Dear CMS families,
One of my favourite jobs is touring new families to our school. I typically do tours every Tuesday and Friday morning. A new parent to the school starts with an observation in a Cycle 1 classroom, before they come up to the office to meet me. From there we wander around the school together starting in Parent Toddler and proceeding to each of the different cycles. Almost on cue the Cycle 1 children demonstrate tremendous independence, the Cycle 2 children are full of creativity and the Cycle 3 students greet the visitors with welcoming smiles making it evident that they enjoy their time at school. Truthfully, I don’t really have to say much at all. But occasionally I get asked a tricky question like this week when a gentleman asked “Why do Montessori schools start children at 3 years of age, what’s so magical about that age, and why can’t children start Montessori at any age?”
I guess it’s because Dr. Montessori identified four “planes of development,” with each stage having its own developmental characteristics and developmental challenges. The Early Childhood Montessori environment for children age three to six is designed to work with the “absorbent mind,” “sensitive periods,” and the tendencies of children at this stage of their development.
Learning that takes place during these years comes spontaneously without effort, leading children to enter the elementary classes with a clear, concrete sense of many abstract concepts. Montessori helps children to become self-motivated, self-disciplined, and to retain the sense of curiosity that so many children seem to lose along the way in traditional classrooms. They tend to act with care and respect toward their environment and each other. They are able to work at their own pace and ability. The three-year Montessori experience tends to nurture a joy of learning that prepares them for further challenges.
This process seems to work best when children enter a Montessori program at age two or three and stay at least through the kindergarten year. Children entering at age four or five do not consistently come to the end of the three-year cycle having developed the same skills, work habits, or values. Older children entering Montessori may do quite well in this very different setting, but this will depend to a large degree on their personality, previous educational experiences, and the way they have been raised at home.
The questions I receive on tours often provoke thought and I enjoy the opportunity to discuss my observations over the years. You would think after all this time I would have many more answers than I do, but the mysteries of how children construct knowledge still confounds me to this day.
Another opportunity to share how little I know will occur on Saturday June 25th at our Trivia night. Last year between the Ned Kelly questions and the Cricket references I was completely lost, but this year I intend for our team to finish above the bottom three.
Back to my studies.
Peace
Jack Rice
Principal, CMS
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Staffing
On June 14th, Jackie Kirk will return to her teaching position in Karri. I would like to thank Sarah Gowans, who has done an excellent job with the class in Jackie’s absence. In addition, Carolyn Hunter will return to the school in June. Carolyn will work with Jackie in Karri through to end of 2011.
I am pleased to see that Melaleuca has settled considerably over the past 6 weeks. I believe that Anca has done an excellent job of working with the class and helping the students to make the transition to a new Director. Shannon will remain in Melaleuca on an interim basis. I would like to make it clear that Shannon is an assistant in Melaleuca who reports to Anca and is supervised and supported by Felicity, our Curriculum Director.
I would also like to mention the fine work done by Martina McGovern as an assistant in Karri over the past 8 weeks. Martina and Sarah will return to our casual relief list once Jackie and Carolyn return. I find it very encouraging to know that the school has such qualified and capable individuals who are able to step into roles at our school as the need arises.
Annual CMS Trivia Night
Saturday June 25
Tickets Now On Sale, $15 from the front office
There is a Literature Theme for the games, costumes, even the food ! The trivia questions will be the usual eclectic mix from the expertly entertaining MC's Chantal and John.
Parents at the school who are in business and would like to promote their products or services within the school community should feel free to do so at this event. In particular, offers of gift vouchers or unique products or services to be included in the prizes on the night would be most welcome, and at the same time be a fun way of letting everyone know what you do.