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News Stories about the Centre for Ethics
A collection of news stories about the Centre For Ethics at CCGS.
Professor’s passion for ‘science with a soul’ inspires
Professor Fiona Stanley delivered the fifth Canon Frank Sheehan Oration to a large and enthusiastic audience in the School Chapel on Sunday 24 March. Professor Stanley’s address, titled Science with a Soul, outlined the approach taken to research at the Telethon Institute.
Visiting philosopher a rarity in schools
Year 12 philosophy and ethics students enjoyed a rare opportunity to ponder ‘Meaning and Life’ with a bona fide philosopher recently. Thanks to the Centre for Ethics, the class welcomed philosopher, commentator and author Damon Young.
Former premier brings political arena closer to boys
As the State Election draws closer, Year 12 politics and law students heard firsthand about the pressures of the top job and political philosophy from former WA premier Geoff Gallop. The talk, presented by the Centre for Ethics, gave the boys an insight into the modern day political divide between the left and right of the spectrum.
From romance writing to MI5 agents
The Centre for Ethics continued to present a wide range of speakers to boys this term from West Australian writer Dianne Touchell to former British Intelligence Officer Vic Grant.
HART inspires Senior School boys
Earlier this week, some of our Year 9 and 10 classes were fortunate to hear an inspiring presentation by Dr Maung Taing Sasa. Dr Sasa was accompanied by Dr Elmo Jacob from Canberra. Both men are associated with the Humanitarian Aid and Relief Trust (HART), a Christian organisation established in 2003 by Baroness Caroline Cox.
Liam asks community to help Close the Gap on Harmony Day
As part of Harmony Day celebrations, Year 11 student Liam Lannigan gave a presentation on National Close the Gap Day at the Senior School Assembly last week.
Centre for Ethics speakers engage boys and wider community
Two very different talks held recently were a wonderful representation of the Centre for Ethics at Christ Church, which engages boys in conversations on ethics and spirituality while bringing the wider world into the School and local community.
Orange and Sushi Harmony
Christ Church boys celebrated Harmony Day and the diversity it promotes with a riot of colourful dress, special assembly presentations, singing, speakers and sushi made by volunteers in an enthusiastic fundraising campaign for the Japanese people to support their recovery from recent earthquakes.
Canon Frank Sheehan Oration Draws Big Audience
The annual Canon Frank Sheehan Oration, this year presented by Malcolm McCusker QC, drew a crowd of about 450 people to the School Chapel on Sunday evening.
Former PM Shares his Journey
Eight hundred people gathered to hear former Prime Minister John Howard talk about his new autobiography and answer questions in the School Chapel on Wednesday night.
Centre for Ethics Speaker Draws Big Audience
A conversation between Canon Frank Sheehan and prominent critic of fundamentalist Islam Ayaan Hirsi Ali drew a full house of people to the Chapel on Monday evening.
PP and Year 1 Meet The Other Bears
Early Learning Centre students were introduced to The Other Bears this week – a beautifully illustrated book created by old boy Michael Thompson (1994).
Former Gangland Cop Challenges Integrity
“Put yourself in my situation and ask yourself – what would you have done? If you answered yes, then you are me - you now own this story.” These were the words of former Melbourne gangland cop Simon Illingworth, who posed this question of integrity to the Christ Church community this week.
Students Compelled by Tale of Hana's Suitcase
On Thursday 25 March, Christ Church boys in Year 6 and 7 students were joined in the Chapel by 300 hundred students from Methodist Ladies' College, St Mary’s Anglican School for Girls and Swan Valley Anglican Community School for an extraordinary presentation by Fumiko Ishioka and Lara Hana Brady.
School Celebrates 2010 Harmony Day
Members of the School community joined with the Prep and Senior School to celebrate the annual event of Harmony Day this week.
Former Gangland Detective’s Courage to Inspire Community
In May 2004, Simon Illingworth brought about a dramatic culture change in the Victoria Police after appearing on ABC Television’s Australian Story. The young detective sergeant, who had been on the force for 17 years, spoke honestly about Melbourne’s gangland killings and the corrupt police brotherhood that assisted and harboured them.
