Welcome to the Candlebark School website

Candlebark is a school for students aged 5-14, on the world's biggest campus: 1100 acres just north of Melbourne, Australia.

In a lovely setting of native forests, European trees and gardens, from log cabins perched above a creek and waterfall, 87 students pursue knowledge and wisdom, food and each other, on bikes, scooters, skateboards, and even sometimes on their own feet.

Candlebark is a co-educational day school, has no school uniform, and operates on a first-name basis.

The school has a long and rich tradition, stretching far far back to January 2006, when it opened under its founding Principal, author John Marsden. In 2008 it enrols 87 students, with 14 full-time and part-time faculty

In October 2006 an article in the Times Educational Supplement said "Many in Britain believe that childhood is in danger of being poisoned by a cocktail of junk food, electronic entertainment and high-pressure education..."

Candlebark refuses to drink at that bar. In this sense it can be called an alternative school. Strongly influenced by Fitzroy Community School in Melbourne, Candlebark believes that children should be adventurous academically, socially and physically. Operating within the structure of a traditional five-day timetable, it strongly encourages a lively, good-humoured, challenging, hard-working and stimulating classroom atmosphere.

The school will always remain small, and there are waiting lists for primary places in particular. Enquiries are welcome however, and can be made via enquiries@candlebark.info.