School Programming 2025
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.
Students will develop their ability to express their own values, explore the values of others with empathy, and make ethical decisions and act on them.
| Matatiki Hornby Centre | Mondays | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ |
| New Brighton Library | ~ | Tuesdays | ~ | Thursdays | ~ |
| Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre | Mondays | Tuesdays | ~ | ~ | Fridays |
| Tūranga | ~ | ~ | ~ | Thursdays | ~ |
Creative Design Workshop
Students will learn to create vector artwork using the software Affinity Designer. Select one specific product for students to design for, such as a T-shirt, Poster, Laptop cover, Stickers, or Tote bag. Students 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.
| Matatiki Hornby Centre | Mondays | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ |
| New Brighton Library | ~ | Tuesdays | ~ | Thursdays | ~ |
| Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre | Mondays | Tuesdays | ~ | ~ | Fridays |
| Tūranga | ~ | ~ | ~ | Thursdays | ~ |
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 and laser cut a terrain tile inspired by their story. The session includes an approximately two-hour miniature painting session back at school.
Please note: 3D printing will occur after the workshop due to time constraints.
| Matatiki Hornby Centre | Mondays | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ |
| New Brighton Library | ~ | Tuesdays | ~ | Thursdays | ~ |
| Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre | Mondays | Tuesdays | ~ | ~ | Fridays |
| Tūranga | ~ | ~ | ~ | Thursdays | ~ |
*School session: Please note that we are restricted to approximately a 30-minute travel time each way to and from your school. However, we will work with schools as they apply.
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.
| New Brighton Library | ~ | Tuesdays | ~ | Thursdays | ~ |
| Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre | Mondays | Tuesdays | ~ | ~ | Fridays |
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
Coming soon.....
| Matatiki Hornby Centre | Mondays | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ |
| New Brighton Library | ~ | Tuesdays | ~ | Thursdays | ~ |
| Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre | Mondays | Tuesdays | ~ | ~ | Fridays |
| Tūranga | ~ | ~ | ~ | Thursdays | ~ |
