The Montessori Middle School gave my daughter so many “real life” educational opportunities, which she simply would not have had in a more traditional educational setting.  Wairoa is a great environment for adolescents to discover their strengths, as a student and as a person.

Isabel Fforde
Parent of Old Scholar

I was searching for a great alternative school, different from main stream, and found it at The Hills Montessori School. Not knowing much about the Montessori philosophy, I was instantly impressed and enlightened with the different methodology and holistic approach to learning.  This school has provided a nurturing environment where my children were respected and allowed to be individuals.  My children, now 16 and 13 years old, started at The Hills Montessori school when they were 4 years old, and have built great character, independence, developed important life skills and enthusiasm toward learning.  This school has taught them responsibility of their own learning, even at such a young age, which has always been a great delight to watch in awe.  This has taught me as a parent, what my children are capable of, which has always exceeded my expectations.  I do not take full credibility for the progress of the young, mature, well-rounded people I have as children.  A large part of their life is spent at school, so I know that The Hills Montessori School has been a major contributor.  I can highly recommend The Hills Montessori School to parents who want the best for their children and who want to associate with like-minded parents.

Alison Teague
Parent of Old Scholar

Montessori was the best decision that could have been made for me, as I made real friends with deep connections.  The school has made me a more confident person and has certainly helped me socially and academically when I moved onto a new school for Year 11.  I enjoyed the school being situated in the hills, which sparked my interest in nature as a child, not because it was forced upon me but because I could explore the bush myself.  Being one of the Middle School pioneer students was one of the best experiences of my life and having that opportunity made the school so enjoyable.

Jasmine Lanzilli
Old Scholar 2002-2014

My daughter has recently completed first Semester in Year 11 at a senior college after attending The Hills Montessori School from preschool to year 10.  The self directed learning, organisational skills and love of knowledge that were nurtured throughout her Montessori years, coupled with a solid academic background have delivered a confident, motivated, hard working senior student.

 Tracey Spokes
Parent of Old Scholar

I started at the Montessori in Year 7 at the new middle school campus. I had not been through the primary school and ended up only staying for three years, however these years have had a great influence on my education. Being a brand new middle school, its first year was very interesting as I developed as a learner and the school developed as a learning environment. At Montessori I was able to experience many things I could never have experienced at other schools. These included adventurous camping trips, working outside making gardens or building, very small classes where I could really gain a deep understanding of learning through having more one on one time with teachers and having maths classes outside! My experience at the Montessori is one I won’t forget, having an education I couldn’t have experienced elsewhere and an impact on my learning that will greatly help me throughout the rest of my life.

Christopher Shaw
Old Scholar 2011-2013

After a number of difficult years at a previous school it was wonderful to see so many positive changes in Christopher. He was thriving and enjoying his learning; and continues to do so!

Sally Shaw
Parent of Old Scholar

The Hills Montessori School helped our daughter to become a self-motivated & independent learner as well as a confident, caring & responsible individual.

Lisa Taverna
Parent of Old Scholar

The Hills Montessori School helped me to develop the time management skills & confidence that allowed me to excel at high school.

Ashleigh Nolan
Old Scholar 1994-2000

Montessori has a great community feel, there is a sense of family and love for other students, teachers and the environment.

Jade Goudie-Hall
Old Scholar 1996-1999

The Hills Montessori School gave me the freedom to experience a greater range of activities & gave me more opportunities to pursue my interests through the curriculum.

Ashleigh Nolan
Old Scholar 1994-2000

I had been taught how to relate to people, both students & teachers, which helped me to develop friendships at high school.

Jascha Boyce
Old Scholar 1996-2002

The Hills Montessori School was a crucial part of my life. It helped me to define who I was and have confidence in my own abilities.

Ryan Winter
Old Scholar 1990-1999

A Love of Learning Lasts a Lifetime

Having just completed my secondary education, I have taken the time to reflect upon my progression not only as a student, but also as a young adult. Surprisingly, I came to the realisation that many of my best memories, closest friends, and strongest traits as a person, were all established from my experiences not at high school, but during my primary education.

I am an old scholar of The Hills Montessori School in Aldgate, and I firmly believe that my time at this school has given me a well-rounded base, and open-minded opinion from which to launch my future. I vividly remember the wonderful personal relationships I developed with my primary teachers, almost all of which I still keep today. Such a rapport allowed me to be confident when approaching secondary teachers, and made it easier to build new relationships with them, which was no doubt beneficial throughout my high school education.

In addition, the broad diversity of students and their backgrounds at Montessori, taught me the valuable lesson of accepting others and valuing difference and cultural diversity. With a community reaching throughout the entire Adelaide Hills and beyond, people from different cultures and up-bringings, who all contributed different qualities to the school, surrounded me. My peer group at high school was reflective of this, full of people from various ethnic, economic and social backgrounds. I attribute my ability to relate to them through my experiences and learning at Montessori. Acceptance and tolerance of others is a large issue in secondary education, my experience and capability to accept others made this task far less daunting.

“A Love of Learning Lasts a Lifetime” is the motto of my primary school, and although I did not appreciate it at the time, I believe that this motto has been proven true many a time throughout my years in high school. Now, as I enter tertiary education and prepare to embark on further studies, I would like to thank The Hills Montessori School. Thank you for your guidance, your compassion and help in shaping me into the person I am today.

Ryan Winter
Old Scholar 1990-1999