Learn to code at St Kents

Welcome to Code Champions and thank you for your interest in our coding classes at Saint Kentigern.

In 2025, we are running classes on Wednesday and Thursday. Places are currently available on either day for our new course starting in Terms 3 and 4.

No coding experience is necessary

Students may have done some computer coding in school class but there are no specific requirements to join our groups. Students come to us with a range of coding experience and we welcome beginners to our classes. They will learn all they need to know during our sessions to successfully complete the activities and grow their coding knowledge and skills. (As our young coders progress, hopefully they will stay with us, building on these skills and moving on to more advanced activities.)

Ages, times and dates

Classes are for students in Years 5-8 from Saint Kentigern Boys’ and Girls’ Schools. There are two sessions, 3.15-4.10pm and 4.15-5.10pm, and they take place in the Science Block.

Students are grouped by age. Generally, the earlier class for younger students (Yr 5/6), and the later class for older ones (Yr 7/8).

The courses will run for a total of 18 weeks (across Terms 3 and 4). Students attend either Wednesday or Thursday, as follows:

Wednesdays:

  • Term 3 = 23 and 30 July, 6, 13, 20 and 27 Aug, 3, 10 and 17 Sep
  • Term 4 = 8, 15, 22 and 29 Oct, 5, 12, 19 and 26 Nov, 3 Dec

Thursdays:

  • Term 3 = 24 and 31 July, 7, 14, 21 and 28 Aug, 4, 11 and 18 Sep
  • Term 4 = 9, 16, 23 and 30 Oct, 6, 13, 20 and 27 Nov, 4 Dec

Lesson content

Our classes provide a range of activities and challenges. Lessons are designed to be engaging and fun, build basic programming knowledge, develop computational thinking, and help students take their skills to the next level. They’ll learn about basic coding principles – like variables, conditions, loops, and functions – the importance of syntax (programming rules, accuracy and structure), and how to debug code (find and fix errors).

During Terms 3 and 4, we’ll be using the popular and versatile Python programming language to put the coding skills learned into practice creating applications, programs and games. Most code will be text-based (written), with some block coding and apps when appropriate. For more about Python see ‘What is Python and why do we use it’ (codechampions.nz/whyusepython/).

Kids of all ages can code but we have limited time and resources and, unfortunately, can’t accommodate everyone. If your child doesn’t currently fall into these age groups or timings/dates, please feel free to register below and we’ll keep you updated on future courses.

Supervision

Please note, for the 4.15-5.10pm class, the school requires students who stay on campus to be supervised between school ending and our class starting. We have a supervised session available for our coding students to use. They are looked after and can spend the time doing homework or reading or something similar, and are brought to me when it’s time for the class to start. The cost for the hour is $5 per session. (An alternative option is Club Mungo.)

About Code Champions

If you’d like to know more about us, our background and our approach to teaching computer programming go to codechampions.nz/about/

Cost

The cost for the full 18-week course is $670 per student.

A computer, software and learning materials (as needed) are provided for use during the classes. We suggest students have a pad and pen for notes. All devices have touchscreens but they may also prefer to bring their own mouse (rather than use ours or the trackpad). Other than that, all we need them to bring is an enthusiasm for coding!

Hopefully, this covers most things. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact Greg Adams at admin@codechampions.nz. Otherwise, we can’t wait to get going again and are looking forward to seeing everyone next term!

Register your interest

To take the next steps in computer coding and extend your child’s programming skills, please complete and submit your details below. (Enquiries will be processed in the order we receive them.)

Code Champions July 2025