Volunteering

‘Each lesson is an adventure’ – Lee’s story

Lee Edgerton’s story of volunteering as an ethics teacher at his daughter’s school in Sydney’s north.

Volunteering as a Primary Ethics teacher has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life. It’s been a journey that has not only allowed me to bring such a valuable curriculum to young minds but also to learn and grow alongside my students.

Their unfiltered perspectives often challenged my own, pushing me to view situations through a lens of simplicity and honesty.

While Primary Ethics readies their volunteers with in-depth training, nothing can prepare you for taking those first steps into the classroom. From my first lesson with my Stage 1 class (Years 1 and 2), there were students absolutely soaking up what I was sharing. Teaching ethics isn’t about conveying morals; it is about nurturing their ability to find their sense of right and wrong and helping them understand the importance of values and principles in everyday life.

Each lesson is an adventure, for the children and me. In term 1 we explored the theme ‘pride’ through storytelling, interactive discussions and visual aids. While they were thinking deeply about what it means to be proud, I was learning about myself and about how I can engage with my own children on these topics in a better way.

It was very rewarding to see how involved the students were. With six-to-seven year olds, you need different strategies to manage the class, so that you can cover the topics and reach every student. But by the end of the first term, when a child was being noisy and distracting, their classmates would tell them to pay attention. It was amazing to see students so interested and encouraging others to be interested too.

As much as I was there to teach, I found myself learning from these young philosophers. Their unfiltered perspectives often challenged my own, pushing me to view situations through a lens of simplicity and honesty. Not only that, but the positive Primary Ethics approach to managing behaviour in the classroom has given me tools to use at home with my own children.

Volunteering has given me a profound sense of fulfillment. Knowing that I’ve played a part in helping these young minds to develop their reasoning skills – and their compassion – is rewarding in itself. It’s a privilege to contribute to their journey of ethical development and to plant seeds that can grow into strong, ethical foundations for their future.

Where magic happens

I’m very grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of these children. While I’ve sometimes felt out of my depth, I’m often reminded that’s where the magic happens. I look forward to continuing this journey of teaching, learning and growing together.

Teaching ethics to primary school children is not just an educational endeavour – it’s a way to build a better world, one lesson at a time. And for anyone considering volunteering in this capacity, while I can say it comes with its own challenges, I can absolutely also say it will be one of the most rewarding experiences you can have.

Please feel free to reach out to me if you’re thinking about volunteering to teach ethics, via communications@primaryethics.com.au

‘It’s a privilege’ – Kangaroo Valley ethics

Every Thursday in term time, three trained volunteers teach ethics at Kangaroo Valley Public School. In ethics classes, children from kindergarten onward are guided to develop their skills in critical thinking, ethical reasoning and respectful discussion. Ethics lessons explore everyday ethical issues such as truth and lying, getting even, being fair or unfair, cheating and friendship.

Michael Cox is entering his seventh year as an ethics volunteer. He started out teaching his grandchildren but they’ve moved on. Michael stayed because he wanted to keep contributing within his community and finds the course materials “excellent” and personally interesting.

“The course explores how we humans derive our sense of right and wrong and our principles such as honesty, fairness and equity, how we can live together in a way that facilitates human flourishing and wellbeing. We could do with a bit more of all that,” Michael says.

The capacity to evaluate

‘In these times where there is increasing blurring of what’s true and what’s not and lapses of ethical behaviour in some of our social institutions, I think children need to be equipped with the skills to reason out ethical dilemmas and to engage in respectful dialogue with others. And to develop the capacity to evaluate and make their own considered judgements about what they see, hear or read and to become proficient at spotting bias.”

Irene Dungey has also been volunteering for several years – in fact she taught ethics in Dapto and Port Kembla before moving to Kangaroo Valley.

“Initially, I was retired and searching for something to volunteer for in the community. When I heard about the ethics program, I was excited at the prospect of teaching something I believed in. I found my initial training excellent and we were given feedback that was very useful.

“When the fires went through the valley in 2020/21 our house was destroyed. By the time I was back on my feet I heard that ethics had started at our local school and here I am.”

Gai Halcrow also initially began teaching ethics outside of Kangaroo Valley. “I first volunteered for Berry Primary School when my child was in preschool. Then when he started at our local small school here in Kangaroo Valley, I joined Michael and started teaching my son as part of the kindergarten class. We are now up to Grade 4.”

