Term 2 2012 - busy busy busy!!

Hi everyone, sorry I haven't updated for a little while, I've been really busy meeting Principals and staff of new Computers in Homes (CiH) schools - it's all been go go go I tell you!

This current school term sees six schools up and running with CiH classes, and another six in the pipeline for Term 3.  I have new schools on board too - Whangarei Intermediate, Onerahi, Dargaville High, Te Raroa Learning Centre, Wellsford and Christian Renewal School. 

All these schools are excited and looking forward to starting up CiH within their school environment.  Some have their list already full with names of families wanting to participate, others are still collecting.  By the end of Term 3, 21 schools in Northland will have had the Computers in Homes experience.  We're really lucky that Government has seen the need for digital literacy and connection in Northland and I hope they continue to support our region.

New photos of graduating classes will be up by the end of June, I'll be back before then of course, so if you need anything feel free to comment on this site :)

Status Update Term 1

This first term of 2012 is about planning for CiH in Northland.  Whilst we'd love to have all schools up and running with their first class of the year; schools are busy places and have a number of extra-curricular activities they have to attend to.

I've been to see the Principal and Staff at Hikurangi School and presented what we'd like to achieve in their community.  Most were interested in the prospect but found Term 1 just a little too early in their programme to achieve graduation.  I will keep in touch with them over the next few weeks to line up Term 2 as a perspective timeframe. 

I had a wonderful visit with Pat Newman and his staff last Tuesday at Horahora School in Whangarei.  What an enthusiastic bunch of people!  They were immediately drawn to the positives of our programme and were keen to offer it to their families.  Teachers play such a critical role in starting up our programme.  They know their families.  They know their community.  Therefore they can champion the programme within their classroom and determine who may benefit the most.

The schools who have been allocated funding up to June 2012 are Morningside School (Whangarei), Bay of Islands College (Kawakawa), Horahora School (Whangarei), Te Roroa Learning Centre (Dargaville), and Hikurangi School (Whangarei).

A new initiative now available in Northland is the next step on from CiH named Stepping UP.  This programme focuses on the graduates of CiH and allows them 10 more hours of free training.  Subjects focus on ICT skills for Work and Home and range from using Microsoft Publisher to Financial Management.  This programme is still in the early stages of implementation. 

2012 is here and CiH Northland is ready to roll!

Happy New Year everyone.  I trust you all enjoyed your Chrissie and NY break and are raring to go for 2012.  I'm sure it will be a year of great achievement, especially with many schools lining up to become involved with Computers in Homes. 

Word seems to have got round schools in the past 2.5 years and I'm constantly amazed by the amount of people who've heard of CiH in Northland.  I guess when you've trained over 250 families then word of mouth plays a big part.  I hope one of the reasons is that of satisfaction from participants.  All CiH Co-ordinators in NZ work really hard to ensure schools, families and suppliers are kept happy and that we get the most bang for our buck!

This year I aim to bring some more new schools on board.  16 schools have participated since July 2009, some of these schools have trained over 4 different classes, averaging 25 families per school.  There are plenty of schools throughout Northland that still need our support, and I will continue to create new relationships and reach those families most in need of ICT training, resource and support.

Thanks again everyone who has supported me, our programme and their school community.  We couldn't do it without you!

Te Horo School turns out for end of year prizegiving, school gala day and CIH Graduation

The picturesque Te Horo School was the setting for the final graduation of CiH families in Northland in 2011.  A small, but completely family orientated school, Te Horo trained 8 family members over 10 weeks in Term 4.  Trainer Amy Tohu had a job on her hands as she knew all her trainees, some being whanau, but she did a great job in ensuring they all learnt the basics and then some.  Thanks to the Tumuaki Cheryl Collins for hosting our programme, I hope you continue to get great use out of the computer training suite installed for our project.  I'm sure it will continue to be a wonderful ICT resource for your children, staff and community as a whole.

Tikipunga Primary rise to the challenge again...

In Term 3 Tikipunga Primary School celebrated their first graduating class, then in Term 4 2011 they did it all over again with another group of 12 graduating families !

Acknowledgement must go to Principal Donna Donnelly and Assistant Principal Chris De Gouviea-Rennie for the uncompromising support for the Computers in Homes programme.  Both spent their own personel time at the school during Saturday's so this group of parents could train out of school hours.  Teachers work long hours as it is, so to give up your family time purely for the interests of your school community is deeply appreciated by myself and the CiH team.

May I remind readers that CiH is a not-for-profit organisation.  No ones makes any money out of this project, the schools receive no monetary gain but are asked to put time and energy into something that will help their families.  I am often humbled by our NZ educators who seek nothing more than to see their school rise in digital literacy and skills.  All the staff at Tikipunga Primary and attending families should be very proud of the ethos of their school.

Term 4 2011 Graduating parents - wahooo!  Way to go Mum's and Dad's!

A full school assembly - a colourful and wonderful occasion.

Couldn't resist adding this one, some wonderful kids get
acknowledged for school traffic monitors on the same day!

Time to pick up their PC's after a lovely morning tea -
thank you Isha for organising that as well as doing the training :)

Morningside School have their first graduating class!

When Computers in Homes first came to Northland in July 2009 there was the hope of connecting to as many families as possible.  Now, in January 2012, with the aide of numerous political parties, we have been able to train over 250 families and place into their home a wonderful digital resource - a computer!

Another of the 'new' schools for 2011 was Morningside School.  Prinicpal David Prchal immediately responded to my query of participation in our programme.  After a meeting with him and 'trainer-to-be' Melaynee Hall, we were able to quickly install a training suite and get six families training in a lovely air-conditioned room where they learnt emailing, internet skills, job seeking, word processing, file management and digital security and safety.  These families then graduated on 2 December 2011 with a certificate ceremony in front of the whole assembly.  Needless to say there were the usual whispers amongst the kids- "there's my Mum, look!" and "Aunty, hi, it's me".  I never tire of the kids pride when seeing their family members up front receiving their certificate, computer and well deserved accolaides!

Thank you Morningside School, let's bring it on for 2012 with another successful group and connecting even more families to your schools' digital world :)

Bay of Islands College graduate 12 families in November

In mid November 2011 Bay of Islands College in Kawakawa graduated 12 families from the Computers in Homes programme.  This school has a roll of 345 and has a decile 1 rating.  I cannot speak highly enough of the dedicated staff and families at this school.  They encapsulate the meaning of CiH; they all know the importance of digital literacy and connection in this day and age, and I am so appreciative of their support of our programme.

Head of ICT Briony Johnston, who trained our familes, was brilliant to deal with and I'm so happy you approached us at Computers in Homes Briony.  Your passion for your families and ICT is so very obvious to me and I look forward to working with you again in 2012. 

Many thanks to Principal Elgin Edwards who welcomed us with open arms, you seem to understand your school community needs extremely well Elgin, so thank you for hosting our first group of training.  After meeting with your staff and BOT's I feel sure that BOIC and CiH will continue to bring digital technology and connection to families of the Bay of Islands well into the future.