Mindplus Your School - Gifted and Talented Class
Enrolments for Term 2 2025 open now
Would your child benefit from an opportunity to be extended and dive deeply into projects?
What:
Porirua Montessori is offering a ‘Mindplus’ or Neurodiversity in Education Project programme on Thursday’s.
MindPlus offers part-time specialised programmes for gifted and neurodiverse learners. These learners are likely to have specific intellectual, social and emotional needs. MindPlus was first developed by the New Zealand Centre for Gifted Education’s Curriculum Action Group.
The Mindplus programme covers:
- Universal concepts such as ‘change’ and a deep dive into these concepts through a range of learning areas and activities
- Information about brains and navigating the world as a gifted or neurodivergent person
- Planning projects and carrying these through while making connections with others
It is delivered by a teacher and features limited screen time and lots of hands on learning and discussion.
Each week has a slightly different ‘flavour’ where students will have opportunity to learn about their brain and carry out activities or projects on different topics.
When:
Thursday from 12pm – 2.30pm at Porirua Montessori Primary School, with Leo Smith (qualified teacher), and a specialist MindPlus teacher. Together, they will work both face to face and online.
Cost:
$450 per child per term + one off $30 enrolment
- a $100 deposit is required within 3 days of enrolment to guarantee your place
- Weekly payment plans available
- NOTE: Permission from your school must be obtained before your enrolment is finalised.
Want to find out more?
Contact: Madelaine Armstrong Willcocks, Head of Programmes, Neurodiversity in Education Project
madelaine.willcocks(@)neurodiversity.org.nz
FAQs
Can Homeschoolers attend?
Yes, homeschoolers are very welcome
What is the class size?
We have a maximum of 16 children in the class, children work in their own classroom with a teacher away from the Montessori class.
Does my child have to be a student of Porirua Montessori School to enrol?
No! All students are welcome
How can my child attend if they are at another school?
To attend MindPlus YourSchool and therefore be absent from mainstream school one day a week, whānau will need to seek permission from their child’s school.
If they are home schooled they are welcome to attend.
Section 52 of the Education and Training Act 2020 allows New Zealand school students to have time away from school to attend alternative education with the permission from their school. Parents must seek the approval of their school. The principal will choose how to mark the child’s absence.
Can my child attend casually?
No, this is a full term commitment
Do you offer refunds if my child is sick or away?
No
Do you offer other one day options?
Yes, we also offer a one day school option on Mondays. This is a ‘one-day school’ option for children to join in with the Montessori class. This is open to tamariki aged 5-12. You can find out more here
Our Teacher
Tēnā koe, I’m Leo. I’m a mum, a dog lover, a firefighter and a nature lover.
I’ve been working with tamariki & rangatahi learners for the last 25+ years in a number of different ways. I’ve worked in Kindergartens, schools, college, live-in outdoor education schools and have been running Bush Sprouts Nature School for the last 6+ years here in Porirua. As a registered teacher I understand how learning happens in the School system and as a mother of a neurodiverse child and a Nature School Kaiako I have learnt that learning happens differently for everyone. I view Whakawhanaungatanga/
relationships as vital to creating an environment where ākonga can learn and thrive in the way that is best for them.
