For future press releases, see our blog at the "What's changed" link in the above menu.
2009 Press Releases from Kapiti WEA
23 Jul 2009 "New Coordinator/Administrator for Kapiti Coast WEA"
Kathy Livingstone has recently accepted the position of Coordinator/Administrator for the Kapiti Coast WEA and will be based in the Waikanae office in the Community Centre, Aputa Place, Waikanae from Monday 27th July.
Kathy comes to the position with a strong administration background in the education sector, primarily with teacher education and then more recently with adult and community education as the Office Manager of ACE Aotearoa. A highlight of the year was to project manage the Adult and Community Education Conference held 12-14 June in Christchurch. The event was a great success and many favourable comments were received from participants.
Kathy has strong ties to the Kapiti Coast after living here for 12 years, three of those years working for the Kapiti Coast District Council. During her time at the Council she was the administrator for Community Board Grants where she got to know many people and organisations on the Kapiti Coast assisting them to apply for funding for their projects. She also attended Waikanae Community Board meetings as the Board Secretary during that time.
She is looking forward to bringing her administrative skills to the KWEA and continuing the good work that is being done to advance, encourage and provide adult and continuing education on the Kapiti Coast, especially with Adult Learners’ Week / He Tangata Mātauranga commencing 7 September.
Kathy is married to Terry Livingstone and lives with her family in Ōtaki where they enjoy a semi-rural lifestyle.KAPITI NEWS - 24 Jun 2009 “WEA offers varied courses”
The Semester 2 Programme has been assembled, and will be mailed out to members during the week ending 3 July. The rewards to the Committee from bringing such exciting offers of courses to the people living on the Kapiti Coast are huge!
And – since we now have our new brochure format, we are all very keen to see what it will look like in the maroon colour version. If you are on our mailing list and especially if you are a member of Kapiti Coast WEA, then you can look forward to receiving it in your mailbox. If not, watch out for copies in the local Libraries etc.
To become a member you can simply ring the Office in Waikanae, ph (04) 293 8077, and give your details. Given that we have continuing administration costs we are trying to encourage people to become members to assist us in this way. However, membership does have some distinct advantages - not the least of which is that it brings with it a free lecture once a year. And - you also receive newsletters and course brochures. Members also have voting rights at the AGM. Being a member is a great way to support the work of WEA in your community. Another plus - you can make suggestions about the content of future courses too!
Our new format for the Brochure has brought many favourable comments not only about the new cover page but also the more user-friendly lay-out. It is surprising just what a difference it makes to have a reference such as a course booklet with a more logical layout– everyone on the Committee has found it a big help, so we imagine our members and the general public find this too.
The great thing about our courses is that they all happen right here on the Kapiti Coast! You don’t have to travel to attend these courses – they are planned to happen right near to home – now, what can be better than that – given fuel prices and the other woes of the current financial scene! And – also important, by staying close to home, you can avoid some of the State Highway 1 congestion!
We continue bringing top-class lecturers and presenters to you, so make the most of it and enjoy the opportunities this programme offers. We look forward to meeting you!
2006 2007 Press Releases from Kapiti WEA
WEA providing community education to many
Get hands-on with the WEA programme
WEA Lecture series offers interest, variety
Herbs and short stories spice up WEA programme
Learning experiences – WEA style
Calling Kapiti Coast Artists…
Time to pick up your paint brushes and get creative with a series of new courses on offer by the Kapiti Coast WEA. Popular artist and tutor Gill Kinns wants to ‘Introduce you to Abstraction’, draw some ‘Beautiful Blooms’ and then go ‘Larger than Life’ with a series of workshops beginning in March. Come along and be inspired, telephone Claire at the WEA office on 2938077 for further details or check out our website www.kapitiwea.org.nz and enrol online.
Live life to the full…and achieve optimum health by using your hands with Jin Shin Jyutsu – the art of gentle acupressure. Try something new, change the attitudes that cause imbalance in your mind, body and soul. The Kapiti Coast WEA, have expert practitioners Jane Hipkiss and Marie Blackford on board to show you how. Please contact Claire at the WEA Office 2938077 for enrolment on ‘Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies’ and ‘Beauty from the Inside Out’, starting in March/April.
