@Home - Primary Ethics

@Home bulletin for parents – Term 3 2026

Welcome to @Home bulletin for Term 3 2026, where we let families know what your children, from kindergarten into secondary school, are exploring in their ethics lessons this term.

Subscribe here to receive our @Home email bulletin once a term.

The topics we show below are based on classes which begin at the beginning of the year – this can vary as schools start their ethics programs at different times. If your child tells you they are discussing a topic you don’t see in this bulletin, you can also look at the Curriculum section of our website.

We hope the students talk about ethics with you at home – ask them questions about it!

Kindergarten: Sadie and the machines (*new in 2026*): Machines make some things easier and other things possible – but does that mean we should use them all the time? Through stories about Sadie and her family, students explore what machines are for and what makes a machine helpful. They’ll consider questions like: is a machine useful if it looks good but doesn’t work properly? Is it okay to use machines just for fun? Would we want a robot helper to do everything for us? And are there some things we might be better off doing ourselves?
Later in the year, students consider the importance of owning up to mistakes.

Stage 1 – Years 1 & 2: Saying sorry: What does it really mean to say sorry – and when should an apology be followed by forgiveness? Through stories about a young emu named Kalaya, students explore apologies, accidents, broken rules and the reasons people do the wrong thing. They’ll consider whether it matters how an apology is made, whether the person means it and whether they try to make things better. Is saying sorry always enough? Does understanding why someone acted as they did make them easier to forgive? And does forgiving someone mean that what they did was okay?
Later in the year, students talk about standing up for what we believe is right.

Stage 2 – Years 3 & 4: Imagining how others feel: Being able to imagine how someone else feels can help us decide how to respond to them. Students begin with familiar situations involving friends before considering the life of a child whose experiences are very different from their own. They’ll explore questions like: how can we work out what another person might be feeling? Is it possible to imagine an experience we’ve never had ourselves? Can we care about someone else while also feeling disappointed or upset about what their situation means for us? And how might understanding another person’s feelings help us recognise when something should change.
Later in the year, students think about how different kinds of living things should be treated.

Stage 3 – Years 5 & 6: With AI who needs school … or childhood? (*new topic in 2026*): As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly capable, students explore how it might change schools and the way we learn. Is it okay to use AI to complete an assignment if a teacher hasn’t explicitly said not to? Is it fair if some students have access to AI tools and others don’t? Students will also consider whether relying on AI could weaken our ability to think for ourselves, whether teachers should use it to assess work and provide feedback, even whether schools and teachers will still be necessary in the future.
Later in the year, students consider what influences how morally responsible someone is for their actions.

Stage 4 – Years 7 & 8: What do I owe my people?: What responsibilities do we have to the teams, countries and cultures we belong to? Students explore whether loyalty means putting the group first and whether we should remain loyal when we think our country is doing something wrong. They’ll also consider whether young people have a responsibility to preserve their culture and language, particularly when that culture is at risk of disappearing. Finally, students examine who can claim ownership of cultural objects, traditions and art forms, asking when cultural exchange becomes cultural appropriation and whether museums should return artefacts taken from other cultures.
Later in the year, students discuss the ethics of being ignored and how to navigate fake news.

Each term brings new ideas and questions and we hope these topics spark interesting conversations at home as well!

@Home for parents bulletin – Term 2 2026

Welcome to @Home bulletin for Term 2 2026, where we let families know what your children, from kindergarten into secondary school, are exploring in their ethics lessons this term.

Subscribe here to receive our @Home email bulletin once a term.

We hope the students talk about ethics with you at home – ask them questions about it!

Kindergarten: Doing harm without meaning to

Accidents happen – sometimes things get broken or someone gets hurt. In Term 2, students explore what it means to do something by accident and how this differs from doing something on purpose. They’ll think about questions like: should someone be blamed or punished for an accident? Does it matter if the person was being careless? And when something goes wrong, what matters more – what we meant to do or what actually happened?

Later in the year, students will consider whether it’s okay to hide a mistake by making up a story.

