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Pathways .December 2019Term 4
December 2019Vacation care closed / office closed Wednesday 18 December
January 2020Vacation care opens Monday 6 January
Office opens Monday 20 January
Pupil-free days Thursday 23 & Friday 24 December
Australia Day holiday Monday 27 January
First day of school Tuesday 28 January
‘Our goal is not so much the imparting of knowledge as the unveiling and developing of spiritual energy.’ – Maria Montessori
Brisbane Montessori School Learning for Life
Calendar
Dear Parents,
When I left Brisbane Montessori School in 2004, I never expected that I would be returning in the role of acting principal. And when I agreed to do so for Term 2 this year, I did not expect to still be here at the end of Term 4! I have enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect with the school, which was a significant part of my professional life. I’ve renewed some friendships from past times and enjoyed meeting new staff, students and parents. It’s been interesting to compare the way things are done now compared to before. I think the accountability and compliance requirements have increased significantly since my time and will probably continue to do so. This can mean at times that it’s a challenge to hold on to core Montessori values and beliefs about how education should be provided to children. I am confident that despite any new and/or different ways of doing things, the core values of Montessori education will hold the school in good stead and continue to guide it on to yet bigger and better things in the future. I will be watching with interest.
As most readers will know, the school is about to move into a new stage with the appointment of a new principal. 2020 should be an exciting year and I will be watching with interest. I sincerely thank everyone for the welcome I’ve had and for your patience and understanding that an acting principal needs to be a little restrained in decision-making, so to not make decisions that are binding on the new principal. I wish all students, staff, parents and board members all the best for your futures, particularly your ongoing association with the school; and wish Brisbane Montessori School every success for its continued growth and consolidation.
Kind regards
Allen Kloeden
Announcements
Hatched chicks continue long history of curlew nesting Two bush stone-curlew chicks hatched on the 18 November 2019 after weeks of nesting in the Children’s House play area.
Montessori Educator Marlene Browne said the school had a long history of bush stone-curlews nesting in the Children's House playground and enclosed green lawn.
“The curlews have been nesting here for more than 16 years. In all that time we have only lost the eggs three times due to storm and accidents,” she said.
“The curlews originally nested under the trees outside Grevillea. As each generation grows to maturity, they return to their place of birth to lay their eggs.
“They have moved along the area and don’t necessarily nest in the exact same spot. They moved through the trees and then into the bottom playground, where they nested the past three years.”
Marlene said each year, the school ensured barriers were in place to give the birds space and safe nesting grounds.
report cards, focus magazine and school photographs Report cards were emailed out on Tuesday 10 December. If you haven’t received it, please check your junk folder or contact administration.
Focus magazine and school photos were handed out to students on the last day of school. If you were not here to receive these, please contact the office before Tuesday 17 December or after January 20 to organise pickup or posting.
Staff Change Our new OSHC Coordinator Tonaya Hodgson will start in her role on 13 January 2020. We thank Kelly Bridge for managing OSHC and she will continue to be a part of the team next year.
Amalia Cummins is leaving her position and we wish her well as she moves to the Sunshine Coast to pursue further studies.
Spirit of giving Children’s House collected books to donate to The Smith Family Christmas Appeal. Upper Primary donated non-perishable items to the Wesley Mission Queensland’s Red Bag Appeal to support struggling families.
Thank you to all the families who have so generously contributed to these initiatives.
Acknowledgements
Transitions and Graduates We congratulate the following students for completing their Montessori program and wish them all the best for the next stage of their education:
Lower Primary to Upper Primary
Lila Veleski (Bilby to Amanzi)Holly Owens (Bilby to Yinduru)Mako Woelders (Bilby to Yinduru)Luca Parsons (Wondai to Yinduru)
Upper Primary to Middle School
Upper Primary Graduates
Amanzi Quinn James Leia GrimpenJohn Bacon
Moana Gemma AndersonSonya Kovarski
Yinduru Bella Nguyen
Middle School Graduate
Jimmy Metral Nick Cox
Children’s House to Lower Primary
William Shen (Acacia to Wondai)Sloane Bodak (Casuarina to Bilby)Gabriel White (Melaleuca to Dunnart)Luca Rinaldi (Melaleuca to Dunnart)Gabriella Price (Tulipwood to Bilby)Indra Foulger (Waratah to Borobi)
Matthew Messner-Gul (Amanzi to Poseidon)Magnus Woodbury-Welch (Moana to Poseidon)Daniel Penrose (Moana to Poseidon)Felix Early (Moana to Poseidon)Belle White (Yinduru to Poseidon)Chan Kim (Yinduru to Poseidon)CJ Hamilton (Yinduru to Poseidon)
Dustan CollissAlicia Metral
Kaiam Martin
Children’s House Graduates
Harry Criddle (Casuarina)Elizabeth Phan (Tulipwood)Matthew O’Neill (Tulipwood)Kristina Fruhwirth (Tulipwood)Evie Woolmer (Waratah)
‘When educating the minds of our youth, we must not forget to educate their hearts.’
– Dalai Lama
Upcoming Events
Step by step counselling
A series of workshops designed to support your child’s wellbeing and improve their social skills will run at the school. Emma Meyer, experienced in youth and social support work, will run the sessions in the safety of a confidential, guided group environment. Topics include self-esteem, friendship, social and emotional literacy, social skills and wellbeing. When: 1 hour and 15 minutes’ sessions over 4 weeks (dates will be arranged with groups). Cost: $150 per person. Where: Brisbane Montessori School. Groups within the age ranges of 6-9, 9-12 and 12-15. To find out more or to express your interest, call on 0407 690 318 or email [email protected]
Holiday hackafun events for ages 7-11 and 11-15
Recent Events
Upper Primary working with your child and Middle school working with your adolescent
Upper Primary students shared their learning with their parents at the Working With Your Child event held on Tuesday 26 November (photos below). Middle School students also had their Working With Your Adolescent on Wednesday 20 November.
