Dharma Curriculum - A Holistic Approach to Primary Education
Programs and Classes
Developing self awareness and broader community awareness.
Awareness Program
A whole-school Awareness Programme based on Buddhist principles is integrated into the daily curriculum.
Our term themes underpin our yearly curriculum and are maintained each year in the same sequence to ensure student familiarity and a sense of continuity. We use these themes to guide our classes and focus on learning outcomes.
- Term one: Wellbeing
- Term two: Social Harmony
- Term three: Cultural Diversity
- Term four: Environmental Balance
Throughout the year subjects include:
Interdependence, Gratitude, Respect, Non-Harm, Honesty & Intent (Motivation), Mindfulness, Aspiration, Courage, Generosity, Positive/Thoughtful Speech, Universal Responsibility, Difference, Humility, Patience, Contentment, Delight, Forgiveness, Loyalty, Kindness, Deep Listening and Loving Speech, Reverence for Life, Loving Thoughts towards Self and Others.
Our Awareness Programme Activities include: Meditation, discussion, reading and writing stories, drawing, art and craft, model-making, music, song and dance, construction, and role play.
Meditation
As a Dharma school, meditation is foundational on our pathway to developing wisdom and compassion.
Research has shown many benefits to meditation practice for children. Some of these benefits include:
- Meditation helps students to become more focused, calm, quiet, settled and rested, by providing them with opportunities to learn to relax and reflect.
- Ten to 12 minutes of meditation also enhances positivity and creativity among students, by reducing restlessness, nervousness and irritation.
- The largest effects of meditation are experienced by those areas of the brain which are responsible for happiness and positive feelings.
We practice a range of meditation techniques including breath awareness, body-scan, loving-kindness, walking and chanting.
Noble Silence
Noble silence is an awareness practice that occurs after the lunch break to transition into our afternoon learning. Students slow their body and mind down and allow a quiet inner depth of awareness and concentration to emerge. They intentionally choose to paint, craft, read, write or draw to engage with awareness by themselves. Noble Silence time is deeply valued by our students as they choose to go within and immerse in this open-hearted way of being.
Karma Yoga
For 15 minutes every day, each class performs specific cleaning and maintenance tasks. This encourages the collective responsibility of caring for our spaces, practical skills development, and a co-operative spirit. Our intent is to instill in the children an experience of performing selfless actions for the good of others, with humility and understanding its connection to the bigger picture.
Compassionate Citizenship
Compassionate Citizenship provides an opportunity for students to work in cross age groups to engage in learning projects that aim to bring benefit to the wider community.
Bush School
The Daylesford Dharma School introduced Bush School as a regular part of its curriculum in 2022 which reflects the intent of the School’s mission which is to contribute to the growth of a more mindful and sustainable world. More specifically, the Dharma school values and supports children learning about and connecting with the natural environment.
Bush School is designed to provide regular one day immersions in nature within the local Hepburn Region. The learning that occurs is via experiential, place-based experiences that embed the environmental, cultural, social, and historical aspects of local places. In these settings, it also provides a meaningful extension to the Awareness programme and our inquiries into Buddhist precepts and principles.
Research indicates there are many benefits for children taking part in nature-based learning which include the following, adapted from Early Years Learning in Australian Natural Environments by Hughes, Elliot, Anderson & Chandler (2022).
- The importance and value of connecting children with nature
- First Nations Peoples’ perspectives
- Advocacy for addressing climate change and sustainability
- Children’s agency
- Alignment with curriculum frameworks and learning outcomes across key learning areas
- Health and well-being aspect
Check out the Department of Education‘s resource page for nature-based learning at Primary School.
Discover Our Inspiring Learning Community
Explore how our unique approach to education nurtures your child’s growth in a supportive and mindful environment. Join us for a tour to experience firsthand the compassionate and holistic learning that sets us apart.