Dear Parents,

In Week 22, we extended our learning by exploring the topic of animals, with a particular focus on their homes and habitats. The children developed their understanding of how different animals live and the environments they need to survive.

As Lunar New Year approaches, we have enjoyed learning about the rich cultural traditions and special customs associated with this celebration. The children completed activities related to the 2026 Zodiac animal, the Horse, and created a beautiful artwork inspired by the moon. We were also delighted to take part in a parent presentation, which was both engaging and meaningful, enriching the children’s understanding of this important cultural celebration.

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Mrs Lily, Mrs Natasha, Mrs Wina, Mrs Caroline, Mrs Feli, Mrs Jane, Mrs Ingke, Mrs Anna, Mrs Stephanie, Mrs Linda, Mrs Angelica, Mrs Cindy, Mrs Siana, Mrs Nathalia, Mrs Christina, Mrs Riva, Mrs Nissa and Mrs Melisa who organised these lovely presentations. We greatly appreciate the care and effort that went into making each one so special.

The lion dance show was a wonderful addition to our festivities. The children were able to visualise what they had previously seen in books. We would like to thank Harvey’s parents for volunteering to share this special experience.

We wish you a happy Lunar New Year 2026. The school will resume on Thursday, 19th of February.

Year 1 additional learning covered – Week 22 and 23

Phonics
To identify sounds represented by more than one letter, for example /ch/, /th/, /qu/, /ng/, /ay/
Some children are beginning to learn about alternative sounds such as /ee/ can also be written with ‘ea’.
To use phonic knowledge to read decodable words. Reading and writing CVC words,words with adjacent vowel / consonants using sounds covered, words with double consonants such as bell, mess, mitt, back.

Language / Literacy – Reading. Guided Reading groups – Practising fluency of reading and gaining the confidence to recognise sounds and blend them to read words and sentences.  Reading comprehension, to be able to answer direct questions about the book.

Language / Literacy- Writing / Speaking –
Story: ‘This is our house’ by Michael Rosen
We discussed and looked the options for retelling the story where George includes everyone from the start. The children each wrote sentences retelling a new ending to the story.

Lunar New Year – Writing
The children learned how to write a fact file about ‘horses’ by researching information using books and hand out notes. We also learned some interesting facts about horses such as they sleep standing up.

Maths – 
Subtraction – take away and counting back
The children used a variety of malleable materials to find the answer to their number sentences.

3D shapes 
We identified and described the shapes by learning their names and the properties of each shape.

Important dates for Semester 2

Further information will be shared closer to each date. Please note that unless otherwise stated or indicated as ‘parents are invited,’ these events are for children only

3 & 4 Mar – Montessori student-led presentations (parents are invited)
2 Apr – Easter Egg Hunt
13 Apr – School Photos
23 Apr – World Book Day
22 May – Fun day
4 Jun – End of Year Performance (parents are invited)

Kind regards,
Montessori Team

Dear Parents, 

Our days are always filled with lively and purposeful activities. The children are deeply engaged in Montessori work, choosing materials from the shelves and exploring them with curiosity. Both collaborative partnerships and individual activities are encouraged as part of their learning journey.

All Nursery children are encouraged to develop their cutting skills, and many have been actively practising this recently. They begin by cutting small strips and pasting them onto paper to create collages. As their confidence grows, they progress to cutting more complex lines and incorporating cutting into their artwork.

Meanwhile, our Reception children have been busy practising reading, segmenting, and blending sounds, while also balancing a range of other learning activities. Please be reminded that in a Montessori environment, each child works at their own pace and engages in activities that suit their individual stage of development.

We have also welcomed a number of parents to join us for our December and January birthday celebrations, and these have been a wonderful success. The time and effort you put into creating posters and sharing little stories about each milestone during the celebration truly added to the pride and joy of the birthday child. We thank you for your enthusiasm and continued support in making these celebrations so meaningful.

As part of our ongoing unit on Houses and Homes, the children developed an understanding that there are many different types of homes within their local environment, as well as homes found around the world. Through shared discussions and literature, they explored how people live in different communities. The story ‘Stone Soup’ was read to support this learning, highlighting how people contribute and work together within their homes and neighbourhoods.

Building on this, the children used the story ‘The Three Little Pigs’ to investigate the materials used in house construction and to compare their strength and durability. This led to thoughtful discussions about which materials make structures stronger and more stable.

