Elonera’s Adolescent Program, Years 7-10, was established 20 years ago and complements the programs in the earlier years. We are both a Registered and Accredited school with the NSW Educational Standards Authority for Stage 4 (Years 7 & 8) and Stage 5 (Years 9 & 10). Students undertake all mandatory NESA subjects as well as a diverse selection of elective subjects in Stage 5. All subjects are studied in a two-year cycle, with the exception of Mathematics.

Elonera’s  Adolescent programme aims to provide an educational environment that enables students to:

• transform themselves into independent, self-regulating, resourceful and adaptable adults

• through our work and our Be Prepared to Think program, become interested observers, listeners and collaborators, critical thinkers and engaged citizens

• express their own opinions, develop their own talents, make decisions and solve problems, on their own or collaboratively, with a confidence that is grounded in the practical, social and intellectual knowledge, skills and values they are developing in the Montessori environment

• contribute productively, with enthusiasm and integrity, to family, school and community life, and to the wider society, both national and global

• dedicate themselves to the future of humanity

Students begin the day in Advisor groups and then move into the 3-hour work cycle where they may be in a lesson with a class, working collaboratively with others or independently. Students are encouraged to develop their own work patterns assisted by the teachers as guides and mentors. The afternoon sees continued activities and lessons.

Occupations runs at the core of the Adolescent program at Elonera. Through work, the students in the Montessori adolescent community engage with the natural environment and the wider society. This work undertaken with the community is called Occupations and seek to inspire students to engage in the work with integrity and passion, to develop their own interests and expertise, to gain recognition for their contribution and to experience a sense of ownership and accomplishment

In a Montessori classroom the teacher is constantly on the move, overseeing, advising and assisting as necessary. The teacher may give a lesson to a small group here, to an individual there and always with reference to the individual needs of the student in the class. Throughout these adolescent years, tolerance, cooperativeness and social awareness grow.

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