Strand Values
Maria Montessori stressed that children are the adults of the future. It is the task of society to prepare the child for their time, their place and their future. This future will involve different challenges to those we face today. It is a different reality than what we currently experience. The teachers in the Montessori Strand believe instilling the virtues of humanity, honour and humility will help prepare each child for the future, developing a true appreciation of their interconnectedness with others and the world.
Humanity
A belief in humankind and the potential within all of us is developed through the classroom communities, where all members are valued for their gifts and talents and children are encouraged to use these for taking action and willingly helping others.
Children are encouraged to share a love for all humanity and each person’s potential. While there are many challenges in the world today, there are also great works achieved through humankind's imagination, technical knowledge, spiritual gifts and social action. These challenges and achievements are brought to the child's attention. Children are encouraged to be positive about humanity, valuing it highly, regardless of the political, environmental and social challenges.
Honour
The child's work is to create the adult to be. This is not only academic but also social, spiritual and emotional. We create classroom environments where members are encouraged to honour each other. In a Montessori classroom this is expressed through the way equipment is used, spaces are shared, ideas are expressed and affirmations are given. The teachers model this value through their interactions with each individual, groups and the whole class. This modelling honours and respects the child and therefore also, the 'adult to be'.
Humility
As children are helped to pursue their cosmic path, the teacher allows them to explore with awe and wonder the vast universe, the achievements of men and women over time and the journey of life in its many forms. They discover during the course of their learning that, while each person can achieve great things, they are not the centre of the world. This discovery helps them to see their interconnectedness with each other and the world around them.
Humanity, honour and humility are expressed in the way teachers work with children. These values are expressed through the Montessori curriculum, the exceptional resources and through the prepared environment each child is invited to participate in on a daily basis.
The core values of the Strand were chosen through the school strategic planning process in 2007. The community reviewed them in 2009.