Graduate Mrs. Makaleta Matakaiongo (seated) with proud daughter and moko
The Heart of Aroha A very strong treasure this school has is the heart of aroha for it's Whanau. This was evidenced in the anecdotes and tributes shared on the night of their graduation in July 2012. Praise abounded for the trainers Christine Kaumoana and her wicked sense of humour, and for Manu Ngakuru-Syder (also IT support). A huge thank you to Principal Kallie Ngakuru-Syder for welcoming Computers In Homes into SEHC and for providing the extra support where it was needed. The nights I dropped in to visit the sessions, Principal Kallie would be there watching the children that had come along with parents and setting up activities for them to do.
SEHC Middle School CIH Graduates 2012
Christine and Manu - CIH Trainers
Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate graduated 15 students and have the auspicious honour of having 'Nanny Tonga', Mrs. Makaleta Matakaiongo, our most senior graduate yet at 72 years of age! This class bonded together in their awhi of Nanny Tonga, who found the initial concept of computers daunting. Her visible discomfort drew many of the students to her, the walls of shyness came down quickly and (from many reports) - sessions were loaded with comedy and warmth from then on. I would love to bring the project back to this school! It's heart for whanau is huge and the level of support is awesome. Well done and congratulations to everyone that participated. The bridge has now been built for whanau and school.
This project was loaded with personality and took a little longer to get to the starting gate with the schools very busy terms BUT get there we did! Thank you for welcoming us aboard Principal Peter Weir, BOT Chairperson Peter Sykes and our signed Champion, Deputy Principal Danny Gautusa. Our trainer was the affable Foloki Faiva, and experimental buddy support - senior Aorere College student - Shiloh Aloiai. I enjoyed the time I spent with this project - getting to know the families more and this is our first step into Mangere East.
LAUGHS
The opportunities to have fun while learning were seized with gusto - one time being the absence of the chocolate biscuits and milk for the coffee breaks. The students had set up their email accounts and promptly sent emails of concern to Danny Gautusa. Some of these were absolutely hilarious - in equal humour Danny sent a reply promising to trek off to Switzerland to procure for the project, the finest milk the Alps could offer.
Through this project we received the support of 'Forever Young', coordinator Mary Rau being one of our graduates and Ephatah Trust, manager Epenesa So'oula being another graduate. Both of these women are committed to the projects they have within the community and it has been a pleasure to support them in return with a computer package gift.
This project was also the highest users of the blog comment section of the first posting welcoming Bader Intermediate to the CIH projects. Quite a few ideas sprang from watching the interaction online - ideas we will look to implement in the future!
We had an excellent line-up for graduation night - National Director Di Daniels, Trustees Selwyn Creed and Kim Humpherson, SGM Chairperson Joce Williams and IT Support Brandon Johnson. (Look for the superb group shot in the slide show!) Principal Weir and Danny Gautusa presented 20 graduates, hosted not only families from the school but embracing others in the community via Mangere Community House.
I am looking forward to returning to Bader Intermediate to continue the next phase: Stepping Up! Watch this space :)
Computers In Homes was welcomed back into TKKM Puau through tumuaki Katene Paenga, leader Linda Douglas and trainer Rodney Bethan-Kitto.
The impressive design and the atmosphere of welcome greet visitors as soon as they enter the car park. Every project has it's own personality and TKKM Puau certainly continue that Whanau feeling when you are among them.
The whanau meeting was exceptional - hearing the participating families commitment to see each other graduate and to help each other along. That is exactly what they did - 16 families graduated on the 15 June 2012. I attended with Steering Group Chairperson Joce Williams and IT Brandon Johnson. A small powhiri began our afternoon along with a mat full of very excited tamariki.
The surprise of the evening was the gifting of a waiata written by Rodney Bethan-Kitto and Kerry Anne Te Ua Flavell. The students had been practicing the waiata for a couple weeks, had filmed themselves and used it as part of the digital camera focus in their project.
The quality of the video clip I have does not do them justice - I hope to find a better one soon (with the students help!). Please enjoy the waiata.
HIKOHIKO TAKU RORO E
Hikohiko taku roro e
My brain is stimulated
Hikohiko taku roro e
My brain is ignited
Anei ngā mahi, mahi rorohiko, hei ako mā, tātou katoa,
Here is the task for us all to learn about the
electric brain.
Māma me Pāpā, tuakana, teina, te whānau katoa.
Mum, dad, older and younger siblings for everyone.
Harikoa ngā mahi ako rorohiko, awhi atu awhi mai te
katoa.
Learn about computers is fun and enjoyable, everyone
helping each other.
Mutunga kore te mahi ako, mahi ako rorohiko.
Learning is endless, especially about computers
(Kōrihi)
Chorus
Engari e hoa mā, tūpato, mataarai ngā ngāngara rā o te ao ipurangi.
Be careful; be alert my friends of the viruses and
spams and indecent acts of the internet world.
Poipoia, manaaki ā tātou tamariki kia haumaru-maru
tātou katoa
Nurture, care for our families so that we all be safe
from harm
(Poipoia, manaaki)
i ngā wā katoa.
At all times
Composed by Kerry Anne Te Ua Flavell and Rodney
Behan-Kitto
Trainer Agnes Sagala, one of the up and coming baby IT geniuses and Associate Principal Louise Turner
Flat Bush School CIH families celebrated their graduation 30 May 2012 with an evening supper and many cameras! In attendance as guests were CIH IT Brandon Johnson, Bader Intermediate School trainer Foloki Faiva and school whanau. How wonderful to see even longtime friends in attendance to awhi a student.
Champion of the project, Principal Pat Chamley offered anecdotes and a great deal of encouragement to all graduates and many of the students in attendance. He commented after the graduation just how amazing the turnout was and the whole project impact on the school. Yes! He invited Computers In Homes back to take on triple the numbers!
Big 'thank you' to Agnes Sagala and Turi Tupou, trainers to the 'Roses and the Studs'. Though the work may have seemed never-ending to students, the smiles and laughter on graduation night signalled the end of one step and the beginning of another.
Thank you to everyone out at Flat Bush Road School for the welcome and for your continued availability.
