Some Suggested Links

These are some links that we believe those interested in independence, choice, freedom and care in education could check.

The first three are associations that promote and defend the rights of families to choose the type of education they feel is best for their child.

The others are schools, that share a common commitment to children as individuals, and who see the development of the whole child and happy adult as the ultimate goal of schooling.

Association of Independent Schools of Victoria
Choice in education sums up in three words what independent schools stand for the protection of the right of parents to choose the most suitable education for their children. Parents are seeking to instil in their children educational, philosophical, religious, moral, social and family values that will equip them to meet the challenge of a rapidly changing Australia.

Australasian Association for Progressive and Alternative Education
The AAPAE is for all those interested and involved in progressive, alternative and democratic education. It is for learners and educators regardless of age. It is for all in the community who wish to share and extend their experience and knowledge of such education. AAPAE provides a forum for discussion, debate, and research, a network for sharing and support and an incorporated association of likeminded individuals, schools, learning centres and education institutions working together on common issues.

Independent School Parents
Website to provide parents with information that they can use in the debate about funding for government and non-government education. Take this link to the Independent School Parents webpage dealing with school funding. The website's long term objective is to provide parents with information about other issues relating to independent schools that come up in public discussion, such as bullying, alcohol and similar issues. As with funding, parents need to know the facts to counter spurious arguments mounted in the media.

Alia College
Alia College offers a cheerful school experience in a nurturing and creative environment. Alia is a secondary college, Melbourne-based, co-ed, inclusive, independent, non-religious, tolerant and academic in focus.

Candlebark School
Candlebark is a school for students aged 5-14, on the world's biggest campus: 1100 acres just north of Melbourne, Australia. In a lovely setting of native forests, European trees and gardens, from log cabins perched above a creek and waterfall, 80 students pursue knowledge and wisdom, food and each other, on bikes, scooters, skateboards, and even sometimes on their own feet. Candlebark is a co-educational day school, has no school uniform, and operates on a first-name basis.

Currambena Primary and Preschool
Established over 35 years ago, we have long been recognised as a leader in innovative educational thinking. At Currambena we deliver a holistic approach to learning, with the help of a flexible curriculum, which focuses on developing a child’s skills for life as well as high academic standards.

We are a democratic school based on the North Shore of Sydney that offers truly child centered education for both pre and primary school children.

Daylesford Dharma School
Daylesford Dharma School offers a vision for education that draws from the methods and wisdom of Buddhist teachings. The school draws freely from Buddhist philosophy with a particular affinity to the approach of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and offers these teachings to its students in the spirit of spacious inquiry.

The Hurstbridge Learning Co-operative
The Hurstbridge Learning Co-operative is a parent run, alternative school for primary aged children. The Co-operative is wholly responsible for the teaching and administration of the school. With its origins in home schooling, the Co-op is a community of families committed to providing an alternative education in a co-operative spirit. Enrolments are kept to about thirty children from approximately twenty-five families. The intimate size of the Co-op creates a community much like an extended family. This philosophy and structure make the Co-op unique.

Kinma
Kinma is a progressive school in Sydney which offers an alternative to mainstream education where children from zero to twelve years enjoy learning in a stimulating environment. Kinma was established in 1972 as a non-profit, non-denominational, co-educational, Preschool and Primary school which is managed by parents and teachers.

Maharishi School
Maharishi School fosters effortless, joyful, successful and fulfilling teaching and learning. Its internationally accredited Consciousness-Based Education recognises that the quality of students' awareness - their intelligence, creativity and receptivity to knowledge; their sense of self and confidence in their capabilities; their ability to comprehend both broadly and deeply - are fundamental to successful educational outcomes.

Melbourne Community School
Children are individuals and so we believe they learn best when allowed to learn at their own pace. We provide a wholistic education where children don't just learn in isolation - they pick up specific skills and knowledge in the context of greater experience.

Peregrine
Peregrine is a caring community where children have a secure sense of belonging. Children benefit from the continuity of belonging to one whole group with the same group of teachers throughout their schooling.

Preshil
The Preshil philosophy is based on encouragement, equality, co-operation and the supremely valuable concept of discovery. Preshil students love learning and are part of an academic journey which sees them develop a rich understanding of themselves and the world.

Village School
We aim to inspire young children to discover and learn in a supportive, caring environment. We celebrate individual differences while at the same time encouraging children to develop an awareness of their place in Australian society and the global community, and to grow to understand their role in supporting and caring for each other, all living creatures and the natural environment.