Montessori school welcomes new teacher

Principal Lisa Fenton said the addition of the second class was necessary with the growth of the school and at the end of the 2016 school year, the School Council addressed the need for more classroom space.

“There was an area which was being used as an undercover space but wasn’t enclosed, and with the help of some of our school council members with expertise in building and design, we were able to create a new library space here, which then gave us the classroom space for the second Upper Primary group,” Ms Fenton said.

“It was really surprising how quickly it all came together, with the help of school parents Drew Szandtner from Ambient Design for the initial planning and Wade Brown from E Concepts who was awarded the contract after a tender was sought.”

Students are able to borrow books for study and reading for pleasure, and upper primary students are learning how library systems operate to enable them to access their own books when needed. 

Along with the new library space, the school welcomes Upper Primary teacher Jacob Horsey to the campus. Mr Horsey has begun teaching one of the two upper primary classes at the school after finding a deep affinity with the teaching methods.

“I developed an interest in Montessori education over ten years ago and gradually over the years have gained a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Montessori philosophy,” Mr Horsey said.

“When I had my own children and became a primary teacher,  I became deeply interested in Montessori’s work and realised how profoundly insightful she was, as well as relevant to modern education.”

“For me, Montessori has subtly been interwoven into the fabric of my life and Maria Montessori, the physician responsible for turning the education world upside down during humanity’s darkest hours keeps returning, knocking at my door bidding me to listen and follow the child.”