A WEBSITE has been launched to help parents identify which local primary schools provide ethics classes.
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Since the option for ethics classes was removed from the Department of Education’s enrolment form last year, it has become difficult for parents and carers to opt for ethics classes for their children.
The enrolment forms contains only a box in which to nominate a child’s religion.
Primary Ethics, the charity approved by the state government to be the provider of ethics education in NSW primary schools, said the website would be especially useful for parents and carers preparing their four- and five-year-olds for big school.
Primary Ethics was established in 2010 to give children who didn’t attend SRE (special religious education or ‘scripture’) at primary school the opportunity to attend ethics classes.
The group recruits and trains parents and other community members to deliver the classes in their local schools.
Among the local recruits are Paul and Donna Foster who both volunteer to host ethics classes at Bonnells Bay Public School.
Mr Foster said it was rewarding work, and more volunteers were needed to meet student demand in Westlakes schools.
“Volunteer ethics teachers do not need a background in teaching or ethics, just a willingness to learn how to deliver classes,” Mr Foster said.
Volunteers receive two days of training in how to manage a classroom, and in education techniques.
“And volunteers are taught that they must keep their personal views to themselves in classes,” Mr Foster said.
In ethics classes, students learn skills in critical thinking and collaborative inquiry to help prepare them to tackle life’s ethical issues.
Primary Ethics CEO Leonie Johnson said she hoped the new website, primaryethics.com.au, would assist parents to understand their options.
“Parents typically find out about ethics classes through word of mouth and so there are many parts of the state where parents aren’t aware of ethics as an option,” Ms Johnson said.