Hear from our Trainers

“To say this has been a big twelve and a bit months, would be an understatement. When  thinking about how to describe this group many different adjectives came to mind: Some  predictably, such as the Covid group, the masked group, the zoom group. However, this  group has also been the resilient, flexible and persistent group. Not only did we have plan B  we also had a Plan Q! 

They pulled together, staying in touch and checking on each other. They shared sorrows and joys, moments of confusion as well as clarity, laughter, walks, games with balls and  other objects and possibly more than one trip up the road to the bakery.”

-Amy Kirkham (AMI 3-6 Trainer)

Melbourne Graduation: 23 January 2021 

I wish to begin by acknowledging the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nations, the traditional  custodians of the land on which we are gathered today. We pay our respects to their Elders:  past, present and emerging. 

Welcome to members of the Montessori community, families, friends and the students,  soon to become the newest graduates.  

To say this has been a big 12 and a bit months, would be an understatement. When  thinking about how to describe this group many different adjectives came to mind: Some  predictably, such as the Covid group, the masked group, the zoom group. However, this  group has also been the resilient, flexible and persistent group. Not only did we have plan B  we also had a Plan Q! 

They pulled together, staying in touch and checking on each other. They shared sorrows and joys, moments of confusion as well as clarity, laughter, walks, games with balls and  other objects and possibly more than one trip up the road to the bakery. 

Thank you for your individual as well as collective ability to rise to the occasion.  Appreciation must also go to the many people who supported this group and the course. 

To Carol Potts the AMI examiner and Chitra Achar the National examiner for making the  orals more like a conversation than a test and for allowing the students to discover what  they know. 

Thanks to Sangeeta Rao the Principal of Kalker Montessori Centre and the Committee of  Management for their ongoing support of AMI training in Melbourne and for generously  allowing use not only of the training room but also additional spaces inside and out as  needed. 

Thanks to all the Centres and staff who hosted students on placements; some here with us  today as we gather to celebrate the achievements of the students. 

Students observed and worked with children and staff at: 

  • Beacon House Montessori 
  • Bilingual Montessori Centre 
  • Brunswick Montessori Children’s House 
  • Headlands Montessori 
  • Kalker Montessori Centre 
  • Northwest Maria Montessori Preschool Centre 
  • Melbourne Montessori School 
  • Our Kids

We are very appreciative of you accepting students into your environments particularly with  all the changes, challenges and creative adaptations which occurred last year. The  opportunity for the students to work with children is an invaluable one and we couldn’t do  this without you. 

Thank you too, to all the family, friends and work colleagues as you also lived through much  of this course with the students. I know more than one family member proofread work or  helpfully created snacks to provide energy on zoom calls. Some patiently sat through  practice presentations and all provided support in many countless ways. 

We began this course on the 6th of January 2020 not only Epiphany day, but also 113 years  after the first Montessori Children’s House opened in San Lorenzo in Rome. I hope you have  many epiphanies and ah-ha moments as you continue your journey. I know the children will  teach you many more things if you keep observing and reflecting. I encourage you to stay in  touch with each other as well as with the training centre. Take some time to reread your  Montessori books. Apparently, repetition builds greater understanding, helps to refine your  senses and possibly helps you to apply keys to the world! 

I wish you all the very best as you go out into the big wide world with some new skills and  knowledge and hope you continue to question, as well as to think and logically work  through possible solutions. 

I’m going to finish with the words of Maria Montessori on the conclusion of the First  Training course held in India in 1940: 

“I beseech you, do not go around speaking of an educational method that has convinced  you, nor of having studied the way to make culture for children easy, universal and  attractive… Speak to everyone of the child and of his secret; unveil the truth; reveal the  powers of this “spiritual embryo” of the human soul; proclaim him for what he is; the father  of man, the builder of humanity, the creative and transforming energy which can act on the  hearts of man and can offer new elements for the solution of social problems.” 

Be the child’s advocate! 

Congratulations to you all, it has been a pleasure accompanying you on this part of your  journey.