The children also explored both two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes found in buildings. They identified shapes commonly seen in houses, such as squares for windows, rectangles for doors, and triangles for roofs. In addition, they matched three-dimensional shapes to different types of structures, for example: cones for huts, cuboids for houses, cylinders for lighthouses, and square-based pyramids for the pyramids of Egypt.

Year 1 additional learning covered – Week 20 and 21

Phonics   

To identify sounds represented by more than one letter, for example /ch/, /th/, /qu/, /ng/, /ay/

Some children are beginning to learn about alternative sounds such as /ee/ can also be written with ‘ea’. 

To use phonic knowledge to read decodable words. Reading and writing CVC words,words with adjacent vowel / consonants using sounds covered, words with double consonants such as bell, mess, mitt, back. 

Language / Literacy – Reading. Guided Reading groups – Practising fluency of reading and gaining the confidence to recognise sounds and blend them to read words and sentences.  Reading comprehension, to be able to answer direct questions about the book.

Language / Literacy– Writing / Speaking –  Story: ‘This is our house’ by Michael Rosen

We re-read the story.

The children learned to make simple inferences about the events of the story and connected them to ‘feelings’. 

We discussed the rules that George ( the main character) had and whether we thought they were fair or not. We linked the rules to our classroom rules and home rules. The children wrote some of the rules out and created their own poster. 

Maths – 

Capacity

The children used familiar language to describe capacity including, empty, full, half – empty / full, nearly full / empty

More fun was had reinforcing the language used and understanding.

Subtraction – take away

Introduction to how we arrive at a smaller number by taking away a quantity. 

Measurement – Handling data

The children learned to answer non-statistical questions (categorical data) and how to record, organise and represent categorical data using: lists, tables and block graphs

Important dates for Semester 2

Further information will be shared closer to each date. Please note that unless otherwise stated or indicated as ‘parents are invited,’ these events are for children only

11 Feb – Montessori Lunar New Year presentation (a group of parents will be invited)

13 Feb – Lunar New Year celebrations

3 & 4 Mar – Montessori student-led presentations (parents are invited)

2 Apr – Easter Egg Hunt

13 Apr – School Photos

23 Apr – World Book Day

22 May – Fun day

4 Jun – End of Year Performance (parents are invited)

 

Kind regards,

Montessori Team

Dear Parents,
Happy New Year! We hope you had a wonderful break and wish you all the best for the year ahead.

The additional upstairs drop off and pick up routine has been going well. Thank you for your support. Kindly note that we aim to start our day promptly at 8:00 a.m., as late arrivals can be disruptive to the learning environment.

We recently completed an important drill aligned with the school’s emergency procedures, specifically a lockdown drill. The children did very well, listening carefully to instructions and calmly following guidance to our safe room.

Thank you to everyone who attended the maths workshop. We hope you found it informative and helpful.
To commence Semester Two, the children engaged in discussions and shared their personal experiences of celebrating the New Year. This was complemented by enjoyable activities such as decorating a 2026 mini poster and baking delicious pizza rolls. We wish all our families a very Happy New Year.

In our second week, we introduced a new unit of inquiry entitled Houses and Homes. The children explored the various rooms found in a home, as well as the furniture and appliances used to create a comfortable living environment. This provided a valuable opportunity for children to connect their learning to their everyday experiences.

Year 1 additional learning covered – Week18 and 19

Phonics   
To identify sounds represented by more than one letter, for example /ch/, /th/, /qu/, /ng/, /ay/
Some children are beginning to learn about alternative sounds such as /ee/ can also be written with ‘ea’.
To use phonic knowledge to read decodable words. Reading and writing CVC words,words with adjacent vowel / consonants using sounds covered, words with double consonants such as bell, mess, mitt, back.

Language / Literacy – Reading. Guided Reading groups – Practising fluency of reading and gaining the confidence to recognise sounds and blend them to read words and sentences.  Reading comprehension, to be able to answer direct questions about the book.

Language / Literacy- Writing / Speaking – My holiday The children got to review the important features to include when writing sentences as they shared some special events and experiences they had during the school holidays.

Language / Literacy- Reading / Writing Story: ‘This is our house’ by Michael Rosen
We discussed the sequence of events of the story after listening to it. The children wrote some sentences to create a simple story map: beginning – middle and end.

Maths – Addition – We had a review on how to add by combining two sets and adding on from a number.

CapacityThe children used familiar language to describe capacity including, empty, full, half – empty / full, nearly full / empty
We had fun with practical activities, pouring water in various containers. The children reinforced their learning by completing some written activity sheets in their Maths notebooks.