Confirmation Celebrates Faith, Hope and Love
The Anglican Archbishop of Perth Roger Herft confirmed 18 members of the Christ Church Grammar School community at the weekend.
Jon Leaves Senior School Smiling
The comedic insights of author and old boy Jon Doust and an unforgettable rendition of When You’re Smiling had the Senior School in high spirits this week.
Centre for Ethics - What do you believe?
That's the question Geoff Hutchinson (ABC Radio) put to 'popular atheist' Richard Dawkins and Anglican Canon Frank Sheehan earlier this week.
Humanitarian Experience Inspires CCGS Boys
After leaving Christ Church boys intrigued with his stories as a guest speaker at a School Assembly in May, adventurer and humanitarian Mark Squirrel recently returned to the School for four days of classes with some of the boys in the Senior School.
Rhodes Scholar Shares Passion For Just Society
Christ Church welcomed Western Australia’s newest Rhodes scholar Daniel Vujcich as a guest speaker at a recent assembly.
Celebrating the Essence of Boys
Christ Church staff, parents and members of the wider community listened to the eminent educator, writer and speaker Richard Hawley this week, gaining useful insight into the deep nature of boys.
Using Skills to Make a Difference
Eyes and hearts were wide open as guest speaker Dr Tony Connell spoke at this week’s School Assembly about the plastic and reconstructive surgery he has undertaken in Africa and Asia.
Special Moments for Fathers and Sons
Around 300 Year 8 boys and fathers listened to the insightful words of Professor Bruce Robinson this week while enjoying a cooked breakfast in the School Refectory.
30-Second Moments Can Change a Life
Boys listened with wide eyes this week as New Zealand author Celia Lashlie spoke frankly about her experiences working in prisons.
Nigerian Tragedy and Inspiration
Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie shared her life and work with an enthralled audience this week in an event hosted by Christ Church Grammar School’s Centre for Ethics.
Summit Climb Inspired by Hunger
Mountains and missing toes were the hot topic at yesterday’s Senior School assembly, with guest speaker Mark Squirrell sharing a snippet of his story of climbing to the summit of Mount Everest, the motivation behind the climb and the obstacles along the way. Members of the Christ Church and wider communities enjoyed the full story during a fundraising event at the School Chapel last night.
Harmony Week Reminds us of Australia’s Cultural Diversity
As part of Harmony Week 2009, Christ Church students were given an insight into the challenges and misconceptions facing Muslims in Australia, highlighting the importance for harmony in our culturally-diverse country.
Beazley Memoirs Launched at Christ Church
Christ Church Grammar School’s Centre for Ethics, in collaboration with Fremantle Art Centre Press, this week hosted the WA Launch of Father of the House: The Memoirs of Kim E. Beazley.
Old Boy Tells Boarding School Tales
Christ Church Grammar School’s Centre for Ethics last week welcomed old boy Jon Doust back to the school for the launch of his book Bird on a Wire.
Parents and Teachers Urged to Build Boys’ Empathy
Boys’ school staff members and the wider community had an opportunity to gain valuable insight into children’s social development and emotional literacy this week. Dr Adam Cox, a child and family psychologist and critically-acclaimed author from the United States, was a guest lecturer at the School courtesy of the International Boys’ Schools Coalition and Christ Church’s Centre for Ethics.
Retreat Offers Silence, Reflection and Compassion
In the final week of Term 3, Year 11 students spent a day outside the classroom to experience aspects of monastic life.
Fathers To Benefit From Professor’s Advice
Professor Bruce Robinson offered fathers practical ideas for positively engaging with their children at a talk presented by the Centre for Ethics on Wednesday night.
A Quest to the Core
Boys were asked to contemplate their own journey as well as their mates when writer, editor and photographer Stephen Scourfield shared some of his views at Senior School assembly this week.
Author Gives Tips For Growing Good Men
Parents, boys and members of the wider community were enthralled as New Zealand author Celia Lashlie spoke frankly of her research and experiences working with young men last week.
Perth Audiences Gain Insight into Winton’s Latest
The School Chapel was filled to capacity as hundreds of people attended the launch of Tim Winton’s new novel.
