Welcome to our Daylesford Dharma School community

Hello, and welcome. I’m Andrea Furness, co-founder and Principal of Daylesford Dharma School. It’s a privilege to introduce you to our learning community.

The primary school years are a critical time for children to build strong foundations—not only in literacy and numeracy, but also in the equally important social and emotional skills that shape their lifelong wellbeing. I consider it an honour to work alongside our students, teachers, and families as we nurture these essential qualities together.

At Daylesford Dharma School, we take a unique approach to supporting our students and teachers. With increasing attention on the challenges young people face around resilience and mental health, it’s clear that schools play a vital role in shaping positive experiences. I believe our school is uniquely placed to make a meaningful difference.

Set on 22 acres of beautiful pastoral land on the outskirts of Daylesford, our school provides an enriching environment where students engage deeply with both the Australian Curriculum and the natural world. This setting allows us to integrate wellbeing as a core pillar of our educational approach.

Our daily wellbeing program, the Australian Dharma Curriculum, weaves social and emotional learning into every part of the school day. This integrated model ensures that these skills are not just taught, but truly lived, resulting in lasting benefits for our students. Complementing this, our Bush School curriculum and Compassionate Citizenship service learning program offer hands-on experiences that enhance creativity, problem-solving, empathy, and social responsibility—skills increasingly recognised as essential for success in both education and life.

Research from the Australian Council for Educational Research highlights that early investment in these areas has a profound impact on long-term academic achievement, personal wellbeing, and active citizenship. At Daylesford Dharma School, we are proud to offer an education that nurtures capable, compassionate, and thriving young people—today and for the future.

While this may sound like a privileged education, we see it as essential. Our scholarship program ensures these opportunities are accessible to all families. You don’t need to be Buddhist to benefit from learning self-awareness, empathy, and ethical understanding. This is reflected in our diverse and welcoming community, which embraces families from all backgrounds.

As a Low-Fee Independent School, we are deeply committed to accessibility and inclusivity. Our graduates continue their education across various schools in the Central Goldfields and Macedon Ranges. Time and again, I hear from these schools that Dharma School students stand out for their maturity, confidence, and genuine love of learning.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about our school. I warmly invite you to explore what makes Daylesford Dharma School a special place for children to grow, learn, and thrive.

Warm regards,

Andrea Furness
Principal & Co-founder
Daylesford Dharma School