Coherence
What Does Coherence Look Like at Otari School?
To us, coherence means harmony.
Harmony across learning areas; harmony across the whole school community; harmony between the classes and preschool.
As the children work, they naturally link learning areas. Children follow their interests into project work. and as they work on projects they are learning across the curriculum. In class learning areas work together, for example a fraction lesson might also lead to spelling. Stream testing work is not only science but also social studies and an opportunity to work with others. Children have the opportunity to take their learning outside the classroom through ‘Going Out’ trips.
Cosmic Education helps children to see the links within and across their learning. They come to understand the links to humanity across time and between topics and learning areas.
The Montessori Strand values being part of a larger school community. Differing philosophies work together under a unified curriculum, a shared annual theme, and school-wide implementation of The Virtues Project.
Teachers are New Zealand education system-trained and Montessori-trained. The New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa are delivered to all students. The New Zealand Curriculum covers the learning areas of English, Maths, The Arts, Health and Physical Education, Science, Social Science, Technology, and Languages, including Te Reo Maori.
Children experience coherent transitions from preschool, when joining the school from a different centre, between the junior and senior classes, and onto college.
How parents can support Coherence at home
Time spent together as a family, participating in a range of experiences, is valuable. You child is always learning. They will bring their enthusiasm for learning to school.
Whānaungatanga is valued by our school and is strengthened by nurturing our relationships with each other. Where possible, parents take opportunities to grow these relationships through school and Montessori gatherings.
Parents can learn more about Montessori, including the curriculum. They can attend parent evenings and join the Facebook group.
Harmony between home and school is important to us. Parents and teachers are in a partnership with the knowledge that the child’s well-being and success are important to us all. If you wish to discuss something you feel is important, please contact us.
Otari School Principle
The Otari School Curriculum supports The New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa(TMoA) to offer all students a broad education. Within each of the three strands at Otari School, we make links within and across learning areas. The OSC and TMoA aim to open up pathways to further learning for every child.
Montessori Philosophy and Curriculum
Our objective is to deliver the New Zealand state Curriculum using a Montessori approach by creating and maintaining a Montessori environment in our classrooms.
While primary children are increasingly social and work in groups, they still need long uninterrupted work periods to be able to concentrate and become fully engaged with their chosen work. In line with the principle of coherence, there is harmony between their work and social & moral development.
In Montessori education, primary, students experience a totally integrated curriculum − Cosmic Education.
MANZ Journey to Excellence Indicators
Montessori learning environments enable children to be active for long uninterrupted periods of time. (1.3)
Montessori is a way of being, it does not stop and start at specific times or only occur indoors. (1.4)
The Montessori Curriculum is integrated within the state Primary system. (1.9)
Montessori educators have Montessori qualifications for the age group they teach, in addition to appropriate New Zealand primary school qualifications. (2.1)
The number of adults within a class is kept to a minimum, since the real work belongs to the child. (2.2)