Daylesford Dharma School

The School Day has several key components: Each day begins with whole school session of Awareness involving meditation and cross age activities related to the theme of the week; followed by separate class sessions of Literacy, Numeracy and integrated studies programs of Inquiry Learning for the Bigs and Reggio Emilia Inquiry learning for the Harmonies. The learning Areas of Science, Humanities, Civics and Citizenship, Health and Technology are integrated into this block as well as in Literacy and Numeracy. In addition, discrete classes of Languages (Auslan and Chinese), Phys Ed, Fine Arts and Performing Arts are timetabled each week. Personal and Interpersonal Learning are incorporated into the underlying approaches to individualised learning plans and to student management. A hands-on project learning time where students are in cross age groupings occurs once per week. Special event days are held regularly where students engage with each other and the local community on key topics related to the term theme. Consistent with the Buddhist focus of universal responsibility, care for each other and the environment, Outdoor and Environmental Education is a major focus of the curriculum.