Term 2 is full steam ahead!

The past three weeks of Term 2 2011 have been extremely busy and Computers in Homes Whangarei has 73 participants currently training.  Great stuff!

I have been to each new class and introduced the CiH programme and it's always a pleasure to meet the parents who are attending.  Congratulations parents/guardians, you are taking the first step towards digital connection within your home and your kids will love you for it.  I hope you enjoy the down-to-earth training style of your trainer and that you learn lots of new skills that will empower you to help your kids with their home work.  You are now part of a wider network of families who are taking up the CiH challenge of connecting Kiwi kids to the Internet.  Stand tall and proud because you'll never look back.  It's 2011 and there's no way technology is going to slow down, so 'big props' to you for putting your hands up.

On Tuesday 24 May 2011 I will be attending a Rural Broadband Initiative hui in Kerikeri.  The government has an agreement with Telecom and Vodafone to roll out faster broadband to rural areas over the next six years.  Focus will be on bringing fibre connections to 95% of schools with the remaining school having access to digital microwave radio connections.  What that last description entails I'm not sure, hence why I'm attending the hui to listen to the plans for Northland.

On 25, 26 and 27 May 2011 I will be in Wellington attending a National Computers in Homes Co-ordinators' Group meeting.  Basically all the co-ordinators from around New Zealand come together to discuss their regions status and gather ideas from each other.  These meetings are wonderful for me as I  gleam new concepts and we all soundboard off each other.  

Once June hits it'll be all hands on deck as graduations approach.  There will be eight to attend in June/July and I adore these.  A big thanks in advance to everyone who helps me make them happen.  It's a collaborative effort and I couldn't do it without help from trainers, technicians and administrative staff from each school.

Onwards and upwards people of Northland!