Montessori Primary School opens in Beechworth

THE Beechworth Montessori Children's Group (BMCG) is in the process of readying things for the beginning of 2007 as an independent school after a meeting last month.

Earlier in the year the BMCG committee was given the go ahead by parents to apply for approval to register as an independent school in 2007 with the Registered Schools Board.

According to Fiona Wigg, treasurer of the BMCG, the application was sent in July and there has been regular contact with the Registered Schools Board since.

"We arc not expecting to hear about registration until next year, but are feeling very positive and have gone ahead and commenced enrolling students with 17 presently enrolled," she said.

The group is in the process of buying and making equipment for the schoolroom as well as making the necessary changes to the building to meet the education department’s regulations.

"People are very enthusiastic about it and at this stage it is full steam ahead," Ms Wigg said.

Secretary of the BMCG, Kristy Howard, said that last month's meeting was to enlist the support and help from others in the community.

"We are looking for people to become involved in selling up the school rooms and administrative structures that will allow the doors of the school to open in February 2007," she said.

The Beechworth Bakery has offered their support with the generous donation of an oven worth more than $1000 for the new school.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the BMCG or who can assist in anyway is asked lo contact Karen Bowery, the enrolment officer at Montessori, on 57282940.