Our History
Discover the story of our founder and the key milestones that shaped Australia's first and only Buddhist school.
The Story of Our Founder
This video was produced by his daughters in 2023.
1971: Birth in Cambodia
Mr Panha Pal was born in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Age 4: Khmer Civil War
Subjected to the adversities of the Khmer civil war (Pol Pot regime).
Age 10: Arrived in Australia
Arrived in Australia as a war-torn refugee with his family, facing many disadvantages due to a lack of formal schooling.
The Next 20 Years
With diligence and discipline, he excelled academically. He became a member of the Maths Olympiad and topped the state in his final Year 12 exam. He went on to graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Engineering and became a successful engineer and entrepreneur.
Mid-30s: Personal Crisis
Despite his success, he faced a personal life crisis that initiated an existential crisis, leading him to search for the deeper meaning and purpose of life.
2011: Discovered the Dhamma
He discovered the scientific and logical teachings of the Buddha (the Dhamma), which he saw as a "user manual for human beings to navigate through the suffocating darkness (ignorance)."
2013: Founded Pal Buddhist School
Inspired by the transformative power of the Dhamma, Mr. Pal opened Pal Buddhist School to share this guidance with others, providing a wholesome education for both the heart and the mind.
The Birth of Australia's First and Only K-12 Buddhist School
Inspired to share the treasures of the Dhamma, which he found to be a guide to life, Mr. Pal decided to open Pal Buddhist School. The school was founded to transform young lives by providing a wholesome education for both the heart and the mind.
Key Milestones
2013
Inception
The first and only Buddhist non-secular independent school in Australia was established. We were pioneers of Australia's 4D Learning paperless classroom.
2014
International Enrolment
Registered by CRICOS for overseas student enrolment.
2019
NAPLAN Success
Pal Buddhist School came first in NAPLAN in our local catchment area (out of 53 schools).
2020
New Campus
Purchased the land for our second campus
2022
HSC Top 100
Pal Buddhist School ranked in the top 100 (#95) of the final state Year 12 examinations (HSC) amongst historical and academically-prestigious schools.
2023
NAPLAN Success
Pal Buddhist School ranked 26th in NAPLAN in our region, setting a Buddhist school on the academic map of excellence.