Montessori at Ahuroa School
A Unique Learning Option for Years 1–8

Ahuroa School offers a Montessori option for families seeking a child-centred, hands-on approach to learning. Our Montessori classroom is a vibrant space where children are encouraged to explore, question, and learn at their own pace, guided by experienced Montessori teachers.

What Montessori Offers

Individualised learning: Children work at their own level, progressing as they master each concept.
Hands-on materials: Specially designed Montessori materials make abstract ideas concrete and understandable.
Focus on the whole child: Social, emotional, and practical life skills are taught alongside literacy and numeracy.

Who Runs the Montessori Unit

The Montessori option at Ahuroa School is operated in partnership with the Nīkau Education Charitable Trust (NECT). NECT provides governance, Montessori, AMI trained teaching staff, and resources to ensure a high-quality Montessori experience that complements the New Zealand Curriculum.

How It Fits Into Ahuroa School

Montessori students are full members of the Ahuroa School community. They participate in school-wide events, assemblies, sports, and special projects, while spending most of their school day learning in the Montessori environment.

The Staff

Joy Leigh - Lead Guide

Joy lives in Warkworth with her husband and their three daughters. She has been passionately involved in education since 2012, gaining extensive experience with children across the primary and preschool years.

Joy holds a Master’s Degree in Education and the AMI 6–12 Diploma — an internationally recognised qualification in Montessori education.

She believes that when children are given the freedom to follow their interests within a carefully prepared environment, they naturally develop curiosity, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a deep sense of responsibility for their own learning journey.

Joy is inspired by the words of Dr. Maria Montessori:

"Free the child’s potential, and you will transform him into the world."

Outside the classroom, Joy enjoys travelling, gardening, cooking, and spending time exploring the outdoors with her family.

Pui Yinn - Montessori Assistant

Pui Yinn has proudly called Auckland home since immigrating from Malaysia in 2007. With over two decades of dedication to Montessori education, she began her journey in Early Childhood and recently fulfilled her long-held dream of teaching at the Primary level by completing the AMI 6–12 course.

When she is not immersed in Montessori education, Pui Yinn loves exploring New Zealand’s breathtaking landscapes through tramping and hiking. She also enjoys sewing and handcrafting Montessori materials, giving each resource a personal touch that enriches children’s learning experiences.

Pui Yinn is excited to be part of the Ahuroa School community and brings with her a wealth of experience, passion, warmth, and a spirit of adventure.

Interested in Enrolling?

Families who are interested in the Montessori option are warmly invited to:

Click on the link to fill in an expression of interest form
Visit the Montessori classroom for tour
Book an observation of the environment in action

For more information about Primary Montessori, please visit www.nikau.school.nz

Montessori at Ahuroa School A Unique Learning Option for Years 1–8