Working Out West

Principals GALORE!  Royal Road Meeting -
 Mike Carswell-Griffiths, Wayne Leighton, Kevin Choromanski, Debbie Waikato and to the right - Joanne Hardwidge

We decided to work with our West and Central Auckland schools, welcoming aboard - Avondale Intermediate (early in Term 2), Birdwood School, Royal Road School, Pomaria School and Lincoln Heights.

The enthusiasm is contagious as is the cheek given by the guy pointing at everyone else.

Most of these schools are also Community Hub hosts - they welcome their communities in and now have the added extra of a computer pod to deliver computer training courses, beginning with Computers in Homes to the many families in waiting.

Whanau evenings will be booked soon and I am looking forward to the new roads being finished out their way along with the UFB fibre being completed.  The roadworks are INCREDIBLE when you are heading out that way!

Watch this space :)   

SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES - Shwe Family

Earlier this year in January - the holiday season and a time when families are relaxing before the onset of the school year - the Shwe family of Papatoetoe were doing just that.  Their holidays were 'interrupted' by the opportunistic theft of their home while everyone was out.  You can read their story here.

Two of the Shwe children attend Aorere College.  On hearing about the incident concerning the Shwe family, Principal Pat Drumm asked me if there was any way we could help these students continue their studies and homework with a computer.  We were more than happy to support Aorere College, a host of CIH graduates, and donate a desktop set up for the Shwe family.  

We met with the family and the senior school at a school assembly.  They were presented with their computer package and free training in our Stepping Up programme.  The family were humbled by the school's compassion for their situation and responded with big smiles for Computers in Homes.

Well done Aorere!

 The Shwe Family with Deputy Principal Lynne van Etten, Aorere College.

WE'VE GONE WEST! COLWILL SCHOOL JOIN CIH!

Heading out to West Auckland was a sudden thing!  One of the schools was unable to begin and graduate their project before the end of our CIH year.  A phone call with Principal Rob Taylor, after a referral from one of our Steering Group members, lead to a whirlwind of acceptance and a flurry of papers being exchanged through the scanner and emails!

Rob leads Colwill School out in Massey and opens the door to Computers in Homes in that area.  This is one of the schools that is part of the 'Dental Hub - Community Hub' projects.  Remember those little dental clinics where we would take the long 'walk to the murderhouse' back in the days? ... yes, well ... good news! These buildings are being renovated and refurbished to become community training hubs for different programmes.  Colwill's Community Hub was complete by the time the project began in Term 2.

Brandon and I attended a Whanau Evening near the end of June - meeting a group of parents from Colwill and West Harbour School.  The BOT Chairperson Maggie Scelly was subtly coerced into being the trainer and Taylor Oades, the schools resident IT, became an assisting trainer.  They weren't left alone in this!  They were joined by the very hardcase Community Hub co-ordinator, Nicky Adams.

Graduation night rolled round on July 31 - capping the end of another successful year for Computers in Homes in Tamaki Rakau.  Thank you for the wonderful tautokos that absolutely lifted the project beyond computers.  Thank you for recognising the worth of relationships in your school and the community spirit that has drawn you all together to pursue more for yourselves and your whanau.

Stepping Up will be rolling out very soon and taking digital literacy to our senior community :)  Keep up the GREAT work Colwill!

OUT WEST WITH COLWILL on PhotoPeach

And a big thanks to Margaret for letting me take this shot for the blog ... 

"Over at last but so worth it"

OWAIRAKA DISTRICT SCHOOL CELEBRATE

If you haven't heard of Owairaka District School ... WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!  

I first met Principal Diana Tregoweth and BOT Trustee/Trainer Saga Frost at a CIH Presentation, held at Avondale Intermediate early in the year.  Before the end of the presentation they had indicated their interest in the project.  

It took a wee while to kick start the project out at Owairaka - they had a refurbishment project underway. However, as soon as we could, we hosted our Whanau evening at the school and it was very well attended. 
I love the rapport this school has built with its whanau.  There was lighthearted joking and many questions. There was a wonderful feeling of 'unity' in the room and so easily explained with the school's creed:  I can do it, you can do it and together we can achieve our goals.

Parents that participated in the Computers in Homes course also participated in Book of the Week by reading to a class within the school.  This was then recorded via digital media and became part of the graduation media presentation.  An excellent way for our whanau to use different forms of digital devices and report back!  

Graduation night was a splash of colour and lavishly set tables.  We were delighted to have Minister Jo Goodhew present, along with Di, to share encouragement and commendations through their kind words.  Absolutely must commend the Garden to Table programme in the school - the supper served was (for a large part) fresh from the school garden and cooked by student chefs!