CCGS Celebrates Harmony in Diversity and Nature
An art installation constructed from nature, prayers and readings from around the globe and hundreds of bright, orange flowers were some of the ways CCGS celebrated Harmony Day this week.
Gap Year Student’s Story Inspires
When Phoebe Hammond addressed the Senior School Assembly recently, she recalled being stuck in a torrential downpour in the Costa Rican jungle a year ago to the day.
Monks Prayer for Peace
The sound of deep harmonic chanting by Tibetan Buddhist monks filled the Chapel as part of a sacred mandala ceremony held during the week.
Over two days, the four monks created an intricate sand mandala - a gesture of peace and harmony.
Boys Hear from Author, Culture Wrangler and Psychologist – All in One Day
The variety of guest speakers that Christ Church boys are exposed to was reflected in a typical school day last week.
A Journey to Justice – Colleen Egan on the Andrew Mallard Story
Canon Frank Sheehan will interview Walkley Award-winning journalist and author Colleen Egan about her book on the events surrounding the Andrew Mallard case next week (Tuesday 19 October).
Boys Marvel at Monks’ Creation of Peace and Harmony
The Gyoto Monks, known worldwide for their deep harmonic chanting, were guests of the Centre for Ethics this week. Boys from the Preparatory and Senior schools had an opportunity to learn about the Tibetan monks’ beliefs as well as their sacred tantric art practices.
International Speaker Urges Boys to Craft Vision of Man They Will Become
The Centre for Ethics was delighted to present John Badalament – an author, filmmaker, educator and recognised leader in the field of fatherhood. The international speaker first addressed the Senior School at assembly where he asked boys to start thinking about the most important role they will ever have.
Story of forgiveness resonates
On Tuesday, the Centre for Ethics presented two international speakers with a powerful message. Azim Khamisa and Ples Felix met after Ples’ grandson shot dead Azim’s only son in 1995. Today, the men are great friends who share their story of forgiveness and the realities of violence around the world.
Christ Church parents help turn darkness to light
At a recent Senior School assembly, boys and staff heard from Christ Church parent David Richardson, who spoke about Telethon Adventurers. Telethon Adventurers raises money for Princess Margaret Hospital Ward 3B Total Care Unit (Oncology), to help fund research at the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research and also assist the PMH Rehabilitation Department.
Expert says: ‘Social Emotional Learning’ improves academic outcomes
This week more than 150 preparatory school parents attended a briefing session on ‘social emotional learning’ and related Christ Church programmes. World leading expert on social emotional learning for young children, Dr Mark Greenberg, spoke about the research he has lead over several decades that proves a link between teaching social emotional learning and significantly improved academic outcomes overall, as well as improved mental health.
Chief Scientist of WA shares passion and possibilities with Year 10s
In the lead up to National Science Week, the Centre for Ethics was delighted to present Chief Scientist of WA Professor Lyn Beazley AO. Professor Beazley addressed all Year 10 boys in the Chapel last week sharing an insight into some of the many opportunities in science and engineering in WA.
Master storytellers have boys in stitches
Christ Church continued to welcome both national and international storytellers as part of the National Year of Reading this week. Senior School boys heard from award-winning Skulduggery Pleasant author Derek Landy last week while both Preparatory and Senior boys enjoyed sessions with Australian writer James Roy.
Boys find serenity in retreat to monastic town
Late last term, all Year 11 students visited the Benedictine Monastery at New Norcia for the cohort’s annual retreat. Chaplain Canon Frank Sheehan believes making the journey from the busyness of Christ Church to the serenity of the Western Australian countryside is important.
Young Australian of the Year tells boys to share their stories
Last week, Christ Church welcomed 2013 Young Australian of the Year Akram Azimi, who spoke to members of both the Preparatory and Senior Schools thanks to the Centre for Ethics. Akram shared his amazing story and impressed upon the boys the extraordinary power in sharing their own stories.
Author, barrister, journalist, father explore Every Parent’s Nightmare
On Tuesday night, the Centre for Ethics welcomed close to 400 people in the Chapel to hear eminent criminal barrister Tom Percy QC, author and filmmaker Belinda Hawkins, former ABC journalist Miriam Borthwick and Dr Simon Palfreeman, the father a man currently serving 20 years for murder in a Bulgarian prison.