Stage 1 – Years 1 & 2: Laziness

We can all be a little lazy from time to time. This term, students explore what it means to be lazy and whether laziness is always a bad thing. They’ll think about questions like: is there a difference between relaxing and being lazy? Is it okay to avoid effort sometimes? And are there situations where being ‘lazy’ might actually make sense?

Later in the year, students will talk about when it’s important to share with others.

Stage 2 – Years 3 & 4: Screen time (new topic in 2026)

In this new topic, students explore ethical questions about screen use. They’ll consider how screens fit into our lives and what a good balance might look like. Is it possible to have too much screen time? What are we missing out on when we’re on our devices? And what responsibilities do we have when using technology? Students will also imagine what life might be like without screens.

Later in the year, students will think about how to disagree respectfully and whether it’s okay to keep animals in captivity.

Stage 3 – Years 5 & 6: Beliefs, opinions, tolerance and respect

People have all sorts of beliefs and opinions – about things like politics, science and everyday life. This term, students reflect on how we should respond to the beliefs of others. Are people always entitled to their beliefs? Should we tolerate all views, even if they seem harmful? And what does it mean to show respect when we disagree?

Later in the year, students will consider the ethics of how they can now use artificial intelligences, like chatbots.

Stage 4 – Years 7 & 8: From moon trash to migrant horses

This term, students explore ethical questions about how we care for our environment. They’ll consider ideas like ownership and custodianship of land, and what responsibilities we have to the places we live in. Through a range of examples – from rubbish left on the moon to the impact of introduced species – students will examine what it means to look after ecosystems and whether our actions are always justified.

Later in the year, students will discuss the ethics of being ignored and how to navigate fake news.

Each term brings new ideas and questions, and we hope these topics spark interesting conversations at home as well!

@Home for parents bulletin – Term 1 2026

Welcome to @Home bulletin for Term 1 2026, where we let families know what your children, from kindergarten into secondary school, are exploring in their ethics lessons this term.

Subscribe here to receive our @Home email bulletin once a term.

We hope the students talk about ethics with you at home – ask them questions about it!

Kindergarten: Being curious and asking questions: Young children are curious about countless things and a goal of our curriculum is to nurture this curiosity so that they’re motivated and confident enough to think critically for themselves about issues that matter to them. Our first topic of the year encourages kindy students to start thinking about why we ask questions. Students will also consider why it can sometimes be hard to ask questions out loud when we’re worried about looking silly.
Later in the year, students will consider questions about sharing, fairness and doing harm without meaning to.

Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2) Pride: In our first Stage 1 topic of the year students explore some big questions to do with pride. What does it mean to be proud of something? Is it okay to be proud of our accomplishments? What about being proud of the things we’re given, like gifts and rewards – is that okay? And why are we sometimes proud of other people?
Later in the year, students will reflect on the importance of having good reasons and discuss the ethics of laziness.

Stage 2 (Years 3 & 4) Being selfish: In our first Stage 2 topic of the year, students delve into the ethics of being selfish. Is it okay to act selfishly or is it always wrong? If you’ve put lots of effort into something or you’re worried it could get broken, is it okay not to share it? What does it mean if you help someone but for selfish reasons – is that misleading or deceitful?
Later in the year, students will think about how to disagree respectfully and whether it’s okay to keep animals in captivity.

Stage 3 (Years 5 & 6) A fair society: In our first Stage 3 topic of the year, students ponder what it means to have a fair society. Do we have a responsibility to make sure everyone can go to school and receive medical treatment? What are some of the challenges involved in providing such opportunities? And do governments have a responsibility to address inequalities that are the result of good or bad luck?
Later in the year, students will consider whether it’s ever okay to challenge a rule or piece of advice given by an authority.

Stage 4 (Years 7 & 8) Role models: Our first topic of the year invites students to consider the place of role models in our lives. What makes someone a good role model? Must someone to be a good person to be a good role model? Is it fair to have higher expectations of someone just because others consider them a role model? Can having a role model, even if it’s someone you’ve never met, help you navigate life’s moral challenges?
Later in the year, students will discuss whether the voting age should be lowered and some ethical dilemmas around friendships.

