During this week surrounding Global Ethics Day 2025 (Wednesday 15 October), we are turning the spotlight onto our volunteers to hear about the impact of ethics education in their own lives.

This global celebration highlights ethics as a process for finding solutions in the collaborative and respectful manner often missing in today’s world. It’s about how we learn to live together, respect our differences and together face our major global challenges.

Rita Kusevskis-Hayes, Ethics volunteer beachside Sydney for three years

My first contact with the ethics program was when my son was in primary where they were running the initial trial. I was impressed and hopeful it would be taken up across NSW schools – which it has been!

I have always been the sort of person who thrives on a challenge and I love engaging with people especially in my local community. I have over 30 years in the education and equity sector, have a deep passion for people and innovation and a fascination with how opportunities or problems can be solved creatively – bringing together people, process and technology.

During the past couple of years I’ve been doing contract work so had time available for volunteering. I read a delightful piece on social media calling on volunteers to teach ethics at  Maroubra Junction Public School. As the time required each week is not onerous, it has fitted in well with my other commitments. For many years I’ve been involved with higher education and now am thoroughly enjoying working in primary education at my local school.

I have been teaching Stages 2 and 3 for three years now. I work with an incredible school co-ordinator and amazing students.  I have been so  impressed with the program that I wanted to share my teaching experience and knowledge further. So two years ago I began  volunteering with the dedicated Classroom Support Team, reaching out to support ethics volunteers across NSW as well as running workshops.

Every lesson brings new insights and completely different perspectives from the students. It is exciting as an adult and long term teacher to hear fresh views and reflections from primary children as they develop their views on the world. The structure is perfect for safe discussions, exploring issues with respect whilst building on each other’s ideas. Over the course of the year, and teaching across stages, I’ve observed the students work on their communication skills, especially in evaluating the shared ideas, forming deeper opinions based on evidence.

I strongly value the opportunity to spend time with these enquiring students each week, talking, listening, doing role plays, think-pair-shares and activities. Sometimes they come up with ideas I would never have thought of and often say the funniest, smartest things.

Teaching ethics has reminded me to take time in a busy life to reflect and to listen. Everyone should definitely volunteer to teach ethics at some point, no matter what your background, whether you’re a parent, grandparent, carer or just wanting to give back to your local area, like me.

Am loving the ethics program!