Each of these volunteers greatly enjoys teaching ethics.

Says Michael, “I sometimes feel quite inspired by the ability of the children to address complex issues … when a child comes up with an insightful way of looking at a problem we’ve posed and others pick up on this and make a further contribution, even though there may be no clear black and white answer.

“I feel I’m making some humble contribution to the emerging generation of good citizens and community members. I would hope they feel that it has been of benefit to them in developing ways of figuring out what’s okay and why it is okay – or not. And we have a bit of fun.”

Irene echoes this. “The lessons constantly make me rethink some of the ideas I had about certain topics and hearing the children’s perspective is encouraging to me.

“I enjoy the interaction with the students. Giving them the space and time to think about the reasons for their decisions is, I believe, a big step towards them understanding and thinking more deeply about the question. Hearing what others think and say can guide their mind to thinking in another direction, other possibilities.”

What are Gai’s reasons for volunteering with Primary Ethics? “Firstly, volunteering with small schools is a really lovely way of being a part of this community. Secondly, I’m an aid worker by profession and I’ve always appreciated the values and ideas behind ethics and the types of discussions we have around social justice issues. Thirdly, the kids! Each ethics circle as the years have progressed, they bring their own perspectives and ways of thinking through topics.”

Pro-social behaviours

Michael explains how he came to be an ethics teacher. “I had never taught children before, but as a grandparent I have a personal interest in fostering the ability of children to think for themselves, solve problems in living and develop pro-social behaviours. Having retired from work I had the time available.

I undertook a two day in-person training course [there are also fully-online training courses]. I did not find the course material difficult, I think it is excellent and well thought out.”

Michael estimates that he spends 30 to 60 minutes in preparation each week, a bit of time printing out material [some people read the lesson scripts from a tablet], 20 minutes each way in travel. Kangaroo Valley’s class time is 50 minutes.

“The classes are discussion-based and follow a clear format provided in the lesson script each week. I don’t impose my own views but try to draw out ideas from the children using the course material provided. Questions are posed, stories read that raise issues for consideration within the group or sometimes in pairs.”

Irene feels that being an ethics teacher is a privilege. “To have the opportunity to teach children ethics is a fulfilling and rewarding experience.”

Gai agrees. “It’s a privilege and it’s great to have our little valley school be able to support this program and to have our numbers grow to the point we can offer three classes this year.”

In fact there is demand for a fourth ethics class at Kangaroo Valley Public School in 2024 but all ethics lessons require a volunteer to teach them. If you have a spare hour a week on Thursdays, find out more about what is required on our website. To chat about options, call the helpdesk between 9am-5pm on weekdays on (02) 8068 7752.

Ethics arrives on Lord Howe Island

Our most isolated program – Lord Howe Island Central School (LHICS) – commenced its first ever ethics program in Term 4 2023. Lisa Ralph and Lucille Wilson, friends who are both school parents, trained as ethics teachers and kicked off the program. LHICS is a tiny school with just 41 students from Kindy to Year 6. In its first term, ethics enrolled a third of the student body! The island does not have mobile coverage, but it does have an ethics program.

Lisa moved to Lord Howe 12 years ago and with her husband runs the Dive Lord Howe shop. Lu came to the island in 2021. Lisa and Lu were very enthusiastic about bringing ethics into their school as an alternative for the non-scripture students. In the past, students who opted out of scripture would sit in a separate room together doing colouring-in, hardly a ‘meaningful activity’.

A unique island

People living on the island find themselves in a unique environment. There are countless advantages to the tranquillity and beauty; there are also inherent challenges in the isolation. Note, though, the Primary Ethics remote online training model works really well!

Lu says that “offering Primary Ethics is an important part of ensuring our kids have access to the same educational experiences as students on the mainland. Having my own son in my class is really enjoyable, because I get to see firsthand how he works with his peers and I really love being able to engage with the kids as a teacher, rather than just Leo’s mum.”

Lisa Ralph and Lucille Wilson outside their pretty island school.

Our remote location means our kids are less exposed to city-based influences, but they know there’s a wide world out there and I think ethics will help them be ready to embrace it.

