Adolescent Program
12-15 years
"I want to discover how I can contribute to the world"
The Beehive Montessori Adolescent Program offers an exciting opportunity for adolescents to learn in an environment that provides real life experiences and work that brings the curriculum to life.
Adolescence marks the beginning of the transition from childhood to adulthood, and this is a challenging process of physical and mental maturation. Physically, this is a time of rapid change and intellectually this is an age of great social development, when the adolescent seeks to find their place in their society, and understand what their unique contribution to this might be.
It is also a time of critical thinking and re-evaluation, and a period of self-reflection. The Beehive Montessori Adolescent Program recognises these special characteristics of adolescence, and is designed to assist children in their progression into the exciting adventure of finding their unique place in the world as adults.
Autonomy and active learning
The Adolescent needs a learning environment that allows them to feel ‘adult’ and take part in real-world ‘work’, not sit at a desk all day. An important part of this environment is in providing opportunities for choice. Students have autonomy to manage different aspects of the urban farm, such as harvesting honey and maintaining the beehives, as well as learning barista skills, working in the Coastal Café and creating meals for the community.
Students study all the curriculum as required by state and national bodies including English, Mathematics, Humanities, Science, Economics, Languages, The Arts and Health – but within an alternate learning framework with a focus on active learning through doing. In Science and Humanities, students take part in a five-week unit of study, culminating with project work, and oral presentations on topics of their own choice
Core learning areas
Creating confident writers, imaginative thinkers and informed citizens is the aim of our English program. Students develop the skills to analyse, understand, communicate and build relationships within their world through the study of literature, literacy and language.
The Mathematics program aims to advance the numeracy capabilities that all students need in their personal, work and civic life. All elements of the Australian Math Curriculum are covered, however, our lessons attempt to frame the concepts in a real-world example to contextualise and consolidate the student’s understanding. The primary goal is to develop numeracy, logical thinking, an ordered mind, fearless learning and problem-solving skills.
In keeping with Maria Montessori’s concept of an integrated curriculum, our science program explores the interwoven nature of all scientific branches: Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Earth Science, and includes the study of the universe as an interconnected system; engaging, hands-on projects exploring topics that resonate with each individual student; an understanding of scientific and experimental methods, including ethical considerations; and an appreciation of the great work of historical figures.
Students develop an understanding of key historical, geographical, civic and economic concepts as well as people, places, values and systems across time and place. This includes the capacity to use inquiry methods and skills, including questioning, researching using reliable sources, analysing, evaluating and communicating.
We provide a wide range of activities to meet the adolescent need for self-expression. Students take part in an annual drama production, have ongoing music theory and ensemble opportunities, and engage in workshops with a variety of visual artists from the local community.
Italian continues through to the middle school as the second language of choice.
At Beehive, the focus of physical activity is to expose students to a variety of activities they might like to pursue further as part of living a healthy lifestyle, rather than having an emphasis on competitive sport. This is also an opportunity to create links with adults from the larger, local community. These activities vary widely and include; surfing, golf, tennis, fencing, floorball, trampolining, rock climbing, water polo and yoga.
Students learn the basics of economics and marketing through running their own small-scale business, called ‘Coastal’. This sells honey and wax products, as well as running a café for the community.
Students create and revisit their business model, marketing strategies and launch new products or services as they see fit. This also provides students with purposeful ways to use technology and social media as a marketing tool.
Students study Science by interacting with the small-scale urban farm environment on site. The farm includes a chicken coop, beehives, an aquaponics system, organic vegetable garden and a bike shed.
Our Adolescent Program Teachers
Brendan Giambazi
La Casa della Terra
Carolyn O'Toole
La Casa della Terra
