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Earlier this yr, Mooroolbark Grammar opened as a small new college on the positioning as soon as occupied by Yarralinda, a loss-making major college. Yarralinda disclosed its use of Hubbard’s “Utilized Scholastics” curriculum and had 27 college students in 2021, with most of its earnings coming from federal and state funding, or $17,334 a pupil.
The brand new Mooroolbark Grammar has prominently marketed hyperlinks to a Montessori early training program taught on web site, which prompted issues the varsity was utilizing that as cowl to cover its Scientology hyperlinks to potential mother and father.
That was Kate’s expertise. There was no obvious point out of hyperlinks to Scientology by employees, though she stated she wouldn’t have recognised any point out of Hubbard, a science fiction author who based the faith within the Fifties, or Utilized Scholastics. The college insists all mother and father are advised of the varsity’s background and instructing strategies.
In an e mail to Kate, a employees member stated Mooroolbark Grammar was unbiased and non-religious and adopted the Australian curriculum. The e-mail, together with different paperwork despatched to Kate, made no point out of Hubbard or Utilized Scholastics.
Montessori Australia, in the meantime, stated it had no oversight or accountability for faculties that say they educate its curriculum, as they have been independently run. It lists Mooroolbark Grammar and one other college linked to Scientology, Sydney’s The Athena Faculty on its web site.
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“Montessori Australia offers a list service of Montessori packages on the web site and encourages potential mother and father to contact them straight,” a spokeswoman stated.
A Victorian Registration and {Qualifications} Authority (VRQA) spokesperson didn’t straight reply questions on Mooroolbark Grammar’s hyperlinks to Scientology and whether or not it ought to obtain public funding. “Mooroolbark Grammar is a non-government college, not operated by the Division of Schooling and Coaching,” a spokesperson stated.
All Victorian faculties registered should meet 5 minimal requirements together with good governance, efficient curriculum and a secure atmosphere for youngsters, the spokesperson stated. “Past the usual curriculum, non-government faculties are permitted to show topics, together with non secular topics, of their selecting.”
Distinguished former Scientologists stated using Montessori strategies by the 2 Australian faculties was extremely uncommon.
“I don’t perceive this Montessori connection in any respect. That, on the planet of Scientology, is ‘squirrel’ – any system apart from Hubbard’s isn’t acceptable,” stated Mike Rinder, an Australian who rose to develop into considered one of Scientology’s most senior worldwide executives and an official spokesman.
“They have to be very determined to attempt to distance themselves from any affiliation with Scientology as a result of the stench of Scientology abuses is simply too nice nowadays.”
Utilized Scholastics makes use of a instructing methodology known as “Research Expertise” which was developed by Hubbard. It says it goals to show college students “methods to be taught” and apply what they’ve learnt to their on a regular basis life, somewhat than rote studying and memorising content material or ideas.
One of many strategies they use is to encourage college students to lookup definitions of phrases they don’t perceive within the dictionary.
Montessori is a method of instructing that has an emphasis on youngsters studying at their very own tempo and growing pure pursuits and independence.
A Shopper Affairs Victoria spokeswoman stated that they didn’t touch upon particular person circumstances or companies, however warned that below Australian Shopper Regulation, a enterprise should not have interaction in deceptive or misleading conduct and should not make false or deceptive representations.
“Shopper Affairs Victoria takes breaches of Australian Shopper Regulation severely and can examine allegations of wrongdoing and take motion the place crucial,” she stated.
Australian Schooling Union Victorian department president, Meredith Peace, stated the union was “deeply involved” on the quantity of public funding the varsity obtained and stated all college students ought to obtain “evidence-based instructing and studying packages” and known as for larger funding for public faculties.
Mooroolbark Grammar principal Gabriella Agosta, 29, was born right into a household of distinguished Scientologists, the Caligiuri’s. She claimed the hyperlinks to Hubbard had not been beforehand disclosed because it was a brand new college and the web site was below development.
Agosta has been a provisionally registered trainer with the Victorian Institute of Educating since November final yr. Provisionally registered academics embody graduate and early profession academics, in addition to those that are returning after 5 or extra years to the occupation.
Kate’s expertise with Mooroolbark Grammar was short-lived. She was advised that the varsity was about to broaden into childcare and to cater for 130 youngsters, and so they weren’t in a position to hold the Montessori kindergarten open whereas they have been renovating.
“I hope Montessori begins listening to it as a result of I’m shocked. They’ve a well known and extremely revered model, I assumed this was going to learn my son and our household.”
As a substitute, she was disenchanted in regards to the misinformation and lack of transparency in regards to the college.
*Not her actual identify
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