Welcome to the gardens of the Montessori Children’s House in Auchenflower, Brisbane. This photo

essay gives a glimpse into the beautiful, natural learning environment that the children experience

nurture throughout the year.

From oFrom oFrom oFrom outside to insideutside to insideutside to insideutside to inside…a…a…a…and nd nd nd

back againback againback againback again

Two towering Moreton Bay Ash Moreton Bay Ash Moreton Bay Ash Moreton Bay Ash

((((Corymbia tessellaris)Corymbia tessellaris)Corymbia tessellaris)Corymbia tessellaris) greet

families each morning as they

walk up the hill to the Children’s

House. This ghost gum can be

identified by its distinctive

stocking of tessellated bark on the

lower part of the trunk (see

right). The rough dark grey bark

abruptly changes to a smooth

cream. It typically flowers

between mid-winter and early

summer. But this year, like many

trees in Brisbane, it flowered a

second time in mid-summer. You

will always know when the tree is in bloom

However, rainbow lorikeets, which absolutely love this eucalypt, kindly pitch them down to the ground for all

to see up close. They make a fabulous mess

aromatic mulch scented with eucalyptus.

One of the wonderful aspects of our Children’s House is how learning flows from the natural world outside

the classroom...and back again. In the annex, there is

encouraged to bring in items of interest

The children delight in looking, touching,

Montessori Children’s HouseMontessori Children’s HouseMontessori Children’s HouseMontessori Children’s House

ABN 86 010 125 470

19 Wienholt Street, Auchenflower QLD 4066

Tel. (07) 3371 7090

Email. childrenshouse@montessori-auchenflower.com.au

Website. www.montessori-auchenflower.com.au

Welcome to the gardens of the Montessori Children’s House in Auchenflower, Brisbane. This photo

essay gives a glimpse into the beautiful, natural learning environment that the children experience

lways know when the tree is in bloom. The small abundant flowers start out high in the branche

absolutely love this eucalypt, kindly pitch them down to the ground for all

ake a fabulous mess to sweep up but the spent twigs, leaves and flowers make for

eucalyptus.

One of the wonderful aspects of our Children’s House is how learning flows from the natural world outside

In the annex, there is an ever-changing Nature Table and the children are

of interest from home to share and study with their group

touching, feeling, admiring, discussing and asking questions.

Montessori Children’s HouseMontessori Children’s HouseMontessori Children’s HouseMontessori Children’s House

ABN 86 010 125 470

19 Wienholt Street, Auchenflower QLD 4066

Tel. (07) 3371 7090

auchenflower.com.au

auchenflower.com.au

A kindergarten affiliated with Gowrie (QLD)

A member of the Montessori Australia Foundation

A Queensland Government

K ndergarten Approved Program provider

Assessment and Ratings:

Exceeding National Quality StandardExceeding National Quality StandardExceeding National Quality StandardExceeding National Quality Standard

A Year in the Gardens of the A Year in the Gardens of the A Year in the Gardens of the A Year in the Gardens of the

Montessori Children’s House, 2015Montessori Children’s House, 2015Montessori Children’s House, 2015Montessori Children’s House, 2015

1

Welcome to the gardens of the Montessori Children’s House in Auchenflower, Brisbane. This photo

essay gives a glimpse into the beautiful, natural learning environment that the children experience and

. The small abundant flowers start out high in the branches.

absolutely love this eucalypt, kindly pitch them down to the ground for all

the spent twigs, leaves and flowers make for

One of the wonderful aspects of our Children’s House is how learning flows from the natural world outside to

and the children are

to share and study with their group (see photo on page 2).

and asking questions.

A kindergarten affiliated with Gowrie (QLD)

he Montessori Australia Foundation

A Queensland Government

ndergarten Approved Program provider

Assessment and Ratings:

Exceeding National Quality StandardExceeding National Quality StandardExceeding National Quality StandardExceeding National Quality Standard

A Year in the Gardens of the A Year in the Gardens of the A Year in the Gardens of the A Year in the Gardens of the

Montessori Children’s House, 2015Montessori Children’s House, 2015Montessori Children’s House, 2015Montessori Children’s House, 2015

2

Back outside, the children water and tend the garden beds, collect leaves for mulch, and put vegetable and

fruit scraps in the compost or feed the worm farm.

Many of the activities in the classroom also reflect what they see and experience in nature. To take just one

example, the children learn how to tessellate or tile a flat surface using one or more geometric shapes with no

overlaps and no gaps—the same principle behind the arrangement of sunflower seeds, the spiral-shaped

honeycomb of the native bees, and beautiful mosaics in art and architecture.