Lisa echoes Lu’s thoughts. “I’d also like to add that I thoroughly enjoy fostering critical thinking and watching the students’ intellectual growth as they respectfully explore the complexities of right and wrong. Having my eldest daughter in the class is both challenging and rewarding and I love witnessing her contribute to our conversations, both during our sessions and at home.”

Lu also thinks that “the popularity of ethics within the school is a great indication of the progressive nature of the next generation coming through on the island. Historically, we might have a conservative culture and our remote location means our kids are less exposed to city-based influences, but they know there’s a wide world out there and I think ethics will help them be ready to embrace it.”

Working with a small remote school

Initially in 2023, both the classes on Lord Howe were just under the eight mark, which is usually our minimum for a class. We worked with the volunteers and school to ensure that lesson materials matched the group needs. In 2024, the program and class sizes have grown, so that both now number over eight. It’s wonderful to have a program that’s growing on such a small island!

Barb La Ganza: Kinghorn Award 2023

“Barb is a workhorse and superstar volunteer.”
Barb La Ganza is the Kinghorn Volunteer of the Year 2023. Barb, who’s been an ethics volunteer for nine years, is currently an ethics teacher and coordinator at one Sydney northern beaches school, as well as teaching ethics at two others. At one of her schools she teaches three back-to-back classes every week.
Barb was presented with her award at a lovely gathering in December 2023. Read excerpts from her acceptance speech below.

Barb La Ganza with ethics supporter Jill Kinghorn and the inaugural 2022 winner, Swee Goh.

Barb is always ready to go the extra mile … Barb has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the curriculum at all stages. She has mentored me and many other ethics teachers. She is always willing to share her knowledge. She has a calm encouraging manner. She is inspirational.

Barb’s story: “My ethics journey started when my son was in year 1. He brought home a note on bright red paper to say that ethics was going to be offered at Elanora Heights Public School and I was so excited I filled in the form, wrote ‘yay’ with a smiley face on it and sent it off with him. A few weeks later I found the form scrunched up at the bottom of his bag – it hadn’t made it to the channels that were allocating SRE classes. I then somehow found out that if you teach for Primary Ethics, your kids will be included on the class roll. And so here I am nine years later!

“One of my most memorable experiences in the classroom was when a kid came every week to class and sat quietly and read a book. He was neurodiverse and I didn’t think he was engaged at all as he never looked up from the book or joined in at all. Until term three, when he answered a question. It was so heartwarming to know he had been present in his own way all along.

“My favourite topic of all time is Stage 3 Homelessness, but it’s also the one I find the hardest to teach, as I teach in three schools in very privileged areas. Another favourite is the Stage 2 topic when a young boy had to go and make carpets to get money for his family instead of going to school. Getting the kids to tie their shoelaces starts out as fun and easy for the kids, but after tying their shoelaces over and over and over again for even just five minutes, you can see that they can imagine how someone might feel if they had to do that all day long.

“One of my Stage 3 kids asked me, quite incredulously, why I teach ethics if I don’t get paid. Well, there are not many opportunities to volunteer in the kids space – loads for elderly or homelessness. The curriculum is incredible and I love connecting with the students and hearing their points of view. Community is very important to me and I now belong to three communities of ethics teachers as well as the three schools I teach at. I learn so much from both the kids and my fellow teachers and it really makes me feel like a valued member in my local community. Nothing nicer than your students seeing you in the shops with their parents and greeting you.

“There is such a range of experiences from Kindergarten kids who can’t even read your name badge but who aren’t as filtered in their responses as the older children, to the stage 3 participants who have some incredibly insightful contributions. And my daughter who has just finished school will start teaching ethics this year which is so lovely to see her be inspired to volunteer in her community too.

“I am proud to be an ethics teacher and hope I can continue to be a volunteer and mentor to others in the Primary Ethics space. I look forward to continuing to be a part of my three school teams even when I am old and grey (although I am actually both those already!)

“Thank you to Primary Ethics and the Kinghorn Family. I am so grateful to be recognised for this award. I know I was amongst some impressive competition and a debt of gratitude goes to my teams plus my co-ordinators Joy and Dina for nominating me and saying such kind words to support their applications. Thank you in particular to my area manager Sandra, who has supported me since I took on the role of co-ordinator in 2022. Whilst I am not one to be motivated by accolades and awards, it really touched me to be recognised as a volunteer of note and my certificate sits proudly in my home on display for all to see.”

