Christmas Wishes and New Years Blessings

We are nearly at the end of 2012 and wow has this year past by fast!!!

We have graduated:

15 families from Petone Central
14 families from Berhampore School
12 families from Taita College
15 families from Pomare School
17 families from Koraunui School

We will be working with:

Dyer Street School and Taita Central School in 2013.


I would like to take this opportunity to give a big mihi out to all the wonderful people involved in making our families more digitally aware.

• The Government funder's because without the pūtea, giving our families the opportunity of the Computers in Homes would not be possible
• To the 2020 Communications Trust who come up with all the brilliant ideas in ways to help our families of the Computers in Homes programme become more digitally aware
• To all the coordinators who are committed to having our families received the opportunities we can provide them with
• The Principals who recognise a great opportunity for their families and grab that opportunity with both hands
• The School CiH teams - tutor, technician, school teachers, champions and admin.  Without you all, the families involved may not have seen how friendly the learning environment is
• The tamariki of the CiH parents.  Your encouragement and support we hear from you all in class and at the graduations is a priceless moment for your mum, dad, nanny or koro.
• Last but not least, to the parents of the Computers in Homes Programme.  Thank you for taking a stand for your children and wanting to give them the best in life.  By taking the challenge of learning Digital Literacy Skills to improve not only your skills, but your children's skills in showing them "If my mum/dad can do it, then so can I".  

Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire - William Butler Yeats

Pomare School Intake 2 2012

Pomare School graduated 15 families.  We were fortunate enough to have Joris De Bres of Humans Rights and Race Relations attend.  We were welcomed by an island turou, which was prepared by Mama and the school tamariki.  It was the first time I had attended something like this.  Beautiful experience.  The graduation environment was filled with anxiousness and excitement.  I could not get enough of the whanau gratitude. The excitement of seeing their faces light up when they talk to their fellow class mates, the laughter in their eyes when they remember the funny experiences they had in class and the proudness they showed when receiving their certificates of achievement!!
These reports do not do the graduations I have been so blessed to experience any justice what so ever.
The speeches made by Fred and Sisa where heartwarming.  Fred spoke about the joys of learning and the camaraderie that flourished and openness to know “no question is a dumb question”, when speaking about safety and security on the internet a parent who is trying to log into her email account asks the class “does anyone know my password??”.  We all had to laugh at the irony.  Sisa’s speech brought tears to the 2020 Communications Trust as she grasped exactly why we do the mahi that we do.  I am in the process of gaining her speech so that I may share with everyone.

Koraunui School 2012-2013

Koraunui School based in Stokes Valley is a school which merged with Kamahi School and Stokes Valley School which merged to become the school it is.

I met with Barbara Hay to speak about the Computers In Homes Programme and what benefits this can have for both the whanau and the school.

She was very interested in having Computers In Homes provided in the school and even had a good 70 families off the top of her head which would qualify from this programme.

I then organised a hui with the staff and enrolled them in the possibilities Computers In Homes can create for the whanau.  They were all for the kaupapa and wanted to get this started as soon as possible.

The 15 allocated numbers for Koraunui School was filled within the first week the newsletter went out to families with an extra 14 on the waiting list.

They graduated their 17 parents on the 27th September 2012.
The graduation was a wonderful celebration with the school kapa haka and pacifika group performing.  They welcomed Joris De Bres (Humans Rights Relations Commissioner), Laurence Millar (2020 Communications Trust)

Koraunui School Computers in Homes parents graduated with so much pride and mana.  It was such an amazing thing to watch as these parents stood up to collect their tohu and have their children screaming out "Goooo mummy!!!"

Ka pai Koraunui School Computers in Homes whanau for taking the challenge to increase your knowledge and your child's knowledge of the digital world.

Hutt Valley Mayor Ray Wallace endorses Computer in Homes

Through the DVD Launch of Petone Central, the Hutt City Mayor Ray Wallace was captured by the mahi and the kaupapa that Computers in Homes stood for.  He spoke to me enquiring why his Hutt City Principals have not applied for this programme.
My reply:  "Computers in Homes is a magnificant programme, it is advertised by word of mouth.  We do not enter the schools trying to sell our programme.  We need schools with fire in their belly's and can see the benefits of this programme for the school whanau make the first step to enquire through our website"

So his initial reaction was "Can we organise a hui and invite all the principals from low decile schools to watch snippets of this DVD and let them decide if this is a great opportunity for their families as I think it is?  I am more then happy to endorse and host this presentation".

