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Denice Scala

B.A, M.Ed, Dip ED, Dip RSA, Cert. Neuroscience. Principal, Forestville Montessori School. Denice Scala is an executive leader with extensive experience in key strategic roles requiring business transformation and innovation. As a passionate advocate for the power of education to enrich lives, Denice moved from classroom teaching to leadership positions in 1992 and since then has held international in roles in Scotland and Australia as Principal, Head of Junior School, and Head of Learning Support. She has an impressive working knowledge of early learning, primary, middle, and secondary schooling including gifted education and special needs. Her Masters in Gifted Education led her to work extensively to find ways to cater for gifted students. This led to providing professional development opportunities for educators to assist in their understanding of the characteristics of gifted children and the complexities of growing up gifted. Denice’s unparalleled grasp of current educational realities is equally matched by her big picture thinking combined with practical solutions to navigate change. Denice’s passion for Montessori education led her to undertake the AMI Introduction to Adolescents Course, to audit the AMI 6-12 Diploma, and to also currently undertake the AMI School Administration Certificate Course.

Montage of the world on a child's face.

The World Needs Montessori Children

By Montessori Philosophy No Comments
Curious about why?    Watch the first of a series of videos where our families and teachers share their experiences of a Montessori education. Hear from one of our founders, Sue Birdsall about the benefits of a Montessori education for your child. Would love to hear your thoughts, please comment below! “Our care of the child should be governed, not by the desire to make him learn things, but by…
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Child exploring through a magnifying glass.

Five Reasons to Share Why You Chose Montessori

By Montessori Philosophy No Comments
You made the decision to enroll your child (or children) in a Montessori school and you couldn’t be happier.  You see the benefits, you relish in the joy your child has for learning, and you know you made the right choice.  But for whatever reason, you may hesitate to share this with other parents.  Why do families hesitate to actively advocate for Montessori?  Here are five reasons to reconsider: 1.…
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A mother and child cooking, creating family rituals

Creating Family Rituals

By FMS Values, Helpful Hints, Montessori Basics, Montessori Philosophy, Talking with children No Comments
“See you in the morning, Hoot, Hoot,” sings my daughter, “See you in the morning, Hoot Hoot,” me echoing a reply. This is the silly song you would hear in our family home every night before my daughter goes to bed.  It started after watching Giggle and Hoot when she was oh so young and we’ve continued ever since.  Now she tells me that is she goes for a sleepover…
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Read our 2018 Annual Report

By Montessori Basics No Comments
Central to everything we do is our Montessori philosophy and our commitment to providing the highest quality of Montessori education through our Birth to age 12 programs. This is strengthened by our vision and our core values. To make this happen, we focus on aligning all that we do in our day to day practices to support our students in their growth and development, our staff in their passion for…
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Children playing in a pond

Engaged or Bored? How to Tell What Your Child is Feeling at School

By Emotional Wellbeing, Montessori Basics, Montessori Learning, Montessori Philosophy No Comments
How do you know what your child is feeling at school? A familiar scenario: your child comes home from school, and you, the interested parent, eagerly ask them how their day was and what they did.  While some children will happily relay the day’s events, most shrug and say, “Good” without offering any detail.  Don’t worry - this is totally normal.  After all, it’s not even really a question about…
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Making a Difference – What is the Role of the Montessori Teacher?

By Montessori Educators, Montessori Learning, Montessori Philosophy No Comments
What, exactly, is the role of the Montessori teacher?  How is it so different from that of any other teacher? Sometimes it’s easiest to begin by explaining what a Montessori teacher isn’t. A Montessori teacher is less like the traditional idea of an instructor, and more like a gentle guide.  They don’t consider it their job to give a child information.  They rather lead children in the general direction and…
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Mathematics through the levels

Montessori Basics: How Mathematics Progresses Through the Levels

By Montessori Basics, Montessori Educators No Comments
In Montessori, you know your four year old loves their classroom and their work.  You know their teachers are guiding them to learn early mathematical skills.  But what, exactly, does that look like?  And how does it change as they get older?  Montessori mathematics materials are nothing short of amazing.  While they look quite different than what we used growing up (pencil, paper and textbooks) there are intentional reasons for…
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Show Mum how much you care on Mother's Day

5 Simple Ways to Show Her You Care on Mother’s Day

By Montessori Philosophy, Parenting No Comments
Everyone loves to feel appreciated.  With Mother’s Day coming up next Sunday, it’s a great time to think of how you might show the mothers and carers in your life what they mean to you.  Here at FMS our students are getting ready to host a Mother’s Day morning tea, but in the meantime, we offer five simple ideas to celebrate and care for the woman who cares for everyone.…
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Students of different ages working together on a task

The Benefits of Multi-Age Grouping

By Montessori Basics No Comments
One hallmark of a Montessori education is the use of multi-age classrooms.  While Montessori is not the only type of education that utilizes this approach, it’s not what most people are used to.  What are the benefits of structuring a classroom this way?  Read on to learn more... Learning at an Individual Pace Children in multi-age classrooms tend to have a little more flexibility when it comes to mastering skills…
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