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I’m Judy Raudon-Hill aka Nana Bear. As a veteran educator and elder, I am dedicated to leading a compassionate, inclusive learning environment guided by the Neohumanist values of universal love, respect for all beings (people, animals, plants, and the environment) and a holistic approach to child development.
Holistic education focuses on interconnectedness between intellectual, emotional, social, creative, ethical, spiritual, and physical growth, prioritising essential 21st century life skills and overall well-being, rather than purely academics and continued assessments.
Our shared goals are to nurture our River School students’ academic excellence, emotional intelligence, ethical awareness, and spiritual growth through hands-on, enquiry-based learning, preparing them to be rational, resilient, empathetic and conscious contributors to a more sustainable and compassionate world.
Service to others is our driving force and community is our foundation.
Judy Raudon-Hill, Principal.
The River School is a values-led, independent school located four kilometres from Maleny, set on beautiful acreage of rainforest and creek. From Pre-Kindy to Year 6, our school offers an alternative to mainstream education for families looking for a learning environment grounded in connection, purpose and care for the whole child. Learning unfolds from creek to classroom, with nature not as a backdrop, but as an active part of daily school life.
Rooted in the global Neohumanist Education movement, The River School nurtures the head, heart and hands. This approach recognises that education is not only about academic outcomes, but about developing thoughtful, compassionate human beings who understand their place in the world. Through play-based learning, strong academic foundations, STEAM education, the arts, yoga and meditation, children learn to think critically, act ethically and engage with life in meaningful ways.
Learning at The River School is hands-on, purposeful and deeply connected to real life. Children grow food in the garden, tinker and build in the shed, explore creativity through loose-parts play and theatre, and develop environmental responsibility through daily sustainable practices. Passion projects let students pursue their interests with curiosity and confidence, while service-to-others programmes nurture empathy, leadership and a sense of contribution beyond the self.
The school places strong emphasis on 21st-century life skills: emotional intelligence, social awareness, resilience and practical capability. Through programs like ASDAN (the UK-based Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network), The River School supports children to build confidence, independence and skills that prepare them for life beyond the classroom. Learning happens indoors and outdoors, individually and collaboratively, always within a safe, inclusive community where children feel seen, supported and valued.At its heart, The River School is a community of learners that includes students, teachers, parents and the wider Maleny community. Sustainability, cooperation and care for all life are woven into everyday school life, from farm-to-school initiatives and upcycling projects to relationship-building and service learning. In a world that can feel increasingly fragmented, The River School offers children a strong sense of belonging and the foundations to grow into capable, grounded and compassionate adults.
Nurturing Educators | Natural Playspaces | Innovative Programs | Creek & Forest Kindy
Canteen available various days of the week
We honour the full development of each child — physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual. Learning at The River School supports children to grow with balance, self-awareness and confidence, recognising that wellbeing and learning are deeply connected.
Guided by Neohumanist principles, we teach children to understand the interconnectedness of all things. We nurture respect and care for humanity, animals, plants and the natural world, fostering a deep sense of responsibility for the wellbeing of the planet and all who share it.
We model love, cooperation and ethical decision-making in everyday school life. Children are supported to develop a compassionate heart, a strong moral compass, and the skills and courage to turn care and empathy into meaningful action.
We cultivate a supportive learning community where diversity is welcomed, unity is valued and service to others is encouraged. Through shared responsibility and collaboration, children learn that they belong, that their contributions matter, and that positive change begins within community.
We honour the full development of each child — physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual. Learning at The River School supports children to grow with balance, self-awareness and confidence, recognising that wellbeing and learning are deeply connected.
Guided by Neohumanist principles, we teach children to understand the interconnectedness of all things. We nurture respect and care for humanity, animals, plants and the natural world, fostering a deep sense of responsibility for the wellbeing of the planet and all who share it.
We model love, cooperation and ethical decision-making in everyday school life. Children are supported to develop a compassionate heart, a strong moral compass, and the skills and courage to turn care and empathy into meaningful action.
We cultivate a supportive learning community where diversity is welcomed, unity is valued and service to others is encouraged. Through shared responsibility and collaboration, children learn that they belong, that their contributions matter, and that positive change begins within community.