Be Inspired, Invigorated & Informed–MMEF Professional Development Opportunities, 2016

Tena Kotou Friends

Many of you have been inquiring about the 9-day AMI birth - 3 Assistant Certificate Course commencing on April 18th – 28th – the interest is building which is great news!

We truly believe that this course should be accessible to everyone and anyone with an interest in the natural development of young children aged birth to three. With accessibility in mind we are delighted to inform you of a new payment option:-

Register on-line and pay just 50% of the course fees before Friday February 12th, 2016 and you’ll still receive the early bird discount.  The remainder of the course fees are to be paid by Thursday March 31st. (please tick the 50% deposit option on your registration form).

Alternatively, you can make 1 payment in full - though do take advantage of the early bird discount and register by Friday February 12th.

For the course brochure, go to our website at mmef.org.nz or click on this link http://goo.gl/NhtCzR.

You can also register for the course on-line via the MMEF website too.

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‘Language - Material Making‘ Workshop

Saturday January 16th, at AUT, Northcote, Auckland

9.00 - 4.30p.m

We’re delighted to invite you join AMI 3-6 Trainer, Cheryl Ferreira and the AMI students for a hands-on material making workshop.

Join us as we explore a vital part of the language area - the Classified Reading materials. The workshop will include:-

• how to make your own Classified Reading materials,
• how to introduce the Classified Cards in your environments ,
• you’ll also make ‘one way’ of displaying the Classified Reading materials.

This workshop may just be the motivation your team need to make the many sets of classified cards that you’ve been meaning to make for ages!

Cost - only $80 (inc. card though excluding pictures. Details will be given closer to the date). AUT students $50. BYO food.

*** Numbers will be limited.

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‘Safeguarding Young Children’ Workshop

(inc. the Vulnerable Children’s Act, 2014)

Thursday February 25th, Kawai Pupupura Retreat Centre, Albany, Auckland 9.00-4.30p.m.

Facilitator – Desma Cornhill, AUT lecturer

Have all of your staff attended a Child Protection workshop? It’s best practice to do so! Here’s the perfect opportunity to develop a team approach to those vulnerable in our communities.

The workshop will include:-

• Protecting and safeguarding our children
• Signs and symptoms of neglect and abuse
• Reporting
• How to develop a child protection policy
• Advice concerning identification – who would this involve?
• Three year reviews, Ministry of Education licensing and certification criteria & ERO

Cost - only $60.00. BYO food.

Book the dates in your diaries – booking forms will be available shortly. In the meantime, email mmef@ihug.co.nz for more information.

Ka Kite Ano, MMEF

Is This on Your Term 4 to do list? Book Your Place on the AMI 0-3 Assistant Certificate Course, April, 2016 today!

Dear Maria Montessori Education Foundation Supporters

Congratulations to the students of the 5th AMI 3-6 Assistant Certificate Certificate Course as they completed their 9-day course.

20 students from Queenstown to Matakana were ably guided by AMI trainer Philippa Romig from Switzerland and MMEF’s Carol Potts. The enthusiastic students traversed 60 hours of Montessori theory and practice with time in between for reflective and convivial conversations,walking on the line (picture), networking plus lots of singing!

We were extremely fortunate also to be joined by Kaiako Carol Smith, from the Peace Foundation, who’s knowledge and wisdom helped us to draw parallels between Maori kaupapa and the Montessori philosophy.

Our huge thanks to Steven Arnold and AUT for hosting the course.

Register for the 0-3 Assistant Certificate Course – Auckland, April 2016

This week, schools and organisations will be receiving registration forms for MMEF’s forthcoming AMI Birth -3 Montessori Assistants Certificate Course to be held at the tranquil Kawai Purapura Retreat Centre, Albany, Auckland in April 2016. Please display the details of this amazing course on your parent noticeboards and inform anyone with an interest in the natural development of young children under 3.

The Montessori philosophy guides adults in respectful interactions with children, these serve as a basis for collaborative relationships that honour partnership between the adult and child.

