Many public schools still recite Christian prayers at assemblies, despite the concerns of parents who say the education system should be secular.

NSW public schools are allowed to write or use Christian or multi-faith prayers in consultation with their community, according to Education Department policy.

Prayer time: Fraser Rowan at John Colet School, Belrose. In NSW's public schools, recitals are allowed if their communities agree. Credit:Nick Moir

President of the NSW Primary Principals' Association Geoff Scott says school prayers are ''more common than not'' but they do not have the same prominence they once did.

''It is certainly not something that is a feature in public schools because that's not what the public education system is about,'' he said.