IMPORTANT DATES
Below are the important dates for Semester 2. Further information will be shared closer to each date. Please note that unless otherwise stated or indicated as ‘parents are invited,’ these events are for children only. Thank you for your understanding.

11 Feb: Montessori Lunar New Year presentation (a group of parents will be invited)
13 Feb: Lunar New Year celebrations
3 & 4 Mar: Student-led presentations (parents are invited)
2 Apr: Easter Egg Hunt
13 Apr: School Photos
23 Apr: World Book Day
22 May: Fun day
4 June: End of Year Performance (parents are invited)

Kind regards,
Montessori Team

Dear Parents,

Time has certainly moved quickly this semester, yet here we are at the end of the term. We have seen wonderful progress from the children, and we are very proud of them.

First, we would like to once again congratulate the children on their outstanding Peace Performance. Their dedication and consistent practice truly paid off, and they performed exceptionally well.

We also had the pleasure of attending the dress rehearsal of Disney Frozen Junior, where several of our Montessori children had the exciting opportunity to watch their siblings shine on stage.

This semester, our cultural focus was the continent of Antarctica. We continued our engaging exploration of the remarkable animals that inhabit this region. The children particularly enjoyed the science experiments, art and craft projects, and baking activities that enriched their understanding of Antarctic wildlife.

Our class party took on a new format this year. The children enjoyed a variety of food that all parents shared. Thank you for the contributions. 

We concluded the semester with a variety of joyful Christmas activities, including a festive class party filled with delicious food, games, fun stories and shared laughter that the children thoroughly enjoyed.

We sincerely thank you for your continued support. Please remember that Semester 2 will begin on January 6th, 2026. We wish you a wonderful holiday and look forward to welcoming you back.

Drop off and Pick up

We have successfully carried out classroom drop off and pick up this semester, and we are pleased with how well it has worked. In Semester 2, starting Tuesday, January 6th, parents are warmly invited to drop off and pick up their children directly from the classroom on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Drop off and pick up procedures on Mondays and Thursdays remain unchanged. Kindly ensure that you arrive on time, between 7:45 – 8:00 am as this will help our routines run smoothly and support the children’s learning.

Year 1 additional learning covered – Week 15,16,17

Phonics   

To identify sounds represented by more than one letter, for example /ch/, /th/, /qu/, /ng/, /ay/

Some children are beginning to learn about alternative sounds such as /ee/ can also be written with ‘ea’. 

To use phonic knowledge to read decodable words. Reading and writing CVC words,words with adjacent vowel / consonants using sounds covered, words with double consonants such as bell, mess, mitt, back. 

Language / Literacy – Reading. Guided Reading groups – Practising fluency of reading and gaining the confidence to recognise sounds and blend them to read words and sentences.  Reading comprehension, to be able to answer direct questions about the book.

Language / Literacy– Writing

The children learned how to write a simple non-fiction text using relevant information learned and some key words. Our topic for this piece of writing was ‘Antarctica and penguins’.

Language / Literacy– Reading, spelling and comprehension

Using the school IPads , the children reviewed their spelling of words, CVC, CVCC, CVCC and to select answers to questions on ‘Antarctica’. 

Maths –

Days of the week and months of the year

We reviewed these concepts through games and fun activities

Number names

We reviewed the recognition of number names from zero to ten and eleven to twenty. We also practised writing the names using the correct spelling. 

Place value

We described how a number from 11 to 20 and beyond is made up of tens and units (ones). 

Kind regards, 

Montessori Team

Dear Parents,

If you have been hearing new tunes at home, it is because we are all excitedly preparing for our Peace performance. We cannot wait to welcome you next Thursday at 11:30am. Please plan to arrive at the Moonlight Chapel about five minutes before we begin, and remember to wait outside so our special door openers can greet you. Your presence is warmly anticipated.

In the classroom, the Reception children have been working diligently to strengthen their phonics skills. They have been learning to recognise the alphabets, blend sounds, build words, and some have even begun reading their books with growing confidence. The Nursery children have been enthusiastically engaging in Antarctica related activities in Practical Life and Sensorial. Creating a playdough map of Antarctica, dropping ‘white water’ droplets, and sifting ‘snow’ are just a few of the options available on the shelves.

Please keep in mind that, in Montessori, each child works on activities suited to their own level and pace. The examples above offer a general picture of what has been available this week, but they are not the only activities the children engage in.

