Newsletter 57 Term 4, 2009 Fighting for ACE in Schools Inside this issue: Charlie Herbert 2 Award Winner The Last Hurrah? 2 President’s Report 3 ACE Cuts! - 4 Impact on Communities Executive - 10 Contact Details CLASS 11 Life Members LEFT: The march down Queen Street against the cuts passes Auckland’s Town Hall, on CLASS 12 Saturday 12 September, the national day of action. Conference RIGHT: Maryke hands over the Petition to Maryan Street and Phil Goff. Report Budget Cuts Decimate ACE public attention, interest, desire and calls he May budget announce- to action and importantly – we got the ment to cut 80% funding for attention of influencers and decision mak- schools based ACE shocked ers. Tschools and communities nationwide. CLASS adopted a multi-faceted approach Editor: Liz Godfrey Our revolt against the government deci- to the crisis that began with a very public PO Box 34-603 sion was handled with all the class and campaign whilst negotiating with Minister BIRKENHEAD dignity befitting of our one hundred Tolley and TEC to reinstate funding. Auckland 0746 year kiwi tradition and history. In a CLASS also provided pastoral care to time of crisis, CLASS mobilised and members and shared information on alter- P: 09-481-0144 although the outcome was not what we native funding models for schools. F: 09-481-0143 wanted, the achievement was nonethe- Your contribution to the campaign was E: [email protected] less significant. Our “Stop Night Class massive. Over 200 stories featured in local Cuts” campaign put ACE in the spot- and nationwide newspapers. Television The opinions expressed in this light – on primetime news, stirred de- coverage included stories on TV One and newsletter are those of the bate on the nation’s radio stations, ral- TV3 news, discussion on the political contributor unless endorsed by lied together communities, urged people programme Q&A, Tangata Pasifika and CLASS Executive. to protest and march, gaining wider (Continued on page 9) Charlie Herbert Award - 2009 Linda Melrose is the recipient of the prestigious Charlie Herbert Award for 2009 for her contribution to ACE in New Zealand. With a background in Economics and previously a part-time co-ordinator and a part-time teacher she has been ACE Co-ordinator at Onehunga High School for 16 years. In this time she has built up one of the largest ACE programmes in the country. She was the inaugural secretary of CLASS and held the posi- tion for 4 years while helping to develop policy and procedures for the as- sociation. Heavily involved in all aspects of Adult Education from local to interna- tional level, she has presented workshops, in particular on marketing and financial issues facing members, at almost every CLASS Conference. Linda has a passion for Community Education, CLASS and the commu- nity. She has given up many hours of her family time to work on the CLASS Executive and is a leading light in the organisation. She lives Community Education with a smile and warmth and makes everyone feel Linda Melrose - welcome. passion and integrity The Last Hurrah? Celebrating ALW/HTM in South Auckland presented with a bouquet by her hus- band. Vernon Katipa (tutor) stood with his certificate while 12 whanau stood in the middle of the hall and sang a waiata. Eight “Smiling Dragon” Tai Chi stu- dents and their tutor received an Award on behalf of 204 other learners. A nominated IHC group arrived in 2 vans and proudly received their certifi- cates. Tracey Gayner received a com- mendation for leadership. There were We celebrated in style, determined to tears and laughter and acknowledgment. strike a positive note amidst “ACE Cuts The presenting Mayors and the audi- Protests”. Over 400 diverse people ence were amazed at the variety of packed the Aorere College Hall. Flow- awardees and the ethnic diversity. ers and tapa, banners, balloons, posters Oh that Anne Tolley and John Key and leis abounded. were there to witness the occasion! We celebrated Exceptional Educators Life Memberships to CLASS were pre- who have given years of dedicated ser- sented to Moana Papa and Joan vice, we celebrated Innovative Provid- Ashworth by Maryke Fordyce, CLASS ers that have developed new community President. A poignant DVD showed learning pathways. And we celebrated Charlie Herbert receiving his award at Outstanding Learners – individuals like his home from Tracey Gayner. Radda Topar, (83) with an artificial leg, It was a great night, a festival, an affir- who walks twice a week to her English mation of everything that is good about classes – and groups like the McAuley adult and community education. Fanau Pasifika Literacy group who And everyone stayed to talk and have work shifts and clean offices and come photos and share a South Auckland back to school for 5 hours a week to supper. learn from the tutor and one another. Families stood to salute and sing as Willie Ropata was our kaumatua. their family member went up to receive Pam Peters – Aorere College, Te Ku- their award. Piri Williams (tutor) was penga o Manukau Network, Tracey Gayner – Counties ACCE Net- work. Page 2 CLASS Newsletter 57 about Adult and Community Education A Word or Two from the President is far from over. The petition to parlia- ment for instance, is the biggest deliv- For those of you who will be leaving ered so far this year. I have lost count the CLASS fold, again thank you for of how many newspaper arti- your contribution and effort during cles appeared. the past 10 years but in particular dur- ing the last few months. You take Inevitably, after such a cataclysmic with you the skills, passion and pro- change, my thoughts turn to the future. fessionalism you learned and earned To those of you who will still be in- as an ACE Coordinator. My wish for volved in ACE through schools, be that you is that these skills help you funded or self-funded, you face an un- through this difficult part in your life. certain future. You face many chal- lenges and obstacles, but I am con- I want to say a special thank you to vinced that you are the right person in our inaugural Life Members. The Life the position. Membership category was brought in Only time will tell if the approach set to create an effective database of wis- by the Government will truly make a Tena Koutou and Greetings to you all dom and knowledge as well as to rec- difference in learners’ lives and if it was Well, what an “annus horribilis” it turned ognise and value the contributions worth such a huge shake up. As the out to be for school ACE providers. made by those individuals. Our Life year 2010 pans out, you will experience End of Era. Members have stepped forward in a a huge learning curve but I am positive As we come to the end of a tumultuous huge way this year – bearing in mind that you will rise to the challenge as year, I want to stop and pay my respects that they have exited the position as to those of you who will not be in- you have done before. ACE coordinator or have retired. volved in ACE in 2010. I want to ac- From being very active in the cam- Only time will tell if you can run a suc- knowledge your contribution to Adult paign to have funding reinstated to cessful self-funded programme, but, I and Community Education and in par- providing mentoring where needed, acknowledge it will not be an easy road ticular to CLASS. they were there every step of the way. for you. Again, I am positive that you I personally have learnt so much from Our inaugural Life Members have have the skills and passion for this. clearly set the tone. so many of you – your dedication, your I want to say a special thank you to professionalism, your willingness to “ The petition to parliament... each and every one of you for your hard share resources and above all your com- work and willingness to fight for what is the biggest delivered so mitment to lifelong learning. In short, I we believe in. The past few months am proud to be associated with you. far this year.” have taken its toll on you – the uncer- I know how hard you worked in your tainty of your own position but also the programme over the years, how you worry about your programme. built it up, how you looked after your My thanks also to CLASS Executive. In short, I wiped all the set plans for CLASS will be there to support you as tutors, learners and community groups, you face unchartered waters but, having often against considerable obstacles. the year off the table and took them along with me. They were unwaver- said that, CLASS will only be as good You have been a valuable member in so as its members who will step forward to many parts of the ACE sector – from ing in their support and have worked very hard to provide support and help chart the waters. planning your own programme to suit your own particular community’s need guidance to you. I say thank you On a personal note, thank you for the to working very actively and collabora- to my Executive who worked night wonderful letters of support and almost tively in your ACE networks. Your and day, including through many long daily emails you sent me. It kept me collegial support and mentoring helped weekends. For a very small organisa- sustained during the last few months.