Since its inception in 1986, Bankstown Montessori Pre-school has been an indispensable pillar of early childhood education within our local community, providing a secure and harmonious environment for young learners as they embark upon their most formative years.

With a strong commitment to encouraging children to develop a love of learning and independence, our preschool has always been a safe and supportive space for our children and their families.

Sadly, however, our beloved school now finds itself facing a crisis. 

Bankstown Montessori Pre-school has operated on land under license from Canterbury-Bankstown Council. It also utilises land adjacent to the preschool under license from AERIA Management Group. 

During a meeting in early 2024, members of Council and AERIA Group informed our preschool that, due to their impending development, access to the car park would no longer be granted effective from 31st December 2024. Due to this, Council will terminate the use of the land as a preschool.

We have submitted a section 4.55 application to Council requesting the removal of the conditions from the Development Approval, which are currently impeding the continued operations based on the new property situation due to the neighbouring development.

We urge Council to consider our plea and approve our application so that Bankstown Montessori Pre-school can continue serving our community.

This is about more than just a building or land; it's about preserving an essential service that nurtures and educates our children.

We are calling upon you, our local community, alumni, family and friends, and all those who share in the values that our school embodies, to stand united with us as we face this immense challenge. 

We are determined to save our school, and ultimately prevent its closure so that it may continue to serve our community for generations to come. 

The impending closure of our school will have a devastating impact upon our children and their families, and result in the disruption of their learning routine. This in turn will force families to find an alternate preschool that will accommodate the needs of their children. This is no easy feat- a shortage of positions in an already crowded education system means that families will struggle to provide their young children with a quality early education within our local area.

We must fight this at all costs. So much is at stake, and we are running out of time. We ask YOU to join us, for the sake of our children and their future, and the future of our school.   

Please sign this petition to help save Bankstown Montessori Pre-school for our children, and for future generations. Share it widely with your family, friends and colleagues.

You can also send an email using the template below to Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Bilal Hayek to show your support and help us further this cause.

Thank you.

 

Clr Bilal El-Hayek

Mayor, Canterbury-Bankstown City Council

mayor@cbcity.nsw.gov.au

 

Dear Mayor El-Hayek,

I write to you regarding the proposed development by AERIA Management Group at Birdwood Rd, Georges Hall, and its projected impact on Bankstown Montessori Pre-school.

As a member of the community, I am concerned about the imminent closure of Bankstown Montessori Pre-school due to these impending developments. It is deeply concerning that the formative early learning and development of our children is now at stake.

Bankstown Montessori Pre-school has been an integral part of the local community for over 35 years and continues to be an indispensable pillar of early childhood education within our local community. 

The closure of the school would be a devastating loss to our community and have considerable consequences for the children and their families. 

[Include the following  paragraph if you have a child who has graduated Montessori and has prepared a drawing/letter for the Mayor. If this is not applicable, simply delete the entire paragraph and these instructions]

[Attached for your attention is a message from my child who graduated from Bankstown Montessori Pre-school, and who flourished there under the tutelage of its experienced and long-standing educators.]

Bankstown Montessori Pre-school has submitted an application to amend its development consent, which, if approved, would ensure the pre-school’s continued operation. I urge you to lend your support to this cause, and to help keep Bankstown Montessori Pre-school open so that it may continue to serve the community for many more years to come. 

Yours Sincerely,