The School of Total Education

The School of Total Education today is the result of the effort and sacrifice of hundreds of people over a period of nearly 40 years. Not only teachers and parents, but also a broader community of supporters, inspired by the vision of creating a working example of an educational system which addresses not only the outer development but also the inner development of the child. One in which spiritual and emotional growth would share equal importance with physical and intellectual development. This was the vision of the school’s founder, Vijayadev Yogendra.

The school first opened in Melbourne in 1977, but its roots go back further. Read about the school’s beginnings and how it has developed over more than 30 years. In addition to state and federal government curriculums, the School offers a range of distinctive curriculum elements based on the program of Total Education. Today SOTE has a mix of teachers, some long-standing and others who are relative newcomers. All share an enthusiasm for the school’s ideals and putting them into practice.

The School of Total Education invites parents, teachers and children to be part of a living and evolving community in which they all play a vital role. Building such a community starts with the recognition that the school is not just an arbitrary collection of people — of students, teachers and parents. A community requires a level of cohesion, a sense of shared values, open communication and a level of positive interdependence. The School aims to build this kind of community for the benefit of not only the children but the teachers and parents as well.

At SOTE we try to make learning fun and engage the children’s interest by using a variety of teaching and learning styles. We strive to help all children become proficient at the key skills required for academic learning and this is facilitated by small class sizes and cultivation of a positive teacher-student relationship.

The School’s academic curriculum is consistent with Queensland Government and Commonwealth Government requirements and students participate in the Grade 3, 5, 7 and Year 9 NAPLAN Tests. The School offers the following subjects at Year 11 and 12 level: English, French, German, Ancient History, Modern History, Geography, Study of Society, Mathematics A, Mathematics B, Mathematics C, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Visual Art, Music, Drama, Film, TV & New Media. All subjects are accredited with the Queensland Studies Authority. Students graduate with a Queensland Certificate of Education and nearly all students are eligible for Tertiary Entrance.

Term FeeAnnual Fee

Prep to Grade 2$1,293.50$5,174.00

Grade 3 to Grade 6$1,483.50$5,934.00

Secondary$1,653.50$6,614.00

Sibling Discounts:

• $450 Discount for 2^nd Child
• $650 Discount for 3^rd Child
• 4^th and Subsequent Children - $2,500 Discount on tuition charge

In addition to Annual Tuition Fees, there are supplementary levies for specific purposes. Please contact the School for further details.

Funding
Parent fees: 26%
Government grants: 70%
T.H.E. Foundation support/Other support: 4%