Answers to common parent questions
We know parents have lots of questions and that choosing the right learning environment for your child is a big decision.
That’s why we’ve created this FAQ: to explain how Montessori education works within Tawa School, what your child will learn, and how we support their development every day at Manaaki Montessori.
Who can join the Montessori class?
Preference is given to children who have at least two years of full‑time Montessori experience, either in a Montessori preschool or another Montessori primary classroom.
Children without prior Montessori experience are also welcome to apply when places are available. As part of the enrolment process, we will review your child’s school records and may invite them for class visits or observe them in their current classroom. This helps us understand how to best support your child’s learning needs while maintaining a positive, balanced classroom environment where all students have equal access to teacher guidance and support.
Can my child enter the class when s/he turns five?
In Montessori education, children typically move into the Second Plane of Development (ages 6–12) around the age of six. We strongly encourage children to complete the full 3–6 year cycle at preschool, as the final year (often at age five) is when they consolidate their learning, build confidence, and take on important leadership roles. This final year provides a strong academic, social, and emotional foundation for the next stage of their education.
As part of the transition process, the Room 9 teacher works closely with your child’s preschool teacher to assess readiness. In some cases, a child may transition slightly earlier, but it is essential that they are ready to work with independence.
Our classroom is a multi‑age environment where children up to age 12 learn together. For your child to thrive in this setting, they need to be able to manage personal care, work routines, and classroom responsibilities independently. This ensures the teacher can guide the whole group effectively and that your child feels confident and capable in their new community.
How does the Montessori class work with the rest of Tawa School?
Our class is simply known as Room 9, and we like to say we enjoy the best of both worlds. While our curriculum has a Montessori focus, we are fully part of the wider Tawa School community. Our students join in all school‑wide activities, including sports days, assemblies, visiting performers, cultural events, and school camps.
Our Year 7 and 8 students also participate in technology (“tech”) classes alongside the rest of the Intermediate team, ensuring they experience the full range of opportunities Tawa School offers.
Are your teachers Montessori trained?
Our head teacher is AMI Montessori‑trained, a fully registered New Zealand teacher, and brings decades of experience in Montessori primary classrooms both in New Zealand and overseas.
Our Montessori teacher also participates in regular professional development, including MANZ conferences and NZ Curriculum‑specific training. Montessori educators collaborate in these sessions to ensure teaching remains aligned with current curriculum expectations while maintaining the integrity of Montessori principles.
How does the Montessori classroom meet the government requirement of one hour a day in maths, reading, and writing?
The requirement for one hour a day in each subject does not mean children must sit in front of a whiteboard for a full hour. In Room 9, as in the rest of Tawa School, we follow Cognitive Load Theory, which research shows supports deeper learning and better retention. Lessons are delivered in short, focused sessions that introduce key concepts and give students time to practise and consolidate skills without becoming overloaded. Younger children may begin with shorter activities (around 20 minutes), and as they grow, their stamina and ability to focus for longer periods naturally increase.
In a Montessori classroom, learning is not divided into long, isolated blocks for each subject. Instead, students move purposefully between activities, allowing their brains to alternate between periods of intense concentration and lighter, reflective work. For example, a child might spend 40 minutes on a challenging division exercise, then choose to spend the next 20 minutes reading a book they enjoy. This balance prepares them for their next lesson and keeps their minds receptive to learning.Subjects such as science, geography, the arts, music, and drama are woven naturally into literacy and maths learning. This integrated approach ensures students meet curriculum expectations while engaging in rich, meaningful learning experiences.
What does a day look like in a Montessori Classroom?
Our mornings are built around a 3‑hour uninterrupted work cycle, where students engage in hands‑on learning with literacy and numeracy integrated across the curriculum. Activities include a balance of structured lessons, scaffolded practice, and independent work, allowing each child to progress at their own pace while meeting curriculum expectations.
8:30 am — Classrooms Open
Students arrive and begin quiet work; calm transition into the day.
8:55 am — Mat Time
Roll, greetings, notices, karakia.
9:00 am – 12:20 pm — Morning Work Cycle
A 3‑hour uninterrupted work cycle including:
- Structured literacy / grammar lessons
- Maths & geometry lessons with hands‑on materials
- Great Stories, science, history, social sciences
- Arts, music, drama
- Handwriting and reading practice
- Practical life activities (cooking, Going‑Out)
- Self‑chosen snack & brain break
12:20 pm – 12:40 pm — Tidy‑Up & Lunch Eating
Students reset the classroom and eat together.
