Graduations are on Their Way

For all of you participants who regularly follow our blog, even coordinators get homework, and here is mine. We had to have recently updated our blogspot and because you are all due to graduate over the next couple of weeks I thought 'Heck what am I going to do' so here we go what better than letting you all see the evidence that your machines have all arrived, even if I now have trouble getting into my front door. They are now waiting 'patiently' for Louis to do his thing and configure them for your Internet accounts and then they are all good to go. Well done to you all and in the meantime I suppose you could keep gazing at your spoils. To those who have completed their online surveys at Calton Hill, Well done & thanks, told you it wasn't SO BAD. To those of you at College Street, who are still to do it, I will see you all next week.

Rain Doesn't Deter Second Class

It might have been a rather cold ,wet and dismal Saturday in Dunedin today, but that didn't deter the second class of participants turning up. All bright and happy and fizzing to get started we had to drag them out of the class just to have their photo taken for this blog. Then after that having to slow down and listen to me for approx 15 minutes, I think they were all pleased to see the back of me and roll their sleeves up and get down to a bit of learning. It will be awesome to monitor the 2 classes at College Street and watch their progress as they work towards their joint graduation on 12 April at a school assembly. Watch this space.

College Street Launches in Dunedin

Last week saw the launch of another school joining the Computers in Homes family. We held a very quiet meeting in the staffroom last Thursday for prospective participants. Much to Gary's (Principal) dismay only four people turned up. It was decided that classes would be held on Monday evening & Saturday morning. True to my predictions, and Garys doubts the first class rolled aroung with an amazing ten people turning up for the start. Unfortunately we only have seven machines but in true CiH spirit some of them have chosen to come to the Saturday class. The participants were again a little camera shy but we did get them to have a group photo taken for this blog. Wait till the graduation we won't be able to keep them out of the spotlight. All of the people present were also keen to try out the Census 2011 online as part of their lesson on the 7th March. Well done to you all for being so prepared to try something new.

Class Number 2 begins at Calton Hill

Wednesday night proved to be a very busy night at Calton Hill, with a total of 13 new participants arriving to begin their training for this term. We had managed to borrow machines from some of the childrens classes to enable each participant to have a machine to themselves. There was alot of energy in this class with alot of interesting questions asked of me. Tutors Jess and Leeane were pleased with the response from the local community and are looking forward to the next nine weeks of training. I even received the odd e-mail or two proving that participants were eager to be set up with an e-mail address and begin their journey. Roll on the 5th April when they will all graduate.

Calton Hill leads Off 2011

It might have been the first day of school for most of the children at Calton Hill but 8 of their parents started back at school this term as well. They are taking part in one of the two classes the school is holding for Computers in Homes this term.It will see 20 parents graduating on 5th April and being able to take home their computers for the next school holidays, and the kids will have a couple of weeks to give their Internet a test drive before schools begins again. Although all were a little camera shy I did manage to catch a few while they were busy setting up their e-mail accounts.

36 Make it a First by Graduating in Dunedin

    

Brockville Graduates



Forbury Graduates






 

There was a real air of excitement and celebration at the Civic Centre in Dunedin on Thursday night, as the first 36 people who have taken part in the launch of the Computers in Homes project in both Forbury and Brockville Schools graduated. Some of our special guests included His Worship The Mayor Dave Cull, Deputy Mayor Chris Staynes and some fellow councillors. Members of the Dunedin City Digital Strategy Steering Group, National CiH Coordinator Di Das and an scattering of interested principals from other Dunedin Schools. A surprise for all came when Clare Curran MP was replaced by Peter Brook from Otago Polytech, who gave Clares apologies and delivered her address on her behalf. Janice Tofia (Forbury) and Ben Sincock (Brockville) spoke on the impact this programme has had on both their schools and the local school community. Then came the graduation. Each graduate was called in turn by their respective tutor (Tony & Liz Hayward or Brian Filipo) and congratulated by His Worship (complete with all the bling). Finally with each participant standing by their hard earned machines photos were taken. A representative from each class then joined with the Mayor in the cutting of the graduation cake. Much to all the childrens excitement the Mayor then proceeded to cut the cut and give a piece to each person there, still complete with the bling

The Nights Line Up



 

Graduates

 

                                                               

                                               

The Cake

                                                             

Sun Shines on Brockvilles Sunday Class

It was a beautiful sunny Dunedin afternoon on Sunday when most people would be out mowing lawns, walking, doing housework, instead there was a dedicated group of 8 Brockville people starting on their lessons to secure a computer for their families in time for Christmas. Their tutor (Brian) even gave up time from his weekends to ensure this happens for them. This brings the total of participants for Brockville School to 15 for this year.  Giving them a strong case for a further class in Term 1 of 2011. Well done to their Principal (Ben) and tutor (Brian) who have put in the extra miles for their school community. It can only be of benefit to both families and the school.

