Congratulations to our dedicated volunteers who were nominated for the NSW Volunteer of the Year Award. Here are some who we managed to catch on camera at the recent ceremonies held across the state. Thank you all, for your time, skill and energy in delivering ethics classes to children in primary schools across NSW.
Sydney, Monday 7 August 2017
Allowing parents to make an informed choice when enrolling their children in NSW public schools is simply a matter of fairness, says incoming CEO of Primary Ethics Evan Hannah.
“In NSW you cannot enrol your child in ethics classes on the enrolment form, as you can for religious instruction,” Evan said.
“The burden is on parents to work through the current confusing process before they finally get the chance to access ethics classes for their child.”
The former journalist and news media manager became CEO of the not-for-profit organisation in July. Continue reading
Mark is a Sydney-based photographer, documentary maker and leadership coach who has donated his time to photograph ethics classes at several schools around Greater Sydney including Ultimo, Parramatta East and Penshurst West.
Visit Mark’s website at http://inspirationalatmospheres.com/
Primary Ethics is hiring! Are you our next Administration Coordinator?
The Administration Coordinator is a part-time role (9am-3.30pm, Monday to Friday) with the potential to become full-time, responsible for a wide range of duties that will support Primary Ethics’ operations across training, recruitment and volunteer support functions. Our office is located in Potts Point, a short walk from Kings Cross station.
View the full newsletter here.
During Volunteer Week in May, we launched a recognition scheme inviting volunteers to nominate a colleague for their extraordinary efforts as an ethics teacher, ethics coordinator, regional manager or classroom support team member. The entries have been rolling in! Read more
Help children develop skills for life. Please consider a donation to Primary Ethics this EOFY. Your donation will help meet our goal to provide ethics as an option for every parent of every child in NSW public primary schools. Make your donation here.
Jihad Dib MP joined former Premier the Hon Nick Greiner at Earlwood Public School to watch a stage 1 ethics class. Mr Dib recognises the role that community plays in making a thriving school environment, and believes volunteering as an ethics teacher is a great way to be involved in a school community. Read more
The Ethics Centre has generously donated a double pass to the next debate for a Primary Ethics supporter. Email your name and contact phone number to events@primaryethics.com.au by 5pm June 30 to go in the draw.
Why do you do ethics? We ask students from Hunter School of Performing Arts.
View the full newsletter here.
Thank you for you interest. Applications for this position are now closed.
Primary Ethics is seeking a dynamic, experienced individual to work in our educational not-for-profit as a part-time Events and Engagement Manager.
The Events and Engagement Manager is initially for a 12 month period with possibility of extension. The Events and Engagement Manager will be primarily responsible for ensuring the success of the Primary Ethics’ inaugural annual conference, scheduled for 28 October 2017, and to develop and maintain ongoing relationships with organisational stakeholders including parents and carers, volunteers, schools and the Department of Education, donors and supporters.
Read the position description and apply here: https://www.seek.com.au/job/33695030
An adaptation of the story of the Little Red Hen is used in the topic ‘When is it fair?’
Doing harm without meaning to, When is it fair?, Persuading, Good reasons and more! Term 2’s edition of PrimaryEthics@Home is out now. Designed for parents and carers of children in ethics class, it gives background to the topics covered in class and activities to help continue the conversation at home.
Our skills based program is designed to support the important work of parents and teachers by giving children the confidence and skills to talk about ethical issues with those around them.
An ethics class in Earlwood yesterday had some extra special guests.
Shadow Minister for Education Mr Jihad Dib MP, along with former Premier and Minister for Education The Hon Nick Greiner, sat in a colorful classroom at Earlwood Public School and listened as volunteer ethics teacher Marta Tordi facilitated a discussion on fairness using the story of the Little Red Hen.
The Hon Nick Greiner and Mr Jihad Dib MP were welcomed to the school by school captains Andrew and Poppy.
Children explained their reasons as to whether they thought different animals should get larger portions of bread depending on, for example, whether they had helped to sow or mill the wheat, or according to their size, or whether all portions should instead be divided equally. It was not entirely dissimilar to the current debate around school funding.
Media Release Tuesday 11 April 2017
UPDATE: Primary Ethics has submitted to the Department of Education a response to the report’s recommendations. View the Primary Ethics Response to SRE and SEE in NSW Government Schools Review.
Earlier today the Department of Education released the report of the 2015 review of Special Religious Education and Special Education in Ethics in NSW Government Schools.
The NSW Government commissioned the review in 2014 and the long awaited report was published on education.nsw.gov.au on 11 April 2017 along with the Department response to the recommendations.
Ethics classes are run in NSW public schools by parents, grandparents and other trained volunteers from the school community. The classes are held in the Special Religious Education/ Special Education in Ethics timeslot, and exist as a valuable learning opportunity for children whose parents have opted them out of SRE.
In the lead up to Easter, we sometimes hear that it’s not fair that children in ethics class miss out on the chocolate eggs and other Easter-themed treats that are handed out in some of the religious instruction classes.
