Code Club Spotlight! Inspiring Young Minds: Insights from Avondale Library Code Creatives
At Code Club Aotearoa, we’re all about sharing stories that inspire, inform, and connect our community. This month, we caught up with Amanda Pertiwi, the passionate leader of Avondale Library Code Creatives. This newly launched club is helping to bridge the digital divide by making coding accessible to tamariki in the Whau Local Board area. We sat down for a conversation to learn more about the journey, challenges, and advice Amanda has for other librarians wanting to set up a Code Club in their community.
Kia ora Amanda! Can you tell us about the Avondale Library Code Creatives?
Kia ora! Avondale Code Creatives was established in 2024 and is now in its third term. We’ve created a welcoming and inclusive space where tamariki can explore the fundamentals of coding in a fun and supportive study group. Being the first coding club in the Whau Local Board libraries, we’re giving tamariki a unique opportunity to build confidence in using technology and develop a natural curiosity for coding. We focus on making our sessions engaging, hands-on, and accessible to every young person keen to try it out.
Sounds like you have fostered a wonderful space for local tamariki! What inspired you to start a Code Club at the library?
Our library is at the heart of a vibrant and diverse community, surrounded by five local primary schools. Being in a less central location, access to coding education can be limited for many of our tamariki. I wanted to bridge this gap and create a space where they can learn together and explore technology in a supportive environment. Starting a Code Club in the library felt like a natural choice because libraries have always been central to learning and community connection.
It’s great to see a community-driven initiative! Can you share any challenges you’ve faced and how you’ve overcome them?
Absolutely! We’ve definitely faced a few challenges along the way. One of the biggest was that coding isn’t always a top interest for kids in my local area, so attracting participants took some effort. Also, access to devices was a barrier since many children in our community don’t have personal laptops. And finding volunteers to support the club was another challenge.
To overcome these hurdles, I reached out to parents early on to gauge interest and spread awareness about what Code Club offers. I also connected with Siobhán from Code Club Aotearoa, who helped us secure laptops from the Recycle A Device initiative. This meant that kids without their own devices—or those sharing with siblings—could still participate. For volunteers, I actively posted in local Facebook groups, and luckily, this generated interest and brought in much-needed support.
Another challenge was introducing coding to children with no prior experience. With only one volunteer per session and my own limited coding knowledge, our focus has been on creating an engaging and supportive environment. We aim to ensure that all members, regardless of their starting point, feel encouraged and comfortable in their learning journey. I’ve also found that encouraging parents to sit with or near their children during sessions can be incredibly helpful in reinforcing their learning.
That’s some brilliant problem-solving! How do you keep the sessions fun and engaging for different age groups and skill levels?
This has been a tricky to navigate, as I have limited coding knowledge myself, and the mix of ages and experience levels makes planning sessions a challenge. To create a welcoming and engaging environment, we usually start the first session with a club-style introduction—getting to know each other, making name badges, and setting up accounts and passwords. Once the sessions are underway, I like to include interactive activities. For example, we have library resources like Cubelets blocks and JD Robots, which we use between regular coding sessions. This gives kids a chance to explore technology in different ways. Some tamariki prefer just coding, and that’s perfectly fine too! For me, the main goal is to ensure that the group feels comfortable in our space, with each other, and with the volunteer. At the end of each term, we celebrate their progress with a casual gathering, where we reflect on their projects and have some fun together.
It sounds like you’re creating a vibrant community! What role do volunteers play in your club, and how can others get involved?
Volunteers are an invaluable part of our club. They generously offer their time and support to guide our young coders each week, and their contribution is essential to the success of the group. I’m incredibly grateful to all our volunteers, especially Daniel, George, and Siobhan—they’ve been truly amazing! If anyone is interested in joining us, they can reach out via our Facebook page or the Code Club website. We’re always excited to welcome new volunteers! You don’t need to be a coding expert—just bring enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. We believe in learning alongside our tamariki.
Awesome! What would you say to parents who are considering enrolling their children in Code Club?
Code Club offers children a wonderful opportunity to develop independence, confidence, commitment, and creativity through technology. It’s a fun, supportive environment where kids can explore their interests and acquire valuable skills for the future. And the best part? It’s completely free!
Lastly and most importantly, do you have any advice for others wanting to start a Code Club in a library setting?
Definitely! Engaging with parents and the community is key to running a successful Code Club because both participants and volunteers are essential. In fact, my first volunteer was a parent of one of our members!
Having a dedicated space is important, but it doesn’t need to be a separate room. We don’t have a separate room ourselves—we just use a comfortable corner with enough tables, chairs, and power outlets. The key is to designate and secure the space for sessions. Clear communication with volunteers about the setup and the level of assistance needed also helps create a smooth session.
And, of course, lots of marketing! I started promoting the club two months in advance to build awareness and interest. Social media and word of mouth have been really effective for us.
Ngā mihi nui, Amanda, for sharing your insights and for your unwavering dedication to inspiring our Code Club ākonga. We’re truly grateful for everything you do!
Join the Movement!
Feeling inspired by Amanda’s journey with Avondale Code Creatives? Why not start your own Code Club or volunteer at an existing one? Together, we can inspire the next generation of digital innovators!
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