Introducing the Trust

The Wairarapa Montessori Charitable Trust enables and supports Montessori education in the Wairarapa.  We strive to educate the Wairarapa community about the Montessori philosophy and method of teaching. The Trust finances Montessori-specific expenses, such as purchasing Montessori equipment, funding teacher aides, and funding specialist Montessori teacher training the Montessori strand at South End School in Carterton.

We generally meet on the second Thursday of each term at South End School. All families and staff are welcome to come along. Watch the school newsletter for upcoming meetings.

What is Montessori?

Montessori is a way of learning designed to match students needs based on their developmental age range 0-3 years, 3-6, 6-9, 9-12 etc. With specialised teaching materials, children use all five senses to learn and master concepts from working with the Montessori materials, instead of direct instruction. Understanding comes through the child’s own experiences via the materials and the freedom to allow children to explore and find things out independently. Within limits, children are free to choose their own areas of interest to explore more deeply. The Montessori way of learning is often described as  “freedom with responsibility.”

Characteristics of a Montessori class

Life in a Montessori classroom may look quite different from your own primary school experience or those of your child’s peers in other schools.

Active individualised learning - using stimulating multi-sensory materials

Mixed ages - where older students help teach younger children

Uninterrupted work cycles, up to three hours, usually in the morning. Students structure their own time and day with guidance from teachers. Working at one’s own pace allows students to work for long periods without interruption.

Self evaluation occurs as students learn to evaluate their work objectively through the use of self correcting materials and individual work with the teacher/teacher aide.

Freedom of choice - involves decision making. Students select work according to their own interests. Student has freedom to move within the classroom to discuss work with other students and collaborate on project work.

Teachers act as facilitators -  working in collaboration with the students. They move between groups of students, guiding and providing lessons.

Intrinsic motivation  - students enjoy working for their own sense of accomplishment the child’s individual development brings its own reward and motivates them. There is no reward system like prizes, and no competition between students.

A philosophy of being - that extends beyond the classroom and works with family to create contributing global citizens.

Close student-teacher contact allows teachers to monitor and evaluate learning progress without testing.

Montessori education in the Wairarapa.

These are the options for Montessori education in the Wairarapa.

Montessori Playgroup
0-6 years
Carterton Plunket Rooms
9.30 am -11.30 am Tuesdays
Facebook : Wairarapa Montessori Playgroup

Montessori Preschool
3-6 years
114 Lincoln Road, Masterton
Website: www.wairarapamontessori.co.nz

Montessori Strand at South End School
6-8 years & 9-12 years
275 High St South, Carterton
Website: southend.school.nz

Beyond primary school ….Wa Ora High School, in Naenae, Lower Hutt  is the first Montessori college in New Zealand.