Classes in Early 2014

Hello to all of you interested in Computers in Homes Wanganui. We have now finalised our programme for the start of 2014. If you fit these criteria:

1. You have school aged children at a Decile One or Two School (or can show financial hardship with children at school
2. That you will attend and complete 8 - 10 weeks of training (Total training is 20 hours either 2.5 hours per week or 2 hours once a week) 
3. That you will pay a $20 deposit and $5 per week for the first six weeks (Total of $50)
4. That you have NO COMPUTER OR INTERNET currently
5. That you have NOT DONE Computers in Homes before.
6. If you are a grandparent providing daily after school care for grandchildren or are raising grandchildren.

Then you fit out criteria.  What you will get is

1.  A reconditioned computer with Win 7 and MS Office 2010

2.  Subsidised internet for one year

3.  We guarantee the computer for one year and will fix it if things go wrong.

4.  20 hours training with the opportunity for more free training if you need it.

HOW TO BE PART OF COMPUTERS IN HOMES

Choose which class would suit you then go to the school and complete registration and pay $20 deposit.  The school will advise you whether there are spaces or if you will be on the waiting list:

CLASSES STARTING FEB AND MARCH 2014 (You must be able to attend for 8 to 10 weeks training to apply)

Ake Ake Centre - Castlecliff 14 Rangiora Street  Starting Thursday 13 February from 9.30am to 12pm

Whanganui Learning Centre 232 Wickstead Street starting Tuesday 18 February from 10am to 12.30pm

Aramoho School 14 Mitchell Street Aramoho starting Friday 21 February from 10am to 12.30pm

Marton ICT Hub 33 Lower High Street in Marton starting Thursday 20 February from 6 to 8.30pm

Te Kura O Kokohuia 36 Matipo Street Castlecliff  starting Tuesday 11 March from 12 to 2.30pm

Wanganui Girls College, Jones Street Wanganui East starting mid March dates to be confirmed Wednesday 6 - 8.30pm

Ake Ake Centre November 2013

We had two classes graduating at Ake Ake Centre in November.  The whakawhanaungatanga (relationships) in these groups was wonderful with many new connections been made within the community.  Our tutor Simon Waters did a stella job of introducing people, sometimes for the first time, to technology.

For one of our students it was the first time she used internet.  With her new email address she entered a competition and won a prize on the local radio through it.  It was a wonderful experience for her.  Other's used presentations and created documents for the first time.

Congratulations to you all.  And if anyone needs reminding - this is why we are doing Computers in Homes. Our children a digital citizens in a digital world.

and with happy, interested parents can achieve anything!

Here is a slideshow of our graduation

Ake Ake Centre November 2013 on PhotoPeach

Tawhero Champions

Tawhero School is a very active Computers in Homes school and this year is no exception.  This year they out did themselves with the whole assembly contributing to our celebration with much waiata and aroha.

Thank you Tawhero School and congratulations to our nine graduates.

Ake Ake Centre November 2013 on PhotoPeach 

First Computers in Homes Class in Marton November 2013

7 November 2013 was a very special day in Marton.  We had a huge turnout at Marton Junction School to celebrate the graduation of the first 10 Computers in Homes graduates ever in Marton.

Our event was hosted by Marton ICT Hub which ran Computers in Homes in Marton in conjunction with Marton Junction School and James Cook School. The principal Vanessa Te Ua hosted the event.  Both principals were very supportive of Computers in Homes and wished to see it continue in Marton in 2014.

The Mayor of Rangitikei Andy Watson was our guest speaker as was Councillor Jack Bullock, Wanganui District Council who was representing Annette Main, Mayor of Wanganui District Council.  Thank you also to the Councillors from Rangitikei Cath Ash and Mike Jones, the council staff from Wanganui and Rangitikei District Councils and the community representatives from Land based Training, Youth Club & Hype and ICENZ who attended.

Congratulations to all our graduates.

Thank you to all of the community and especially the families who came to support the graduates.  A bit thanks to all the Dad's who looked after the children.

And to the children of Marton Junction School who sang such wonderful waiata

And to our tutor Angela Coleman, Marton ICT who was marvellous at getting everything organised and going the extra mile to make sure that our families learnt what they needed

Here is a slideshow of our evening of celebration
Marton Graduation 7 November 2013 on PhotoPeach

Whanganui Learning Centre October 2013 Graduation

This is a lovely time of year with our students starting to graduate. These two classes have made amazing progress and have learned a lot about the internet and sharing technology with their children.

As one of our graduates said at the graduation "without the support of our families we would not have been able to do the study time" and we thank the families for their support too.

