11. Mrs Lesley Hicks asked -

In view of the aim that our schools should both teach and model the Christian faith to their students, what policies apply regarding the allegiance and commitment to the Christian faith of people applying for appointment as principals and to the teaching staff of the various types of Anglican schools in this diocese?

To which the President replied -

There are 14 school councils created by ordinance of the Synod. Each school council is responsible for the development of policies for the management of the school. Some ordinances specifically require the school council to appoint a Christian as principal.

Each school council is responsible for developing and implementing policies for the appointment of the principal and staff.

The Standing Committee's policy is that to "maintain the Christian ethos of organisations and schools the Standing Committee considers it vital that senior management positions in ... organisations (including schools) be held by Christians". This policy is printed on page 14 of the Standing Committee's Report but can only be a voluntary code unless there is a provision in the ordinance constituting a school council requiring compliance.

Item 6.12 of the Standing Committee's Supplementary Report refers to the Standing Committee having received a lengthy report on various aspects of church school councils, including the appointment of principals, and indicates that a detailed report will be made on the outcomes of the debate on that report.

Schools not under Synod ordinances but which refer to themselves as "Anglican" develop their own policies in this area.