Our vision is our Legacy.

School of the Open Sky

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ONLAND learning spaces

Our access to an onland agriculture site, offers an authentic free-range farm close to the beach. The learning spaces are sustainable and affords connection with country.

Childhood never had it so good!

an eye on our futures

At the heart of School of the Open Sky is a desire to offer something different to support our children in their schooling. We believe we can offer surfing, fishing and gardening as key foundations. We maintain academic focus in English, Maths and Science. We integrate the other subjects into our programs. Our focus is on the new 3Rs: Respect, Responsibility Relationships

Young enough to still care

Living School was born in 2020 in the aftermath of the worst bushfires in Australia’s history.

With the onset of COVID and lockdowns, Living School implemented Onland Learning in 2021.

In 2022, with the devastation of the Lismore historic floods destroying our campuses, Living School initiated School of the Open Sky – a place of wonder and activity.

POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS

Our teachers are respected. Our teachers manage relationships. Nutrition and developing learning attitudes and skills are emphasised under their mentorship. We employ exceptional and authentic teachers.

Your CHILDREN are In Safe Hands

Our educators specialize in our vision of schooling. 

Our teachers are experienced and fully committed to building our community of like-mindedness.  

With the expertise to offer academic programs in English, Maths, Science – our team are also credentialed to teach surfing, fishing, bush-craft, gardening, and challenges.

This is a school that makes sense

There is more to us than we know. If we can be made to see it, perhaps for the rest of our lives we will be unwilling to settle for less. There exists within everyone a grand passion, an outlandish thirst for adventure, a desire to live boldly and vividly through the journey of life.
Kurt Hahn
“Education is a social process; education is growth; education is not preparation for life but is life itself. The most important attitude that can be formed is that of desire to go on learning.
John Dewey
“No one will protect what they don't care about; and no one will care about what they have never experienced. If people lose knowledge, sympathy and understanding of the natural world, they're going to mistreat it and will not ask their politicians to care for it.
Richard Attenborough
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A School for Big Minds

FAQ

School of the Open Sky is a division of the Living School program.  All students must be enrolled in Living School, Lismore.

Living School is a not-for-profit limited by guarantee independent school.  It was created by John Stewart, an experienced and globally renowned school leader.

School of the Open Sky is for students usually enrolled in Years 3-6. The values of Respect, Responsibility, +ve Relationships are required. There is an emphasis on independence and attentiveness. This school is unique and students must be willing/able to surf, fish, swim, enjoy outdoor education. The school is focused on personal goals, showing grit and resilience so they can take on a challenge, while being able to work in groups productively. This environment in which we will learn must be tech free – no mobile phones!

Parents must support the school – and heed our code of ethical conduct.

The program will emphasise consistent routines each day, each week:

  • Circle Time – gathering together with roll taken. Key organisation focus – to ensure everyone has all equipment/resources/awareness required for a successful day’s learning.
  • Goal setting – personal programs defined around key SMART goals.
  • Cardio Activity – start the day in the right way: surfing, jogging, riding, rowing – with data tracked and mapped to show progress and develop a Personal Best approach to tackling challenges.
  • Integrated learning – combining Key Learning Areas with a surfing lifestyle focus to respond to an Inquiry Based Question to unpack one of Living School’s unique KeyStone themes.
  • Concept Frame – building competency in the core theories of Maths, English, Science as per New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA). The students will be assessed termly in Maths and English; annually in Maths and English via the PAT maths, PAT reading, PAT spelling assessments.  Students will have student-led learning – whereby there are individually set programs of study, and the student is expected to work independently on their areas of need without distraction.  This is resourced with computer technology.
  • Nutrition – lunch together at a set time as a group. Everyone eats together – and then play.
  • Context Frame – a program that emphasises active authentic learning based around making, growing, exploring, cooking, performing, and serving

Yes.

To offer this opportunity, we will only enrol a maximum of twenty students in Years 3 – 6, with the intention of growing up to a Year 8 level in 2025.

To offer the programmes we want to initiate relies on small numbers, so there is exclusivity in this programme.

Fees will depend on total numbers: with 20 students, fees will be $450 per week, or $3000 per term. Remember, there are six terms per year at Living School.

We are focused on two experienced teachers, and an experienced teacher aid, as well as a budget for weekly guest educators.

There will be an administration staff member.

Our teachers will have a bus licence – and there will be regular excursions and daily surf sessions. 

This opportunity to join us as pioneers is a unique opportunity.

Apply to show your interest to enrol now. Limited spaces capped at 20.

Enrolment Query Form

POTENTIAL STUDENT INFORMATION

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