Peace Experiment

What is Peace Experiment?

Peace Experiment is an opportunity for all 11-18 year olds to define their relationship with education. We are a Montessori Secondary School with Peace at the centre of our curriculum. Our experiment explores what education for peace looks like in our community and environment.

No classes. No homework. No assignments. No uniform. No tests. No exams (unless requested).

No bullying, no pressure, no judgements, no discrimination. We welcome all students from all backgrounds, ethnicity, and all gender / sexuality / sex / orientation combinations.

Students feel accepted for who they are, and feel supportive of each other.

Education for Peace is the central theme in our community: we're a creative learning environment.

Students may study any of their interests, and we will support them using the lenses of the NZ curriculum framework learning areas: the arts, PE & health, technology, languages, science, social sciences, English, mathematics.

Assessment and Qualifications

Students use learning experiences to build their academic rigour. Students may elect to study for qualifications such as standards from NCEA on the NZQF framework to celebrate their learning - students take responsibility for their own learning..

New Zealand is one of the best in the world at preparing students for the future, At Peace Experiment we are part of that preparation.

Alike short film from Pepe School Land on Vimeo.

Visit Us

Ground Floor, 18 Pilkington Road, Panmure, Auckland

09 3919200, 02108134482, steven@peace.school.nz

A metro style school means that we use the facilities and the community around us, so we can be truely part of our neighbourhood. We have the beautiful Mount Wellington Domain, on our back door; we are opposite the Panmure Library, we are close to the Panmure Lagoon, the Leisure centre and swimming Pools, cool cafes, funky shops, and of course Panmure Transport Hub - trains and buses connecting us to all of Auckland.

School day

Students start between 8am and 10am (by arrangement); they can travel independently as we are right by a public transport hub

Students arrive - and refer to their own individual plan of work. Students are supported by staff who nurture the student's own interests,

Students develop individual work plans, and set goals.

Staff motivate, support, monitor and guide, and have regular conferences with each student and communicate with parents.

Students may negotiate to work off campus

& we close by 5pm

FAQ's

Where is the school located?
Ground Floor, 18 Pilkington Road, (corner of Clifton Court) In the Panmure District in the South of Central Auckland, near trains and buses to service students from the whole city (only 20 mins from Britomart)

Do you accept international students?
There are plans to accept internationals in the future, this will depend on the enrollment applications

What does 'facilities drawn from the community' mean? How will specialist provision be given? e.g. practical science lab experiments?
Most work can be done in the community, specifically Libraries, sports buildings and resources and so on. Speciality subjects rarely need specific equipment for long periods; for example in science when we want to use titration equipment - we can hire, or we can work alongside other schools, universities and industries as required.

Why "peace experiment"?
a.    Education for peace is the key feature of Montessori pedagogy
b.    WHAT IF? Possibilities of the unknown
c.    The Montessori Method – see Chapter 2 ; scientific experiment methodology; controlled study in a prepared environment
d.    Experiment is based on Observation; Recognised as key to learning
e.    Teenagers are ready to experiment with life – this is a safe place to do so
f.    Humility & Gratitude – we do not know what we are approaching in the future
             “I long to accomplish great and noble tasks, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble” Helen Keller.

How can I find out more about Montessori Education?

Steven is also the Assistant Director at an online Programme that offers a Masters Degree in Montessori Integrative Learning (TIES) please contact steven@peace.school.nz to learn more.

Montessori Secondary

Education for Peace

Co-ed - 11-18 years old - NCEA - NZ Curriculum

What do you think a Montessori secondary school might look like? What would work for you?

Montessori education is a type of learning where there is not such a formal structure placed on the students and they are free to learn in a way that suits them. The students negotiate a curriculum with the staff, and individually create their own learning paths. The students’ interests lead the learning. When they are ready, with the guidance and support of the staff and community, students study toward NCEA qualifications, as per the NZ curriculum.

Montessori education is a highly regarded approach to education and is over 100 years old, it is widely spread around the globe.

Through education for peace, Montessori provides a conscious effort to create a more peaceful world.

Our experiment explores what education for peace looks like in our community and environment.

Learning happens as students spontaneously explore each and every opportunity available to them; their curiosity and interest encourages their growth.Education for Peace is the central theme in our community: so - we're a creative learning environment.

Peace Curriculum

“Peace is what every human being is craving for, and it can be brought about by humanity through the child”.
Maria Montessori.

Peace matters.
Our experiment explores what education for peace looks like in our community and environment.

What if learning in a student centred, environmentally conscious, individually respectful, and prepared environment nurtures peace?

What if education aims to support global human development? Peace Experiment, has a focus on modern learning, in a context of understanding peace. There is much disruption in the world, so how can we find our own peace? through growing up with peace the students become part of a peaceful world.

Peace Experiment is an opportunity to place peace as the centre of the curriculum to ensure that we consider how we interact with each other and the environment in a peaceful way.

The experiment asks what do we need to do to reconsider how we are doing things,
- as in many cases it seems, the current systems are not working.

