Montessori school in Aldgate

[Qube]

Thought I would post this here so hopefully the Adelaide Mums might be able to help me.
We have been talking about schools (bit early I know) and the Montessori principles really appeal to me, there are a few montessori pre schools in northern suburbs, but the one in the hills goes to the end of primary school.
Does anyone know of any kids who go there? Would love some more information :D
Cheers

[mummynow]

Hi beth82 :wave:

I am aware of Montessori schools, child care centre & playgroups and how they work and have had DD involved in some out here in the north eastern and northern suburbs but I do not know anyone who goes to the one at Aldgate.

I was at the baby expo today though and came across a stall that said 'Hills Montessori' and they were really good to talk to, just not in my area. Sorry I can't be of any help to you :(

[Qube]

Thanks, that's the one. We are going to the expo tomorrow. I was going to go anyway so that's great - 2 birds, one stone. Where does your daughter go, if you don't mind me asking? I live in the northern suburbs too.
But my dh and I have been talking about moving to the hills, ie Mt barker way. I would LOVE to get ds into a montessori primary school.
Was your dp reluctant? I have been met with some resistance, dh calls it hippy school :rolleyes:

[mummynow]

Hi again :wave: No my DH was all for it. He has a close family friend (of his parents) who is nearly 10 years older than him and they have 2 sons (about 13 & 10 yrs old in New Zealand) who were taught in the montessori method. We have both seen how they have grown up and were more than happy to see our DD grow in the same way. And as a matter of interest, we are very 'non-hippy' and relatively conventional, conservative people.

Maybe your DP needs to visit a school or playgroup or do some reading on the mthods. I will admit I find it really difficult to explain it to anyone who asks me what it is. I didn't really understand it myself till I sat thru a playgroup session and worked with DD and the toys and games they play etc.

My biggest problem at the moment is affordability to be honest. I do find it a little out of reach on our one income. DD was going to the Para Hills West Primary School - Montessori Playgroup and that was actually the only thing we have done at this stage as DD is only just coming up to the age of 3 (next week). But I have looked into their primary school and they have montessori classes right thru I believe. Also I saw a sign on Elizabeth Way saying that the childcare centre at the Elizabeth TAFE have Montessori playgroup, preschool & Childcare.... So I have been meaning to look into that also.

I also considered moving DD from Para Hills West Playgroup when we moved to the north eastern suburbs to the Modbury Heights Montessori Playgroup/Preschool (O'Brien's) - But I found out it cost twice as much! So that's not going to happen, sadly :(

But if money wasn't an issue, DH and I would both be extremely happy to have DD and any future children educated in the Montessori method. It encourages independence, self correction, self dicipline, responsibility & much more. I think it's great and good on you for looking into it...

Sorry this was all a bit :ecomcity:

[Qube]

Well we went to the expo today, and I asked the montessori exhibitors some questions and then shoved dh in front of them :laughing:. He said the more he listened, the more it sounded good.

We have been seriously talking about making a move to the hills, but if not then we want to look into the para hills school (talked to one of the montessori ladies about it today, she raved :D).

Then I told him the costs per term for one particular montessori kindy (an eastern one, just to get an idea) and I thought he would flip, but he said well it's his education, it's either that or private school anyway.
So thanks for answering my questions.
I have to do a kindy placement as part of a course I am doing, and I am going to specifically ask to go to a montessori kindy, I plan to incorporate some ideas into my business.

[mummynow]

I just looked at your postcode to see where abouts you are. So then I thought I would mention that Trinity College at Gawler have some levels of Montessori. I'm pretty sure they have a playgroup and preschool/kindy levels but have never looked into it any further to find out if they go into the primary school as well. You could call them and they would tell you what the deal is if you were interested.

[one]

One of my sons has gone to the Montessori School in Aldgate since year 1 - he is now in year 6. How I would describe the school (compared to state schools my other child went to) - close village atmosphere, organised, every teacher knows every child, high standard academically, NOT HIPPY AT ALL! High parent involvement and parents welcome in classroom at any time. My son was totally illiterate after spending the first 1 1/2 years in a state school - the staff at the Montessori School take parents concerns very seriously and respectfully and he is now going well. Stable teachers. Initially the big bonus for my son was the huge bushland play area - children can build cubbies and develop complex games. Overall his years there have been pretty idyllic in this complex 21st Century! Please ask me any questions.

[Qube]

Oh, thanks for that :) Well, my first question would be how do you think he is doing academically compared to other children his age in state schools?
And how do you think he will transition back into mainstream education for high school?
How often do you go to the school?
Sorry, that was a lot of questions, just very curious. I am sure my ds would love the cubby building too :D

[one]

Ok! Firstly, it is difficult to compare how he is going academically compared to state schools as it would be to compare children in state schools to private. I think this is really difficult to do. My son's "basic skills" test results were all average or above average and that test is a compulsory government one done in all schools. He reads really well, understands politics and other complex things, his maths is OK. My first son went to three state schools and depending on where they were (socio-economic area) the performance of the children reflected this - he got through school two years early because he is very bright - looking back I would have loved him to go to my second son's school because the learning is ideal for gifted children as it is very "lateral" learning and encourages curiosity. The state schools kept pushing him up a year to extend him and that has it's negatives including coping with University very young now. I think if you are an involved and caring parent who values education your child will be fine academically pretty much wherever they go - unless they need a bit more individual attention than the "average" for whatever reason.
High School transition - I have no idea! Hopefully he will be fine. The person I met with at the private school he is moving to for high school said that the Montessori children have gone well there, with no issues. I think the main thing that may be difficult will be the greater number of students and complexity of the new school system- like a child from a small country school going to a city high school. Others have told me their children have been fine and in fact had very strong levels of confidence and identity which helped them not get caught up in some of the peer group pressures at high school.
I am at my son's school at least a couple of times per week - I would talk to his teacher every two weeks or so - not a formal meeting, just a brief chat. Often teachers will see you and talk to you - like the piano teacher or a teacher who did a specific activity with the class. When he was younger I was there everyday, but not in the classroom during school time everyday - perhaps a couple of times a week.
Good luck!