Our School
Since 2009, Daylesford Dharma School has integrated the Australian Curriculum with a contemplative approach to education that supports student wellbeing, self-awareness, compassion and curiosity. Inspired by Buddhist philosophy as a practical framework for understanding ourselves and our relationships with others, our students learn skills that help them navigate life with resilience, kindness and confidence.
We are a non-denominational school and welcome families of all backgrounds and beliefs who are looking for an education that nurtures both the heart and the mind.
Our learning program is embedded with practices of mindfulness, loving-kindness and compassion development. Our students feel a sense of shared belonging, crucial for early childhood development as they undertake a journey to develop their self-awareness and wisdom.
We support our academic program with rich Inquiry learning and nature based exploration that explores the Australian Curriculum.
Each day begins with the Australian Dharma Curriculum, our program for building awareness. It is a dedicated time for students to be guided to explore mindfulness, develop character, to feel belonging and look deeply and grow confidence in themselves. It embeds our social emotional learning for the day and is linked to the Australian Curriculum General Capabilities.
Students experience rich academic learning, a weekly Bush School curriculum, Inquiry learning that guides explorations and projects and a whole day dedicated to the creative specialist subjects.
Our students might join the violin ensemble, build a new cubby, kick the footy or race model boats in the creek, be a part of the Student Action Team or play in the sensory garden. They will share their poetry and creative writing in our Writers Festival, contribute their art work to the Dharma Art Show and participate in our local festivals.
They will play and learn and be guided with their friends to contribute with compassion and wisdom to the world they are living in.
