Welcome to Daylesford Dharma School

Compassion in Education.
Live to be kind. Learn to be wise.

Set within 22 acres on the outskirts of Daylesford, our model of educational excellence places student wellbeing at the heart of their learning. We foster this genuine engagement and personal growth in our students by placing their development at the centre of our Awareness Program activities, led by experienced and compassionate teachers.Β Β 

This approach is underpinnedΒ  by the Australian Curriculum General Capabilities which focuses on developing knowledge, skills, behaviours and dispositions and how these apply at school and within the community.Β 

Our students’ social, emotional and moral intelligences are cultivatedΒ  through inquiry into how we can live with kindness, wisdom and interdependence, guided by Buddhist philosophy.Β 

Our students are immersed in an academic program that follows the Australian Curriculum and so our teachers place a strong emphasis on explicit teaching and monitoring of the core literacy and numeracy achievements of our students.Β  This year our NAPLAN data revealed;

  • 100% of our Year 3 students scored β€˜Above’ the National Minimum Standard in all Literacy areas
  • 100% of our Year 5 students scored β€˜Above’ the National Minimum Standard in all Literacy areas and Numeracy.Β 
  • All our Year 3 and Year 5 students performed β€˜Above’ or β€˜At’ the NAPLAN National Minimum Standards across the five testing areas of Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation and Numeracy.Β 

We have a strong commitment to experiential learning with a focus on nature observation and connection. We run a place based learning program and a keystone Bush School curriculum that ensures that nature based learning helps develop our students’ problem solving, resilience, environmental and indigenous knowledge, and key educational outcomes. In 2022 the North Central Catchment Management Authority recognised our 8 years as a River Detectives school with a Recognition Award for outstanding contribution to natural resource management.Β 

Most importantly, our education program is accessible to all. You do not need to identify as being Buddhist for your child to benefit from the critical thinking and inquiry skills that a philosophical education instils in children. We aim to be accessible to all families in our community and our school fees are low and are able to be negotiatedΒ  through our volunteering program and through bursaries.Β 

At our school you will meet a friendly learning community who support each other to experience a sense of belonging.Β 

We encourage you to check out our enrolments page, and please contact us to book a school tour orΒ  to learn more.Β 

Home page virtual tour

Take a virtual tour or call to book a school tour at anytime on 53483112

Come and visit our school facilities and grounds.

Latest News

Splendour in the Autumn

Splendour in the Autumn

Nestled in 22 acres of breathtaking natural beauty just outside Daylesford township, our fair is the perfect autumnal retreat, and an afternoon to move your feet to beats of our Local DJ’s.

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Strategic Plan 2023-2027

Strategic Plan 2023-2027

The Daylesford Dharma School (the School) was born thirteen years ago from a compelling vision; to nurture children’s capacity to grow into kind and wise individuals as they engage in a contemporary Australian education. The School’s strategic plan and governance...

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Events

Join our Community

🍁 Splendour in the Autumn was a blast! πŸŽ‰ Our first-ever kids-curated dance party was a sun-soaked sensation! 🌞From laughter-filled activities to creative workshops, it was a day to remember. Our brilliant students led the charge, wowing everyone with their tea and potion creations, magic shows, fire-making skills, mini-golf prowess, and obstacle course adventures. They rocked the lemonade stand, shared icy treats, and managed a kid-friendly raffle like pros! πŸ‹πŸ§™β€β™‚οΈπŸ”₯Our teachers amped up the fun with mask making, arts, and nature crafts, while adults indulged in scrumptious vegan treats, joined in the fun, and supported our school through the silent auction – with many leaving as lucky winners! 🎭🍲🎟️Huge shoutout to our fabulous food trucks, DJs, silent auction and raffle contributors, and the unstoppable Dharma School Community volunteers. You made it magical! ✨Thanks for being part of our journey. Here’s to next year - bigger, better, and even more splendid! πŸš€Image credit: Toby HudsonClay Ravin Bobby Raver Justine WalshSuper RawMineral Springs Hotel #barmerenda Pancho GewΓΌrzhaus Yoga Shar Daylesford Trading Co The Mineral Spa Daylesford Healthfood & Organics Wombat Hill Nursery Paradise Bookshop Lee Stevens Soccer Academy Creswick Woollen Mills Mel Ogden Ceramics#SplendourIntheAutumn #Schoolfair #autumnfair #Daylesforddharmaschool #community ... See MoreSee Less
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