04/05/2026
Our new CEW brochure is out now — and enrolments are officially open! 😍
There’s something for everyone this term, from hands‑on workshops to creative courses and practical life skills.
Grab your spot early and join us in keeping Whanganui learning, connected, and thriving.
Enrol now and share with a friend who needs a nudge. Enrol online
www.communityeducation.nz Or email/phone 345 4717 [email protected] 🎁🎁🎁
ARTS & CRAFTS
Beginners' Botanical Watercolours with Sandra Morris - Sunday 12 July 2026
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.
1 Session
Sunday 10 am – 4 pm
12 July 2026
$110 - materials list supplied upon enrolment
CULINARY DELIGHTS
Beef Saraman Curry (Cambodian Celebration Curry) with Sokchetta on Thursday 21 May 2026
Discover Cambodia’s most luxurious celebration curry in this relaxed, demonstration-based workshop. You’ll learn how to slow‑cook tender beef in a rich coconut and roasted‑peanut sauce, gently spiced and beautifully aromatic. The flavours are warm, creamy, nutty, and deeply comforting — perfect for anyone who loves bold flavour without the heat. Along the way, you’ll hear the cultural story behind this iconic dish and gain the confidence to recreate it at home.
1 Session
Thursday 21 May 2026
6 pm to 8 pm
$65
Bai Sach Chrouk (Cambodian Breakfast BBQ Pork) with Sokchetta on Thursday 11 June 2026
Join us for a delicious introduction to one of Cambodia’s most loved breakfast dishes. Bai Sach Chrouk brings together smoky, caramelised grilled pork, soft rice, bright pickles, and classic Khmer dressing for a simple, satisfying meal. Tutor Sokchetta will demonstrate the preparation and plating of this traditional breakfast bowl and explain how this humble farmer’s meal became a national favourite. This is an easy, flavour‑forward class that celebrates the joy of everyday Cambodian cooking.
1 Session
Thursday 11 June 2026
6 pm to 8 pm
$65
HOME, GARDEN AND DIY
Bonsai with Peter Scammell - starting on 11 May 2026
Discover the ancient art of bonsai in this hands-on beginner's course. Learn the basics of cultivating and shaping miniature trees as you create your very own bonsai to take home.
All materials, including a starter tree, soil, tools, and containers, are provided. Perfect for those new to bonsai. Embrace patience, attention to detail, and a connection with nature as you embark on your bonsai journey. No experience necessary – just a love for plants and a willingness to learn!
6 Sessions
Starts on Monday 11 May 2026
Mondays 6 pm to 8 pm
$195
Kokedama with Mel Shaw on Saturday 4 July 2026
Discover the art of kokedama, a traditional Japanese technique where plants are wrapped in moss to create stunning, living sculptures. In this hands-on workshop, you'll learn how to craft your own kokedama, creating something truly special to take home and display. A range of plants to choose from and all materials are supplied at no extra cost.
1 Session
Saturday 2 pm to 5 pm
4 July 2026
$75 - all materials supplied
Saikei Introduction Workshop with Peter Scammell - Sunday 28 June 2026
From the world of Bonsai comes Saikei - the art of crafting miniature living landscapes in a tray. In this introductory workshop Bonsai artist, Peter Scammell, will give you an overview of the history and components of Saikei and demonstrate the techniques he uses in his own work. You will then create your own unique scene using stone, moss and plants to take home. No experience necessary, all materials are supplied.
1 Session
Sunday 28 June 2026
10 am to 4 pm
$95
Woodwork for Beginners with Steve Rhodes - starting on 12 May 2026
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.
7 Sessions
Starts on 12 May 2026
Tuesdays 6.30 pm to 9 pm
$195 - timber additional – bookcase/coffee table plan provided upon enrolment
LANGUAGES
Level 1A New Zealand Sign Language – Celebrate 20 years of NZSL!
Start your journey into sign language with Amanda (NZSLTA), who started her career working with the Deaf community when she started learning NZSL at CEW thirty years ago!
This is a friendly, practical introduction to everyday communication. Over six weekly two hour sessions, you’ll learn essential vocabulary, fingerspelling, simple sentences, and key conversational skills. The course focuses on real life situations, Deaf culture awareness, and building confidence through guided practice and supportive group learning.
Perfect for complete beginners who want a solid, accessible foundation to continue into Level 1B.
6 Sessions
Starts on 7 May 2026
Thursdays 6-8pm
$125. All resources supplied
Italian for Every Day - LEVEL TWO – with Fabiana - starting on 4 May 2026
Take your "Beginner Italian" to the next level. This is the perfect course if you have a basic knowledge of the Italian language or if you have already attended "Italian for Everyday". In this course you will consolidate basic skills, advance conversational skills and increase your vocabulary and knowledge of grammar. Come along and improve your Italian in a fun class environment, see you there! Ci vediamo!
6 Sessions
Starts on 4 May 2026
Mondays 5.30 pm to 7 pm
$115
MUSIC
Bandemonium with Tracy Wilson - starting on Tuesday 5 May 2026
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!
8 Sessions
Starts on 5 May 2026
Tuesdays 7 pm to 8 pm
$90
BYO Instrument
Guitar for Beginners with Terry Sarten - starting on Wednesday 13 May 2026
Strum/Sing Like You Know What You're Doing
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 like 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.
6 Sessions
Starts on 13 May 2026
Wednesdays 7 pm to 8 pm
$95 - BYO Guitar
Next Steps Guitar with Terry Sarten - starting on Tuesday 12 May 2026
Ready to move beyond beginners? This fun, one-hour-a-week course helps you build confidence with new chords, strumming patterns and simple riffs. You'll learn new songs along the way giving you more music to play and enjoy. Perfect for anyone who knows a few chords and wants to keep growing their skills.
6 Sessions
Starts on 12 May 2026
Tuesdays 7 pm to 8 pm
$95 - BYO Guitar
Ukulele Beginners (Level 1 and 2) with Tracy Wilson - starting on Thursday 7 May 2026
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.
8 Sessions
Starts 7 May 2026
Thursdays 6 to 7 pm
$90 - BYO Ukulele
Ukulele Chorus (Level 3 'plus') with Tracy Wilson - starting Tuesday 5 May 2026
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.
8 Sessions
Starts 5 May 2026
Tuesdays 6 pm to 7 pm
$90 - BYO Ukulele
WELLBEING
Gentle Beginners' Yoga with Angela Duncan – starting on Thursday 14 May 2026
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. If you've been wanting to start yoga but didn't know where to begin, this is your soft, friendly starting point.
6 Sessions
Starts on 14 May 2026
Thursdays 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm
$70
Free Thinkers - fortnightly starting on Thursday 22 January 2026
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.
Free-Thinkers meets on alternative Thursdays, 10 am to 11 am at the Army Hall, Maria Place Ext, (opposite Recycling Centre)
FREE
AI Assisted Genealogy – 2 Hour Workshop
Discover how modern AI tools can transform the way you trace your family history. In this hands on two hour workshop, you’ll learn how to search for ancestors, interpret historical records, and build clear, accurate family trees with the help of AI. Your tutor will guide you step by step through practical techniques you can use at home, even if you’re brand new to genealogy.
Every learner goes home with a custom AI ready template designed specifically for family tree research, making it easy to continue exploring your whakapapa with confidence.
1 session
Starts June 27
Saturday 10-12pm
$65 – all materials supplied
