Transition to ‘traditional’ schools
What our graduates say
How did you find transitioning to a different school?
Saffron Kakulas
Graduated 2018
Izzy Hollingdale
Graduated 2014
It was initially challenging to move to a different school structure (six different classes in one day and switching topics on demand was exhausting!), but I was able to adapt to get the most out of my new environment very quickly.
I loved my final years at high school; however, I was grateful to have stayed at Beehive until Year 9 as I think the ability to so freely pursue my real interests (such as music, history, sport and teaching younger year levels in the same class) prepared me well to focus in on those passions, and guided me through the key choices and decisions of my later school years.
What has been the greatest benefit of your time at Beehive?
Jes Bromley
The unique learning structure of the Montessori system placed great emphasis on the development of independent learning. This fostered an excellent work ethic that I could apply to areas outside academics, such as sports. I have pursued a very traditional sport, competing internationally in karate. Now that I travel solo overseas for tournaments, I have come to appreciate the sense of independence that Beehive instilled in me.
Beehive has instilled in me the ability to learn and thrive in a non-conformist environment, and I have found this useful in the karate community, especially while in Japan. The Montessori approach also taught me how to effectively work amidst distractions. This skill has been crucial in developing
my concentration and focus. The emphasis on completing a task with progressively increasing outcomes has greatly enhanced my work ethic, not only in academics but in my sporting endeavours as well.
The Montessori system encouraged a growth mindset, teaching me to continually strive for improvement and to set higher standards for myself. This has translated into a strong work ethic that is characterised by a persistent drive for excellence and a dedication to achieving increasingly ambitious goals.
Beehive contributed to the development of a unique athlete mindset for me, focusing more on intrinsic rather than extrinsic achievement. The Montessori system centres on self-improvement rather than comparing yourself with others. This helped me to understand that the value of sporting success is not in outside validation but in enjoying my own journey and reaching inner satisfaction.
Jes is a Seven-times national karate champion and has represented Australia in the sport
Hannah Fitzhardinge
Beehive taught me how to be curious, the importance of grounding your decisions in life in strong personal values, and that no matter who you are, you are ‘equally human’. Beehive didn’t teach me to fear failure – and to that I attribute much of my success.
Hannah is a Beehive graduate and Mayor of Fremantle (2022 – present)
A parent's perspective
Parenting is a challenge – we all want the very best for our children, all the time, and education is a major place where we can actually make a difference for them. Choosing Beehive was not straight-forward as we considered the many options in the education landscape. Going for something outside mainstream is hard when all around you are opting for the local primary school or private school. We didn't have the benefit of knowing others who'd been through the the system, had no evidence that it worked, that they would come out safely on the other side! So we went with our hearts, knowing there must be something other than sitting behind a desk with 20 – 30 other kids with a teacher up the front.
The launching of the Adolescent Program worked perfectly for us and we felt assured that they could develop safely and happily through the turbulent adolescent years, surrounded by committed and caring teachers. Educationally, we could make more of a direct comparison at this stage and Beehive came out way ahead – offering so many more genuine opportunities (other schools offer things like media or drama as options but not everyone can do everything – at Beehive they can and do), and much more supervised and individualised tuition. Their understanding of themselves and how they work and fit into the world was highly developed by the time they left for the big world of high-school.
They both had the confidence to manage until they made friends, to stand by what they believed and only join in where they felt comfortable. Their presentation and study skills far surpassed their peers and their level of academic achievement was more than sufficient. We don’t deny that there were some holes, but other kids have that when they transition form one school to another, it is to be expected, and there was nothing significant missing that they didn’t have the ability to catch up on.
There is no doubt in our minds that our girls benefited enormously from the education that Beehive gave them and they will continue to reap those benefits for the rest of their lives. If you want well-rounded, self-knowledgable, capable and contributing kids then look no firther than Beehive!
— Sophie Chamberlain
Our family has been at Beehive since the beginning of our boy's education journey. They both started at age 3. We've been with the school for 11 years now.
Initially it was tough for us as parents. We were unsure about leaving them for so long at such a young age. Especially when, in the early days, they would cry as we walked away in the morning. It really tugged at the heart. But, we had researched the school and pedagogy extensively. We had spoken at length with both the teacher Christine, and Principal Rhonda, about what was best for the boys. We decided to put faith into the school and their long experience in helping children manage and grow into the Montessori method.
Our faith has been paid back in spades.
Our oldest son is now a year from graduating Beehive at the end of 2025, whilst the youngest will enter the Adolescent program in 2025. As we reflect on our Beehive and Montessori experience, what has become glaringly apparent is how important the Adolescent Program is.. It is truly the culmination of the previous 9 years. The final chapter in which all the different aspects of the Montessori methodology culminate. We always suspected the last 3 years were important. Now, half way through AP, we understand they bring together the threads. They complete the base upon which our children can grow into confident adults that will contribute to their world.
To skip the Adolescent Program is akin to reading a great novel and skipping the final chapters. It cannot be fully appreciated until the final line is read, the story complete.
There is no doubt that the first 9 years at Beehive had a tremendous impact on our boys. But we now realise that it’s these final 3 years, when they are changing physically and emotionally into young adults, that Beehive and its adherence to hi-fidelity Montessori methods will have the greatest, most important impact. Our boys are able to test and grow into who they want to be in a safe and supportive environment. Surrounded by people who care. Who truly understand them and what they need to grow into themselves and the world.
The old adage that it takes a community to bring up a child is well and truly proven true at Beehive.
— Don Surjan
