This semester, our cycle 2 class has had the privilege of working alongside some wonderful Middle School students each Wednesday afternoon. What began in Term 1 as a Maths support initiative has grown into a meaningful partnership that beautifully reflects the heart of Montessori education; students learning with and from one another.

Each week a small group of Middle School students visit our classroom to work with our children on a range of hands-on activities. In Term 1 the focus was on number and place value games, including golden bead activities, dice games, and other shelf-based resources designed to strengthen mathematical understanding in a fun and collaborative way. As the weeks progressed it became clear how much both groups were gaining from the experience.

This term the partnership has expanded to include literacy support. Middle School Students have been assisting our learners with researching Endangered Australian Animals to support the writing of their information reports. These afternoons now include a blend of Maths and Literacy tasks, along with time for one-to-one reading and connection. The consistency, patience, and care shown by the older students have helped build positive relationships and boost confidence.

The response from Middle School has been fantastic, with many students eager to participate. As Ylva shared, “I enjoyed working with Cycle 2 students because they wanted to learn”. Arlia reflected, “It reminded me how I was back then and how the learning helped me through the years and even now”, while Millie said, “I enjoyed seeing how the students worked and meeting new people”.

Our own students were equally inspired. Charli shared, “I really liked when they were teaching us things like how to research”, while Heidi B said, “I really liked all the activities they did and seeing some of my old buddy friends”.

This partnership has been a powerful reminder of Maria Montessori’s belief in the strength of peer learning and mixed-age collaboration:

“Children of different ages help one another. The younger ones watch what the older ones are doing and ask questions, and the older ones explain. This is teaching at its best.” – Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind

We are so proud of the way this initiative has grown and look forward to nurturing this special connection in the terms ahead.