August 2025 Newsletter
- GCSN
- Aug 13
- 3 min read
Kia ora,
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari kē he toa takitini
My success should not be bestowed onto me alone, it was not individual success but the success of a collective
It is hard to believe that we are part way through Term 3 already!
We know it is a busy time across the education sector and wanted to take an opportunity to share our accessible, free, curriculum-aligned opportunities available for ākonga across the remainder of 2025.
This month we would like to share an update about the Top of the Pods podcasting competition and Christchurch City Libraries school programmes. We also want to share an update from Wilj Dekkers about a recent Minecraft Education-based project funded by the GCSN, Redzone Recovery.
If you have any questions or want to get in touch please reach out to us at info@gcsn.school.nz or via the GCSN website.
Noho ora mai rā,
The GCSN Team
Top of the Pods 2025
It is not too late to get involved in the 2025 Top of the Pods podcasting competition!
Whether sharing your favourite topic, interviewing an interesting friend, or teaching us about your school, we can't wait to hear what ākonga create as part of this year's competition.
Every team who enters will be eligible to win amazing prizes including up to $500 of brand new Rockshop NZ podcasting equipment for your school, a "Make your own merch" Libraries masterclass, RODE Microphones merch, pool passes and more!
Schools or whānau from across the Greater Christchurch region can submit a podcast snippet (under 5 min) or episode (5 - 20 min) in teams of up to 12 tamariki in Years 5 - 10.
Important dates
Submissions close
Friday 10 October (Week 1, Term 4)
Showcase & prizegiving event
Wednesday 22 October (Week 3, Term 4)
To support teams to create interesting, innovative podcasts and develop their podcasting skills we are delivering the competition alongside a range of learning opportunities for ākonga including:
Write On School for Young Writers podcasting workshops
Christchurch City Libraries Podcasting Essentials programme
Borrowing the GCSN podcasting kit to support in-school podcasting learning
We hope that you will be inspired to take part in Top of the Pods in 2025. If you have any questions about the competition or how to get involved, please reach out to info@gcsn.school.nz.
The competition will wrap up with a showcase and prizegiving event on Wednesday 22 October (approx 5:45 - 7:00pm) at the TSB Space at Tūranga Library. This event is for ākonga to celebrate what they have created and share their podcasts with whānau and friends. We hope to see you there!
Christchurch City Libraries school programmes
The Christchurch City Libraries school programmes provide innovative, creative ways for ākonga across Ōtautahi to engage with digital technologies and STEAM-based learning experiences. These programmes can be delivered at Matatiki Hornby Centre, Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre, Tūranga Library, and New Brighton Library. Each programme is aligned with the curriculum and there continues to be availability across the second half of 2025.
The GCSN are excited to support the following opportunities:
Coding Creations - Learning how to code using VEX Robotics and block-based coding.
Crafting Empathy - Using Minecraft Education to promote soft skills learning.
Podcasting Essentials - Learning podcasting basics to create a podcast snippet.
Creative Design - Creating vector artwork and applying designs to a chosen physical product.
Miniature Maker - Designing and creating a 3D model inspired by a story.
You can learn more about these opportunities and apply for funding from the GCSN here.
Redzone Recovery
Ōtākaro Reimagined: Students Design Future-Focused Spaces for the Red Zone in a GCSN project
Delivered by Wilj Dekkers.
Over 80 students from six schools recently came together in a powerful display of creativity and collaboration as part of a place-based education initiative focused on the Ōtākaro Avon River corridor.
Following a series of in-school learning experiences exploring local history, urban design, and the impact of the Canterbury earthquakes, the project culminated in a collaborative build event. Students from across the schools shared their planning, ideas, and aspirations to co-design vibrant, future-focused community spaces within Minecraft Education.
The result? A stunning digital tapestry of inclusive, sustainable, and visionary spaces that reflect both the heritage and future potential of this unique part of our city.
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