February 2025 Newsletter

Kia ora, 

Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa  

Let us keep close together, not wide apart  

First and foremost, we would like to wish you well for 2025! We are confident it will be another busy year and are excited to bring a range of opportunities, events and resources for ākonga, kaiako, schools/kura across the greater Christchurch region.

We are also very excited to announce some exciting opportunities for the 2025 school year! Our AI resource, Harnessing the Power of AI, was published in late 2024 and provides kaiako and schools/kura with practical guidance alongside the benefits and risks of how generative AI can be used to support teaching and learning. Our funded Libraries school programmes are returning for the 2025 school year with five opportunities available for ākonga. These sessions support learners to learn new digital fluency and technology skills. Read on to learn more and register for a programme! 

We are excited about what we have to offer in 2025. Read on to learn about our fully funded Libraries programmes, how to get involved, and the resources available to support you and your school/kura to integrate AI effectively and ethically in the classroom. 

Noho ora mai rā, 

The GCSN Team

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Harnessing the Power of AI

Harnessing the Power of AI for Future-Focused Learning, published by the GCSN provides kaiako, schools and kura with a general understanding of the potential benefits and risks of AI technology and practical tips for how it can be used for different functions to support effective learning. We are excited to be sharing this resource with you and hope it becomes a useful tool for kaiako now and looking ahead to the 2025 school year!  

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has gained considerable traction in the online sphere as it has increasingly entered our educational, work, and personal lives. In an era characterised by rapid technological advancement and global interconnectedness, the educational landscape is constantly evolving. The increased prevalence of technology, the Internet, media, social platforms etc. have required the New Zealand education system to continually adapt and transform to meet changing needs, emerging ways of learning, and risks posed to young people accessing essential tools.​

This guide is intended to give educators a general understanding of the potential benefits and risks of AI technology and provide some practical tips for how it can be used for different school-related functions.

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Christchurch City Libraries School Programmes

Partnering with the Christchurch City Libraries Design and Delivery team, we are proud to support a range of PLD opportunities designed to upskill ākonga, kaiako and schools to use digital technologies in new and creative ways. These programmes are closely aligned to the New Zealand Curriculum and enable ākonga and kaiako to access support from the Christchurch City Libraries team to develop their digital capabilities.

Creative Design

A full day programme where students will learn to create vector artwork using the software Affinity Designer. Select one specific product for students to design for, such as a T-shirt, poster, laptop cover, stickers, or tote bag. Ākonga will apply their designs to the chosen product, gaining hands-on experience with digital design and print production techniques.

Crafting Empathy: Minecraft

Through their efforts to collaboratively build a village in Minecraft Education Edition, ākonga will personally experience frustration, resilience, and privilege in a safe environment. Library staff will then facilitate a conversation where students can share their experiences and explore what it means to be up standers at school and in their own lives. 

Podcasting Essentials

Ākonga will take a practical, hands-on approach to podcast creation, learning essential skills in writing a script for a targeted audience, setting up a podcasting desk and using audio software. The session includes script writing in small groups, recording and production techniques. 

Miniature Maker

Embark on a hero’s journey with our Miniature Maker workshop! Ākonga will develop a character through creative writing, design a 3D model, create a background and laser cut a terrain tile inspired by their story. The session includes an approximately one to two-hour miniature painting session back at school.

Coding Creations 

Coming soon... 

Please reach out if you have questions about what these opportunities will look like, how to access them, and how they might support teaching and learning at your school/kura.