Barb is one of those volunteers who just ‘gets it done’. She will go out of her way to ensure that all classes are covered every week, not just at the school where she is coordinator, but also for the two other schools she teaches in. She is efficient and a great communicator. Her team adore her as do other volunteers in the region, as she is so amiable and genuinely helpful.

Jo: ‘Joy, amusement and the intangible benefits of volunteering’

Jo Gardner began volunteering as an ethics teacher at local schools on the Central Coast six years ago. She was motivated by a sense of wanting to give back, having a connection with the young generation and providing an option for parents who don’t want their children to participate in religious education. Jo says she has found “joy, amusement and all the intangible benefits of volunteering” along the way.

“Initially I saw an article about ethics classes in the local newspaper”, Jo said. “I’ve always had an interest in ethics and heard Simon Longstaff of the Ethics Centre speak on a number of occasions. The free training workshop with Primary Ethics was a wonderful experience and I’ve now learnt so much for myself about ethics and philosophy. I believe that critical thinking is an important skill for us all and being able to, in some small way, help kids develop these skills is a privilege.”

Jo teaches two classes a week and says it takes her about an hour to prepare for each, reading carefully through the lesson script which is supplied to her by Primary Ethics.

The best part of being an ethics teacher is the children. I am exposed to their wonder in life.

Jo Gardner – Volunteer Ethics Teacher

“I like seeing the kids thinking and then coming up with ideas… Their talkative natures with great explaining of their thoughts, sometimes a bit convoluted but always considered and revealing their willingness to think about ethical issues. Watching them have ‘aha’ moments and learning how to build on other children’s point of view. Also their willingness to disagree.”

Jo’s grandson has been in her ethics classes for the past two years. “I have been rewarded seeing him mature into a thinking, empathetic young boy. We’ve been able to discuss things in the lessons that would not normally come up in conversations between a grandparent and child.”

Jo says she would encourage anyone with a spare hour or two in their week to volunteer as an ethics teacher. No previous teaching experience is needed. Like Jo, you will get a lot out of it yourself, as well as contributing to the richness of your students’ lives.

Primary Ethics is delighted to announce the Kinghorn Volunteer Award 2023, which brings substantial prize money to go to the recipient’s chosen school, as well as public recognition and appreciation for the often-unsung efforts of our wonderful volunteers.

This award will honour an ethics volunteer who has strongly contributed to the success of the ethics program at their school – or schools. We want to acknowledge someone who is a team player, good communicator, supportive of other volunteers, reliable and committed to our program of ethics education.

The award is open to all ethics teachers, coordinators, regional managers and members of the Classroom Support Team (except Primary Ethics staff). Every volunteer can nominate other volunteers for this award – there is no limit on numbers of nominations. Only volunteers who have been active in 2023 are eligible to be nominated.

We are looking for someone who:

has made a significant contribution to our mission to deliver ethics education to children so that they can develop skills in ethical reasoning, critical thinking and respectful discussion
has conducted themselves in a manner true to our values of respect, integrity, independence, excellence and teamwork.

THE PRIZE

The winner has the privilege of directing $4000 towards the library service in the school or schools of their choosing. They will be awarded an engraved trophy and their school library will be given a hardcopy copy of Sapiens: A Graphic History: The Birth of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari, containing a bookplate with details of this award winner.

We will present the award to the winner at a ceremony in December 2023.

Make your nomination here >>

Nominations close at midnight on 22 September, 2023.

The winner will be announced in late November 2023.

WHY THE KINGHORN AWARD?

The Chair of the Primary Ethics Board, Bruce Hogan, through his Hogan Family Foundation, is funding this award in order to recognise the fantastic contribution of the Kinghorn Family Foundation to Primary Ethics.

Primary Ethics would not be where it is today without the Kinghorns. From 2013 to 2023, John and Jill Kinghorn’s Foundation provided significant funding to Primary Ethics. This generous funding directly resulted in the employment of urgently needed staff to manage and develop ethics programs and provide teacher training.

This Kinghorn Award recognises both the pivotal role the Foundation has played and the significant role of the winner in bringing our ethics program to more children in our state.

