Kapiti Primary School opens a Montessori classroom

OPEN: Education Minister Hekia Parata, watched on by Kapiti Primary School principal Martin Hett and pupils, cut a ribbon to declare a Montesorri classroom at Kapiti Primary School open.

Education Minister Hekia Parata officially opened a Montessori classroom at Kapiti Primary School this morning.

Mrs Parata, who attended an assembly in the school hall, before touring the foundation classroom, told pupils it was a delight to visit the school.

"This has been shining in my diary for quite some time.

"Every Friday I try to go to a school or schools somewhere in New Zealand and it's a real highlight in my week."

School principal Martin Hett said there had been a lot of hardwork, over eight months, to get the Montessori classroom up and running.

"It's fabulous.

"One of the capabilities we're working on is powerful learning connections with our whanau, which raises student achievement.

"This is the only primary Montessori classroom on the coast, and we now have have that ability to offer that choice to the community, which I'm really proud about."

He said community consultation, especially from a strong parent group, led to the Montessori classroom, which has 22 pupils.

"They came and saw me, and my board, and then we started investigating it, and the teaching approach and style, which really fits with what we're trying to do here in terms of interest driven learning, we thought 'yeah this is a great idea'.

"And then through collaboration, getting the enrolments, making sure we had the space and furniture, we've done it, I can't believe it."

With interest high, Mr Hett expected another Montessori classroom to open, especially as there was a spare room next to the Montessori classroom.

"I'd love to join those two classrooms together - a junior Montessori class and a senior Montessori class.

"That's the goal."