Mangakōtukutuku College · Hangarau / Technology Whānau newsletter · Issue 1 · 20 July 2026

Year 10 Junior Digital Technologies

Programming &
Computational Thinking

10DTC

9 weeks · 3 lessons/week
Digital Suite T2

A traditional double-hulled Māori voyaging waka sailing under a starry night sky — Our tūpuna navigated Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa using systematic, testable knowledge—algorithms before computers. New tools, same logic.

Nau mai, haere mai e te whānau!

Welcome to Term 2! This term, 10DTC steps into programming — our akomanga becomes a workshop where students design algorithms, write their first lines of Python, and debug logical puzzles. Here is what we are building this term, and how you can support the learning at home.

Matua Tobias — Tobias Croydon-McRae

Kaiako · Digital Technologies

Teaching programming is about showing students how to break down complex problems into systematic, logical steps. Our akomanga is loud and active — students are debugging on screens, arguing about logic, and writing their first real Python programs. We're learning that every app was built by a person, and working out how to become one of those people.

"Everybody in this country should learn to program a computer, because it teaches you how to think."— Steve Jobs

Kaiako Showcase: Te Reo Wordle

Play our bilingual game Te Reo Wordle at home to see logic, loops, and conditional checks in action!

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Logic and Systematic Thinking Hangarau

In the NZC, this stage focuses on Computational Thinking. This systematic logic is a modern extension of Pacific navigation, where tūpuna mapped inputs (stars, ocean swells) to outputs (headings). In class, we build three core strands:

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Technological PracticeDesigning algorithms and translating logic into working code.

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Technological KnowledgeUnderstanding computer logic, loops, variables, and data structures.

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Nature of TechnologyEvaluating how algorithms shape communication and society.

What we will make in 10DTC in Term 2 Ka hangaia

A working maze game — sequencing, conditional logic, and debugging in visual code
A bilingual te reo quiz app — writing algorithms and variables in Python
A screen-design prototype — sketching and prototyping an app layout that solves a real school need
An AI reliability write-up — a structured explanation evaluating how and why AI systems get things wrong

Where this class fits — the five technological areas NZC

THIS CLASSComputational ThinkingCode, algorithms and data — thinking in steps a computer can follow

Digital Outcomes (DDDO)Designing and building digital media, websites and apps

Materials OutcomesDesigning and making with wood, metal and textiles

Processed OutcomesFood technology and biotechnology — design you can eat

Design & Visual CommunicationSketching and drawing to communicate design ideas

In the New Zealand Curriculum, the Technology learning area is organised into five areas. Ākonga meet materials, food, and DVC in other classes. 10DTC leads with Computational Thinking (Progress Outcome 5), building algorithmic logic and python coding skills.

The nine-week journey

Te haerenga · 10DTC

W1–3	Stage 1: Algorithms & Visual Code (Current Stage)Sequences, loops, and conditions — building logic with visual block code before we touch text	→ working maze game
W4–6	Stage 2: Python ProgrammingVariables, input/output, and conditionals — writing our first real text-based programs	→ bilingual te reo quiz app
W7–9	Stage 3: App Design & AI LiteracyPrototyping a school-needs app and evaluating how AI systems make decisions	→ app prototype + AI write-up

All software is free and runs in a web browser — nothing to install at home. Programme aligned to the NZC: Computational Thinking (Progress Outcome 5).

Where could this lead? Ara mahi

Where the skills in this class can lead — explore live NZ career pathways:

Software Developer Game Designer AI Engineer UX Designer Cybersecurity Data Scientist Creative Tech

QR code: Careers NZ IT and digital careers

Careers NZ IT & digital pathways

Code.org Free coding at home

QR code: Te Kete Ako Technology Resources

Te Kete Ako Browse Tech Resources

Pathway at MKT: Year 10 Tech → senior NCEA Digital Technologies (Levels 1–3) → university computer science, design school, or creative technologies. Our senior pathways page is a work in progress — like all good code, it's still iterating. Watch this space!

Our kawa — what we expect Ngā tikanga

ManaakitangaWe support each other — everyone's coding journey is respected.
Devices are for makingClass laptops are for making, not consuming. We treat equipment like the taonga it is.
Digital citizenshipSafe, legal and kind online — every single time.
Honest AI useAI tools help us debug code, but never replace our own step-by-step thinking.
AkoWe learn from each other. In our classroom, everyone is a teacher and everyone is a learner.

How progress is assessed & reported Aromatawai

The Assessment

The Week 7–9 app prototype — a designed solution to a real school need — is the key project assessment. Evidence of thinking, iteration, and logical problem-solving counts, not just the finished product.

The Dashboard

Progress is reported live against national progress outcomes on the Curriculum Dashboard. No percentage grades.

No Surprises

Classwork is always visible. Feedback is ongoing, and report cards match what we've already discussed in class.

How whānau can help at home Mā te whānau

Support from home makes a massive difference in how our students connect with their learning:

Read to your teenager. There is no age where they are too old to be read to. Reading together, discussing news, or sharing a book builds vocabulary, critical thinking, and connection. It's the most powerful support you can give.
Discuss step-by-step logic. Spot algorithms in daily routines — discuss the steps of recipes, weaving patterns, or clear instructions for chores. Coding is just instructions!
Watch coding basics. Watch this short, inspiring video together: What is Programming? (YouTube).
Ask for a code run-through. Have them show you their Python te reo quiz app in a web browser and explain how their logic checks answers. Explaining logic builds deep confidence.
Dinner table: can a computer think? Ask whether they believe a computer could ever be truly conscious — not just fast, but actually aware. No right answer. That's the point.

Kupu hou — words your young person will bring home · Mahi Kainga wordfind on page 3 ↓ hātepe algorithmraraunga datawhakamātau debugrorohiko computerwaehere codeatamai intelligence

Pātai? Questions? Catch me at school, drop an email to t.mcrae@mkt.school.nz, or ring the office. He waka eke noa.

Matua Tobias · Technology Faculty
Mangakōtukutuku College

Mangakōtukutuku College · Hangarau / Technology Issue 1 · Mahi Kainga / Homework

Year 10 Junior Digital Technologies — Term 2

Kupu Wordfind

10DTC

Find all 12 kupu below — they hide left, right, up, down, diagonally, and backwards. Both the Māori te reo and English words are in the same grid. Circle or highlight each one.

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Kupu to find / Words to find: (macrons not shown in grid — search HATEPE, WHAKAMATAU)

hātepe — algorithm

algorithm — hātepe

raraunga — data

data — raraunga

whakamātau — debug

debug — whakamātau

rorohiko — computer

computer — rorohiko

waehere — code

code — waehere

atamai — intelligence

intelligence — atamai

He waka eke noa — we are all in this together. Ka pai!

Matua Tobias · Technology Faculty
Mangakōtukutuku College