Daniel will be joining us from Billanook College, an independent co-educational ELC – Year 12 College, where he has held the position of Head of Primary since 2013. Prior to Billanook, Daniel was the inaugural Principal of St Joseph’s Primary School where he created a new state-of-art learning environment for 500 students. The School employed an inquiry approach to learning and teaching, with Daniel involved in the evaluation, design and implementation of curriculum policies and programs. Earlier in his career Daniel spent over ten years with St Vincent de Paul Primary School, holding the position of Principal for his final five years.
Daniel’s appointment concludes an extensive national and international search which has seen the Board consider an exceptional field of candidates to select an educational leader of outstanding capabilities, one who is committed to the Montessori philosophy of education and will uphold our MMS values with an emphasis on excellence, student agency and community. Daniel has asked to share this message with our community:
“I am extremely excited to have been appointed the new Principal of Melbourne Montessori School. I am proud and passionate about being a teacher and I am looking forward to leading the Melbourne Montessori School community, inspiring teachers to develop student learning and empowering children to reach their full potential in an environment that promotes lifelong learning.
My experience as an educator has developed my belief that education is concerned with the sharing with others of one’s own learning, knowledge and ideas; it is about fostering, and enabling growth and development and rejoicing in the transformation that takes place in the learner. It is essentially a work of service and a work of love, inspiring the learner to be curious.
People of all ages learn best when they feel secure and trusted; when they feel able to take risks without fear of humiliation or repercussion if they fail; when they are given responsibility and challenge; when they are encouraged again when the going gets tough; when they are affirmed and congratulated when things go well. More than anything people of all ages need to feel valued for who they are and to be given opportunities to show what they can achieve.
The more laughter there is in the school, the more goodwill, the more mutual concern, the more it will be a truly human and a truly educative place. I look forward to the opportunity to meet you all personally and share with you my aspirations and continue creating an innovative, successful and highly respected learning community.”
We warmly welcome Daniel to the Melbourne Montessori School community, and now our collective attention turns to celebrating Gay’s legacy and ensuring a seamless and successful transition.
