Following the Government’s announcement of moving to Alert Level 4 of the Covid-19 lockdown, we have no choice but to cancel the remaining coding classes of Term 1.

The holiday programme has also been cancelled.

What this means for Term 2, we do not know. Let’s see how the next few weeks play out. For those that have booked already, we’ll put all these on hold for now. (If you’ve been billed and haven’t yet paid, please do not pay. You won’t lose the place. we’ll follow up when we get started again.)

If you have any questions or comments, please get in touch, info@codechampions.nz. (Some of you have emailed in the last few days. We are working our way through these.)

These are surreal and challenging times. Stay safe and well.

The Code Champions team

Code Champions will be running a two-day holiday programme in the next school break.

The details are:

• Dates: 14 and 15 April, 2020
• Time: 9.15am sign-in for 9.30am start. Pick up at 3.30pm.
• Location: Churchill Park School, Kinsale Avenue, Glendowie
• Content: Coding activities using the BBC micro:bit
• Age: Years 5 and 6 is the target age (if places don’t fill, we may open it up to other years)
• Coding experience: None required

Learning code with the BBC micro:bit

The course will focus on coding with the BBC micro:bit. This is a handheld, programmable micro-computer with a 5×5 display of 25 LEDs, Bluetooth and sensors. It can be coded in Blocks, JavaScript, Python, Scratch and others, and can also connect to and interact with sensors, displays, and other devices.

The micro:bit is a great piece of kit and will provide not only an engaging coding challenge but also some impressive outcomes. During the two days, students will learn about the device and how it works, and code it to perform a variety of activities using the MakeCode interface.

Course cost

The cost for the two day course is $210. Students will also need a Micro:bit Starter Kit. We can provide one for $29 (we’ve bought some in bulk, so can offer a slight saving). Alternatively, you’ll need to purchase one. A quick Google search will turn up plenty of suppliers.

Book your spot

Places are limited. We’re running just one group, so, if you’re interested, please get in touch as soon as possible. (First come, first served.)

Contact Greg Adams at info@codechampions.nz

Last week, we kicked off coding classes for the year. It was great to see so many of our young coders again and get stuck back into their programming.

Groups continued at Meadowbank School (Monday), St Heliers Community Centre (Thursday) and Saint Kentigern Boys’ School (Thursday). Also, we welcomed a new school to the Code Champions family, Glendowie School (Wednesday).

This week will complete the classes, at Saint Kentigern College (Monday) and Churchill Park School (Tuesday).

We look forward to another great term’s coding. If you have any questions about our coding groups, please contact us at info@codechampions.nz

Coding is back for 2020! Have you missed it?

The team at Code Champions hope you all had an enjoyable holiday – now school terms are starting and it’s back to the serious business of learning computer programming.

Many of our after-school classes kick in from next week and we’re looking forward to our young coders joining us again.

There are six Code Champions courses to choose from in Term 1:

• Monday – Meadowbank School and Saint Kentigern College
• Tuesday – Churchill Park School
• Wednesday – Glendowie School
• Thursday – St Heliers Community Centre and Saint Kentigern Boys’ School

St Heliers Community Centre

We’re delighted to be running our first classes at St Heliers Community Centre on Thursdays. Thanks for the warm welcome from the centre staff.

Times and dates

Check out our ‘After school classes’ page for times and dates of courses this term.

For more information

If you’d like to join us – or just find out more information – please contact Greg Adams at info@codechampions.nz

Code Champions is supported by  INTERFACE, interfaceonline.co.nz and interfacexpo.co.nz

Thanks to all our young coders for their hard work this term. There has been some awesome coding taking place – well done!

We’ll be back in 2020. Many students are already returning. If you’re interested in joining us next year, please contact Greg Adams at info@codechampions.nz

Best wishes for the holidays from all of us here at the Code Champions team.

We’re delighted to be starting after-school coding classes at Glendowie School in Term 1 next year.

We will running eight sessions, from Wednesday 12 February to 1 April. The cost is $215, which includes the use of a computer and appropriate software during class time. Students will be part of small groups sorted by age/ability. Currently, classes are for Years 5-8 only. They last for one hour and take place after school on Wednesdays.

Coding in Minecraft

We use a variety of resources to explore coding in an engaging and effective way. However, a key part of the course will be learning to code in the Minecraft environment.

Join us in Term 1

If you’re interested in joining us at Glendowie School, please register your interest for this course at codechampions.nz/gs/. Or for further information, contact Greg Adams at info@codechampions.nz

Please note: Places are limited and classes are run based on demand. When it comes to offering places, we will also process enquiries in the order they are received.

Code Champions is supported by INTERFACE, interfaceonline.co.nz and interfacexpo.co.nz

Classes are well underway for Term 4 and already some great coding is going on, especially the Minecraft groups!

We hope you continue to enjoy the sessions during the term.

Looking ahead, if you’re interested in joining us next year, let us know. We’re also delighted to announce that we’ll be starting classes at Glendowie School in Term 1, 2020. Register your interest for this course at codechampions.nz/gs/

Thanks to all our young coders for their great efforts during this week’s Holiday Programme. They all seemed to enjoy themselves and really got stuck in.

I hope they not only picked up some new knowledge and skills along the way but also benefitted from experiencing a range of activities, from robotics and chatbots, to block and text coding, to the always-popular coding in Minecraft!