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Blog

A Treatise On the Education of Poor Mongrels

Conor Ross

Old Lady Manning had a dog, so simple and small
that would sit and pant outside with the family all.
The Manning family hobby was wholesome and sweet,
It was to wait for a full moon and hold a porch meet

And talk with delight of this or of that,
to smoke a pipe or count passing bats.
They would play crackajack and stretchy nose
and games plenty else that nobody knows.

Published: 17 July 2024

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St Philip's School, Blackburn North

Published: 03 June 2024

Why Read the Classics?

Anya Leonard

Until you read the Classics, you simply don’t know how much of it is around you.

Sure, there are some things that have survived into popular culture, a herculean task to be sure. A few of the Olympic gods, a reference to a wooden horse, a quote about stepping into a river twice might be surmised without having had the opportunity to read and understand the originals... but this is just a simulacrum, a thin veneer of the wisdom and insight gained from the great texts.

Published: 12 April 2024

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The ACES Curriculum Project – Beginnings

In late 2023, ACES launched an ambitious project to develop a classical curriculum package suited to our Australian context that could be adopted (and adapted) by schools. As many of you are aware, a number of sample curricula – some quite detailed and practically ready to pick up and use – already exist in the United States. While purchasing these are helpful in the short-term, what we really lack is a comprehensive curriculum that specifically addresses Australian concerns and, more pointedly, that maps on to the Australian Curriculum.

Written by: Jonathan Hili
Published: 12 April 2024

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A different kind of language

Denise O’Hagan

‘All poetry, as discriminated from the various paradigms of prosody, is prayer.’

-- Samuel Beckett

I never bent my head to tread the short
flight of stone steps down, carefully, or
noticed that they were damply uneven,

dipping in the middle. The silence and
cool never closed their clammy arms
around me, nor did my eyes adapt slowly

to take in the gloom. The single light-bulb,
wire-looped from the peeling ceiling, and
suspended in front of her raised portrait,

never swayed before me. Yet technology
proves an efficient conduit: I enlarge the photo
little by little, notice more. On the low-slung

Published: 12 April 2024

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Testimony on “Teaching History Classically”

Conor Ross

Early in October, ACES hosted an immersion course in conjunction with Beautiful Teaching, “Teaching History Classically” with Mark Signorelli leading. Mark has over twenty years of experience as an educator and is the headmaster of Lumen Gentium Academy, a classical Catholic secondary school in New Jersey USA.

Published: 04 November 2023

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Another magazine for women? Classic.

Veronika Winkels

Wandering into a newsagent today you will find magazines covering fishing, motorbikes, science, politics, history, new technologies, and more. But the monopoly is still held by what are generally described as ‘women’s interests’: rows and rows of publications about weddings, homes and gardens, cake decorating, craft, health and wellbeing, and, of course, cuisine, couture, and celebrity gossip. How then, could any woman browse these well-stocked sections and still see a gaping hole? Because there is one—where a publication dedicated to the philosophical and cultural contributions of, and impact on, women ought inhabit.

Published: 04 November 2023

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  • About the Author: Veronika is Founding Editor of Mathilde Magazine, and resides in Melbourne. You can find out more about Mathilde at www.mathildemagazine.com or https://www.instagram.com/mathildemagazine/

Info 4 the kids

Natacha Carabelas

Many readers would be familiar with the stories – the kids who came home from school talking about ‘gender theory’ or the epidemic of vaping in schools or even just the amount of money that is poured into the school system, with ever diminishing returns: unruly children that can’t read or write.

Published: 04 November 2023

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The Benedict Conference: Truth, Goodness and Beauty

On Saturday 28 October 2023, ACES had the privilege of hosting a stall at the “Benedict Conference”. The gathering was quite sizeable: around 400 in person, with an online streaming presence too. It was held at Australian Catholic University (Cathedral Hall, Melbourne) and principally organised by Fr Dean Mathieson, parish priest of St Joan of Arc, Brighton (Victoria). The focus of the conference was the life and thought of Pope Benedict XVI and how these reflected the transcendentals: truth, goodness and beauty. Accordingly, there was a degree of overlap between the speakers’ presentations and classical education.

Written by: Jonathan Hili
Published: 04 November 2023

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Classical Professional Development

Patrick Long

‘We believe that teaching is an art and that teacher need to be formed in their craft.’

Beautiful Teaching

When we go ‘through the wardrobe’ in the world of Classical Education, to borrow a phrase from Autumn Kern, we start to look for a map to navigate this wonderful world – I won’t suggest who might be the fawns or White Witches within! It is easy to be overwhelmed by what’s Classical and what is not, what the ‘good bits’ are in more progressive models that can still be used, and so on. Fortunately, Beautiful Teaching, founded by Adrienne Freas, exists to help us find our way this new world of education.