Each term brings new ideas and questions, and we hope these topics spark interesting conversations at home as well!

@Home bulletin Term 4 2025

Welcome to @Home bulletin for Term 4 2025, where we let families know what your children, from kindergarten into secondary school, are exploring in their ethics lessons this term.

Subscribe here to receive our @Home email bulletin once a term.

The topics we show below are based on classes which begin at the beginning of the year. If your child tells you they are discussing a topic you don’t see in this bulletin, you can also look at the Curriculum section of our website.

We hope the students talk about ethics with you at home – ask them questions about it!

Term 4 curriculum selections

Kindergarten: Does telling the truth matter? Children often face tricky moments where honesty and kindness pull in different directions. This term, they’ll hear stories about friends who tell small untruths to spare feelings or avoid trouble and discuss whether it’s ever okay to make something up. They’ll explore why truth-telling matters, how lies can affect friendships and trust and whether it’s possible to be both kind and truthful at the same time.

Stage 1 – Years 1 & 2: Being kind Our Stage 1 students will explore what it really means to be kind. Through stories about Oli and her missing pet bird Tiwi – and other children trying to help in different ways – they’ll reflect on why people act kindly, what it means to understand how others feel and whether helping still counts as kindness if it’s done for the wrong reasons or only because someone told you to.

Stage 2 – Years 3 & 4: Cheating Fair play and honesty take centre stage this term. Students will unpack what it means to cheat – and whether it’s ever acceptable – across settings like backyard games, card matches and online competitions. They’ll consider why people bend the rules, when cheating seems less wrong and whether it’s possible to cheat yourself in a solo game.

Stage 3 – Years 5 & 6: Why should we trust science? Stage 3 students will explore how we decide what to believe and why science deserves our trust. They’ll learn about scientific ideas that changed the way people saw the world – like Galileo’s discovery that the Earth moves around the Sun – and discuss what makes a good scientific explanation. Along the way, they’ll consider how our beliefs about the world can shape our choices and actions.

Stage 4 – Years 7 & 8: The cost of a human life Our high schools will tackle one of the most challenging ethical questions of all – how to weigh the value of a human life when making decisions. They’ll explore why governments sometimes assign a dollar value to life, how those figures influence policies and what happened when these ideas were debated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students will discuss fairness, dignity and whether every life should be valued equally, while considering whether it’s ever right to reduce human life to numbers.

Each term brings new ideas and questions, we hope these topics spark interesting conversations at home as well!

Find out more about ethics classes

@Home bulletin for parents Term 3 2025

Welcome to @Home bulletin for Term 3 2025, where we let families know what your children, from kindergarten into secondary school, could be exploring in their ethics lessons this term.

Subscribe here to receive our @Home email bulletin once a term.

The topics we show below are based on classes which begin at the beginning of the year. Schools start at different times of the year, some lessons go faster or slower than others, some schools skip ethics for the first and last weeks of the term while others teach every single week – and so on.

We hope the students talk about ethics with you at home – ask them questions about it!

If your child tells you they are discussing a topic you don’t see in this bulletin, you can also look at the Curriculum section of our website.

Kindergarten: Changing your mind
Sometimes we change our minds – and sometimes we don’t want to. This term, young students will explore what it means to change our mind and why we sometimes hold onto ideas even when new reasons are offered. Is changing your mind a sign of weakness or strength? They’ll practise recognising when it’s time to rethink and when it’s okay to stand firm – and why good reasons for having an opinion matter.

Stage 1 – Years 1 & 2: Stereotyping
This term, Stage 1 students will explore the idea of stereotypes. They’ll start with playful examples – like assuming all wombats are grumpy – before turning to more serious ones, such as assumptions about people based on how they look. They’ll consider whether it’s fair to judge someone before getting to know them and discuss why generalisations can be both helpful and harmful.

Stage 2 – Years 3 & 4: Intentions
When someone causes harm but didn’t mean to – is it still wrong? And what if someone tries to do something wrong but ends up helping? Stage 2 students will explore how much our intentions matter and whether we should judge actions based on what people meant to do or what actually happened. They’ll reflect on praise, blame and the difference between accidents and choices.

