Earlier this year, Mooroolbark Grammar opened as a small new school on the site previously occupied by Yarralinda, a loss-making primary school. Yarralinda revealed his use of Hubbard’s “Applied Scholastics” curriculum and had 27 students in 2021, with most of his income coming from federal and state funding, or $ 17,334 per student.
The new Mooroolbark grammar has prominently announced links to an on-site Montessori early childhood education program, which has raised concerns that the school will use this as a cover to hide its Scientology links from prospective parents.
Screenshot of the updated Mooroolbark Grammar website where they have now confirmed their links to Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard after hiding them previously.
That was Kate’s experience. There was no apparent mention of links to Scientology by staff, although he said he did not recognize any mention of Hubbard, a science-fiction writer who founded religion in the 1950s, or Applied Scholastics. The school insists that all parents be informed of the school’s background and teaching methods.
In an email to Kate, a staff member said Mooroolbark Grammar was independent and non-religious and followed the Australian resume. The email, along with other documents sent to Kate, did not mention Hubbard or Applied Scholastics.
Montessori Australia, meanwhile, said it had no oversight or responsibility for schools that claim to teach their curriculum, as they were run independently. List Mooroolbark Grammar and another Scientology-linked school, The Athena School in Sydney on their website.
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“Montessori Australia offers a Montessori program listing service on the website and encourages prospective parents to contact them directly,” a spokeswoman said.
A spokesman for the Victoria Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) did not directly answer questions about Mooroolbark Grammar’s links to Scientology and whether it should receive public funding. “Mooroolbark Grammar is a non-governmental school, not run by the Department of Education and Training,” a spokesman said.
All registered Victorian schools must meet five minimum standards that include good governance, an effective curriculum and a safe environment for children, the spokesman said. “Beyond the standard curriculum, non-governmental schools are allowed to teach subjects, including religious subjects, of their choice.”
Prominent former scientists said the use of Montessori techniques by the two Australian schools was very unusual.
A bust of L. Ron Hubbard in the center of Ascot Vale
“I don’t understand this Montessori connection at all. This, in the world of Scientology, is ‘squirrel’ – no system other than Hubbard’s is acceptable, “said Mike Rinder, an Australian who became one of Scientology’s top international executives and an official spokesman.
“They must be very desperate to try to stay away from any affiliation with Scientology because the stench of Scientology abuses is too great these days.”
Applied Scholastics uses a teaching method called “Study Technology” that was developed by Hubbard. He says he aims to teach students “how to learn” and apply what they have learned to their daily lives, rather than learning and memorizing contents or concepts from memory.
One of the techniques they use is to encourage students to look up definitions of words they do not understand in the dictionary.
Montessori is a teaching style that emphasizes that children learn at their own pace and develop natural interests and independence.
Mooroolbark Grammar at Melbourne’s Outer EastCredit: Joe Armao
A Victoria Consumer Affairs spokeswoman said they did not comment on individual cases or businesses, but warned that under the Australian Consumer Act, a company should not engage in misleading or misleading conduct and should not make false or misleading representations. deceptive.
“Consumer Affairs Victoria will take seriously breaches of the Australian Consumer Act and will investigate allegations of offenses and take action when necessary,” he said.
Meredith Peace, president of the Victorian branch of the Australian Education Union, said the union was “deeply concerned” about the amount of public funding the school received and said all students should receive “programs evidence-based teaching and learning “and called for more funding for public schools. .
Mooroolbark Grammar Director Gabriella Agosta, 29, was born into a family of prominent Scientologists, the Caligiuris. He said links to Hubbard had not been revealed before, as it was a new school and the website was under construction.
Agosta has been a full-time professor at the Victorian Institute of Teaching since November last year. Temporarily enrolled teachers include graduate and novice teachers, as well as those who return to the profession after five years or more.
Kate’s experience with Mooroolbark Grammar was short-lived. He was told that the school was about to expand into daycare and to care for 130 children, and that they could not keep the Montessori nursery open while they were renovating.
“I hope Montessori starts listening to me because I’m surprised. They have a well-known and well-respected brand, I thought that would benefit my son and our family. “
Instead, she was disappointed by the misinformation and lack of transparency about the school.
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