Gifted Ethics Day

History challenge

Giftedness is defined as innate, dynamic potential in a specific domain or domains, while talent is the actualisation of a gift within a specific domain

Local Students Tackle the Big Questions

Global Politics, the Death Penalty, Euthanasia, Cloning and the War on Terrorism were just some of the big issues that students from Newington College's campuses at Stanmore and Lindfield, and Stanmore Public School recently tackled at an Ethics Day held at Newington's Wyvern House Prep School.

24 Year 10 boys from Newington’s senior school led various discussion groups comprised of Year 5 and 6 students from each of the other schools.

The guest speaker, Rosemary Sainty from St James Ethics Centre spoke to the students about the nature of Ethics and gave them some practical steps to use when faced with an ethical decision.

"It is important that the opinions of our younger students are valued and heard by the wider adult world," said Rosalind McKenzie, Newington College’s Gifted Education Coordinator

According to Ms McKenzie, "It was a wonderful opportunity for the voices of our young students to be heard.

"The ultimate goal of Ethics Day is for students to take some action in the real world in an attempt to have their views heard beyond the normal confines of the classroom."

At the end of the afternoon, each group of students decided on a course of action that would help find resolution in their area of discussion. Some groups drafted letters that expressed their opinion on a given topic and any changes to the current situation that they felt should be made. These letters have been sent to appropriate individuals including members of parliament, senators and leaders of charity organisations.