2024 Newsletter Term 02 | Issue 01
- Posted by Farmhouse Montessori School
- Categories Farmhouse News
- Date May 17, 2024
Upcoming events & Important Dates
![](https://farmhousemontessori.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Yani3b.jpg)
May | 22nd | Primary Montessori Sports Carnival |
May | 23rd | Preschool Tour – 4:15 p.m. |
May | 31st | Art Exhibition & Cocktail Evening – Preschool campus (whole school event) |
Jun | 7th | Staff Professional Development – Combined Montessori PD-Pupil Free Day |
June | 10th | Kings Birthday – Public Holiday |
Jun | 20th | Preschool Information Session – 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m |
July | 5th | Aikya and Yani Expo |
July | 5th | Last Day of Term |
Principal’s Message
Dear Farmhouse Montessori Families,
Mother’s Day
In our classrooms (Elouera, Burbangana, Cooinda, Aikya, and Yani), the children were thrilled to welcome mothers and even some grandmothers into school and offer a card, croissant, or hug. Each Mother’s Day, we are reminded of the priceless role all of our mothers play. Thank you to our mums for all that you do and for spending some time at school with us.
Farmhouse Cocktail Party and Twilight Art Gallery
Please join us for the upcoming Farmhouse Cocktail Party and Twilight Art Gallery at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 31st. The event will be held at the Preschool campus in North Balgowlah, and there will be opportunities to enjoy the gallery and purchase your child’s artwork as part of a whole-school fundraising event. Please join us at this Term’s event and at our Trivia Night in Term 3.
Friday Morning Book Club
Starting this Friday, May 17th, Primary School Coordinator Chris Deery will host a book club between 8:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. to discuss Dr. Haim G. Ginott’s book Between Parent & Child. Feel free to join from any week (Term 2 Weeks 3—Weeks 9). All parents are welcome, and the event will be held at the new Primary School Campus (Building 5, 33 North Head Scenic Drive, Manly).
Montessori Professional Development Day
This is a reminder that the school will be closed on Friday, June 7th (both campuses), during the staff professional development day before the long weekend. This particular professional development day is a regional training day for Montessori staff from Sydney and the Central Coast. International Montessori trainers will be traveling to the event, focusing on best practices for your children. This event promises to be an enriching and valuable experience for educators and leaders.
Owna
To help streamline school communication, Farmhouse Montessori School will launch a new app, OWNA, In Term 2. At the Preschool campus, the OWNA app will be used to sign in and out your child each day. Across both campuses, the app will eventually be used to promote school events, distribute the newsletter, and eventually allow parents to submit forms online. OWNA is an Australian company, and parent information sessions will be provided in Term 2 on how to use the app.
Kind regards,
Alia James | Principal
PRIMARY SCHOOL COORDINATOR’S MESSAGE
Dear Farmhouse Montessori Families,
Last Friday, towards the end of a joyful Mother’s Day breakfast, I noticed one of the children outside the classroom with their head down, visibly upset. Fortunately for the child, I was able to take a step back from the situation and apply some emotional first aid.
Me: You’re upset
Child: (Nodded her head)
Me: Your Mum had to go back to work.
Child: (Nodded her head.)
Me: Your Mum had to leave earlier than you would have liked her to.
Child: (Looked at me and nodded her head. I could see in her face that she was feeling understood.)
Me: Oh dear.
Child: (Looked at me and nodded) Child then went and toured a guest around the classroom.
There was a time when my first step would have been to offer this child a croissant, told her to stop being silly, or avoided the situation completely. To the extent that I handled this situation, I have Haim Ginott to thank.
And I’d like to introduce you to Haim Ginott too so I’ll be hosting a book club and we’ll be reading Between Parent and Child by Haim Ginott. Ginott heavily influenced authors such as Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish who wrote How to Talk so Kids Will Listen. His book was written over fifty years ago and continues to be a favorite today. Please join for the first week this Friday the 17th of May from 8:30 am until 9:00 am. We’ll be discussing chapter 1.
You can send an RSVP to: chris@farmhousemontessori.nsw.edu.au
The book can be purchased here as a paperback from the Australian Amazon site or here from the US Amazon site where it’s also available as a kindle version. Parents from the preschool and primary school are welcome to attend. It may also be a good opportunity for you to view our new campus.
