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Philosophy of the School

Values and Objectives

1.1. The Montessori approach: The Montessori approach to learning in its most authentic understanding is the framework of our educational program. We understand that Maria Montessori’s methods and materials are not a closed system; however, we commit to apply the words, wisdom, and practical advice of Maria Montessori and her closest associates as the lens through which we select, design, and evaluate our program and curriculum.
1.2.1. We believe that self-esteem, human dignity, and emotional well-being, as well as the ability to communicate and cooperate effectively with others, whether adult to adult, adult to child or child to child, must be valued as highly as academic and material success.
1.2.2. We affirm that we will support and promote the principles and practice of Australian democracy including the commitment to elected government, the rule of law, equal rights for all before the law, freedom of religion, freedom of speech and association and the values of openness and tolerance.
1.2.3 We affirm that we will support the ideal that all beings are interdependent and that every form of life has value regardless of its worth to human beings. We will support and promote the belief that we need to protect and restore the integrity of Earth’s ecological systems, with special concern for biological diversity and the natural processes that sustain life; and to manage the use of renewable resources such as water, soil, forest products, and marine life in ways that do not exceed rates of regeneration and that protect the health of ecosystems.
1.2.4. We affirm that education begins at birth and continues throughout life and that therefore all our values apply equally to adults, parents, teachers, guardians and all children in the School. We believe that intelligence is not rare among human beings.
1.2.5. We nurture intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, and physical growth for the development of a whole, healthful being:

Emotional: Our emotions are complex and powerful and it is important that we learn to feel them fully and without fear, identify them correctly (in ourselves and others), respect them, and accept them. It is equally important, however, that we learn to harness their power and not let them control our lives unchecked.

Social: Our ability to interact positively with each other is essential to creating a peaceful world.

Physical: We acknowledge our place in the physical world and seek to discover, understand, and adopt the lifestyle habits most appropriate and beneficial for our bodies and minds.