Congratulations to our whanau at Owairaka District School.  Thank you Diana and thank you so much Saga - for welcoming us into the school and for continuing to engage our community out there.

Owairaka CIH Graduation 2013 - photo by Cara

Saga Frost, Minister Jo Goodhew and National Director Di Daniels - share an aside as they wait on the next recipient
Photo by Nikki Gemmell

   
  To see more of the photos taken on Graduation Night - please click HERE

MAY ROAD SCHOOL - Make It Happen!

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to introduce the project to our Central Auckland schools.  Amongst the schools selected for the new cluster, was the awesome May Road School!

My first visit there to meet with representatives of three schools, was so warm and welcoming.  Principal Lynda Stuart embodies that very welcoming nature and I am delighted to say - it runs through the school community.

Peter O'Neill was the trainer, and by all accounts, an all-round entertainer!  Thanks to Peter for guiding parents through the digital maze - all the way to graduation.  I have never seen a trainer so spoiled in a graduation!  Congratulations to you Peter.  It's wonderful to see all of our trainers appreciated by their students and their host school.

This co-ordinator had a wonderful surprise in meeting the IT for two schools in the cluster was a friend from way way way back.  The IT is responsible for all of the wonderful photos taken for two graduations.  Thank you to Nikki Gemmell for sharing these memories with Computers In Homes.

By far - my favourite shot - is the proud husband of a graduate offering his sweetheart a place to sit - May Road WIN for the 'Keeping the Romance Alive'.

May Road Outstanding Student - Sevai Tolovae and Trainer Peter O'Neill

To read the rest of the report:  http://www.mayroad.school.nz/computers-in-homes/ 

To see the fantastic photos:  Picasa Album

WHIRLWIND OF PROJECTS BEGINNING AND GRADUATIONS!

[Cough ... choke ... sneeze ... cough]

Apologies for the dustballs and spiderwebs ... it's been so busy in the land of Tamaki Rakau, that I have neglected to roll by here - now, where do I begin?!

One of our 2013 schools, Riverina School, joined our successful projects after being on the waiting list for YEARS.  We are finally hitting Central and West Auckland.  Riverina School just hit the trail running, starting classes almost immediately after initial meetings with Champion Carol Dickinson.  Before you know it - I'm Skyping with students and chatting about Internet and other things.  

Too soon - Graduation Evening arrived at the end of May.  Di Daniels and Brandon the Techie were able to attend along with myself (of course!  I'd never miss a grad!).  We were greeted warmly by Principal Doreen Martin, the face and heart of Riverina.  How excellent to walk in and see the efforts everyone has gone to in acknowledgement of the graduates.  Our students were in graduation hats and the hall was full.  Dance items had been prepared by the schools Cultural group and an amazing video presentation to follow this article.

I love it when our trainers are acknowledged so sincerely by the school, the students and the whanau.  Big thank yous to Rebecca and Amanda.  An extra special thank you to local MP Maurice Williamson and Warrior's legend Reuben Wiki, both of whom sent digital messages for the evening.  

Please watch and enjoy the video presentation courtesy of Riverina School CIH Class of 2013.

QUICK SNICKER ...

They start sooooo early!

Made it in MANUREWA

DONE!  DUSTED!

Our last summer graduation took place in Manurewa South School as 20 graduates FINALLY got to take their computer packages home.  

Training sessions took place in the Parents Hub, eventually reaching our 'due date'.  We were delighted to have Di Daniels and Joce Williams join our whanau, and partake of a hangi prepared by students.

 Thanks to Principal Tone Kolose for inviting the project into his corner of Manurewa, and for offering strong words of congratulations to all graduates.  Thanks also to Ron - who tracked down anything and everything needed and for having the keys available whenever the room was needed.  

Congratulations once again Manurewa South - we will see you in Stepping Up 2013 :)

Thank you also to Christina for her gift to the graduates and 'buddy' of dance.

Made it! In Manurewa on PhotoPeach 

WYMONDLEY ... AGAIN!!!

Double the Celebration!

Under the tutelage of the Otara version of 'Laughing Samoans' - Daniel Siliva-Tupua and Aina Masina - a new class of families graduated in November 2012.

Their power guest was the formidable boxer - Joseph Parker, along with many whanau members in support and our 2020 Trustees.  Words of encouragement and congratulations were offered up by Principal Pele Leaupepetele, Di Daniels and Joce Williams.  Pretty much a star-studded cast!

Our techie, Brandon, was also in attendance for a minute.  He barely had time to sniff the sapasui before he was whisked away to do computer installs!  

Thank you for making it happen again Wymondley - you rock over there in your corner of the world!

Wymondley AGAIN! on PhotoPeach