Our Kiwibank Local Hero

On 25th November, at Kiwibank Head Office in Wellington, Tim Davies-Colley, Executive Project Manager of e-Learning Porirua, stepped up to receive a Local Hero Medal in the Wellington Region from Mayor, Celia Wade-Brown and Kiwibank’s Paul Brock. Tim has worked tirelessly on behalf of the Board of e-Learning Porirua Trust to bring computers in homes and computer skills training to the digitally disadvantaged households and areas of Porirua such as Cannons Creek, Porirua East and Waitangarua.  All Local Heroes awarded a regional medal are currently being considered by the national category judging panel for the Kiwibank Local Hero of the Year 2014.  The top ten semi-finalists will be announced later in December and we wish Tim all the best. 

Graduation - Course 53 25-09-13

On the 25 of September 2013 e-Learning held another successful Computers in Homes graduation for the 52 people of Course 53.  Denys Latham, Porirua City Councillor, presented the certificates to the graduates.
We were also fortunate to have Don Pyatt, the Business Development Manager at Smart Linx3, to present the special awards for the best 'Learning Stories', including the prize for the winning story by Tania Dempsey.  Tania's prize was a new digital camera sponsored by Smart Linx3.

             Above and right Denys Latham awarding
             certificates to successful graduates.

Above - Don Pyatt (Smart Linx3) awards Tania for her winning 'Learning Story'.

Course 53 Working Hard

Course 53 is over half-way through and working towards graduation on 25 September.

Here the Wednesday class is hard at work.

Ministerial Announcement - Funding restored!

On Tuesday 2 July e-Learning Porirua hosted a ministerial announcement by three government ministers: the Hon. Hekia Parata, the Hon. Jo Goodhew and the Hon. Nikki Kaye. The great news was that government funding for Computers in Homes has been restored to its pre 2013 Budget levels (1.6 million per annum - nationally). The ministers also committed to look at how to make the funding more sustainable beyond June 2014.

Burmese Computers in Homes Graduation 20-04-13

On Saturday 22 Burmese Refugees graduated from our latest Computers in Homes course.  It was another very positive occasion with one of the refugees expressing his gratitude on behalf of all the group for the opportunity to learn the new skills and receive a computer to benefit each of their families.  Abdi Bihi, Regional Refugee and Migrant Coordinator for the Ministry of Education, presented the certificates.

 Abdi Bihi, Rene (Interpreter) and Graham Kelly

Graduation - Course 50

It was wonderful to celebrate our 50th Computers in Homes graduation on Wednesday 10-04-13.  The Hon. Peter Dunne MP presented the certificates to our students.  Below are three happy students receiving their certificates from the Hon. Peter Dunne.

Burmese Refugee Course (Course 51)

A new refugee course began on Saturday 9 March.  This time it is Burmese people now living in Porirua and the Hutt who are doing the Computers in Homes course over six Saturdays in March and April (not Easter Saturday - 30 March).  The 20 adults will graduate on 20 April after their last class.


Refugee Computers in Homes programmes are funded by the Ministry of Education  and involves a four-way stakeholder relationship between Computers in Homes (National), the Ministry of Education, Refugee Services and the local provider (e-Learning Porirua in this case).

DVD Presentation and Thank You

On the evening of Thursday 21 February e-learning Porirua held a DVD presentation of the Step Up DVD.  This event was also a 'thank you' to those who had been interviewed for the filming of this DVD.  It was wonderful to see the Burmese family, Marshall Solomon and Faye Oliver, and be able to thank them for sharing their stories on camera.  Thank you too to Barbara Craig from 2020 Communications Trust for presenting the DVDs.

       

Course 50 Starts

Course 50 started on 5 February

It is wonderful to see the enthusiasm with a new group of students.  Nearly everyone is nervous to start with, but very quickly they realise they can do it and that we are all there to help each other learn.  Students are already commenting on how much they have learned and how they can't wait to learn more next week!  As a teacher it is a privilege to be part of such a positive learning environment.  I look forward to the graduation on Wednesday 10 April when we will really celebrate student achievement.

Tim Davies-Colley - Executive Project Manager and Tutor for e-learning Porirua

Rejuvenations

A Year on From Graduation

A year after graduation we need to check your computer is still working well, so we carry out a free warrant of fitness. At the same time we like to do a survey online so you can tell us about the good things you and your children have used the computer to help with.  This process is known as 'rejuvenation'.  It's great to hear all the wonderful stories about what people have gone on to do and help you keep your computer running smoothly- and it's free!

Over the next three weeks we will be trying to contact graduates from 2011 who have yet to respond to our phone calls or emails, to carry out the rejuvenation process.

Here the Porirua e-Learning Rejuvenation Team (John and Michael) are racing to another rejuvenation mission!