Photo: Tim Heard

“Children have an anxious concern for

living beings, and the satisfaction of

this instinct fills them with delight. It

is therefore easy to interest them in

taking care of plants and especially of

animals. Nothing awakens foresight in

a small child, who lives as a rule for the

passing moment and without care for

the morrow, so much as this.”

————Maria MontessoriMaria MontessoriMaria MontessoriMaria Montessori

3

The gardens by seasonThe gardens by seasonThe gardens by seasonThe gardens by season

SummerSummerSummerSummer

The Australian native paper daisies (Australian native paper daisies (Australian native paper daisies (Australian native paper daisies (Xerochrysum or Helichysum bracteatumXerochrysum or Helichysum bracteatumXerochrysum or Helichysum bracteatumXerochrysum or Helichysum bracteatum)))) were a great success in the

seasonal garden, opposite the entrance to the Children’s House. Planted in November 2014, they lasted right

through a long hot summer to greet the children upon return in late January 2015. The colours of the daisies

are vibrant, the feel and texture of the flowers are surprising, and the blooms are long-lasting both on and off

the plant. They also seem to be a preferred perch for cicadas to shed and leave their shells. This year, two beds

of paper daisies were planted in the Secret Garden in early October, which are now in full bloom. This time

around, one of the daisies is a pastel pink.

In late January and early February 2015, Blue Tiger Butterflies Blue Tiger Butterflies Blue Tiger Butterflies Blue Tiger Butterflies ((((Tirumala hamataTirumala hamataTirumala hamataTirumala hamata) appeared in surprising

numbers in the Secret Garden. As it happened, the rainy and hot conditions were just right for a bumper

season. Thanks, too, must be given to our neighbours whose lush green backyard adjoins the garden. In

particular, their Ivory Curl Tree (Ivory Curl Tree (Ivory Curl Tree (Ivory Curl Tree (Buckinghamia celsissimaBuckinghamia celsissimaBuckinghamia celsissimaBuckinghamia celsissima)))),,,, which spills over the fence, attracted the

butterflies in abundance. The best time to see them was early in the morning.

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AutumnAutumnAutumnAutumn

By March, the Seasonal Garden was looking weary, so the native daisies and dahlias were replaced with violas violas violas violas

and snapdragonssnapdragonssnapdragonssnapdragons to add colour and fun for the autumn and winter. The first planting was met with a series of

downpours and most of the seedlings didn’t make it. But the second round planted in early April proved

remarkably resilient, lasting right through to the final week of the school year...over 6 months in full bloom.

The northerly aspect of the garden and some timely Spring showers seemed to be the magic combination on

this occasion. Lucy guided the children in painting and flower pressing to make bookmarks. In early April,

Easter was celebrated with Easter egg hunts in the Secret Garden.

Perennial herbs are a feature of the Mediterranean garden near the climbing frame with an expansive

rosemary bush under the olive tree. As part of the commemoration of ANZAC Day, each child took home a

sprig of rosemary. This year, lemongrass was planted next to the rosemary with good success. Drought-tolerant

and weed-resistant, the bulbs of the plant chopped finely ar

and the long strappy leaves can be chopped fresh

soothing herbal tea.

WinterWinterWinterWinter

The Secret Garden seeks to showcase

plants, provide a year-round food source for our native bees, and offer

parents, grandparents and carers) as well as local ins

Residents and visitors over the year have included skinks, ring

currawongs, magpies and the Eastern (or Common) Koel bird. Glossy black with a striking red

Koel migrates from New Guinea to northern and eastern Australia

breed. The adults are rather shy and not so easy to spot but the distinctive and plaintive

bird seeking a mate can be readily heard during day and

July, albeit never very cold, the Brisbane Golden Wattle or Fringed Wattle (

lavender in the Mediterranean garden bloom

setting and inspiration for each group to create

, the bulbs of the plant chopped finely are a common ingredient in Southe

can be chopped fresh and infused in boiling water to become a delicious and

en seeks to showcase just a little of the astonishing variety and beauty of Australian native

urce for our native bees, and offer a haven for the children (and

parents, grandparents and carers) as well as local insects, birds and wildlife. Plant it and they will come!