THE JUDGING PANEL

The judging panel will be comprised of:

The Chair of the Primary Ethics Board, Bruce Hogan
Two randomly selected volunteers – you can express interest in being on the panel on the nomination form
CEO of Primary Ethics, Evan Hannah
plus others tba

Now is the time to think, reason and if necessary discuss your reasons for choosing your nominee – and then go ahead and nominate them!

Jane Hunter: Putting my values into practice as an ethics teacher

Jane Hunter is the Global Head of Digital Marketing for SFI Health – she’s also a volunteer ethics teacher. One of Jane’s workplace values is to progress human quality of life. She wrote this blog post describing how being an ethics volunteer chimes with that value.

Why is this core value important to you?
I think if we can improve the quality of people’s lives, bit by bit we can make the world a better place. There are so many ways we can do this, from donating blood to volunteering at a soup kitchen to helping kids to think and reason clearly. I think big picture, if people’s quality of life improves, humanity as a whole improves.

Building this value into our work culture is a smart move because it connects with so many.

What types of things do you do to progress human quality of life?
Outside of work, I volunteer with an organisation called Primary Ethics as a primary school ethics teacher for an hour a week and it’s one of the highlights of my week.

The lessons involve introducing complex ideas through storytelling around topics such as ‘Is lying wrong?’. We delve into sticky topics like this asking the kids to consider questions like ‘is it ever ok to tell a lie? Is withholding information the same as lying? Is it ok to tell a small lie to protect someone from feeling hurt?’ I guess it’s all about encouraging and developing skills in critical thinking.

I’m amazed at the capacity of eight and nine-year-olds to grab onto these very human conundrums and discuss them. I encourage the kids to think before answering, then to provide a reason for their point of view. I then open it up to others in the class who might have a differing view.

We also follow a set of rules for having healthy conversations, which I think are powerful skills to have all through life. These include building on each other’s ideas, showing respect for different ideas, tackling the ideas but not the individual, learning how to take turns at listening and contributing.

What type of impact do you think you’re having?
I hope I’m giving kids the opportunity to think about important issues, to build confidence in expressing themselves in a safe constructive environment and the skill to disagree respectfully.

It’s also a chance for the children to change gears and take a break from a world which can be very black and white.

The personal connections and circle we sit in encourage face-to-face conversations.

I think discussing these topics also gives the kids a chance to build interpersonal communication skills. I hope they learn it’s possible to be respectful when someone has a different point of view and that they model that kind of behaviour in the playground and later, online.

I was chuffed when an eight-year-old boy, who is normally quiet, walked with me as we left the class for a further conversation about the topic of ‘greed’. He was so engaged, he nearly missed his recess! It was a good feeling to see him thinking deeply about this and that the impact of the discussion might resonate beyond the classroom.

My daughter who is in the class keeps me well-grounded with lots of unsolicited feedback at home too.

Are the skills transferable to your workplace?
Absolutely. Teaching ethics and opening up the conversation to many viewpoints reminds me of the importance of keeping an open mind. This is critical in any global role because each day I interact with colleagues from different cultures, market conditions, life experience and personalities.

In the classroom, there is a good chance there are kids who are neurodiverse, just as there are sure to be neurodiverse people in any workplace. Improving human quality of life also extends to our colleagues through our considered interactions.

Teaching ethics has also honed my skills in facilitation and being agile. There’s no end to the tangents an ethics discussion with eight-year-olds can lead to or the general unpredictability of kids to keep you sharp! Having additional practice to think on your feet and find solutions on the go, even when things don’t go to plan, definitely has parallels to my work.

How does this relate to SFI Health’s culture and In Tune with You?
My first thought is that the business is in tune with me because teaching ethics is important to me.

I truly believe in the value of teaching ethics and knowing SFI Health was going to support me in doing this was really important to me. I think it’s impressive for a company to allow me time and space to do this, it makes a difference to me as an employee and how I feel about and engage with the company.

Focusing on this value I think demonstrates SFI Health is not only in tune with me, but with the greater good.

Emily McGrorey with the Primary Ethics discussion rules.

Newcastle ethics teacher Emily McGrorey has written about her journey to become an ethics teacher for the MamaMia website.

