Module 1 completed!

Dear Maria Montessori Education Foundation Supporters
With the first module completed we are looking ahead to welcoming MMEF students back for Module 2 in September!

A.M.I. Diploma holders you can join us too!
Would you like to refresh yourselves with either the Practical life, Language,
Mathematics, Sensorial or Language extension materials?
If you hold an A.M.I. 3-6 Diploma, come and join us for a day's refresher.
For just $50 you can join our students from 8.30 - 4.30. We're just a stone's throw
from Mt. Eden train station and a short walk to cafe and eateries.
Email mmef@ihug.co.nz and tell us which materials you'd like to refresh yourselves with and we'll tell you which day you can book in for. And do remember that part of the modules fall within the term breaks. See you soon!

MMEF looks ahead to next course for 2011
Plans are already underway for the next course to commence in 2011, and we would love to hear from you!
Please take a moment to answer these 4 questions and email the answers to mmef@ihug.co.nz:

1. If the next training course is in Wellington, I will seriously consider enrolling in the next modular format3-6 course Yes / No

2. If the training course is in Auckland, I will seriously consider enrolling in the next modular format3-6 course Yes / No

3. If the training course is in Dunedin, I will seriously consider enrolling in the next modular format3-6 course Yes / No

4. If the training course is in Christchurch, I will seriously consider enrolling in the next modular format 3-6 course Yes / No

MMEF is now considering locations for the next 3-6 training course. Give us your feedback to be considered when deciding on the location for the next course.
Visit www.mmef.org.nz to see the module dates for the current course, which permits you to work and study.
Consider your future Montessori training options now and email mmef@ihug.co.nz with your answers!

MMEF is delighted to offer the following in October

Speaker: Cheryl Ferreira A.M.I. 3-6 Director of Training

Saturday October 10th @ 9.00 - 4.00p.m

WORKSHOP: 'Planning Your Day in the Montessori Environment'

to include

The Prepared Environment
The Three Hour Work Cycle
Adult Roles in The Children's House

Flow Between Indoors and Outdoors

PUBLIC ADDRESS Saturday October 10th @ 7.00 - 9.00p.m

'The Child - A Social Being'
'The first step, is then to help the child develop all his functions as a
free individual and to foster that development of personality that actuates
social organisation'

Venue for both - Historic Village on 17th, Seventeenth Avenue, Tauranga

***************

Saturday October 17th @ 9.00a.m - 4.00p.m
WORKSHOP: 'Exploring Language - Towards Total Reading'

In the Children's House we are always working 'towards total reading'. We pursue this path mastering not only the mechanics of word reading (phonetic reading, phonograms, and puzzle words) but also exploring the function of different types of words.

PUBLIC ADDRESS Saturday October 17th @ 7.00 - 9.00p.m

Children Create and Develop Language from Birth Onwards'

'Join us to discuss the factors that impact on the development of spoken language from 0-6 and how this impacts on writing and reading'

Venue for both - Wa Ora Montessori School, 278 Waddington Road, Naenae, Lower Hutt, Wellington
* * * * *

Email mmef@ihug.co.nz for a registration form or more information about any of the above events.

To view the on-line MMEF newsletter visit www.mmefnz.blogspot.com, or email mmef@ihug.co.nz to subscribe.

Best wishes to you all,

Carol, Tia, Anna, Shirley, Lynne

MMEF TRUSTEES

Nine weeks to go: Aprons, Dusters & Classified Cards

Dear Supporters of the Maria Montessori Education Foundation,
With just 9 weeks to go before the inaugural AMI 3-6 course commences, here at MMEF HQ we are busily putting the final touches to the material ensemble: making aprons, polishing cloths, and classified cards, not to mention scouting out the perfect trays, baskets and jugs - these are exciting days indeed!

Late Enrolments - Don't Miss Out!
As enrolment enquiries continue to arrive daily, we would urge anyone still considering applying for this year's course to send in their applications ASAP. There are just a few spaces available for late enrolments. Don't miss out!

Accommodation for our Trainer - Can you Assist?
We are now seeking accommodation for our Director of Training. Schools in the area will have already received a flier to display on your staff & parent notice boards about this. If you or anyone you know -- maybe a parent or a friend -- lives within walking distance to Mt. Eden village who may consider renting a room in their home for approximately six weeks at time during the course modules, we would love to hear from you! Email mmef@ihug.co.nz if you can help.
(And also let us know if you may be able to accommodate one of our overseas students)

Study the theory-only component of the AMI 3-6 Course . . .
MMEF recently invited Montessori school owners, administrators and trustees to study the theory–only component of the AMI 3-6 Course as an underpinning to their centre’s philosophy, policies and practice. This is essentially the first 4 week module between June 29th and 24th July plus the occasional day throughout the course.
If you know of anyone within your school that this may be particularly relevant for, please email mmef@ihug.co.nz for more details.

