Adult Learners Week / He Tangata Matauranga Awards: Counties ACE Network

Special Edition 2012

Adult Learners' Week He Tangata Mtauranga is a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) initiative supported by the Tertiary Education Commission, adult and community education providers at a local level and the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO. The Week also incorporates International Literacy Day held every year on September 8.

2011 TRIBUTE: Doreen Jones

OUTSTANDING ADULT LEARNERS: Pukekohe High School New Zealand Sign Language level 2 group. Outstanding learners: Lin Bohse-Mansell, Catherine Green, Gay Rowe, Dianne Zhong Sign language is a combination of hand shapes, facial expressions and body movements. New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) is unique to New Zealand and is one of our official languages. NZSL is the natural language of the Deaf community in New Zealand; so it reflects the countrys culture by including signs for Maori terminology and concepts which can not be found in other sign languages or countries. As one of the countrys official languages, more than 24,000 New Zealanders use NZSL daily. It is also the 12th most frequently used language out of approximately 190 languages currently used in New Zealand (Census 2006). NZSL is a true and natural language that conveys information via a wide array of movements and expressions
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(L to R: Joris de Bres (Human Rights Commissioner) and Doreen Jones)

Counties ACE Network would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the passing of one of our awardees from last year and member of Counties ACE: Mrs Doreen Jones. Doreen contributed at Counties ACE Network meetings and was very passionate about community education. Doreen will be dearly missed and was 94 years young!

Nelson Mandela: Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

Adult Learners Week / He Tangata Matauranga Awards: Counties ACE Network

Special Edition 2012

In Aotearoa, New Zealand there are thousands of opportunities to take part in adult learning which doesn't necessarily take place in classrooms, require enrolment, assignments or assessments. Each year around half a million adult New Zealanders participate in learning programmes. NZSL does not interfere with or reflect a signer's knowledge and use of English NZSL is not based on English or other spoken languages - it is not just finger spelling NZSL is not a universal "Deaf" language. NZSL is not mime or gesture, as is used by professional artists. This class has been dedicated and committed to learning New Zealand Sign Language and has excelled in their chosen class. Adult Learners Week / He Tangata Mtauranga is an opportunity to celebrate the successes and achievements of everyone participating in Adult and Community Education (ACE). Adult learning can take place at many different places and levels of the community. Adult Learners' Week He Tangata Mtauranga recognises that from teaching English to an immigrant in a private home, attending a programme at the local library, or being part of a community support group, through to attending a private training organisation or earning a university degree, all adult learning achievements are worth celebrating. Many stories are inspirational and in being told, encourage people who thought learning was not for them that there are endless possibilities.

(L to R) Natasha Cloete (NZSL Tutor), Sam Sefuiva (Human Rights Commission, Race Relations Principle Advisor), Gay Rowe (ALW/HTM Outstanding Learner Award), Grant Sharman MC

Adult Learners Week / He Tangata Matauranga Awards: Counties ACE Network

Special Edition 2012

OUTSTANDING ADULT LEARNERS: Leilua Lusia Pouniu

Lusia enrolled at the Pasifika Education Centre for the National Certificate Computing Level 2 Course last year on the first semester. Lusia must have heard of our computing courses, so she decided to enrol. She was very worried that she might be the only older person that will join the class and also she knew nothing about computing. She also made a comment what a great opportunity to grab if there is any chance for an old lady like myself who would like to educate in the new technology. Lusia started the course and we noticed that she was very committed to turn up to classes and she was enjoying her course. Her comments were, I am glad that I can use the computer now. Lusia completed National Cer tificate in Computing Level 2 & 3. She has also completed her Computing Certificate Level 4. Lusia is 67 years of age but she is one of those people that age will never hold her back from studying. She is very determined to find things that will enlarge her capacity and her knowledge because she believes one day we might not get to have what is around us now!
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EXCEPTIONAL ADULT EDUCATOR: Taupa Olof Iona Taupa Olof Iona is a Samoan Tutor for the Pasifika Education Centre. Taupa joined the team in April 2011. She came to the Pasifika Education Centre (PEC) with great credentials in Samoan Language and culture and a long history of teaching. Her 9 years as Deputy Principal of Samoa College is being one of those credentials. Taupa has taught our Beginner & Intermediate Samoan language classes & continues to do so. She has represented PEC as the Samoan representative at several events this year including presenting a workshop at the ACE Aotearoa Maori and Pacific PD Hui Fono, presenting a 5-week Samoan Language program to staff of New Zealand Rugby League, & a workshop on Samoan culture and protocols for the International Relations unit of the Auckland City Council. Taupa is currently midway through a similar 10 week program with Auckland District Health Board nurses and admin staff. Taupa was also our Cultural advisor for our community event during Samoan Language Week. Her passion for the language is such that she makes herself available for any task we assign her that relates to her language and culture. Her work with PEC has generated interest from other organisations, such as Avondale Community Centre, One Tree Hill College and Howick who have now requested Samoan programs of their own.

