School Programmes 2026
Integrate Creative Technology into your curriculum – Book your class session
About us
Programme Design and Delivery Team
Our team of talented and creative individuals delivers a space and expertise to our customers and communities. We work in the Auahatanga – Creative Spaces in our city libraries, vibrant hubs for collaboration, learning, and equipped with cutting-edge technologies.
We run school programmes that inspire curiosity and build practical skills, offering activities like Minecraft challenges to build resilience, design sessions to explore identity, podcast creation workshops, and creative writing combined with 3D design.
Check out some of our amazing customer stories about how this service has improved quality of life and well-being for individuals – many business start-ups began in this space!
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.
Ākonga will develop their ability to express their own values, explore the values of others with empathy, and make ethical decisions and act on them.
Years: 6-12
Time: 10am to 1pm
- Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre Monday, Tuesday, and Friday 10am to 1pm
- Matatiki Hornby Centre Monday 10am to 1pm
- New Brighton Library Tuesday and Thursday 10am to 1pm
- Tūranga Thursday 10am to 1pm
Creative Design Workshop
Ākonga will learn to create vector artwork using the software Affinity Designer. Select one specific product for ākonga to design for, such as a T-shirt, Poster, Laptop cover, Stickers, or Tote bag. Ākonga will then apply their designs to the chosen product, gaining hands-on experience with both digital design and print production techniques.
Please note: Ākonga need to bring one T-shirt or Tote Bag for printing. Please contact us if this is a barrier; GCSN funding support may be available.
Years: 7+
Time: 9.30am to 2.30pm
- Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre Monday, Tuesday, and Friday 9.30am to 2.30pm
- Matatiki Hornby Centre Monday 9.30am to 2.30pm
- New Brighton Library Tuesday and Thursday 9.30am to 2.30pm
- Tūranga Thursday 9.30am to 2.30pm
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 using AI image generator and laser cut a terrain tile inspired by their story. The session includes an hour miniature painting session back at school.
Please note:
- The follow up session may not be available to schools beyond Christchurch City limits.
- 3D printing will not take place during the session due to time constraints.
Group Size = Minimum 5 Maximum 12
Time/s: Session #1 9.30am to 2.30pm + Session #2 1 hour (at your school*)
- Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre Monday, Tuesday, and Friday 9.30am to 2.30pm
- Matatiki Hornby Centre Monday 9.30am to 2.30pm
- New Brighton Library Tuesday and Thursday 9.30am to 2.30pm
- Tūranga Thursday 9.30am to 2.30pm
Please note: The follow up session (School Session) may not be available to schools beyond Christchurch City limits.
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: setting channels for ideal volume, adjusting microphones for clear voice quality, and testing headphones. In production, ākonga will edit verbal mistakes, adjust sound dynamics, add effects, source and import music, and layer multiple tracks to create a polished final podcast.
Years: 5-10
Time: 9.30am to 2.30pm
- Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre Monday, Tuesday, and Friday 9.30am to 2.30pm
As the recording involves capturing the voices of participating children, a signed model release form is required for each child. This form must be completed by a parent or legal guardian.
Teachers will be sending a copy of the form to parents/guardians to complete and return.
Please refer to the example and wording of the form in the dropdown below.
Coding: Exploring Robotics, Coding, and AI
Coding Creations is a dynamic, hands-on program using VEX Robotics and block-based coding (text based optional). Ākonga will learn key computational thinking skills by programming robots and understanding core concepts such as inputs, outputs, and automation. The program 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. Ākonga 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.
Years: 7-8
Time: 10am to 2pm
Maximum group size: 10
- Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre Monday, Tuesday, and Friday 10am to 2pm
