As Term 3 draws to a close, we take a moment to reflect on the wonderful opportunities for growth and learning our children and young people have embraced.

Inside the classroom, students have continued to develop the skills, knowledge and values they need to flourish. It is always a joy when a child proudly brings me their handwriting, a maths challenge, or a story they have written, and shares with me how far they have come. Encouraging children to reflect on their progress, celebrate their successes, and consider their next steps helps them to take increasing ownership of their learning and development.

Beyond the classroom, this term has been filled with exciting incursions, excursions and sporting opportunities. Among the many highlights were our school performances: Tattybogle (Cycle 1), Nowhere Boy (Cycles 2 & 3), and our Middle School production Cinderella: The Untold Story.

These productions were not only a celebration of creativity but also a rich opportunity for learning. The performing arts are a powerful way for children to build confidence, communication skills and emotional intelligence. Stepping onto a stage—whether to sing, act, dance or narrate—requires courage, teamwork and focus. It allows students to express themselves, connect with others, and develop empathy by seeing the world through different perspectives.

In many ways, the performing arts are a natural extension of Montessori education. Montessori learning values independence, creativity and exploration, and the arts provide a platform for children to:

• Express themselves creatively through music, movement and storytelling.
• Build confidence as they perform in front of an audience and share their talents.
• Develop emotional and social skills through collaboration and empathy.
• Strengthen cognitive skills, such as memory, language and problem-solving.
• Foster a love for learning by engaging curiosity and imagination.
• Learn discipline and focus through rehearsals, practice and performance preparation.

Watching our students on stage this term, it was clear to see these benefits in action. Their joy, pride and sense of achievement reflected not only their hard work but also the values and skills that will serve them well beyond school.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank not only Jenny, Elley and Toni for their leadership with these productions, but also all of our staff. At Southern Montessori School, everyone is dedicated to providing the best possible learning experience for our children and young people. I would also like to thank our families for their ongoing support and partnership, and especially our students, who continue to exceed our expectations.

As we look ahead to Term 4, we celebrate all that our students have accomplished and continue to nurture their holistic growth—academic, creative, emotional and social.

With best wishes for a wonderful spring break,

Heather Mclnerney (Principal)