Access to ceramics in Raetihi

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 297, 1 August 1989, Page 3

Access to ceramics in Raetihi

A new access scheme venture started in Raetihi last week under the supervision and instruction of Honey Winter.

Honey is running a 16 week course on ceramics, which she has had experience in through self employment. Honey is limited through the scheme to a class of 12 members to

allow for satisfactory workmanship and personalised instruction. Her class consists of three major stages, the first following basic techniques in ceramic glazing and how and why they differ. Honey stresses to her class

that glazing consists of a lead component so therefore must not be used on dishes for holding food or drink. In such dishes lead free glazing must be used instead. The second stage allows the class members to model and express their own ideas in the form of shaping and drawing. In this stage individuals will have created their own styles to an exacting piece of greenware, achieving different looks through different approaches. The third stage covers marketing the product, looking at areas of

self employment or a co-operative structure of some kind. The ceramic class runs from 9am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, concentrating on correct work procedures and the importance of responsibility within the workforce. Each member is paid for the hours put in, through the Access scheme, having had to drop all previous benefits such as the DPB, or unemployment. Honey's programme also consists of encouraging the members of her class to improve their knowledge

of social living by attending community awareness projects. Last week the class attended a speech on alcohol Music exam passes The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music held practical exmas in Wanganui recently. Mrs A Greenwood's pupils who gained passes were: Grade 3, Sina Cotter, Merit, Jason Enright, Peter Fetzer. Grade 5, Rachel Chan.

abuse given by Terry Sutton. They also learn numeracy and literacy instruction, whereby they fill out tax forms together, go through passport forms and take a look at budgeting. Honey is aware that a lot of women in this area are new to the workforce, never having earned their own money or never having a feeling of "self importance" within the family unit. This she

feels is important to them and their attitudes. Honey's key to a successful scheme is stimulation of the mind. She feels it is vital that constant information and work skills are maintained. During the school holidays she hopes to open her class to school children so they may capture that small piece of ceramic creativity and self achievement.