Community Classes

The Workcentre has a special interest in providing Community Classes.

These offer the opportunity to get first class tuition, at very little cost.

To be offered in 2012:

• 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).

Pottery Studio

NEW - Golden Bay Pottery Club

A club has been formed for people who want to get their hands into clay and create to their hearts' delights. Potter Sabina Wick and co-organiser Martine Baanvinger have set up a new club at the Golden Bay Work Centre to accommodate potters at all levels. The idea is to get people with the same interests together, to provide a space where they can work and ask questions, get help if needed and to socialise while being creative, said Martine. Their long-term plans are to run workshops with professional or experienced potters who can demonstrate specific techniques and tricks of the trade and inspire the club members.

A kiln, spare wheels, some glazes and tools at the Work Centre pottery studio will be available to members, and clay can be purchased through the club.

"The idea behind this is to get inspired and keep learning. People can come the first two or three times for free to find out what it is all about, and when they decide they want to become a member they can get a key to the studio," explained Martine. The studio will be accessible six days a week.

"We really need the help of the community at this stage; we really want it to work. The studio is not perfect yet and we are still in the setting-up phase, but we want people to be part of it," added Martine. "I think it's going to rock n' roll. There are so many people who are passionate about pottery, and this includes any form of pottery-hand-building, sculpture, working at the wheel and ceramics."

Sabina said the Work Centre was really supportive of the idea. "Helping Hands gave us a hand cleaning the studio and they did an amazing job."

"Those interested in joining the club only need to have a love and passion for pottery and want to do it. This studio here is a huge present and a treat available all year round." Sabina will be around some of the time as a facilitator to pass on her knowledge and will help to organise regular workshops and club events. She will also teach a community pottery course in May for those who want to get started. For further information or donations please contact Martine Baanvinger on 525 7595, or Sabina Wick on 525 8642.

_{Article published in the GB Weekly Thursday 7 April 2011}

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 Simon Shaw (driving instruction).

Brian Weston

Brian has been engaged with the GBWCT since 1998, mainly as a computer tutor under a variety of programmes including TOP, TIA and Community Classes. He likes to specialise in students who have little or no prior computer knowledge. Brian enjoys both one-to-one tuition for students with special learning needs and working with small groups via the Trust's Community Classess programme (Making Friends with Your Computer), and the T.O. National Certificates in Computing, Arts and Crafts, Visual Arts, and Land Based Skills.

Premal Gauntlett

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

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 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 is also available for hire, and contains tea-making facilities, tables and chairs, making it ideal for the running of small practical courses.