Our Journey
History
History of Morning Star Montessori
MSM is a founding member of the South African Montessori Association (SAMA), a body that ensures quality standards in Montessori schools throughout South Africa. MSM is a FULL level member of SAMA, a status enjoyed by few schools in South Africa. MSM is registered with all the necessary government bodies including the Department of Social Development and the Department of Basic Education (registration details are available on request).
2000
Founding
Morning Star came into being in 2000 to serve the needs of the owner, Jenny Miller’s grandchildren Christopher, Alexandra and Lee and later Adam and Sadie albeit remotely.
Since 2000 it’s founding years when there were only babies in the group, friends and family have asked that their children be cared for at Morning Star and so Morning Star the school has grown to cater for all children from toddler stage to entering high school in grade 8.
2014
Junior Primary
In 2014 at the request of preschool parents the Junior Primary campus was bought and set up for the 13 number of children who under the guidance of Kara Broli, Head of Department Primary School, continued their Montessori Elementary (6-9) education until 2020 when the Senior Primary ((9-12) children completed their phase.
2020 / 2021
Senior Primary
In 2020 the Covid-19 epidemic changed schooling as we know it and online learning became a reality.
In 2021 four of the previous Senior Primary phase children, having completed their Elementary Montessori education continued in Morning Star using the online Cambridge curriculum but within the Morning Star and Montessori ethos. With growing numbers, growing bodies and different modes of education including the introduction of exams in preparation for the high school education to come, the Senior Primary moved to the new campus, the newly acquired 3rd building in Nevada Crescent, Faerie Glen, Pretoria.
2021
Growing School
By 2021 Morning Star now had:
- Toddlers (18 months to 3 years)
- Preschool (3 years to 6 years)
- Junior Primary (6 years to 9 years)
- Senior Primary (9 years to 12 years)
- Middle School ( 12+ and beyond)
An internationally recognized, quality standard curriculum such as Cambridge, delivered online, combined with Morning Star tutor support and ethos of “good” seems to be the future of education in South Africa offering a great combination of a quality, nurturing educational environment ensuring that the aims and objectives of the school are achieved.