You can dance if you want to…
For all you dance and ballet lovers, the Kapiti Coast WEA has a series of courses that you won’t want to miss. Firstly, lets talk about ‘Dance in New Zealand’, Jennifer Shennan, an experienced dance teacher and writer, wants to introduce us to a selection of highlights across a century and a half of the art of dancing in New Zealand’s social and theatre history..then take a trip to ‘Backstage at the Ballet’ enjoy a guided tour of the Opera House, the Royal New Zealand Ballet facilities and St James Theatre in Wellington. A chance to have a backstage view of costumes, scenery and a glimpse of the RNZB rehearsing. Then go ‘hands on’ with our ‘Stage it Right’ weekend workshop for all you budding producers, directors, actors and backstage crew. As well as enjoying a team building experience you will gain practical advice on the many aspects of live theatre production. Telephone the Kapiti Coast WEA office on 2938077 for further details on how to enrol or enrol online at www.kapitiwea.org.nz
Kapiti WEA media release 11 January 2007
WEA providing community education to many
Art history lectures, historical tours of local settlements, hands-on art workshops and courses in NZ Sign Language, Spanish and Te Reo Maori are some of the courses available in the Kapiti WEA's latest community education programme.
The programme has been mailed out to over 2000 people in Kapiti and Horowhenua. It is also available on the WEA website and at local libraries and community centres.
The programme includes several new courses together with many regular workshops, talks and other events.
The line up of newcomers includes a four-part lecture on Art History, to be presented by art history tutor Patricia McArthur. The series will explore the history of art through various movements and discuss work of leading artists. Sessions will be held at the Paraparaumu Library at 2-4pm on Sundays March 18 and 25, and May 6 and 13.
An afternoon of crime is on offer on Sunday 22 April, when WEA committee members Janet Secker and Adrienne Simpson will delve into the world of crime novels. These self-confessed crime novel aficionados discuss the art and craft of writing crime novels and introduce you to some of their favourite writers.
The world of literature would not be complete without illustrations. Kapiti based artist and book illustrator Kimbra Taylor will tutor workshops on the basics of book illustrating. The workshops are to be held over two weekends 31 March and 1 April, and 28 and 29 April, at the Paraparaumu Library.
What is in the airThe effects of electromagnetic radiation on our health will be revealed in a two-part talk on Saturdays 17 and 24 February, at the Paraparaumu Library.
The talks will be presented by Waikanae resident James Chappell who has made an indepth study of the issue over many years.
He says that although the effects of electromagnetic radiation on the human nervous system have been understood for two decades by a few pioneers who have looked into the connection, the knowledge is only now reaching the public forum.
He believes that after smoking, alcohol and combustion emissions, the next big health issue will be electro magnetic radiation.
Language coursesThe WEA language courses include Te Reo Maori, Spanish and NZ Sign Language. These courses include sessions for beginners and more advanced students, and will run regularly during terms one and two.
Spanish tutor Jorge Herrera is adding an extra layer to the Spanish courses this semester with the introduction of Spanish immersion/conversation sessions. The first session will be held on Saturday 24 February at the Kapiti Community Centre, from 1 to 4pm . It will provide an opportunity for people who speak Spanish to listen to the language being spoken and build up their fluency in conversation with others. Other sessions are scheduled for 21 April and 30 June.
Exploring the coastKapiti WEA welcomes local historian Anthony Dreaver back to the programme. He will conduct field trips of the local settlements of Otaki and Paekakariki.
The Otaki experience will take place on Wednesday 21 February and includes a guided tour in the morning, of historical sites in and around Otaki township. The afternoon is taken over by Graham Fox at Coehaven Garden and theatre for a guided tour of the garden and afternoon tea.
A tutor in film production, Graham Fox will also present session in learning the basics of camcorder techniques on March 10, 17 and 24. These sessions will be held at Coehaven.
