Quiet and Peaceful End to Classes for 2011

With all schools in Dunedin gearing up to a very hectic month of big assemblies, prize givings and farewells, our three classes were keen to keep their graduations a nice low key family affair. While classes were running at 3 different schools they were small in size, with 5 participants at Concord, 5 at Pine Hill and 7 at Port Chalmers. All three held their final classes this week on Monday and Tuesday. It was decided by all participants that they wanted their families to share their final class with a small presentation of certificates and flash drives by their tutors Tony & Liz, conratulations from the project co-ordinator Janine and then a chat with the tech (Louis) over a cup of tea and someting to eat. While quiet in size and razamatazz they were no less excited by their success and within half an hour of the cuppas being out there was some very happy children, proud partners and contented participants heading for the doors with all types of computer parts sticking out of their armpits. I would like to once again "pat them all on their backs" for their efforts and thank the three principals involved, Margaret (Concord), Mel (Pine Hill) and Vicki (Port Chalmers) and their schools for the support given to our project over 2011 and you never know we may return. Time to check out those photos below.Pinehill School Celebrate for the Third Time on PhotoPeach


Second Graduation for Concord School on PhotoPeach


Port Chalmers Second Graduation on PhotoPeach

Port Chalmers Make a Grand Finale for Term 3

When we arrived at Port Chalmers School for our final graduation for Term 3 the whole school was a buzz. Some of it may have been that the school holidays were mere hours away but also many had family who were graduating and taking their computers home. So the excitement was easy to feel. Principal Vicki Nicholson made us extremely welcome and was herself really excited for the families who were graduating. We were once again joined by Barbara Craig from 2020 Communications Trust in Wellington. Wew ere entertained by a rousing rendition of the school song and were joined by all students from the school. Even once the presentation stage of the assembly was over the excitement and noise levels in the roon were amazing. Thank you Port Chalmers we look forward to coming back next term for the next classes.

Port Chalmers Graduation on PhotoPeach

Forbury Celebrate Their Final Graduation

Forbury School as we know it celebrated its final graduation on Firday 7 October, as the school is being closed at the end of 2011 in a major restructuring that is being done by the Ministry. Barbara Craig from 2020 Communications Trust flew from Wellington to celebrate with them. Also thanks to the house staying on schedule Dunedin South MP Clare Curran was able to make it back from Wellington to celebrate with us. Children were able to leave their classes to celebrate with parents & grand parents who were graduating. Well done to them all and I have included a slide show of a selection of photos of both presentations and happy family groups before they left with their machines. My thanks to Forbury School who have been awesome partners with Computers in Homes over the past year.

Forbury Graduation Term 3 2011 on PhotoPeach

After the Lull Comes the Storm

NEV mum Andrea & her children

Pine Hills graduate Bonnies kids were so
proud of mum.

Gee has Dunedin seen some action on the CiH front over the last two weeks, and theres still another week to go.

PineHills Graduate Sandra with
 her children

Pine hills Marina & children

Bronny & the kids did a great job
filling in for dad Wayne when he
couldn't get to the grad.

Pine Hills Glencora had 2 happy
 kids when mum graduated.

All the current nine classes that are running have been visited by me to tick off their three commitments, and all came through with flying colours. All 52 participants have now completed their required 20 hours of training ( and this is no mean feat during winter months in the south), all completed their Online Surveys ( moans and all) and all managed to navigate their way round the beehive of wires Louis presented them with. Well done to you all. Classes over the last term have had to make up hours as participants (in fact all of Dunedin) were unexpectedly snowed in but everyone faced with a sigh and a smile and are now playing with their spoils. Pine Hill and North East Valley combined for their graduation on Friday 30 September, and once again and lovely spread was shared with the children and staff. Thanks for the hospitality Mel. Check out some of the photos in this post. Sorry there is not more but my photography skills leave alot to be desired. We have another three coming up on Thursday 6 October and Friday 7 October and hopefully another kind photographer will step up to the plate and you will have some even better photos to check out.