Residents and visitors over the year have included skinks, ring-tail possums, rainbow lorikeets, kookaburras,

currawongs, magpies and the Eastern (or Common) Koel bird. Glossy black with a striking red

Koel migrates from New Guinea to northern and eastern Australia in late September and early October

and not so easy to spot but the distinctive and plaintive

be readily heard during day and often into the night. In the midst of winter in early

July, albeit never very cold, the Brisbane Golden Wattle or Fringed Wattle (Acacia FimbriataAcacia FimbriataAcacia FimbriataAcacia Fimbriata

lavender in the Mediterranean garden bloomed magnificently. In late June, the Secret Garden was

each group to create collaborative works of art for auction at the gala night.

5

e a common ingredient in Southeast Asian cuisine

to become a delicious and

the astonishing variety and beauty of Australian native

a haven for the children (and their

ects, birds and wildlife. Plant it and they will come!

tail possums, rainbow lorikeets, kookaburras,

currawongs, magpies and the Eastern (or Common) Koel bird. Glossy black with a striking red eye, the Eastern

in late September and early October to

and not so easy to spot but the distinctive and plaintive “coo-ee” of the male

into the night. In the midst of winter in early

Acacia FimbriataAcacia FimbriataAcacia FimbriataAcacia Fimbriata) ) ) ) and the French

, the Secret Garden was also the

collaborative works of art for auction at the gala night.

6

SpringSpringSpringSpring

A kitchen garden of potted

vegetables and herbs was added for

the beginning of Term 3, including

French green beans, two varieties of

cherry tomatoes, rocket (arugula),

four varieties of lettuce, coriander

(cilantro), thyme, sweet basil, Italian

parsley, sage, mint, oregano and

chives. Beans and lettuce were

harvested and served as part of the

French lunches for each group to

celebrate Bastille Day.

The tomatoes and herbs were

savoured over several months, and to enable the children to experience their full life cycle, the rocket and

lettuce were allowed to flower and go to seed. Rocket flowers are not only delicious and decorative to add to

salads but also a favourite of our native bees (see photo). During Term 4, the tall and dry lettuce stalks were cut

and the children collected and saved the small lettuce seeds for planting next year—a great activity for

developing fine motor skills, too. Family Day was celebrated in late October. As part of the event, the MCH

community was treated to a fabulous wildlife encounter with Wild Rangers, including the opportunity to hold

a Stimson Python from the desert of Central Australia, meet Freddo the Magnificent Tree Frog, pat Crunch the

Saltwater Crocodile, and admire Donald the Tawny Frogmouth and Bubblegum the Blue-Tongue Skink.

Into SummerInto SummerInto SummerInto Summer

To round out the garden year, a small stand of

The variety planted was “Sunbird”, which is

on 2 to 2.5 metre stems. They proved another favourite for our native bees. The seeds w

Green Harvest, a supplier of organic gardening supplies based in Maleny

seeds suited to local conditions as well

sunflower head and carefully harvested the

calm and fascination for both boys and girls in

was given a seedling to take home to plant and pluck and enjoy over the summer. The children had a choice of

mignonette lettuce, sweet basil, native violet or nasturtium.

small stand of sunflowers bloomed during November in the kitchen garden.

which is drought-tolerant, disease-resistant and produces multiple flowers

on 2 to 2.5 metre stems. They proved another favourite for our native bees. The seeds w

Green Harvest, a supplier of organic gardening supplies based in Maleny. This business is

as well as helpful advice. In the final week of school, the children cut a mature

head and carefully harvested the grey-striped seeds using tweezers. It proved to be an activity of

for both boys and girls in each group. And to celebrate the Christmas season,

to plant and pluck and enjoy over the summer. The children had a choice of

mignonette lettuce, sweet basil, native violet or nasturtium.

7

in the kitchen garden.

produces multiple flowers

on 2 to 2.5 metre stems. They proved another favourite for our native bees. The seeds were purchased from

This business is a fantastic source of

In the final week of school, the children cut a mature

seeds using tweezers. It proved to be an activity of

o celebrate the Christmas season, each child

to plant and pluck and enjoy over the summer. The children had a choice of

8

CCCComing in 2016oming in 2016oming in 2016oming in 2016

Thank you to the teachers, children and all in the MCH community who have nurtured and appreciated the

gardens during 2015 and to the families who have offered to water over the long break. From all forecasts, we

can expect a very hot summer ahead.

Plans are underway for a fuller kitchen garden program in the New Year, including the addition of Australian

bush tucker plants. Scrambling Lily anyone? The young shoots taste just like asparagus. But, for now, it is time

for the beds to rest and replenish and for the nutrient-rich bounty of the compost bins to be dug in so that the

worms and other critters in the soil can work their magic under mulch. Wishing all a joyous and safe holiday

season. See you in the gardens in 2016.