3 April 2025
Contents
Updates from:
Montessori + Activities for Term 2
From the Acting Co-Principals
Dear Children, Adolescents, Parents, and Staff,
The end of a productive and inspiring term is upon us. We want to take this opportunity to reflect on the past few months and express our heartfelt gratitude to all of you – children, adolescents, parents, staff, and the wider community – for your support and commitment to our ‘business as usual’ since the end of the 2024 school year.
Leading our incredible community since the end of 2024 and throughout this term has been a privilege. Stepping into this role has provided us with an even deeper appreciation for the remarkable spirit and dedication that make our College such a special place. From the curiosity and enthusiasm of our students to the commitment and collaboration of our staff and the trust and encouragement of our families, we are continually inspired by the possibilities of what we can achieve together.
Over the past term, we have celebrated connections together, whether for the joy of discovery in the classroom environments, parent education and conversation evenings, or whole community gatherings. Each moment has reminded us of the unique and nurturing environment we have here at Montessori International College.
As this term comes to a close, we are delighted to welcome our new Principal, Chris Peach, who will join us from the start of next term. He brings a wealth of experience, a deep commitment to Montessori education, and a shared passion for creating an environment where every student can thrive. We look forward to working alongside Chris, and we look forward to seeing the community continue to grow and flourish under his guidance.
We would like to thank our staff for their tireless dedication throughout this term. It is a pleasure to work and walk alongside such talented and committed professionals who always put the needs of our students first.
Thank you to our families and caregivers for your trust, your encouragement, and your partnership in supporting your children’s growth and learning. Your involvement is vital to the success of our Montessori community, and we have been deeply grateful for your kind words and support during our time in this role.
In conclusion, we extend our gratitude to our children and adolescents for your enthusiasm, curiosity, and creativity, which give us daily reasons to smile. You continue to be the heart of our College, and it is a privilege to accompany you on your educational journey.
As we step back into our previous roles, we do so with a sense of pride in what we have achieved as a community through this period and with excitement for the future. We look forward to continuing to support the College and our new Principal as we embark on the next chapter.
We wish you all a restful and rejuvenating holiday break. We look forward to seeing you all again next term, ready for new beginnings and opportunities.
With appreciation,
Larissa and Rael
Prep
This term, Prep focused on daily routines, building connections, and fostering a sense of community. The children have shown a strong interest in practical life activities like weaving and sewing. They enjoyed using the Sandpaper Letters, where they eagerly practise letter sounds.
Prep also enjoyed outdoor explorations with Andrew, observing the seasonal transition from summer to autumn. They learned how the Gubbi Gubbi people read the land to understand the time of year. Despite heavy rainfall, They noticed wattle trees flowering early and fruit trees in the veggie garden bearing fruit, while the dragon fruit plants finished flowering and were visited by moths at night. The children marveled at the beautiful flowers and unique leaves in the garden.
Junior Primary
Junior Primary has had a wonderful time exploring a range of interests this term. The follow up from the Great Stories has been creative and inspiring.
Some children have developed practical life skills in the kitchen, following recipes to make kale chips, flapjacks, rice bubble squares, and sugar cookies -delicious!
Using their literacy and numeracy skills, they successfully followed the steps in each recipe. When the weather allowed, children also spent time by our beautiful scar tree, reflecting on what the land might have looked like hundreds of years ago. They created booklets and art pieces imagining the fundamental needs of the Gubbi Gubbi people during that time.
Senior Primary
Senior Primary had the privilege of meeting a Paralympian who shared his inspiring journey, challenges, and achievements. The students have also been working with Andrew and a parent volunteer to build picnic benches for the community.
Some children wrote persuasive letters to Men’s Shed requesting help with constructing a chicken coop, and thanks to their efforts, Nambour Men’s Shed generously donated a brand-new coop. The Senior Primary classes have been busy creating a free-range area and repairing an old coop to house chickens after the half-term break.
Djuragul plans to hatch a new breed of Silkie in Term 2. A special thanks to Helen Reedy for leading this initiative and to Renne Thompson for her invaluable support with medical and veterinary assistance.
Adolescent Community Wrap Up!
As we wrap up Term One, we’re excited to share some of the wonderful activities and accomplishments from this busy and inspiring term!
World Science Festival Brisbane
Our adolescents had the fantastic opportunity to participate in workshops as part of the World Science Festival held in Brisbane. This experience not only enhanced their understanding of vital scientific concepts but also sparked their creativity and passion for innovation.
Epic Engineering
In our Epic Engineering sessions, students explored hands-on activities that challenged them to think critically and engineer solutions. This practical application of science and technology has generated a lot of enthusiasm among the students, helping them to see the real-world impact of their learning.
