Primary Ethics

Slide Background

THINK • REASON • DISCUSS

Ethics Education for Children

We run ethics classes for children in hundreds of NSW schools every week. Ethics lessons invite children to explore everyday issues such as lying, whether something is fair or unfair and many more.

Our trained, impartial volunteers present stories which encourage children to consider what they would do in age-typical situations. Through discussion, the students develop essential skills for our complex world – how to evaluate a dilemma, consider the evidence for differing opinions and respectfully disagree with their peers.

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.

More about ethics classes and our curriculum

Thousands of volunteers from all walks of life and of all ages teach ethics in their local schools every week. They are parents, grandparents, students and retired people. 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

Primary Ethics classes run in high schools too. Our high school classes

are conversation based, allowing students to build confidence and supporting their transition to the pressurised high school environment
assist with development of interpersonal and decision-making skills as well as the consideration of ethical dilemmas that can loom large in the adolescent years.

More about high school ethics

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'Using our imagination to work out how other people feel'

The Insight program - SBS TV - filmed an ethics class on empathy, where students learn to consider other children’s feelings and motivations.

Watch the video

Primary Ethics is 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.

Find out more about us

Respect

We create learning environments in which children practise respectful discussion.

Integrity

We employ robust recruitment and screening practices to ensure the integrity of our volunteers and the highest standards in child safety.

Independence

We provide a secular learning environment in which students of all faiths or no faith can learn together.

Excellence

Our teacher training and curriculum are continuously improved to ensure excellence in the classroom.

In time, not very much time at all, it will be the decisions of the children we teach today that will shape the world.

Dr Simon Longstaff – The Ethics Centre and Primary Ethics Board

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

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 make ethical decisions. Skills for today’s schoolchildren – the AI generation who need critical thinking skills more than ever.