Learning outside supports creativity and problem solving in children, enhances cognitive abilities, and improves academic performance.
Studies have shown strong progress in social studies, science, language arts, and math through nature-based education programs. It also helps reduce anxious energy and promotes focus.

Being outside is also a stress reliever, which is highly beneficial for students who are put under a tremendous amount of pressure these days.
 Forming relationships also comes more naturally to students in nature-based education, for they are experiencing social interactions away from a screen. With education steering more and more towards learning through technology, it is crucial to be reminded why learning outside of a screen is beneficial for your child.

Along with helping mentally, nature-based education has physical benefits as well. Students getting outside are more physically active, and tend to have better nutrition habits.

Getting kids outside can make learning more relevant and helps develop deeper interests by exposing them to more real-life opportunities.
That being said, Sidrah Gardens School is the first Australia’s Muslim Nature Based school located in Narre Warren North on a heavily vegetated 22 acres, lending itself to extensive opportunities for students to explore, discover and contemplate.
 
Sarah Night (Forest Schools and Outdoor Learning 2015.

A precious part of the Narre Warren North community, the property where the Sidrah Gardens School resides was formerly the Campbelltown Miniature Railway that ran from 1987-2018. The site being of such significance and heritage is something the Sidrah Gardens School embraces and is sensitive to preserving the history of the site.

​Understandably, with any development in the area, the local community may have some concerns. Here are some clarifications that may help better understand the extent of what we propose to do.

TRAFFIC AND CONGESTION 

• The owners have engaged Traffix (a renowned traffic consultant) and have cooperated with VicRoads to satisfy all traffic and parking obligations. The Traffix report is available as is the conditional approval from VicRoads 
• VicRoads has given its stated approval conditional upon the construction of a left turning slowdown lane for drivers travelling south and a right turn lane for drivers travelling north. This is to be constructed at the owner’s expense entirely – ie no cost to the community 
• The proposed school will only have 30 students in its first year (equivalent to two minibuses). Even at its intended capacity of 160 students after 6 years the traffic impact is deemed insignificant 
• There are currently 80 car spaces provided on site with an existing vehicular loop to accommodates student pick up. The planning scheme calls for a total of 16 spaces when the school functions at full capacity. There will be no parking required outside of the site 

 
 
ENVIRONMENT 
 
“Loss of Habitat and Effect on Character from Excessive Tree Removal” 

• The site noticeably contrasts with neighbouring sites as the only one that is densely vegetated. The previous owner planted approximately 5800 trees with the aim of obscuring sightlines of patrons of the miniature railway. He was not particular about which trees he planted. Some are indigenous, some native and others exotic 
• 165 trees are proposed to be removed representing 2.8% of the total number trees on site – that is 28 out of every 1000 trees 
• Under the native vegetation framework in the planning scheme, planted trees are not protected or required to be retained. Nevertheless, the owners engaged an arborist to survey trees earmarked for removal. Significant indigenous or native trees will be replaced with indigenous trees at the rate of 3 for every 1 tree removed providing quality habitat into the future 
• The owners have engaged world renowned Geoff Lawton, head of the Permaculture Research Institute to develop a masterplan that will restore the site to ecological health including replacing pine trees and removing noxious weeds from the banks of the creek 
• Excitingly, the permaculture focus is inextricably interwoven into the school curriculum promoting that humans should contribute positively to the environment, not negatively nor even being content to be a neutral influence

THE CASE FOR NEED 
 
“There is no need for another school” 

• The City of Casey is projected to be in Melbourne’s top 5 growth areas to 2031and is currently growing at approximately 95 families per week. The Grattan Institute projects that 220 new schools will be required Victoria wide to accommodate an extra 90000 students by 2022. Education Minister James Merlino recently stated, "If we don't build new schools, our schools are just going to be overrun" There is clearly more than sufficient demand to accommodate another school alongside existing schools in this ward. In fact, a small rural scale school is a good fit for this ward  
• The proposed school offers a unique curriculum that takes its inspiration from the Reggio Emilia Forest School Model. No other schools in the area provide anything that resembles this curriculum. As such this school is not a competitive threat to schools in this ward 
• The school is unashamedly faith based as are most private schools. There is no exclusionary or discrimination policy. No part of the curriculum fosters extremism or fundamentalism (it’s a travesty that it even has to be stated in this response). 

 
 “We don’t need a school that doesn’t serve this community” 

• The proposed school clearly states that its primary catchment is to the south, south-east and south-west of the proposed site. That said, the schools focus on environment may actually attract like-minded local residents who value wholesome and harmonious living with the land. If objectors’ concern for the environment is anything to go by, local demand for this particular school may be surprising. It is no secret that niche schools tend to attract families that are willing to travel further to attend the school. 
• At the core to the school masterplan is the development of community-based assets and activities over time such as: 
  • retaining the miniature train function in some form for social events
  • a walking/running track open to the public with rest stations based around themes such as: edible garden, medicinal garden and reflection and meditation spaces
  • a monthly car boot and farmers market
  • celebratory festivals including; biennales promoting local artists, food, religious and harvest festivals
  • partnering with the men’s and women’s shed movement to utilise the existing workshop 
  • producing frozen meals from the learning kitchen under the “farm to plate” mantra to feed the homeless through reputable organisations 
  • conference and seminar facilities open to the public use
  • sporting facilities open to public use 

 
A proposal that seeks to provide assets and programs that service the local community without discrimination should be applauded and supported for its outreach efforts  
 
 
CHARACTER 
 
“The proposal will take away from the rolling hills, semi-rural character” 

• The 22-acre site is more than large enough to accommodate the proposed smallscale school - starting with 30 students and projected to reach a maximum of 160 students over 6 years. By way of comparison, Narre Warren North Primary School has approximately 360 students and occupies approximately 2 acres of land 
• The site is being so heavily treed combined with the generous setback of proposed buildings means that a person travelling along Belgrave Hallam Road would struggle to sight a building  
• There is nothing to indicate that this proposal will take anything away from the semi-rural character of the area – on the contrary, the ethos of the school incorporates an intensive permaculture emphasis focusing on maintaining and augmenting the ecology of the site making a positive long-term contribution to the area 

 
 
INFRASTRUCTURE 
 
“Capacity of existing septic systems is insufficient” 

• Council has requested that the proposal incorporate a properly designed treatment plant which will operate to the highest standards. The design of which has been lodged with Council for approval. There are no other infrastructure constraints relating to this use 

 
​
​
We welcome any further feedback and questions relating to our proposed  project via email at [email protected].