05/02/2026
So excited to be part of C.E.W Term 1, 2026!🥰
Feeling very grateful to see my Cambodian Chicken Curry class fully booked (thank you so much 🥹💛)
If you missed out, I’d love to see you at my Nom Krouk class on 27 March (still has spaces) -a fun and tasty introduction to one of Cambodia’s most loved sweet and savoury rice cakes 🇰🇭
C.E.W - Bringing learning to life since 1979! 😍🤩😍
Check out our line-up for term 1, 2026; there's Yoga, Cambodian Cooking, Leatherwork, woodwork, watercolours, drypoint etching, drawing, AI training, Italian, music lessons and a whole lot more.
Enrol online www.communityeducation.nz or email [email protected]
ARTS & CRAFTS
Art Club 2026
Tutor: Esther Topfer
On the 1st Saturday of each month you will spend from 1.30 -3.30 pm in the UCOL art room, extending your art practice with the guidance of Esther Topfer. This is an excellent opportunity to become a part of our developing art community, building relationships with other learning artists, sharing ideas, collaborating and meeting like-minded people. You will also learn how to set up an exhibition, including hanging work, marketing your show, how to price your work and other tips to get your work seen and sold!
Starts
7 February 2026
5 Sessions
1st Saturday of each month
Cost
$105
Beginners’ Botanicals Watercolour
Tutor: Sandra Morris
Explore the magic of watercolour with renowned illustrator Sandra Morris. No experience is necessary, as Sandra will guide you as you learn about this fabulous medium and how to achieve stunning results with the right tools, the right tips and some tricks Sandra has used in her own art practice.
Starts
1 March 2026
1 Session
Sunday
10 am to 4 pm
Cost
$110 Materials list supplied upon enrolment
Botanical Drawing with Graphite Pencil and Coloured Pencils
Tutor: Sandra Morris
A beginner-friendly session exploring botanical drawing with graphite and coloured pencils.
You will practice simple observation and techniques including shading, and colour layering
to create gentle, nature-inspired illustrations.
Starts
29 March 2026
1 Session
Sunday
10 am to 4 pm
Cost
$110 Materials list supplied upon enrolment
Drypoint Etching
Tutor: Esther Topfer
Over six weeks you’ll learn plate preparation, mark-making techniques, inking methods and printing processes. Perfect for beginners and experienced printmakers alike, this course provides all materials and access to our press. Leave each week with your own unique prints and skills to embark on your printmaking journey at home. No prior experience necessary – just bring your creativity and willingness to experiment.
Starts
17 February 2026
6 Sessions
Tuesdays
6 pm to 8 pm
Cost
$175
Everything AND the Pencil!
Tutor: Esther Topfer
Discover the joy of drawing! Exploring a range of drawing mediums —from pencil and charcoal to ink and pastels— you will learn fundamental skills like shading, perspective and composition along the way. With step‑by‑step guidance and plenty of hands‑on practice, you’ll build confidence and develop your own creative style. Perfect for anyone curious about drawing, no experience required!
Starts
19 February 2026
6 Sessions
Thursdays
6 pm to 8 pm
Cost
$150
… and wait … there’s more:
Sandra Morris will be offering further courses during the year – you can enrol on our website now.
7 June – Pen and ink stipple for botanicals
12 July – Botanical Watercolours
18 October – Plant based inks for Botanical Drawing
21-22 November – Nature journalling weekend
CULINARY DELIGHTS
Cambodian Chicken Curry
Tutor: Sokchetta
Join us for an immersive two-hour demonstration workshop where you'll learn to create an authentic Cambodian chicken curry from scratch. Under expert guidance, you'll master traditional cooking techniques and discover what makes Cambodian curry unique. Whether you're a curious home cook or passionate food enthusiast, you'll leave with both a delicious meal and the skills to recreate this fragrant, aromatic dish in your own kitchen.
Starts
19 February 2026
1 Session
Thursday
6 pm to 8 pm
Cost
$65
Nom Krouk (Cambodian Rice Cakes)
Tutor: Sokchetta
Whether you're looking to expand your culinary repertoire or simply enjoy watching traditional food preparation, this demonstration offers an engaging introduction to one of Cambodia's most popular and accessible dishes; Nom Krouk, savoury or sweet these rice cakes are a budget-friendly and scrumptious addition to your 2026 menu.
Starts
27 February 2026
1 Session
Friday
6 pm to 8 pm
Cost
$65
HOME AND GARDEN
Woodwork for Beginners
Tutor: Steve Rhodes
Interested in woodwork? With many years of industry experience, Steve Rhodes is the man to introduce you to the fundamentals of woodwork. He will guide you through a project from start to finish, teaching you how to develop your tooling and machinery skills. Start your journey with either a bookshelf or coffee table project. Steve is on hand for guidance and advice.
Starts
17 February 2026
7 Sessions
6.30 pm to 9 pm
Cost
$195 timber additional – bookcase/coffee table plan provided upon enrolment.
LANGUAGES
Italian for Every Day
Tutor: Fabiana
Master "Italiano di tutti i giorni" – Italian for every day! Immerse yourself in the Italian language, where every word is a delight to hear and learn. Its close ties to Latin make Italian not just easier to remember, but also a fantastic way to expand your knowledge of word origins—perfect for boosting your performance in quiz games. It's more than just learning a language; it's opening a door to culture, history, and connection!
