In 2025, Montessori Academy proudly brought together our dedicated educators and team members for the Gala Awards across Canberra, Melbourne, and Sydney.
This year’s celebrations were especially significant, marking 25 years of Montessori Academy, a milestone honouring a legacy built on passion, purpose, and a deep commitment to children’s learning and wellbeing. The gala evenings celebrated the excellence, dedication, and innovation of our teams, while expressing heartfelt appreciation for their essential role in delivering high-quality early childhood education and care to children and families across our communities.
Canberra – November 22, 2025 | Hotel Realm
On 22nd November 2025, the Canberra Gala was hosted at Hotel Realm, bringing together our teams for an intimate and inspiring evening. The event honoured the dedication and achievements of early childhood educators, preschool teachers, and childcare professionals who continue to make a meaningful impact in the Canberra community.
Highlights of the evening included thoughtful speeches, a reflective Year in Review, and award presentations recognising years of service, children’s favourite educators, and outstanding contributions. With live entertainment, shared dining, and opportunities to connect on the dance floor, the gala provided a warm and uplifting setting to celebrate excellence and reflect on our collective journey in early childhood education and care.
Melbourne – December 6, 2025 | Ritz-Carlton Melbourne
The Melbourne Gala was a refined and celebratory evening, hosted at The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne. Guests enjoyed a thoughtfully curated program featuring milestone reflections through the 25-year anniversary video, inspiring leadership speeches, and a comprehensive awards program recognising anniversaries, children’s choice, stellar achievements, and team excellence.
With live entertainment, shared dining, and a lively DJ set, the evening fostered a sense of connection, celebration, and pride among Melbourne teams. The gala highlighted the passion and unity of our educators and staff, showcasing the lasting impact they make in delivering quality early childhood education.
Sydney – December 20, 2025 | Rosehill Gardens
The Sydney Gala, held on 20th December 2025 at Rosehill Gardens, marked a spectacular finale to the 2025 celebrations. The evening brought together a large and vibrant gathering of team members, honouring the dedication and excellence of educators and professionals across the Montessori Academy network.
Guests were welcomed with dramatic live drummers and immersive lighting, setting the tone for a night of recognition and celebration. The program featured inspiring leadership speeches, the 25-year anniversary video, and an extensive awards ceremony recognising years of service, minor, and major organisational awards. With live performances, shared dining, and a lively dance floor, the Sydney Gala created lasting memories and celebrated the collective impact of our teams in shaping young lives through early childhood education and care.
Celebrating 25 Years and Looking Ahead
As Montessori Academy celebrates 25 years of excellence, the 2025 Gala Awards served as both a reflection on our journey and a tribute to the people shaping our future. Across Canberra, Melbourne, and Sydney, these evenings recognised the dedication, professionalism, and heart of our educators and teams, whose daily work provides meaningful learning experiences for children and families.
The milestone celebrations reinforced the strength of our Montessori Academy community and the shared values that unite our centres across every state. Looking ahead, we remain committed to supporting our teams, fostering connections, and continuing to deliver high-quality early childhood education for generations to come. The 2025 Gala Awards were not only a celebration of achievements but a proud moment in the ongoing story of Montessori Academy.
Canberra Gala Night 2025
Melbourne Gala Night 2025
Sydney Gala Night 2025
Congratulations to our 2025 award winners!
| Employee of the Year | Breanna M. |
| Shining Star NSW | Vicki G. |
| Shining Star VIC | Geeta D. |
| Shining Star ACT | Arnel B. |
| NQS 1 Excellence in Education Award | Belmore Montessori Academy Queanbeyan Montessori Academy |
| NQS 2 Advocacy for Children Award | Croydon Montessori Academy Box Hill Montessori Academy |
| NQS 3 Sustainability Award | Newcastle Montessori Academy |
| NQS 4 Outstanding Team Award | Chatswood Montessori Academy Gungahlin Montessori Academy Elsternwick Montessori Academy |
| NQS 6 Community Links Award | Gymea Montessori Academy Clayton Montessori Academy |
| NQS 7 Leadership Award | Oran Park Montessori Academy |
| Centre Support Award | Quality & Safety Managers |
| Excellence in Montessori Practice Award | North Parramatta |
| Montessori Spirit Award | Lane Cove Stokes Street |
| Montessori Impact Award | Bernadette A. |
20 Year Anniversary
| Jessica B. |
15 Year Anniversary
| Mandy B. | Rajany R. |
| Yuri K. | Rima M. |
