GCSN July Newsletter
- GCSN
- Jul 9
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 10
Kia ora,
Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi
With your food basket and my food basket the people will thrive
From the GCSN, we hope you are making the most of the holiday break. It is hard to believe we are already half way through the 2025 school year!
This month we want to remind you about the Christchurch City Libraries school programmes and Write On School for Young Writers podcasting workshops, as well as Top of the Pods, a podcasting competition for ākonga across greater Christchurch. We also want to introduce you to a new Libraries learning opportunity, Coding Creations.
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
Write On School for Young Writers
GCSN are proud to support the Write On School for Young Writers to deliver a comprehensive podcasting opportunity for ākonga across Ōtautahi. Delivered with support from Plains Media, this programme will teach learners to script, record and edit a full length podcast episode.
This programme is closely linked with the literacy and technology curriculum and will provide ākonga with an opportunity to learn new podcasting skills and experience a podcasting studio in person. Additionally, all podcasts created can be submitted into the Top of the Pods competition.
GCSN are funding two programmes for ākonga in Term 3 2025. The first will be held on Friday 25 July with room left for one more team to come along to the session.
Write On are also finalising dates for their other Term 3 programme. If you want to get involved, please reach out to them here to share when would work best for your team.
Possible dates are:
Thursday 14 August
Thursday 21 August
Friday 29 August
Thursday 4 September
Friday 5 September
Thursday 11 September
Libraries free school programmes
Coding Creations
When: Half-day session (10:00am - 1:30pm)
Who: Up to 10 ākonga in Years 7 & 8
Where: New Brighton Library
Christchurch City Libraries have refreshed their 2025 coding programme, Coding Creations: Exploring Robotics, Coding, and AI. It is a dynamic, hands-on programme using VEX Robotics and block-based coding (text-based is optional). Students will learn key computational thinking skills by programming robots and understanding core concepts such as inputs, outputs, and automation. The programme also encourages critical discussion around the role of robotics in the future workforce - both its potential to support industry and the ethical implications of automation.
Students will also explore how to use large language model (LLM) AI tools to assist with debugging, idea generation, and reflection. Perfect for small groups of learners ready to integrate robotics, coding, and emerging technology in a practical, future-focused way. This programme is aligned with Levels 3 and 4 Technology curriculum.
Other Libraries 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 can be slotted easily into Term 3 and 4 planning, and there continues to be availability across the second half of 2025.
The GCSN are excited to support the following opportunities:
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 hereand below.
Top of the Pods 2025
Alongside Christchurch City Libraries and Plains Media, we here at the GCSN are excited to announce that the Top of the Pods podcasting competition is back for another year!
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.
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!
Important dates
Competition launch
Friday 30 May (Week 5, Term 2)
Submissions close
Friday 10 October (Week 1, Term 4)
Showcase & prizegiving event
Wednesday 22 October (Week 3, Term 4) approx 5:45-7:00pm
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