Adult education is icing on the cake

Want to know how to make chapatis, a blog or get some help with your apprenticeship?

That's exactly what the learners of the Kaikoura High School adult and community education (ACE) night classes are doing. ACE co-ordinator Susi Haberstock said she was blown away with the popularity of the courses this term.

"It's been awesome, some are full and have waiting lists, it's great. It's become much easier to find good quality tutors as members of the community are stepping forward to offer their time to teach," she said.

This term 15 courses went ahead with 123 adults enrolled in the classes and there is a strong focus on literacy, with computer literacy, budgeting literacy and creative literacy on offer.

Kaikoura High School is the only school in the top of the South Island with ACE funding after the dire funding cuts last year and the community is right behind the classes with the record number of enrolments said Mrs Haberstock. Some of the most popular classes have been Indian cooking, camera to computer and yoga.

Other courses continue to have a strong following such as cheese making, welding and the hip-hop course. Hip-hop is one of the only courses that is a combination of adults and youth as Mrs Haberstock said there is little opportunity for youth to attend hip-hop classes outside this forum.

Several new courses are on offer this term. Computers for beginners is full with 10 eager learners working on basic computer skills. They have even helped create a blog to practise on, during and after classes.

Also new is sculpture for beginners where aspiring artists learn how to shape wax and cast it in metal.

Another addition to the usual range of courses has been collaborate courses between the medical centre and ACE and the family violence co-ordinator. A cooking and budgeting course and an "appetite for life" course is in progress. Mrs Haberstock said the ACE courses for next term are shaping up well. Sewing, rock climbing and a self defence classes are being organised.

If you have a certain skill or passion and would like to become an ACE tutor, contact Susi at Kaikoura High School on 3195138 ext 222.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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