HAPPY, SUCCESSFUL LEARNING
"The first essential for the child's development is concentration."
Maria Montessori
Whitsunday Montessori is a tuition centre situated in the 121 Business Centre in Cannonvale, Queensland. The centre opened in August 2018, with the aim of providing a supportive, child-orientated Montessori learning space within the Whitsunday community. Whitsunday Montessori offers a wide variety of educational programs to families.
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The Montessori method of teaching aims to support the full development of the child. It is an approach that has been used successfully all over the world for over one hundred years, in thousands of schools and centres.
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Maria Montessori (1870-1952) developed this method of education early last century. This child-centred approach is based upon the close observation of each child, and the use of a wide variety of specialised materials and teaching practices. Montessori teachers view children as naturally eager to gain knowledge and as capable of initiating their own learning. This is done with the help of a teacher 'guide'.
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Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed.
Maria Montessori
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The key elements of the Montessori classroom include: mixed aged classes; choice within limits; an uninterrupted work time; specialised materials; a carefully prepared learning environment; freedom of movement in the classroom; and a trained Montessori teacher.
Our Director
Prior to founding Whitsunday Montessori, Helen McGuire was a Kindergarten Teacher, responsible for running a classroom of up to 22 preschool children. Before this, she held multiple positions within the childcare and state primary school settings, in both Victoria and Queensland, spanning both school management and classroom teaching roles. Helen McGuire holds a B.Ed (Primary), an M.Ed (Educational Leadership and Administration), a Diploma in Children’s Services and two Graduate Diplomas of Education (Montessori). Helen McGuire has a Blue Card Exemption Card and maintains her Queensland Teacher Registration annually. Helen also maintains current First Aid, Anaphylaxis and asthma qualifications.
A calm learning space with a calm and very experienced teacher. Whitsunday is very lucky to to have this at their doorstep. The children will truly flourish in here.
Jess Hartree
Airlie Beach is so lucky to have a resource like Whitsunday Montessori! It is an incredible asset to the local community and would be the envy of many larger towns and cities. It's a calm and welcoming space which is very well resourced with beautiful Montessori materials and activities to challenge and interest children of all ages and abilities. Our son needs to be challenged and engaged in order to learn effectively. Helen introduced him to new concepts and ideas in a way that drew on his individual strengths and interests - it was amazing to see how far he came in such a short time. We highly recommend the centre to parents who need extra academic support for their kids, or simply a different approach to learning that is flexible and tailored to individual needs. Many thanks Helen.