Children are ready for the Second Plane of Development (primary) around the age of six. It is important for children’s academic, social and emotional development that they have the opportunity to complete the 3-6 year cycle at preschool before joining our class.

The final year at a Montessori preschool is the period when five-year olds reinforce their own learning and gain mastery through teaching others and playing leadership roles. There are plenty of classroom materials to challenge the five year old academically.

Children enter our class in one of our two annual intakes as they approach their sixth birthday.

Two intakes keeps a stable environment for the class. Having a group of children enter the class at the same time makes for an easier transition for everyone. The incoming children attend a Ready, Steady, Go programme before their start date. This gives them a chance to work with the other children (both those in the class already and those who are coming in with them).

Preference is given to children who have attended a Montessori preschool up to the age of at least 5. We also take transfers from other Montessori primary schools.

Our head teacher is state and AMI Montessori trained and has many years of experience in a Montessori primary classroom.

While Montessori children have the freedom to choose their own work and activities, the teacher meets regularly with each child to ensure the child is covering all areas of the curriculum.

Our class is simply known as Room 9, and is involved with all school wide activities including sports days, assemblies, visiting performers, school camps etc.

Our Year 7 and 8 students attend “tech” classes with the rest of the school’s Intermediate team.

Tawa School runs an arts rotation programme which our class also participates in.

The Manaaki Montessori Education Trust (MMET) holds open days for prospective parents to visit the classroom and speak to the teacher. Parents can also see the class in action during observation afternoons. These are advertised at our local Montessori preschools and on our Facebook page. You can also sign up (click here) to be sent an email reminder of upcoming events for prospective families.

We do not set homework as the children accomplish many things during their daily work cycles. Tawa School offers optional Homework challenges which our children are welcome to complete.

There is a sequential order to the equipment. Sometimes the children will begin exploring the equipment which can look like play to the untrained eye! This is the sensorial aspect of the material. From this the children learn to use the material correctly.

The 3 hour morning work cycle enables the children to be fully absorbed in, and complete their work without interruption. They develop their powers of concentration and learn to become independent learners.

From their time in the Montessori classroom they know how to manage themselves and their work. They are academically well prepared to move onto a state high school.