Anthony Dreaver's field trip to Paekakariki will take place on Saturday 26 May from 9am to 12.30pm .
Hands-on artLocal artists are once more providing workshops on a range of mediums during this semester. Included in the line up are Kimbra Taylor, Wendy Masters, Gill Kinns and Maeve Read. Details on their courses and other are included in the programme.
For further information on the Kapiti WEA's programme contact the administrator Claire Duggan at the office, Monday to Friday, between 10am and 12 noon.
End
Captions: Coehaven owners Boon Kee Fox and Graham Fox will conduct a guided tour of the gardens and theatre as part of the Otaki Exploration field trip.
A guided tour of Coehaven Gardens at Otaki is part of the WEA field trip on 21 February.
Press release for Kapiti Observer, June 28, 2006
Get hands-on with the WEA programme
Over 2000 people in Kapiti and Horowhenua can expect to receive the Kapiti Coast WEA's new programme in the next few days.
“Our programme for the second semester is being mailed out this week to over 2000 people on our mailing list. It will also be available in local libraries, community centres and information centres, as well as at our office in Waikanae,” says WEA administrator Cathy Holmes.
“We have a wide range of new and regular courses which gives the Kapiti community an opportunity to learn something new or expand on their current interests.”
“Hands-on art and craft courses are always popular among our students. In this new programme they can try their hand at two new courses – Chinese calligraphy and Italian quilting – as well as join in our regular drawing and painting classes.”
Calligraphy artist Stan Chan will hold a weekend workshop on the basics of Chinese Calligraphy on 2 and 3 September at the Waikanae Arts and Crafts Society rooms. Students will learn to write their characters and design their own Chinese symbol. They will also be shown how to paint bamboo, birds, flowers and other figures on rice paper.
Italian quilting, sometimes known as ‘trapunto' is a raised and padded form of embroidery that enjoyed popularity several years ago. An introduction workshop on this attractive method of decorating cushions and bedspreads will be held on four Monday mornings in August at the Waikanae Arts and Crafts Centre, Waikanae Community Centre, Aputa Place, Waikanae.
The WEA programme is well known for its short lecture series. The new programme includes two-part lectures on the birth of NZ radio, by radio historian Peter Downes, and key moments in NZ literature, by Peter Whiteford, senior lecturer English, as well as a talk on international corruption and its effects on New Zealand.
Languages are another popular string to the WEA bow of learning with two new tongues being added to this section of its latest programme.
A six-weeks' introduction to Mandarin Chinese for travellers, begins on Tuesday 1 August. The course will cover simple phrases and greetings that may be helpful to people travelling to China and Chinese-speaking countries. They will also learn about customs, shopping and famous landmarks to visit.
Later in the year, the WEA is running an introduction course to Russian for those who want to learn the language and culture.
The programme also included beginners and advanced classes in New Zealand Sign Language (our country's newest official language) as well as classes in Spanish.
Both these courses have proved very popular and we look forward to continuing them in the new semester, Mrs Holmes said.
For a copy of the programme, and to learn more about the courses, contact the Kapiti Coast WEA office, phone 04 293 8077 or visit our website: www.kapitiwea.org.nz .
End
Kapiti Coast WEA news release 15 January 2006
WEA lecture series offers interest, variety
Leonardo Da Vinci, the Great Persian Wars, local transport issues and world affairs feature in the Kapiti Coast WEA's lecture series during semester one this year.
Classics lecturer Matthew Trundle will present a two-part lecture on the Great Persian Wars 499-479BC, on Sundays 12 and 19 March. The first lecture will cover the Persian Empire and the Greek World, and focus on the Persian Empire and the causes of the wars. The second lecture examines the events of the war, the reasons for the failure of the Persians and the ramifications of the war for world history.
The life and works of Leonardo Da Vinci is the topic for discussion by art history tutor Patricia McArthur on Sunday 7 May. The talk will introduce the many facets of Da Vinci's work as a painter, architect, scientist and geographer. This event is being held in collaboration with the Paraparaumu Library's pre-release promotion of the Da Vinci Code film.