Stage 3 – Years 5 & 6: Stealing
Most kids know that stealing is wrong – but what counts as stealing and why is it wrong? Is it stealing to use someone else’s Netflix account? What about watching a fireworks display you didn’t pay for? Stage 3 students will examine different types of stealing and think about whether something can be morally wrong even if it’s not illegal – and whether stealing is always wrong in every situation.

Stage 4 – Years 7 & 8: Does it matter if everyone disagrees with you?
Teenagers are often encouraged to ‘think for yourself’ – but what happens when everyone else disagrees? Does that mean you’re wrong? This term, students will explore disagreement and confidence in our own views. They’ll discuss examples from food, art and ethics and consider whether some opinions are just a matter of taste – or whether it’s possible to be mistaken, even about your own point of view.

Each term brings new ideas and questions and we hope these topics spark interesting conversations at home as well!

Find out more about being a volunteer ethics teacher

@Home bulletin for parents Term 3 2024

Welcome to @Home for Term 3 2024, where we let families know what your children, from kindergarten into secondary school, could be exploring in their ethics lessons this term.

Subscribe here to receive our @Home email bulletin once a term.

The topics we show below are based on classes which began at the beginning of the year. Schools start at different times of the year, some lessons go faster or slower than others, some schools skip ethics for the first and last weeks of the term while others teach every single week – and so on.

We hope the students talk about ethics with you at home – ask them questions about it!

If your child tells you they are discussing a topic you don’t see in this bulletin, you can also look at the Curriculum section of our website.

Kindergarten: Disagreeing
Disagreements happen all the time, both big and small. In Term 3, our Kindergarten students will dive into the ethics of disagreeing with others. Is it okay to tell someone they’re wrong? Are there good and bad ways to voice disagreement? Our curriculum aims to help children think about their ideas and those of others. By listening to different viewpoints, especially ideas that challenge their own, students learn that respectful disagreement is an important part of learning together.
Later in the year, they’ll tackle topics like owning up and being truthful.

Stage 1 – Years 1 & 2: Being brave
In Term 3, our Stage 1 students will explore what it means to be brave. Can you be brave if you aren’t afraid or does being brave mean overcoming fear? They’ll also think about a special kind of courage – moral courage. When is it important to stand up for what we believe is right?
Later in the year, students will think about saying sorry and forgiving people.

Stage 2 – Years 3 & 4: Understanding diversity
In Term 3, our Stage 2 students will reflect on some big questions about cultural diversity. Why do different groups of people have different laws? Is it because they have different moral values or is something else going on? And is it fair that the punishments for crimes sometimes differ? For example, in Australia, we might fine someone for stealing, while in traditional Inuit culture, they might banish the person from the tribe.
Later in the year, students will reflect on whether we should always strive to avoid harming living things.

Stage 3 – Years 5 & 6: Getting ahead in sport
In Term 3, our Stage 3 students will discuss the ethics of sports and unfair advantages. Athletes use various methods to gain an edge, but what exactly counts as an unfair advantage? Is loading up on carbohydrates before a race fair? Drinking coffee? Training at special high-altitude camps? Wearing a special swimsuit? Or taking performance-enhancing drugs?
Later in the year, students will consider whether we can blame people for their actions when they have no other options.

Stage 4 – Years 7 & 8: Lizard people and fake news
The internet is full of all kinds of information, some of it quite strange. How important is it, therefore, to think carefully about what we believe? Why do so many people fall for conspiracy theories? Why might politicians spread fake news and does fake news harm democracy? Do media organisations have a duty to combat fake news? In Term 3, our Stage 4 students will dive into these questions, learning how to navigate the complex world of online information responsibly.
Later in the year, students will discuss the ethics of being ignored and whether it’s important to be true to oneself.

Ethics @Home bulletin for parents Term 2 2024

Welcome to term 2 @Home bulletin for parents – and a special welcome to those of you whose children have only recently commenced ethics classes.

