Policy Number: SCS2025045
Released: 9 December 2025
Review Date: 9 December 2028
Rescinds/Replaces: SCS2023033

“The truth expressed in the Catholic tradition is that every human person, made in the image and likeness of God, is equal in worth and dignity along with every other human person, and is precious in the eyes of God.” (Created and Loved, p.2). The Church teaches in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) that “the human body shares in the dignity of the image of God” (CCC, 364) and that all people should acknowledge and accept their sexual identity (CCC, 2393). At the same time, the Church recognises that occasionally there may be instances where people experience dissonance between their biological sex and their ‘affirmed gender’.

“While there is no explicit Catholic teaching on the nature or causes of gender dysphoria, the Church affirms every human being is born biologically male or biologically female.” (Created and Loved, p.4). Furthermore, the Church affirms that “beyond the understandable difficulties which individuals may experience, the young need to be helped to accept their own body as it was created.” (Amoris Laetitia, n.285).

The issue of Gender Dysphoria is sensitive and complex. “It is important that students experiencing Gender Dysphoria understand the depth of God’s love and the extraordinary beauty of creation, each unique human person, male or female, is to be received and appreciated, protected and nourished, respected and cherished. Christians are committed to respecting the dignity of every individual.” (Created and Loved, p.4).

The purpose of the policy is to affirm that Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) is committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment, grounded in the principles of solidarity, participation and subsidiarity, for all students, including individuals experiencing Gender Dysphoria. Consistent with the SCS Magis Strategy, we keep people at the heart of all …