Pal Buddhist School - Canley Vale, New South Wales

Ray K.

My experience of this school as a Parent and Buddhist has been impressive. As a family, we have been blessed with several great educational options in our local area; instead, we as a family decided on Pal, which is an hour away because it is the only school that has lives up to delivering balanced, happy kids along with the opportunity for those kids to achieve academic excellence. Every day, we see the exam results and the joy on these kids' faces, who are constantly challenged and valued.

These excellent outcomes have only been possible because the school and parents have built an environment, system and team of teachers that put the kids first and allows them to progressively develop the strengths and skills to navigate the demands and complexities of our modern world safely and securely.

The school has also shown that they are willing to protect this environment and the students within it by having selection criteria that look at who the child and their parents are as people instead of their bank balance, connections, the colour of their skin or the family's religious background. Rather than accepting the status quo for the sake of more tuition fees, the school's commitment to the environment extends to removing bad influences or those students they can not help whilst keeping the door open for them and their families should they later decide they are ready to commit to their growth and success as a family.

For 2500 years, Buddhists have only accepted what we can verify through investigation and experimentation; yes, this requires some work. Hence, the school is open for tours to everyone willing to look, think and question. This transparency extends to the teachers, parents and students.

Come and see.

Trang T.

Thank you to those students who have left Pal and posted negative comments about our school. Your feedback indicates a lack of respect and a poor influence on our community, and we are better off without such negativity.

My children have been with Pal for four years and have embraced their responsibilities with dedication. They voluntarily clean their classrooms and toilets, showing their commitment to their community. At home, they assist with chores and cooking, demonstrating their sense of responsibility and teamwork. I am proud of how they contribute and support each other, which I hope you understand is not something you likely practiced.

Pal is an independent school, and while it requires a fee, I am able to afford it on a single income. I am confident in the quality of education and care my children receive. The teachers work diligently, providing additional support to students who need it, and offer valuable feedback to help them succeed. The development of emotional intelligence and overall growth in my children is evident.

I found Pal through a good school guide online, and after four years, I have witnessed significant improvements in my children’s academic performance and personal development. I am grateful for the positive impact Pal has had on their lives.

With respect and appreciation🙏

Parents of Year 8 and Year 6 students at Pal Buddhist School

Casimir N.

I will keep this as genuine as possible. If you’re a parent that upholds moral values, demonstrates discipline, embraces wisdom, and is seeking a school that provides that environment not just for academic growth, but spiritual growth, then this is the school for your child.

There are comments regarding how the school makes students clean toilets, etc. To help everyone understand clearly, there are 8 Training Grounds that this school implements that allow students to grow their Wisdom, Morality and Discipline. The training ground known as “Right Mindfulness”, teaches students about being mindful of their surroundings (at home and at school). An example is if you see rubbish on the ground, it is only right to pick it up and put it in the bin. If you see that the floor is dirty, it would be right to sweep, mop or vacuum it up. If the basin sink in the bathroom is dirty/wet, it would be right to wipe it clean.

So, the educational value behind “Right Mindfulness” is to teach students about being mindful of their surroundings and doing what is right. This noble practice ultimately helps parents at home when the child upholds this practice. All students do it together harmoniously, which creates a fun and rewarding environment that nurtures young minds to think morally with compassion and selfless joy. This is just my honest thought, I can talk more about how good this school is, but to help you better understand how unique and great this school is, it would be a good idea to book in a school tour and see for yourself.

Lana N.

I’ve only heard great things from this school from my niece and nephews. They have grown greatly in their academic journey largely thanks to the teachers and staff at pal. They are now also able to cook and help out more at family gatherings. Not only this but the cleaning program also taught them to clean with the adults afterwards. Of course, family play an important role in a child’s development, but we can not discredit the people that spend 40 hours a week with them, helping them grow.

Vanessa N.

If the Buddha was alive, I don’t think he would appreciate the things that happened at this school. Punishing students by making them clean the school, name and shame them in front of the whole class, and giving them detention for just asking for help? Seriously, please be sure before enrolling your student into this school. I get the punishment is reasonable but is ruining a students self esteem really that worth it?

My first experience at this school was dragged. In year 8, constant back pain due to the long hours of the periods. I was thinking, why am I in a school, but it feels like a coperate job. I left in year 9, thinking to myself, I could’ve used those years at PAL for something way better. Trust me the fees are too expensive for a bad school. You’re paying over one grand for a poor small facility that is understaffed.

I’m not trying to spread hate or anything harmful in this review, I just hope there will be improvement in the long time future for PAL. I feel sorry for any student that have lost their youthful years at this school, it’s not worth it. For anyone reading and is in the moment of enrolling please think carefully before you do, is it really worth it?

Parushka M.

I’m actually so saddened and shocked by the reviews I’m reading below. Mr PAL is an amazing man, he nurtures and guides every student. If you don’t like discipline if you don’t value morals and good behaviour then you should not go to PAL. The teachers at PAL are more than devoted. They are there for the children at every turn. If they forget their lunch on an excursion, they share their own lunch with the children! From the admin staff to the principle, the children come first. Their time and efforts are all invested in nurturing the children. The families at PAL can vouch for the school. Those families that go there regularly and see the efforts of the teachers and all staff. Also I have first hand been told that they do not use cleaning as punishment! Students are not asked to clean, students are taught about cleanliness, cleaning up after themselves, something instilled in every Japanese school! One of the cleanest and most considerate countries in the world. PAL teaches students to think about others. I’m not even a and I am more than impressed. I have yet to see a school as amazing as PAL. My advice to anyone reading these reviews is to read the reviews that have people’s full
And true names and not the mountain of pseudonyms being used. If you are real and your comments are fair and valid then you will have no problem putting in your full name. So please I implore parents to go in and visit the school, talk to the students and the parents at the school get firsthand reviews. At PAL the students are cultivated to succeed in all aspects of their lives. Their mind body and soul are being shaped to becoming the leaders this world desperately needs. If you are going to be deterred by the one star reviews I see below, you will be robbing your children of the best education and the best environment. One where every child is seen, heard accepted and encouraged to achieve their true potential. Yes the school values discipline but duration without discipline is impossible. Whenever I have spoken to the teachers and staff at pal my first thoughts are of amazement that they know my children so well! Their friends and teachers are their family! My children won’t even stay a day at home they love their school so much!

Justin V.

They use student fees for cameras which is totally useless now.
All the good teachers that can teach have left
Punishing students for swearing by making them mop the floor is just cruel. Just have a mature talk
When I was there I saw a primary school girl around year 4 mopping the floor, just because she did a small mistake and all her classmates were staring at her. The mop was too big compared to her tiny body, she was struggling so hard. Honestly it’s not that deep, how petty can you be to punish a literal CHILD to mop the school floors just because she did a small mistake. She’s going to remember that awful moment forever.

Nhuy T.

My wallet got stolen in the girls bathroom.
The “thief” said she was going to return it to me. Never did.
Honestly didn’t expect my wallet getting stolen in a buddhist school, where they are “taught” good morals. Even in a government school, I’ve never had anything stolen.
Id really appreciate it if she gives it back to me 🩷