Book: Between Parent and Child by Haim Ginott
Date: Friday 17th of May, 2024 (every Friday through Week 9 of Term 2
Time: 8:30 am to 9:00 am
Where: Building 5 (new primary building)
Childcare (if needed): Available in your child’s classroom.
Building 5, North Head Sanctuary, 33 North Head Scenic Drive, Manly, NSW 2095
Kind regards,
Chris Deery | Primary School Coordinator
![](https://farmhousemontessori.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Book-Club-729x1030.jpg)
![](https://farmhousemontessori.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/cocktail-party-art-auction-1-1030x751.jpg)
ELOUERA | Stage 1 Infant Community
Welcome back!
We are so delighted to have the returning children back this term, easing in the routine of the classroom. We have welcomed new children and are settling in well.
One of the reasons why children are able to transition easily to the classroom is the routine we have. The activities we do every day may vary from time to time, but we follow this sequence : Children coming in the classroom, getting their lunch box, drink bottle, and fruit ready, followed by work cycle (independent or group work), morning tea time, outdoor play, circle time, lunch, nap/rest time, afternoon tea, and home time.
For children under 3, routine is not only essential but also comforting. Predictable patterns in their day-to-day activities provide a sense of security and stability, fostering a reassuring environment for their development. Knowing what to expect next helps them feel confident.
We also want to thank all the Mothers and Grandma’s who came in to the classroom and celebrate Mother’s day. We hope you had fun spending time with your little ones being show various activities they enjoy doing in the classroom.
We look forward to another term of joyful learning.
— Corinne, Anniebelle, Nina, Sarah.
![](https://farmhousemontessori.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/emme-1030x1030.png)
![](https://farmhousemontessori.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/WhatsApp-Image-2024-05-07-at-1.00.09-PM-1030x1030.png)
![](https://farmhousemontessori.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/WhatsApp-Image-2024-05-08-at-1.17.54-PM-1-1030x1030.png)
![](https://farmhousemontessori.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/emme-1030x1030.png)
BURBANGANA | Stage 1
Involving Children in Food Preparation
In the classroom, snack is self-serve and available throughout the whole work period. Snack is eaten at a designated snack table that seats six children. Having limited space encourages the children to practice their patience along with being mindful of others waiting their turn.
After the children wash their hands, they return to the snack area to serve themselves using child sized tongs and serving utensils. Polite manners and pleasant conversations are encouraged. When the children are done with snack, they independently clear their place, and wash their dishes.
There are many benefits to involving children in food preparation. Even the pickiest of eaters have been known to be more willing to try things when they have had a hand in preparing it. These works also help develop fine motor skills and build coordination as well as increase knowledge of nutrition, science, math, and reading.
We have acquired a stock of appropriately sized plates, bowls, cups, and utensils for these works. Like the other works in a Montessori Room these dishes are made of ceramic to encourage mindfulness when handling them.
— Kathleen, Teresa, Katherine and Yuko.
![](https://farmhousemontessori.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_3997-1-1.jpg)
![](https://farmhousemontessori.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_3958-1.jpg)
![](https://farmhousemontessori.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_3870-1-1.jpg)
![](https://farmhousemontessori.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_3992-1-1.jpg)
COOINDA | Stage 1
Over the past three weeks, we have had the opportunity to observe weather changes by examining dried leaves in the garden and learning names of flowers and plants. One of the most engaging practical activities this week has been flower arranging. This activity not only fosters an appreciation for nature but also enhances hand-eye coordination and teaches children to follow a long sequence of actions. Additionally, it instils values of environmental stewardship and fosters a sense of community and ownership of the environment.
—Harshitha, Catalina, Jo, Rachel, Claire & Angela.
![](https://farmhousemontessori.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_0104-2-1030x1030.png)
![](https://farmhousemontessori.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_8253-1030x1030.png)
![](https://farmhousemontessori.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_8406.png)
![](https://farmhousemontessori.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_8320-2.png)
AMAROO | OUTDOOR CLASSROOM
This week has been all about celebrating our wonderful mums and all they do for us. We welcomed them into our school for a beautiful morning tea. The children loved showing off their classrooms and giving mum the wonderful gifts and cards they had so lovingly made. It was also time to pass on the generous contributions we received for the Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter. Nurturing generosity in children in this way and teaching them that they are capable of creating an impact on another person can help them become better at giving in the future.
We continued the family theme to discuss animal families and discovered some incredible collective nouns for animals e.g. a smack of sea jellies; a blessing of narwhals and a loveliness of ladybugs! Children chose to create little books of their favourites.
