Upper Sturt Primary School 118 Upper Sturt Road, Upper Sturt SA 5156

"A beautiful community based school. Adam and his team have done a great job of enabling children to be themselves, receive a great education and develop a strong sense of values. We love this school and would highly recommend!"

"An absolute evolution in schooling. Bush School is truly amazing and I hope the Education Department will learn from it and strive to change all SA schools into a similar format. Children are encouraged to look after each other, the school, environment and practice kindness. Teachers take the current curriculum and adapt it for outside with experiments/play/learning. Children are encouraged and supported by all teachers, not just their own. It's a warm and welcoming community which is rich and diverse in culture. The indigenous lands are acknowledged and respected with care taken to keep the natural bushland and animals safe. We feel honoured to have been included in this school and can't wait to see what the future holds."

"Still delighted with Upper Sturt Bush School. As a mother of three boys I am completely happy with the hands-on, nature based learning they receive at this school. Here they are supported to be who they are, to follow their interests, and to engage with and care for the environment. The teachers are highly trained and professional. They believe in the children they teach, have a love of teaching and are life long learners. The Principal is one of the best you will ever meet. She is approachable, professional and will stand up for the needs of children in a world where children’s voice and wellbeing is being lost to government priorities. Our boys were attending a mainstream school prior to coming to Upper Sturt. One of of our boys was being bullied by some children and unfortunately his teacher. He would scream every morning that he did not want to go to school, and it broke my heart. Now he is back to being the confident and engaged boy we know and love, and I am forever grateful for the privilege of all of my sons attending Upper Sturt. From the moment we arrived at the school we have felt welcome, included, supported and listened to. If you are looking for a high quality, hands on education for you children where they will LOVE TO LEARN, do yourself and your children a favour and check out Upper Sturt Bush School."

"Our child is thriving now, after a bad experience at another school, he has come back to himself again. The teachers are wonderful. The principal amazing. Loads of nature space and small nuturing school community. We have seen our child learn and grow so much in a short amount of time. Like for example, since starting our child's drawings have perspective now as there is so much visual space for him daily to absorb, you're not stuck in four walls. I think the department of education needs to fund more Bush schools in SA. Gets kids out of the classroom into nature. We are grateful this school exists."

"I can't find words enough to express how much I love Upper Sturt Primary School. The bush school philosophy of learning in nature just warms my heart. My son was lucky enough to start reception there last year, and is now in year 1. He has never once wanted to stay home, and in fact it's all I can do to make him stay home when he's genuinely sick! He constantly tells me how lucky he is because he gets to learn outside for so much of the day, instead of being stuck in a classroom like so many other schools. The grounds are beautiful, the teachers are incredible, the principal is truly passionate about our children, and the community is wonderful. I know that my son is respected, trusted, nurtured, safe and listened to. The school is so welcoming of parents - they not only tolerate, but actively encourage our involvement to whatever extent we are able, whether it's just staying for the whole school morning circle time, listening to kids read, helping with art, doing odd jobs around the grounds, or bringing our own skills to share with class workshops. I feel so grateful to have found this school and to be able to give this childhood experience to my son."