Te Ara Whanui Kura Kaupapa Maori o Nga Kohanga Reo o Te Atiawa Graduates biggest group for Wellington/Hutt

On the 18th November 2015, I was fortunate enough to help graduate one of the biggest groups for the Wellington/Hutt Region.

The Kura caters from Kohanga Reo level right to year 13.  Kararaina Luke (Tumuaki) and Mary McDavitt (Barnados Social Worker) worked hard to survey the kura whanau to assess the needs for the programme before Computers in Homes began.  The amount of work that these 2 had put into this research showed in the outcome of the programme.

The kura had 27 parents interested with 21 graduating.  The 6 who could not graduate have been offered to take part of the programme next year in Term 1.

The participants were parents and grand parents of student who were in the top end of the kura - year 12s & 13s.  The need for a device and internet connections would help these students research tertiary education and exam studies.

I was fortunate enough to have taught this intake and am humbled and grateful for all the friendships and learning I received from them also.

I would like to wish all the Te Ara Whanui Kura Kaupapa Maori o Nga Kohanga Reo o Te Atiawa Computers in Homes Graduates good luck on their journey through the digital world.

Nga mihi,

Briar Kopa

2014-2015 Computers in Homes Graduation

During the year, families at 4 Wellington Central Schools participated in Computers in Homes - Newtown School, Holy Cross School, Berhampore School & St Annes School.  We had a total of 43 families graduate in the 2014-2015 project year.

It was a challenge to set schools up, as the movement of digital devices was a concern.  Schools were moving more towards portable devices rather then desktops.  Fortunately CiH were trialing the Laptop option which then captured the interest of 4 schools to participate in term 2.  80% of the intake choose the laptop option.

On behalf of Computers in Homes, I would like to congratulate all the participants who graduated in the 2014-2015 Project Year.

Schools in Training

We have started Term 2 off with a great big roar in the Wellington CBD.  We have 4 schools who have begun their classes:
St Anne's School
Newtown School
Berhampore School
Holy Cross School

We have worked with the school to provide interpreters for the participants.  This has helped the learners immensely, but the greatest outcome I have seen so far are 3 families who have their children also attending the sessions to translate for them.  These children would approach me during the session when the father or mother was unsure of the internet information.  The enthusiasm these children displayed to have their parents become better informed is something you will never see without being on the ground level with these families.

All the schools will be graduating towards the end of term 2.  I wish all my families luck during their study and I will be visiting their programmes during the half way point.

Below are some photos of the families who attended the Computers in Homes Whanau Presentation

New Schools for 2014-2015

2015 has begun with a roaring start as Computers in Homes welcomes the participation of 4 schools for the 2014-2015 period.

This period will see Computers in Homes working with schools in the Wellington CBD areas.


Beginning in Term 2, I would like to welcome back Berhampore School with their second intake.  Berhampore School has graduated 14 families in 2012.  3 years on, we are able to offer another intake for Berhampore School.  They begin their first session on Tuesday 28th April 2015.

I would also like to welcome Newtown School who will begin training on Tuesday 20th April 2015.  Newtown school was one of the first to participate in Computers in Homes.  Mark Brown (Principal) previous school Victory School (Nelson) participated in the programme.  So we are very fortunate to have a school who not only has staff who have seen the benefits CiH has had on their families, but also to have a Principal who hosted the programme in his previous school is an add bonus.  I am excited to see the possibilities CiH & Newtown School can create for the school families.




 

Welcome to Linden School (Tawa).  I am happy to be working in this school in collaboration with the Porirua E-Learning Director & Porirua Computers in Homes Regional Coordinator - Tim Davies-Colley.  Linden School has a new principal Gaylene Hill who I am excited to work with so that the families of Linden School may experience the benefits CiH has to offer.  Linden will begin their first class on Thursday 30th April 2015.




We will also be working with St Anne's School (Newtown).  Thank you Doreen O'Sullivan for allowing Computers in Homes into your school.  The dates are yet to be set for the school... so watch this space.

Last but not least, I am in the planning stages with Celeste Hastings (principal) on how we can provide CiH in Holy Cross School.  Again watch this space.

There is a lot of exciting things happening for the Wellington Schools!

Also, I would like to thank Ministers Parata and Kaye for announcing Computers in Homes funding will be extended in 2015-16 to support another 1500 families.

Future for Computers in Homes Wellington/Hutt

Computers in Homes Wellington/Hutt are looking at creating a School Training Centre in the Wellington Region.  This is a pilot centre and if all goes well, we will be offering 8 places for Wellington Central families to participate in the programme.  Criteria's apply.

In 2015, Schools who are interested in the programme but don't have enough families to carry an intake of Computers in Homes of their own, will be able to send their families to the STC.
Watch this space...

Welcome to Computers in Homes Newtown School

A potential date has been set for Newtown School to begin their Computers in Homes intake in February 2014.

Mark Brown was the principal of Victory School Nelson, who completed the Computers in Homes programme back in 2012 graduating 38 families.

Mark knows the benefits the programme has for his families and has taken up the opportunity for his school.

I look forward to working in this school.

Still looking at more schools to add to the Wellington/Hutt List.

PLANS FOR 2014-2015

I have been working a lot in the Hutt Valley schools and am now venturing into the Wellington CBD
area to provide Computers in Homes in the schools.

The first school on my list is the lovely Newtown School.

Newtown School were one of the first Computers in Homes school around 10 years ago.  When speaking to the new principal Mark Brown and other staff members, the children who attend the school back then now have children of their own that attend Newtown School.
There are also teachers who were apart of the school with the first Computers in Homes intake are still teaching at the school today.

The school is now going through a revamp in buildings, so we look forward to working with Newtown School in term 1 of the 2015 school year.

I am also looking at other schools in Wellington such as Kahurangi School and Holy Cross, but have yet to set dates as to when Computers in Homes can begin.

 

Hutt Schools I would also like to work with in this project year from the Hutt are Wainuiomata College and St Bernards College.