Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions? Check out the answers in our FAQ.

How do I enrol my child?

Take a look at our information for parents page then locate a local club on our interactive map. From there you can click on a club's name and enrol your child. If you need any help, drop us a line.

How much does Code Club cost?

Code Club is free to attend!

How do I volunteer?

Head to our volunteering page to find out more and register. The next step is to find and contact local club on our interactive map- we have clubs all over Aotearoa New Zealand! A member of our team will be in touch to help with the next steps and the police vetting process.

How do I start a club?

There are two ways to start a club: you can volunteer to run a Code Club and find a venue, or you can offer a venue and find a volunteer! Our Volunteer page and our Host a Club page have plenty of info regarding both options.

I have a great venue but I can’t teach. What can I do?

If you have a suitable venue to run a club, but don’t feel qualified to teach, you’ll need to find a volunteer. First, register as a club host and then you can check for registered volunteers in your area. Chat to friends, contact community websites, and use social media. We're also here to help.

I want to start a club but I don’t have a venue. What can I do?

You’ll need to to find a suitable venue with adequate computer facilities and access to the internet. Primary and intermediate schools are great venues as students can learn with their friends. Libraries and community centres are also good places to run a club outside school hours. Once you have found a venue, register your club and we will help get you started.

You can always host an online club if you cannot find an appropriate venue. Please see our guide to remote learning for more info.

Can I host an online club with remote sessions?

Yes, we encourage leaders to host an online club if an appropriate venue cannot be secured or if it is not viable or safe to host in-person sessions. Please see our guide to remote learning for more info.

What happens at Code Club?

For an hour each week during the school term, Code Club ākonga use step-by-step guides to work through open source coding projects creating games, animations, webpages and much more. The Clubs leader and volunteers are on hand to support, encourage, and help them along the way.

What is taught at Code Club?

Code Club Aotearoa is community-led, but we provide the basic projects and materials, which can be found here. They range from Block based programming in Scratch, text based coding in Python, HTML, CSS, Unity and much more. We also have plenty of Aotearoa specific classroom-ready resources available here. You can view, download and print our materials here. Please note that if you intend to use our materials to run a Code Club, we ask that you register!

What age group is Code Club for?

We recommend kids aged 7-13 years old attend Code Club, although that age range is flexible. The best thing to do is get in touch with your local club leader!

Can I charge for Code Club?

No. Not charging for Code Club is one of our core tenets, as our materials and resources are available for free and we rely on generous volunteer support. We do not allow clubs to charge for attendance as it goes against our organisations ethos and mission of closing the digital divide.

Can I teach Code Club offline?

Yes! There are clubs in Aotearoa New Zealand that teach offline by downloading the projects and materials and then transferring them to devices.

Where can I get support?

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to be part of the Code Club Aotearoa community. You can also contact us at any time with a question. For other support, check out your local Google Groups forum to get in touch with volunteers in your area. There might already be an answer to your question.

What software do I need?

We start with Scratch which requires a relatively new web browser and a free Scratch account to save progress. Python also requires a relatively new web browser and a free Trinket account to save progress. Take a look at our projects to see the curriculum and find out more about software requirements.

What hardware do I need?

Laptops, desktops, chromebooks are the standard devices used at Code Club- just make sure the browser is up to date. Most venues will provide these but children are also welcome to bring their own device. Unfortunately iPads do not support the Scratch editor.

Are there legal requirements when volunteering?

Unless you are a registered teacher, all club leaders and volunteers need to be police vetted. This process is required for anyone in Aotearoa working with young people and a member of our team will help you with this process when you sign up.

The consent form can be found at bit.ly/ccnz-police. Send the completed form and two forms of identity (one must have a photograph) to [email protected]. If you are confused about types of identification please refer to this guide.

Do I need to be vaccinated?

No. As of 11:59pm April 4 2022, those working and volunteering in education no longer require vaccination for in person classes and sessions.

I need to find funding to run a Club. Any tips?

Look to local technology companies or other local businesses for help as well as grant giving organisations in your region. Code Club Aotearoa also has a pool of funding available, contact us here.

Can I donate to Code Club?

Yes! We rely heavily on donations for operation costs and the growth of the organisation which helps us reach as many children as possible. You can donate to us here.

Are you a charity?

Yes. Code Club Aotearoa is a charitable trust, registered as Code Club Charitable Trust on the New Zealand Charities Register and our registration number is CC51617 meaning we have authority to carry out all valid charitable activities. This includes the Trustees and Directors granting financial assistance towards:

  • The offer of free education in software design, computer programming and other digital technologies skills for all young people in New Zealand
  • Professional development to enhance teachers’ abilities and skills to competently deliver the digital technologies curriculum across schools in New Zealand
  • All of the funding we receive goes directly to our charitable purpose. You can learn more and view our financial accounts here.

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