September 2025 Newsletter
- GCSN
- Sep 10
- 4 min read
I orea te tuatara la patu ki waho
A problem is solved by continuing to find solutions
The 2025 school year is truly flying by!
We can't believe it is the end of Term 3 already and wanted to take this opportunity to share what we have coming up across the remainder of the 2025 school year.
We know it is a busy time of year and wanted to share the range of opportunities for ākonga, kaiako and schools/kura available across the rest of the year. This month's newsletter shares free, digital fluency-focused learning opportunities for ākonga, our AI-related resources for kaiako, whānau and schools/kura, as well as a little bit about what the GCSN has been up to behind the scenes.
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
GCSN GenAI Resources & Workshops
We have created a series of workshops and other AI-related resources to support kaiako, whānau and schools/kura to meaningfully integrate generative AI in the classroom in safe, innovative, effective ways to support teaching and learning. These resources can be used as self- or group-led professional development or Term 4 planing inspiration.
Each of the three workshops touches on a different area related to integrating genAI across learning.
The first workshop is about what genAI is and what it means for schools/kura
The second is about safety and ethical considerations and how genAI can support learning
The third workshop focuses on how to integrate genAI tools into the classroom to support learning
To support these workshops, the GCSN has also created several other genAI-related resources. Each resource has been developed to support teaching and learning through the effective integration of genAI tools in the classroom. The purpose of these resources is to support kaiako to effective use genAI to support effective learning, not replace it.
The resources developed include:
Tools to support curriculum integration and the development of learning activities involving genAI. These include learning ideas, a project rubris, guide for linking AI tools to the literacy curriculum, and a creative writing activity
A printable handout, AI and Creativity, all about using genAI to enhance creativity
A printable activity to support schools/kura identify and mitigate potential genAI risks
A same Responsible Use Agreement that can be tailored to reflect your school and co-created with ākonga as a learning activity
Term 4 2025 Opportunities
Top of the Pods 2025
Submissions close Friday 10 October (Week 1, Term 4)
It's not too late to get involved in the 2025 Top of the Pods podcasting competition! Teams of tamariki in Years 5-10 from schools or whānau across greater Christchurch can create and submit a podcast snippet (under 5 min) or episode (5-20 min).
Every team entered will be eligible to win amazing prizes including up to $500 of Rockshop NZ podcasting equipment for their school, a Libraries merch-making masterclass, RØDE Microphones merch, and more!
The competition will wrap up with a prizegiving and showcase event on Wednesday 22 October (Week 3, Term 4) from 5:30pm at TSB Space, Tūranga Library.
Discover Your Voice!
School holiday podcasting drop-in sessions at Christchurch City Libraries
Tuesday 23 September, 10am-1pm - Tūranga Library (Auahatanga Level 4)
Friday 26 September, 10am-1pm - Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre
Tuesday 30 September, 12pm-3pm - Matatiki Hornby Centre
If you know of ākonga who are short of things to do these holidays, Christchurch City Libraries are hosting drop-in podcasting sessions as part of their Term 3 school holiday programme. Tamariki can write a script about anything they are interested in, then come and record themselves on the Libraries Rodecaster podcasting desk, and enter the Top of the Pods podcasting competition!
For more information about Top of the Pods, visit our webpage here.
Christchurch City Libraries school programmes
Christchurch City Libraries deliver five innovative, creative learning programmes for ākonga across Ōtautahi to engage with digital technologies and STEAM-based learning experiences. We are now accepting bookings for Term 4 2025.
The GCSN provide funding for the following programmes:
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.
Hono Mai
A digital connectivity project by the GCSN
The GCSN is excited to provide an update about our work to support affordable home Internet connections for whānau across greater Christchurch. We have been working behind the scenes to develop and deliver Hono Mai, a digital connectivity project which aims to provide 1,000 learners across greater Christchurch with a home Internet connection and digital device to support learning at home and school.
The project involves two branches:
Connecting eligible whānau with affordable home Internet connections via EDOS or Ciena Skinny Jump.
Providing suitable digital devices to support ākonga to be connected and learn effectively at home and school.
We are currently working with EDOS and Spark Ciena to deliver the first branch of the project.
You can check out the GCSN website to learn more about Hono Mai and how to get involved. Otherwise, if you have any questions about the project please email us at info@gcsn.school.nz or reach out via the GCSN website.
Supporting, enabling and growing digital inclusion for learners in greater Christchurch
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