Since we announced the arrival of new management at the Deux Mille Feuilles Bilingual Montessori School in La Rippe nearly 2 years ago, the school has gone from strength to strength.
Indeed only last year we reported on the special prize that the school received from the European Space Agency for a model the children had built of the International Space Station!
So successful has the concept been for 3 – 6 year olds, that the school is now set to open a new elementary class in August 2018 for 6 to 12 year olds that will follow the same Montessori principles as those in the younger years, but will still respect the Plan d’Etudes Romand (PER) for children attending school in this region.
Why a new class for 6 to 12 year olds?
When knowitall.ch asked co-Director, Cornelia Tosch, why the school has decided to open a new class, she could hardly contain her excitement for the new project! She told us,
“I truly believe that a Montessori education is a wonderful gift as it is educating self-conscious, respectful, open-minded and flexible individuals who love to learn and are eager to come to school. For us, offering a 6-12 class is the natural path after the 3-6 classes. We do it for our children, for our parents and with all our passion, love and energy. When our children reach the age of 6, they always want to stay at our school - now they don’t have to leave!”
Citing examples from her own family life, Cornelia is clearly saddened by the experience of many children who appear more excited about their iPhones than the wonderful discoveries to be made in the world around them. In her opnion, children are imaginative explorers, and need to create and connect, as well as move physically and intellectually; she believes it is unnatural to ask kids to fit in a squared box that stifles their creativity and their natural thirst for learning as they are asked to sit still, and look for the teacher to decide what to study, and what to think! Is there an alternative solution for them, she wondered?
She continued, “As a psychologist I have learned a lot about pedagogical theories and, of course, Maria Montessori. This was the reason why I decided that my children should attend a Montessori school between the ages of 3 and 6. Originally, I assumed they would continue with a traditional school system where life was less about the free choices available to younger kids, and more about learning things like discipline and time-keeping. However, the more I have discovered about the Montessori system and about the way the class works, the more I am convinced that a Montessori education applies equally well to older kids, who really don’t need to be bombarded with intellectual facts and disturbed by bells the whole time. The Montessori approach allows children to keep their interest and motivates them to be responsible for their own choices.”
She concluded, “I want to see our children come to school because they love to learn, to have sparkling eyes, to feel our love and passion to work with them, and to share all our enthusiasm about discovering this incredible world!”
Format of the new class
The new class will accommodate around 15 children in a separate classroom situated on the same campus as the younger years. The classroom will be completely refurbished and will receive a huge investment in new materials suitable for the older age group. It will take the form of an open space, where children can freely move, chose their work, how to work (together or by themselves) and where to work (on a single table, on a table for more children, or on the floor with special tables).
Two full-time AMI Montessori teachers trained to teach 6 to 12 year olds will be appointed, as well as a part-time teacher for German classes. You can see a sample weekly schedule below.
Cornelia commented, “In the elementary class, the children will learn to set their own goals, manage time, organize projects, and use a variety of resources. The program will give children basic learning skills, confidence, self-esteem, and appreciation of other cultures, and peaceful techniques for conflict resolution”.
Classes filling up fast
At the time of writing, there are still places available for the new 6-12 class, but as word gets out this may not last for long. Having established such an excellent reputation in the region over the last two years, there are currently two classes scheduled to open in August for the 3 - 6 year age group, with 38 children registered and a waiting list now in place for new inscriptions.
You can find out more about Deux Mille Feuilles in the articles on knowitall.ch and on their website at www.2millefeuilles.ch. You can also get a better idea of the school routine, and other activities such as holiday camps and special workshops that are open to all children, regardless of whether they attend the school.
Deux Mille Feuilles Bilingual Montessori School
Route des Bois 2
1278 La Rippe
Vaud (near Nyon)
076 580 61 78
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.2millefeuilles.ch
Easter holiday camp
Treasures of the blooming nature
9-13 April 2018
Fr. 470.- per week + Fr. 70.- for lunch and snack
Fr. 110.- per day + Fr. Fr. 15.- for lunch and snack
Click here for more information and to register.
