Montessori Blenheim
  • Home
  • About
  • Testimonials
  • Enquire
Picture


​Montessori will help your children build confidence in their abilities, so they start school as confident and capable learners.
​
In our calm and focused environment, each child is engaged in an activity which sparks their personal interest.

What is the Montessori difference?


​The Montessori classroom is unlike other early childhood centres, the environment is calm and focused as each child is engaged in an activity that interests them.  Your child learns at their own rate in a classroom with a 'hum' of working activity.

The classroom remains orderly throughout the day as the 30 children return each activity to its shelf before choosing another. Children are taught how to invite friends to join in with their chosen activity, but also that it is ok to say "no thanks, I want to do this on my own". Their workspace is respected - the children learn how to move carefully around each others activities and to not interrupt a child who is concentrating. ​

The activities themselves are each purposeful and beautifully presented to appeal to the child. The whole environment is designed to be aesthetically pleasing - from the leafy villa entrance, the orderly and spacious classroom to the lush back garden. Children work with materials for as long as they wish, repeating activities until they have mastered it. As children move on to learning the next skill once they have mastered the present one, there are never any gaps in their education, or need for remedial education.
Picture
Montessori children leave for school as capable learners, independent and confident in their own abilities. In addition to honed fine motor skills they have solid foundations of numeracy and literacy, often reading, writing, identifying numerals to at least 20, doing basic addition, subtraction and understanding the decimal system.

In addition to their knowledge, Montessori children are able to focus their attention and enjoy learning. One of Maria Montessori's goals was for children to develop concentration. This is one of the fundamental skills for learning, and one that is largely missed in traditional school systems. A Montessori day is structured so that a child's focus is never interrupted by having to move on to the next lesson, before they have finished their current one.

Montessori children are independent, self-assured in their learning and in their relationships and interactions with others and the world. Your child will master the important life skill of being a self-directed learner. Montessori's aim is to nurture and develop inner motivation to find intrinsic satisfaction in learning.

​
Picture
Picture

Our History

Montessori House of Children, Blenheim, was opened in September 1994 as the 44th Montessori School in New Zealand. Today there are more than 100 Montessori schools in New Zealand, and thousands worldwide. Our school opened with two teachers and twelve children, growing over 25 years to include the wonderful indoor and outdoor environments we provide today.

Meet Our Team

Picture

Rachel Roundhill
Centre Manager and Owner


Kia ora, welcome!
My husband, Willy, and I have two boys, Oscar (4) and Ned (1). We enjoy spending time together, walking and biking, pottering around the house and garden and catching up with our extended family.
My Montessori education began as a preschooler at Berhampore Montessori in Wellington. As a teacher, walking into Montessori Blenheim brought a real sense of 'coming home', as everything I'd learned fell into place.
I love this school, the children and the sense of community it fosters. We are incredibly proud of our exceptional team of hardworking kaiako, and the families who we work with. I look forward to meeting and working with you.

​Hello, I love children, watching them grow and helping our young ones realise their potential and learn new skills towards being independent.
Seeing our children have fun and enjoy themselves is a big part of why I love teaching and it is very rewarding.
I have been working in Preschools since 2000 and worked at Woodland Montessori, Hong Kong where I earned my Montessori Diploma. I was a registered midwife in the Philippines, where I am from. I have been teaching at Montessori Blenheim since 2006.
We have a son, Mark, who is studying Medicine, and I enjoy spending my
spare time with my family, going for walks, cooking and gardening.
Picture

Mila Makin
Teacher

Picture

Mollie Bradley
Teacher


​Ko Mollie Bradley toku ingoa.
I grew up in England and migrated out to Marlborough around 9 years ago. In my spare time I love to hang out with my friends, going for walks/adventures with my husband and family, and chilling out, watching a good movie! 
​My passion for working with children came from the joy I got from playing with my nieces. I also become fascinated about the growth and development children go through in the first 5 years of life. I am passionate about Montessori not only due to the philosophy, but for close family relationships we have here. I love the uniqueness that each child  and family brings with them and enjoy providing them with a nurturing, respectful and inviting environment , where they are able to develop a love of learning. 
Ko Tapuae-o-Uenuku te maunga
Ko Wairau te awa
Ko Totaranui te moana
Ko Waikawa te marae
Ko Native American te iwi

Nō Waiharakeke me Waitohi ahau
Kei Anakiwa me Tirimoana tōku kāinga ināianei
Ko Whatamonga tōku Turangawaewae

Ko Tredinnick tōku whānau
Ko Paul tōku matua
Ko Louise tōku whaea

Ko Sarah tōku ingoa 

I was born in Whatamonga Bay and now live in Anakiwa. I have a special sense of belonging to the Marlborough Sounds. I have a lifelong passion and talent in Visual and Performing Arts and I spend most of my weekends exploring the outdoors, camping and fishing in the Marlborough Sounds.


​
Picture



Sarah Tredinnick
Teacher
Picture

Vanessa Shanks
Teacher


​Kia ora, I am Vanessa. ​ After teaching here for a year, I am loving being part of the Montessori family. I get a lot of satisfaction out of watching the children grow and develop and love getting to know all the special personalities that join our learning community.
I was lucky enough to attend Montessori Blenheim as a three year old not long after it was established here. It is such a privilege to be back and now part of the kaiako team! 
​My two biggest passions are working with children and animals. My weekends are usually spent hiking, sailing in the sounds or spending time with friends and family.

Montessori Fees

Montessori Fees: $7.50 per hour
20ECE* for 3-6 year olds: $3.00 per hour Optional Charge**
​
*Up to 6 hours per day, capped at 20 hours per week.
**We request a $3.00 per hour Optional Charge for these hours to enable us to continue to provide our exceptional programme.
Optional Charges pay for our additional registered teacher, over and above the required ratios.
​We also provide  extra resources, speciality classes , field trips and social events.

Hours

Monday - Friday:
8am - 4.30pm

ADDRESS

5 Francis Street, Blenheim

Telephone

03 577 8443
027 332 9508


EMAIL

office@montessoriblenheim.co.nz
Picture
  • Home
  • About
  • Testimonials
  • Enquire