Research continues to validate that the early years of life, particularly from birth to three, permanently impact a child’s future.

The AMI Birth -3 Assistants Course is the ideal foundation course for anyone interested in the Montessori’s respectful approach to child development. Equally beneficial for parents, grandparents, educators, school administrators and anyone involved with or passionate about the care and education of young children.

This 9 day course will explore Montessori principles and philosophy while emphasising the importance of free movement and language development for infants and toddlers. Practical elements including; the art of observation, how to support independence and establishing a framework for toilet learning and much more…

Accommodation is available at the venue for those who  book early via http://kawaipurapura.co.nz/retreats-accommodation/

We are extremely fortunate to have Julia Hilson, AMI 0-3 trainer from Australia, leading the course.

For more information please download the course brochure from our website at mmef.org.nz or click on this link http://goo.gl/NhtCzR .

You can also register for the course on-line  via the MMEF website too!

For further information email mmef@ihug.co.nz.

More Professional Development Opportunities – Dates for Your Diary - 2016

On January 16th, 2016 MMEF will be offering a workshop on Material Making – Classified Reading Material with Cheryl Ferreira. Details will sent out shortly.

Towards the end of February (exact date tbc), MMEF will also be offering a workshop on Safeguarding Young Children including information on the Vulnerable Children’s Act.

It is essential that staff in centres attend a Child Protection workshop to refresh themselves on latest regulations, signs and symptoms and support agencies. Details will sent out soon.

All for Now.

Your thoughts, ideas and comments are always welcome.

MMEF

AMI 3-6 Assistant Certificate Course–Auckland–September 2015

Dear Maria Montessori Education Foundation Supporters 

Well, flights are being booked, accommodation tweaked, text books excitedly ordered all in preparation for the forthcoming AMI 3-6 Assistant Certificate Course being held at Auckland University of Technology for 9 days commencing on Sept. 28th – Oct. 8th.

There are a few spaces still available – click on the link to download the course details today. Don’t miss out!
http://mmef.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/MONTESSORI-ASSISTANTS-CERTIFICATE-COURSE-Auckland-SeptOct-2015.pdf

Date: Monday 28th September - Thursday 8th October 9 days (exc. 4th & 5th Oct.)

Venue: Auckland University of Technology (AUT), Northcote Campus, Auckland

Presented by: Philippa Romig, AMI 3-6 Trainer, Switzerland, London.
Carol Potts, AMI 3-6, MMEF, New Zealand

Click on the link to register on-line http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/h959J3H1Nlcxtz7g

Are you already attending, living in Auckland and would be willing to host someone? Please email mmef@ihug.co.nz.

Noho Ora Mai

MMEF

9 Day AMI 0-3 Assistant Certificate Course, April 18th–28th, 2016

Dear Friends,

We are delighted to send you information about MMEF’s forthcoming AMI Birth -3 Montessori Assistants Certificate Course in April 2016.

The Montessori philosophy guides adults in respectful interactions with children, these serve as a basis for collaborative relationships that honour partnership between the adult and child.

Research continues to validate that the early years of life, particularly from birth to three, permanently impact a child’s future.

The AMI Birth -3 Assistants Course is the ideal foundation course for anyone interested in the Montessori’s respectful approach to child development. Equally beneficial for parents, grandparents, educators, school administrators and anyone involved with or passionate about the care and education of young children.

This 9 day course will explore Montessori principles and philosophy while emphasising the importance of free movement and language development for infants and toddlers. Practical elements including; the art of observation, how to support independence and establishing a framework for toilet learning and much more…

We are extremely fortunate that Julia Hilson, AMI 0-3 trainer from Australia will be leading the course.

For more information please download the course brochure from our website at mmef.org.nz or click on this link http://goo.gl/NhtCzR . You can also register for the course on-line too via the MMEF website!

We look forward to welcoming you on the course.

For further information about AMI Training in New Zealand contact  mmef@ihug.co.nz .

