Whangarei CIH Schools in the running for 10 x Chromebooks!!

The 2020 Communications Trust oversee a number of amazing ICT programmes in New Zealand.  The flagship being the Computers in Homes programme, but also closely followed by Stepping UP and KiwiSkills ICDL. 

This month I have been involved in organising a trade stand at the Whangarei ICT Hub at Forum North (30 April to 8 May).  It's here that our past and present Computers in Homes school will have the opportunity to win 10 x Chromebooks.  Participants of our skill challenges throughout the hub will attribute their point earned in each challenge to a CiH school.  The kura with the most points will win the Chromebooks!  An exciting opportunity indeed!

I've spent a lot of time communicating with the schools on how they get more involved.  Participants also have the chance to win one of six Samsung Galaxy TAB3 7" tablets and the person with the highest overall aggregate score will be announced as the Whangarei Digital Champion 2014 and win a Samsung Galaxy 10.1" 2014 Edition Tablet with cover.

I am proud to be a part of this fantastic ICT initiative in my home city, and anybody who would like to be involved in any/all of the six daily challenges can register at www.steppingup.org.nz

The community of Kawakawa reaps the rewards once again :)

The Bay of Islands College (BOIC) is nestled on a ridge as you head east to Paihia - the gateway to the Bay of Islands.  BOIC  plays a really important role in the community, not only serving the educational needs of the tamariki, but acting as a community education hub.  It's a place where mums', dads' and caregivers can go to learn and up-skill, and hosting the Computers in Homes aptly proves this point.

On 12 November 2013, the College graduated another 21 families under the guidance of Head of IT, Briony Johnston.  Briony often goes that extra mile for her families.  One Mum couldn't make class on the given night, so Briony gave up a lunchtime each week to train her one-on-one.  As CiH coordinator,  I'm extremely lucky to have such an amazing CiH team in BOIC.

Thank you to everyone who plays a role in bringing our programme together, I know I've said it a lot, but I could not do it without you :)

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First timers - Whangaruru School - Graduate in style

On 7 November 2013, at the beautiful Whangaruru School on the east coast of Northland, 8 families graduated from the Computers in Homes programme.  I was fortunate enough to attend and watch the kids, parents, grandparents and teachers interact.  What a cool kura!  They may be a small school, but what they lack in size they certainly make up for in mana.

Thank you Kuini Pugh for your dedication to your school community.  Thank you for chasing me for communication, I'm sorry I wasn't always initially available.  You were gorgeous to deal with and I'm always so thankful to work with people like yourself.

The kids of Whangaruru School - you are awesome too!  You listened carefully when I was talking, you respected your elders when they received their certificates and your singing was out of this world.

Congratulations to everyone involved, it was my pleasure and indeed privilege to bring you the Computers in Homes programme.

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Hora Hora School at it's finest once again!......

In early Term 3 2013, Assistant Principal Mr Richard Buckland, selflessly put up his hand again to tutor a room full of Hora Hora parents in how to use computers.  And he, once again, did a magnificent job!!

Every Tuesday night for 10 weeks he shared his knowledge of the internet, file management, word processing, spread sheeting and security and safety.   He didn't get flustered when 14 parents were asking lots of questions, he didn't make people feel silly when they weren't sure what to do and he didn't ever demand more from them than what they could each cope with.  An awesome tutor of parents and even greater teacher of children.

Thank you Richard, thank you Hora Hora School and thank you participating parents.  You've all been a pleasure to deal with.  Enjoy your new digital resource in your home.

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Te Roroa Learning Assistance Term 3 2013

This year Te Roroa Learning Assistance teamed up with Computers in Homes to bring our digital technology programme to their Tongan community.  And what a success it was too!  With translator Osai helping TRLA trainer Errol during trainings, the below families learnt heaps of new skills.  At least 6 participants are going to continue on their learning computers with TRLA which is absolutely outstanding.  Thanks to everyone who was involved.

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Tikipunga High Represent!

I simply adore going to Tikipunga High for Computers in Homes graduations.  You know why?  The kura and it's people understand CIH.  They get it.  They appreciate it and are always so thankful to have hosted it.  Here's a Smilebox slideshow this time (I usually use Photopeach) of the afternoon we spent together.  Congratulations to the 11 parents who graduated and thank you so much to trainer Annaliese Story and Deputy Principal Lindsay Dunn for your support.  It's unwavering as ever!

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Manaia View School graduate 20 August 2013

Manaia View School was the first school in Northland to run the CIH programme in early 2009.  Since then, they have always made room for our programme in their curriculum and have never, ever, turned down the opportunity to train more parents from their school community.

Now, in 2013, they have competed what could well be their last class.  And as per usual they looked after their participants and ensured they got first class tutoring.  Trainer Gareth Mauchline, who in his 9-5 job is a Producer at Channel North, Whangarei's local television station always enjoys his CIH role and has the lessons down to a fine art.  Thanks again Gareth for your continued support of CIH.  As a coordinator, it's heartening to deal with someone who goes the extra mile for our families.

Manaia View School Term 3 2013 on PhotoPeach