MMEF Retains Top Rating

Kia ora Koutou MMEF Supporters 

We are very happy to tell you that MMEF will be closing the year on a high note!

Our recent External Evaluation Review (EER) summed up by two ratings of Highly Confident for Educational Performance and Self- Assessment resulting in the highest NZQA rating possible: Category 1.
So we remain a Category 1 training organisation this time offering a Level 7 Diploma programme on the NZQA framework. 
This means that students can study with MMEF with complete confidence.
We are truly thankful to those of you who played a part in this outcome. We couldn't be happier! 

AMI 3-6 Certificate Course  
23rd March - 3rd April, 2020 -10 days

And to celebrate, we have another training course all ready to go! Enrol now to book your place on the next 3-6 Certificate Course, delivered in March 2020. The early-bird special price will be available until February 21st, 2020 - don't miss out!
The course will be offered over 10 days (60 hours) with 9 hours of observation to be completed after the course. 

Who can enrol? 

-  ECE qualified kaiako working in a Montessori environment. 

-  Those in a supporting role, in a Montessori environment.

-  School owners, administrators and parents.

-  ECE professionals seeking an understanding of the Montessori approach to child development.

- Anyone considering studying for the AMI 3-6 Diploma starting in June 2020. 

You can download the course brochure here.  Online registration is now available here. Alternatively, email mmefnz@outlook.com or visit mmef.org.nz/courses.   

AMI 3-6 Diploma - NEW Course Dates 

June 2020 - October 2021

"Train not to teach" - this caption from the Maria Montessori Institute, London really caught my eye! What a refreshing concept and one that truly encapsulates the principles of the AMI 3-6 Diploma programme. 

"It is necessary to take this treasure and to cultivate it. … But in true education, in real education, not only is there the child who is   educated, but also the adult undergoes transformation".                                                                                                                                  Montessori India, 1939

Part of that transformation comes from the genuine belief that children are born with immense potential. This fundamental understanding impels us to provide optimum environments and experiences to support the physical, intellectual and spiritual development during the first six years of life. 

You could be one of the next transforming cohorts of students!

MMEF is interviewing now for the next AMI 3-6 Diploma programme, now being offered over six 4-week modules plus 10 weeks of Observation and Teaching Practice. 

It was also extremely heartening to receive your positive comments about the consistency of the amended format. Click here to download the course information today!

Enrolments to be received by March 1st, 2020.

Reminder - 6-12 Certificate Course 
 Hamilton - July 2020

A wee reminder to register for the 10-day Assistant-Certificate Course, with 6-12 AMI Trainer Rebecca Dallam, before the 21st February 2020. 

The course will be offered at Waikato Montessori Education Centre, Hamilton from Tuesday 7th - Saturday 18th July 2020. This is directly following the MANZ Conference 2020,  where Rebecca Dallam will be the 6-12 speaker.  This course is ideal for:

• teachers seeking to become supportive assistants in 6-9 and 9-12 Montessori environments.
• Montessori primary trust members.
• parents keen to understand more about the development of 6-12 age children.

Registration Details

Download the 6-12 Course brochure here. Please send the completed registration form plus a 50% payment by February 21st, 2020. You can register online here.
MANZ and MMEF will offer a 10% discount (on both events) for participants attending the 6-12 Certificate and the MANZ Conference. 

Holiday Reading

Membership to AMI is open to everyone. MMEF arranges an annual AMI membership for subscribers from Aotearoa, New Zealand. If you would like to support the work of AMI globally, please email mmef.alumni@gmail.com. Membership runs from January to December.
Here's a wee taster, courtesy of the latest AMI newsletter - a thought-provoking read for the holidays entitled 'Learning from Apps and Objects - The Human Touch'

"The rise of touchscreen technology has transformed children’s media use, making it more flexible and interactive through applications that respond contingently, in comparison to traditional media like television. Consequently, many apps are designed to teach children: more than 80% of the top-selling apps in the Education category of the Apple App Store are aimed at children". 

Read the new article in which Sierra Eisen and Angeline Lillard examine children’s geography learning from a physical puzzle and an app designed to mimic the puzzle.  

And finally, we thank you for your on-going support of our endeavours to champion the cause of all tamariki.
We wish you all a healthy and happy Christmas and a joyous and prosperous 2020.  

"In the child is much knowledge, much wisdom. If we do not profit from it, it is only because of neglect on our part to become humble and to see the wonder of this soul and learn what the child can teach". 
                   Maria Montessori, Reconstruction in Education 
                                                    
The image of a koru is courtesy of Glendowie Montessori Preschool, Auckland 

Meri Kirihimete, ngā manaakitanga ki a kotou katoa. 

MMEF Management Team