This week we are delighted to launch the new 2022-2027 Strategic Plan which has been twelve months “in the making”.  Over the past year we have surveyed the parent community, staff and students, conducted SWOT analyses for each school committee and held sessions and discussions at Board level about the direction and priorities of our school.  We have also reflected upon our achievements thus far.  The process has been a truly collaborative effort.  All the information gathered has been collated which has assisted us in setting clear goals and future direction for the school over the next five years. 

I would like to thank Meg Barker (Board member) for her leadership in chairing the Strategic Planning committee.  I also thank the Strategic Planning committee for their input, diligent work and assistance in putting this important document together. To all of the parents, staff and students who took the time to contribute to the development of this Strategic Plan, we say thank you.

I believe that the Strategic Plan reflects where the school is currently at and provides some key strategic initiatives for the future.  The innovative format and beautiful photos and production of the document depicts our unique environment and truly captures the essence of our school. 

This plan will drive the school’s operations over the next few years and together as a school community I feel we have the determination, passion and ‘know-how’ to realise and achieve our goals.  I hope you take the time to read the document and it inspires you to think about the role that you can play in working together as a school community to attain our vision.

The plan continues to be organised under five key strategic priorities: values and culture, learning and engagement, space and place, business and governance, and connection and communication. Our priorities, goals and actions over the next five years will focus our energy and resources, strengthen our operations and support our culture.

We know our community flourishes when we live our values and work together. We are committed to nurturing the endless possibilities of our students, tending to the talent of our educators and growing the strengths of our parent community.

We invite and encourage you to help us deliver on this Strategic Plan 2022-2027.                                  

Cathy France 

Principal

The Strategic Plan will be sent home to families on Wednesday 10 August. It is also available via our website here Strategic Plan 2022-2027

Josh has a background in gardening and landscaping, in particular he has specialised knowledge applicable to productive orchards. Josh joins the Wairoa campus (Years 7-9), as Gardening Specialist.

Maggie Dodd joins Penny's Cycle 2 class two days a week. Maggie comes with a wealth of experience including a special interest in languages. 

David joins us for the remainder of Term 3 as our PE teacher, filling in for Attila, and will be working with all students from the Preschool through to Cycle 4.

Eleanor is working as a school assistant this term across the two Cycle 1 Primary classes.  Eleanor also works in our OSHC and Vacation Care program.

Charlotte Cavalli (left) and Olivia Marschall (right) are in their third year of teaching at Flinders University and join us on placement for 5 weeks in Term 3. Charlotte is working with Ruth and Lauren in Cycle 1, Olivia is in Cycle 3 with Sam and Nat. 

Congratulations to Eliana, one of our Cycle 3 students who recently competed in the National Youth Championships in Bouldering in Sydney where she placed ninth in Australia.  We asked Eliana to tell us about her experience at the championships in Sydney.

"On June 4th I competed in the National Youth Championships in Bouldering at Sydney Indoor Climbing Gym, Villawood. I represented South Australia in category Youth D Female, which is for competitors 11 and under.

There were 20 competitors in my category and there were seven Boulder problems to climb. We had half an hour to attempt each of the boulder problems and each attempt was judged by an official for a score. I came ninth in the competition which means I have a national ranking of nine in Australia and I ranked the highest in my category for South Australia.

Thank you to the Adelaide Hills Council for their grant of $100".

In Term 3 all junior-year levels will focus on the theme ‘Perayaan’ (celebration) by marking  Hari Kemerdekaan Republik Indonesia  (Indonesian Independence Day - 17 August 1945). 

They will learn the history, key traditions and symbolic significance of Independence Day by learning and singing the Indonesian national anthem, playing traditional Independence Day games and sampling special treats.  As part of their broader intercultural learning, students will reflect on: What does ‘celebration’ mean to me? What do I/we celebrate? What does ‘independence’ mean?

An increasing number of Cycle 2 students are keen to test their new language skills and are busy practising their speeches for the coming National Australia Indonesia Language Award (NAILA) on the theme ‘Hubungan’ (Relationships).  

We wish them all luck! ‘Semoga sukses!’

Indonesian classes for Cycle 3 and Cycle 4 have focused on activities that beget fluency. As fluency of Indonesian language improves for students, it generates a deeper comprehension of what they’re saying. 

One such activity which Cycle 3 students have been working through, is rehearsing and re-working the script of The Emperor's New Clothes. Students have had to use critical and creative thinking as they rework the Indonesian script with translations, rehearse their scenes in groups and then perform the scenes in front of a camera. We have seen some fantastic examples of collaboration and teamwork to create a meaningful product. 

Student videos can be viewed here The Emperors New Clothes_Cycle 3

Do you have any items that might be suitable for our Silent Auction or  prize pool for the Quiz Night being held on Saturday 10th September?  

We would love to hear from our school community and extended networks who are able to donate items, including 'big-tickets' items for our Silent Auction. 

🏝 Silent Auction Items These are items which will get people bidding! Examples include: accommodation packages, signed memorabilia, gift baskets, various classes (Yoga/ Personal Training/ Pilates/ Cooking), restaurant or food vouchers, movie tickets, pamper packages, plants or gardening wares - or any other imaginative prize you can think of! Perhaps you have a specific talent which we could package up into a prize, anything from baking birthday cakes to creating an artwork - our fundraising team are a creative bunch who are more than happy to hear your idea and from there they could package up a prize.  

🍿Donations of prizes - These are smaller items which are used on the night as prizes for the winning table and costume prizes. We're asking for any donated items from chocolates to wine to small vouchers.

🍾Silent Wine Auction - This year the Mystery Wine Wall  is back. The Fundraising committee is sending home a brown bottle bag to each family, if you'd like to donate a bottle of wine, please put it in the bottle bag and deliver to the  school office.

This is one of our biggest school fundraisers, any donations, suggestions or assistance is greatly appreciated by the Fundraising committee.  

Please let us know in the office or email reception@montessori.sa.edu.au .

Tour our Middle School on Tuesday 16 August from 9.30am, to see the enriching and challenging program we offer young people in Years 7 to 9.

Located in Stirling, our Adolescent Program gives students the opportunity to learn actively in a flexible, responsive environment that combines a rigorous academic program with real-life experiences and work practices to bring the curriculum to life.

Bookings Essential: https://montessori.sa.edu.au/enrolments/open-days/

Phone enquires: 8339 6842 

Email: enquiries@montessori.sa.edu.au 

Thanks so much to the class parent reps who organised and hosted the Term 3 sausage sizzle. We thank them for volunteering their time to assist with the lunch.