Calling all AMI Diploma holders
Would you like to refresh yourselves with either the Practical life, Language, Mathematics, Sensorial or Language extension materials? MMEF cordially invites all AMI Diploma holders to join the course for a day during any of the modules. The cost
is just $115 per day inc. GST. And do remember that part of the modules fall within
the term breaks.

And finally...to download an application pack go to 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 to you all, and onwards to June!

Carol, Tia, Anna, Shirley, Lynne
MMEF TRUSTEES

Here's some food for the soul:

Student Loan Options

Dear Maria Montessori Education Foundation Supporters
Counting down to the start of the course, here's what's been happening recently . . .

Student Loans
Here at MMEF HQ we've been liaising with both the ASB and National Bank on your behalf regarding Tertiary Account and Student Loan Packages, and both are open to helping out those studying this year with MMEF. We highlighted that many of our students would have the opportunity to work whilst studying also, which is well worth emphasising when you talk to the banks yourselves.

Our discussions were with the respective Branch Managers in Newmarket, Auckland, and we found both ASB and National are extremely approachable should you wish to discuss Tertiary Loan possibilities to suit you.

At a glance - here are the key benefits of both Tertiary Packages:-

Auckland Savings Bank (ASB)
Transaction Account with no base of transaction fees.
Interest free Overdraft of $1,000.
Credit Card with no account fee for the first 12 months.
Personal Loan at concessionary rates, currently 13.95% (usually 17.95%)


The National Bank
An everyday account with no monthly account transaction or automatic payment fees
Interest-free overdraft on application of up to $1000 for your first year of study, and up to $2000 for your remaining years on the package
Thoroughbred Card or Visa Classic credit card, with no annual account fee
Tertiary Loan Interest Rate currently 11.70% p.a.


Helping out with your cash flow
While we're talking finances . . . although this may seem an obvious suggestion to many, some students are facing the possibility of foresaking several weeks of salary during the study modules, which causes obvious cash-flow challenges ;-{
An option to assist your staff, that are either enroled or considering enrolment for the AMI Diploma this year, is to annualise their salary i.e calculate the annual salary and continue payment throughout the year. This was an idea proferred by one school which could indeed be advantageous for many more of you.....think about it.

Chery Ferreira on air!
Our Director of Training Cheryl Ferreira was interviewed by National Radio's Brian Crump for his evening show during Cheryl's last visit to New Zealand. The 20 minute interview was aired on the eve of 18th March. Thank you to many of you who emailed with complimentary remarks...and for those of you who missed it, you can still 'tune in' by clicking here:
http://organonarchitecture.co.nz/Not_PC/Cheryl-RADIONZ-180309.mp3.

And finally...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 to you all, and onwards to June!

Carol, Tia, Anna, Shirley, Lynne
MMEF TRUSTEES

There's a student in my classroom

Dear Maria Montessori Education Foundation Supporter

It's official! MMEF have received advice that as far as Immigration purposes are concerned, International students applying to study for the AMI 3-6 Diploma commencing in June 2009 will qualify to apply for 20 hours work whilst they are studying.

This had seemed to be rather a grey area -- what it now confirms is that schools contemplating employing a student during the course, or for International students considering 20 hours work whilst study, that this should be possible. Go to http://www.immigration.govt.nz/opsmanual/index.htm for the relevant section.

We understand that schools have been hearing from enthusiastic students looking for work in between their contact modules and when not on teaching practice and observation. Some students have already secured interviews with prospective employers.

We are all mindful of maintaining child/adult ratios with teacher registration requirements, though if at all possible, and your ratios can accommodate this, the benefits of having someone in your environment putting into practice what they are absorbing during their training can be a priceless experience.

One school for example accepted an AMI graduate from Sydney to do her four-week full-time practicum in their school. The enthusiasm and fresh ideas the student brought within a short period of time was rejuvenating for the whole school. They told us that they would have been delighted to have someone of this calibre in their environment for up to four hours every day.

Think about it......

Meanwhile, here's some music for the soul.
[From: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGd4Rs-O3ws&feature=related]



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

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

Happy New Year ... from Matt

Dear Maria Montessori Education Foundation supporters,

Here's a bright spirit to start your New Year off the right way: Where's Matt?



Study for your AMI Diploma this year and, like Matt, you too can travel the world!

All the best for 2009,
MMEF Trustees