MMC named one of Australia’s most ‘innovative schools’ of 2024

Melbourne Montessori College has won national recognition once more – this time we’ve been named one of Australia’s most ‘innovative schools’ of 2024.

Each year, The Educator’s 5-Star Innovative Schools awards recognise a handful of schools across the country who are finding new and unique ways of educating students and preparing them for a rapidly-evolving world.

In the latest announcement from The Educator, MMC has been named as an ‘innovative school.’ The judging panel acknowledged the many initiatives that support the school to deliver a relevant, bespoke and forward-thinking education to every student.

“I am beyond excited that our school and everyone who is part of our community have been recognised for their efforts,” says MMC Principal, Daniel Thomas.

“To make the innovative schools list is a significant achievement. Each year, many highly respected schools from across Australia apply for this recognition and only a handful are chosen. Being named as an ‘Innovative School’ by The Educator honours the hard work and commitment of our brilliant, curious and creative students, teachers, school staff and MMC families.”

A series of initiatives helped MMC secure the title.

These include the fact that MMC integrates multiple curriculums in our classrooms – the ACARA curriculum, Montessori curriculum and Early Years Learning Framework in our primary classrooms.

Multi-age classrooms spark different interests and conversations that are supported by specially-developed Montessori materials and teachers create lessons based on each child’s specific learning needs — this is integral to MMC’s innovative approach to learning and exploring.

The recent creation of an interactive sensory garden at our Caulfield campus is a visible sign of MMC’s focus on innovation to support learning. The garden was built based on research that found engagement and learning outcomes for children with additional needs improve when outdoor learning spaces are transformed.

As well as sensory and exploratory activities, the garden offers quiet individual or small group activities. Several garden ‘rooms’ interconnect and have a different focus – students can be quiet and contemplative, climb, play or discover fruit trees and Australian natives. The garden has encouraged deeper engagement and creativity, a greater sense of wellbeing and enhanced inclusiveness for all students.

“Melbourne Montessori College has always been a school that has embraced innovation,” says Daniel.

“We will always search for ways in which we can be better and more effective for every student. Innovation will always be part of who we are.”