Important Dates Semester 1

27 Nov : Montessori ‘Peace Performance’ 11:30 am

4 Dec: Frozen Jr School Production. Dismissal of all the children will be at 12 pm

12 Dec : School finishes 12 pm

13 Dec – 5 Jan : School Holidays

UNITS 

In Week 13, the children were introduced to the captivating continent of Antarctica. We began by locating this remote region on the world map, helping students visualise its position at the southernmost point of the Earth. Together, we explored the lives of the scientists and explorers who have ventured there, discussing the important research they conduct and the reasons behind their work. This learning led to an engaging hands-on project in which the children constructed their own Antarctic Research Stations, demonstrating creativity and a growing understanding of life in extreme environments.

During the second week of our inquiry, the students investigated key facts about Antarctica’s climate, landscape, and surrounding oceans. They thoroughly enjoyed listening to the story Runaway Iceberg, which brought the icy landscape to life through imaginative storytelling. To consolidate their understanding, the children created their own story maps, by sequencing printed scenes or illustrating their own drawings. This activity allowed them to retell the narrative while expressing their comprehension in a visual and meaningful way.

Year 1 additional learning covered – Week13 and 14

Phonics   

To identify sounds represented by more than one letter, for example /ch/, /th/, /qu/, /ng/, /ay/

Some children are beginning to learn about alternative sounds such as /ee/ can also be written with ‘ea’. 

To use phonic knowledge to read decodable words. Reading and writing CVC words,words with adjacent vowel / consonants using sounds covered, words with double consonants such as bell, mess, mitt, back. 

Language / Literacy – Reading. Guided Reading groups – Practising fluency of reading and gaining the confidence to recognise sounds and blend them to read words and sentences.  Reading comprehension, to be able to answer direct questions about the book.

Language / Literacy– Grammar analysis

We are continuing to learn what a sentence is made of: an article, a noun,an adjective,a verb, a preposition, a conjunction. 

These last two weeks, our focus has been on ‘verbs’ and ‘adjectives’. The children learned that verbs are ‘doing words’ (action words). ‘Adjectives’ are used to describe a noun. We built sentences and identified these parts of speech in various ways.

Maths – 

Time

We learned to recognise the time to the hour and half hour. 

Weight 

The children used familiar language to describe mass, including heavy, light, less and more, heavier than, lighter than. 

We measured and compared the weight of various objects using a weighing scale. The children recorded their findings on paper in a table form.

We also learned to use non-standard units of measurement. For example we used unifix cubes to measure the weight of an object. The pencil is equal to the weight of 2 unifix cubes.

 

Kind regards,

Montessori Team

Dear Parents,

This week, we had a special visit from a team of dentists. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Amy’s parents for making this possible. The engaging presentation about dental health was enjoyed by all the children. The dentist team also checked the children’s teeth and shared practical tips on how to keep them healthy.

Halloween week was filled with engaging activities that helped us learn about the traditions and ways of celebrating Halloween, accompanied by enjoyable stories. In the Montessori classroom, we integrated various areas of learning into this celebration. The children enjoyed engaging in Halloween themed activities such as threading, tweezing, and sorting beads. In Sensorial, they explored the sensory bucket, searching for little Halloween trinkets while feeling the texture of the grains in their hands. In Maths, they counted small pumpkins, and in Language, they read different cards related to Halloween.

The much-anticipated Halloween Dress-Up Day arrived at the end of the week, and the children eagerly participated in the parade and trick-or-treat activities, creating a joyful and festive atmosphere. We concluded the week with a captivating oil and water science experiment, where the children observed the formation of colourful patterns in the water.

To conclude our unit on Our Five Senses, we explored the different parts of the ear and learned how we perceive various sounds. The children were introduced to the Honey Bear Game, which encouraged them to listen attentively to the sound of a bell. We also discussed people with hearing loss and how they communicate with one another. Using musical instruments, the children distinguished between loud and soft sounds, deepening their understanding of hearing. To further reinforce this concept, we went on a Sound Walk around the school and gazebo area, and played an engaging game called What’s That Sound?

We would also like to thank all parents who have attended the Parent Lunch Visit. It was a meaningful opportunity for the children to demonstrate their growing independence, from serving lunch to cleaning up afterwards.

Important Dates Semester 1

27 Nov : Montessori ‘Peace Performance’ 11:30 am

12 Dec : School finishes 12pm

13 Dec – 5 Jan : School Holidays

Year 1 additional learning covered – Week11 and 12

Phonics   

To identify sounds represented by more than one letter, for example /ch/, /th/, /qu/, /ng/, /ay/

Some children are beginning to learn about alternative sounds such as /ee/ can also be written with ‘ea’. 