Warm regards,

Carol Potts – MMEF Faculty

Maria Montessori Education Foundation

PO Box 108054, Symonds Street, Auckland 1150, New Zealand, web www.mmef.org.nz

STOP PRESS - AMI 3-6 Assistant Certificate Course, 2015 now to be offered in Auckland!

Dear Maria Montessori Education Foundation Supporters

MMEF had to make the unenviable decision to change location for the forthcoming AMI 3-6 Assistant Certificate Course due to be held in Christchurch in September.

Owing to insufficient registrations from the South Island, the course will now be offered at Auckland University of Technology (AUT), Northcote. The dates will remain the same Monday 28th September – Thursday 8th October (omitting Sun. 4th & Mon. 5th October).

MMEF did not make this decision lightly, we’re extremely disappointed particularly for the South Island schools who have registered staff.

We are now appealing to the Auckland Montessori community for billets –even a house-sit – to make it possible for the South Island teachers to still attend. If you have a spare room and could accommodate someone travelling from outside of Auckland for the 9-day duration please email mmef@ihug.co.nz ASAP. We thank you in advance for your consideration.

Go to mmef.org.nz and click on the link for course details and register on-line here http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/h959J3H1Nlcxtz7g

Existing registrations will roll over to the new location, unless you notify us otherwise.

Is Your First Aid Certificate Due for Renewal in February 2016?

We’re looking into the feasibility of arranging First Aid Training for our current AMI students.

If your first aid certificate is due for renewal in February 2016 why not join us for a half day re-certification course in Albany. Re-certification  must be completed within 3 months of your previous certificate expiring.

If this is of interest to you or your staff please email mmef@ihug.co.nz or call Carol on 021 111 4133 by July 21st.

All for now, stay warm, stay well!

Noho ora mai,

MMEF

AMI 3-6 Certificate Course in Christchurch–Mon 28th Sep to Thur 8th Oct

Dear Supporters of the Maria Montessori Education Foundation

You asked, and we delivered. On 28 September the first AMI 3-6 Assistant’s Certificate course is organised to kick off in Christchurch.

This Friday 19th June however, MMEF will make the call whether to go ahead in Christchurch.

Sadly, despite initial enthusiasm, at this time there are too few numbers to proceed with the course at this location.

But there is still time to register! So if you want to attend, and ensure Christchurch is on the map for future courses, then register now.

Rest assured this course will be going ahead somewhere in New Zealand starting 28 September. If you want it to go ahead in Christchurch, then register now.

Philippa Romig, AMI 3-6 auxiliary trainer, Switzerland is waiting to book her flights, the only decision is where, so please register on-line before Friday June 19th  to confirm. (Note that Early Bird Payment is not required until August 7th.) 

In short: you now have 5 days to let us know if you’d REALLY like the AMI 3-6 Certificate Course in the South Island!

Click on the link for the registration details http://mmef.org.nz/…/MONTESSORI-ASSISTANTS-CERTIFICATE-COURSE…

You can register online by clicking below http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/h959J3H1Nlcxtz7g

Julia Hilson AMI, Birth - 3 Assistant Certificate Course – April 2016, Auckland

We’re delighted to announce that the course details for the AMI birth – 3 Assistants Certificate Course are now on-line.  For the course brochure click on the link here http://mmef.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/AMI-assistants-programme-0-3-final-for-emailing.pdf 

Register on-line :- http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/fZ5lEg7r8z0x9cwF69J1fG2aQ.

Here’s snippet of what the course includes:-

• The importance of Order and Precision, with emphasis on the part Order plays in the development of the personality
• The Development of Movement and its significance for the child 0-3
• The Development of Language, also taking into account :
  • vocabulary—correct, precise, rich, scientifically exact
  • how to listen to and elicit language from children
• The Development of Independence:
  • physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual, as conditions for interdependence
• Preparing the Environment:
  • home and Nido, Infant Community (the physical and the intangible)
• Understanding Freedom and Discipline
• Observation - technique and recording
• Music and Art

Who’s this Course for?

