Our History

(1979 – Present) The Hills Montessori Pre-school and the Hills Montessori Society were established by parents from north-west Sydney who had been travelling long distances so their children could have the opportunity of a Montessori education. They travelled to schools in Lindfield and Turramurra. At a meeting of the parents from Lindfield, Turramurra and the North Sydney Montessori schools, Bev White became encouraged to start a new school in the north-west.

The pre-school opened on the 1Oth of September, 1979, with 23 children in two groups. Each group attended a mixture of morning and afternoon sessions during the week. In 1980, an extended day class was started; the class had 25 children.

In March1980, the legal entity known as Hills Montessori Society came into being as a Company Limited by Guarantee. At the inaugural General Meeting the first council was officially elected and was comprised of Nancye Elliott, Sue Kurtz, Janet Harris, Jeremy Miller, Sandy Stockwell, Bruce Wheatley and Bev White.

Even as the school carried on functioning a problem arose with the premises. It had been sold and we were required to vacate within the month. We found a beautiful new environment in the Reorganised Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, at Lot 5 Taylor Street, West Pennant Hills, which we still occupy to this day.

A newsletter which was published in August 1980 describes the new premises as “a quiet, outdoor environment with country air, sheep and geese on one side of the playground and a peacock on the other." The move took place over the September holidays.

Today the Hills Montessori Pre-School has grown and the children are divided into three classes each referred to by the names of Australian native birds – Brolgas, Kookaburras and Currawongs.

Apart from the above, the school also runs an Under 3’s Program three days a week, a Home Environment program which operates five days a week and our Extended Day class, which also operates five days a week.

In the year 2009, we are celebrating the school's 30th Anniversary.  We have put together a summary of the history of the Hills Montessori School over the past 30 years.  You can download it from the following link: 30th Anniversary Booklet