NEV graduate Ruth poses with daughter
& son-in-law Greg who graduated from
PineHill last term

Once more congradulations to all 52 who have graduated. I'd also like to take this chance to welcome the 17 new participants who have started training at Concord, Pine Hill & Port Chalmers.

Nev graduate for Term 3 Joanne with
NEV graduate from term2 Craig.

NEV senior graduates Russell & Vivian Brooks
share the day with tutor Tony.

All Schools are Up & Running



Concords Saturday Class



Port Chalmers Friday Class

Well as we all hunker down and get ready for some more cold weather, it is with the knowledge that all schools with families 
participating this term in Dunedin, have all successfully started their lessons. Once the numbers settle down and the odd wayward students (who are currently holidaying in the sun) return all classes should now run along smoothly under the care of tutors Liz & Tony. All schools have now set their graduation dates, the paperwork is complete, and the fun begins. Thanks to those classes who are already starting to send me through your e-mails. BIG pats on the backs. I will see you all again in Week 6 or 7 so until then have FUN !!!!!



North East Valleys Saturday Class

Term 3 Kicks Off In Dunedin

Pine Hills Class

Forburys First Class

Well it doesn't seem too many days ago that I was reporting on the numerous
graduations we were holding. Blow me down we're starting off what is going to be a busy term for us, with 62 families all starting their training over the next 3-4 days in 5 different schools throughout Dunedin. Today saw the start of lessons at Pine Hill (and they already have the class for next term full) they will train one class this term on a Saturday morning. Later that night we trundled down the hill to Forbury who will train 2 classes on a Monday afternoon and a Thursday evening. Check out the smiley faces of the new participants while we all catch up on some sleep and get ready for Port Chalmers tomorrow.

North East Valley Round Off Term 2 Graduations

NEV Term 2 graduates with Dunedin South MP Clare Curran

Well it has been an awesome term for Computers in Homes in Dunedin this term with 53 families graduating. Not least of all the families at North East Valley, who were joined by their families, and Dunedin South MP Clare Curran, Principal, John McKenzie & Deputy Principal Sheryl Staynes. We all swapped some stories from these 2 classes who all started off the term as total strangers but were all firm friends by the end. We enjoyed some songs from the senior school and once all those precious machines were safely packed into cars we all shared an afternoon tea in the staffroom. Interest was high with parents who had missed out this term. I was stopped 3 times by people wishing to enrol for the classes starting in Term3. So well done to you all at North East Valley and its looking like we will be replaying the whole term again in Term 3.

Graduations Galore !!!

Pine Hills Happy Families

The Friday may have started with a cool frosty feeling to it but by 9am Pine Hill had started their graduation, in conjunction with their school assembly, and the smiles and warmth that was felt in the hall was amazing. The gradutaes along witht heir children (and their school mates) were eagerly checking out the new machines. We were entertained with some singing and presentation of class awards. Then Computers in Homes graduated their students. Children accompanied their parents onto the stage and the pride they showed in their parents was so evident. Following the graduation we shared some light refreshments with all children & staff. However it wasn't long before parents couldn't contain themselves any longer and people and machines started disappearing out the hall and into the back of waiting cars.

Brockville School Assembly

Brockville Graduates

Hugs from Proud Families at Brockville

Later in the morning and the sun had finally come out and our team was on its way to Brockville for their graduation. This was a much bigger assembly but just as welcoming and excited as our earlier graduation. Participants were awarded their certificates and flash drives by Principal Ben Sincock and once again were accompanied by their proud children. A couple of graduates couldn't make the assembly and their children came forwarded and accepted their awards on their parents behalf. Graduates shared a light lunch with our CiH team but once again couldn't wait to be on their way home with their machines under their arms.

