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Neither my wife nor I attended a Montessori school as students. We both enjoyed our time at school but were frustrated but certain aspects of it, such as the focus on grades and the often impersonal and generic approach to classroom teaching, particularly in large high school classes. We hoped to find a school where our children were known and treated as individuals and could feel part of a community where they were truly cared for by the other students, teachers, and the school community as a whole.

We did a lot of research and, about seven years ago, we began our journey as parents at The Montessori School Kingsley. We now have three children at the School and we are really happy with the decision we made. Each of us has made many great relationships, and we all certainly feel part of the school community; it's not just a place where our kids go on weekdays. We're very grateful to the teachers and school staff for their commitment to the Montessori philosophy and to the holistic development of our children. The school is a beautiful, peaceful, and well-ordered environment and we feel fortunate that our family is able to be a part of this community.

Having spent my entire schooling at The Montessori School Kingsley, I’ve always known this place was special. And yet, I’m still discovering new reasons to be grateful for my Montessori education. My time at the school nurtured my love of learning, which has never subsided. There was no question I’d bring my own children here as I want them to develop their own individuality and to have a sanctuary from an increasingly fast-paced world. While every child should be given the right to a quality education, I feel very fortunate to have this place in my DNA.

I think the thing that strikes me the most when reflecting on my experience at The Montessori School Kingsley was the respect shown between teachers and students. This relationship allows for freedom of expression and nurtures a thirst for knowledge. I truly believe the school provides a holistic education that equips its students to be humanitarians no matter what their passion, vocation, or aspiration. Completing my education through the IB Diploma programme allowed for a seamless transition to university but the time immersed in a Montessori education provided a springboard for independent lateral thought, with uncorrupted motivation, that is steeped in social collaboration with fellow students; as peers, mentors, and protégés.

We started our relationship with the school in 2013 with the confidence that our children will receive an education with strong Montessori foundations which is what is important to us. We are proud to be part of this community, being the oldest surviving Montessori school in Australia, and found ourselves more amazed when we realised the amount of Alumni returning to the school in the capacity of parents themselves.

People often ask why we chose to send our children to a Montessori school and the answer is simple: in a Montessori environment, children are allowed to learn in a way natural to them, unstructured and not forced into a direction that may discourage them. The direct result is a boost in confidence, motivation and an embedded love for learning. As a by-product of this, they gain skills at a very young age, normally gained by most only when entering tertiary training or the work environment.

As long-term parents, we would like to encourage anyone slightly interested in Montessori education to contact the School Office to book an observation. Many unbelievers become believers by observing children in a Montessori environment and seeing children being so engaged and focused. I cannot think of a better gift to give our children.

I grew up in Montessori so, for me, there was never a doubt that I was going to send my children to a Montessori school. We love The Montessori School Kingsley as we are part of a community that is diverse and accepting of everyone.

The teachers are amazing, and they truly listen. Children at the school get time to dig into subjects that interest them, doing research and learning about themselves; and there is no uniform, which is a bonus!

Both of our children have gone through the School, with our youngest still in high school. I am amazed at how self-aware they are, especially in comparison to their peers. I am also always impressed by how self-responsible they act and how they own their actions.

For anyone considering sending their children to a Montessori school, my advice is: be prepared to let go early, the children are responsible of their own doing – meaning that mum and dad must back off, but the outcome is awesome.

Our passion for Montessori goes back to 1985 when, not content with the mainstream education system, we enrolled our first child at the age of three into The Montessori School in Kingsley. Our second child also joined the school just a few years later.

Our children have developed into intelligent, well-rounded, thoughtful, and independent adults. We believe their level of development could not have been achieved without the support and guidance of a Montessori education. Both our children successfully completed their full scholastic studies at the Montessori School (including an International Baccalaureate Diploma). One went on to complete a university degree and the other an apprenticeship. Both today, run their own businesses.

We are so happy that our two eldest grandchildren are also attending the Montessori School in Kingsley and look forward to many years of sharing their experiences.

I have been attached to The Montessori School for over 55 years, as a student, parent, staff member and, soon, grandparent. I attended The Montessori School as a small child, and again in the early secondary, after some time spent in other states. Both my children were students at the school for their entire schooling, including the International Baccalaureate, and I also worked in the school for 27 years in several roles. In addition, my granddaughter is due to start at the school in a couple of years’ time.

What I value in the Montessori approach is the embedding of a moral perspective in the environment; the freedom of choice and inner discipline underpinning personal confidence; and the rational approach to the development of the child, including the intellectual development. The fierce defence of pure Montessori principles by our founder, Mrs Duyker, resulted in a school in which these attributes can develop. My inspiration as a teenager was her description of the natural development of the child, and the role of the adults assisting that development - to remove obstacles!

Maria Montessori wrote: “The mere contact with a human being developing in this way can renew our own energies.” My first contact was when I observed the three- to six-year-olds going about their day and I was definitely energised by that experience. This interaction led to a 29-year involvement with The Montessori School Kingsley: first as a parent, then teacher and board member. Both our children attended the School from age three up to the lower secondary. I became a teacher, attended Mrs Duyker’s training course and started in the primary area, then progressed to the secondary level, and taught Theory of Knowledge in the International Baccalaureate for a few years.

It was a privilege to be guided by Mrs Duyker. She used to say of mainstream schooling: “It is not education, it is training.” Experiencing her training course and being part of the School community was infused with the notions of spirituality – how the child is our way to understand that aspect of being human that can still change us and the world – little by little.