Sandra’s computer is on the blink so she has asked me to pop a quick note in on her behalf.
Thanks to everyone who came along to the Trivia Night on Saturday, much fun was had and we were able to hand over a profit of $275.50 to the P&C.
The next P&C meeting is on Tuesday night next week straight after the Year 6 Farewell planning meeting, among other things, we will be discussing the Ethics classes trial that is currently underway in NSW.
The next P&C meeting will be on Tuesday 15th June, 7:45pm at the OOSH room.
Miriam Mulcahy
(On behalf of the P&C Executive)
Ethics Classes
From the St James Ethics Centre website:
“The NSW Federation of P&C Associations is asking the government to change the Department of Education’s policy on the treatment of children who opt out of SRE/scripture. It has joined with St James Ethics Centre to develop a secular ethics program for children who do not attend SRE. The program is being piloted in ten NSW schools in Term 2, 2010. There is absolutely no desire or intention on behalf of the P&C Federation or St James Ethics Centre to remove SRE from its current position, protected under the NSW Education Act. The issue lies solely in the policy. It is hoped the Minister will change the policy to allow those who don’t attend SRE to have the option to attend secular ethics classes. You can find out all about the initiative at http://www.specialethicseducation.com.au”
Current DET policy states “Schools are to provide appropriate care and supervision at school for students not attending SRE. This may involve students in other activities such as completing homework, reading and private study. These activities should neither compete with SRE nor be alternative lessons in the subjects within the curriculum or other areas, such as ethics, values, civics or general religious education…”
The Education Act 1990 (Articles 32 and 33) protects the provision of religious instruction and the child’s right to opt out, but does not stipulate anywhere that those whose parents make the decision to opt out must not have access to meaningful instruction during this period.
At the P&C meeting next Tuesday we will be discussing and voting on a motion to send a letter to the St James Ethics Centre expressing our support for the introduction of ethics classes for children who opt out of SRE.
The motion being tabled is as follows:
“That the NSW Minister for Education changes DET policy to allow secular ethics classes to operate as a complement to scripture/SRE classes in NSW primary schools.”
If you would like to find out more about the Ethics classes trial I have put a whole bunch of useful links in the Ethics classes trial info post, the comment thread there would be a great place to ask questions and talk about the issues being raised too.
Miriam Mulcahy
mimbles2@gmail.com
0412 364 366