“[My daughter’s] teacher explained there weren’t any ethics classes running in her year level because they needed someone to volunteer to teach them. It was at that point that I thought, well, I’m someone.”

“To be honest though, I was quite nervous about the prospect of teaching. Until I had my own kids, I had very little experience with children and heading into a classroom to be the actual teacher all seemed a bit daunting. What if I couldn’t control the children and they revolted against me like some kind of chaotic scene from Matilda?”

Emily began teaching ethics during the lockdown year of 2021, so it was an on-again, off-again venture. She finally taught for a full year in 2022 – “and I’m pleased to report that the children haven’t staged a coup against me, yet.”

Read Emily’s full account, ‘I’m a primary ethics teacher. Here are the 5 biggest things it teaches kids.’

Swee Goh, Jill Kinghorn and Bruce Hogan.

Swee Goh is the inaugural winner of the Kinghorn Award for ethics volunteers. Swee is the manager for the ethics program Ryde region in inner northwest Sydney.

Swee was presented with her framed certificate in our office by Bruce Hogan, Chair of the Primary Ethics Board, and Jill Kinghorn, one of our chief supporters.

Swee also wins $4000 to direct to the schools of her choice. Some of that money is going to a very supportive school in her Ryde region, Smalls Road Public School (see page 5). She also wanted to give to a school that had been badly affected by floods – Mullumbimby Public School (see page 2) in the northern rivers.

This school was closed for several months while they waited for flood waters to recede and basic repairs to be made. Children were allocated to attend nearby schools. Obviously, there was no ethics program at all in 2022, though we are hoping it is able to restart in 2023.

Warm thanks go to Swee for nominating a school outside her region to receive prize money. We’re very impressed that she chose to assist students in a flood-affected area. Not just ethics students, but all students at the school will benefit. This is why Swee deserves to win the Kinghorn Award – to be recognised and valued for the wonderful work she does as an ethics volunteer and to acknowledge the amazing person she is!

“If I had to pick one person to start Primary Ethics from scratch tomorrow, Swee would be the first volunteer I would contact” – Primary Ethics staff member

Swee has built and maintained an outstanding ethics program in the Ryde region. She has recruited volunteers tirelessly to build the program to where it is today. Due primarily to her efforts, almost every parent in Ryde currently has the option of choosing ethics for their children. Swee is currently responsible for ethics programs in 12 schools. She regularly teaches at three schools and has taught at all others in the region. She manages 11 coordinators and 62 teachers supplying 64 classes, which approximates to more than 1000 students receiving ethics lessons on her watch each week.

Q+A with Swee

What motivates you to volunteer?

I find being an ethics volunteer extremely satisfying as I am working with fellow volunteers and a supportive and professional organisation. They all share the same interest, passion and commitment to bringing ethics education to children in primary schools. They are doing it because they want to!

Working as a relief ethics teacher in a number of schools in the Ryde region over the years has given me the opportunity to teach children from Kindergarten to Year 6. This has given me a deep appreciation for how they interact at different ages and how age-appropriate our ethics curriculum is. Across all primary ages, ethics classes provide a safe and friendly environment for students to express themselves, as there are no right or wrong answers. I very much enjoy teaching ethics because the children are encouraged to think freely and reason critically in expressing their opinions and ideas and to disagree respectfully, not just take what others say for granted. Engaging children this way in lively class discussions keeps me coming back for more!

What drew you to ethics volunteering?

I was looking for something to do after my retirement as a state operations manager in the Department of Education, where my responsibilities involved the regulatory compliance and assessment of early childhood education services in NSW. My earliest career role was an early childhood teacher, before I joined the NSW public service and diversified into areas of policy, child protection early intervention, funding and project management and regulatory compliance. Volunteering with Primary Ethics drew me back to my first role as a teacher and my experience as a manager. The big difference is working with people who want to do what they do and not because they are paid to do it!

What’s your response to winning the Kinghorn Award?

I am very humbled and honoured to receive this award as I know there are many other worthy nominees. I accept this award on behalf of all the Ryde region volunteers, especially the coordinators, as without their support and contribution I would not be able to do my job.

Thank you to the all Primary Ethics staff who are always there to help, support and guide me and answer my many questions, sometimes many times!

Category: Volunteering