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AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM MSCA – PART 1

Why MSCA Was Established

Montessori Schools and Centres Australia (MSCA) formed in 2019 in response to community concerns and a broad desire to support a representative peak body for Montessori in Australia. Several open forums were held in 2018 and 2019 involving the heads of schools and centres. throughout Australia. From these forums a clear mandate was offered by the participants. This directive from school and centre leaders was to have a not-for-profit peak body that: comprised a strong democratic governance structure; was representative of the whole Montessori community; and would adhere to the practice of honesty and transparency. Another important aspect of this mandate was to have a membership-based organisation where you would have your say and an opportunity to vote about the future direction of services to be delivered by that peak body.

An appeal to the then-current peak body, Montessori Australia Foundation (MAF), was made to enable them to consider this mandate. Unfortunately, this organisation was in unresolvable financial difficulty and subsequently fell into liquidation, with its assets offered to the highest bidder by the liquidator. MSCA worked to purchase the assets, but we were unsuccessful.

MSCA recognises the many positive programs and services developed by MAF over its 14 years. Immediately upon forming MSCA as a new peak body, we set out to learn from both the strengths of the organisation, as well as the faults that may have led to its eventual demise. We believe an organisation’s strength and sustainability relies on its values, principles and the strong foundational structure of governance. We are extremely confident and excited about what we have created in MSCA for the Montessori community in Australia.

In 2022, MSCA became the official Australian affiliate of the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), the recognised international authority on Montessori education. Founded in 1929, AMI was established by Maria Montessori to maintain the integrity of her life’s work, and to ensure that it would be perpetuated after her death.

MSCA was formed at your request and as such we are working for you and the future sustainability and authenticity of Montessori in Australia. When necessary, we will advocate for appropriate procedures, integrity, and the rightful protection of Montessori assets made available to the wider community. When things happen in our community that go against our principles, we will speak up about it and represent you, your rights, and your needs.

 

*First published in 2021; updated in 2024.
 

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