together

Pearl at the Dharma School

So we got through Oliver's first term of School.

Amongst the many reasons to move to this part of the world was because of the Daylesford Dharma School, Australia's first Buddhist school.

For the last couple of years we thought we would be homeschooling our lovelies. 

But then there was this. 

We spent time there with Oli & Pearl, sometimes i would get a few chubby little tears in my eyes watching them meditate, play, ponder compassion and be around such amazing teachers.

But then apparently it's quite difficult to rent a house in a small country town when you have chickens, children a dog and this town is filled with cottages that are empty most of the week then fill up with(sans chooks) Melbourne escapees on the weekend.

So for this year the Dharma School was not to be.

It left us agonising(it was painful!)about Oli's School choices.

In the end we went to the public school down the road (we can avoid the road by following the creek and train track).

On our way to school

After this lovely term I've realised that all this agonising was really my own projection of what MY schooling was like.

I am a passionate advocate for life learning/home/un-schooling etc........I've read all the books (Which may have contributed to my angst somewhat...)

but this little public school has such a lovely soul which reflects the spirit of the little town we live in.

Pearl & Oli's Ballet teacher commented the other day about how she see's the children in her classes being so supportive and beautiful with each other...that she's noticed the children(and families)have a much stronger sense of community and the importance of well being, health, simplicity and connection then previous generations.

At my public school in Sydney we weren't even allowed to play on the grass, it was bitumen and bullying all the way.

I'm just so happy to be experiencing (to really see it)this shift in "what matters" through Oliver's public school.

Dave and Pearl make muffins for playgroup

They have a wonderful Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program.

One of my amazing Permaculture Design teachers (the Permaculture Design Certificate is taught at the school and heavily subsidised through Castlemaine Community House) works at the School teaching children in the Food Garden

Children who are feeling overwhelmed and fidgety in their classrooms can negotiate an alternative such as working in the Garden. 

Then there is a huge industrial kitchen for children to cook scrumptious food in with ingredients they have JUST harvested from the garden.An experienced,passionate and patient cook helps them.

On Fridays parents are allowed to use the kitchen for making & baking delicious goods for their stalls at the local markets.

It's just gardening, harvesting and connecting

but it's power is immense.