Live to be kind. Learn to be wise.
Annual Report
2013
“If we do not teach loving kindness
and universal responsibility in our
education systems, it becomes very
difficult to expect that our planet can
sustain us in a peaceful and sustainable
world and that our children will achieve
contentment and happiness.”
Geshe Konchok Tsering
Daylesford Dharma School Founder
Principal Overview
The year 2013 was a significant year of change for the Daylesford Dharma School with
the change of leadership from Andrea Furness to myself.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Board of Governance for entrusting me
with the role of leading and managing the school. I would also like to extend my thanks
to the staff, students and parents for welcoming me into their community and for being so
understanding as I came up to speed with my new role.
The students participated in a number of excursions, camps and community events
throughout 2013. At the start of the year the Bigs went to Atisha Centre just outside of
Bendigo to provide an experience of investigation and immersion in Buddhist belief and
culture. The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion is situated on the adjoining property
to Atisha Centre. Once complete the Great Stupa will stand over 50m tall and will be
the largest Stupa in the Western world. The students had an opportunity to view the
construction site and learn more about this unique project. Later in the year the students
were also invited to participate in the annual Festival or Light held at the Great Stupa and
were asked to construct lanterns to contribute to this event.
Thanks to the generous donation from the Dalai Lama in Australia organisation we were
able to take the whole school to His Holiness’s Public Talk at the Melbourne Convention
Centre. This was a wonderful opportunity for the students to be in the presence of His
Holiness and to witness firsthand the profound kindness and compassion of this unique
individual.
With thanks to the marvellous volunteers who contribute tirelessly to our school we were
able to hold our biggest Autumn Fair to date. This annual community event is all about
sharing our unique school with the wider community and celebrating the change of
seasons, children and the connection with the environment. This event is permanently
in our school calendar and is growing each year in popularity. Thanks to the generous
support and motivation of the Parent’s and Carers committee, the school was asked to
provide the catering for the Words in Winter Family Fun Day, this was a great fundraiser
and community awareness event for the school.
In 2013 we also held our first ever art show entitled ‘Art for Kids Sake’ as a fundraiser for
the school. A team of volunteers expertly led by Kim Percy headed up the organising of
this special event. Our deepest gratitude to all the artists that kindly donated their art
works to assist us in raising money for the school.
I witnessed the strength of character, confidence and resilience of some our students at
the end of Term 3. Vali McDonald-Youl and Joss Percy-Williams performed violin solos at
the Rotary Schools Music Concert. Their ability to stand up on stage in front of a couple
of hundred strangers and perform by themselves was truly an inspiring experience.
Extending on from the bush camps held in previous years we established a relationship
with students of the Outdoor Education program at Latrobe University. The final year
Latrobe students organised and conducted our Bigs camp for 2013. The Bigs spent three
days in the Kooyoora State Forest camping and exploring the local fauna and flora of the
area. The highlight for most students was exploring the Melville Caves particularly the
“Worm Hole” a 20m tunnel of varying diameter that winds its way through granite rock.
Once again I witnessed the confidence and the willingness to face fear from our special
group of kids.
Our amazing teaching and administration staff have formed a tight collegiate team
and we have been working hard to continually improve the teaching and learning at
the Daylesford Dharma School. Each year we allocate a week towards the Teacher
Retreat. This provides an opportunity to expand and grow the professional development
of our staff particularly in the area of Buddhist pedagogy. In 2013 we trialled a period
of residential retreat with the staff staying at Atisha Centre for a night to fully immerse
ourselves in our approach to student engagement from a Buddhist perspective. This time
together away from school and home gave staff the chance to focus and concentrate on
evaluating and improving our current processes.
I could not have undertaken this role without the wise, calm guiding support of Marilyn
Chambers in her role as Learning Manager. Marilyn provided strength and support
through a steep learning curve. I am indebted to her commitment over and above the
call of duty and to her unwavering understanding and compassion.
Once again I would like to thank you all for welcoming me into such a wonderful
community. The extended Daylesford Dharma School family is certainly one of support,
nurturing and a shared belief in a more peaceful world through the practice of kindness
and compassion towards all. I feel truly blessed to be a part of such a wonderful
endeavour.
I look forward to the road ahead into 2014 and beyond as we embark on our journey
towards a permanent home.