This is always a great opportunity for parents to be a part of their child’s school journey, with parents and children benefiting from these special experiences together.
Recent Events
Middle school events
Middle School students presented creative pieces of music, ballads, dance and class play at the Creative Expression Evening on Wednesday 4 December.
This was an opportunity to celebrate the graduating students’ time in Brisbane Montessori School. It was a wonderful evening and the children performed so well.
Poseidon students managed to raise more than $1000 with their fundraising event––‘Water play and movie night fundraiser’.
Water play and movie night fundraiser
After covering expenses, students are donating $300 to Brisbane Youth Services, $300 to Oxfam, $150 to NSW Rural Fire Service and $150 to Rural Fire Brigades Association Queensland.
Poseidon would like to thank the school community for their support towards these causes.
Well done to the students for their hard work and enterprise.
Creative expression evening
Recent Events
End-of-year assembly
Recent Events
Market Stall Our Lower Primary, Upper Primary and Middle School students held the biggest market stall of the year on Friday 29 November. A wide range of useful handmade crafts and fresh produce were sold, including zucchini relish, pillow cases, children's aprons, tote bags, handmade bees wax candles, table mats, some fresh produce and eggs.
Children’s House seasonal celebration
The Children’s House community celebrated the final seasonal celebration for the year.
Families had the opportunity to meet for an afternoon of art and craft and have a picnic with friends.
We are grateful to the parents who helped out at the event. Thank you!
Education Outside the Classroom
Adventures in OSHC
There is never a boring day at OSHC. Despite the heat, children have been very active in play. OSHC will be closed from 18 December 2019 to 6 January 2020. We wish you a wonderful holiday and look forward to seeing you all next year.
Extracurricular for Term 1, 2020
Activity Contact Venue Day Time
Tennis*Pro-Am Tennis Allan Say – 0408 766 882 www.proamtennis.com.au
Sports Court Monday from 7:30am
Dance Therapy* – Boys’ Hip Hop
Shannon Lovell OCC Therapy 3378 9543 or [email protected]
Nganbirra Hall Monday 3:30 to 4:15pm
Dance Therapy* – Girls’ Contemporary
Shannon Lovell OCC Therapy 3378 9543 or [email protected]
Nganbirra Hall Monday 4:15 to 5:00pm
French Club(Primary/MS)
Milena Richardson [email protected] Poseidon House Tuesday 3:15 to
4:00pm
Choir (Lower Primary)
Bradley Mavin [email protected]
Jacaranda Music Room Wednesday 3:15 to
3:45pm
Yoga* ($10 per session)
Kajal Thaker 0433-333-829 Nganbirra Hall Wednesday 3:30 to
4:10pm
Band (Upper Primary and older)
Bradley Mavin [email protected]
Jacaranda Music Room Thursday 3:15 to
4:15pm
Clogging* East Coast [email protected] Parent Room Thursday 3:15pm
French Club (Children’s House)
Milena Richardson [email protected] Poseidon House Friday 8:00 to
8:40am
Piano/Guitar/Drums
Ukulele/Electric bassBradley Mavin [email protected]
Jacaranda Music Room
Individual lessons by appointment
Violin/Viola/Cello/Double bass/Flute/Clarinet
Andrea Garwell [email protected] TBC
After school on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and
Friday
Chess (6–15 years) Ash Reddy – 0415 256 452 or [email protected]
Poseidon verandah Friday 3:00 to
4:00pm
After School Sport - Basketball
Sue Shaw [email protected] Hardcourt Wednesday 3:15 to
4:15pm
Activity Contact Venue Day Time
Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme (children 11.5 yrs +)
Ruchika Seth [email protected]
Studio8 Monday fortnightly – dates to be confirmed
3:15 to 4:15pm
Film & Media Bradley Mavin [email protected]
Studio8 Tuesday 3:15 to 4:15pm
Band Bradley Mavin [email protected]
Poseidon House
Thursday 3:15 to 4:15pm
Extra Middle School Offerings
Extracurricular Reminders
Bookings are Essential Children must be formally booked into extracurricular activities so that the teacher/service provider knows who to expect. These activities are for interested and positively participating students and are not run on an ad-hoc ‘drop-in’ basis. Notify of an Extracurricular Absence Please notify the teacher / service provider of an absence before the start of the activity. Moving from School End to Activity After the children leave their classroom at 3pm, there is a small gap in time before the activity begins at 3:15pm. Children new to primary school or new to the school might not be aware of what they need to do during this time. We suggest that parents be at the school to show the child where to go, at what time and who to go to until they are familiar with the process. It is a very busy time of day at the Peace Plaza with children leaving the school and children going to OSHC and extracurricular activities. Staff who are on duty do not know who is going to which activity so are not able to keep an eye on your child. Area Used by Extracurricular Activity is for that Activity Alone If you are a parent who is allowing your child to have a play with their friends after school, please note that the only areas available for this are the Green in front of the hall and around the Peace Plaza. The upper playground is for OSHC children only. Any other area being used for an extracurricular activity (the hall, the soccer pitch etc.) is to be avoided. Children under parental supervision must not interrupt or join in with other activities/OSHC. Please be mindful that OSHC staff supervise OSHC children only. Thank you for your cooperation in helping to ensure the extracurricular programme continues to run smoothly.
‘Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without
leaving happier.' – Mother Teresa
