"These are the happiest kids I've ever seen."
- parent visiting the DGBS
- parent visiting the DGBS
A school of natural learning, joy for life, critical thinking, and solving the world's problems
The DGBS is a participatory, technology-free, evolutionary and revolutionary school designed to raise intelligent, healthy, mature, responsible young adults who can think for themselves, meet their needs, live a meaningful life and challenge the current system in order to bring about a healthy world. We are raising the dreamers, healers, rebels and the revolutionaries this world needs.
Our design is based on: neuroscience, evolution, anthropology, and thousands of years of sustainable indigenous education. There is no other school like us - we are the first school of 22nd century learning.
22nd Century learning means students learn how to live within the Earth's limits, they learn to think about future generations, they learn what a healthy and sustainable way of life is, and they learn to challenge what is wrong and heal the planet.
Our design is based on: neuroscience, evolution, anthropology, and thousands of years of sustainable indigenous education. There is no other school like us - we are the first school of 22nd century learning.
22nd Century learning means students learn how to live within the Earth's limits, they learn to think about future generations, they learn what a healthy and sustainable way of life is, and they learn to challenge what is wrong and heal the planet.
Healing the Earth will only come from a healthy mindset and the courage to challenge.
The Deep Green Bush-School is a registered private school with the Ministry of Education. You can read our ERO report HERE.
We operate a daily shuttle which runs from Papakura, with stops available along the way. Contact us for more details.
We operate a daily shuttle which runs from Papakura, with stops available along the way. Contact us for more details.
How to raise youth who are worthy of living on the planet:
Maturity, Wisdom and Responsibility – The only meaningful and healthy form of education must be one that instills a sense of ecological responsibility and social responsibility. The essence of the DGBS is to raise youth who have a strong sense of what is healthy and what is not – and who are prepared to do something about it.
- Social and Emotional Intelligence – Social and emotional intelligence is the foundation for all learning. Social and emotional intelligence cannot be taught in a classroom; it can only be nurtured through a healthy environment that humans are suited to: through freedom in nature, the freedom to socialise and play with youth of mixed ages, and the freedom to take risks. It results in youth who are confident, creative, empathetic, intrinsically motivated and who are able to cooperate with others. It is the key to living a satisfying and meaningful life.
- Ecological Intelligence– After social and emotional intelligence, there is nothing more important than youth with ecological intelligence. It means knowing how to live in a way which sustains life. It means knowing how to live within the Earth's limits. It means living based on the recognition that all life is interconnected and that humans are not superior to any other life form. Every sustainable society that has ever existed has been one based on ecological intelligence - also known as traditional indigenous knowledge.
- Historical Intelligence - This is the essence of all oral traditions, and means being connected to the past. Understanding the past is essential to living well in the future. At the DGBS, it includes understanding the full scope of human existence on Earth, including two million years as hunters and gatherers, the origins of agriculture and civilisation, and the origins of modern institutions such as capitalism and modern technology. It also includes understanding the causes of current global problems, and exploring possible solutions.
- Fearless Intelligence (i.e., genuine critical thinking) The DGBS is aimed at raising youth who will have a deep understanding of the world around them and will be able to think for themselves, without the insecurity of needing to “follow the herd”. They will be able to judge whether university is the right choice, and how to make the most of their one life. This is nurtured through our Talking Circles, Warrior Council, and modeled by staff. For an example, take a look at our latest newsletter.
Maturity, Wisdom and Responsibility – The only meaningful and healthy form of education must be one that instills a sense of ecological responsibility and social responsibility. The essence of the DGBS is to raise youth who have a strong sense of what is healthy and what is not – and who are prepared to do something about it.
- Free from Modern Technology – The DGBS is here to raise humans, not machines. We are here to nurture intelligence, not weaken it. The more we use machines, the more we turn into machines, and the more we dumb ourselves down. Every time we use a computer, we weaken our emotional intelligence and weaken our humanity. Furthermore, no modern gadget is possible without mining, factories, toxic pollution, oil wars and the destruction of communities around the world. In order to make or defend modern technology, we first have to surrender all maturity, wisdom and responsibility. On the other hand, the DGBS fully promotes democratic and sustainable technologies.
- Participatory democratic decision-making - If you want to live in a democracy, then youth must practice it. At the DGBS youth learn the responsibility inherent in freedom and demonstrate how well people can manage themselves through democratic decision-making. Our process is a bush adaptation of the Sudbury Valley School model - featuring a daily Talking Circle, a weekly Bush Council and Peacekeeping Circles when needed.
- A Culture of Sustainability - Every sustainable society that has ever existed provided a cultural framework for guiding its members to ensure their health and vitality. The Culture of Sustainability is our curriculum document which re-affirms the wisdom and knowledge that is necessary for a healthy world for all children, future generations and all life on Earth.
Read our inspiring Culture of Sustainability document:
| deep_green_bush-school_-_culture_of_sustainability.pdf |
The Deep Green Bush-School has been audited by:
