FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. At what age should my child start a Perth Montessori education?
A. The best time to start a child at Perth Montessori School is at three years of age when intelligence and social characteristics are being formed, Maria Montessori called this the ‘Absorbent Period’. It is advisable however to place your child on the waiting list before their first birthday.
Q. Does my 3 year old child need to be toilet trained?
A. Yes! All Montessori schools require the child to be toilet trained before commencement. Clearly, accidents do happen. However, it is not the core role of Directors and Assistants to toilet train their students.
Q. What is the difference between sending my child to Perth Montessori School at three and day-care?
A. Montessori is formal education, not child care or kindy. The activities are part of a carefully planned purpose-filled formal curriculum that starts the first day the child enters the school at three.
Q. How does the Perth Montessori School compare to traditional schools curriculum?
A. Like all WA schools, Perth Montessori School is guided by the WA Curriculum Framework and consequently cover all eight Key Learning Areas (KLA’s). Additionally, Montessori Schools have their own syllabus which in many areas is more rigorous than in traditional schools.
Students' achievement compares extremely favourable with those in traditional schools. In fact, Perth Montessori School is proud of its ‘Well Above Average’ results on both internally and externally administered assessments.
One of the best predictors of success is a positive sense of self. Perth Montessori School programs, based on self-directed, non-competitive activities, help a child develop a good self-image, giving them the confidence to face challenges and change with optimism and resilience. It instils a love of learning.
Q. How will my child interact and cope in a Multi Age Classroom (MAC)?
A. Multi Age Classrooms offer a number of advantages which enhance a child’s educational experience.
- All social groups interact within a wide range of ages; it’s the natural way for humans to relate.
- Children learn from their peers as well as the teacher.
- There are always groups of children working at the same developmental, academic or interest level.
- A family/community atmosphere is fostered within the class and school.
- More importantly, most WA schools are only just catching up as they implement MAG classrooms. Unfortunately, most do it for purely administrative, not educational, reasons.
Q. What level will my child be working on? What if they are ahead or behind for their age?
A. The Montessori Method caters for every child as an individual. Children progress at their own rates. Here at Perth Montessori School all students who enrol from other schools after 4 years of age are profiled for general ability and general achievement and readiness.
Profiling is followed by a meeting with the Family, Director and Principal, to discuss the outcomes and collectively develop an Individual Education Plan (IEP).Unlike mainstream schools, there is no student to student competition within Montessori classrooms. Children gain confidence in their own abilities as they successfully complete their self-correcting exercises – particularly at the 3-6 year level. The level and ability of each child are continually monitored and if a learning difficulty arrises, that child will receive additional one on one support to get them over that hurdle.
Q. How do I know my child will not spend all their time doing art and craft?
A. Directors and students maintain an activity log of all the tasks they do. This is monitored, and where appropriate they will be directed to other activities to keep things well balanced.
Q. What does the school offer in the way of sport, language and music?
A. Although Montessori schools are non-competitive, the playing of sport and games are encouraged. Children’s motor skills are developed through a comprehensive PMP program. The school has a very strong LOTE (Languages Other Than English) program based around Indonesian which is taught to all children at the school from 4.5 years. Children are encouraged to undertake music studies both in class and through specialised teachers; we offer both guitar and keyboard lessons.
Q. What sort of computer training and skills are provided at the school?
A. The Perth Montessori School is fully aware of the fact that modern technology has given us valuable tools for education. We therefore provide an integrated curriculum, which ensures children learn the appropriate skills necessary to utilise this technology. A targeted, developmental ICT (Information & Communications Technology) program is provided for students from 4.5years.
Q. How is discipline handled in the classroom?
A. There are few discipline problems in a Perth Montessori classroom because of the strong sense of order, which balances structure and freedom. The concept that freedom carries responsibility is introduced from the time a child enters the school. Children can choose from a variety of paths and they are taught the skills and given the tools to succeed in their choices. They are also taught social values to enable them to make those choices.
All staff are pro-active in providing an environment in which respect for others is developed and nurtured. Perth Montessori School delivers a Virtues Program and “Stop-Think-Do” strategies. If a problem does occur, a child is assisted individually and shown new approaches to handle the issue. Occasionally, if a problem persists, a child may be removed from a group to a designated quiet spot for time out. Once they feel calm and in control they are free to return to the group. Our ‘Fair Discipline Code of Conduct’ policies are available to view.
Q. Is there a school uniform?
A. In a way. There is very practical ‘school wear’ for the children. While it is not compulsory, it is encouraged to be worn on special excursion/incursion days as a minimum. A large percentage of students use school wear.
Q. Do I have to be a certain religion to attend a Montessori School?
A. Montessori schools have no ethnic or religious boundaries. Perth Montessori School is non-denominational, recognising that Montessori education should be accessible to all.
Q. How does Perth Montessori fit in with the national and state school curriculum & testing programs?
A. Like all schools in Australia, Perth Montessori School is required by law to undertake compulsory national and state testing of students in Years 3, 5, 7 & 10.
In addition, Perth Montessori School is required, School Education Act, 1998 (WA) to demonstrate that student outcomes are reflected in the WA Curriculum Council’s, Curriculum Framework, and its 13 Overarching Statements.
Therefore, Perth Montessori School is not only accountable under its Montessori mandate, but also by external state and federal registration and accountability processes. Perth Montessori School student outcomes are publicly available for scrutiny.
Q. How will my child handle the transition to a traditional high school?
A. Experience shows that;
- Montessori children cope and achieve very well in other schools. They make the transition well, both emotionally and academically. This is not a random outcome but something they have been prepared for.
- Montessori aims to develop children who are independent, responsible, well organised, self-motivated and adaptable. These traits play an important part in a successful transition. Many Perth Montessori graduates are awarded Scholarships entering Year 8. Perth Montessori School will shortly offer its own High School program.
Q. As a parent what is expected of me?
A. Parents who are thinking of choosing the Perth Montessori School for their children’s education should bear in mind the following points before making a final decision:
- All parents must be prepared to have a continuing personal involvement with the school. This involvement may include, but is not limited to, maintenance, busy bees, election to the school board, fund raising, attendance at parent education evenings, and regular classroom observations. Voluntary work by parents is very rewarding and keeps costs and fees down.
- In order to provide a holistic environment for your child, it is expected that the Montessori philosophy be extended into the home.
- The Perth Montessori School Prospective Parent Guide is available to assist you in making one of the most important decisions of your life.
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