Our Curriculum

Our classes employ traditional Montessori methods and materials, along with modern equipment and theories. We find the curriculum framework fits well and enhances the spirit of Montessori. Some of the activities are specified below.

Practical Life Activities to help the children to become independent, to take care of themselves and the classroom, and to develop socialisation skills (working as a group, manners, courtesy, and self-controlled activities).

Sensorial Activities to help the children to observe and classify their world through visual and spatial (and other) discrimination.

Mathematics begins with the Sensorial materials. For example, the four arithmetical processes (+ - x /) are taught with golden beads and other materials and beginning geometry is taught using three dimensional shapes. Later, more advanced and abstract maths is taught, using these and other materials.

Writing develops with hand control and is achieved with the use of tactile letters, tactile phonetic elements, modelled and spontaneous writing. We also use the First Steps program which gives the children a specific format to generate ideas and create the various types of written expression. Oral language, grammar, word study, sentence analysis, word recognition skills, sight word identification, spelling rules etc. are also provided.

Reading develops with labelling of the classroom environment and cards on which similar phonetic structures - prefixes, suffixes, and word families are written. Initially children begin by reading their own writing, and later the Montessori definition cards provide information across the curriculum, as well as reading development and comprehension skills. A variety of books from all genres and at different reading levels are available. Other traditional comprehension activities are also used.

The Montessori Cosmic Curriculum is the foundation of most areas of primary study. Subjects that are traditionally known as social studies and science, for example, are covered within the Cosmic Curriculum framework. Music, Languages Other Than English (LOTE), Health and Physical Education, and Technology are a part of our society in the present and link us to our future. Children are given the opportunity and direction to use technology as a tool from which to find out about things.

Outdoor group games, sport, play, gymnastics, swimming, performances, excursions, school camps and family festivals are all part of our program and occur at various times during the school year.

Year 7 Vision Quest - In November every year, the Year 7 children challenge themselves to walk a section of the Bibbulmun Track over five days. Each year’s group starts their walk where the previous group finished their journey, providing a link across the years. The children choose two adults that they would like to share this life-changing and memorable experience with, usually school staff or parents of other children. It’s a very special experience for our graduating class members.

Special programs

The Montessori curriculum is augmented with a variety of special programmes, utilising the skills and expertise of teachers and sometimes parents. Examples of these programs include:

Educational Support: A part time Learning Opportunities Co-ordinator and a part time Support Teacher provides individualised support to some children to assist in areas of weakness or to provide academic extension. Areas covered are literacy & numeracy and integrated learning activities, the current focus being science. This may change according to school priorities.

Music: Percussion work, special events, theory.

Sports: Non-competitive skill development activities, gymnastics, ball games, swimming, and surfing.

Class & School Meetings: Meetings are held in each class with a school meeting being held once a fortnight. These are convened by the children.

Values: We use the “Virtues Project” to call for and to express positive human values.

Performing Arts: An annual school concert/play, Playback Theatre, and a Winter Solstice Festival.

School Camp: Once a year for Primary children.

Guitar, Violin and Piano: By individual tuition during the school day.

Enterprise Education: Annual Craft Fair.