First Graduations - Waikirikiri & Riverdale

Our first whanau have graduated with flying colours.

I wish you all the best and I'm sure you will find your new on-line environment stimulating and helpful. You have all completed your training modules with success and now you can explore e-Learning more in your own time. Tino pai rawa atu koutou!

(Above) Waikirikiri School whanau during graduation ceremony.

(Right) Riverdale whanau who graduated recently.

Podcast 1 - Yolanda (Waikirikiri Principal)

Podcast 2 - Yolanda

Project Launch - News Clippings

These clippings are from the Gisborne Herald on Tuesday 28th November.
One of the clippings is from a sister Computer in Homes programme that was run at Te Karaka school.
If you can't read the clippings right click on the picture and go Save Picture As, and save in My Pictures. You can then increase the magnification of the picture when you open it in a picture viewer software programme like Windows Picture and Fax Viewer.

"Move it" - for computer crazy kids!

Here is a small news item on a new video called "Move it" a computer program that teaches kids better habits in the hope that it will decrease their chances of getting work related injuries later in life.The program is called "Move It" and it emphasises the importance of changing position regularly and getting the right support.

Check it out at http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/488120/909259

Launch Comments

I have had lots of positive comments from our launch day and also thanks to those who have left a comment on the last blog posting. I appreciate the feedback.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Margaret Thorpe and Nona Gaskin, elected members of the Gisborne District Council, who also attended and have been supporting this project.

PROJECT LAUNCH DAY

What a great project launch we had at Riverdale school on Friday.

The morning went something like this:

- Waiting to be called on during the powhiri gave everyone time to chat about the project and meet and greet.

- Riverdale School welcomes guest with an awesome powhiri with one of their tamariki offering a wero to Mayor Meng Foon. Nice to be greeted by kaumatua Libby Kerr and we were all impressed by the schools waiata.

- The launch ceremony started with David Langford explaining the history and benefits of the project.

- Guests then viewed a video about past Computers in Homes projects and how they have had a positive impact on whanau and schools.

- Karen Sadlier and her two daughters (past participant from Awapuni School) spoke about the positive impact the project had on her family, culminating with her starting teacher training. Karen's korero was a definate highligh of the launch.

- Heather Mahy and Jill Smith introduced a PowerPoint showcasing the efforts of some of the Riverdale whanau's learning using PowerPoint. Well done people, you have all learnt so much in such a short period of time.

- Kaumatua Richard Rangihuna then blessed the project with a karakia after highlighting the awesome wairua that Riverdale and guests have for the project and their tamariki and whanau. Kia ora Matua.

- The project was officailly declared open by Mayor Meng Foon and Minister of Parliament Anne Tolley. (above) Thank you both very much for your input into the day as well as ongoing support of the project. Thanks also should go to MP Moana Mackey who has supported us since the beginning but was unable to attend.

Most of all thanks to the whanau who are, and will be participating in the project. Well done for making the committment to further learning.

We will all look forward to the project outcomes over the next two years.

Riverdale Whanau in Training

Hi


It has been an exciting week for the "Computers in Homes - Gisborne" project.


First up was a quick trip to Riverdale school last week to catch a few parents in training. Thanks for allowing me to gate crash your session. It was awesome seeing you all into it. This photo I took has Jill Smith, Mauhana Karaka and Samantha Hema hard out at their e-Learning mahi. It was great to see you all hitting the keyboards.


Heather Mahy who has been running the training modules is doing a fantastic job - tumeke Heather!


Also working hard for Riverdale is Principal Yvonne Williams. Thanks to Yvonne and Heather for allowing me to Podcast some of their thoughts on this blog.

Yvonne - Podcast

Heather - Podcast

Project Launch

It's official!

The launch of our project is on Friday 24th November, 9.30am at Riverdale School.

You are all invited to the mornings activities. Bring the whanau and support the project launch for all Gisborne schools.

The launch ceremony will last about 90 minutes followed by light refreshments.

Come and support your project.

MOVE IT!

Move It is an interactive site for children (adults can play to), that helps them learn about correct posture and the importance of changing position regularly while working on the computer.
Check it out at http://www.moveit.org.nz/

Community Partnerships Committee

The Computers in Homes - Gisborne "Community Partnerships Committee" has been working hard behind the scenes to get this project up and running.

The committee consists of representatives from the Gisborne District Council, Eastland Community Trust and local educationalists. The committee meets regularly to coordinate project implementation.

The committee members are: Back row - Deputy Mayor Margaret Thorpe, Cheryl Torrie, Catherine Birt, David Langford, David Smart. Front Row - Ivan Lomax, Mayor Meng Foon, Douglas Birt.

Waikirikiri Whanau in Action!

Ka pai te whanau o Waikirikiri!!

Pictured are the second group of trainees who started their 8 week training sessions under the watchful eye of trainer Marcus Lloyd.

Way to go koutou.

Training at Riverdale begins

Whanau are due to start their training this week with the first session on Wednesday night from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.
The other two groups will put off their start until next week due to Labour Weekend. They will train on Saturday's 8.30am - 10.30am with the final group running from 10.30am - 12.30pm.
Way to go guys. I'm sure you are all going to have lots of fun.
Ivan

Waikirikiri School Begins

What an awesome whanau night at Waikirikiri.
The Computers in Homes parents met to go over the project, see what it's all about, and organise their training sessions.
Thanks to Yolanda, Kim and Raniera for helping with the evening.
Di Das from the National Computers in Homes, and David Langford from Awapuni school also spoke about the benefits of the project.
Waikirikiri School is in for an exciting time as whanau work towards graduating before Christmas.
Tino pai koutou.

Riverdale Parents Meet

Wednesday night saw a group of enthusiastic Computers in Homes parents meet for the first time to hear about their own project.
A brief presentation about the project was followed by discussion time where queries were raised and dealt with.
An excellent start to what will be an exciting time for Riverdale school whanau.
Training begins next week and we look forward to getting whanau feedback as the project progresses.
Ka mau te wehi koutou!

Important Dates for Waikirikiri and Riverdale

Contract has been signed by Gisborne District Council and the project is all on schedule.
We are having an introduction meeting with whanau, friends and collegues to inform of the project details on:

• Riverdale 5.30pm Wednesday 11th October
• Waikirikiri 5.30pm Thursday 12th October

Training for both schools is due to kick off the following week.

Way to go Waikirikiri and Riverdale.

Ivan

Waikirikiri and Riverdale Schools kick off project

Both Waikirkiri Bilingual School and Riverdale School will kick off our project with the first cluster of 50 whanau.

Whanau are currently being selected to begin their training workshops early next term with a graduation date of mid December.
It will be an exciting time as parents start their journey down the information highway with their digital kids helping lead the way.

Kia kaha kotou!

Please return to this site for up to date information on the project and don't be shy to leave a comment or two.

Kia ora
Ivan Lomax
Project Manager

Initial Hui

Thanks to all the Principals who attended our hui last Thursday about kicking off the Computers in Homes-Gisborne project.
The contract with Internal Affairs has not been signed as yet. Should not be far away.

Tena Koutou Katoa

Welcome to the Computers in Homes - Gisborne blog.

Over the duration of the project I will be posting entries that are relevant to both the schools involved and the whanau/families who will be taking the step along the digital highway.

Please feel free to make a comment in the space provided under each posting.

Thanks for your involvement.

Ivan Lomax
Project Manager