12:40 pm – 1:20 pm — Lunch Play
Outdoor play with the rest of Tawa School.
1:20 pm — Second Eating Break
Quick refuel before afternoon learning.
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm — Afternoon Work Cycle
Activities may include:
- Self‑chosen project work
- Virtues / Grace & Courtesy role‑playing
- Te Reo Māori lessons
- PE and sports
- Assemblies, library time, whole‑school activities
3:00 pm — Dismissal
End‑of‑day routines and pack‑up.
Why doesn’t the Montessori class have breaks at 10:30am with the rest of the school?
In the Montessori classroom, students follow a 3‑hour uninterrupted work cycle, which is essential for developing deep concentration and meaningful engagement with their learning. Because of this, children are not required to stop for the school’s 10:30am morning tea break.Instead of pausing at a fixed time, students take self‑chosen snack and brain breaks when they need them, guided by class routines and their growing ability to self‑regulate. This allows them to balance challenging work with lighter, restorative activities—for example, completing a demanding spelling lesson and then choosing to draw and label polygons.This approach mirrors how adults work: we pause when our brain needs a break, not simply because others are stopping. By practising this, children develop independence, self‑awareness, and decision‑making skills, while still meeting all curriculum expectations.
If students are free to choose their work, how do you ensure children receive a well-rounded education in a Montessori classroom?
In a Montessori classroom, freedom always comes with responsibility. Children are encouraged to make choices about their work, but this process is carefully scaffolded. Students who need support with decision‑making receive guidance, while those who are more independent have greater freedom to choose what, when, and with whom they work.
Teachers use a range of tools to ensure every child receives a balanced and comprehensive education:
- Teacher conferences — Regular one‑on‑one check‑ins to review progress, set goals, and guide learning across all curriculum areas.
- Work journals — Students record their activities and reflect on their choices, helping them build awareness and accountability.
- Printed curriculum guides — Provide clear expectations and learning goals for each subject area.
- End‑of‑term reflections — Students revisit their goals and evaluate their growth, strengthening metacognition and responsibility.
This approach allows each child to take ownership of their learning while ensuring they engage with all areas of the curriculum in a meaningful, developmentally appropriate way.
You can also watch these videos to see a child explain one of the tools we use to build responsibility and autonomy in the classroom.
Do they have tests? How is my child’s learning assessed?
Room 9 follows the same school‑wide assessment practices as the rest of Tawa School to ensure every child’s progress is monitored and supported. For senior students, standardised tools such as PAT and DIBELS are used to track progress in literacy and mathematics.
Teachers also use formative assessment, which means they observe students closely, provide feedback in real time, and adjust teaching to meet each child’s needs. This ongoing cycle of observation and guidance is a core part of Montessori practice and helps ensure children are challenged, supported, and progressing at the right pace.
Parents can follow their child’s learning through the Seesaw app, where teachers share work samples, achievements, and reflections. This gives families a clear, up‑to‑date picture of progress, growth, and areas for further development.
How well do Montessori children integrate into a state high school?
Montessori students transition very well into state intermediate and high school settings. Their time in Room 9 helps them develop strong self‑management, organisation, and independent work habits—skills that are highly valued in mainstream education. Academically, they are well prepared for the expectations of a state high school, particularly in literacy, mathematics, and inquiry learning.
Because they are used to planning their work, managing their time, and taking responsibility for their learning, Montessori students often adapt confidently to new routines, larger environments, and a wider range of teachers.
You can watch this video to see how Montessori children describe their transition and how they integrate into state Intermediate and High School settings.
Can I visit the classroom to see Montessori learning in action?
Yes — you are very welcome to book a classroom observation. Visiting is the best way to see Montessori learning in action and to get a feel for how the environment supports independence, focus, and hands‑on exploration.To arrange a visit, please contact us to book an observation time.
The Manaaki Montessori Education Trust (MMET) also hosts occasional Open Days for prospective parents. These events give families the chance to visit the classroom, meet the teacher, and learn more about the programme. Open Days are advertised on the Manaaki Montessori Facebook page and shared with local Montessori preschools.
Still Have Questions?
We’re always happy to help. If there’s anything you’re unsure about, just get in touch and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Contact UsOr flick us an email at tawamontessorienquiries@gmail.com