Our @Home bulletin lets you know what your children will be discussing in their ethics lessons this term. We hope the students talk about ethics with you at home – ask them questions about it! These topics are relevant to us as adults too. We’d love to hear of any good discussions you have.

Subscribe here to our @Home email bulletin.

Here’s a brief look at what your children, from kindergarten into secondary school, could be exploring in their ethics lessons this term.

The topics we show you below are based on classes which began at the beginning of the year. Schools start at different times of the year, some lessons go faster or slower than others, some schools skip ethics for the first and last weeks of the term while others teach every single week – and so on.

If your child tells you they are discussing a topic you don’t see in this bulletin, you can also look at the Curriculum section of our website.

Kindergarten: Doing harm without meaning to

Accidents often happen and sometimes things are broken or someone is hurt. In Term 2, students in Kindergarten talk about accidents and responsibility. They’ll talk about the difference between doing something wrong on purpose and by accident – and whether it’s okay to punish someone who does something bad by accident.

Later in the year, students will consider whether it’s okay to hide a mistake by making up a story.

Stage 1 – Years 1 & 2: Laziness

We can all be a little lazy from time to time. In Term 2, our Stage 1 students explore the ethics of laziness. They’ll think about what counts as being lazy (for example, is there a difference between relaxing and being lazy?) They’ll also consider what, if anything, is wrong with being lazy.

Later in the year, students will talk about when it’s important to share with others.

Stage 2 – Years 3 & 4: Should we keep animals in captivity?

In Term 2, our Stage 2 students ponder the ethics of keeping animals in captivity. They consider whether it matters whether the animal is kept in a zoo or a circus and whether it’s okay to treat animals and people differently.

Later in the year, students will think about bragging and taking the time to imagine how others are feeling.

Stage 3 – Years 5 & 6: Beliefs, opinions, tolerance and respect

People have all sorts of beliefs and opinions – about things like smoking, politicians, the moon landing, aliens, ethics and so on. In Term 2, our Stage 3 students reflect on how tolerant and respectful we should be of other people’s beliefs and whether people are always entitled to their beliefs.

Later in the year, students will consider the ethics of how they can now use artificial intelligence, like ChatBots.

Stage 4 – Years 7 & 8: From moon trash to migrant horses

In Term 2, our Stage 4 students discuss some big questions to do with environmental ethics and what caring for our land can mean. As part of this, students consider custodianship, land ownership, littering and introduced species.

Later in the year, students will discuss the ethics of being ignored and how to navigate fake news.

Ethics@Home bulletin for parents Term 1 2024

Welcome to 2024 ethics – and a special welcome to those of you whose children start ethics this year. This @Home bulletin lets you know what your children will be discussing in their ethics lessons this term.

Subscribe here to our @Home email bulletin.

We hope the students talk about ethics with you at home – ask them questions about it! These topics are relevant to us as adults too. We’d love to hear of any good discussions you have. Schools commence their ethics programs at different points of the term – some are quick to start, others take awhile to get organised and begin in late February or early March. If you haven’t yet heard, give it a week or two then ask your child.

We always – no exaggeration- need more volunteers to teach ethics. You don’t need any previous teaching experience and it only takes an hour or so a week, at the same time every week so there’s no spillover into the rest of your life. Check out what a volunteer does and how you can apply (or suggest it to friends or grandparents.)

Here’s a brief look at what your children are exploring in their ethics lessons in Term 1 2024.

The topics we show you below are based on classes which begin at the beginning of the year. Schools start at different times (and depend on there being enough volunteers), some lessons go faster or slower than others, some schools skip ethics for the first and last weeks of the term while others teach every single week – and so on. If your child tells you they are discussing a topic you don’t see in this bulletin, you can also look at the Curriculum section of our website.

Kindergarten: Being curious and asking questions

Young children are curious about countless things and a goal of our curriculum is to nurture this curiosity (as well as their thinking and questioning abilities) so that they’re motivated and confident enough to think critically and for themselves about issues that matter to them. Our first topic of the year encourages students to start thinking about why we ask questions. Students will also consider why it can sometimes be hard to ask questions out loud when we’re worried about looking silly.

