Education Rooted in Community
The Bushies Initiative is an outdoor homeschool community in Sydney, NSW, built around a simple belief: it takes a whole village to educate a child. Families, children and guardians come together to learn, explore and grow in ways that feel connected to real life. Rather than following a one-size-fits-all model, Bushies encourages education that responds to each child’s curiosity, strengths and changing world.
Learning takes place through relationships, nature, practical experiences and shared responsibility. Children are supported not only by their parents, but by a wider community of adults who value wellbeing, creativity and lifelong learning. This warm, collaborative approach helps families feel less isolated while giving children the freedom to develop mind, body and spirit in harmony.
Learning Outdoors, Growing with Purpose
The Australian bush provides an inspiring classroom. Outdoor learning encourages children to ask questions, solve problems, take healthy risks and build a meaningful relationship with the natural world. Through excursions, workshops and shared activities, families can discover how learning extends far beyond traditional lessons and enclosed classrooms.
Bushies was built for children, their future and their happiness. Its purpose is not to return to the past, but to help create an education model that evolves with the world. Curiosity, connection, resilience and practical knowledge are treated as essential parts of a child’s development.
A Vision for the Future
At the heart of the initiative is a vision for a living eco hub where families, children and parent-teachers can learn, live, grow and share together. The future hub will sit alongside the current homeschool community, creating space for environmental learning, courses, workshops, excursions and other education projects.
This growing collection of initiatives is designed to bring people together around shared values: care for country, thoughtful learning, community participation and hope for the future. By contributing time, ideas, skills or support, families can help shape a more connected and sustainable way to educate children.
Building Belonging Together
The Bushies Initiative is ultimately about belonging. It offers families the encouragement to learn differently, the confidence to follow their children’s interests and the companionship of a community walking a similar path. Together, Bushies is building a future where education is active, human and grounded in harmony with nature.