A.M.I. 0-3 & 3-6 Diploma News

Kia Ora Koutou Friends

JUST LIKE YOU ARE, all of us at MMEF are delighted to be moving forward, now into Level 2, and trying to make it work! 

After the challenging few weeks globally and locally, and with many environments welcoming back their tamariki this week, we are all eager to change to our 'new normal' and see how it will creatively and resourcefully unfold.

Because it's also something of a "new different," isn't it. There will be excitement as the children reunite with you, their familiar surroundings, and their friends. There will be some anxiety as separations from family are made once again. The children will have new interests, and for many an increasing need to communicate: to regale stories, and to share experiences of their past few weeks. It's all part of their re-adaptation to the 'new different.' 

We wish you all well as you move back to the environments that we have all missed so much!

SO WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING in the meantime with MMEF....

On-line AMI 3-6 Orientation Course April 2020

Sometimes in surmounting challenges we discover something new. At the beginning of April, just as the lockdown started, we had been all ready to begin delivering the Montessori 3-6 Orientation Course (which used to be known as the Assistant Certificate Course) to a delightful new group of students. 

So what were we to do? Like many of us, and with the full support and encouragement of Association Montessori Internationale, we were able to make use of the tremendous online technology that has kept so many of us together in these trying times. After a very quick learning curve, MMEF were able to offer the very first on-line component of the 3-6 Orientation Course. 

And so, during the Level 4 lockdown, eleven gracious, patient, and flexible students honed their Zoom skills while discovering together Maria Montessori's tremendous insights into children's development. Uncannily, it did give a structure to the day -- as many students commented as we gathered on-line for three weeks of theory, discussions and much singing!  (As you know, it's always hard to keep Carol from singing!)

And having embarked on the journey, it can now be concluded in August with two days of face-to-face delivery. We're all looking forward to it.

AMI 3-6 Diploma Course - Enrolments Re-Opened!

One of the unfortunate casualties of Covid-19, however, has been a deferral to the start of the AMI 3-6 Diploma.  With all the uncertainty and especially the uncertainties around visas and borders and gatherings, there was simply no other alternative -- and once again we thank our extremely flexible and currently-enrolled students, who were notified that due to the delayed processing, by various agencies, and with our international students in mind, that a later course start date is now necessary.

But this may contain a silver lining for some of you -- most especially anyone still seeking to enrol! Whereas, before the Level 4 Alert, enrolments had closed, we will now be interviewing for the new start date.    

We are in discussions with our venue, with the appropriate government departments, with AMI and with all stakeholders. Once restrictions to international travel will be lifted, a new start will be announced.

In the meantime, we can confirm that the first module will be offered on-line. We know that this will be a tremendous boon to all students -- especially the many of you from outside Auckland -- in reducing the cost of travel and accommodation and time away. 

So don't delay. Act today!
Download the course application at MMEF.org.nz/courses/3-6-diploma-course-overview/.
Or email mmefnz@outlook.com.  

AMI 6-12 Orientation Course Starting July 2020 - Now Offered via Blended Delivery

It has now been confirmed that Rebecca Dallam is unable to travel to New Zealand in July to offer the AMI 6-12 Orientation Course (formerly named the 6-12 Assistants Certificate), however we are delighted to offer a creative alternative.

MMEF will now offer a blended format course comprising of two weeks on-line delivery via Zoom (part-time), concluding with one week on-site delivery in September/October in New Zealand. 

Both components have been scheduled within the Primary school holidays. Rebecca Dallam with be the trainer and as before, Waikato Montessori Education Centre will be the on-site venue.

The new dates for your diaries:

On-line Monday 6th –  Friday 10th & Monday 13th – Friday 17th July.

The on-line component hours will be 10.00a.m – 1.15p.m and students will simply need a good internet connection and access to Zoom. 

On-site Monday 28th September – Friday 2nd October 9.00a.m. - 4.00p.m.

Please download the amended Course brochure https://www.mmef.org.nz/courses/ami-orientation-courses-2020/.

AMI Assistants to Infancy 0-3 Diploma - From January 2021! 

We have had many inquiries regarding the planned (and long-awaited) New Zealand 0-3 Montessori Diploma -- the very first to be delivered here!

After much consultation with AMI, and with our wonderfully supportive 0-3 trainer, Julia Hilson, we are delighted to announce that New Zealand’s inaugural AMI Assistants to Infancy Diploma now scheduled to begin in January 2021.

This is very exciting news for all of us, and will be a tremendous boost to the earliest years of Montessori here in New Zealand.

While it is still difficult to predict exactly how the rest of the year will progress, we do know that moving forward with planning is imperative to the eventuation of the course beginning in January 2021. 
Here are the course dates: 

2021 Module 1. January 4^th – February 12^th, 2021, 6 weeks

Module 2. May 3^rd – 28^th 2021, 4 weeks.

Module 3. September 6^th – 1^st October, 4 week

 2022 Module 4. January 3rd - 28^th, 2022, 4 weeks

To receive the 0-3 Course Information Pack please email mmefnz@outlook.com.

Kia ora rawa atu,

MMEF Trustees - Carol, Anna, Tia, Shirley & Maria