The School
Text Box: Mana Montessori is situated in a sunny location beside Endeavour Park in Albatross Close, Whitby and has its own purpose-built two-classroom building. Children come from a wide geographical area from Titahi Bay, Paraparaumu and the Hutt Valley to attend Mana Montessori. We offer attractive classrooms and a high ratio of teachers to children. We run morning or afternoon classes for children aged between 2˝ and 6 years old, in classes of mixed ages. Children may elect to attend a combination of morning and afternoon sessions. We also offer Extended Day classes for four and five year olds. We implement both the Te Whāriki national early childhood education curriculum and the Montessori curriculum developed by Dr Maria Montessori. The philosophy of Maria Montessori is based upon the provision of a safe, carefully prepared, child-centered environment in which children learn at their own pace. Our experienced teachers assist children to take responsibility for their own learning and fulfill their potential. We encourage the development of self esteem, concentration, self discipline, respect and independence. Our aim is to provide a high quality education, which fosters skills and attitudes that will enable children to achieve success and which nurtures a life long love of learning. Four of the six members of the teaching staff have been here since 1999. The Management Committee is committed towards working towards providing the teaching staff with pay parity to retain loyal and talented teachers, and to meeting Ministry of Education requirements for all teachers to hold teacher registration by 2012. The Committee funds substantial professional development. This includes providing financial support for teachers to undertake Montessori training and providing generous financial assistance, including payment of all fees, for teachers with Montessori teaching qualifications to upgrade to early childhood education qualifications. Teachers continually strive to improve their teaching practice. They visit other Montessori schools and engage each year in Whole Centre Professional Development programmes, with a Montessori facilitator from the local College of Education, working on improving learning outcomes for children. The recent focus has been on promoting children’s independence.

Take a photo tour of the school

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