Starts
23 February 2026
6 Sessions
Mondays
5.30 pm to 7 pm
Cost
$115
MUSIC
Bandemonium
Tuto: Tracy Wilson
Do you play an instrument? Do you sing? Then come along to this fun, crazy, eight-week course. The more musicians and singers, the more the fun!
Starts
10 February 2026
6 Sessions
Tuesdays
7 pm to 8 pm
Cost
$90
Guitar for Beginners
Tutor: Terry Sarten
Join local musician Terry Sarten for a relaxed, beginner-friendly guitar class where you'll learn to play four iconic tunes: a Dylan, Beatles, Amy Winehouse and a Joni Mitchell song. Terry will cover basic chords, strumming patterns and tips for confident playing and singing of some well-known songs. By the end, you'll be able to sing and strum along to timeless tracks Knockin' on Heaven's Door and Big Yellow Taxi. Bring your guitar, your curiosity and discover how making music can be fun. Perfect for anyone keen to start their musical journey with guitar, voice, heart and soul.
Starts
18 February 2026
6 Sessions
Wednesdays
7 pm to 8 pm
Cost
$95 BYO Guitar
Ukulele Beginners (Level 1 and 2)
Tutor: Tracy Wilson
Have fun with a group sing-a-long using basic ukulele chords and strums, common patterns and songs, and learn how to tune and care for your ukulele. Suitable for complete beginners.
Starts
12 February 2026
8 Sessions
Thursdays
6 pm to 7 pm
Cost
$90
Ukulele Chorus (Level 3 'plus')
Tutor: Tracy Wilson
Advance your chord and strum patterns while having fun with a group sing-a-long using basic ukulele chords and strums, common patterns and songs. This is for learners who have completed our beginner class and/or be able to play songs using basic chords.
Starts
10 February
8 Sessions
Tuesdays
6 pm to 7 pm
Cost
$90
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Introduction to AI – AI Basics and Models
Tutor: Lisa Lightband
Build a clear, confidence boosting foundation in artificial intelligence. This session introduces key concepts, common model types, and real world examples in a friendly, accessible way. Perfect for beginners or anyone wanting to understand how modern AI actually works.
Starts
21 February 2026
1 Sessions
Saturday
10 am to 1 pm
Cost
$75
How to Prompt – Get the Results You Need
Tutor: Lisa Lightband
Learn practical prompting techniques that make AI tools more accurate, creative, and useful.
Through hands on activities, participants discover how to shape responses, refine outputs, and communicate effectively with different models.
Starts
21 March 2026
1 Session
Saturday
10 am to 1 pm
Cost
$75
Images, Audio and Video Generation
Tutor: Lisa Lightband
Explore the creative side of AI with tools that generate images, sound, and multimedia. This workshop offers guided experimentation, ethical guidance, and plenty of space to play with emerging technologies in a safe, supportive environment.
Starts
11 April 2026
1 Session
Saturday
10 am to 1 pm
Cost
$75
WELLBEING
Gentle Beginners' Yoga
Tutor: Angela Duncan
Join me for a gentle 6-week "Beginners Yoga" course designed for absolute newcomers, the nervous, the curious and anyone who wants to move, breathe and unwind without pressure. Each week we'll build simple skills, explore easy poses and finish with calming relaxation so you leave feeling grounded and confident. You'll also receive a little "Welcome to Yoga" guide to help you feel prepared and supported from day one you've been wanting to start yoga but didn't know where to begin, this is your soft, friendly starting point.
Starts
26 February 2026
6 Sessions
Thursdays
5.30 pm to 6.30 pm
Cost
$70
SPECIALTY
Free Thinkers
Tutor: George Matthews and Friends
The Free-Thinkers group meet every two weeks, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to share thoughtful ideas and experiences. These gatherings are built on the belief that questioning—especially in a collaborative setting—is a powerful way to learn and grow. No formal philosophical knowledge is required; instead, the focus is on exploring personal perspectives and philosophies of life. It's not a space for debates or arguments, but a welcoming environment where members challenge their own assumptions, listen actively, and respect the views shared by others. This is an excellent opportunity for those new to Whanganui, or anyone wishing to meet people. Location: Army Hall, Maria Place Ext (opposite Recycling Centre)
Starts
22 January 2026
Continues every two weeks all year.
Thursdays
10 am to 11 pm
Cost
FREE
Leathercraft Lab: Create your own stylish Tote bag.
Tutor: Fio Thomson
Join Fio Thomson of Inhide Leather (Hamilton) for a hands-on workshop where you'll design and craft your own custom leather tote bag. Working from a simple base pattern, you'll choose your leather colour and personalise your bag with features such as strap/s length, pockets, clasps, or a zip. Throughout the weekend you'll learn essential leathercraft techniques - including cutting and preparing leather, hand stitching, setting hardware and finishing - so you can create a high-quality and functional leather tote to last a lifetime. You'll leave with a beautifully made bag that reflects your style and your new skills.
Starts
21 March & 22 March
2 Sessions
10 am to 3 pm
Cost
$250
(Leather and fixtures included.)
