Revisiting - Rejuvenation with Glenavon School

16 November 2011

Out at Glenavon School for the Rejuvenation Survey.  Absolutely enjoyed the visits, the anecdotes and getting the feedback after a year with a computer in the home. 

Great job Mohammed Hussein (Trainer) 

There was plenty to chat about with some of the graduation families.

PUKEKOHE COMBINED GRADUATION

Te Hononga Puna Reo

Nga Hau E Wha Te Kohanga Reo

Pukekohe North School

Pukekohe Intermediate School 

53 Graduate in Combined CIH Ceremony

4 November 2011

Nga Hau E Wha Marae, Pukekohe

"I haven't even started the course yet but I feel

like my life's on a different track already"

From that first meeting ...

I returned a couple weeks later with fellow coordinator Sue Kini to meet the whanau from 4 different schools at a combined gathering hosted by Pukekohe North School.  The turnout was excellent - and after an initial in-depth question and answer session - the sign-ups were numerous. 

At the meeting we confirmed our trainers for the project - Raemon Matene and Denise Proctor.  A plan was made and with excitement the project began!  Pukekohe North were keen to host with a suite of over 20 computers - things looked great!

A short while into the training - everything changed and we decided the best way to keep the fire going was to install a training pod at the Puna Reo!  What a rush!  Every family participant in the project training there in well planned sessions AND enjoying every minute of it!
We even had speaker phone sessions where Denise and the class would be asking a host of questions by phone.  They would take these sessions and instigate their own researches.
One thing about Pukekohe is the number of families that were waiting to be part of the project.  Unfortunately, we just couldn't take them all on.
Graduation day finally rolled round and along with Hazel Jennings (2020 Communications Trust), Jackie Lawrence (The ARK), Dr. Paul Hutchinson (National MP) and all of the families - we gathered at Nga Hau E Wha Marae and celebrated with a powhiri, presentation and lunch.

Congratulations to all of our Pukekohe Graduates - I look forward to hearing the new things that your families will take on with this new tool.  I wish you all prosperity in your new endeavours.

Thanks to our Tumuaki and Boards of Trustees that supported the Project ~


Gary Sweeney
Robyn Withers-Lauer
Denise Proctor
Raemon Matene
 

Whanau Meeting View Road School

Tumuaki Cris Hull at the Whanau Meeting, View Road School

We first met Tumuaki Cris Hull on our first trip out to Pukekohe and Waiuku.  We were able to meet with most of the staff of View Road School and Cris at the same time.  The presentation was received and welcomed warmly.  Before the coffee had been made - trainers had volunteered, the dial up rural connection had been verbally scorned and the discussion for families had already begun. What an energetic start Waiuku!
A POD of 7 computers has now been installed for the family training to begin. 

I returned to Waiuku to visit the school again for the Whanau meeting 22 August.  The project has two main trainers - a day session and a night session.  There is a back up trainer just in case!  Our meeting was punctuated by the accidental setting off of the fire alarm - and a lot of laughter.  It's awesome to see the rapport between staff and the families that were present.  Thanks to the parents for asking all the questions they did!  You kept me on my toes!  The project will kick off their training sessions 29 August - way to go Waiuku!  Sue Kini and I will be visiting on the 30 August to check out the anecdotes and catch up with Cris.  it is never too early for feedback.

Welcome to Computers In Homes View Road School! 

Primary Focus - Rural Connect

Di, the Mural on the ute, John Allen and Cara

It was a wonderful, sunny morning in Tuakau where we met with John Allen, Project Manager for Rural Connect and Primary Focus.  John has a commitment and passion to see broadband available in the more rural areas and digital connection in those same communities.  John's background knowledge of the Franklin area will be of immeasurable help as we work with our more rural projects.  Great work John! 

MEETING THE FRANKLIN CHAMPIONS!

20 June - 22 June, Roadtrip to Pukekohe

Di and I travelled to Pukekohe to meet the next cluster of projects and their champions.  The first port of call was Pukekohe Intermediate School, where we met Gary Sweeney - Vice Principal, IT and Project Champion.  He had invited staff to join the meeting and view the presentation along with Robyn Withers-Lauer, Tumuaki for Pukekohe North School.  Robyn is now our Project Champion for Pukekohe North!   The meeting started off quietly but by the end of the presentation and discussion - there was a buzzing at the potential the programme could have in their schools!  They're all about finding solutions and eliminating problems from the start. It's great when staff are already thinking, "I have families of students in my class that NEED that programme - when does it start??".  The meeting was successful and planning had begun already for targetting whanau in each school.

Our second meeting was with Te Honongo Puna Reo.  Our contact there was the very welcoming Tumuaki Denise Proctor and Matua.  Both of these leaders were excited about Computers In Homes and actually having access for their own collective whanaus.  It was during this meeting we learned about the great community initiative taking place in Pukekohe.  A community that is working on unity - where different sectors know what the others are doing.  This is the approach all three participating schools are taking.  Exciting!  Beginning as a community project together!  They're excited and so am I!  These projects will kick off at the end of August.  The joint Whanau meeting will be Tuesday, 30 August. Watch this space folks!

Welcome to the programme Te Honongo Puna Reo, Pukekohe North School and Pukekohe Intermediate!  I look forward to celebrating your successes in due course!