– Dawn
![](https://farmhousemontessori.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_5117-1030x1030.png)
![](https://farmhousemontessori.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_6518-1030x1030.png)
![](https://farmhousemontessori.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_6551-1030x1030.png)
![](https://farmhousemontessori.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_6373-1030x1030.png)
AIKYA | Stage 2
Greetings from Aikya!
It’s been an exciting start to Term Two here at North Head. Our learning journey unfolds with warmth and enthusiasm as the days grow cooler.
Mother’s Day Morning Tea and Working with Mum:
We recently celebrated Mother’s Day with a delightful morning tea, honouring the incredible mothers and maternal figures in our student’s lives. It was a heartwarming opportunity for our students to express their gratitude and appreciation through heartfelt gestures. We also had the pleasure of inviting mothers into our classroom for a special “Working with Mum” session, where they could experience firsthand the wonders of Montessori learning alongside their children. It was a joyous occasion that strengthened the bond between home and school.
Clock of Eras Focus and Study:
In our classroom, we’ve been delving into the fascinating concept of the “Clock of Eras,” a key element of the Montessori curriculum. Through hands-on exploration and engaging discussions, our students have been journeying through time, exploring the interconnectedness of history and civilisation. From the beginning of the earth’s existence to the modern age, we’ve fostered a deep understanding of the past and its impact on the present.
Writing Structures and Parts of Speech Studies:
Our language studies have taken us on a journey through the intricate structures of writing and the nuanced world of parts of speech. With a focus on function, structure, and punctuation, our students have been honing their writing skills with precision and creativity. Through collaborative activities and individual projects, they’re gaining a deeper appreciation for the artistry of language.
Exploring Literature with “Runt” by Craig Silvey:
As part of our literary exploration, we’ve been diving into the captivating world of “Runt” by Craig Silvey, our class’s fictional text. Through discussions and activities, we’re unravelling the layers of this compelling narrative, exploring themes of identity, resilience, and the power of storytelling. It’s a journey that’s igniting our imaginations and sparking meaningful conversations.
As we journey through Term Two, we’re filled with anticipation for the adventures ahead.
Let’s continue learning, growing, and exploring together until next time!
Warmest regards,
— The Aikya Teachers and Children.
![](https://farmhousemontessori.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_7215-1030x1030.png)
![](https://farmhousemontessori.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_7242-1030x1030.png)
![](https://farmhousemontessori.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_7236-1030x1030.png)
![](https://farmhousemontessori.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_4663-1030x1030.jpg)
YANI | Stage 3
In our Montessori primary classroom this term, we have began an exciting journey through history. Using the Clock of Eras and the third Great Story, “The Coming of Humans,” we’ve learned about the story of life on Earth, including how humans came to be. By engaging with timelines, charts, and interactive materials, students become active participants in unraveling the mysteries of our collective past. These lessons not only cultivate a sense of wonder and curiosity but also instill a deep respect for the interconnectedness of all life, fostering empathy and global awareness—an essential aspect of the Montessori curriculum.
Alongside history, we’ve been tackling decimal division with the Decimal Board, abstract addition and subtraction amongst other concepts. This practical approach empowers students to not only comprehend abstract mathematical concepts but also develop problem-solving skills and understanding of numerical relationships. These activities are all part of our Montessori curriculum, which helps us explore, understand, and become confident learners.
We are looking forward to a new term full of adventure and excitement, both in and out of the classroom.
—Laura, Thomas, Ella & Amy Louise.
![](https://farmhousemontessori.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Yani2-1030x1030.png)
![](https://farmhousemontessori.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Yani4-1030x1030.png)
![](https://farmhousemontessori.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Yani1-1030x1030.png)
![](https://farmhousemontessori.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Yani3-1030x1030.png)
EVERGREEN | Music
You may also like
![news-banner-T3-02 news-banner-T3-02](https://farmhousemontessori.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/news-banner-T3-02-300x200.jpg)
2024 Newsletter Term 03 | Issue 02
![news-banner-T3-01 news-banner-T3-01](https://farmhousemontessori.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/news-banner-T3-01-300x200.jpg)
2024 Newsletter Term 03 | Issue 01
![news-banner-T2-04 news-banner-T2-04](https://farmhousemontessori.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/news-banner-T2-04-300x200.jpg)