To use phonic knowledge to read decodable words. Reading and writing CVC words,words with adjacent vowel / consonants using sounds covered, words with double consonants such as bell, mess, mitt, back. 

Language / Literacy – Reading. Guided Reading groups – Practising fluency of reading and gaining the confidence to recognise sounds and blend them to read words and sentences.  Reading comprehension, to be able to answer direct questions about the book.

Language / Literacy– Grammar analysis

We are continuing to learn what a sentence is made of: an article, a noun,an adjective,a verb, a preposition, a conjunction. 

We looked more closely at the function of articles and nouns in sentences. Using the theme of Halloween and the farm animals, we built and wrote sentences making sure we understood the function of ‘nouns’ and ‘articles’. 

Maths – Time

The children were introduced to the concept of Time through various games such as seeing how many times we can write our names on a white board within a minute. 

We learned the names for the days of the week as well as the months of the year. 

What is the time?  The children created their own paper plate clocks and are learning how to tell the time to the hour. 

 

Kind regards,

Montessori Team

Dear Parents,

Before the mid semester holiday, we participated in The Great ShakeOut (Earthquake Drill). The children were alert and quickly curled themselves into a safe position before ducking under the tables. They then walked calmly to the assembly point on the soccer field. It was a valuable experience that helped them understand the importance of staying safe during an emergency.

As part of our Grace and Courtesy lessons, we learned how to sneeze and blow our noses properly, and what to say in polite situations: When you hear someone sneeze, say: “Bless you.” The person who sneezes should say: “Excuse me.”

Thank you to all the parents who took the time to attend the Language Workshop. Your participation made the session engaging and interactive.

We are also happy to share that the first week of classroom drop off and pick up went smoothly. A few children are still adjusting to the new routine and showed some hesitation at first, but we are confident that with continued consistency, this will soon feel more familiar.

It was wonderful to welcome the mums who joined us for the birthday celebration this week. We truly enjoyed hearing your stories about the children’s milestones and special moments.

We are also excited to share that we will soon welcome you for the Parent Lunch Visit. Our very first session will be on Monday. Please plan to arrive and leave on time so that the next classroom routine can continue smoothly. More time slots will be available in Semester 2, and we will post the schedule in January.

In Week 9, our focus was on the sense of smell. The full day students explored how smell can influence taste by comparing the scent of spring onions while tasting pears and apples. They also enjoyed a fun ‘smell and go seek’ game, where they used their noses to locate hidden scents.

We also celebrated Diwali, a joyful week filled with art and cultural learning. The children created Diya lamps and Rangoli patterns using glue and coloured sand, and came to school dressed in vibrant Diwali attire. They listened to presentations about the story and traditions of Diwali and ended the celebration by dancing to the lively song “Chittya Kalayia”, which celebrates bangles, dance, and beauty.

Important Dates Semester 1

31 Oct : Halloween Dress Day – Parade in the morning

27 Nov : Montessori ‘Peace Performance’ 11:30 am

12 Dec : School finishes 12pm

13 Dec – 5 Jan : School Holidays

Year 1 additional learning covered – Week 9 and 10

Phonics   

To identify sounds represented by more than one letter, for example /ch/, /th/, /qu/, /ng/, /ay/

To use phonic knowledge to read decodable words. Reading and writing CVC words,words with adjacent vowel / consonants using sounds covered, words with double consonants such as bell, mess, mitt, back. 

Language / Literacy – Reading. Guided Reading groups – Practising fluency of reading and gaining the confidence to recognise sounds and blend them to read words and sentences.  Reading comprehension, to be able to answer direct questions about the book.

Language / Literacy– Weekend news

The children planned their writing by recording key words on their planning sheet:. ‘My weekend snapshots’. They concentrated on choosing plausible graphemes that match phonemes to write simple regular words and to attempt other words.

Language / Literacy– Grammar analysis

We are continuing to learn what a sentence is made of: an article, a noun,an adjective,a verb, a preposition, a conjunction. We looked more closely at the function of articles and nouns in sentences. 

Maths – 

Addition

We reviewed how to add using the counting on method with a number line and combining two sets to find the total

Place Value 

We reviewed the concept of ‘place value’ using unifix cubes and numicons Maths materials. E.g 14 is 1 ten and 4 units.