• Anyone working in a Montessori Nido or Infant Community, with children from birth – 3 years 
• Professionals working with young children under the age  of 3
• Parents of young children
• All those in support roles with families and whanua

All for now, stay warm, stay well!

Noho Ora Mai, MMEF

AMI 3-6 Certificate Course–Christchurch - Mon. 28th September–Thurs. 8th October, 2015

Dear Supporters of the Maria Montessori Education Foundation

On Friday 19th June MMEF will make the call whether to pursue with the South Island AMI 3-6 Assistant Certificate Course in Christchurch, this September.

At present, sadly there are insufficient numbers to proceed with our planned location - though there’s still time to register!

Philippa Romig, AMI 3-6 auxiliary trainer, Switzerland is waiting to book her flights, therefore please register on-line before Friday June 19th – early bird payment is not required until August 7th. 

So you now have 5 days to let us know if you’d REALLY like this AMI 3-6 Certificate Course in the South Island!

Click on the link for the registration details http://mmef.org.nz/…/MONTESSORI-ASSISTANTS-CERTIFICATE-COURSE…

You can register online by clicking below or insert the following url in your  browser. http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/h959J3H1Nlcxtz7g

Julia Hilson AMI, Birth - 3 Assistant Certificate Course – April 2016, Auckland

We’re delighted to announce that the course details for the AMI birth – 3 Assistants Certificate Course are on-line now.  Click on the link here http://mmef.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/AMI-assistants-programme-0-3-final-for-emailing.pdf  for the course brochure.

And click on this link for the on-line registration form http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/fZ5lEg7r8z0x9cwF69J1fG2aQ.

Here’s snippet of what the course includes:-

• The importance of Order and Precision, with emphasis on the part Order plays in the development of the personality
• The Development of Movement and its significance for the child 0-3
• The Development of Language, also taking into account :
• vocabulary—correct, precise, rich, scientifically exact
• how to listen to and elicit language from children
• The Development of Independence:
• physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual, as conditions for interdependence
• Preparing the Environment:
• home and Nido, Infant Community (the physical and the intangible)
• Understanding Freedom and Discipline
• Observation - technique and recording
• Music and Art

Who’s this Course for?

> Anyone working in a nido or infant community with children from birth – 3

> Professionals working with young children under the age of 3

> Parents of young children

> All those in support roles with families and whanua

All for now, stay warm, stay well!

Noho Ora Mai, MMEF

AMI 3-6 Certificate Course-South Island-Mon. 28th September-Thurs. 8th October, 2015

Dear Supporters of the Maria Montessori Education Foundation 

Over the past few weeks we've received many enquiries asking when the next AMI 3-6 Certificate course will be held in Auckland.


Well in short, it's likely that the next one will not be for a couple of years - hence we would encourage you to support the Christchurch economy and join us at Nova Montessori School, New Brighton this September! 

Philippa Romig, AMI 3-6 auxiliary trainer and bi-lingual Montessori school owner, Switzerland is waiting to secure her flights, therefore please register on-line by Friday June 19th - early bird payment is not required until August 7th.

So folks you have 3 weeks to let us know if you'd REALLY like this AMI 3-6 Certificate Course in the South Island! 

Here's what graduates of a recent AMI 3-6 Certificate Course said...

The AMI Assistants Course was an intense nine days during the school holidays but I came away with ideas and resources that I could use as soon as I returned to school.
The course was packed full of information, I felt that I came away with a much better understanding of the Montessori philosophy, in particular how everything links together, for example; the physical and the psychological -
I feel like a have a much better understanding of what holistic actually means. I found the practical side very beneficial and now feel confident in pulling groups of different ages together.
One of the highlights of the course was the camaraderie of the group and being able to share ideas.
I recommend the course to anyone wanting to find out more about the Montessori philosophy, or who needs a refresher and rejuvenation!

Options to reduce costs:

• share accommodation with others travelling from North Island. We can happily put you in contact with other attendees.
• look for a grab a seat flights to Christchurch http://grabaseat.co.nz

 
The dates are Monday 28th September-Thursday 8th October (This is a nine-day course; note that Sunday 4th & Monday 5th will not be study days).

