Since 1989 there has been growing interest in Cape York in Montessori education. This interest has been inspired by Ardyn Masterman, a Montessori teacher, who has been working to bring Montessori education to the indigenous communities of Cape York.

These efforts have received the support of indigenous elders, community members and Education Queensland. In 2004 a retreat was held, bringing together representatives of the Montessori and Cape York communities, to gain a deeper understanding of the importance of the first years of life and to explore ways to support parents, families and communities in their task of nurturing young children.

Most recently an indigenous teacher, Letitia Murgha, has undertaken AMI Montessori Early Childhood teacher training, becoming the first person from the Cape to undertake Montessori training.

At present the educational outcomes for indigenous students in Cape York are far below national average.  Very few, if any, students complete Year 12 and overall school attendance is at about 50%.  Life expectancy for indigenous men in the region is age 47.  The Director of Education for the Western Cape York, Don Anderson, is working tirelessly to improve the educational outcomes and believes that the establishment of Montessori programs for children from birth to age six is the key to an overall strategy to improve education and life outcomes.

Funding is needed to support Montessori teacher training and the establishment of Montessori classroom environments and family support programs.

Participants at the 2004 Masterman Montessori Indigenous Learning Retreat		Don Anderson, Director, Western Cape College, Education Queensland, visiting Forestville Montessori School in Sydney		Thanakupi, Tribal Elder and renown indigenous artist, admires a Montessori student’s research project about her pottery