Brockville Joins the CIH Wave

It might have been a very wet and wild night last Thursday in Brockville, but all was calm and peaceful as the first seven participants took the big step of returning to 'school' for the next eight weeks to sharpen up their computer skills and receive a computer for their families. Just in time for Xmas. It was a keen group even if they were a bit camera shy and giggly. The school has, with Computers in Homes help, set up a bright and comfortable suite for them to use in Room 8. I'm sure the children from the school will benefit from this also. I left after 30 minutes of  course introduction for them and by the time I got home they had all sent their first e-mails to me. Well done all of you (including Brian). Now to answer your e-mails.

Forbury's Third Class begins

Well I have to take my hat off to the families at Forbury School. They started their final class today which was a Saturday and I really didn't think anyone would come on a weekend, but was I wrong another full class turned up. Once again all keen and eager to learn. Like the other participants during the week they all got to have a browse through the Computers in Homes website. Before we could blink they were off checking out the other projects in the country. Unfortunately they had problems creating an e-mail address but I am waiting eagerly for your e-mails to arrive next week.

This class rounds off the total of 21 participants who are taking part in the Forbury School roll out and they will all graduate on 9th December. I must make mention of all the staff at Forbury who are keenly supporting these families with childcare, making cups of tea, popping in to check out any needs and helping to solve them. Special mention must be made to Janice (Principal) who has backed these families 110 %. She even arrived on Saturday to make sure we could get in through the security and sat in on parts of the class. Matt who has helped keep the machines in such fine order over the last year (and can remember passwords) and last but not least Liz & Tony who are tutoring these 3 classes a week until December to ensure COMPUTERS FOR XMAS. What a great team !!!!!!!!! 

Full Class on Fridays

Friday afternoon seemed like a strange time to have a class to me but I didn't know the families from Forbury School. While everyone else was racing home to start their weekend a full class of participants turned up to begin their lessons. they even had smiles on their faces and were full of excited chatter. The lesson started like all others with them getting onto the Internet and checking out this blogspot. I left 40 minutes later and the room was almost silent as they were all browsing through the Computers in Homes website and navigating from page to page . Well done to you all and I know you'll be checking this out tonight, so look in your inboxes. I received your e-mails. Big pat on the back!!!!!!!



Dunedin begins with Forbury School

The 2010 project began today with the first class of participants starting at Forbury School. It was a very eager 8 people that turned up tonight for their first class. After problems with passwords and the like all managed to access the net and have a quick look around our blogspot, before they had their group photo and back to 'their machines' to continue. This is the beginning of 3 classes being held at Forbury with a total of 20 families graduating on the 9th December. Now I sit back and wait for the e-mails they all said they'd send to me tonight. Bring them on !!!!!!!!

 

From a Simple Request

  





Dunedin Computers in Homes will launch as a part of national projects on 10th October at Forbury School. This project ensures ongoing government funding for delivery of the programme to schools in Dunedin that fit into its parameters. This year will see 20 families partcipating at Forbury School and another 20 families at Brockville School. Both will graduate on 9th December at a joint celebration.

  

There have been several schools over the programmes last ten years who have participated on a small scale. When the Principal of Forbury School, Janice Tofia, made an enquiry into their chances of joining in and were given a small number to deliver at their school, a real need was identified for the programme to launched over Dunedin schools in general. Thanks for this must go to Janice herself, Liz & Tony Hayward, and Matt Broad who all played a part in getting Computers in Homes to Dunedin. A meeting has been held of the Dunedin Steering Group, who will help the new local co-ordinator Janine Moore in the direction the project will take.This blogspot will be used to allow all interested people to track the progress and success of the programme. So I hope that you will take the time to browse through it every so often. You never know whos photo you may come across.

  



Welcome from Forbury School Principal Janice Tofia