Later in the year, students will consider questions about sharing, fairness and doing harm without meaning to.

Stage 1 – Years 1 & 2: Pride

In the first Stage 1 topic of the year students explore some big questions to do with pride. What does it mean to be proud of something? Is it okay to be proud of our accomplishments? What about being proud of the things we’re given, like gifts and rewards – is that okay? And why are we sometimes proud of other people?

Later in the year, students will reflect on the importance of having good reasons and discuss the ethics of laziness.

Stage 2 – Years 3 & 4: Being selfish

In the first Stage 2 topic of the year, students delve into the ethics of being selfish. Is it okay to act selfishly, or is it always wrong? If you’ve put lots of time or effort into something or you’re worried it could get broken, is it okay not to share it? What does it mean if you help someone but for selfish reasons – is that misleading or deceitful?

Later in the year, students will think about how to disagree respectfully and whether it’s okay to keep animals in captivity.

Stage 3 – Years 5 & 6: A fair society

In the first Stage 3 topic of the year, students ponder what it means to have a fair society. Do we have a responsibility to make sure everyone can go to school and receive medical treatment? What are some of the challenges involved in providing such opportunities? And do governments have a responsibility to address inequalities that are the result of good or bad luck?

Later in the year, students will consider whether it’s ever okay to challenge a rule or piece of advice given by an authority.

Stage 4 – Years 7 & 8: Role models

The first topic of the year invites students to consider the place of role models in our lives. What makes someone a good role model? Must someone to be a good person to be a good role model? Is it fair to have higher expectations of someone just because others consider them a role model? Can having a role model, even if it’s someone you’ve never met, help you navigate life’s moral challenges?

Later in the year, students will discuss whether the voting age should be lowered and some ethical dilemmas to do with friendships.

@Home bulletin Term 4 2023

Our @Home bulletin lets you know what your children are discussing in ethics. These topics are certainly relevant to us as adults too. We hope the students talk about ethics with you at home – ask them about it! We’d love to hear of any good discussions you have.

Subscribe here to our @Home email bulletin for parents

The topics we show you below are based on classes which began at the beginning of the year. Please bear in mind that the further we advance into the year, the less likely these topics will be accurate for your child’s class. Classes started at different times (depending on when there were enough volunteers), some lessons go much slower than others, some schools skip ethics for the first and last weeks of the term and so on.

If your child tells you they are discussing a topic you don’t see in this bulletin, you can also look at the Curriculum section of our website to find it.

Here’s a brief look at what your children could be exploring in their ethics lessons this term.

Kindergarten: Owning up
In Term 4, kindy students will explore the ethics of owning up and telling the truth. They’ll talk about whether it’s okay to not speak up and admit when we’ve made a mistake and whether we miss opportunities to learn when we don’t own up.
Later in the term, they’ll reflect on two different ways we can work out if something’s true – by using our senses and by thinking.

Stage 1 – Years 1 & 2: Being kind
Our Stage 1 students will explore some big questions about kindness. They’ll consider whether helping someone because you hope to be rewarded or because you’ve been told to counts as being kind.

Stage 2 – Years 3 & 4: Cheating
In Term 4, our Stage 2 students will delve into the ethics of cheating. They’ll discuss what counts as cheating and whether cheating is always wrong. As part of this, they’ll consider whether it’s possible to cheat in a one-player game and whether it’s okay to cheat if the other team is cheating.
Later in the term, they’ll explore questions about friendships.

Stage 3 – Years 5 & 6: Why should we trust science?
Our Stage 3 students will explore some big questions about trust in science. They’ll talk about whether our beliefs matter and whether we have a responsibility to stay well-informed of the science when making big decisions.
Later in the term, students will consider what it means to treat someone fairly.

Stage 4 – Years 7 & 8: Yuck! The ethics of disgust
In Term 4, our Stage 4 students will ponder how emotions can influence decision-making and whether disgust is a reliable indicator of something being morally bad. They’ll also talk about whether emotions get in the way of making good decisions – or whether they help us make good decisions.
Later in the term, they’ll discuss whether it’s ever okay to put a monetary value on human life.