An item for my Kiwi readers.

GCSN Upcoming Events and Workshops                                                     View this email in your browser Kia ora, Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takatini.  My strength is not mine alone, it comes from the collective.   We hope that the first couple of weeks of Term 2 have gone well for you and your school. Each term provides an opportunity to focus on new areas of learning for your ākonga and this term presents many with Tech Week, Matariki, and International Languages Week all just around the corner! This month’s newsletter is slightly different than past editions, focusing on the exciting opportunities offered within the wider digital technology education community in Aotearoa and shining a spotlight on the up and coming GCSN initiatives that we can’t wait to share with you! Tech Week 2022 (16 May – 22 May) is just around the corner and showcases all that the digital technology sector of Aotearoa have to offer you and your school. During Tech Week GCSN will launch two new digital technology education opportunities for kaiako, schools, ākonga, and their whānau; Lunch Break – Learn & Create and new Digital Wellbeing modules. We hope you find these opportunities inspiring and as exciting as we do! Noho ora mai rā, The GCSN Team Cyberbullying: A new Digital Wellbeing module Our latest set of digital wellbeing resources cover what cyberbullying is, how it manifests, and how it relates to the psychological principles of social identity theory. Focusing on how cyberbullying relates to the “us vs. them” mentality, the resources investigate how group norms play a large role in cyberbullying behaviours. Drawing on this analysis research-based solutions for combatting cyberbullying are offered. Access these resources here! The Digital Wellbeing modules are designed to support kaiako and whānau in ensuring students’ digital wellbeing remains high. The resources include slides for teachers’ professional development, information for whānau, and a self-directed module designed for teachers wanting to go through the material at their own pace and reflect on their teaching practice. Tech Week 2022 16 May – 22 May Pathways to Tech Thursday 19 May, 12.50pm – 1.30pm (Virtual) Hosted by Canterbury Tech, this session is aimed at secondary school students interested in pursuing a career in the tech industry. It provides insight into what a career in the the tech industry looks like from the perspectives of 3 young professionals based in Canterbury. Demystifying Data Sovereignty for Nan & Koro Monday 16 May, 6.00pm – 7.15pm (Virtual) This discussion panel features Te Matarau members who are experts in Māori Data Sovereignty. It aims to explain the whats, whys, and importance of Māori Data Sovereignty so simply that Nan and Koro can understand, making it perfect for ākonga of all ages! Filling the gap: Why improving diversity is key to NZ’s tech sector  Monday 16 May, 12.00pm – 1.00pm (Virtual) Diversity is an issue across Aotearoa’s growing tech sector. This panel discussion will focus on challenges facing the industry, what needs to be done to bring more women into the sector, and how increasing racial diversity is being addressed across the sector. Find more exciting Tech Week opportunities here Coming up at GCSN! Lunch Break – Learn & Create In partnership with CORE and Cyclone, GCSN will be launching a series of webinars on the kaupapa of Hybrid Learning. Loosely based around establishing whanaungatanga in digital spaces these sessions will support you to utilise digital tools to create engaging digital outcomes for your ākonga. The sessions will support ākonga to: Be creative in Google Integrate Google Suite to support quality teaching and learning Build their confidence Promote their creativity Use iPads and online tools more effectively New Digital Wellbeing modules To complement our existing modules GCSN will launch two new sets of resources focusing on Video games and Technoference. Technoference Focusing on the negative effect imposed on interpersonal relationships by the intrusive use of technology. This module will provide suggestions about creating healthy boundaries with devices. Video games Often considered dangerous, video games can also have positive outcomes for young people. This module will investigates both views and provide suggestions around practical controls that can be adopted to keep tamariki safe. We can’t wait to share these opportunities with you soon! Kōrero – A Learning City Christchurch Event GCSN were proud to partner with the Spark Foundation to deliver a panel discussion event last Monday evening as part of Ōtautahi Learning Days, an Ako Ōtautahi Leaning City Christchurch festival. The wānanga was really well attended and featured an amazing group of panelists including – Elle Archer, Sina Cotter Tait, Kendal Flutely and Hori Te Ariki Mataki. The panelists engaged us all in a thought provoking, insightful, challenging and solution-focused kōrero. They shared their expertise and personal experiences of inclusion, diversity and more importantly shared ideas about how businesses can prepare their organisation to attract and retain diverse rangatahi into careers in tech and engineering. A special thanks to Kate from the Spark Foundation, Brianna our event organiser and of course, our amazing panelists. Contact Us | Visit Our Website Copyright © 2021 Greater Christchurch Schools’ Network All rights reserved.

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