Computers in Homes is not just about getting a computer at home but mainly about being able to use it properly so we get the best success for our children.  Here is feedback from one of our last years graduates   “My daughter's skills have improved in learning to spell words and searching for stuff. She's always asking "Mum how do you spell '?'", and I say to sound it out and she start typing it. Her maths is good and this is even reflecting in her work in class. She was stink at maths really, but got onto the maths game and kept going because she liked getting a smiley face when she got something right, and liked going up a level. She won an award for "Clever Thinking" in class!  Now it's always "Look Mum I've found this ...."

This is why we have Computers in Homes.  Congratulations to our new graduates.  We look forward to hearing your stories.

And here was our lovely celebration  Whanganui Learning Centre October 2013 

New Computer in Homes Families

Right now in Whanganui, it all seems quiet because we have no new courses starting right now.  However there are 6 classes running in Whanganui and Marton.  We have two classes graduating in October and four classes graduating in November.  So that will mean we will have up to 60 new Computers in Homes families in Whanganui for Christmas.

We will keep you posted on their progress.

Fancy yourself as a Designer

There is a great competition on right now through Kiwiskills in which you can win a Samsung Galaxy Camera and other cool prizes.

To find out more go to http://www.kiwiskills.co.nz/news

If you want to build on your MS Office skills from home then Kiwiskills is a great way to do it.  You can also learn about Internet Security and using the internet.  It's a wonderful tool for learning the basic skills you need for work.

Ake Ake CTC August 2013

On 15 August 2013  nine new families joined our Computer in Homes Wanganui graduate list.  These families were a great bunch and were very committed to learning about what computers had to offer.  They enjoyed gathering and learning each week at this really showed in how the group came together and achieved.

Here are some of the photos of our graduates.

Ake Ake August 2013 on PhotoPeach

We wish you well in your journey with computers.  We know some of you are going on to study more and we wish you the best success in whatever you choose to do.

Whanganui Learning Centre August 2013

Our nine graduates in this class came from all over Whanganui.  Several of them travelled from up the Whanganui River taking an hour to travel to each class.  It was wonderful to see them learn and graduate.  While the graduation was small due to one mum having a baby and others being sick it was still a warm and heartfelt celebration of these families getting to grips with technology.

Our students with Denise Simonson our Tutor in the blue and Naomi from WLC on her right.

Dave celebrating learning the computer for his Mokopuna with Denise our tutor

Kavahna and her daughter with Denise our tutor

Te Rino and Denise

We at Computers in Homes wish you all well on your digital journey.  May this be the start of an amazing adventure.

Congratulations to our Tech Ex Winners for 2013

Tech Ex 2013 was a great event for Computers in Homes Whanganui. In our stand we highlighted the pictures and stories of our graduates from previous years.  We also ran a prize draw for new and previous Computers in Homes families.

Trisha Ngatai expressed interest in Computers in Homes courses coming up.  She won our prize of a 32 GB USB Flash Drive.  This is a photo of her and her son Steven with their prize. Our team wishes them well on their CIH journey.

Ariana Wiatai was the winner of the CIH Graduates draw and won a Skype kit for her computer.  Ariana completed her course in 2010.  She wrote "I gained confidence in basic computing but my children have definately benefited from having a computer in the home for school and personal use.  Thank you so much Computers in Homes"

New Classes Starting Soon in Wanganui

It is the start of our new year at Computers in Homes in Wanganui.

Very soon we have new classes starting at:

Ake Ake Centre, Castlecliff     Phone: 344 3399
Afternoon class starting on Thursday 22 August for 8 weeks and evening class starting 29 August for 8 weeks.

Whanganui Learning Centre     Phone:  348 4950  (daytime and evening)

Tawhero School                      Phone:  349 0499

Pilot for Marton ICT Hub                     Phone: 06 327 0092

Denise Simonson one of our trainers with a student at Ake Ake Centre 2013

If you would like to become part of Computer in Homes please register your interest with any of these schools and centres. We offer family friendly learning environments.

Here is a diagram of our criteria

This is what Computers in Homes Offers

Tech Ex 2013

Thank you to everyone who supported us at Techex this year.  It was a great event.

Here is Robin Williamson (pictured to the right), who does our graduation surveys at our stand.  We focused this year on telling the stories of what our graduated got out of having a Computer in Homes PC.  It was well received and we have many families to follow up with either on Computers in Homes or Stepping Up training.

The star of the Tech Ex event were the KiwiSkills stand and their epic IT challenge.  It was great to see so many getting very serious about technology challenges.  Here are the serious faces of the challengers

Tawhero School 14 May 2013

After many weeks of training our six families graduated at Tawhero School in Whanganui.  There were many changes and challenges for this class and it is great to see the families finish.  They all will have access to the internet when they take their computers home.  Tawhero school children use the internet for storing their homework so we look forward to hearing how they have succeeded in the next 12 months.

