Community Classes

The Workcentre has a special interest in providing the perennially popular Community Classes.

These offer the opportunity to get first class tuition in a variety of pursuits, at very little cost.

Learn to paint, write a book, weave, dance or polish your theatre skills. Watch for announcements about upcoming classes in the GB Weekly or call us direct.

Community classes are seasonal. Let us know if there's a class you need, maybe we can help!

Some of the classes are:

• Making Friends With Your Computer - Discover the ins and outs of basic computer operation, file management and word processing.
  Tutor: Brian Weston (this course is run in the computer room).
• Find your Way with Clay - Explore different ceramic techniques includes throwing, coiling, slabbing, and pinching (this course is run in the pottery room).
• It's Only Words - learn to be a writer!
• Painted Impressions - Record the pleasure of close observation out in the open air using drawing and painting in colour from a variety of locations. Explore the idea of capturing a momentary glance or impression.
• Printing Paper Party - Fun and rewarding experiences with marbling paper, block printing and book binding.
• Life Drawing - Drawing with a model.
• Natural Basketry - Explore your creativity to make baskets using techniques of coiling and twining with plant materials.

Pottery Studio

Paul de Jager - Pottery

Paul is a long-term Golden Bay resident with a strong background in visual arts.

He works in the Pottery Studio. The studio was built with Lotteries funding. User fees now fund the facility. This facility is available for community use.

Paul considers the most satisfying aspect of his role to be..... " the opportunity to work alongside other established and aspiring artists in a community based facility" and for him it is a pleasure to be a part of.....

"An evolving environment that continues to assist the development of individuals on their chosen paths with compassion and humane ethics."

The Workcentre offers a variety of programmes for learners who thrive best in a one-to-one learning environment. The main tutors are: Brian Weston (computing), Premal Gauntlett (core skills), Ali "Firecracker" Harris (Communication Skills and Supersede) and Simon Shaw (driving instruction).

Brian Weston

Brian has been working with the GBWCT since 1998, mainly as a computer tutor under a variety of programs including TOP and Community Classes. He specialises in students who have little or no prior computer knowledge. Most of his work is one-to-one tuition for students with special learning needs. He also works with small groups eg community classes such as: Making Friends with Your Computer, or Intermediate Computing.

Premal Gauntlett

Core Skills is integrated into most programmes at the Workcentre. Premal is responsible for co-ordinating the development of these essential skills.

Core Skills gives students the chance to interact within a different context from the main content of their course and so maintain a functioning and supportive group.

NZQA units are gained that demonstrate skills learned, to themselves and the world

Students are also given support and information for planning their lives after the course has finished i.e. training and employment, plus CVs and documentation showing the skills they have gained.

Ali "Firecracker" Harris

Ali is the Communication Skills and also the Superseed Programme co-ordinator. She also tutors adults who wish to improve their literacy skills.

Simon Shaw

Simon is a Qualified LTNZ driving instructor and Mountain Safety firearms instructor.

The Workcentre likes to fully utilise its facilities. As well as meeting the needs of its long-term tenants, the Workcentre offers rooms for hire. Contact Anne, Simon or Adriana, in the office to arrange casual hire of available facilities.

• The Front Lounge is a comfortable setting for the running of small meetings and is available for community hire. Also available is an overhead projector and portable white screen. A data projector can also be hired from the Community Workers, at the nearby Community Centre.
  
  
• The Farside Room, most often used for the running of Community Classes, is also available for hire, and contains tea-making facilities, tables and chairs, making it ideal for the running of small practical courses eg floral art (see images below).