Time

The concept of time can be quite abstract for a child. We began by brainstorming the vocabulary used such as : month, year, day, week, minutes, seconds, hour, clock, yesterday, tomorrow. The children played various games to help them understand the concept of time. For example, the children counted how many jumps they were able to do in a minute ( we used a sand timer). How many days are in a week? We learned the names of the days and which order they go in. The children completed a written activity sheet. They were able to practice how to spell each word correctly.

Kind regards,

Montessori Team

Dear Parents, 

It was nice and valuable to see all of you during the Parent Teacher Conferences. Your insights about the children are always meaningful, and we truly appreciate the home school collaboration. What matters most is always the best interest of the children.

Circle time is always a delightful moment, especially with the presentation of grace and courtesy. The children learned how to respond when a teacher calls their name: stop, look at the teacher, and walk towards them. They also discussed table manners, which they now apply during lunch time.

Reception children are actively working on honing their skills, from learning sounds with the I Spy game to memorising the alphabet. Please remember that we encourage children to say the sounds, not the names of the letters. Some children are building words, while others are practicing blending sounds. The children work at their own pace, and each step is celebrated as part of their growth and confidence.

Meanwhile, Nursery children have been introduced to language through classified cards and vocabulary enrichment activities. These activities are good for expanding their vocabulary, strengthening memory, and building a foundation for expressive and receptive language.

Unit – My Five Senses

We kicked off Week 7 with the sensory bins! The children had lots of fun using their sense of touch to feel, explore, and describe what they thought was inside the bowls. In Montessori Sensorial activities, children practice refining their sense of touch through materials such as fabrics, touch boards, and touch tablets. Touch is an essential sense, especially for people with visual impairments, and the children also discovered how the Braille Pen Set helps enhance writing skills.

Exploring taste brought out many expressive reactions as the children sampled different foods to identify flavours. They learned new vocabulary to describe tastes: bitter, sour, salty, and sweet. The children created an “I Can Taste It” flip book, recording and drawing each food item they tried.

We wrapped up the week with a fun cookie-baking activity, which the children thoroughly enjoyed, especially when it was time to taste their delicious creations!

Year 1 additional learning covered – Week 7 and 8

Phonics   

To identify sounds represented by more than one letter, for example /ch/, /sh/, /th/, /qu/, /ng/, /nk/

To use phonic knowledge to read decodable words. Reading and writing CVC words,words with adjacent vowel / consonants using sounds covered, words with double consonants such as bell, mess, mitt, back. 

Language / Literacy – Reading. Guided Reading groups – Practising fluency of reading and gaining the confidence to recognise sounds and blend them to read words and sentences.  Reading comprehension, to be able to answer direct questions about the book.

Language / Literacy– Weekend news

The children planned their writing by recording key words on their planning sheet:. ‘My weekend snapshots’. They concentrated on spelling familiar words accurately (and, went, to, the, with, my, me)  as well as using a capital letter for ‘I’, for proper nouns and to start some sentences in more extended writing.

Language / Literacy– Grammar analysis

We discussed and learned what a sentence is made of: an article, a noun,an adjective,a verb, a preposition, a conjunction. 

In pairs, the children built sentences by putting the words in order. Use the symbols and place them above the words. 

Maths – 

Addition

There are many ways we can add numbers up. During these last two weeks, the children have learned how to add by combining two sets of quantities. We used unifix cubes, counters and the part-whole models to combine two quantities and find the total. 

Adding by counting on is another strategy which the children learned how to use number lines to count on from a given number to find the total. 

Place Value 

Starting with the Montessori Teen boards which the children are familiar with, the children learned how to use the Numicons and the unifix cubes when learning to compose and decompose numbers from 10 to 20. For example, 14 is made of 1 ten and 4 units / ones. 

Important Dates

11-20 Oct: School Holidays

21 Oct: School reopens

21 Oct: Diwali Dress Day

22 Oct: Montessori Language Workshop

31 Oct: Halloween Dress Day 

Kind regards,

Montessori Team

Dear Parents,

Over the past two weeks, our Grace and Courtesy lessons have focused on social interactions.
When passing someone in a narrow space, we remind the children to say “Excuse me.”
When asking for something, we encourage polite requests using “Can I… please?” rather than “I want…,”.
We also practiced responding to greetings from teachers and staff with a cheerful “Hello” or “Good morning.”
Additionally, we discussed the importance of kindness when playing or working together. If a friend asks to join a game or activity, the polite response should be welcoming rather than rejecting.

