Quakers
Quakers Worldwide
The School takes its name from the Religious Society of Friends, more commonly known as Quakers.
The Quaker heritage, especially its values and practices, continues to influence the School, but in the context of a modern society. The values that are promoted by the Quaker Testimonies are strongly articulated in the School’s Strategic Planning documents.
The Testimony to Community is reflected in the Schools motto: Nemo Sibi Nascitur, or No-one is born for self alone, and encourages a commitment to service to others, both locally and globally.
The use of mediation and restorative justice rather than standardised punishments such as detention is an example of the influence of the Quaker Testimony to Peace, as is the strong emphasis on good sportsmanship.
Whilst the School celebrates academic success, it also values the intrinsic worth of each person in its care, in accordance with the Quaker Testimony of Equity. For example, at the Yr 11/12 campus, Clemes, a choice of three curriculums is offered to students: the International Baccalaureate, the Tasmanian Certificate of Education and Vocational Education Training. The commitment to equity is also seen in the respectful and healthy relationships between teachers and students, and with other members of the School community.
The Quaker Testimony to Simplicity presents a view that a simple lifestyle is a source of strength, and is also a timely reminder of the need for the earth’s resources to be shared more equitably and used more responsibly.
There is a strong commitment amongst students, staff and parents in the School community to meet the environmental challenges of climate change, pollution and fossil fuels. The Quaker Testimony to Stewardship encourages the School to be an example of an organisation that is a leader in environmental best practice.
Students and staff regularly sit together in Gatherings. These are times of silent reflection, of the practice of stillness of mind and a deep inward listening. They are also times when notions of wisdom and how to live are considered. Students are integral to the planning and running of these sessions, and they are modeled on the Quaker Meeting for Worship.
The commitment to connect with the good in each person is central to the quality of relationships at The Friends’ School. It comes from a quotation of one of the first Quakers: Then you will come to walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in everyone." - George Fox, 1624-1691. Another Quaker phrase: ‘Let your life speak’ is also a call to action based on principles.
The World Quaker web site is a comprehensive guide to Meetings, Schools and other Quaker organisations.
Or closer to home The Australian Quaker Home Page is a guide to Quaker resources in Australia.
Quaker Service Australia is the international development agency of the Quakers in Australia. Its purpose is to express in a practical way the concern of Australian Quakers for the building of a more peaceful, equitable, just and compassionate world. They work with organisations whose projects are economically and environmentally appropriate and sustainable. The Friends'School supports Quaker Service Australia through its service committees.
The Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC) was set up at the 1937 World Conference of Friends in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, USA, "to act in a consultative capacity to promote better understanding among Friends the world over, particularly by the encouragement of joint conferences and intervisitation, the collection and circulation of information about Quaker literature and other activities directed towards that end."
The Britain Yearly Meeting site is regularly updated.
Visit the New Zealand Quaker site for the Aotearoa New Zealand Yearly Meeting Statement of Affirmation and Reconciliation.