| Kristina S. | Zoe B. |
| Shahana C. |
10 Year Anniversary
| Chera N. | Najah I. |
| Breanna M. | Suman K. |
| Yasmine P. | Jinane S. |
| Nour E. | Ami T. |
| Shehla J. | Suzana T. |
| Zeina N. | Melissa W. |
| Mariza B. | Arpita D. |
| Rusula M. | Alison J. |
| Jin S. | Natasa P. |
| Amali H. | Noelle T. |
| Rania D. | Claire C. |
| Mireille G. | Mirna S. |
5 Year Anniversary
| Orthodoxia P. | Binita M. |
| Aida T. | Dorothy P. |
| Yaoshan H. | Coco A. |
| Reena S. | Veerpal J. |
| Paula N. | Sarah C. |
| Christine L. | Alyssa R. |
| Thi T. | Sherry M. |
| Rhiann F. | Kaylah B. |
| Dazi T. | Mahalakshmi B. |
| Bhargavi M. | Olive G. |
| Khadija E. | Florence M. |
| Svetlana S. | Karen L. |
| Michiko D. | Sarita S. |
| Nasim D. | Ayodhya E. |
| Ritu P. | Shirley L. |
| Natalie R. | Jill R. |
| Sarita M. | Sarah H. |
| Alana B. | Sweta T. |
| Jiyoung H. | Mina T. |
| Therese S. | Chats W. |
| Rasmita M. | Sabiha N. |
| Catherine O. | Su Ma Z |
Children’s Choice & Stellar Award Winners
| Centres | Children’s Choice Award Winners | Stellar Award Winners |
| Alexandria | Alice P. | Claire C. |
| Altona Meadows | Supriya P. | Gnana P. R. |
| Auburn | Sajani T. | Rusula M. |
| Auburn West | Adam C. | Rupinder K. |
| Bankstown | Zahra R. | Mary N. |
| Barangaroo | Federico G. D. | Angel L. |
| Belfield | Eman A. | Reena S. |
| Belmore | Rhiann F. | Daniela U. |
| Bossley Park | Clara S. | Rachelle S. |
| Box Hill | Queennie L. | Arezoo A. Z. |
| Burwood | Patricia S. | Manshika K. |
| Burwood Road | Judy Z. | Eliza P. |
| Carlingford | Ayesha B. | Sanchayita S. |
| Carnes Hill | Grace A. | Nahid A. |
| Castle Hill | Hana N. | Om P. L. |
| Chatswood | Doris W. | Nara K. |
| Clayton | Harmeet K. | Shirley L. |
| Condell Park | Rita N. | Brooke A. |
| Condell Park North | Ramani R. | Maria R. |
| Crows Nest | Denisse C. | Hanin K. |
| Croydon | Lisa B. | Alisha K. |
| Dapto | Nadine J. | Ashley M. |
| Earlwood | Nurdiah S. | Celina D. |
| Elsternwick | Savita Y. | Fiona K. |
| Engadine | Alyssa C. | Katherine E. |
| Entrada | Yasameen S. | Rita B. |
| Fairfield | Bella N. | Teigan M. |
| Forest Hill | Banita K. | Joanna Z. |
| Green Hills | Scott O. | Sharyn N. |
| Greenacre | Rania E. S. | Jiyoung H. |
| Greystanes | Jocelyne G. | Pearl S. |
| Guildford | Fatimah A. | Shikha P. R. |
| Gungahlin | Marie A. | Jairome M. |
| Gymea | Angelina S. | Isabella B. |
| Kirrawee | Doma L. | Luna P. |
| Lane Cove | Minako F. | Tanya K. |
| Lane Cove West | Yannie L. | Maria M. |
| Leichhardt | Jane C. | Chera N. |
| Macquarie Park | Lala T. | Lariza A. |
| Midtown MacPark | Aura A. | Jade L. |
| Narellan | Sarah C. | Chantelle S. |
| Narellan Central | Danielle G. | Neha B. |
| Newcastle | Donna B. | Hope B. |
| North Parramatta | Rita I. | Marianne K. |
| Oran Park | Eyerin P. | Magdalena S. |
| Panania | Manisha S. | Sonya R. |
| Penrith | Raji M. | Connie A. |
| Queanbeyan | Yhanee A. | Surendra A. |
| Randwick | Twinkle P. | Pak C. |
| Revesby | Cheryl D. | Shaneel N. |
| Shepherds Bay | Mary T. | Maha B. |
| Smithfield | Claudia L. | Zoe B. |
| St Marys | Katie C. | |
| Strathfield | Fraya W. | Lina C. |
| Strathfield Broughton Rd | Shyamala T. | Shirlene T. |
| Templestowe | Nipuni D. | Harsha D. |
| Toongabbie | Mihiri K. | Vaishali V. |
| Toongabbie Metella Road | Ehsogay S. | Jasmeen K. |
| Turramurra | Shazia R. | Quincie G. |
| Victoria Park | Muskan S. | Barbara F. |
| Head Office | Dany N. |
More on the blog
In 2025, Montessori Academy celebrated a significant milestone, marking 25 years of excellence in early childhood education and care. Our Gala Awards across Canberra, Melbourne, and Sydney honoured the dedication, passion, and achievements of our educators and teams, recognising their lasting impact on children, families, and communities.
On Friday 14th November, Montessori Academy celebrated the grand opening of their second Childcare and Early Learning Centre in Penrith at 170 Derby Street, Penrith NSW 2750. Montessori Academy welcomed local families and community leaders for a fun-filled celebration, showcasing the centre’s commitment to quality early education and care.
A message from our Head of Quality and Safety about our culture of safety, transparency, and proactive vigilance across all services.
In 2025, Montessori Academy celebrated a significant milestone, marking 25 years of excellence in early childhood education and care. Our Gala Awards across Canberra, Melbourne, and Sydney honoured the dedication, passion, and achievements of our educators and teams, recognising their lasting impact on children, families, and communities.
On Friday 14th November, Montessori Academy celebrated the grand opening of their second Childcare and Early Learning Centre in Penrith at 170 Derby Street, Penrith NSW 2750. Montessori Academy welcomed local families and community leaders for a fun-filled celebration, showcasing the centre’s commitment to quality early education and care.
A message from our Head of Quality and Safety about our culture of safety, transparency, and proactive vigilance across all services.