At St Leonard’s College, we believe that ethical thinking is essential to developing well-rounded, thoughtful, and socially responsible individuals.
In a world with increasing ethical challenges and few national guidelines on ethics education, we’ve taken a pioneering approach to guide our students through complex, real-world issues.
Through our Self and Society curriculum from Years 7 to 9, we engage students with thought-provoking topics that explore identity, culture, and community. By Year 9, students can deepen their understanding in our Ethics elective, where they tackle pressing questions and they are encouraged to consider not just what is, but what should be. This builds the foundation for essential and transferrable skills. These include, but are not limited to, critical thinking, empathy, and clear communication. All of which are underpinned by ethical frameworks and approaches.
In Senior School, ethics education remains a core element of our IB program, which has been adapted in recent years to incorporate ethics across all areas of study. This further underscores the importance we place on ethical understanding as students move into more advanced studies, preparing our students for the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
Our flagship Ethics Olympiad program, open from Junior School through to Year 12, brings these values to life. The program allows students to participate in respectful, competitive discussions on relevant topics such as the future of artificial intelligence and the ethical implications of fast fashion. By engaging in authentic, ethical conversations, students develop the analytical and interpersonal skills needed to navigate and shape their futures with integrity, preparing them to become informed and adaptable leaders of tomorrow. The success of this program on a national and international level has meant the development of an Ethics Club in the Junior School.
In addition to the competition day, the College hosts a dedicated Ethics Olympiad training day for Middle and Senior School students. Over 100 students from nearby schools join us on campus, engaging with guest speakers and discussing real-world ethical cases. This day offers our students a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded peers while deepening their understanding of complex ethical issues.
By Megan Scott, Head of Comparative Religion and TOK Coordinator
