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Bayside reopens as Montessori school The former Bayside Bistro in Snells Beach was due to open its doors as a Montessori and outdoor education primary school on Monday, July 17, after being given the go ahead by the Ministry of Education and Auckland Council less than two weeks before the start of term. Founder Joy Leigh and her team have been working flat out to move furniture, books and educational materials into the former café premises on the seafront at the bottom of Kokihi Lane. Although unsure how many new students might show up on the first day, Leigh said last week her team of four was ready and looking forward to welcoming young learners and their families to the Nikāu School. She was also looking forward to meeting local residents, some of whom had criticised the conversion from café to school. “We totally empathise with people who are disappointed in it no longer being a cafe, all of us have enjoyed a coffee here,” she said. “We are really sorry that this has upset a lot of people more than we expected it would. “We are a very friendly bunch and would love the Snells Beach community to be involved in enriching the learning
At the bar-area-turned-bookshelves, from left, outdoor leader Marguerite Vanderkolk, Montessori leader Jane Watson and school founder and acting head, Joy Leigh.
experience for the children.” She urged anyone who still had concerns to contact the school directly and meet the team, rather than taking to social media,
where misinformation and ‘opinion pingpong’ was rife. “A big part of the Montessori curriculum is teaching our children to show grace,
courtesy and respect when dealing with each other,” she added. “We would love to connect with the community and are more than happy to speak to people.” Leigh has been planning to establish a primary school for three years. She said she and the Nikāu Education Trust had considered more than 20 different venues before approaching Bayside owners Jim and Deanna Dehlsen. “We’ve known them for 13 years and they have had a keen interest in our dream right from the start,” Leigh said. “The building has been empty for a while now and when we first went to visit, we just fell in love with it. How can you not? It tugs at your heartstrings to imagine the possibility of offering this view and space as the environment for children to come continued page 2
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