Click on this link for the registration details:
http://mmef.org.nz/.../MONTESSORI-ASSISTANTS-CERTIFICATE-COURSE... 

You can register online by clicking here or insert the following url in your internet browser. http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/h959J3H1Nlcxtz7g

Noho Ora Mai, 
MMEF

MMEF receive glowing NZQA results!

Dear Supporters of Maria Montessori Education Foundation

A HUGE thank you to the students, the schools, the MMEF trustees and faculty and all of our stakeholders who had any part in MMEF’s External Evaluation and Review (EER) by NZQA. MMEF have just received the highest category rating a training provider can receive. Highly Confident in both Educational Performance and Self-assessment and we are delighted!

This makes MMEF a Category 1 training provider and that’s impressive!

Go Well AMI Students

Now that the first module of the course is complete, many of our students are back in their environments plus studying in their spare time! 

It was great to see some of you at the recent Montessori Aotearoa N.Z. Conference in Tauranga.

Congratulations too to those of you who have secured positions in Montessori environments since the last module!

How privileged you are now to be immersed and engaging with Montessori in action. Keep reading and reflecting…

AMI 3-6 Certificate Course, Mon. 28th – Thurs. 8th Oct. (9 days) Christchurch

Philippa Romig, AMI 3-6 Auxiliary Trainer, Switzerland & Carol Potts, MMEF will be offering the next AMI 3-6 Assistant Certificate Course in Christchurch next term. This course offers an introduction to Montessori pedagogy and preparation for the role of assistant in a Montessori early childhood centre. The course is also beneficial for parents, carers, and childcare professionals from other fields to gain an understanding of the Montessori approach to education. This course format allows attendees to complete the required 8 hours of observation before the end of the course.

Don’t miss out – on-line registration is now available at http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/h959J3H1Nlcxtz7g

AMI 0-3 Certificate Course, Mon. 18th – Thurs. 28th April 2016, Auckland (9 days)

Yes folks, the dates are confirmed, Julia Hilson, 0-3 AMI Trainer is booked and the venue secured for the forthcoming AMI 0-3 Assistant Certificate Course next April!

The course will be convivially held at Kawai Purapura Retreat Centre in Albany.

Basic twin share accommodation is also available on-site for those seeking a vegetarian experience. We will also be appealing to attendees living in Auckland to consider offering a place to those traveling from areas outside of Auckland.

Registration details will be out soon! For further details in the meantime contact mmef@ihug.co.nz.

Noho Ora Mai, MMEF

AMI 3-6 Assistant Certificate Course September 2015–Christchurch.

Here's a professional development opportunity to appeal to our South Island residing friends!
MMEF are delighted to announce the dates for the next AMI 3-6 Assistant Certificate Course in Christchurch - Monday 28th September - Thursday 8th October (Sunday 4th & Monday 5th will not be study days).
Click on the link for the registration details http://mmef.org.nz/…/MONTESSORI-ASSISTANTS-CERTIFICATE-COURSE…

You can register online by clicking here or insert the following url in your internet browser. http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/h959J3H1Nlcxtz7g

Introducing the enthusiastic AMI 3-6 course students during their first summer module…

    

    

AMI 0-3 Assistant Certificate Course – Auckland

We are so pleased to be able to confirm that Julia Hilson, AMI 0-3 trainer, will return to New Zealand in April 2016 to offer a 9 day 0-3 Assistant Certificate Course.

This course will be a ‘must book’ for, anyone working with young children 3 and under, parents far and wide, nannies (and grandparents!), and for all professionals who offer support and guidance to families, whanau and young children.

We are currently looking at venues in Auckland. The dates of the course will be Monday 18th April – Thursday 28th April (9 days). Sunday 24th & Monday 25th April will not be study days.

Come and visit us on the MMEF stand at the MANZ Conference http://www.montessori.org.nz/conference

Ka kite ano, MMEF