Montessori East Bondi Alumni

Tomorrow we celebrate ionofficial our amazing young teenagers who are stepping into their new adventures. We are confident that all the values and virtues they have imbued in their daily lives at Montessori East over the 9 years will set them up for a bright future in high school and a big welcome to our new Montessori East alumni of 2025. If any alumni would like to attend the event, please contact the office

We are so deeply saddened by the passing of Bill Conway who was the Principal at Montessori East from 2007 to 2020. We remember the impact Bill had on the Montessori East community. Much of what our school is today is due to his deep commitment to the children and the love he had for this community. He inspired us with his integrity, humility and wisdom. We will have a celebration of Bill's life and further details will be shared in due course. Our thoughts are with his partner Kei, his children and grandchildren.

𝗩𝗔𝗟𝗘 𝗕𝗜𝗟𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗪𝗔𝗬 💔

It is with a very heavy heart that we inform the community that Bill Conway, director of Montessori Schools and Centres (MSCA) and beloved Montessori educator and leader, passed away on Saturday, November 23rd, 2024. Bill was travelling in the USA at the time to see family and was in the company of his daughter in his final moments.

We know this news will greatly impact our national Montessori community here in Australia, and also abroad. Raised in the US and Kampala, Uganda, Bill spent more than 25 years of his career as a head of school, 10 years teaching in the classroom and three years as a school counsellor. Bill’s reach as a passionate Montessorian was extensive. As the former Principal of Montessori East in Sydney from 2007 – 2020, Education Consultant and international facilitator of Association Montessori Internationale’s (AMI) Administrator Training Course through Sydney Montessori Training Centre (SMTC), Bill has left a legacy of championing genuine Montessori practice. Bill also served on the board of the Montessori East Foundation, Rockingham and Forestville Montessori Schools and consulted with schools in Australia and Thailand.

Bill acted as a mentor to many Australian Montessori School Principals, and modelled the Montessori principles and philosophy in the way he interacted with others, and the way he lived his life. Bill was a founding board member of MSCA, played an integral role in establishing the organisation and his input and contribution over the past five years has been immense. As the Chair of our Education Committee, Bill championed our Genuine Montessori Pathway and other initiatives. Bill’s commitment and sense of service to the Montessori community both in Australia and internationally has been profound.

Bill is survived by his beloved partner and fellow Montessorian, Kei Ikeda, and his four children living around the globe and two beautiful granddaughters living in Kodiak, Alaska.

We will miss his intellect, his wisdom, thoughtful approach, his gentle manner, his warmth, light-heartedness, care, and humour. He was our colleague, our anchor, our mentor and much-loved friend.

Further information regarding a service to commemorate Bill’s life will be made available to the community at a later date.

Rest in peace, Bill. You will be missed.

United Alumni move mountains (of waste!) - In 2022, our ME Sustain Group, led by parents, Michelle Arcane and Lizzy Nash, took to the streets of Waverley asking community to sign a petition to provide a Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) service to the residents of Waverley. They collected over 1000 signatures and presented the realm of signed petitions with a letter to the local council.
AND IT HAPPENED The children's petition was heard and now currently being implemented as a trial starting this month with 2000 residents.
This is an exciting first step in the future rollout of FOGO across the Local Government Area and a big win for the all the hard work of our ME alumni, Nash Dobbin (Y7), Clementine Coffey (Y8), Zahara Arcane (Y8), Jacob Hawter (Y7), Dash Kedzier-Hurst (Y8), Joshua Hasanoff (Y8), Sofia Amato (Y7).

Double the fun and share this inviation with friends and family!

ALUMNI ALL WELCOME!
It's Movie Night again at Montessori East. Bring the whole family. Grab your tickets! https://www.trybooking.com/CUYXA
Saturday 14 September
Gates Open 4.30pm Film starts at Sundown.
Popcorn and ice-cream. Yum.

Movie Night 2024 The best night for the entire family. Movie Night at Montessori East!! This year's feature is the quintessential family favourite - BABE. Come...

Raji wants to eat Pizza with her alumni graduates! The 13 - 18 year old cohort!
WHEN: Wednesday, 31 July TIME: 6:00 - 9:00 pm WHERE: 28 Imperial Ave, Bondi (Hostess: Kendra Greig) RSVP essential $15/person
https://www.trybooking.com/CTELV

Last chance to book your tickets to Raji's 70th birthday party this Saturday night at the Coogee Surf Life Saving Club. Lots of alumni are coming along! Raji is looking forward to seeing you there.
https://www.trybooking.com/CRXLJ

Can't wait to see our returning graduates to talk to our parents this year. (Pic, 2023 student panel)

Book your tickets for Raji's big birthday!

Drinks on arrival, grazing platters and live music - not to mention lots of celebrating with Raji.

https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1228587

LET'S PARTY!

70 years in the making...originator, believer and child whisperer, Raji Sivapalan is having a birthday. And its a big one! Raji has been a much-loved and important part of this community since the beginning. You are all invited. So lets celebrate!
This is an adult only (16 +) night out with friends and families, alumni and new.
SAVE THE DATE Saturday 22 June 2024 6:30 PM - 11:00 PM Look out for your personalised invite and ticketing information in your inbox this weekend. If you don't receive one for some reason, please email [email protected]
Remember this photo? This is Raji's 30th anniversary party. This one is going to be even better and more fun.

Community and staying connected is what we love about Montessori East, and where possible we share alumni news.

Alumna mum, Cindy Kavanagh, of graduates Banjo (2017) and Iris Kavanagh (2019) is showcasing her photographic exhibition to celebrate International Women's week next week.

It is a beautiful showcase of women and many of which were, and are, mothers in our community. All welcome to the opening night.
FREE EVENT
Opening Night
Tuesday 5th March, 6 - 8pm
Saint Cloche Gallery, Paddingtion
ARTIST TALK: Saturday, 9 March 3 - 5pm
The exhibit will be showcased during International Women's Week: 5 - 10 March.
Pic: Natalie Hay, mum to Casper (graduate 2020) and Curtis Hay (graduate 2023).

https://www.modernmuse.com.au/exhibition

TAYLOR SWIFT TICKETS UP FOR BIDS

FUN FACT: Did you know Tay Tay went to Montessori?

We have x2 member tickets up for bid for tomorrow night's concert - Row 6, Aisle 433

Proudly donated by our ME Foundation chair, Dan Gammell.

All proceeds will go to the School's Scholarship Fund.

BIDDING INSTRUCTIONS: Click "View All Items" at left to access the auction. Create an account to bid. Request text or email updates if you want. Montessori East will contact the winning bidder for payment directly to the school.

Bidding opens now and closes 9am tomorrow morning.

https://www.32auctions.com/taylorwenttomontessori

Act swiftly!!!