Community Engagement
What Does Community Engagement Look Like at Otari School?
Children help in their class and school in a variety of ways such as helping to make morning tea for the class, working in the school garden, serving on the school council and fundraising for charities.
Information is shared throughout the year, through emails, social media, and parent events to encourage a joint understanding of “what Montessori primary education looks like” and how to support children at home.
We help children connect to their school, local and global communities through the Montessori curriculum. Children are encouraged to follow their interests into studies of history, science, arts and the humanities.
Montessori Philosophy and Curriculum
Montessori’s spiritual perspective leads to the promotion of community service, encompassing engagement within the class community, between classes and the school, and within the wider community.
We believe in the importance of developing close and effective partnerships with parents and whānau. Our objective is to create an inclusive community of families who contribute to their children’s learning and who feel involved and well-informed.
Otari School Principle
The Otari School Curriculum has meaning for students, connects with their wider lives and engages the support of their families, whānau and communities.
We value unity while celebrating differences. For example, we are one school with three different ways of learning.
We value interconnectedness in relationships and in our environment.
MANZ Journey to Excellence Indicators
Montessori is a way of being − it does not stop and start at specific times or only occur indoors. (1.4)
The Montessori Strand and the School work in partnership with parents. (3.5)
Children have daily opportunities to learn and use practical skills which enable them to develop concentration and to care for their environment, for themselves and others in the community. (1.6)
Supporting Community Engagement at home
Parents support Montessori as a humanistic philosophy with the ultimate goal of education for peace.
Parents and teachers communicate clearly and courteously with each other. Parents and teachers are in a partnership with the knowledge that the child’s well-being and success are important to us all.
Parents may seek to grow their knowledge of Montessori philosophy and the Montessori Strand. Some ways parents do this are regularly attending Strand events and reading Strand communications.
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.