Darlingia, Innisfail, QLD

14/03/2026

MP Shane Knuth supported us, now he needs our support. Please sign the petition to keep the voice of regional communities (see link in Shane's post below)

23/07/2025

Darlingia in the local news ❤️💔

Shane Knuth MP about Darlingia - "If the parents are behind the school, if the teachers are behind the school, if the students are behind the school, and it's proven to get results for these students, well what is the problem here and let's work this out..."

Parents say the democratic school, founded by teacher and Queensland mum Deborah Schiel Zaini, helped their children discover a love of learning, but the state accreditation board refuses to allow it to reopen.

13/07/2025

Don't be sad that it's over, be happy that it happened 💕

10/07/2025

"Creating a genuine consent culture demands a fundamental paradigm shift in the way we think about what education is, and what it is for."

In recent years, UK school culture has undergone a shift towards authoritarianism that is hard to ignore.

24/06/2025

Tomorrow *Wednesday 25th June* - Meet at the hub, then heading over to Warrina Lakes for Scooter/Bike and Nature play.

16/06/2025

How would education look if everyone's voice truly mattered? 🤔 Not just administrators, but also students and staff...

🌱 What does an education in which everyone's voice truly matters look like?

Our theme for this August 1-7th International Democratic Education Conference IDEC@EUDEC 2025 Belgium is
A CULTURE OF DIALOGUE.

💬 Let us know your ideas in the comments!

And find the link to the 2008 film, "Summerhill" below too.

"Summerhill is England's only free school, where students legislate their own laws, manage their banks and have the freedom to attend class at their own discretion.

When the British government threatens to shut down the school, students defend their institution by challenging Parliament and the political process. The results not only validate the school but they also demonstrate how effective this educational philosophy can be when liberating students and allowing them to determine their own creative and educational curriculum."

11/06/2025

"real learning doesn’t look like silent rows and rushed content... play is not a break from learning. It is an integral part of the learning."

Today marks the International Day of Play... and something has to change.

Right across Australia - even in kindy classrooms - children are being told to sit still, stop talking, finish the worksheet, and “get ready for school.”

But here’s the truth: they’re already in real school, and real learning doesn’t look like silent rows and rushed content.

At Kwoorabup Nature School, we believe play is not a break from learning. It is an integral part of the learning.

Play looks different as children grow, but it is still just as valuable!

🌀 Thinking deeply and collaborating while building cubbies.
🌀 Developing their own small businesses with sustainable products.
🌀 Designing their dream homes.
🌀 Asking big questions about the world.
🌀 Writing stories so enthusiastically we have to ask them to stop for lunch.

This isn’t fluff. This is the foundation for a healthy mind and a meaningful life.

So why are we still clinging to an outdated, one-size-fits-all system that threatens creativity, active thinking, connection with the natural world, and forgets what it means to be a child?

Preparing our children for a future where 50% of jobs haven't been invented yet, the most powerful things we can give our children aren’t test scores. They’re confidence, curiosity, critical thinking and connection. All things that develop naturally through play.

🌱 It’s time to trust children again.
🌱 It’s time to trust play again.
🌱 It’s time to stop treating joy as optional.

This International Day of Play, we’re not settling for an afternoon of games. We’re standing up for childhood.

Because if we want our kids to grow into caring, creative, courageous humans that contribute to their community we have to give them space to be kids first.

11/06/2025

This time last year... a wonderful example of place-based education ♥️💔

03/06/2025

**Cancelled**
**Sorry for the late notice**

Playgroup and Home Ed social on Wednesdays at Warrina Lakes Learning Hub, 40-42 Charles Street, Innisfail, next door to the pump track and nature playground.

19/05/2025

Playgroup & home ed social
Wednesdays between 9:30am-2:30pm
Help us name our group this Wednesday!
Gold coin donation BYO share plate if you're staying for lunch
40-42 Charles Street, Innisfail, 4860
[email protected]
0481 430 585

11/05/2025

Darlingia Playgroup 9:30am
Gold coin donation
BYO morning tea