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One Year On: Watching Growth Take Root

16 June, 2026, By Hannah Webster

In May 2025, our community gathered alongside Principal, Chris Peach and Land Lab Manager, Andrew, to plant a young tree gifted by our MIC Collective. A simple act that carried a powerful message to symbolise growth and prosperity of the school into the future.

As students stood in the rain, listening and participating in the moment, Chris spoke about the importance of planting not only for today, but for the generations who will come after us. The tree represented more than a contribution to our environment; it symbolised the values we hope to nurture in our children: patience, resilience, stewardship and a deep connection to the world around them.

A year later, the significance of that moment is even more apparent.

The young tree has begun to establish itself, establishing roots deeper and reaching strongly towards the sky. Its growth serves as a visible reminder of one of the most important truths in Montessori education, that meaningful development cannot be rushed. Like the tree, children flourish when they are given the time, space and support to grow according to their own unique potential.

Chris often speaks of education as a long-term endeavour, one that requires us to look beyond immediate outcomes and instead focus on creating the conditions for lifelong growth. The tree planting ceremony embodied this philosophy. The students who helped plant it may not be at MIC when it reaches its full height, yet their contribution will remain. In the same way, the lessons learned, relationships formed and values cultivated during a child’s education continue to grow long after they leave the classroom.

Today, as we look at the tree, we are reminded that growth is not always measured in dramatic moments. Often, it happens quietly and consistently, beneath the surface, as roots strengthen and foundations deepen. The tree stands as a living symbol of our school’s commitment to nurturing capable, compassionate and connected young people who will make a positive contribution to their communities.

A Year of Growth and Progress 

Thanks to a wonderful and dedicated team, MIC has experienced significant achievements and progress over the past twelve months, which have included: 

  • Reconfiguring our Children’s House (CH) into an authentic Montessori three-year mixed age environment (a huge thank you to our CH Team!!!);
  • Reallocated our adolescent environments to account for an additional 20 student enrolments.
  • Established a Reconciliation Committee and commenced work on a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP);
  • Updated semester report templates to be more parent informative and Montessori authentic;
  • Purchased a Going Out/Field Trip Minibus with 11 staff completing corporate driver training to support greater access to learning opportunities beyond the campus. 
  • Redesigned and upgraded the primary playground, with student voice and agency central to the planning process. 
  • Created and/or updated more than 30 policies and procedures to strengthen operations and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. 
  • Submitted a Building Grants Assistance (BGA) application for a covered multipurpose court, proposed for 2027, in response to strong community feedback. 

Strengthening Montessori Practice

Over the past year, we have continued to deepen Montessori philosophical and pedagogical understanding across the school through:

  • 10 x Primary staff completing the AMI 6-12 Orientation Certificate course; 
  • 6 x CH staff completing the AMI 3-6 Orientation Certificate course; 
  • CH & Primary Guides working with AMI 3-6 & 6-12 Montessori Trainers, Amy Kirkham & Rebecca Dallam, as part of a new mentorship relationship with the Sydney Montessori Training Centre (SMTC); 
  • Developing and sharing a Montessori lens to strengthen understanding of Montessori principles across all stages of learning. 
  • The creation and updating of social / emotional support at MIC, including the updates to the Positive Behaviour Policy;
  • Introduction of a new Planning, Observation, Assessment and Reporting process guide for all.

Strengthening Partnerships with Families 

  • Working With Your Child (WWYC) breakfast events across CH, JP & SP classes; 
  • A Journey and Discovery parent information event; 
  • Opportunities for connecting with AMI 3-6 & 6-12 Montessori Trainers Amy Kirkham & Rebecca Dallam in parent information sessions;
  • Refined our enrolment process to strengthen Montessori alignment, including class observations expected before enrolment acceptance.

These achievements reflect the collective efforts of our entire community and our shared commitment to continuous growth. Like the tree planted a year ago, the work undertaken today lays the foundations for a thriving future, one that will continue to benefit current and future generations of MIC students.

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