Logos for Schools, a University of Notre Dame program that teaches ethics and philosophy to students in Years 10 to 12, is now accepting expressions of interest for courses starting in late November.
St Clare’s College Waverley alumna, Caitlin Furber, participated in the program in Year 10 and says it set her on a path for an early offer to university.
St Clare’s College alumna Caitlin Furber.
“The essays I wrote as part of the course were marked at a university level and I got great feedback from the lecturers, which made me think about how I could improve my writing,” says Caitlin. “I translated this to my high school work, so I could achieve my goals and aim high for my ATAR.”
At the end of high school when everyone started thinking about the future, Caitlin wasn’t entirely sure what she wanted to do but, thanks to the Logos for Schools program, she knew she enjoyed Philosophy.
“Initially I was going to study Social Justice at Notre Dame, because that is an interest of mine, but I just kept coming back to Philosophy,” says Caitlin, who is now in her third year of a Bachelor of Philosophy, minoring in History, at the University of Notre Dame Australia.
Caitlin applied to Notre Dame through the Early Offer program and was successful in receiving a place before graduating high school.
“I applied for advanced standing and I’ve loved having that extra time to either do another class or take a lighter load one semester” – Caitlin Furber
About the program
Logos for Schools aims to develop students’ critical analysis and reasoning skills, while presenting some of the most interesting and challenging questions of human life for discussion and giving participants a chance to meet new people, sharpen their skills in debate and improve their academic writing.
The study of philosophy and ethics helps students to think independently and articulate their own well-reasoned positions in public, academic, professional or personal situations.
High school students who complete the program are also eligible to apply for advanced standing if they enrolled in an undergraduate degree at Notre Dame after the HSC.
‘My advice is to do it!’
In 2016, Caitlin was one of a group of students from her high school nominated for the Logos for Schools program by a teacher, who encouraged them to take the opportunity to learn more about critical thinking and get a feel for university studies.
She enjoyed Logos 1 in Philosophy so much that when she was in Year 12, she decided to sign up for the Ethics course (Logos 2).
“It was such a fantastic experience, I really enjoyed thinking more deeply about the world” – Caitlin Furber
“If you’re contemplating the Logos for Schools program, my advice is to do it! You will learn a lot and it will stay with you for years to come.”
The University of Notre Dame Australia is now accepting expressions of interest from individuals and school groups for 2021 classes at its Broadway campus.
2021 Dates
- Logos I – Philosophy: Monday 29 November to Friday 3 December, 2021
Cost: $300 - Logos II – Ethics: Monday 6 December to Friday 10 December, 2021
Cost: $300
To learn more about the Logos for Schools Program, call (02) 8204 4164, email logos4schools@nd.edu.au or click here.