Joel Hines
Principal
Board of Governance Report
There is a solid foundation evident in the school community and as
the school gradually grows, the Board has been ensuring that the
key operations of the school are well sustained. On behalf of the
Board, I’d like to acknowledge and thank the dedicated work and
leadership by the Principal, Joel Hines, along with the teaching
team and other staff.
The Board is committed to being open and available to the wider
school community and to that end, Board members have been
present at a range of school events and meetings over the past
twelve months. It is our intent to ensure a school governance
relationship with the school community that is connected
and meaningful. The Board has also liaised with the Victorian
Association of Independent Schools and has received advice and
guidance around school governance and best practices. The Board
seeks to grow and consolidate along with the school.
The major focus over the past twelve months has been, and
continues to be, the move to new premises by the beginning of
2016 as the lease with the Daylesford Tennis Club will come to a
close. Also, as enrolments at the Prep level have been very good,
this means that space in the existing school site for 2015 will be at a premium.
Research and extensive groundwork by Board members has revealed the complexities
around approval processes and legal requirements for schools to be situated in the
Hepburn Shire. This process made it clear that the school’s strategic direction is critical
to this and that there are shared understandings both within the Board and the with the
school community. This was the intent behind a recent parent forum. Change can be
uncertain but it also brings opportunity, so with a collective approach we can trust that
each step is well considered and is made in the best interests of all.
I’d like to thank current Board members, Nic Aunger, Andrea Furness, Mel Ogden and
Kim Woodrum for their continued commitment to the school. The Board has also
called on advice from people outside the school, who have expertise in areas the school
currently needs. We are deeply grateful for their in kind support.
Gen Blades
Chairperson
Characteristics of Student Body
GRADE
Male
Female
Total
Prep
3
3
6
Grade 1
3
3
6
Grade 2
0
3
3
Grade 3
2
5
7
Grade 4
2
6
8
Grade 5
1
2
3
TOTAL
Represents 100% non indigenous students
33
Workforce Compostion
Male
Female
Count
EFT
Count
Principal
1
0.8
0
0
Teaching staff
(including librarians)
1
0.2
3
1.9
Specialist Support
1
0.2
2
0.4
Administration and
Clerical (including aids
and assistants)
0
0
2
0.8
Represents 100% non indigenous staff
EFT
Teacher Standards and Qualifications
All teachers employed at the school have the appropriate registration required by the
Victorian Institute of Teachers (VIT). Working with Children checks have been obtained for
all other non-teaching staff and volunteers working at the school.
This year we began implementation of a Performance Review process for all staff. All
employees are required to perform a self-evaluation and set their professional development
goals at the start of the year and then undergo a review with their respective line manager
mid-way through the year and again at the end of the year. This process is designed to
ensure the continual professional learning and development of all staff in the school.
Professional development expenditure of just over $15,000 (including travel costs) was used
for professional learning for all staff.
Funded professional development activities were:
•
Annual Teacher retreat
• Specific training, seminars, workshops and events from approved Educational Training Providers.
• Inter school networking for teacher mentoring and support.
Attendance
Attendance is monitored twice daily. All absences, early leavers and latecomers are
required to inform the school either by phone, email or by filling in the required form. Any
unexplained absences are followed up by administration staff via phone call to parent or
carer. Attendance rates are reported to parents in their students report twice a year.
YEAR LEVEL
ATTENDANCE
Prep
82%
Grade 1
85%
Grade 2
90%
Grade 3
86%
Grade 4
86%
Grade 5
86%
Attendance across the whole school was 86% for 2013
Student Results in Assessments
Our students performed well under test conditions with the NAPLAN testing during 2013.
Due to our small numbers the results are not statistically significant as a comparison
however detail about these results can be viewed on the ACARA website.. Our
emphasis is providing an opportunity for students to learn and cope with the stress and
pressure surrounding testing and exams. We believe that our programs centred around
mindfulness, concentration and focus adequately prepare students for these testing
conditions.
Funding
The School received a total
of $511,010 in receipts
for the year of 2013. This
amount comprised the
recurrent government grants,
tuition fees, fundraising
activities and donations.
11 Perrins St Daylesford Vic 3460 | t: 03 5348 3112 | www.dharmaschool.com.au