Sydney school linked to Scientology gets $5 million boost

Key Concepts

• The Athena School: A small school in Sydney, Australia, with approximately 60 students.
• Scientology: A set of beliefs and practices created by L. Ron Hubbard.
• Applied Scholastics: An organization that licenses L. Ron Hubbard's "Study Technology."
• Association for Better Living and Education (ABLE): A non-profit organization and the charitable arm of the Church of Scientology.
• Study Technology: A teaching method developed by L. Ron Hubbard.
• L. Ron Hubbard: The founder of Scientology and creator of Study Technology.
• Government Funding: The Athena School has received significant funding from both state and federal governments in Australia.
• Secular Education: The Athena School claims to teach entirely secular subjects.
• "Suppressives": A term used by Scientologists for those who disagree with them.
• Thetan: The Scientology concept of the soul or spiritual being.
• NESA (NSW Education Standards Authority): The body responsible for setting curriculum standards in New South Wales.

The Athena School and its Links to Scientology

The Athena School, a small institution in Sydney's inner west with around 60 students, has drawn attention due to its connections with Scientology and its receipt of substantial government funding. Despite the school's assertion that it is not linked to Scientology and teaches only secular subjects, it pays a subscription fee to an American organization called Applied Scholastics. This fee grants the school access to "Study Technology," a teaching method devised by L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology.

The connection deepens as Applied Scholastics is a subsidiary of the Association for Better Living and Education (ABLE), which is the charitable arm of the Church of Scientology. Therefore, it is accurate to state that the Athena School has links to the Church of Scientology through its subsidiaries and pays for the use of teaching methods created by Scientology's founder.

Government Funding and Controversy

The Athena School has received approximately $5 million in combined state and federal government funding since 2014. This raises questions about why a school with ties to a church, which is considered a cult by many other nations, is receiving taxpayer money. The situation is described as "staggering" and "eye-opening," particularly as the school subscribes to the techniques of L. Ron Hubbard and pays fees to an organization promoting these techniques, even while claiming not to apply them in Australia and to teach secular subjects.

The school's justification for paying the fee, even if not fully utilizing the methods, is speculated to be due to the financial resources of Scientologists. The recent establishment of a large Scientology headquarters in Sydney further highlights their presence.

Personal Observations and Student Experiences

One commentator shared personal observations of the Athena School, noting its lack of apparent activity and its resemblance to "hippie trippy" schools like Montessori or Steiner. This perception changed with the revelation of its Scientology links.

Concerns have been raised by former students who have experienced Study Technology. Reports in "The Daily Telegraph" detail students claiming to have been actively harmed by these methods. The materials used in Study Technology are described as "bonkers stuff," involving concepts like being "overt or withheld" and the fear of being "pierced by a spear" if information is held back.

Scientology Beliefs and Terminology

The transcript touches upon some Scientology beliefs and terminology:

• "Suppressives": Individuals who disagree with Scientology are labeled as "suppressives," with the belief that they are "trying to hold down the light that emanates from within all of us."
• Thetan: The concept of the soul or spiritual being, believed to have lived through multiple past lives, potentially including ancient Egypt and involving aliens.
• Secrecy: Scientology can be secretive about its origin story, which is acknowledged as being invented by a science fiction writer.
• Rituals: The existence of "crazy rituals" and organizations like the "Sea Org" is mentioned.

Curriculum and Government Oversight

Despite the controversial links, the Athena School states that its curriculum is secular and must be submitted to the government to ensure it meets NESA standards and teaches the required subjects for funding. The school apparently meets these requirements, which is how it qualifies for funding. The additional funding received by smaller schools is a bonus payment to cover operational costs despite a lack of economies of scale.

Broader Arguments and Ethical Considerations

A broader discussion emerges regarding government funding for schools that promote values potentially misaligned with Australian values. This argument is acknowledged as applicable to various religious schools, including some fundamentalist Islamic schools or Brethren schools, and other "culty schools."

However, a key point of contention remains the government funding of a school that pays a subscription fee for what are described as "wacko teaching methods." The counterargument is that if the school meets NESA standards and parents choose to send their children there, then it should be allowed to operate. The commentator suggests that if parents wish to utilize such methods, they should do so "under your own steam," implying without government subsidy.

Conclusion

The Athena School in Sydney presents a complex situation where a secularly-minded educational institution has demonstrable links to Scientology through its adoption of L. Ron Hubbard's Study Technology and its financial contributions to Scientology-affiliated organizations. The receipt of significant government funding for such a school, despite the controversial nature of Scientology in many parts of the world and reported negative experiences of former students, raises ethical and policy questions about the criteria for educational funding and the alignment of school values with societal norms. While the school appears to meet regulatory curriculum standards, the underlying philosophical and methodological connections to Scientology remain a point of public concern.