Our Nature Connected Earth School program for World-Schoolers, Un-Schoolers and Students of Home and Distance Education has been designed to immerse children in our subtropical Marine Park environment and enrich each child’s unique learning journey and wellbeing through authentic, memorable learning experiences.
We promote kinship, awareness and symbiosis; teaching and learning together outside of any commercially build structure - sheltered by our "footprint free" mobile classroom the Green Bunya. A community-funded bell tent made right here in Australia.
Nature Connection Program
When: Tuesdays from 10:00am-2:00pm
Where: Conservation Area TBA per program.
Sandpiper Beach Base Camp, Macleay Island - Ferry travel from the Mainland.
Who: School aged children. Mixed, differentiated classes available.
Locations
Sandpiper Beach Potts Point facing Moreton Isl. Lamb Island
Corroboree Park Secret Beach Russell Island
Dalpura Beach Karragarra Isl. Foreshore Cow Bay Conservation Area
10 Acre Woodland (soon to be Community Garden). Melaleuca Wetlands
Learning Structure
Our daily learning is based on the natural ebb and flow of more than just the tide. Nature guides our selection of classroom location throughout the term observing natural change, providing students with first hand experience making decisions and solving problems influenced by wind, tides, shorebird migrations etc. We practise Design Thinking and move through each day following a similar approach to a Waldorf classroom.
Our Mastery Focus changes between programs but we begin each day with an acknowledgement of Quandamooka Country including Land, Sky and Sea.
After being welcomed, students hear about the day's focus and share in a brief meditation bringing out intentions together as a group for the day.
We practice deep breathing and open Council Sharing as a Circle, holding space and listening without input or judgement.
Yoga activates our bodies as we build strength and flexibility toward individual goals then have some fun practising Acro Balance moves and circus skills as a group.
Training for Cirque de Macleay!
We love team games involving strategy and lots of running around. We usually play a few games, or one big game before our HPE discussion then we break for Lunch.
After lunch we focus on Bush Craft, Manual Arts projects or other "making" activities in a relaxed group-learning context encouraging students of mixed ability levels to assist each other, have calm conversations, giggle, listen to music and simply be together.
We wrap our days up by sharing our work in all its glory and reflect on our experience during each phase of the design process including feelings we had before, during and after trying something new. Students are welcomed to add any other reflections from their day together before we connect in circle one last time and say farewell.
Food
Parents should send water and fresh (preferably home packaged) foods each day their child is at school promoting waste consciousness and wellness through our food. We will supply ingredients on cooking days and welcome any contributions as long as “food as medicine” ethics are at the forefront and we are happy to discuss this with parents at any time.
Students will sometimes prepare and always eat together.
Food growing and excellent nutrition are core aspects of our Steiner inspired, permaculture-based philosophy to holistic living and learning. 100% ZERO NUTS
Please inform us of dietary requirements your child may have during your entry interview.
Absence
Children should not attend on any day they are: sick or coming down with something or have head lice. Our online classroom will allow students who are absent due to sickness or travel to engage with learning and their peers without attending in person.
Screens and Technology
We will be providing opportunities under the STEAM curriculum for students to engage with modern technology only ever in authentic contexts and always connected with our learning of natural and ancient “technologies” as we develop design thinking*. Our aim in integrating modern technologies is to enable children who have a deep understanding of nature to develop solutions for current issues that directly affect us all on this beautiful planet. Sustainability and renewable solutions is key to all our STEAM learning and we use Permaculture Principles to scaffold this in a practical and literally hands on manner.
Substances
No alcohol, tobacco or drugs is to be taken at or brought to earth school by parents or children. Any issues around this in your family should be disclosed to us prior to booking.
Tuition
We follow a "Pay what feels right" policy in regard to tuition for our programs. We understand that circumstances change from week to week. Please contact us directly to discuss Home Education services as payment plans for support may be available.
Home Education in Queensland
Hyperlinks in the below text will direct you to further information.
We require homeschoolers to be enrolled for the term and request a preliminary meeting with families. Homeschooled students are required to receive age appropriate education planned and recorded in an education program which we can assist with. Our curriculum applies Permaculture Principles and nature-oriented Design Thinking to STEAM (Science Technology Art Mathematics) program scaffolded with Australian National Curriculum Continua of Capabilities and inspired by Steiner Education / Forest Schools of Germany.
We also offer a reporting support service.
Email our admin team any time for clarification or assistance.