Coderdojo Gorey back in action

We took a long recess over the summer but our dojo is back in almost full swing. Well done to all 80 children who came today to Coderdojo Gorey to learn HTML or Scratch today. Thanks to all our volunteers mentors and parents.
HTML and Scratch groups are up and running. We have mixed all the age groups together our thinking is it will build collaboration and add to our ninja coders experience, bringing a mix of different ideas and skills in the room. Scratch has two classes, starters and every other level. Unfortunately we have not been able to offer Python at the moment but we hope to see Dave back mentoring again soon. We are looking for more python mentors, if you know someone send them our way.
We started a new four week course 'introduction to dojo' for those on our waiting list. Today we looked at Scratch. It was very busy but everyone seemed to enjoy it. Thanks to our young mentors who came from Scratch and helped out.
There is no dojo next week as its the bank holiday weekend.
But were are back on the 2nd of November with a special dojo and a BIG announcement.

13 April no regular reason

We know our ninja coders might be disappointed to hear that there is no regular coderdojo in Gorey this Saturday, 13 April. But does no club mean no coding? really?   you guys can still work on your own projects. Seriously the club is for mentor and support - no dojo meeting does not mean no coding! Parents you can do a lot to encourage your kids and screenagers to keep on coding.

We'd love to see you take initiative, then you can share your projects with each other when the club gets back to normal sessions on the 20th of April.

There are two specific reasons why there is no dojo this weekend. I thought it would be good to share them because they are positive.

1. The Irish Science Teachers’ Association (ISTA) Annual Conference will take place on 12th-14th April in Gorey, Co Wexford at the Gorey Community School. So the school where we normally meet will be off limits but is being taken over by some of the best brains in the country. I have been working with Mary Mullaghy to showcase coderdojo at the conference. A mini dojo has been put together and will run at the conference. Only 12 children could attend, the opportunity was offered to coders who have been to seven sessions. Mentors and parents will be there also. I believe the python group might get a chance to see the game they all worked on compiled. I know some of you are really excited about that. Hope you get a chance to share with some curious teachers.

2. DojoCon 2013, global mentors conference is on this Saturday in Slane Castle. Four of us, Dave, Laura, Susie and myself are attending, fact finding how to make our dojo more mega for our kids and teenagers. I know some of the other mentors wanted to go to but tickets sold out fast. I'll be strongly encouraging everyone to blog about what was what at the conference from their perspective.
There will be a live tweet stream on the day and I'll be tweeting via our @Coderdojo_Gorey account. 

The exciting thing is that both of these conferences will be connecting via Gorey mini dojo over skype around lunchtime. 

NEXT dojo meeting in Gorey is 20th of April. 

If your children or teenagers are interested in attending please read FAQ's frequently asked questions. 

If you are interested in volunteer mentoring great! we are currently looking for Scratch, HTML, Python and Javascript please see mentors.

Remember Lets get Gorey coding!
Roisin Markham

CoderDojo Gorey is a volunteer led open learning initiative.

New Location & meeting time

Saturday 23rd February sees the dojo in Gorey meeting at our new base in the Gorey Community School.
Our meeting time has changed to 1.30pm.

Opportunities for our kids & teens to code:
Scratch introduction 8-12 years              >> 20 tickets

Scratch 8+ years                                    >> 20 tickets

Introduction to HTML 8-12 years          >> 20 tickets

HTML & Python 12+ years                    >> 15 tickets

We are missing 4 of our regular mentors this weekend as they have other commitments. As you can see we are still managing to offer 75 tickets. Our mentor group is growing with a commitment from some parents to upskill in Scratch and become mentors - you're fab thanks! All our mentors are amazing to volunteer their time.
Our aim is to build a panel of local mentors so not everyone has to be there every week. Are you a potential mentor? Find out more here. Perhaps you know someone who can code & would be willing to mentor occasionally or every week?

We would also like to say a big thank you to the amazing group of volunteer Mums - Susie, +Karen Draper  and +MaryClaire Culliton who are running the behind the scenes and supporting ticketing, queries, FB page, etc.
Thanks to support in the last 2 weeks from Aidan, Susie and +Dave Bolger for phone calls, form filling & meetings to sort out school access and insurance.

Next steps:

• putting the children and teens learning at the centre of the club with dojo badges and achievements
• review 1.30 starting time
• co-ordinating mentors, garda vetting and building our mentor panel
• finding sponsors

So lets get Gorey coding!
+Roisin 

No meeting on the 16th + important information

Thank you to all the kids, teens and parents for being so patient while we sourced our larger venue.  

As I am sure you are aware there is no CoderDojo this weekend (16th February), thereafter it will be held at Gorey Community School.

Due to insurance restrictions from 23rd February we can only take children over 8 years of age.  If you have children younger than 8 and you want them to attend please contact Roisin & volunteer to provide that opportunity.

Our Calendar for the next few weeks is as follows:
February 23rd – CoderDojo
March 2nd – CoderDojo
March 9th – CoderDojo
March 16th – No CoderDojo
March 23rd – CoderDojo Fun Day
March 30th & April 6th – No CoderDojo (Easter)
April 13th – CoderDojo

Again, we are offering Scratch (an easily accessible introduction to programming language and concepts) and HTML (basic programming language used to develop websites) as well as Python (another programming language) broken down as follows:
Introduction to scratch 8+
Scratch 8+
Introduction to HTML 8-12
HTML 12+
Python 13+

As you are aware CoderDojo is run on a free / voluntary basis.  Please contact us if you know anyone / company who would like to sponsor us for items such as achievement badges / certificates / t-shirts for the kids.

Invitations for the next session (23rd February) will be issued at 6pm on Tuesday 19th February.
How do you get an invitation see FAQ's.

Even if your child attended previously you must accept the Eventbrite invitation by;

a) Pressing the green “attend event” button.
b) Choosing quantity of tickets and pressing register
c) Completing all required details and pressing register again

Once you see “order complete” you know you have been issued a ticket by email. This ticket can then be presented in the form of a printout or on the Eventbrite Smartphone app.

If you get an error processing your order, please wait 5 minutes and try again.

If you have not already done so, please complete and print out the attached Parental Consent / Registration form and bring it with you.

If all tickets have been allocated you will have the option to be waitlisted. The waitlist is the only way to qualify for any tickets that may become available.  Consequently, we would appreciate if you would please let us know as soon as possible by email if you have accept a ticket and cannot attend.

We hope you enjoy your mid-term.

Regards,
CoderDojo Gorey Team