Here is a short video of our new Computers in Homes Whanau

Tawhero School Graduation May 2013 on PhotoPeach 

Born and Raised Pasifika 3 May 2013

What a wonderful graduation we had.  It was full of love, laughter and wonderful sharing of food and stories.  We now have 9 new Computer in Homes Families at Aramoho.  Enjoy your new digital adventure.

Here is a short slide show of our graduation.

Born and Raised Pasifika 3 May 2013 on PhotoPeach

Ake Ake Centre Graduation April 2013

Congratulations to our new Computers in Homes graduates.  It is extra special because you are the first families to graduate from the Ake Ake Centre in Whanganui.

Thank you to Denise Simonson our tutor and Elise at the Ake Ake Centre for the organising which made it easy.  Here is a slide show of the wonderful graduation.



Ake Ake Centre Graduation 23 April 2013 on PhotoPeach

Whanganui Learning Centre Graduation 18 April 2013

On 18 April 2013 eleven more families joined Computers in Homes graduates.  All of the expressed how much they had enjoyed their training and what a wonderful tutor Gayna Ryan was.  We wish them well on their adventure into using and exploring new technology.  This class has one of the highest uptakes of the internet we have seen so far.  Well done everyone!

Here is a small slideshow to show you our wonderful students in action!

Whanganui Learning Centre Class 18 April 2013 on PhotoPeach

Last chance before July 2013

Computer in Homes Wanganui only has two more classes until after July 2013:

The classes will be held at:

• Castlecliff at the Ake Ake Centre, 14 Rangiora Street Ph: 344 3399 from Thursday 30 May in the afternoon.  Ring them for more details.
• Central at Whanganui Learning Centre 232 Wickstead Street Ph: 348 4950  Starting during the day. Ring them for details.

Remember you need to:

1. Have school aged children at low decile school
2. Have no computer and internet at home
3. Be willing to do 20 hours training
4. Be willing to pay $20 deposit and $5 per week up to $50
5. Have not done Computers in Homes before

We give you:

1. 20 hours free training
2. Reconditioned computer with Win 7 and MS Office 10
3. 12 months subsidised internet
4. 12 months technical support for your computer.

Don't miss out, complete a registration form and take your deposit into these Centres.

Wonderful Start to 2013

We now have 47 Whanganui families in training with Computers in Homes.  Over the last few weeks I have been talking to them about the internet and just how important it is for their children to access technology. Many schools in Whanganui are moving towards having many of their files on Google Drive.  What this means is that without internet it will be very difficult for children to do their homework.

Our last class until after July 2013 is starting very soon at the Whanganui Learning Centre.  There are only about 3 places left if you want to be a part of computer in homes Whanganui.

Look at our criteria below to see if you qualify.  If you do ring Whanganui Learning Centre right away!

Enjoy the last of the summer weather and Happy Easter everyone!

Computers in Homes Term One 2013

Welcome to Computers in Homes Wanganui.  We want to make sure that technology is in reach for all families that have school aged children. If you don’t have an internet accessible computer, have school aged children &; your children attend a low decile school, then Computers in Homes maybe for you.

1. It will cost you $50 to register on the programme. (This can be paid over the time you complete the training))
2. You need to attend 20 hours of free training at your local school who is running Computers in Homes. This will show you how to use your computer.
3. Computers in Homes Wanganui will give you a reconditioned computer at the end of the programme once training & payment are complete.
4. Computers in Homes Wanganui will subsidise your internet connection for up to 12 months.
5. If your PC breaks down in the first 12 months we will fix it free of charge within the terms of our agreement with you.

How do I sign up?

You must register your interest by completing a registration form and returning it to the school where you would like to attend the training.  

In 2013 Term One training will be held at:

• Wanganui East School Ph 343 8054 (Wanganui East)  The course will be held Monday nights starting end of February from 5pm to 7.30pm.  Your trainer will be Sarah Lourie.
• Tawhero School Ph 349 0499 (Gonville).  The course will be held Wednesday nights start on 22 February from 5.30pm to 8pm for 8 weeks.  Your trainer will be Debbie Tongotea.
•  Ake Ake Centre Ph 344 3399 (Castlecliff).  Two courses will be run one starting on Tuesday 19 or 26 February from 5.30pm to 8pm and one on Thursday 21 or 28 February from 12 to 2.30pm.  You choose when suits you and the course runs for 8 weeks . Your trainer will be Denise Simonson.
• Whanganui Learning Centre Ph 348 4950 (City). The course will start Friday 22 February at 12.30pm to 3pm for 8 weeks. Trainer: Gayna Ryan
• Born and Raised Pasifika Ph 343 5441 (Aramoho).  The course will start Friday 22 February at 12pm to 3pm for 8 weeks. Your trainer will be Denise Simonson.