Originally established by a group of parents, Chrysalis Montessori School celebrated its 30 year anniversary in 2020.
A brief timeline of the history of our school is as follows:
1990: The first school was established with just three teachers and 23 families, and was located at a temporary site in North Perth.
1991: The school’s current site in Glendalough was purchased, and enrolments began to steadily increase. Commonwealth funding became available in the following year.
1992 – 1995: Extra classes, an additional Children’s House and one Primary class, were added. In 1994, enrolments exceeded 100 students for the first time.
1997: A remodelling of the internal space made each classroom more physically accessible. Space for a more functional administration area was created, as well as a new kitchen area, and a new library.
2000: The Mariposa classroom was added. There are now two Children’s Houses and four Primary classes.
2002: A more holistic playground was developed by Bernhard Kaiser. The involvement from the parent body to fund and build the playground was a catalyst in strengthening the Chrysalis community.
2004: Additional renovations. An undercover outdoor area was developed, additional teaching facilities were created and the administration and staff spaces were remodelled. Gumnut Montessori joined Chrysalis Montessori. The art room was upgraded.
2010: Through Government funding, a National Schools Pride grant of $75,000 allowed the school to build an art structure/outdoor area, attached to the two Children’s Houses. Funding of $850,000 from the Building Education Revolution for the 21st Century program allowed the school to add an upper storey at the front of the school for a new multipurpose built space for our library, music lessons and band practice, yoga, dance, school meetings, community hire use, and extra-curriculum classroom activities.
2011: The new upstairs multipurpose building at Chrysalis Montessori was officially opened.
2012 onwards: Chrysalis has had a number of renovations and upgrades to classrooms and administration areas, such as the installation of split system air conditioners, new school kitchen cooking appliances, a PA system, and new storage cupboards throughout the school.
2014: The school was awarded a further four years of registration.
2014: Chrysalis Montessori School registered as a child care facility, with After School Care now available for eligible students.
2016-2018: The playground upgrade continues in stages. Added to the playground from 2016 is the double swing set, three rollover bars and various running beams. The jungle gym, tower, and bridge crossing have been replaced and remodelled with additional stepping logs introduced into this area.
2018: The school was awarded another five years of registration, which is the maximum given by the Department of Education.
2018: The Before School Care program for eligible students is introduced.
2019: The original single Flying Fox in the playground was replaced with a dual Flying Fox.
2019: An early years, Extended Day (optional) program is introduced for children already enrolled and attending half days in the Children’s House.
2019: Chrysalis Biodiversity Art Project with artist and facilitator Angela Rossen. Connecting our students to the local wetlands and surrounding nature, our Primary students observed and drew native plants and animals from the Glendalough Open Space, worked in small groups to paint individual biota on paper, and collaboratively created a large painting, which hangs in the school’s foyer.
2020: The school received a $12,000 grant from the Local Schools Community Fund. This grant went towards Stage 3 of our playground development, which included developing the area outside of our Children’s Houses by installing a custom-made wooden dinghy and bridge for the younger children.
2021 onwards: We are currently working on a future project, a multi-use sports court in the playground area.