Some of the Forbury Graduates

The remaining Forbury Graduates

Still More Forbury Graduates

Last but not least our team rolled into Forbury and our biggest graduation for the day with 23 people graduating. Although we arrived to a rather sombre school, after receiving news of closure, it didn't take long for it to be overlooked for a while. Deputy Mayor Chris Staynes arrived to award the graduates with their certificates & flash drives. The noise levels increased tenfold during this ceremony with all three classes seeming to support each other with clapping at cheering as each name was called. Once again all graduates were accompanied by their children and even some grandchildren. Later we all shared an afternoon tea with this group seeming to take longer to disperse, as cellphone numbers and e-mail addresses were swapped, and promises of keeping in touch.

Hugs for Mum From Proud and
Happy Pine Hills Children

Relocated Christchurch Family
 Carolyn with her happy chidren

Pine Hill Graduate David with his family

Pine Hills Chairperson
celebrates with her son.







Dunedin Gears Up To Graduate Eight Classes



Machine Assembly Lesson at Forbury

Forbury Mastering the Assembly

Machine assembly

Forburys Tuesday Class doing "The online Survey"

PineHills Final Lesson "The Online Survey"

Over the last couple of months Dunedin has settled into a peaceful lull as the 8 classes running at Pine Hill, Forbury, Brockville & North East Valley Schools all worked towards their graduations. This Monday class at Pine Hill show how every available machine was put to great use. During the last week the programme has stepped up a couple of gears with nearly all of the 60 graduates completing their required 20 hours of training, paid their $50, and now have faced THE ONLINE SURVEY. I'm pleased to say all seemed to have come through unscathed and all successfully assembled a machine at their final lessons this week. With just the Friday class at North East Valley and the odd straggler left, they can all take a well deserved week off and prepare for their graduations. All you keen Blog watchers keep your eyes peeled on this space for your grad photos. You never know whose face is going to appear. For all you keen eyed bloggers- Here is the proof your machines have arrived in Dunedin- NOW BRING ON THE CELEBRATIONS !!!!

Busy Times Ahead for Term 2

Brockvilles Saturday Class

Monday Class @ Forbury



NEV's Saturday Class

NEV's Friday Night Class

Dunedin Computers in Homes team are in for a very busy term with 4 different schools participating, making a total of eight classes a week. Poor Tony & Liz are having to travel from one side of town to the other, never mind holding down a 'real' job. Sorry guys no time for a family life till at least July. Our project technician will also be polishing off his diary as the graduations draw near. But we are a great team and although only being together for 6 months we have formed a great team spirit and we all get a real buzz from seeing the pleasure families get from the project.

Some of Pine Hills Saturday Class

Pine Hills Monday Class

This week saw the launch of the first 2 classes at Pine Hill with classes being held on a Saturday morning & Monday afternoon. We also see the start of classes at Forbury, these being held on a Tuesday evening & Friday afternoon. Brockville will also begin this Saturday with their classes held on Saturday afternoons. The final school to join this terms classes will be north East Valley, who came on board late but have rallied round and after their parent evening next week, will be holding 3 classes a week on Monday afternoon, Friday afternoon, and Saturday morning. Well done to John & his staff. Keep eyes peeled for photos of each class. I will post them as quickly as possible and don't fret Forbury I will return now I've sorted my camera.

Some of the Second Intake for Forbury

NEV finally underway

Ha and you all thought you were getting away with it. Check them out so far.

College Street Make it Graduation #2

The Spoils

College St Group

A Very Happy John

It was an excellent night for the graduation of College Street participants. Each being accompanied by numerous & supportive family members. There was a list of dignatories including, His Worship the mayor Dave Cull, Deputy Mayor Chris Staynes, 2020 Founding Trustee Barbara Craig, Principal Gary Tenbath, and Jimmi (surname unkown) but school office administrator. After a short speech from all the certificates were given out by tutors Tony & Liz. The hardest part was trying to get the group together for a photo. Participants and children weren't even interested in the food, they just formed a steady stream of people with machines parts under their arms as they headed for their cars & home 'to plug them in'. Well done to you all and it was great seeing the sense of acheivement displayed.

Principal Gary Tenbeth

2020 Trustee Barbara Craig

His Worship Dave Cull