In a nutshell
Candlebark is a creative and adventurous Prep to Year 7 independent school about 50 minutes north of Melbourne in Romsey. It is a day school, is co-educational, draws its students mostly from the Macedon Ranges, and operates on a first-name basis. The school opened in January 2006 under its founding Principal, celebrated author John Marsden. Our senior school, Alice Miller School, operates twenty minutes away in Macedon.
Candlebark seeks to walk a sensible educational line: in John’s words, ‘to do the bleeding obvious.’ We are progressive in that we ask how education can be done better and find innovative ways of achieving this. We firmly believe that school can be exhilarating rather than something to be endured. We are also somewhat traditional – we resist the modern pervasiveness of screens and the overprotection of children’s activities and leisure time. Our students are given the space, experiences, and guidance necessary to grow into confident, thoughtful, and adventurous adults, secure in themselves and their place in the world.
What makes us different
We have what may be the largest school campus in the world. Candlebark spans over 1100 acres, most of which is natural bush, remnant vegetation, and home to many different species of flora and fauna. There are more than 60 kms of tracks and trails, and the property is home to kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, echidnas, wombats, possums, powerful owls, wedge-tailed eagles and other remarkable creatures. We also have quite a few farm animals.
There is no school uniform, and everyone is on a first name basis.
We are out and about much more than other schools. We have lots of sleepovers, camps, excursions and activities. Our Year 7s spend two weeks in the Northern Territory, our Grade 1s and 2s hike with packs, and all students go on camp from the first term of Prep, to name just a few adventures.
Beyond Prep, students have different teachers for different subjects. This improves relationships between staff and students and allows the school to operate more like a village than a collection of separate year levels. Art, Music, and Science are taught by specialist teachers.
The students bring no food to school, as everything is supplied. The meals include a wonderful range of choices, but as well, students can raid the kitchen for a piece of fruit as they go past to their next class. There is no staffroom, and teachers, general staff and students all eat and hang out in the same space. Sharing meals builds community.
At the end of each day the students and teachers clean the whole school, as we believe that people should be responsible for cleaning up after themselves in life, in both a literal and an abstract sense.
Where is the school?
Candlebark is located in the foothills of the Macedon Ranges, half an hour north of Melbourne airport, between Romsey and Woodend, not far from Hanging Rock. A second school, Alice Miller School, opened in 2016 on 75 acres in Macedon. We also have a 475 acre property beyond Lancefield, which we use for camps and educational activities.
How big is the school?
We are intentionally small, enrolling between 170 and 190 students. Class sizes are generally between 12 and 24 students.
What grades do you cover?
Candlebark enrols Prep (children who have turned five) to Year 7. Alice Miller School enrols Years 7 to 12.
What is the school's approach?
Our school motto is, “Take care, take risks.” We encourage students to be adventurous without being reckless. We are keen on the highest possible academic standards, good manners, and a friendly, comfortable, affectionate atmosphere. We see learning as an energised affair, where students engage with the world in ways that are active, stimulating and motivating.
Do you have a selection policy?
Not really. We have said no to a few people whom we feel are not right for us, not for academic or behavioural reasons, but because they or their parents don’t seem geared to this kind of education. Generally however when we say no to someone it’s usually because we don’t have any spaces. We do give absolute priority to siblings of children already here. We also prioritise families residing in the Macedon Ranges.
How do you get in?
We welcome applications for Candlebark throughout the year.
Offers for Prep places are made about 15-18 months before the child is due to commence school, so applications should be submitted well in advance. We also offer an orientation ‘Bush Kinder’ program one morning a week throughout the year for students enrolled in the following year’s Prep class. This is free of charge, once a place has been accepted.
Practicalities
There is no school uniform but there is a clothing policy. We expect students to wear sensible outdoors clothing, of a type that can get dirty or torn. Students will be notified of trips off campus where more stylish clothing may be needed. Students can keep a change of clothes at school as a backup.
T-shirts that carry advertisements or slogans, particularly brand names or grandmothers going to Bali and bringing back nothing but a lousy T-shirt, are not appropriate. Clothing featuring words that are anagrams of swear words or could be mistaken for swear words are not appropriate.
All camps, excursions and activities are covered by the school fees, which are to be paid in advance each term. Students will not be permitted to re-enrol each term while fees are in arrears. Parents experiencing difficulties with cash flow should contact the school in plenty of time to discuss the problem.
Mobile phones may not be used by students while on the school property. At this stage there is almost no mobile phone coverage on the Tye Estate anyway. Urgent messages to students can be sent via the school office.
Food should not to be brought to school, as we provide morning tea and lunch. Lollies, chewing gum and soft drinks are not to be brought to school at any time. We cater for allergies and special diets.
Enquire
We welcome applications for Prep to Year 7 at the Candlebark campus. Prep at Candlebark includes a Bush Kinder program that runs the year prior to Prep commencement.
