The Friends’ School Takes Principled Stand for Peace
Posted on August 15, 2025
Quakers have been advocating for peace for over 350 years. As a Quaker school, The Friends’ School seeks to nurture a culture of peace at all levels, including a rejection of violence, wars or domination as a way of solving conflict. In a world currently faced with complex and widespread conflict, we believe we must play our role in creating a more peaceful future.
Following deep reflection and in the context of our Quaker heritage—which calls on us to actively seek alternatives to violence and domination in all forms—the School has taken the decision to discontinue student participation in events, programs, or competitions sponsored by military or defence-related entities, including weapons manufacturers.
This policy, approved by the School’s Board of Governors in June as part of our Building a Culture of Peace Statement, means Friends’ students will not take part in any activities that:
- Are sponsored by, affiliated with, or promote military organisations or weapons companies
- Carry branding or receive financial or in-kind support from defence entities
- Normalise the arms trade or present militarism as aspirational
The decision follows careful consideration of the Medical Association for Prevention of War’s Minors & Missiles report, which highlights the growing intrusion of the weapons industry into Australian education and the risks of militarisation on young people.
Elise West, author of the Minors & Missiles report, said, “I applaud The Friends’ School’s principled position and encourage other schools to adopt a policy of non-participation in programs that promote the weapons industry. All schools have a responsibility to protect students from harmful industries and their targeted marketing tactics.”
“But schools would not need to take action if programs like the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) listened to public sentiment, and took better note of education policy,” West said. “Several Australian states and territories recognise the weapons industry is harmful, and do not permit it to partner with schools.”
Principal Esther Hill said:
“We are called, not just to educate minds, but to stir hearts. Our students are growing up in a complex world. We want them to see that peace is not just an ideal – it is a daily practice, a brave choice, and a way of being within ourselves, within our communities, and across the world. Our role is to empower students to become compassionate, thoughtful, and courageous contributors to a more peaceful world.
The normalisation of militarism and the global arms trade is fundamentally incompatible with the values we strive to instil in our students. We are committed to nurturing a learning environment grounded in non-violence, critical thinking, and active hope.”
What actions, big or small, we can take in thinking of others.
This stance means Friends’ will withdraw from certain national programs, including The National Youth Science Forum and The Science and Engineering Challenge, both sponsored by major weapons manufacturing companies.
The School acknowledges this position may alter some external relationships and approaches these conversations with openness and respect.
“We welcome collaboration with groups and institutions that share or respect our commitment to peace, justice, and the wellbeing of all people. We also encourage others to reflect on the influence of militarism—especially in educational contexts—and to consider the legacy we’re leaving for future generations,” Esther Hill said.
The full Building a Culture of Peace Statement, which also outlines ways individuals can foster peacebuilding in their personal lives, within communities, and at a structural level, is available here.
