Club Spotlight — January
Our first spotlight cub of the year is St Helen’s Code Club. I was very fortunate in 2023 to visit them in person. I was greeted by an amazing array of young people who love coding, and who learn so much from their Code Club facilitator and their teacher, Kawajit. The coders were so excited to share their experience of being project testers for Moonhack, and we had a code-along session creating a project made about their home state. Read below to learn all about their club.
Meet Kawajit, leader and volunteer at St Helen’s Code Club.
Tell us about your Code Club
Our Code Club is a vibrant community of coding enthusiasts dedicated to fostering collaboration, skill-building, and innovation. With a diverse membership, we embrace learners of all levels and provide a supportive environment for exploring programming languages, sharing knowledge, and tackling exciting coding challenges. We meet every Wednesday lunchtime and every second Saturday for Girls only.
Why did you start a Code Club?
I decided to start and join the club after I saw the resources available and was impressed by how Kaye North, Manager of Code Club Australia, has been so helpful. I have guided my club closely to ensure we have access to all projects set out by Code Club Australia.
The students at my school and in my town need access to this club to help them prepare for their future. It allows them to explore their interests and to learn coding in all different forms. For some of our coders, this is the highlight of their week.
I keep coming back to Code Club because
The activities are easy to follow, and the competitions are great. More so this year my students were invited as testers and judges for Code Club Australia, and this made the whole coding activities very interactive and exciting.
I like using the resources because they are easy to follow and are well-designed lessons. The students are always so excited to come during lunchtime to code.
During STEM for Girls club, the girls are happy and comfortable to code and they feel empowered to become problem solvers, especially when they collaborate to solve their algorithm. It is wonderful to see how the girls share their ideas and encourage each other through their failures and how they high-five when they solve any simpler problems.
My Code Club highlight
My club was selected to be testers for the Moonhack projects in 2023. As a show of thanks we were gifted Micro:Bits for our coders, which have been a welcome addition to our Code Club. Our coders felt honoured to have their opinions and thoughts listened to before the Moonhack projects were shared with the world. They were even more excited to become part of the judging panel!
My tips for running a club
To run a successful coding club, foster a welcoming and inclusive environment, ensuring all members feel valued. Plan engaging activities, balancing structured learning with creative projects and it’s best to start by following what is available on the Code Club Australia website.
Encourage collaboration and peer mentoring to enhance skill development. Provide resources for diverse interests and skill levels. Regularly communicate with members, seeking feedback to adapt and improve. Finally, celebrate achievements, creating a positive atmosphere that inspires a passion for coding.
How we share and celebrate our work
We give certificates and let students share their work through other community events like the Well Being Day.
What our coders think of Code Club
“Coding projects let me turn ideas into reality, fueling my creativity and problem-solving skills.”
“Working on projects taught me resilience; every bug is a lesson learned.”
“I love the sense of accomplishment when my code runs smoothly, bringing my vision to life.”
“Coding projects are my canvas for innovation, where logic meets imagination.”
Favourite Code Club projects
Coding is a language of the future, just like how we learn English at school, our future children will be writing codes in Prep classes. The students have really enjoyed the Moonhack projects and the Tasmania Quiz project.
The coding our club does
We mainly use Scratch, Micro:Bit and Makey Makey
My final thoughts
Kaye North, our Code Club Australia’s mentor, is a beacon of inspiration, guiding us through the intricate world of coding with patience and enthusiasm. Her dedication sparks curiosity and fuels our passion for learning. Her unwavering support cultivates an environment where mistakes are embraced as opportunities for growth. Her mentorship is the cornerstone of our success, turning challenges into triumphs and making Code Club an empowering journey. Thank you, Kaye!
Thank you to Kawajit and her Code Club for inviting me to visit their club and for being our Spotlight Club for January.
Happy coding!
Kaye
Manager, Code Club Australia