Former Director of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Gerald McGhie, will give his overview of world affairs in a presentation “From Iraq to ‘Democracy',” on Saturday 13 May. Issues covered include post-Cold War relationships between countries, the widening gap between the ‘haves' and the ‘have nots', and how the ‘West' and the international community should respond.
On an issue closer to home for Kapiti residents, transport journalist Bob Stott, will lead debate on transport issues, in a presentation Saturday 24 June. The talk will include the nature of transport, its power to alter settlement patterns, its effects on freight and also likely future developments.
For information about these events and to enrol, please contact Kapiti Coast WEA, phone 293 8077.
Kapiti Coast WEA media release 13 January 2006
Herbs and short stories spice up WEA programme
If you want to learn how to grow herbs, write short stories, speak with confidence or train your voice for singing, the Kapiti Coast WEA's new community education programme (February to June 2006) may hold the answer to your needs.
“The new programme has been mailed out to over 2000 people on our mailing list. It is also available in local libraries, community centres and information centres, as well as at our office in Waikanae,” says WEA administrator Cathy Holmes.
The new courses include an eight-week workshop on herb gardens. The course will be held on Wednesday evenings, beginning on 22 February and will be tutored by members of the Kapiti Herb Society. The course is the first of two designed to cover the year in the herb garden. It will focus on autumn activities including the planning of the garden, planting, harvesting and preserving herbs.
A six-week course on writing short stories begins on Saturday 18 February. The course is designed to show students some of the creative processes that will help them write their own short stories. Tutor is Vivienne Joseph, a published writer base in Waikanae. A one-day writing workshop on 8 April will follow the course.
A three-week course tutored by professional singer Silvio Famularo will focus on how to train your own voice for singing. The course will be held on Tuesday evening 7-21 March.
Angela and Bill Robertson from Coastmasters Toastmasters, will share their expertise in public speaking during a four-week workshop beginning on Saturday 6 May. The course aims to help students gain skills and confidence in public speaking.
The WEA programme is well known for its talks on science, history and world issues. In this programme we welcome back Matthew Trundle, who will deliver a two-part lecture on The Great Persian Wars, on Sundays 12 and 19 March.
Our regular hands-on art classes begin in February, with local artists sharing their expertise in drawing, painting, stone carving and embroidery. Courses in music appreciation, art appreciation and literature also feature in the programme.
The programme also offers courses in NZ Sign Language for beginners and advanced students.
“The courses have been a regular feature of our programme for over three years and we welcome the opportunity to help people develop their knowledge of this valuable communications skill,” says Cathy Holmes.
The course is particularly helpful for people who work for social service organizations as well as those with deaf friends, family or work colleagues and who want to learn the language to communicate more easily.
Kapiti Coast WEA News Release 12 January 2006
Learning experiences – WEA style
Community-based learning opportunities attract many people to the Kapiti Coast WEA programme of workshops, lectures and other events, says administrator Cathy Holmes.
“WEA has been providing learning programmes for adults on the Kapiti Coast since 1978 and the demand for our programmes is as keen as ever.
“Our programme for the first semester of 2006 is available in local libraries, community centres and information centres, as well as from our office in Waikanae,” Cathy said.
The programme includes many of the regulars, such as NZ Sign Language and Spanish courses that will be held in both term one and two. The popular hands-on painting, stonecarving and drawing workshops are to be held, as well as field trips, short lecture series, music appreciation and literature courses. Workshops on using digital cameras will also be held in terms one and two.
Cathy says there are several new courses in the programme including a short stories' writing course to be held on Saturday mornings from 18 February to 25 March. This will be followed by a one-day workshop on Saturday 8 April. Tutor for both these courses in Waikanae-based Vivienne Joseph.
Also new to the programme is a course on growing and use of herbs. The course is being tutored by members of the Kapiti Herb Society and will run for eight Wednesdays from 22 February.
For more information about WEA courses and to obtain a copy of the programme, contact Cathy Holmes, phone 293 8077 or look at the website: www.kapitiwea.org.nz .
End