MANZ 2008 Conference

Montessori – Personalised Learning in the 21st century

Saturday April 19, 1 pm - Tuesday April 22, 1 pm

Napier War Memorial Centre, Napier

Hawkes Bay will host the Montessori Association of NZ Conference for the first time in 2008.

Delegates from New Zealand and Australia will have a wealth of workshops and keynote  lectures to choose from and will leave the three day conference feeling inspired and stimulated.

MANZ is delighted to have Cheryl Ferreira (UK), Pam Nunn (Australia), Pat and Larry

Schaefer (USA), and Nicola Chisnall (NZ) as keynote speakers for the 2008 conference.

There are also eleven New Zealanders leading workshops and taking on a new professional challenge. By sharing their expertise and experience, these people will make an important contribution to the development of Montessori in NZ.

Keynotes addresses will be held for all delegates each day and focus on topics such as  Montessori – Personalising Learning in the 21st century, Why Montessori is Still Right for Children,  Reflections of the Life and Achievements of Dr Montessori, Montessori Beyond Educational Institutions, and Dr Montessori and Social Justice for Children.

Professionals in Montessori early childhood centres have a wealth of knowledge to gain at this conference, with 11 workshops focused on preschool environments.

Cheryl Ferreira will be reflecting on what Dr Montessori meant when she urged adults to ‘’follow the child’’?  She will explain what freedom looks like in a Montessori context and how adults can support yet refrain from interfering in the child’s activity. Professionals in Montessori ece centres can also expect to gain a deeper understanding of Montessori from Cheryl’s workshop “Building Montessori Learning Communities’’ which will focus on daily practices of Montessori that enable a strong learning community to be established.

Pam Nunn comes from Australia to attend her first New Zealand conference. In her workshop Pam will be exploring the fundamental principles of Montessori and how they applied are in the Montessori prepared environment. Pam will share with delegates examples of Montessori work around the world that happens ‘’beyond educational’ institutions and she will explore what Dr Montessori meat by Creativity and Fantasy – an issue many teachers grapple with !

Nicola Chisnall will be presenting a keynote speech and workshop focusing on Montessori maths for ece teachers and MANZ is delighted to again have her expertise at the MANZ conference.

The growing Montessori primary and adolescent communities in NZ benefit from the expertise of people with experience with these age groups and MANZ is delighted to have Larry and Pat Schaefer from the USA to share with delegates their 40 years of experience. Larry will explore in depth the whole process of cosmic education and share his experience in a workshop focused on Montessori for the Adolescent. Pat will be leading a workshop exploring the Montessori approach to literacy.

School leaders can gain some support from workshops such as Building Parent Communities in Your Montessori School with Pat and Larry Schaefer and Building a Vision for Your Montessori School with Jan Gaffney, Principal of Wa Ora Montessori School.

Six keynotes and 26 workshops over three days include:

 • Learning the Whole History of Humanity – Larry Schaefer, USA

• Montessori and Social Justice for Children – Nicola Chisnall, NZ

• Montessori at Home – a Happy Collaboration - Sola Freeman, NZ

• Normalisation – Fact or Fiction!– Lois McConnell, NZ.

• Why Not for Us? Montessori for Adults – Christian Dahmen, NZ

•Creating a Rich Reading Environments for 6-9 year olds - Robin Wilkins, NZ.

• How to Recognize a Child in the Lead or One Who Follows Behind – Mary Russo, NZ

•Taking Montessori Outside: Our Magical Journey Creating an Outdoor Prepared Environment - Anja Geelen NZ

•Movement Therapy for Montessori Children - Carol Laubsher NZ
•They Can Read Well – What Now? - Rose Phillips NZ

MANZ acknowledges the generous support of the conference sponsors Every Educaid and Learning for Kids.

To obtain a 2008 Conference brochure and registration form please see your Montessori centre or school, ring free phone 0800 33 66 12 or E-mail: eo@montessori.org.nz.

The brochure will be posted to you.

There are no online registrations.

MANZ member school staff and parents can register for the member rate of $370 for three days or $180 for one day registration.

MANZ is delighted to announce that planning for the 2010 conference is well underway. 

Amy Kirkham (Australia), Donna Goertz Bryan (USA) and Joen Bettman (USA) have recently been confirmed as international keynote speakers for the 2010 conference.

Conference venues are currently being sought in Christchurch - watch this space.

MANZ will be seeking workshop leaders and speakers from the NZ Montessori community - so if you have something to offer to your professional community - please be in touch !

E-mail: eo@montessori.org.nz