Gurukula Home Page
Bhaktivedanta Swami Gurukula
Primary School of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
Murwillumbah, Australia
Welcome to Bhaktivedanta Swami Gurukula, a school where the conclusions of all the Vedic scriptures are encouraged in each student through the process of bhakti yoga. The Gurukula is a living example of a spiritual school as introduced by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who envisioned an education system which nurtured Krishna consciousness in the children.
Established and registered in 1980, the Bhaktivedanta Swami Gurukula School is situated in Australia's main Hare Krishna rural community, New Govardhana. It is located in the picturesque Tweed Valley near Murwillumbah, northern New South Wales. Nestled atop a ridge, and with magnificent views of the valley, the school provides a natural and peaceful learning atmosphere, conducive to spiritual upliftment.
2007 School Report
Dear parents and friends of the Bhaktivedanta Swami Gurukula,
Between June and July each year schools around the Country submit annual performance reports to Federal and State educational authorities. These reports are also made public so everyone has an opportunity to view the schools’ achievements and financial states. Kindly take a few minutes to read through our Gurukula's brief 2007 report and find out about our accomplishments this year and our perceived focus areas for the next.
Thank you for your support to our school community.
Leonardo Borsotti
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| 2007 school report final.pdf | 255.45 KB |
Contact Us
Whether you are interested in enrolling your child, or are simply curious to know more, please contact us at:
Phone: (02) 6672 3788
Fax: (02) 6672 6117
Email: iskool@nsw.chariot.net.au
| Street Address: | 525 Tyalgum Rd. Murwillumbah NSW 2484 AUSTRALIA |
| Postal Address: | P. O. Box 546 Murwillumbah NSW 2484 AUSTRALIA |
Curriculum
The Bhaktivedanta Swami Gurukula is a registered/accredited NSW independent school. As such the school follows the NSW Board of Studies and meets all their standards. As a member of the AIS (Australian Independent Schools) the school also receives further teaching, learning and curricular support.
As an independent school the Gurukula has the flexibility to achieve learning outcomes within a spiritual context. All stage level outcomes are met using subject knowledge, saturated with spiritual heritage. This system has achieved excellent results.
Currently the school caters for children from kindergarten to year 6. Students engage in learning activities in the following areas:
- English
- Mathematics
- Science and Technology
- Personal development, health and physical education
- Human society and its environment
- Creative Arts (Visual Arts, Music & Drama)
- Krishna conscious studies
- School sport
Enrollments and Fees
Committed to widely distributing the benefits of quality education with a transcendental goal, the Bhaktivedanta Swami Gurukula offers its services not only to the Hare Krishna community, but also to everyone in the broader community who identifies with the philosophy and ethos of the school.
The school is open to all families regardless of their religious affiliation, nationality, or ethnic background. Nonetheless, it is expected that all families will live in harmony with the standards and regulations of the Gurukula and fully share in the devotional activities and festivals organised by the school and the community temple.
The Gurukula fee structure is as follows:
- $350 per term for the first child (four terms a year)
- $175 per term for the second and third children
- Fourth child enroled concurrently is free
Facilities
The school is situated on 2 acres of hilltop land at New Govardhana. There are four large double sized classrooms, administration block, computer lab, sports oval and half-court basketball.
General Information
| School hours: | 9:15am to 3:15pm, Monday to Friday |
| Bus service: | The school offers daily bus transportation from/to Murwillumbah. |
Staff:
Grades K-2 ----------------------- Mother Premavati
Grades 3-6 ------------------------ Deva Gaura Hari Prabhu
Librarian -------------------------- Mother Vilasa
Administration --------------------- Leonardo Borsotti
Administration assistant ------------ Phalguna Dasa
Newsletters & Board Minutes
Please visit regularly for the latest Gurukula newsletters and minutes from the School Board meetings.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| School Board minutes 12-06-2008.pdf | 54.57 KB |
| Gurukula Newsletter June 2008.pdf | 155.67 KB |
| Gurukula Newsletter August 2008.pdf | 408.41 KB |
| Gurukula Newsletter September 2008.pdf | 145.32 KB |
| School Board minutes 17-09-2008.pdf | 56.12 KB |
Our Vision for Students
Our vision for our students is that they identify themselves as loving servants of Lord Krishna. The school endeavours to provide a supportive environment where children's innate devotional qualities can emerge. These devotional qualities will be shown through the students' cooperative and enthusiastic involvement in all learning experiences.
While encouraging students to practise devotional service, the Gurukula also provides space for them to reflect and be aware of their own social, emotional and physical necessities. Teachers serve as role models in how to satisfy these necessities in ways that are sustainable and respectful of the rights of other living beings.
The main outcomes that every student is guided towards, within the scope of spirit, mind, and body are to:
SPIRIT
- Recognise the need for shelter and guidance from parents, teachers, spiritual masters and ultimately Lord Krishna
- Develop habits of daily devotional practices, including meditation on the Holy Names of Krishna and Deity worship
- Demonstrate the 26 qualities of the Vaishnavas through acting as responsible and inclusive citizens both within the school and in society
MIND
- Find pleasure in learning and striving to his/her best ability for academic excellence
- Exercise deep and critical thinking skills
- Respect and appreciate the divine beauty in the natural environment and creative expressions.
- Find inspiration in the aesthetics of a simple lifestyle
- Participate in Vedic arts such as cooking, mridanga and harmonium playing, leading Kirtans, and chanting of Vedic mantras
BODY
- Understand and practice personal health care habits including a lacto-vegetarian diet and general cleanliness
- Establish a balance between work, sleep and recreational activities
Parents and Community
Parents are valued as the primary carers of the children. They are encouraged to contribute skills and services to the school environment. This enhances both the students' learning and parents awareness of the activities undertaken during the educational process.
The New Govardhana community supports the Gurukula through facilitating a place of worship for Lord Krishna, through the following activities: daily temple programs, festivals, devotional lectures and performances, social interactions during Sunday feasts, cooking for the Deities, opportunity for instruction in musical instruments, and many others. Where appropriate, members of the community are engaged by the school to teach their life-long skills e.g. felt making, sewing, crafts, brick making, honey collecting, cooking, and others.
The Gurukula also plans for trips and excursions that take education beyond community premises and allows children to experience devotional formation within the social context they will meet when leaving the school.
“It takes a village to raise a child” - Srila Prabhupada
Purpose and Mission
Our Purpose
To achieve optimum, individually tailored quality educational outcomes for all students and to make all educational experiences relevant by orientating them to the service of a Krishna-centered society.
Our Mission
Our Mission is to assist students in becoming valued and contributing members of society by empowering them to reach their full potential in the areas of Krishna Consciousness, academic learning, creative & independent thinking, and personal & emotional growth.