In August the tamariki of Ōtūmoetai Montessori marked Maria Montessori’s birthday in a very special way—by preparing lunch packs for the students of our local Bellevue School.
With great care, the children, alongside the Bellevue Montessori students, created packages wrapped beautifully in furoshiki, a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth, joining in the spirit of service and friendship.
When the lunch packs were ready, the Ōtūmoetai Montessori children placed them in a trolley and began their journey to Bellevue School. Students walked carefully with their kaiako, Sharlotte and Tarryn and arrived with smiles, wide eyes and curiosity.
At the school office, we were warmly welcomed by the staff, principal and teachers, who guided us to a special place where the furoshiki gifts could be kept for children who need them most. This act of giving was inspired by Maria Montessori herself.
Beyond being an educator, Montessori was a physician, humanitarian, and tireless advocate for children’s rights. She worked with disadvantaged children, war orphans, and communities across the world, always placing service and compassion above personal recognition.
Her legacy reminds us that education is not only about knowledge but also about kindness, empathy, and action. For our tamariki, this small gesture of preparing and delivering lunch packs was a way of walking in Maria’s footsteps.
We hope our effort makes a little difference for those we share our community with—and that the joy of giving will stay with us all.