Oliver Blanks, IB Graduate 2020

In 2020, MMC saw the graduation of its first Year 12 class, which included four International Baccalaureate (IB) students and one Montessori Careers Program (MCP) student. Oliver Blanks was a member of that inaugural MMC Year 12 graduating class in 2020 and we’re excited to share Oliver’s MMC journey and what life looks like after graduation.

Montessori instilled in me a lot of open-mindedness about people and the world in general. I feel as though I’m able to understand things from multiple perspectives, which I feel comes from the general inclusiveness of Montessori and the general culture of my high school experience.

-Oliver Blanks

Oliver Blanks started at MMC as a four-year-old in Cycle 1 and was part of the first cohort of students that progressed through the MMC Senior School, eventually selecting the IB program for his final two years at high school.

When determining whether to choose the IB or MCP pathway, Oli says he looked at what would most assist him in entering university.

“I pursued IB because I wanted to have readily available pathways into university courses, and I was confident that I could complete the IB with the close support I was receiving from my teachers,” he says.

The IB program can be challenging at times, but our MMC Senior School teachers go above and beyond to support students.

“I felt like I had a great relationship with all my teachers, and they supported me all the way through the IB. I was struggling with the IB and all the content we were covering each week, but I managed to pass in the end,” says Oliver.

“I don’t think I would’ve passed if it weren’t for the support of the teachers during and after school hours. Some standout teachers who I had great relationships with were Steve (Watson), Julian (Ashton), and Sarah (Dekiere). I think the greatest benefit of a Montessori Senior School education is the teachers. I had a great experience with my teachers and felt supported the whole way through.”

Do you have a core memory of your time at MMC that has stuck with you, and why do you still hold on to that memory?

I remember when I was in year 10 and we took a trip to Nepal with the World Challenge. That was a great experience, especially when we were hiking in the mountains and taking in the views. We were there for about three weeks during which time we hiked and helped with the construction of a school. That was an experience Montessori offered to me that I’ll never forget.

What were you passionate about at school and how did MMC help nurture and encourage that passion?

At the time, I was passionate about skateboarding and the school funded and allocated time for me and some of my friends to build a skate ramp. We built it as part of our micro economy course. We ended up completing it and used it frequently.

 What did you want to do after school and what are you doing now?

Initially, I wanted to pursue film because my family has a background in that field and I enjoyed film as a subject in the IB. However, due to COVID, I did not want to do a film course during lockdown. So, I ended up switching to a business course at RMIT at the last minute. I did the first two years of my bachelor’s for business but then switched to the course I’m currently doing which is a Bachelor of Psychology at RMIT and I’m aiming to do honors in Psych. However, if that does not work out, I’ll complete my business degree by majoring in HR.

Oliver’s journey through MMC, from his early years in Cycle 1 to his current pursuits in higher education, reflects the profound impact of a Montessori education. His story is a testament to the school’s nurturing environment, where individual passions are encouraged, and support is unwavering. As Oliver continues to explore his academic and personal interests, his time at MMC remains a cornerstone, shaping his open-mindedness and resilience. His experiences remind us that the values instilled at MMC extend far beyond the classroom, preparing students for a lifetime of learning and growth.