In 1913 four Australian teachers attendedinspirational educator Dr Maria Montessori's first international trainingcourse in Rome. That same year Blackfriars School in Sydney was one of thefirst schools in the world to adopt the Montessori approach. A century later, Montessori continues to be at theforefront of innovative education in this country, with 200 schools andcentres, including Indigenous learning programs, and a recognised curriculum ofits own.