NOTE: AS FROM JUNE 2022 OUR SCHOOLS PROGRAM HAS BEEN PLACED ON HOLD
The Guild normally runs a Homeschool program, which is run during the school term in our workshop at 3 Cherokee Place, Mt Maunganui by volunteer tutors who are also members and experienced woodworkers. For information contact the Guild's Secretary.
Sessions are designed to provide a project for the students to complete. It gives them the opportunity to experience seeing the beginning, the process and the thrill of completion. Students are involved in creating the pieces of the project themselves, constructing the project and then finishing it by painting, oiling, or adding appropriate decals. Our tutors act a "grandparents" to each student. The "grandparent" instructs the students in the correct and safe use of machinery and appropriate tools.
Every child working with tools must wear eye protection - safety glasses or face masks. The minimum age for using hand tools is 10 years and 12 years old is the minimum age for using power tools in the Guild's rooms.
Homeschool programme
The Homeschool program is run on Wednesday afternoons from 1pm until 3pm during the school term. We start them on simple fretwork projects with the scroll saw. They then have a go at easy turning on the lathe, producing things like spinning tops and mushrooms.
Family Works programme
The Family Works programme is run on Thursdays during the school term: 9.30am until Noon and 12.30pm until 3pm. The program is administered, and students are selected, by Social Welfare. The Guild provides the tutors, the workshop and organises the project activities.
Our aim is to give students experiences in a workshop environment, in a one to one teaching environment with a "grandparent" from the Guild.
Tutors are needed
Can you help with teaching these youngsters please?
Tauranga Woodcrafters has run these classes for five years. The children enjoy it, the parents appreciate what we offer, and the Tutors find it very rewarding.
If you can help please contact the Guild's Secretary.