West Coast Montessori Unveils Six Seasons Noongar Bush Tucker Garden
How West Coast Montessori’s new student-built garden is embedding First Nations perspectives, fostering mentorship, and bringing a whole school community together.
Wade McColl (27/07/2026)
Neville Collard, Whadjuk and Ballardong Noongar Elder, delivering the Welcome to Country. Photo supplied by West Coast Montessori.
In a beautiful display of cultural respect and hands-on education, West Coast Montessori in Port Kennedy has officially opened its Six Seasons Noongar Bush Tucker Garden. Held on Tuesday, 21 July, 2026, the opening event marked a significant milestone for the school (formerly known as Rockingham Montessori School) and served as a powerful testament to their ongoing commitment to embedding First Nations perspectives into student learning.
A Community Brought Together
Neville Collard, Whadjuk and Ballardong Noongar Elder, tending the smoking ceremony fire. Photo supplied by West Coast Montessori.
The morning began with a traditional Welcome to Country and a powerful Smoking Ceremony led by Whadjuk and Ballardong Noongar Elder, Neville Collard. For the first time, the entire West Coast Montessori community gathered in one unified space, with children from the childcare centres, primary school, and high school all present to share in the experience.
Driven by Student Leadership
Close up of the hand-painted plant identification signs. Photo supplied by West Coast Montessori.
The garden is far more than a landscaping project; it is a living classroom born from the school's Reconciliation Action Plan. The Adolescent Program (high school) students took incredible ownership of the project from day one. Collaborating closely with Neville throughout the process, the students were responsible for researching and selecting the edible Indigenous flora, contributing to the overall garden design, and physically planting the space.
The vibrant student-made Aboriginal fence flag. Photo supplied by West Coast Montessori.
The dedication of the older students extended well beyond the soil. They created beautiful, culturally inspired artwork for the garden, including a striking fence flag that overlooks the space.
Peer Teaching in Action
Student musical performance with the smoke rolling across the foreground. Photo supplied by West Coast Montessori.
In a perfect showcase of the Montessori philosophy of peer teaching, the high school students worked with Noongar Musician Kobi Morrison to learn traditional songs and the meaning behind their newly created artwork. They then took on the role of educators, teaching these songs and cultural lessons to the primary school students, fostering a deep sense of mentorship and shared community pride.
Slicing the freshly made damper to share. Photo supplied by West Coast Montessori.
The celebration concluded with a shared meal, featuring freshly made damper prepared by the students.
The Six Seasons Nyoongar Garden will now serve as an ongoing, interactive learning space where students of all ages can explore Noongar culture, learn about local flora, and understand the importance of caring for Country for generations to come.