At the heart of the Wesley at Clunes experience lies one powerful principle: community. For our young people at Clunes, especially those stepping out of their comfort zones for the first time, the opportunity to live, learn and grow within a tight-knit community can be transformative.
Unlike traditional schooling environments, Wesley at Clunes encourages students to take responsibility not only for their own learning, but for the wellbeing of others around them. Living independently in shared houses, managing household duties and contributing to community projects fosters a sense of ownership and interdependence. Students learn that their actions matter - not just to themselves, but to the people they live and work with every day.
The Clunes experience also helps young people develop empathy, resilience and a deeper understanding of what it means to belong. Through daily interactions, shared challenges and collaborative achievements, students build meaningful connections that often last well beyond their time at Clunes. For many, it’s their first real taste of what it means to be part of something bigger than themselves.
Ultimately, community at Clunes is more than just a structure - it’s the foundation of the program. It shapes the way students grow - intellectually, emotionally and socially.
It teaches them how to contribute, how to listen and how to lead. And most importantly, it helps them discover who they are, through the people who surround and support them.
