Erasmus Primary School

School in Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia

Erasmus Primary School

Location

Hawthorn, Victoria

Australia

Information
Type| private
Motto| Luceat Lux Vestra
(Let your light shine)
Religious affiliation(s)| School of Economic Science
Established| 1996; 28 years ago (1996)
Founder| Leon MacLaren
Grades| P-6
Enrollment| 114
Website| erasmus.vic.edu.au

Erasmus Primary School is a private school in Hawthorn, Victoria, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia, serving children from prep through year 6. It is founded by the Education Renaissance Trust,[1] which is connected with the School of Economic Science, also known as the School of Philosophy.[2]

## Pedagogy

[edit]

Erasmus has a unique curriculum for an Australian primary school. The school incorporates meditation and mindfulness practices on a daily basis from early grade levels; in addition, the curriculum includes Latin and Sanskrit, the latter of which former headmaster Jonathan Tickner described as 'almost scientifically perfect'.[3] The school also teaches once-a-week classes in philosophy and scripture, drawing from a mix of Eastern and Western philosophy, particularly relating to the Advaita Vedanta school.[4] The school's website features quotes by Shantanand Saraswati, former head of the Jyotir Math Hindu monastery and pioneer of the Advaita movement.[5] The unusual curriculum and pedagogy of Erasmus Primary School has received mention in the national media.[3][4]

## Connection with the School of Economic Science

[edit]

Erasmus Primary School names Leon MacLaren of the School of Economic Science as its founder.[6] Schools associated with the School of Economic Science have been the subject of child abuse scandals[7] and cult accusations.[8] Erasmus was discussed extensively[9][10] in internet forums for former students of the London-based St James Independent Schools, another SES-related educational institution, regarding child abuse experienced by the former students and their families; this forum was later the topic of a private inquiry finding that children were "criminally assaulted" during their time at the St James and Vedast schools.[11]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Education Renaissance Trust". www.education-renaissance-trust.org.uk.
2. ^ "Erasmus". Melbourne School of Philosophy.
3. ^ a b "Quiet please, learning in progress". The Age. 12 June 2006.
4. ^ a b Kellahan, Kristie (3 August 2016). "The young philosophers at Erasmus Primary School". The Sydney Morning Herald.
5. ^ "About Us – Erasmus Primary School".
6. ^ "Founder – Erasmus Primary School".
7. ^ "Poster Children of New York's Happiness Academy – The School Of Practical Philosophy". The New York Observer. 25 May 2011.
8. ^ Potton, Ed. "Emily Watson: 'I saw incidents of cruelty that have been very scarring'" - via www.thetimes.co.uk.
9. ^ "Erasmus school acknowledges its relationship with SES / SOP". SES Forums. 14 February 2006.
10. ^ "The Melbourne School". SES Forums. 20 February 2006.
11. ^ Townend, James (14 January 2006). "General Report of the Townend Inquiry into St James Independent Schools" (PDF).