but live in a way consistent with that ethos”.
Submissions to the inquiry have also revealed rifts among members of the Catholic education system.
The top body representing Catholic school leaders in Australia said in its submission to the inquiry that the church discriminates against women and that school enrollment forms should have more than two gender options on the forms.
The discrimination laws that allow schools to discriminate against homosexual staff and students are morally reprehensible.
These comments appear to be at odds with other Catholic organizations and submissions for review, including the submission from the National Catholic Education Commission, which says religious schools must be able to hire staff who support the school’s religious ethos.
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“Regarding staff in Catholic schools, the law must protect them from living in hiding and being denied opportunities.
“Faith-based schools cannot build a faith community if they are legally barred from disciplining or firing staff other than those who can be determined to have actively undermined the school’s religious ethos,” the bill states .
