At Kallista Primary School, learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door — it flows into the trees, gardens, and open spaces that surround us. Nestled in the heart of the Sherbrooke Forest in the Dandenong Ranges, our school is perfectly placed to give children a rich and meaningful connection to nature.
We believe that outdoor learning nurtures curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of the environment. By taking lessons into nature, students experience firsthand the wonders of the world around them — from the smallest insect to the tallest mountain ash.
🌿 Learning in Nature’s Classroom
Outdoor learning is a core part of the Kallista Primary School experience. Our students enjoy regular nature walks, exploring forest ecosystems, identifying local flora and fauna, and observing seasonal changes. These experiences help children understand environmental cycles and inspire care for our natural world.
Science lessons become adventures of discovery, literacy sessions move beneath the canopy, and art classes draw inspiration from the colours and textures of the forest. Every moment outside becomes an opportunity to explore, imagine, and learn in real time.
🌱 The Kitchen Garden: Growing Minds and Meals
Our Kitchen Garden Program, part of the renowned Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation, transforms environmental education into hands-on learning. Students plant, harvest, cook, and share food they’ve grown themselves — learning valuable life skills while fostering teamwork and responsibility.
These lessons go beyond healthy eating. They teach sustainability, patience, and the joy of nurturing something from seed to plate. It’s real-world learning at its best — practical, fun, and full of life lessons that last well beyond school years.
🐦 Building Environmental Awareness from a Young Age
Through our outdoor and environmental education initiatives, students develop a deep respect for the environment. They learn how their choices impact the world and how small actions — like recycling, composting, and conserving water — can make a big difference.
As one of the most community-oriented schools in the Dandenong Ranges, we are proud to help raise the next generation of environmentally conscious, confident, and compassionate citizens.
🌳 More Than a School — A Way of Learning for Life
At Kallista Primary School, we see the forest as a teacher, the garden as a guide, and every day as a chance to learn something new. By combining traditional academics with outdoor learning and environmental education, we offer an experience that inspires students to think, care, and grow — not just as learners, but as people.
If you’d like to see how our unique environment shapes the learning journey, we’d love to welcome you for a school tour. Come and discover how Kallista Primary School makes nature part of every child’s story.
