Dear Parents,
Happy New Year and welcome back! We hope you had a joyful and restful holiday season. Thank you, as always, for your continued trust
We are also pleased to share a staffing update with you. Eleanor Duncan has joined our Montessori Team and will be supporting the afternoon programme from February. Additionally, from February, Xanthia Constantinou will be in the classroom from 8:00–16:00, ensuring continuity and consistency throughout the day. Ms Saba Sirtaj’s hours will remain unchanged.
I would like to share with you an important and carefully considered adjustment to our Montessori Pre-Primary afternoon programme, which will take effect from next week.
After listening closely to your feedback and reviewing our daily rhythm, we believe that extending the children’s learning time within their Montessori environment will offer richer and more meaningful learning opportunities. From a holistic perspective, I strongly believe that the morning Montessori routine should be extended, allowing children more uninterrupted time to follow Montessori principles, deepen concentration, and fully engage with their work. An additional hour supports a calmer transition into the afternoon and helps children settle smoothly into the rest of the day.
As our community continues to grow and we welcome more children, it is important that we think ahead to ensure appropriate space, structure, and high-quality learning experiences for all students.
We also recognise how important the friendships and connections formed since September are for many families. Please be reassured that children will continue to have opportunities to play and socialise with all their friends during outdoor time at 14:00 and again after 16:30, maintaining those valuable relationships alongside new learning experiences.
As an extension of the Montessori programme, children will now remain in their homeroom classrooms until 15:30, following the same familiar rhythm as in the morning. This includes outdoor play and their first snack, all within the comfort and consistency of their Montessori environment. After 15:30, children will transition to the IB Clubs rota, opening the door to exciting and varied learning opportunities.
This adjustment allows us to support deeper Montessori engagement, provide more challenging and enriching afternoon experiences, encourage children to meet new friends, and prepare them for the structure of Primary School, where afternoons are organised in a similar way.
Our Afternoon Clubs Include:
Process Art & 3D Creations
Children explore a wide range of materials and techniques with freedom and creativity. The focus is on the process rather than the final product, supporting fine motor development, imagination, confidence, and self-expression.
Horticulture
Students connect with nature by planting, caring for, and observing living things. This club nurtures responsibility, patience, curiosity, and environmental awareness while supporting sensory and hands-on learning.
Expressive Storytelling
Through stories, role play, discussion, and creative language activities, children develop communication skills, imagination, listening, and confidence in expressing their ideas and emotions.
Performing Arts
Music, movement, and drama activities encourage children to express themselves physically and emotionally. This club supports coordination, creativity, teamwork, and self-confidence in a joyful and engaging way.
STEM
Hands-on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics experiences inspire curiosity and problem-solving. Children experiment, build, question, and explore early critical-thinking skills through play-based learning.
We will introduce this change gradually next week to ensure a smooth and supportive transition for all students.
Pickup Times
• First pickup at 14:00 from the Montessori playground or classroom (families will be informed individually)
• Final pickup at 17:30
Detailed information about your child’s individual schedule will be available in the classroom on Monday morning. If you would prefer to receive this information by email, please let us know and it will be sent to you upon request.
We are confident that this enhanced structure will bring meaningful learning opportunities, joy, and growth for our students. Thank you for your continued support and collaboration.
If you have any questions, I will be available to meet on Monday between 8:00 and 9:00 in the morning. Please feel free to come by during this time.