About ethics – for families and schools
Primary Ethics classes for children run in hundreds of schools every week. Ethics lessons invite children to explore everyday ethical issues such as truth and lying, whether something is fair or unfair, cheating and friendship.
Our impartial volunteers present stories and questions which encourage children to consider what they would do in typical situations. The students develop skills that are essential in our complex, pressurised world – becoming ethical decision-makers who can think critically, give evidence-based reasons for their opinions and who are able to have attentive discussions and respectful disagreements with others.
Find out about our teaching method and curriculum, how to enrol your child in ethics, how to start an ethics program at your school and ethics in high schools. You can also watch an ethics class in action.
Volunteer to be an Ethics Teacher
Thousands of volunteers from all walks of life and of all ages teach ethics in their local schools every week.
We rely on parents, grandparents and people who are community-minded. It’s a rewarding way to get involved in your local community, learn new skills and have a positive impact for the future. You don’t need teaching experience.
We offer free training, full lesson materials and ongoing support.
Find out more about volunteering with us
Our Mission
Our mission is to support children to develop skills in critical thinking, ethical reasoning and respectful discussion by enabling community volunteers to deliver ethics classes in public schools.
About Primary Ethics
Primary Ethics was established to give schoolchildren the space to explore ethical dilemmas. We are an independent not-for-profit organisation and the sole approved provider of ethics classes to NSW public schools.
Since 2011, ethics classes have been implemented in over 500 schools in NSW and Primary Ethics has established itself as a highly effective education provider.
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What Our Students and Teachers Say About Ethics Classes
Personal development
"Teaching ethics is the best thing I have done. It has changed the way I think about things, about people and situations." - An ethics teacher
Critical thinking
"When I have an idea and I have to explain 'why' to the class, the idea becomes stronger in my head." - A kindy ethics student
Confidence
"It really helps to know your opinion is valued in ethics class and everyone will be kind to you." - Zippy - an ethics student
Argue and Listen without Judging
"I can formulate an argument and listen to others, without judging them." - Year 6 ethics student
In time, not very much time at all, it will be the decisions of the children we teach today that will shape the world.
Support Us
Primary Ethics is a registered charity which receives no government funding. We are funded solely by donations from our many generous supporters, large and small. You can easily donate via GiveNow, Australia’s giving platform for not-for-profit organisations like ours.
There are other ways to support us too – workplace giving, a gift in your will, a regular donation…
Your contribution will help ensure ethics classes continue to support children in learning to think critically, have a respectful discussion and make well-reasoned decisions. Skills for today’s schoolchildren – tomorrow’s leaders!
Meet our People
Evan Hannah
CEO
Paula Lam
Helpdesk
Danya Webb
Training Administrator
Anuya Velpanur
Area Manager
Frequently Asked Questions
- “How many children do we need to form an ethics class?”
- “Can we group different years together in one class?”
- “Does there need to be a supervising teacher in every ethics class?”
We answer all your questions in our FAQ area.
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Students of Ethics
Ethics Education at your school
Our ThinkReasonDiscuss program, growing out of the Primary Ethics experience, now offers our curriculum, teacher training and lessons to schools across Australia.
Contact Us
Feel free to contact us. If you have any questions at all, reach out to us Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm.
Suite 303, 24-30 Springfield Ave, Potts Point NSW 2011
[email protected]
+612 8068 7752
Get in Touch
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