We would also like to thank you sincerely for your generosity in bringing snacks and flowers to school. The children take their snack duties seriously, peeling carrots and cucumbers, spreading jam or peanut butter, and carefully cutting flower stems. During snack time, when everyone thanks the snack duty helper, the child feels a great sense of pride.

As mentioned in the parent information meeting, this is part of Montessori Practical Life. Snack preparation and sharing are valuable exercises practiced in most Montessori schools, guided by principles of healthy eating and community building. The children enjoy this experience greatly as they share food together with their friends.

In Week 5, we concluded our unit on All About Me by focusing on feelings. We identified a wide range of emotions and discussed how we express them. We also explored strategies to turn our feelings around or ways to help ourselves work through them.

We have started a new unit on Our Five Senses, beginning with ‘sight’. The children explored a 3D model of an eye and learned about how our eyes function. They also played a “guess the missing object” game and created their own optical illusion called Bird in a Cage. To end the lesson, we discussed the importance of protecting our eyes from the sun.

Year 1 additional learning covered – Week 5 and 6

Phonics
To identify sounds represented by more than one letter, for example /ch/, /sh/
To use phonic knowledge to read decodable words. Reading CVC words and adjacent vowel / consonants using sounds covered.

Language / Literacy – Reading. Guided Reading groups – Practising fluency of reading and gaining the confidence to recognise sounds and blend them to read words.  Reading comprehension, to be able to answer direct questions about the book.

Language / Literacy- Weekend news
The children planned their writing by recording key words on their planning sheet:. ‘My weekend snapshots’. They concentrated on using capital letters and punctuation when writing their sentences.

Using their writing from Monday – weekend news, the children rewrote the sentences by adding further information and connective words: First, Next, Then, Finally.

Maths
Length
The children had the opportunity to compare objects and learn new vocabulary when describing the length of objects:  longer than, shorter than, longest, shortest.
Odd and even numbers
The children have continued to identify and understand even and odd numbers as ‘every other number’ when counting from 0 to 20.

Number names
Learning the names of the numbers was a fun time had by all. We played matching games to familiarise ourselves with the visual name of numbers and practised writing the names on our white boards: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

Parent Teacher Conferences
Please be informed that Parent Teacher Conferences will be held in person /face to face, in the classroom, on the 29th and 30th of September.

On both of these days, all children; Nursery, Reception and Year 1 should be picked up at 12:00 (Lunch will not be provided).

Please use the attached document to sign up for the time that is convenient for you. Parents with 2 children in the class kindly sign up for back to back slots where possible. A gentle reminder to log in using your child’s school email address. Thank you.

Please arrive on time to adhere to our schedule. We will strictly follow allocated time slots, and there will be no extensions for late arrivals.

Peace Performance
Our Peace Performance will be held on Thursday, 27th November, at 11:30 a.m.
Please let us know by Wednesday, 24 of September if your child will not be attending this event. Further details about the performance will be shared closer to the date.

Kind regards,
Montessori Team

 

Dear Parents,

As we step into the third week, the children have become more receptive to classroom routines and are engaging more deeply in their learning. 

Practical Life activities, an essential area in Montessori classrooms, provide the foundation for children’s independence and confidence. As preliminary exercises, the children have been practising spooning and pouring. They are learning to hold a spoon correctly, an important step toward self reliance when eating snacks and lunch. Dry and wet pouring activities help them develop the skill of holding and stabilising a jug, preparing them for tasks such as pouring milk on Friday. Each activity in Practical Life is intentionally designed with a specific purpose as part of the Montessori prepared environment. Building on these foundations, the Reception children have also been further exposed to sounds and letters. They have been working diligently to practise writing their names using correct letter formation.

In their studies of Indonesia, the full day students explored the country’s rich cultural diversity. They observed a variety of traditional dances and created their own maps to identify the main islands.

Earlier this week, we experienced two days of online learning. It was a big change for everyone, but the children adapted well. Many activities were carried out with great enthusiasm. We are grateful to the parents for their support in ensuring that learning continued smoothly at home.

We continued with engaging activities connected to our unit of inquiry, All About Me. Through observing and learning about ourselves, the children discovered that everyone is unique, with both similarities and differences that make each person special. One enjoyable challenge was creating a symmetrical self-portrait.

This week, we also explored how our bodies work with the help of our organs. Each organ has an important role, and together they help us stay healthy. The children learned how the heart, lungs, and digestive system function and work in harmony. A highlight was the “jelly brain” activity, where they discovered that the brain acts as the body’s control centre, sending messages to the rest of the body. The children also enjoyed a balloon experiment that helped them understand how the lungs work.

