01Learn
Focused academic education and individual attention that meets students where they are.
Independent education · Melbourne
A different
approach to
education.
We're a Melbourne-based school for bright boys aged 11 to 17 who face challenges in traditional academic settings. We combine academics, intensive sport, outdoor education and personal development to help students rediscover confidence, discipline and a desire to learn.
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FDSA / 1980 — PRESENT
01
Why FDSA
Some boys need a different environment to thrive.
Being a teenager today can be tough. Emotional, behavioural and mental health challenges can impact a young person's ability to succeed in school and achieve their goals. FDSA is a sport-centred school built around smaller classes, intensive sport, outdoor education, mentoring and individual attention — an environment where boys can reset, rebuild and re-engage.
The FDSA approach
Built for forward movement.
1 : 5Teacher to student ratio
40+Years of experience
01
02Move
Sport and physical activity used to build confidence, discipline and resilience.
03Challenge
Outdoor education and experiences that take students beyond their comfort zones.
04Grow
Mentoring, responsibility and personal development that extend beyond the classroom.
Welcome to Our School
Principal’s Welcome
I am delighted to welcome you to our school, which offers a unique approach to education. Our program is centred around the idea that physical activity and academic achievement are interlinked. We believe that a strong emphasis on physical education provides our students with the necessary tools to excel academically, as well as personally.
Our program has a significant impact on our students’ self-image and self-confidence. Many of our students start the program overweight or obese, but with the help of our intensive training regime and education on healthy eating habits, they quickly lose weight and improve their self-image. Our students also achieve success in physical education activities, which they may not have achieved academically. This positive feedback reinforces their self-confidence, which translates into their academic performance.
We have found that our program has a powerful calming effect on distractible students. The pattern of intensive physical education followed by academic work helps them focus and stay on task. Our students also learn to accept a standard of teacher authority in physical education, which they may not accept in academic subjects.
Our physical education-based program has been proven to have positive outcomes for our students. Our approach is admittedly an unusual educational approach, but it works.
We are proud to continue Frank Dando’s legacy and offer a unique approach to education that sets our students up for success in all aspects of their lives.
Thank you for choosing our school, and we look forward to seeing your child thrive in our program.
Beyond the classroom
Learning doesn't stop at the classroom door.
From boxing and fitness to skiing, surfing, camps and adventure activities, challenging experiences help students develop qualities that transfer into school, relationships and everyday life.
Explore our camps
Move · explore · growPut me back on track, taught me discipline and good habits that I’ve used since leaving Dando’s. Changed my life and I’m forever grateful.
The right next step
Could FDSA be right
for your son?
Many students arrive after experiencing challenges within conventional schooling. We offer a place to reset, reconnect and rebuild confidence — with high expectations and the support to meet them.
- Has not reached his academic potential
- Responds well to physical activity and structure
- Would benefit from a smaller learning environment
- Needs an opportunity to rebuild confidence