Grassroots 2026: Tread Lightly, Teach Boldly
Over two inspiring days in the Adelaide Hills, the Montessori community came together for MSCA’s 2026 Grassroots Conference, sharing ideas, experiences and a renewed sense of connection.
Held on 12–13 September at the Adelaide Hills Convention Centre in Hahndorf, this year’s conference brought educators, leaders and Montessori professionals together around the theme Tread Lightly, Teach Boldly.
The theme invited attendees to explore both the nature children experience around them and the nature of how they learn, grow and develop. Across the weekend, conversations returned to some of the enduring foundations of Montessori education: careful observation, respect for developmental rhythms, connection with the natural world, and the courage to rethink how learning environments can best serve children and young people.
Beginning with purpose and possibility
Saturday opened with keynote speaker Louka Parry, CEO and Founder of The Learning Future, presenting The Regenerative Future: Reclaiming Our Purpose and Humanity.
Louka encouraged attendees to consider what matters most for learning in a rapidly changing world, exploring human-centred learning, purpose, connection and the timeless relevance of Montessori principles.
From there, the program moved through themes of hope, courage and wisdom, with sessions exploring inclusive education and human potential, ecology and regeneration, neuroscience and the learning brain, Indigenous ways of knowing, observation and intergenerational learning.
Throughout the day, presenters brought together Montessori philosophy, research, lived experience and practical approaches that attendees could take back into their own schools, centres and communities.
The conference was lovely - there was such a warm and beautiful sense of belonging within the Montessori community!
Learning by doing
One of Saturday’s highlights was the program of interactive elective sessions, giving attendees the opportunity to step beyond the traditional conference format and participate in hands-on learning.
Sessions explored photography and Montessori storytelling, nature, mindfulness and creativity, sensory experiences, Dadirri and Montessori observation, fire, music, art, language and belonging.
The electives reflected the Grassroots spirit at its best: Montessori practitioners sharing what they know, trying ideas together and learning from the experiences of colleagues from across Australia.
Connection beyond the sessions
Of course, Grassroots is about more than what happens at the front of the room.
Morning tea, lunch and the spaces between sessions provided plenty of opportunities to reconnect with familiar faces, meet new colleagues and exchange ideas. Saturday concluded with drinks and networking followed by the Conference Dinner, allowing conversations to continue into the evening.
These moments of connection are an important part of the Grassroots Conference, bringing together a community with a shared commitment to Montessori education while creating space for different perspectives, experiences and approaches.
Creativity, belonging and the future of Montessori
Sunday began with Andrew Fuller, author, clinical psychologist, family therapist and MSCA Ambassador, presenting Reverse Engineering Schools/Curating Student Experience.
Andrew explored how schools can intentionally support the cognitive, emotional, social and developmental milestones of young people, considering the journey from school entry through to graduation.
The second day continued with themes of creativity and peace, exploring emotional ecosystems within Montessori classrooms, digital technology, inclusive school communities and the design of Montessori schools for the future.
The afternoon broadened the conversation further through a look at parent learning and MSCA’s Parent Guides, followed by Montessorians Connecting on Country, bringing the two-day program towards a fitting close centred on connection, place and community.
A conference grounded in community
Grassroots began in Adelaide in 2022 as a home-grown MSCA initiative designed to bring the Montessori community together for connection and professional development. After travelling to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, it was fitting to see the conference return to Adelaide in 2026.
Across the weekend, the spirit of Grassroots could be seen not only in the keynote presentations and workshops, but in conversations over coffee, practical activities, shared reflections and the willingness of Montessorians to learn from one another.
A sincere thank you to every presenter, facilitator, attendee, volunteer and member of the wider Montessori community who contributed to the weekend. Your generosity in sharing your knowledge, experiences and ideas is what makes Grassroots possible.
Thank you to our event partner
MSCA’s 2026 Grassroots Conference was proudly supported by Enquiry Tracker.
Enquiry Tracker empowers school marketing and admissions teams with an integrated, innovative solution that streamlines the admissions process and drives sustainable enrolment growth.
MSCA thanks Enquiry Tracker for its support of the 2026 Grassroots Conference and the Montessori community.
Until next time
As the 2026 Grassroots Conference came to a close, attendees left Hahndorf with new ideas to explore, connections to continue and plenty to reflect on.
Tread Lightly, Teach Boldly offered both an invitation and a challenge: to remain deeply attentive to the nature of the child and the world around us, while having the courage to question assumptions, explore new possibilities and continue evolving Montessori practice.
Thank you to everyone who joined MSCA in Adelaide and helped make Grassroots 2026 such a memorable weekend. We look forward to bringing the Montessori community together again at Grassroots 2027.
Stay connected with MSCA
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Enjoyed Grassroots 2026?
Keep the learning and connection going. MSCA offers a range of upcoming webinars, workshops, events and professional learning opportunities throughout the year.
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