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Blue Gum Montessori School (BGMS) was established by passionate parents in 1983. It is a private, independent and non-denominational school, and is situated on the edge of the Beeliar Wetlands in Bibra Lake, Perth.
The BGMS philosophy is to acknowledge the uniqueness of each child and support the natural phases of their development. We offer a rigorous curriculum catering to the individual needs of the child.
We are an independent school that values community life and that actively fosters the partnership between children, parents/carers and professional staff.
Our vision is to have confident, independent, community minded children, inspired to a life-long love of learning. |
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The Montessori Method aims to develop each child’s:
• Concentration
• Coordination
• Persistence
• Self-discipline
• Orderliness
• Desire to learn through discovery
• Awareness of the natural world
• Independence
• Initiative
• Creative self-expression
• Self esteem |
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We follow the National Montessori Curriculum approved by the Australian Government, the Western Australian Standards and Benchmarks, Montessori alternative curriculum and the Early Years Learning Framework. The learning encompasses:
1. English
2. Mathematics, including Geometry
3. Science, including Zoology and Botany
4. Health and Physical Education
5. Society and Environment, including History and Geography
6. The Arts includes Performing Arts, Visual Arts and Positive Education
7. The Languages other than English are French and Chinese
8. Aboriginal and Bush School
9. Positive Education
10. Digital Technology.
All the teachers are qualified and trained to utilise the Montessori progressive curriculum to extended talented children.
Learning Support provides additional assistance for children with learning challenges as identified by the classroom teacher. |
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The Montessori curriculum provides a holistic education; it presents a unique ‘big picture’, stimulating the child’s imagination and demonstrating the interconnectedness of different areas of study through Cosmic Education.
BGMS fully prepares the children for external examinations including the NAPLAN assessment and high school selection and entrance examinations. Examination technique is embraced as an essential skill that needs to be presented and mastered in a similar manner to the life skills in other areas in the Montessori classroom.
Our school 5 Junior Primary classes that cater for Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten and Pre-Primary aged students. Recognising that children are curious, enthusiastic and eager to learn, these classes are equipped with materials to provide stimulation and challenges. The classes have a flexible structure which allows the Junior Primary children to develop at their own pace.
In Middle Primary classes, the curriculum builds on the knowledge and skills established in Junior Primary. The children work more in small groups but continue to build their numeracy and literacy skills by working individually, at their own pace, and at their own level. Lessons include whole class, small group and individual lessons, dictated by the children’s need.
In Upper Primary classes, the children spend a lot of time carrying out their own research projects. This is often done in groups with the children collaborating, which enhances the development of communication and intra-personal skills. Research tools such as computers, books and other texts are all fully utilised and the range of research topics widens as the children become interested in moral and social issues.
Upper Primary children seek and enjoy more social responsibility and BGMS provides them with opportunities to further develop leadership skills and initiatives. Opportunities are also created for interaction with the wider community. |
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The Specialist program runs on Fridays and provides enriching experiences.
All children are engaged in a variety of physical activities and physical education. In the Junior Primary years, a Perceptual Motor Program is followed, preparing the children in the Primary years for the weekly sports such as cricket, basketball with our qualified Physical Education teacher. Besides these regular programs the children participate in a variety of incursions and excursions.
With a resident artist on the staff we are able to provide a Visual Arts Program. This program begins with the three year olds with development of skills such as gluing, cutting, finger painting, drawing, weaving and dough work. As the child progresses through the school, the Visual Arts program develops more formal fine motor skills and includes the appreciation of Visual Art and the History of Art.
In Pre-Primary years the children are immersed in musical activities to develop listening skills. Exercises such as the Montessori Silence Game, matching and ordering of the Montessori Bells, rhythm and percussion allow the child to listen and respond to musical sounds. The children also enjoy group singing and the learning and performing of melodies. In later years the children’s musicality extends into dance, reading music and playing of musical instruments with our trained Performing Arts teacher.
We also offer LOTE programs in Chinese and French for students from Junior to Upper primary, and in accordance with the ethos of Montessori education. We strongly believe that one of the aims of teaching languages contributes to ‘free the child’s potential’, and that the benefits of learning a language ‘transform him(her) into the world’. |
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The school has a Montessori Infant and Toddler Community (Playgroup) for ambulant children aged 1-3 years. Two Playgroup sessions are held on both Mondays and Fridays. For enrolment queries or to join a playgroup session, please contact our School Registrar by telephone 9417 4060 or email registrar@bgms.wa.edu.au. |
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