Content tagged with Australia

MCF currently focuses on indigenous and remote communities where the need for quality education and support is intensified by vast distances from the centres of Australian government decision-making, service-delivery and economic activity, and by histories of invasion, appropriation, and neglect. Despite this, in these communities we find a strong desire for a better future, and a deep awareness that the future lies with its children. In 2016, MCF was proud to continue to work in partnerships that provide Montessori programmes across the Torres Strait, a programme in the Aboriginal communities of Aurukun and Lockhart River and a renewed interest from the Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council to introduce Montessori in their newly constructed childcare facility.

MCF works to champion the cause of all children, to uphold the rights of the child, and to promote the Montessori approach as a means to achieving peace and social reform. MCF is committed to expanding the availability of Montessori services to the least privileged members of society, and, in doing so, remains true to Dr Montessori’s original vision. In line with Dr Montessori’s vision, MCF is currently focused on working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia. In particular, MCF is working in a number of remote regions, including the Torres Strait, Cape York and Western Australian desert communities, to establish high quality, sustainable early childhood education and parent support programs.

Gail Cresswell shared her experiences working in a very remote aboriginal community in North West Australia. She set out the issues the community faced and elaborated on her work with the children.