A private school which teaches meditation and prides itself on creating a stress-free environment is being investigated amid concerns it induced stress.
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More than half the students at the Maharishi School in Reservoir have left in the past year, with enrolments dwindling to just 49 students.
Some concerned parents claimed the school repressed physical activity such as soccer, basketball and "tiggy" because it was not peaceful enough, according to a confidential report.
The report, which was commissioned by the school and written by Lyngcoln Consultants, found high levels of stress among staff, "with the 'stress-free' environment which had attracted them as a teacher, now not being a reality".
"In the view of the consultants the school currently is not living up to its values or expectations of providing a stress free environment for staff, parents/carers or students," it said.
Turmoil at the school had also exacerbated students' anxiety issues, it said.
Other parents told The Age that the school has been selling students alternative medicines to treat anxiety, behavioural issues and learning difficulties. The school denied this.
The Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority is now investigating the school after receiving a series of complaints.
"The VRQA's review will investigate the active compliance of the school in relation to potential breaches of the relevant minimum standards," a spokesman for the Education Department said.
Lefa Singleton Norton pulled her son out of the school at the end of last year because he was stressed and unhappy.
"He's now in grade one at a public school and is connected and excited about his learning," she said.
She said her son was never taught how to spell, and brought home the same three readers for an entire year. He did not receive an end-of-year report.
"The learning blocks weren't there," she said.
Steve Charisis, who the school board appointed as principal last year, said many of the issues raised in the report had already been addressed.
"It's a good school that really cares for their kids. We are ensuring that we look at all aspects of their children's development."
Mr Charisis said the fall in enrolments was not entirely related to concerns raised by parents, and some families had moved out of the area.
He denied that the school had sold students alternative medicines to treat behavioural problems and learning difficulties.
The independent primary school offers "consciousness-based education" and teaches meditation techniques embraced by the Beatles.
Silence descends over the school twice a day for 10 minutes when students practise transcendental meditation.
Maharishi School principal Steve Charisis. Photo: John Woudstra
Peter Fenwick, the chief executive of Maharishi Global Administration through Natural Law, the governing body of the school, said the VRQA had only identified minor breaches of compliance.
"Students and parents are very happy at the school," he said.