Published: 04 November 2023

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Unraveling Australia's Aboriginal History: A Classical Education Perspective

Elizabeth Matheson

Over the past decade, our understanding and interpretation of Australian history has undergone a profound transformation. This remarkable shift has sparked both curiosity and skepticism. Nearly a decade ago, during a casual luncheon, I was taken aback by a confident statement made by an acquaintance. They asserted that indigenous Aboriginal Australians were sophisticated farmers, challenging my understanding of their hunter-gatherer lifestyle. Intrigued and skeptical, I embarked on a journey of investigation, delving into modern scholarship and ultimately creating the book "The Australian History: Pre-History to Settlement," along with a student guide. These resources aim to empower Australian students to explore history, cultivating well-rounded and enlightened learners. A key aspect of this educational approach is fostering critical thinking, logical reasoning, and a deep understanding of the world's intellectual heritage.

Published: 04 November 2023

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  • About the Author: Elizabeth Matheson, Director of Via Classica, viaclassica.com.

The Magic of Classical Fairytales: Nurturing Virtues and Christian Beliefs in Our Children

Elizabeth Matheson

As a society, we have drifted from instilling concrete virtues in our children, opting instead for a message of tolerance and values. In current times, values are hazy and ever-changing. Instilling concrete virtues in our children has never been more crucial. One way to nurture children's moral imagination and provide them with a moral road map for life's journey is through the timeless magic of classical fairytales. These tales, rooted in Christian beliefs, carry profound themes that can shape young minds and guide them towards becoming virtuous individuals, fulfilling the potential God intended for them.

Published: 04 November 2023

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  • About the Author: Elizabeth Matheson, Director of Via Classica, viaclassica.com.

Making the Decision to Homeschool: Why You Should Consider Taking the Leap

Elizabeth Matheson

As parents, transitioning from traditional schooling to homeschooling can be a challenging and emotional process. Having been a teacher in schools for almost twenty years, the idea of homeschooling my own children would have seemed incredulous to me when they were born. However, due to declining academic achievement, lack of traditional virtues in education, and progressive educational philosophies in schools, exploring all available options becomes crucial. Looking back, I have no regrets about embarking on this wonderful adventure called homeschooling. In fact, my only regret is not doing it sooner!   The success of my homeschooling journey is not solely mine; it relies on accessing resources and seeking assistance where needed. Connecting with others on the same journey is vital for advice, support, and fostering meaningful connections.

Published: 04 November 2023

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  • About the Author: Elizabeth Matheson, Director of Via Classica, viaclassica.com.

Education Renaissance: Reviving Depth and Virtue through Mastery

Elizabeth Matheson

Educators and parents are aware of the significant issues plaguing our current education system, despite the substantial resources dedicated to education in Australian society. There are multiple factors contributing to this state of affairs, including the teaching methods employed (progressive, student-centered) and the diminishing focus on a comprehensive knowledge base (reduced to modern progressive sensibilities). Additionally, the overemphasis on well-being, which is often poorly defined and disconnected from the development of traditional virtues, has further exacerbated the problem. These areas have been treated in isolation, resulting in a disjointed, disengaged, and disillusioned education system for educators, parents, and students alike.

Published: 04 November 2023

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  • About the Author: Elizabeth Matheson, Director of Via Classica, viaclassica.com.

We shape our buildings thereafter they shape us

Zachary Pavlou

Winston Churchill spoke these words in 1943 while advocating for the faithful restoration of the House of Lords exactly as it was before its bombing in 1941.

"We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us."

Published: 28 August 2023

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Help build the classical education movement in Australia!

ACES President Kon Bouzikos
Difff interviews ACES President Kon Bouzikos (Educating Humans Podcast)
In this bonus episode, Difff interviews Kon Bouzikos, the President of The Australian Classical Education Society. Kon speaks about his passion for Classical Education, and the mission of the ACES.


John Howard Interview: Why Australia Needs the Liberal Arts

The Ramsay Centre Logo
St John's College Information Evening
The Ramsay Centre is hosting an evening to find out more about St John’s with Associate Professor Andrew Poe. He will deliver a lecture on “Thinking and Unthinking Political Necessity: A Democratic Reading of Book 2 of Plato’s Republic" and share his experience of the Great Books education he received at St John’s College. The talk will be followed by light refreshments and conversation.


ABC Radio National 'Big Ideas': We need wisdom for good education and learning
Dr Paul Morrissey discussed why the utilitarian approach in the Australian education system was not enough - a lecture given at our April 'Classical Renewal' conference.

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