Humble beginnings to thriving school community
Beehive is one of the oldest Montessori schools in Perth. Its growth stems from the enthusiasm and determination of its parents and community, the commitment of its teachers and ongoing visionary leadership and governance.
The school has only had four principals in its 45-year history – bringing stability and excellence to the school’s cultural fabric.
1977
Humble beginnings
The Beehive started in 1977, with 15 children aged between 3 and 5 years under the guidance of Mrs Renee Taylor (Beehive’s founding principal). It operated from a scout hall on Murchison St, Shenton Park. This start represented the culmination of a dream for Mrs Taylor and the first group of enthusiastic parents.
1981 - 83
Establishing roots
The school council secured a lease on the land that Beehive is currently situated on at Curtin Avenue, Mosman Park. Having grown to 54 students and 4 teachers, primary school classrooms were added.
Renee Taylor retired and Lesley Payne was appointed principal while also teaching in upper primary.
‘Woodhenge’ – Beehive’s iconic play structure was built.
1984 - 85
An inclusive model
The Special Education Unit was incorporated into the school to cater to children with disabilities who would otherwise need to attend special schools – attesting to the innovative inclusive model of Montessori education.
1997 - 98
A new chapter
In 1997, Beehive celebrated its 20th anniversary. Rhonda Sheehan was appointed as Principal, now a full-time role. The school consisted of two Junior Primary classes, two Middle Primary classes and one Upper Primary class.
1999 - 2001
Expansion
A demountable was added to accommodate a third junior primary classroom. The school leased the McCall Centre for a fourth JP classroom. Another demountable was added to accommodate one of the JP classrooms so that MP could expand to three classes. The school consisted of 4 Junior Primary classes, 3 Middle Primary classes and 1 Upper Primary class.
2003
Celebration
Beehive celebrated its 25th anniversary with a river cruise for past students and a gala dinner for parents. A time capsule was created to be opened in 2028.
2004
Purpose-built future
The School decided to embark on an ambitious building project to replace all the old buildings in a design that embraces the Montessori Method for each stage and age.
2005
Forging a new way
Beehive teachers mapped the Curriculum Framework (the mandated curriculum in WA) to the Montessori curriculum.
2008
Catering to the third plane
The Beehive Adolescent Program begins with 13 students, providing families with a continuation of Montessori education into the formative adolescent years or 3rd Plane of Development.
2009
The masterplan
Intense lobbying by the school leadership resulted in the land that Beehive is situated on becoming rezoned as ‘Parks and Recreation Special Use Public Purpose’ rather than ‘Urban’.
2011
Breaking ground
Leases were successfully negotiated giving the school security in its current location until 2050.
As part of Stage 1 of the building project, the school hall and library are completed with funding from the BER (Building Education Revolution) grant.
The Montessori National Curriculum is recognised by ACARA as an alternative curriculum.
2012
Raising the bar
Stage 2A of the building project completed – administration block and one classroom.
2013
Real beehives
Three beehives were acquired for use by the Adolescent Program. Beehive is the first school in WA to work beehives with their students. This allowed for the growth of ‘Coastal‘, the micro business run by Adolescents, as their biggest seller becomes honey, alongside other natural beeswax products.
2015
A village by the sea
Stage 2B of the building project opened by former Premier Colin Barnett – the Junior Primary classrooms and playground. Our youngest children and their teachers delight in open space, sea views, natural light, child-sized kitchens and adjoining courtyards.
‘Woodhenge’ is removed to make space for a playing field for primary classes.
2016
National recognition
Beehive helped to make the Montessori National Curriculum approved as an alternative to WA mandated curriculum. The School Curriculum Standards Authority (SCSA) –the regulatory body for schools in WA– recognise the work undertaken by Beehive’s teachers to map the WA Curriculum to the MNC and approved it as an alternative to the mandated WA Curriculum. This mapping was undertaken on behalf of all WA Montessori schools.
Stage 2C of the building project completed – Completion of three Middle Primary classrooms and the Education Support Unit. Moving into the new classrooms was a feat completed by the students themselves with the assistance from staff and parents. So eager were they to move in that the removalists booked for the following day were cancelled.
2020
Full circle
Bronwyn Hope is appointed as Beehive’s fourth principal. An alumni of the school, Bronwyn has grown up alongside Beehive every step of the way since she was three years old.
2022
Artist in Residence, Kyle Hughes-Odgers worked with Upper Primary students to create a second mural on La Casa del Pace, facing the new bike path.
2023
A bright future
Stage 3 of the building project commenced. A new playgroup was completed, catering to our youngest members of the community – 18-month-olds to 3-year-olds. A new AP building was designed and construction began. This allowed for the original 1981 buildings to be demolished at the end of the year, making way for new expansive primary playgrounds.
The school is near capacity with a full Playgroup, 4 JP Classrooms, 3 MP Classrooms, 2 UP Classrooms and a purpose-built AP.
2024
A new Adolescent Program building was officially opened in Term 2, along with a bespoke new nature-based playground space for the primary and adolescent students.
Beehive's Montessori classrooms
Our classrooms are spaces for self-directed learning as much as they are vibrant communities, where children have a breadth of opportunities to develop and hone social and soft skills.
Connected places
Our classrooms are generously sized, open, accessible spaces. Connected spaces within classrooms which allow children to freely choose where they work.
Window seats bring the outdoors in and provide seclusion. Covered courtyard areas provide fresh air extension to the common working areas and are especially suitable for activities involving lots of water. Regardless of age, many children commonly prefer working on the floor to working at a desk.
Knowable space
‘The Prepared Environment’ is a key concept in Montessori pedagogy and forms the foundation of meeting the child’s psychological needs.
All our classrooms are adapted to enable children to move freely around the space. Being surrounded by 'knowable space' helps children to feel secure - space that is accessible and which the child is free to explore at their own volition.
An ordered environment
Order in the environment promotes and establishes mental order in children. Simplicity, lack of clutter are hallmarks of the Beehive Montessori aesthetic. Learning materials are arranged in an ordered and inviting manner, this allows allowing children to choose freely and independently.
Children contribute to maintaining spatial order by putting their materials back the in the right place - a task which enhances autonomy and self-confidence.
Concentrated activity
The concentration that is needed for a particular kind of learning will depend very much on the type of work. Zoning within classrooms offer various degrees of seclusion for uninterrupted concentration and collaborative work.
Our classrooms help children to develop independence and self-confidence to choose appropriate places for the tasks they’ve chosen.
Earth stewardship
Montessori materials
We foster an environment where every child's voice and uniqueness is honored and valued, creating a community built on mutual respect.
Connection to nature
Our ethos encourages empathy and kindness, nurturing a culture where children learn to care for themselves and others.
Water and Water Wise
We ignite a lifelong love for learning by encouraging inquisitive minds to explore, question, and discover in their educational journey.
