Questions?

Prep to Year 6. Children need to be turning 5 before June 30th in the year they start Prep.

School fees include tuition, meals, books, materials, and regular excursions. Our school fees are $75/week, or $712.50 per term, or $2,850 per year, for families enrolled from 2025. For families enrolled before the start of 2025 school fees are $55/week, or $522.50 per term, or $2,090 per year. Which, according to Finder.com.au, works out to be cheaper than costs involved at your local state school: “When all costs – like tuition fees, camps, excursions, sporting equipment and transport costs – are taken into account, parents are shelling out on average $2547 per primary school child per year...”

Complete the pre-enrolment form online https://forms.gle/L2K5ysWrvp9Qt6Fj6

Yes we have groups of mixed-aged students. In 2025 we’ll have: Prep/1/2 and Yr3/4/5/6. In 2027 we’re aiming to move into middle school with three groups: Prep/1/2, Yr3/4/5 and Yr6/7/8.

Drop-off is anytime between 8:30-9:30am and pick-up is anytime between 2:30-3:30pm. These hours are what we call our soft-start/finish times. This time is also time for self-directed learning, play and projects, before lessons start at 9:30am.

We teach the Australian Curriculum like many other schools. It’s how we teach the curriculum that is our point of difference. We’re a democratic school so children have a say in what they learn, where they learn it, when to take a break and how to show us what they know. We are currently in the process of looking into other alternative ACARA approved curricula, such as the International Baccalaureate, as we are very interested in seeing what other curricula might be more suitable for our school and students.

Yes. It is a legal requirement that we send parents/carers reports of their children’s progress and achievements, measured on a 5 point scale, twice a year. However, some believe it is impossible to know what children are learning and damaging to measure and compare them one against another. We believe that your child is unique and more than a number on a scale. More important than your child’s report is the data and memories we gather everyday: photos, work samples, journal entries, observations and interactions, which we are happy to share with you at our parent-teacher meetings.

No. Here are some reasons why we do not give students homework.

At Darlingia we do school differently. If structure and discipline are top priorities for your child, then you may find our philosophy and approach not something you can align with. Instead of structure and discipline, we value and offer: rhythm and connection, boundaries and predictability, and flexibility, creativity and room for spontaneity. Read more about replacing punishment with connection and about the difference between boundaries and obedience.

“Democratic education is education which most appropriately meets the needs of the learner, the community and society. It does this through developing reflective individuals who are collaborative problem-solvers and creative flexible thinkers… These schools are communities where Article 12 of the UN convention on the rights of the child, which states that children have a right to have a say on matters which affect them, is fully realised.”
https://eudec.org/democratic-education/what-is-democratic-education/

Hudson Valley Sudbury School, established in 2004 in the US, is a democratic community for students ages 5-18 engaging in self-directed education.

The Learning Cooperative, established in 1973 in Victoria, is a great example of a small, parent-run, democratic school.

Democratic education is nothing new. In fact the oldest democratic school, Summerhill in the UK, was established one hundred years ago in 1921 by educator and author A.S. Neill.

School Circles is an independent documentary (2021) that explores the practice of democratic schools in the Netherlands. The film shows students, teachers and staff members coming together to dialogue, discuss proposals, mediate conflicts and make decisions about their school life.

Schools of Trust is a German documentary (2014) about Self-Directed Education.

ABC Radio National – Free to Learn
The history of progressive education in Australia.
Broadcast Sun 9 Jul 2006 at 2:00pm

Yes, our students have a camp every year. Our camps are student/family camps, meaning families participate and join in our annual camps. In the past we have had school family camps at Babinda Creek, Malanda Falls, and Lake Tinaroo.

Absolutely! We enjoy and value parental and family engagement. Parents are encouraged to accompany their child into school and from there they can choose to drop off or stay longer. No prior notice is needed if you want/need to stay with your child throughout the day at school or on our adventure days. Younger/older siblings are also welcome to stay and join in if accompanied by a parent/carer.

Contact Darlingia with any other questions via admin@darlingia.org or call 0481 430 585.