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.
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Monday, 1 August 2016
Vidya Shankar, Relief Foundation, Chennai, presented on Building Montessori Families. She spoke the Cascade Montessori Resource Centres that address the needs of children and families through urban and rural models. Evidence confirms the success of the centres in supporting responsible parenting and addressing social issues.
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In 2015, the Montessori Children's Foundation celebrated that there are now Montessori programmes across the Torres Strait, an expansion of theprogrammes in the Aboriginal community of Aurukun, and the development of a new programme in the Aboriginal community of Lockhart River. In addition, we have maintained our relationship with and support for the multi-campus Ngaanyatjarra Lands School in remote Western Australia.
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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.
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2004 Educateurs sans Frontières Opening Address Renilde Montessori, Part 1
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Television news broadcast of Bachman Lake Community School and 2011 Educateurs sans Frontieres Assembly Dallas, Texas.
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Thursday, 6 August 2015
Mary Caroline Parker presented the Bachman Lake story. The Montessori based initiative began in 2008 and has grown to include youth work, housing, immigrant services, education, health services, mentoring, leadership training, and AMI training. Partnerships and rigorous assessment are crucial. Being open to community needs is integral to the success of these projects.
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Thursday, 13 August 2015
Cathy Zhao presented on the work of the Montessori Volunteers Association. The volunteers of the assocation are involved in outreach work throughout China, as well as translations of Montessori materials in Chinese.
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Thursday, 13 August 2015
This presentation focused on the parent education that MVA conducts, engaging parents in different ways, in the form of workshops and public talks.
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