Seventeen students from years one and two participated in the ethics class which is now available for students who don’t go to the weekly scripture classes.

Forbes North’s primary ethics coordinator Tricia Greenhill said the first class was a success.

“It went really well, I’m absolutely thrilled,” she said.

“I’m sure we’ll get more kids after the first one.”

Primary ethics volunteer teacher and instigator of the program at Forbes North, De Barter said this is a great option for those students who elect not to participate in scripture. 

“It’s a great alternative to fill in that time and they’re doing something productive and very valuable,” she said.

Mrs Barter said the students were very responsive to the first class.

“The kids loved it, they were very enthusiastic,” she said.

“It’s a different set-up to a normal classroom – we sit in a circle and encourage the to and fro of ideas.

“It delves deeper into why we do things.”

During the classes students will learn how to think about ethical issues and will be led in discussion by trained volunteer teachers.

They will form a ‘community of inquiry’ with their peers and talk about subjects such as homelessness, keeping promises and the treatment of living things.

Students will also learn how to find and evaluate the morally relevant issues in each topic.

Mrs Greenhill said the classes are for everyone, not just non-religious students.

“We do get some religious children who do it because they still get their religion outside of school, so it’s for everyone,” she said.

Currently just years one and two children are involved in the ethics classes, however, Mrs Barter said if a couple more children get involved they can also teach it to another stage.

“If we get more students we can open up another stage for kindergarten,” she said.

Mrs Barter and Jodie Cousins are the two volunteer teachers who have been specially trained and selected for the job, however they are looking for two more teachers to open the classes up to years three to six students.

The ethics curriculum has been approved by the Department of Education as age appropriate. Volunteer teachers must be willing to commit to teaching a 45 minute class each week of the school term for at least a full year.

Mrs Barter said some people might be hesitant about these types of classes but she encourages parents to look at the curriculum, which is all found online at www.primaryethics.com.au

“People are curious but cautious because it’s new,” she said.

“But I encourage people to go on the website so they can see what their children are doing and can continue the topic discussions at home.”

Forbes North Public School’s P and C committee is behind the program.

“The P and C supports the program and thinks it’s a wonderful alternative,” P and C secretary Raewyn Molloy said.

“We just need more volunteers to enable it to run across more classes.”