In Term 4 2022, the Barrenjoey Montessori School Board had the pleasure of announcing the appointment of Melissa Chandler to the role of Principal. Melissa was already a familiar face to many at BMS, having served as Interim Principal for the 5 months preceding her appointment, and as a parent in the BMS community.
The Board-run recruitment process focused on finding someone who embodied Montessori principles and was able to successfully manage the school from an educational and administrative standpoint, while also nurturing the culture that makes BMS unique. After an extensive selection procedure, and in consultation with staff, the Board unanimously voted to appoint Melissa.
A Montessori-educated child herself, Melissa holds at her core a love of learning and deep belief in Montessori philosophy, and brings a wealth of both Montessori and corporate experience to the role, including stakeholder management, marketing, people management and financial acumen. She is an Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Diploma-qualified 0–3 Director and National Examiner, and regularly consults and speaks on Montessori and early childhood development.
Speaking on her appointment, Melissa says:
"BMS has always held a very special place in my heart. It is an incredibly unique school, and I am honoured to work alongside the dedicated staff in supporting each child to realise their potential and create positive change in the world."
Please join us in congratulating Melissa on her appointment. We are excited for this next chapter in the Barrenjoey Montessori School story!