November 22nd 2012 I communicated with the Mayor Ray Wallace and Cn Margaret Willard to organise this presentation.

Because of the timing in the year, many schools were getting ready for the christmas period so were unavailable to attend the presentation.  However, we had 3 new principals attend, as well as 2 Computers in Homes Principals - Pomare School & Koraunui School to share their experiences as a CIH Principal.

The hui was a great success with 6 new inquiries for the Wellington - Hutt Region.

CiH DVD Launch featuring Petone Central School

This was a huge success.  We had our honoured guest Mayor Ray Wallace attend, as well as Margaret Willard (Wainuiomata Council), Loudeen Parsens (Family Centre Lower Hutt), Iosua Esera (Petone Central Principal) and Petone Central CIH Parents and children.
The families who attended were in awe watching themselves up on a big screen.  To recapture a happy learning space for them was a great reminiscing moment they will never forget.  The children were excited when they saw their mum or nan on the screen.  Each family receive a copy of the DVD as a gift and a thank you.
The theatre did the DVD a lot of justice in which the Mayor and councillor want to organise a Hui and invite all my scoping schools to the Hui and show snippets of the DVD.  The date has yet to be finalised, however I will be inviting guest speakers Di Daniels (CIH National Coordinator), Chris Worsely (Pomare School CIH Principal and Wellington SG Committee member), Barbara Hay (Koraunui School CIH Principal) and Briar Mita (previous CIH Parent and now Hutt Valley Basic Steps Tutor) to speak about their experience and views of the CIH programme.

Taita College Graduation

Taita College Graduated 12 parents.  These parents grew very fond of their tutor Patrick Harlow who is also HOD of Computing for Taita College.  He was an amazing tutor who connected well with these parents which made their lead back into education an enjoyable one. We were fortunate enough to have 2 ministers: Honourable Jo Goodhew                                              Honourable Tariana Turia  Minister of Volutary and Community Sector      Minister of Whanau-Ora We were also fortunate to have such wonderful students with beautiful faces and voices who entertained us with their lovely rendition of the school waiata and a samoan song. One of the most amazing opportunities have been offered to the participants.  Patrick has offered to help them complete their NCEA for computing!!!  They can complete this all online and he has offered to open up a time for them after school hours to help them with any queries.

WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TRANSPOWER & REMARKIT

14th May 2012

Under a new agreement, Transpower now provides retired IT stock to Remarkit www.remarkit.co.nz  to refurbish. Any equipment that cannot be refurbished is recycled. Useable equipment is onsold to the public or Transpower staff via a staff portal, and proportion is provided free to community groups, with the main donation going to CIH.

·         The handover of laptops from Transpower, Remarkit to Computers in Homes scheduled for   this coming Monday afternoon will be the first batch of refurbished laptops donated from Transpower to Computers In Homes (CIH)www.computersinhomes.org.nz.  Ten laptops are to be provided to CIH to be used by the Coordinator for Wellington/Hutt Valley.  The laptops will form a mobile pod, to be used for training purposes for the various CIH school courses, the first starting at Taita’s Pomare Primary School.   (Di can provide more detail)

·         Anna Ririnui, Transpower’s Manager Community and Corporate Responsibility, “We’re really happy to support such a successful and valuable programme”.

From back:
Tim Findlay (RemarkIT Director), Anna Ririnui (Transpower Manager Community and Corporate Responsibility), Chris Worsley (Principal Pomare School), John Tiaki (CIH Tutor), Di Daniels (CIH National Coordinator) and Cr Gwen McDonald (Northern WardHutt City Council) 

 From left:
Laurence Zwimpfer ( 2020 Communications Trust), Di Daniels (CIH National Coordinator), Tim Findlay (RemarkIT Director) Anna Ririnui (Transpower), Jan (Transpower)

Petone Central Last Class

We had our last night session for Petone Central tonight.  It was a great night even though we had a few technical glitches in the system.  It has been a privilege to work with the whanau of Petone Central and it is quite sad knowing I won't be seeing them all on a regular basis.

