On Friday 27 February more than 200 guests gathered to celebrate the Grand Opening of Victoria Park Montessori Academy at the East Village Shopping Centre.
The event provided guests with the opportunity to tour the centre, meet the staff, and participate in a variety of activities, including face painting and Montessori workshops.
Director of Montessori Academy, Colette Assaf, served as a keynote speaker at the event, which was attended by the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, Councillor Angela Vithoulkas and Monsignor Emmanuel from Saint Maroun’s.
Colette Assaf, Director of Montessori Academy, said: “As our Founder Maria Montessori states: ‘If houses suitable for children do not exist, then let us build them. If articles suitable for children are not being made, let us get them made.’
“These are the words we live by when we design and build a new Montessori Academy childcare centre,” she said.
The Lord Mayor of Sydney officially opened the centre by cutting the ceremonial ribbon and cake with the Director of Montessori Academy and Monsignor Emmanuel.
The Mayor congratulated Montessori Academy on building an exceptional educational facility that will cater to the growing need for high quality educational childcare in Victoria Park and Sydney City.
Meray Parsons, General Manager of Centre Operations at Montessori Academy, said: “A beautifully built centre is not complete without our families, children and the local community.
“We look forward to providing high quality educational care for up to 83 local children and to be forming a number of partnerships with the Zetland and Victoria Park communities,” she said.
Victoria Park Montessori Academy is expected to open in the coming weeks pending service approval by the Department of Education and Communities. Key features of the centre include: engaging classrooms, authentic Montessori materials, play-based learning equipment and large natural play areas.
The Victoria Park centre will provide a Montessori educational program that is tailored to the Early Years Learning Framework. The centre will be open from 7:30am – 6:00pm and will provide high quality educational care for up to 83 children aged six weeks to six years.