Adult Learners Week / He Tangata Matauranga Awards: Counties ACE Network

Special Edition 2012

EXCEPTIONAL ADULT EDUCATOR: Jennifer Batcheldor

INNOVATIVE PROVIDER: Franklin Woodturners N he kakano iti E puawai ana he Kahikatea From a small seed A tall tree will blossom An advertisement one day in the local paper inviting anyone who was interested in Wood Turning to come along to a meeting held at Waiuku C o l l e g e fo r m e d what was to be the Franklin Woodturners. Many years later the small seed turned into the tall tree by having premises in Waiuku with equipment and plenty of enthusiasm. The West Franklin Woodturners are an Innovative Provider, they respond to any requests to support others and their community in a variety of ways. They assist tutoring college students, hold and host symposiums, club nights, seminars on different topics, are found giving demonstrations at different events and venues (Vintage Day, International Day of the Older Person) and they have provided sponsorship, manpower and their venue for causes such as Autism. The club never fails to collaborate, help and support wherever they can in the community. Accepting the award on the Woodturners behalf: current President - David Wilde.
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Getting creative in the art of Cake Decorating has been a passion for Jennifer for over 30 years. From hobbist, enthusiast to award winning Cake Decorator - Jennifer's professional career has seen many awards while also being a New Zealand Cake Decorating judge. She combines her love of Cake Decorating with that of teaching and has taught in many different communities Auckland and nation wide. She is a great supporter of community education and her classes for Counties ACE over the years have proven to be extremely popular.

Adult Learners Week / He Tangata Matauranga Awards: Counties ACE Network

Special Edition 2012

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AWARDS: In recognition of Lifelong Learning Margaret Cunningham

Margaret Cunningham is well loved and respected in the teaching community. She has had a passion for helping others learn since she started as a probationary assistant at the old Pukekohe Central Primary School in 1952. In 2008 Margaret trained with Adult Literacy Franklin Inc. to be a volunteer adult literacy tutor and has been donating her time and expertise to helping adults to improve their literacy, language and numeracy skills ever since. Margaret is currently helping four adult students to achieve their learning goals. Margaret hasn't completely said goodbye to her passion for working with children and is sometimes called on to provide support when a primary teacher is away.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AWARDS: In recognition of Lifelong Learning Peter Steele Born in England, Peter left school to get a job as a c a r p e n te r s apprentice, but unfortunately he missed out. While working at the coal mine, he met a man who had an old wood lathe. He was also going to night school doing woodwork. He came back to New Zealand got married, left his job and bought a small business in Waiuku. At that time he was attending woodwork night classes at Waiuku College. He saw an advertisement in the local paper inviting anyone interested in wood turning to attend a meeting at the college. At that meeting the West Franklin Woodturners Club was formed & Peter was asked to become the Secretary/Treasurer which, under protest, he agreed to. Peter was asked to represent the Franklin Woodturners Club at an AGM of the National Association of Woodturners. Soon after this he was co-opted to the National Committee. As the Northern Representative' he attended national committee meetings around the country on behalf of the woodworking clubs from Taupo north. Peter stayed on this committee for 5 years ending up as Vice President. In April 2001 Peter was made a Life Member of the Franklin Woodturners Club. He continued to serve on the committee until his second stroke in February 2010. He stood down from the committee. He was the Vice President at that time.
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Adult Learners Week / He Tangata Matauranga Awards: Counties ACE Network

Special Edition 2012

Each year the Adult Learners We e k / H e Ta n g a t a M a t u r a n g a Aw a r d s a t Counties ACE Network are supported by local organisations, community g ro u p s , s c h o o l s , g u e s t speakers and so much more. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continuing support for Adult Community Education in the Counties area.

GUEST MC: GRANT SHARMAN

www.mollybean.co.nz/

SPECIAL THANKS TO: ACE Aotearoa, Pukekohe High School

To find out more about courses in Counties:

GUEST SPEAKER: SAM SEFUIVA (Human Rights Commission, Race Relations Principle Advisor)
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Daryl Wood Counties ACE Coordinator 09 238 6089 ext 235 (please leave a message) dwood.ace@gmail.com www.cace.org.nz