A gentle reminder that tomorrow is a public holiday. We will see you on Monday. 

Year 1 additional learning covered – Week 3 and 4

Phonics   

To identify sounds represented by more than one letter, for example /ch/, /sh/

To use phonic knowledge to read decodable words. Reading CVC words and adjacent vowel / consonants using sounds covered. 

Language / Literacy – Reading. Guided Reading groups – Practising fluency of reading and gaining the confidence to recognise sounds and blend them to read words.  Reading comprehension, to be able to answer direct questions about the book.

Language / Literacy – Parts of a book

What do you know about a book? We explored the different parts of a book: Front cover, back cover, title, title page, author, illustrator, pictures. 

Language / Literacy– Weekend news

We reinforced the steps to follow when writing a sentence:  Capital letter, finger space, punctuation.

The children have used their phonic knowledge to write simple sentences. They all shared something special that they did during their weekends. 

Maths 

The children have learned new names and revised the names of 2D shapes. We explored the names of polygons as an extension: pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon, decagon.

Odd and even numbers 

The children are beginning to understand even and odd numbers as ‘every other number’ when counting from 0 to 20.

We looked at  the relative size of quantities to compare and order numbers from 0 to 20.The children were invited to put objects in the correct place showing their understanding of ‘greater than, less than’.

 

Kind regards,

Montessori Team

Dear Parents,
We are delighted to welcome you to our first official Montessori post!
It is wonderful to see that our returning students have been stepping into their roles as positive role models, while our new students are gradually settling in. Occasional morning tears are becoming rare, and we sincerely thank you for your support in helping your children adjust.

As you may know, when the children enter the classroom, they are free to choose any work from the shelves. In this post, we will not be highlighting individual learning experiences but will instead share some general insights into what we do in the classroom.

New students are receiving presentations primarily in Practical Life and Sensorial activities, while returning students are building on their foundation and refining skills in other areas. The children have been enjoying singing, listening to stories, and participating in Grace and Courtesy lessons. Grace and Courtesy is a vital and ongoing part of our Montessori environment, with many presentations given regularly.

A few of these include:
Stopping when they hear the chime or bell
Tucking in their chair when leaving the table
Learning how to carry a chair
Remembering that running is for the playground, while in the classroom we walk with “quiet feet”
Rolling a mat and walking around it
Asking for help using an indoor voice
Learning how to line up

In celebration of Indonesian Independence Day, our full day students were introduced to the traditional games ‘Cublak-Cublak Suweng’ and the all time favourite ‘Makan Krupuk.’ They also joined Primary and Secondary students in fun games on the soccer field.

We have also embarked on a new unit of inquiry: All About Me. Through this, the children are beginning to understand that everyone is different and that those differences are what make each of us special. The cooking activity involved the full day students making their own ‘pancake face’ which they all got to enjoy eating of course!

Finally, the children participated in an important fire drill. They walked calmly to the designated assembly point, joining the rest of the school in practicing this essential safety procedure.

Year 1 learning covered – Week 1 and 2

What is special about you
We had a special time getting to know each other and to familiarise ourselves with the Year 1 learning environment.
Each child got to share something special about themselves. We read the book ‘I’m special, I’m Me’.

Phonics – Learning Objectives: -To know the name of each letter in the English alphabet and the most common sound (phoneme) associated with it.
-To identify sounds represented by more than one letter /sh/, /ch/
-To use phonic knowledge to read decodable words. Reading CVC words and adjacent vowel / consonant words using sounds covered.

Language / Literacy – Reading.
Guided Reading groups – Practising fluency of reading and gaining the confidence to recognise sounds and blend them to read words.

Language / Literacy – Rhyming.
We explored the end sound in words through various games: Matching cards to a word, to pair rhyming word cards and Rhyming bingo cards. We also had fun listening to Nursery rhymes that have words which rhyme.

Language / Literacy- Holiday news
The children have used their phonic knowledge to write words and / or simple sentences. They all shared a special event they did during their holiday break.

Maths
2D shapes
The children have learned and revised the names of 2D shapes. We explored the particular properties or characteristics of these shapes: number of sides, curved or straight.  We made patterns and created fun pictures.

Numbers
As we reviewed our knowledge of numbers, we also learned about the concept of ‘estimating’ a quantity. The children took turns to share their estimation as we counted the objects to check who had the closest estimation.

Kind regards,
Montessori Team