A little bit of magic at Wanganui Girls College

Every now and again we get a group of mums together who inspire us and this was one of those groups. Together with Simon Waters who is an extraordinary tutor a remarkable group of woman came together to do this Computer in Homes class.

It was the stories our mums shared about their hopes, dreams and interests that made this group so special.  I believe this group will have amazing tales to share of how they used their computers at the end of 12 months.  Each of them had the goals, talents and potential to do what they dreamed of.

Even the way it all came together was different.  Two days before the class we had two people registered. We thought the class was not going to be able to go ahead - then - out of nowhere another 10 marvellous woman arrived and we embarked on a journey of discovery together.

Simon your students told me they had fish and chips and chocolate fish - none of the other tutors did this!!  I hope your class knew how lucky they were.

I trust you will enjoy and make the most of the opportunities technology brings

Arohanui - here are our mums and our youngest class member EVER!

And here is your class and graduation

Wanganui Girls College on PhotoPeach

Empowerment the theme of Te Kura O Kokohuia Graduation

This was my first graduation at Te Kura O Kokohuia and it was a extra special one. Our nine graduates were welcomed on to the marae and an exceptional day unfolded. Robin Ohia was our speaker and he spoke about the Computer opening doorways to any kind of learning we want to do. Through this we empower ourselves to learn about anything for which we have passion. We also had Hamish McDouall, Deputy Mayor and Labour Party candidate at our graduation. He is a great supporter of Computers in Homes Wanganui.

The students of Te Kura O Kokohuia sung some beautiful waiata and as I watched them I realised that we learn so much from watching those older than us. We watch, we copy, we learn. The amazing thing about computers is that us older ones now watch, copy and learn from the young ones who are so much more capable than us on the computer.

Thank you so much to Tuhi Smith, Principal at Te Kura O Kokohuia and Stephanie Paranihi-Simon without who's help this course would not have happened. And a special thanks to Petera Hudson for his sure, capable and steady hand through the training.

To the graduates - congratulations - this was your day. I hope and trust that this will be the beginning of your journey on the computer.

Here you all are

Here is a presentation of your day Te Kura O Kokohuia Computers in Homes Graduation on PhotoPeach

Farwell to the Ake Ake Centre and hello new graduates!!

This graduation was a special one as these 9 people and their whanau are the final graduates from the Ake Ake Centre in Castlecliff.  The Ake Ake Centre was established in July 2012 and since then 45 graduates for Computers in Homes have been trained over the last 2 years.

The graduates acknowledge the sad loss to their community of the Ake Ake Centre.  They also spoke of how through the Computers in Homes training at the Centre they have met their neighbours and new friends in the Community.  They hoped a new solution could be found so that this whakawhanaungatanga (this bringing together of people in relationships) would continue in our community.

Hon Chester Borrows (MP for Whanganui) , Hamish McDouall (Deputy Mayor Wanganui District Council) and Labour Party candidate) and Sharon Duff (PHO, New Chair of Wanganui Computers in Homes Steering Group and candidate for Council) were our special guests.

Two of our graduates were unable to attend due to illness but we wish them well.  This is Esta Kiriona with Chester Borrows (MP) and Petera Hudson (Trainer).  She bought them to their knees, literally, for this photo :).  Esta is a grandparent who did Computers in Homes so her moko can do their homework when they visit her each week.

Here are our whanau.

Ake Ake Centre Graduation May 2014 on PhotoPeach

Stories of our Computers in Homes Whanau in Whanganui

Every year we survey the families who graduated from Computers in Homes 12 months ago.  These stories tell us what people got from computers in homes.  I wanted to share with you a small sample of the comments that show why we have computers in homes.  Here are their stories:

• The whole world comes into your home having a computer. Having a computer is especially important for her children, for their homework.  "My daughter has done a lot of work around kapa haka. Both of my children have got better at maths. The games have helped my son which shows in that his mid-term report was good. They have come a long way. It is a blessing having a computer because the knowledge is here for them. You have the world and the library and everything in your house.”  - KW 29/11/2013

• GS says “to go from not knowing to being able to be in touch with people and have information right at your fingertips is an amazing thing.  He says he’s figured out how to get viruses off his PC really quickly now. He has completely stripped the PC apart and put it back together!  He is a motor mechanic by trade and often needs to get information. He now works from home, so it is really handy having the computer at home. Otherwise he would have to go to the library and photocopy stuff etc. It’s much more convenient and quicker this way.  It’s only been in the last couple of years that he has even started to use a computer.   “My son's skills have definitely improved, he's really adept on the computer.  - GS 4/12/2013

• "My children's reading skills have improved. They like reading the encyclopedias! My four year old's hand/eye coordination has improved. She can use the mouse and the arrows to move the cursor. They liked playing games when we had the internet on. My daughter loves the Daisy maths.  They go to what they know on the computer. I'm impressed with their progress, it gave me a fright when I discovered they were reading the encyclopedia! They tell me "it's cool to read it on the computer." I think the computer is an exciting way for them to learn. I "like" having the computer, and the kids "love" it. We’ve certainly saved petrol not going to the library."  TW 11/12/2013

I will keep adding these stories.  In the next three weeks we are finalising our course for July to December 2014.  I am hoping we will be offering 6 courses in Castlecliff, Gonville,three courses in two venues in the City, and Aramoho and Marton.  Keep checking here and our community on Facebook  Computers in Homes Wanganui.