Below are the comments the participants wrote when asked "What benefits & experiences have you gained through participating in the Petone Central Computers In Homes Programme and what do you now see possible?".

At the beginning I was worried.  But I saw everyone were like bees in a honey bud.  I was struggling, but the tutor was great. – Whastar Melford

I thought I know everything about computers.  “Free Computer lol!!!”. I was sold.  Then I came to class and learnt things I couldn’t have learnt by myself.  I loved learning about how to be internet safe, keeping track of internet sites and usage.  “Briar Kopa” you rock girl J. – Briar Mita

Just to be able to do simple little tasks on the computer has been a huger help for my children and I. – Renee Keepa

I have 2 boys at Petone and when I heard about the course I jumped at the chance and am glad I did.  I love it and learnt many helpful things. – Deanna Thompson

Just being taught a few simple tasked eg. How to scan my computers, has been a great thing to have been taught.  As I will now start doing it on my new computer. – Candice Warren

I was putt off by the 2hour sessions, thinking they were going to be hard, long, drag on and full of big complicated computer words.  But the first session and the ones to follow were the total opposite. – Melissa Watene

This programme made me realize that it doesn’t matter how old you are, your never to old to learn something new. – Moe Galuefa

I feel happy I’m leaving with enough knowledge to share with my family. – Kelly Jackson

Briar you’re the bomb, understanding, easy to talk to and so patient.  You made class fun to come to and that’s important for me. – Sharma

I was a pleasure coming to Computers In Homes Programme as Briar was a great tutor.  Very friendly and knowledgeable.  Having a computer at home will help my sons education. – Ian Christiansen

Being half a century of age, I didn’t think I could get this far. – Kim Jackson

1^st don’t bring my moko (age 6).  He is a know it all unlike me.  I thought I was… Not!!! Lol – Jackie Okeroa

First Session: 3.30pm - 5.30pm every Tuesday
Second Session: 6.00pm - 8.00pm every Tuesday
School Champion: Iosua Esera - Principal
Tutor:  Briar Kopa
Technician: Peter Wright

Petone Central whanau commenced their Computers In Homes Programme on 17th February 2012.

The first class was a great success with 7 whanau members participating.

Not only did the whanau learn something new within the programme, they learnt something new about the members within the programme through an Ice Breaker Task.

The parents felt comfortable to bring their tamariki as some were unable to find care for them.  As you can see below, the parents were working busy through the training manual while the tamariki were outside interacting.  When the parents took a small coffee break, the tamariki then ran to the computer where they displayed outrageous talent in social networking and online gaming sites.

Tony, Deanna and Kathryn working together to change their screen display

Juanita commencing a Paintshop exercise

Star, Melissa and Jackie all working on the screen display exercise

The tamariki are just getting to know one another as I have my tamariki there to enjoy the beautiful sun and to interact with tamariki from different schools

The tamariki enjoying the beautiful day while their parents are inside learning more information on ICT

Michelle completing her Paintshop exercise

Kim is familiarising herself with the functionality of the computers

Tamariki enjoying leisure time on the computer while their parents are on their evening break

Unfortunately the 2nd class was not as full as the first, however I am in close contact with Iosua so that we can communicate freely with the absent whanau.

All in all, it was an awesome 1st Session with a parent who did not want to leave :-).

Meeting Scott @ Remarket

 Myself, Scott Alford & Di Das.

Visiting the new RemarkIT Premises now based in Tawa - Wellington.

Di Das and Scott Alford... sealing another deal :-)

Petone Central Training POD.... Whanau of Petone Central will commence the Computers In Homes Programme on 17th December 2012

Commencement Date

All things are firing for Petone Central.  With the date set, Petone Central will be commencing their first class on February 17th 2012.  I look forward to personally tutoring the Petone Central School Computers In Homes Parents.  It is my intent is to deliver to the whanau, an organised, fun filled, educated lesson for the next 10 weeks.
Ma te wa,

Watch this space people

Happy New 2012!!

I do hope the Christmas period has treated you all well.  Things are starting roll in the Wellington Region with the commencement date drawing near for Berhampore School and Petone Central School Computer In Homes Programme.  Taita College start date is just around the corner as well so watch this space for more information.