Beauty in Nature

The sun filters through the Melaleuca trees, the billabong is quiet still with small concentrical waves on the surface, made by insects. In the distance you can see an Australian Brown Wood Duck pruning its feathers and showing signs of gentle business. A malachite kingfisher is perched on a branch and stares at the water in the hope to see a fish swimming to the surface of the water. There are few sounds and these are mostly made by birds, frogs or tree fronds gently touching other trees.

My description of this beautiful environment is right here on the back porch of our school. We are so lucky to be able to offer our students a place that serves so many purposes. We have a real ecology to explore and analyse through microscopes and books. We are able to identify various species of flora and fauna, very typical of Southeast Queensland as well as have a place to relax and find peace on any school day.

Dr Montessori suggests that individuals of all ages need nature to restore balance and to get in touch with our natural development. Dr Montessori said “But if for the physical life it is necessary to have the child exposed to the vivifying forces of nature, it is also necessary for his psychical life to place the soul of the child in contact with creation.” Psychologists today are finding that children spending time in nature are showing reduced levels of stress, higher levels of self-discipline and appear to have better self-esteem.

We recommend that each student and adult realises the beauty of nature, shares space with our environment sustainably and understands the relevance of our mutual co-dependency.

Come and ask staff to show you around the school and visit our gorgeous billabong.

Yvonne Rinaldi
Principal
Caboolture Montessori School