North Street School Graduates 2016

We did it!  A fantastic result for these amazing families who have recently graduated from the Computers in Homes programme which was held at North Street School in Feilding September 2016.

A very big thank you to you all for the commitment to training and to our lovely tutor Raylene Johnston.  The all could not have been accomplished without the support of Jo Reiri, North Street school principal.

This is the first time the Computers in Homes programme has been run in Feilding and we look forward to working with more schools in the area.

Our graduates with their tamariki

Introducing Shona Te Huki

It's my pleasure to introduce Shona Te Huki as the newly appointed CIH Coordinator for the Manawatu Horowhenua region.

Shona Te Huki

I am moving to Blenheim at the end of this month and unfortunately this means I have to leave my regional coordinator position. It has been an awesome 2 years in the region and I have been very lucky to have met some wonderful people along the way.

This is a very special job in so many ways as we get to empower the families and communities we work with. I am sure Shona will thoroughly enjoy the role and you will all give her as much support as you have given me.

I will be staying with 2020 Communications Trust in a KiwiSkills ICDL role, so will still be in the team and continuing to focus on increasing digital literacy across Aotearoa.

To all the graduates of the programme - kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui (be strong, be brave, be steadfast)! It's been awesome to work with you all, keep learning and supporting your tamariki :)

Arohanui
Sarah Lee

Foxton Primary School Celebrates Graduates

Foxton School celebrated the graduation of 15 families from the Computers in Home programme in December 2013. They are the first families in Foxton to go through the programme.

To mark the occasion Foxton Community Board member Amanda Street attended the Christmas end-of-year celebration, congratulating each parent with a certificate of completion.

Well done everyone! Thanks to the Computers in Homes champions Tina McLean (Principal) and Anthea Whitely (Trainer) who encouraged and supported these parents through the programme.

Our fabulous graduates with their certficates

The children of Foxton School doing a haka to our graduate parents

Amanda Street with graduate Nikora Timutimu (Tina McLean to the right)

Ultra Fast Broadband (UFB) Launch in Kapiti

I was very fortunate to be invited to the launch of UFB to represent 2020 Communications Trust. The UFB plans were launched by the Honorable Amy Adams who was supported by local MP Nathan Guy, and the Mayors of Kapiti (Jenny Rowan), Horowhenua (Brendan Duffy) and Gisborne (Meng Foon).

UFB puts Aotearoa on the map in terms of technology and promises to catapult us into the international markets. The Minister talked about this being a significant investment in the future of Aotearoa, coming in at a cool $1.35 billion investment!

“The deployment of UFB is one of the largest and most transformative infrastructure projects ever to be undertaken in New Zealand. We continue to make good progress on a fibre network that will ultimately transform New Zealand’s connectivity,” Ms Adams says.

Over the build period, the UFB network will be in reach of more than 48,000 premises in Upper Hutt, the Kapiti Coast, Levin, and Gisborne.

In addition to the 25 schools in these areas that are already able to access the Government’s UFB network, a further 18 schools will be covered by the network within the next 12 months.

If you would like to read more http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/ufb-underway-upper-hutt-kapiti-levin-gisborne

Meng Foon speaking flanked by Min. Amy Adams and Kapiti Mayor Jenny Rowan

The roll out map for Levin (blue areas highlight where UFB will be available)

Deputy Mayor Attends Shannon School Graduation

Deputy Mayor of Horowhenua District Council Barry Judd was our guest of honour at the Shannon School graduation on 27 June 2013. He spoke about his connection with the school, being a past pupil and what it was like growing up in Shannon.

We also enjoyed the company of Shannon School principal Murray Powell, some of their BoT members, our CiH National Coordinator Di Daniels, trainers Kyle and Cindy Sayles and of course our awesome graduates.

After a moving ceremony (there were a few tears shed!) we celebrated the graduates and their whanau with a shared kai. Awesome Shannon ... we look forward to hearing about the difference this programme has made to your lives!

From left to right: Mr Fuller (BOT), Barry Judd (Dep. Mayor), Sarah Lee, Di Daniels and Murray Powell (Principal)

Happy graduate whanau collecting their computer

And again!

And again!

Graduations at Levin Intermediate

It was awesome to welcome another 20 families from Levin Intermediate into the digital World! They are now well on their way to becoming digital citizens of the 21st Century.

Our programme was delivered twice at Levin Intermediate with our first 10 families graduating on 7 November 2012 and our second intake of families graduating on 27 June 2013. Both evenings were very enjoyable complete with some inspiring speeches from our VIP's, certificate presentations and followed by a shared kai.

Our fabulous November graduates!

November graduates with Mr G (trainer)

Graduate Kriesna Ratima and her children very happy about taking home their PC

VIP Colin Brown and Mr G presenting certificates to graduates in June 2013

Our fabulous June 2013 graduates, with Mr G!

Karen Batson and her whanau taking home their PC

Te Aroha Noa Open Adult Learning Centre

Kia ora koutou,

I was very fortunate to attend the opening of Te Aroha Noa's Adult Learning Centre this weekend. The new building was officially opened by local Labour MP Iain Lees-Galloway, who cut the red ribbon.

Prior to that we were entertained with a Kapa Haka performance from the tamariki who attend the early childhood centre, speeches from inspiring community leaders and a lovely waiata (song) from 2 young up and coming songbirds.

Last term, Te Aroha Noa delivered the Computers in Homes programme to a total of 23 families. They are now offering Stepping UP Digital Steps to their graduates to help further their learning and personal aspirations. Dale Hunter is the resident tutor, and is a great advocate for digital literacy.

Bruce Maden, the CEO, expressed his vision of creating better life outcomes within and alongside the community he serves. His vision and enthusiasm for positive change is contagious and this event is testament to his 20 year commitment to Te Aroha Noa and the local community. Awesome Bruce and the Te Aroha Noa crew ... you rock!

Watch this space...

Whanau supporting the celebration

Tamariki getting ready to perform Kapa Haka

Dignitories from left to right: Jono Naylor (PNCC Mayor), Iain Lees-Galloway (Labour MP), Vaughan Dennison (PNCC Councillor), and Alfred Ngaro (National List MP)

Teresa - CIH graduate sharing her learning journey

Bruce Maden presenting a gift

Alfred Ngaro giving his inspiring speech

Iain Lees-Galloway cutting the ribbon!

From left to right: Brad, Alfred, Bruce, Sarah Lee, and Iain