Mercy Links with Montessori Stand the Test of Time
Mercy Links with Montessori Stand the Test of Time
Mercy Light: Connecting
At first glance, on paper, Catherine McAuley and Maria Montessori don’t seem to have a great deal in common; however, Catherine, the Irish foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, and Maria, an Italian physician who was born 20 years after Catherine’s death, shared similar educational philosophies that would nurture and transform learning all over the world. Both women worked with marginalised communities and believed that, if given the right conditions, people facing challenges could thrive.
St Aloysius College Montessori, 1940s
Chancery Lane Montessori, 2024/25
Given this context, it’s unsurprising that St Aloysius College, steeped in Catherine’s Mercy tradition, and Chancery Lane Montessori, would share the same space – it’s because, while there are distinct differences, there is a similar spirit and approach to nurturing lifelong learners.
SAC’s earliest annual magazines from the 1940s are dotted with black-and-white photographs of toddlers in the College grounds; a room near The Cloisters was home to one of Adelaide’s first Montessori learning centre. Over 15 years, the north-eastern corner of the College has been home to Chancery Lane Montessori; a number of recent SAC graduates can recall their earliest years as pupils there, peering through the fence at the ‘big girls’ on the other side, in the SAC schoolyard.
For many families, the pathway from Chancery Lane Montessori to SAC is smooth – and that’s not just because it’s so close by. Rebeka, mother of Zara P who is now in Year 4 describes it the transition as, “seamless.”
“We wanted Zara’s first learning experience to feel like an extension of home—safe, nurturing and aligned with our family values,” Rebeka shares. “Finding a Montessori environment that fed so beautifully into a primary school like SAC gave us the confidence we were doing what was best for her future.”
Recalling Zara’s first day of school at SAC, Rebeka shares, “Zara was a little nervous, but she walked in with confidence, and left on day one with a beaming smile.”
When children transition from early years at Chancery Lane, to Reception at SAC, they’re already familiar with the ‘big girls’ environment on the other side of the fence. Primary Coordinator, Abby Matte, says that the range of activities Chancery Lane children participate in helps them to feel, “at home.”
Montessori and Reception students at SAC transitioning; Year 4 student Zara, pictured in the middle with her peers.
“We welcome the children into the College for significant events, such as Book Week, Science Week and Careers Week. The children love their weekly sessions in the Catherine McAuley Library, and each year on Mercy Day, they host an adorable cookies stall. They are always excited to join us for Can Drive too, creating sculptures out of canned foods that are then donated to Sister Janet Mead’s Adelaide Day Centre!”
As well as larger community events, youngsters at Chancery Lane are also welcomed to SAC for twice-yearly Discovery Days, where they personally connect with specialist teachers in classroom environments.
“Parents have the opportunity to come in and share the experience of watching their little ones engage with our educators, connect with other children, and interact with fellow families. It offers a beautiful snapshot of what we provide here in a school setting. While the children are still little, we create an environment that mirrors a real classroom experience—multi-modal, nurturing, and engaging. Our older girls also join in to help, building those wonderful cross-age connections that we pride ourselves on at SAC,” Ms Matte explains.
With Zara’s family now firmly a part of the SAC community, her mother reflects warmly on their journey.
“We love the SAC community—there’s a real sense of care and belonging here. From leadership and teachers to fellow families, it’s a place where we feel seen and supported. Plus, the variety in learning experiences is amazing—it’s setting our children up to be confident, independent young people ready for the world ahead.”
At its core, the partnership between Chancery Lane Montessori and St Aloysius College is about more than academic preparation. It’s about building connection, instilling confidence, and creating a continuum of care and curiosity that stays with children long after they’ve left a formal learning environment.
Catherine McAuley and Maria Montessori lived during different times and in different parts of the world, but their visions merge at SAC and Chancery Lane, where education isn’t just about what students learn—it’s about who they become.
SAC Transition and Careers Week with Montessori students
