MONTESSORI | St. Anthony's School, London

Maria Montessori

November 15, 2020—My sister Sheila Marlin O'Neill was a Montessori-trained teacher who started several Montessori Schools and maintained them until her death. Her Montessori-trained children (fourth generation, since Hilda van Stockum's mother was also Montessori-trained) have continued one of the schools, at Garston Manor near Watford.

I have been interested in the chain of Montessori training. Sheila and Lis both went to Sion Hill in Blackrock, Dublin, where the Dominican Sisters used Montessori methods (see below). 

One of the trainings that Sheila took was at St. Anthony's School in London. Such a school exists (https://www.stanthonysprep.org.uk/about/our-history/) but it is not run by a religious order (it seems to have been owned by two different private equity firms in succession and is now owned by Alpha Plus).

Here is an excerpt from a book about Montessori Schools and training, which refers to Sister Stephanie, O.S.F. (Order of St Francis) as Headmistress of St. Anthony's School and is Honorary Secretary of the Catholic Montessori Guild. I would love to know more about her.

Maria Montessori believed that game-playing was at the heart of learning. It took a while for teachers in religious schools to get used to the idea that game-playing had a place in a  Catholic education. More here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0034408800750308

Here is an explanation (from 2012!) why I am looking for Sister Stephanie and the story of St. Anthony's School: https://hildavanstockum.blogspot.com/2012/07/copy-of-missing-montessori-book.html.

I am also trying to contact the Council of Catholic Montessori Schools.