Porirua Montessori
Porirua Montessori is a small community special character primary school kura for years 1-8 (ages 5-13)
We are not zoned.
Established in 2023, we are nestled in a quiet converted home on the border of Waitangirua and Whitby. We are a short walk from the Ascot Park 220 and Whitby 230 bus routes.
The ideas that Dr. Maria Montessori came up with in the early 1900s—like freedom, creativity, and a love of learning—are more important than ever in our fast-paced world.
We work together as a community: Ma pango ma whero, ka oti te mahi.
Our primary and intermediate school tamariki:
Have a small class size enabling amazing ratios
Use self-correcting and self-selected work
Have a curriculum underpinned by stories that capture their imagination
Opportunities to develop life skills through science, sewing, cooking and gardening.
Limited screen time. Screens are usually used for research of for intervention programmes.
Have lots of time to explore the arts and science
Use structured materials to help gain amazing literacy and numeracy results.
Have kaiako who observe what the child is doing and choosing and adapt their teaching to meet the child’s needs.
Are free to choose where they sit and who they work with
Plan their own work day with guidance from the kaiako
Have a mixed aged classroom which gives opportunity to work and learn from others and grow in humility and leadership
Find out here about how Porirua Montessori is different to other Porirua primary and intermediate schools.
Seeing The Big Picture
First coined by Maria Montessori, the phrase “Cosmic Education” is the Montessori idea of showing how each part of the world is connected to other parts of the world. Our tamariki look at the Big Bang, the origins of life, the huge range of living forms, the emergence of people, and the progress of different communities.
Our curriculum centres on love and service. By teaching kids that their lives matter just as much as everyone else’s, we help them develop a sense of direction, responsibility and purpose in our community.
Community
We strongly believe in the importance of community involvement. All families contribute to our school community.
By working together as a community, parents, teachers, and students create a supportive environment where everyone has a role to play in the growth and development of each child.
Maria Montessori
Our creator was a doctor and schoolteacher from Italy who was a feminist. She came up with a way to teach that promotes independence, freedom within boundaries, and letting kids grow at their own pace.
Montessori was one of the first women to graduate from the medical school at the University of Rome La Sapienza.
After working with disabled tamariki she became interested in teaching.
We are delighted to bring Primary School Montessori to Porirua.
The Whole Child
In Montessori education, the whole child is valued, including their mental, social, academic, emotional, and physical growth. The curriculum combines different subjects and encourages the growth of important life skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thought.
Our School Values
With our small school of children aged 5-13 and around 10 students, we get to know our learners really well enabling us to give close attention to your child's emotional, mental, social and academic growth.
Cultivating a passion for learning in your child is priceless. Having a low teacher to child ratio will allow your primary school aged tamariki to flourish.
Visit the best little Montessori school in Whitby, Porirua and Kapiti!
Why do people choose Montessori? Is it right for my whānau?
Parents who are comfortable with the Montessori approach typically embrace the following core beliefs about children’s learning:
Intelligence is in all children from birth, and with proper stimulation, their reasoning and problem-solving abilities can be cultivated early on.
- Whānau agree that natural and logical consequences rather than punitive measures work best. For example, if a child spills something, they are encouraged to help clean it up.
- Children are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions in age-appropriate ways, such as resolving conflicts with peers or caring for their environment.
- Parents foster independence by giving children choices and the tools to manage their behavior effectively.
The first six years of life are the most crucial for a child’s education.
Fostering a child’s independence, self-discipline, inner order, and self-motivation (or executive function skills) is essential for their development.
Academic competition and external accountability are not effective motivators. Children learn best when school is a safe, enjoyable, and stimulating environment.
A competitive classroom can inhibit creativity.
A child’s self-worth and empowerment are directly linked to their ability to acquire and retain new knowledge and skills.
Education should be about progressing through stages of independence and competence, rather than focusing solely on exams and assignments.
Children are naturally curious, creative, and motivated to learn by observing the world around them.
Children learn in diverse ways and at different speeds.
Hands-on experience, real-world applications, and problem-solving are the most effective ways for children to learn.
Children are capable of making decisions that shape their own learning experiences.
Collaborative learning and working on projects together is beneficial for children.
Parents tend to believe their children will do well academically and prefer a relaxed approach, emphasizing fun and excitement over academic pressure in the pursuit of high standards.
Parents want a school that nurtures their child’s curiosity, creativity, and imagination.
Families believe in Montessori and expect their family to be in Montessori for the entire of their child’s Primary years.
Parents want to be actively involved in their child’s education and look forward to participating in school activities and events.