PEACE EXPERIMENT -DIRECTOR:

The Peace Experiment was set up by Steven Arnold in March 2017. A passionate teacher by training - he has dedicated his life to education.

Steven is a Montessori trained teacher 0 - 3 (cert); 3 - 6; 6 - 12, 12 - 15, & 15 - 18yr olds (Diplomas); MEd; Dip Tchng (NZ), BA, BSc, PGDipED, LTCL, LSB, ASB, ANZDA (Accred); SCA (Accred).

He is a teacher trainer, principal, teacher, consultant, guest speaker, parent, board and trustee member. With overseas experience in England, Brunei and Australia, he has taught all levels of education from primary to tertiary.

Steven established New Zealand's first Montessori Secondary School in 2002, then principal at Brisbane Montessori School, and has recently been the Senior Lecturer in Montessori Education at AUT University.

Peace Experiment is the only fullyindependent Montessori Secondary Education provider in New Zealand.

Peace Experiment - Kaupapa

Our Kaupapa is our way of doing things, and what we believe in. We have strong values.

1 RANGIMARIE
We seek to be at peace with self, other and the environment and explore the values of education for peace- with grace, generosity and gratitude

2 WHAKAPAPA
We contribute to the Montessori education movement through furthering the work and legacy of Maria Montessori,

3 AKO
We position the child / adolescent / adult learner centrally in our curriculum and so consciously challenge conventional approaches to education – What if…?

4 WAIRUATANGA
We respect and implement the dual heritage of the partners of Te Tiriti o Waitangi using Te Reo, and the principals of protection, partnership and participation

5 MANAAKITANGA
We recognize and show gratitude for the diversity of people from different ages, genders, cultures, nationalities, abilities, perspectives, and orientations; and acknowledge their contributions

6 TURANGAWAEWAE
We recognize our place and our time; here (location in Panmure,Auckland, New Zealand) and now (21st century and beyond)

7 RANGATIRATANGA
We recognise and use the strengths of ourselves and each other in our community

8 WHANAUNGATANGA
We are inspired by each other

9 KOTAHITANGA
We cooperate with others in youth education and adult education;

10 UKAIPOTANGA
We maintain the highest standards of respect, dignity, nobility, trust, professionalism and integrity.

Maria Montessori was central to the formation of UNESCO, and contributed ideas and support

UNESCO

United Nations Education and Science Organisation

"The four pillars of learning"

The four pillars of learning are fundamental principles for reshaping education:

i) Learning to know: to provide the cognitive tools required to better comprehend the world and its complexities, and to provide an appropriate and adequate foundation for future learning.

ii) Learning to do: to provide the skills that would enable individuals to effectively participate in the global economy and society.

iii) Learning to be: to provide self analytical and social skills to enable individuals to develop to their fullest potential psycho-socially, effectively as well as physically, for an all-round ‘complete person.

iv) Learning to live together: to expose individuals to the values implicit within human rights, democratic principles, intercultural understanding and respect and peace at all levels of society and human relationships to enable individuals and societies to live in peace and harmony."

Peace Experiment Trust

The Peace Experiment Trust is a not-for-profit organisation, with charitable trust status that is non-religious (all religions and belief sets welcome); and independent. The trust governs and owns the school. The purpose of the Trust is to educate people, particularly youth, adults and teachers.

The school is registered with the NZ Ministry of Education, #787.

In particular the Trust will:

1 PROVIDE A SCHOOL
operate a Montessori school, as accessible as possible and open to all students, within the realm of ideas recognized by those who have studied Montessori, and also extending those ideas;
2 TEACHER EDUCATION
provide opportunities for Montessori teacher education
3 PEACE WORK
Engage in peace work, activism and community celebration
4 ADULT EDUCATION
other adult education
5 OTHER
provide other support and assistance consistent with this charitable purpose.

Invitation to Support us

1) Peace with self, other and the Earth

This means recycling, reducing, re-using. At Peace Experiment we are proud to re-use materials, given as gifts, donations, second hand items. We are doing our part to reduce waste, packaging, landfill, exploitation of minerals, un-necessary industry, pollution, transport, and toxins. We appreciate your help.

2) Ways you could help: Peace Experiment is a community initiative, and volunteering and offerings are welcome

3) Items to be donated:

Peace Experiment reuses, recycles and chooses sustainable products where possible; we are proud that where possible all items are second hand

working, fast laptops and desktops
beautiful models, figurines, statues: humans, and other animals (not plastic)
beautiful books
artworks, objets d'art(beautiful)
art materials

4) Other activity

Our belief is that Education for peace is needed to a) liberate the individual child and b) liberate the human species and c) re-establish harmony with the planet

come to Open days
come to Peace Talks (First Friday of every month, 7:30pm)
encourage friends to visit
offer suggestions (see contact page)
find more staff members
offer scholarships for local students
offer to mentor students in your area of expertise

Peace Experiment

Peace Experiment - Montessori Secondary Education

PEACE EXPERIMENT

A new kind of school

Kia Ora!

Welcome to Peace Experiment.