Spacebot Science
Students explored space robotics at the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium’s Cosmic Skydome, taking an immersive journey through modern mechatronics and space discovery. They examined how space robots gather and analyse data on remote worlds and how ancient automatons shaped modern science.
Da Vinci Decathlon
We are thrilled to announce that eight of our adolescents are gearing up for this year’s Da Vinci Decathlon in May, with sustainability as the theme. Our students have been diligently preparing, exploring various aspects of environmental stewardship, and developing creative solutions to make a positive impact.
Art and Drawing
This term, the 7/8 students have drawn inspiration from Egyptian civilisation in their art and drawing projects. Their creative expressions have reflected their deep engagement with the topic, showcasing their artistic talents and understanding of historical contexts.
Adolescent Choir Thursdays
Our Choir sessions on Thursdays have continued to uplift spirits and foster a sense of community among students. The joy of music and harmony has been evident, and we look forward to more performances in the coming weeks.
Community Service at Aged Care
By participating in aged care initiatives, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the elderly and develop a greater appreciation for the wisdom and experiences they bring to our lives.
Certificate III Aviation and Remote Piloting
Students are completing a nationally recognised accredited qualification that will qualify them as commercial drone pilots. Employment opportunities in the aviation sector have “Strong” future growth prospects and career pathways into a diverse range of careers across multiple industries such as construction, mining, real estate, defence, agriculture, and disaster management.
What is a coffeehouse, and why is it an important aspect of the adolescent community?
Historically, coffeehouses have had diverse functions throughout the world since 1632. They were places where poets, musicians, writers and artists would gather to share inspiration and disrupt societal limits. They were early reading centres and locations where printed materials were available for all. They served as meeting places where people could play cards and chess, work, read, compose, discuss, argue, observe and chat. Coffeehouses were important social hubs where people of different backgrounds and interests could interact and exchange ideas.
In the Adolescent Community, we follow these historical roots and set aside time each term for the adolescent students to come together to talk, share, play and engage in an exchange of thoughts, ideas and learning.
The Coffeehouse is the final stage in the learning process. During the term, students gain knowledge and skills, communicate their thoughts and understanding as they complete their learning, and finally prepare to share with others. Completing all of these stages concludes the cycle and allows them to synthesise and deepen their learning—in true Montessori style!
As we conclude Term One, we commend our students for their hard work and enthusiasm. We’re excited to see what the next term has in store and look forward to more amazing experiences together.
Montessori + Activities for Term 2
There are some fantastic after-school activities available next Term, including our new Bee School Academy and netball, please head to the Montessori+ page to find out more and how to book.
All activities are available for children from Prep to Year 6.
We have:
- Bee School Academy – NEW
- Netball – NEW
- Art classes
- Board games and imaginative chess
- Lego building and creativity
- Soccer
Term 2 dates for your diary
Term 2 – Tuesday 22 April – Friday 20 June (9 weeks)
- Tuesday 29 April, 3.30 pm – 4.30 pm: Brainstrust – support group for parents of neurodivergent children
- Friday 2 May: Year 6 excursion to the Buddha Birthday Festival at the Chung Tian Temple
- Thursday 1 May, 5.30 pm – 6.30 pm: Year 10 SET Plan and Futures Conversation Evening
- Thursday 8 May, 9.00 am – 10.00 am: Year 6 Parents’ Tour of Adolescent Community
- Thursday 8 May 8: Da Vinci Decathlon – 9/10 Couplets
- Tuesday 13 May, 9.00 – 11.00 am: Sunshine Coast Healthcare Careers Day 9/10 and 11 /12 Couplets
- Wednesday 14 May, 5.30 pm – 6.30 pm: Year 6 Parent Conversation Evening (Overview of 7/8 Land and Community Program)
- Wednesday 21 May, 6.00 pm – 7.00 pm: Early Years Parent Education Evening
- Thursday 22 May, 3.30 pm – 4.30 pm: Brainstrust – support group for parents of neurodivergent children
- Monday 26 May: National Sorry Day
- Monday 26 May: School Immunisation – Year 10 (Meng ACWY & B – Dose 2)
- Tuesday 27 May, 8.45 am – 9.30 am: Caring for Country – Event and Whole School Gathering with Gubbi Gubbi (Parents Invited)
- Tuesday 27 May, 5.00 pm – 6.00 pm: Primary School Parent Education Evening
- Tuesday 10 June, 3.30 pm – 4.30 pm: Brainstrust – support group for parents of neurodivergent children
- Thursday 12 June, 3.30 pm – 5.00 pm: Instrumental Music Programme – End of Semester Concert
- Tuesday 17 June: Cultural Fair Day
- Tuesday 17 June: Adolescent Community Exhibition of Learning – Parents Invited
- Friday 20 June, 8.15 am – 1.00 pm: MIC Athletics Carnival – Prep-12 – Parents Invited
How to apply
Make an enquiry