Dear Maria Montessori Education Foundation Supporters

Welcome to another edition of MMEF news -- featuring news and updates counting down to the start of the AMI 3-6 training course starting June 2009! More on that below, but first: some dates to put in your diary.

Dates for Your Diary
As you know, our trainer for the AMI course is Cheryl Ferreira. Cheryl will be back in New Zealand on the final leg of preparation for the course in June -- during that time she will be visiting New Plymouth Montessori School, Auckland Montessori schools and Kohanga Reo, to gain a wider view of the early childhood sector in New Zealand.

On Thursday February 19th, you are all cordially invited to an Information Evening at Wee Wisdom Montessori School, Otahuhu, at which Cheryl will be the key speaker:

'Education: The Importance of the First Six Years'.

@ 7.00 - 9.00pm

67 Walmsley Road, Otahuhu (corner of Walmsley rd and Weka st.)

Admission: $5 at the door, tea and coffee included.
RSVP to mmef@ihug.co.nz by Tuesday 17th February

We look forward to seeing you all there!

AMI New Year's Message of Hope
I'm sure you've already danced around the world with Matt -- which was MMEF's New Year's message. AMI's New Year's message spells out AMI's ultimate goal: "to help all the world's children to grow free from fears and anxieties, remain open to others and live happy lives in a more peaceful world."

'The Child in Nature'
Visit the Montessori Australia Foundation website www.montessori.org.au to preview their 2009 events including the Whole School Refresher 5-7th June,which includes a 1 day conference 'The Child in Nature', in Sydney.

Reunion: AMI Asssistants' Certificate Course
Last year we ran two one-week AMI Assistants Courses, one in Auckland and one in Dunedin, which were very enthusiastically received.
For those who attended, and for any other AMI Alumni in the neighbourhood, we will be holding an afternoon tea at Titoki Montessori School, Torbay, Auckland on Saturday 14th February at 2.00p.m.
We are delighted to be able to schedule this into Cheryl's itinerary this month, so do come along and share your experiences since taking your course!
(NB: Dunedin attendees, we're sorry we couldn't get to Dunedin too! That said, we'd love it if you could email questions or comments to mmef@ihug.co.nz, and we'll share them at the afternoon tea.)

AMI Early Childhood Course, June 2009 to January 2011
Just to remind you, the new modular format course runs June 2009 to January 2011. Send your enrolments in now!
Students will attend a total of 24 weeks over 7 ‘contact' modules in 2009 & 2010 (see details below). There will also be 10 weeks of Observation and Teaching Practice to be completed in designated Montessori environments. The Observation and Teaching Practice weeks may be completed in stages between July 2009 and December 2010.

Contact module dates:
Contact Module 1 (4 weeks) - 29th June - 24th July 2009
Contact Module 2 (4 weeks) - 21st Sept - 16th October
Contact Module 3 (4 weeks) - 4th – 29th January 2010
Contact Module 4 (almost 2 weeks) - 6th – 16th April 2010
Contact Module 5 (4 weeks) - 28th June - 23rd July 2010
Contact Module 6 (4 weeks) - 20th Sept – 15th October
Contact Module 7 (2 weeks inc. Oral Exams) - 10th – 21st January 2011

When should I apply?
MMEF will be scheduling course interviews this month when Director of Training, Cheryl Ferreira, will be in New Zealand.
MMEF are requesting course applications a.s.a.p., and by April 1st, 2009 at the very latest!

Sponsorship
During the holidays we've been talking with several schools about sponsoring students on the AMI Early Childhood Course. Many have suggested they'd love to learn more about how some schools have done this in the past. Here's a few ideas:

A school may sponsor a staff member for the full cost of the course and engage in a contract with the sponsored teacher for a certain number of years after the training has been completed. This will be variable with the new course format as the staff member will be able to return to school in between the contact and practical modules. Obviously the staff member will be paid during the time they are working. Some schools offer travel costs but accommodation has be covered by the student. Whereas other schools pay a certain amount towards accommodation whilst the student covers their own travel costs (if applicable).

If you have any further questions on the topic of sponsorship, then please do email us. We'd love to hear from you.

And don't forget, if you or someone you know would like to enrol on the course starting June, then download an application pack at www.mmef.org.nz. To view the on-line MMEF newsletter visit www.mmefnz.blogspot.com, or email mmef@ihug.co.nz to subscribe.

Best wishes, and onwards to June!

Carol, Tia, Anna, Shirley, Lynne

MMEF TRUSTEES