Small beginner class
Years 5–12
Approximately five students. Suitable for little or no previous coding experience. The established nine-week sequence builds towards a simple playable game.
View the genuine curriculum →Course planning
Target window · 10 October–19 December 2026
Community Python classes.
A community pathway is planned for Years 5–12, with weekly two-hour sessions on a Saturday or Sunday. Final dates, timetable, venue and fees will be published before enrolment opens.
Email: techcommons.org@gmail.com
Adaptive pathway
A suitable starting point for each student.
School years are the principal guide. Students outside the listed range may be considered case by case based on experience, maturity, course suitability and capacity.
Adaptive pathway
Adaptive extension
Everyone begins with shared Python foundations, then follows an adaptive pathway shaped by readiness, progress and interests.
View the adaptive pathway →Practical format
Weekly, two-hour lessons
Weekend delivery, most likely Saturday. Sunday remains possible until the venue timetable is confirmed.
Read practical information →Current evidence base
The Years 5–12 nine-week curriculum.
The current small class uses animal themes to make each week distinct while keeping the content focused on specific Python concepts.
| Week | Theme | Concepts and activity |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Snake | print, syntax, comments, variables, f-strings and input() |
| 02 | Bee | Operators and Boolean values |
| 03 | Lion | Conditionals using if, elif and else |
| 04 | Shark | for loops, while loops and lists |
| 05 | Elephant | Functions |
| 06 | Turtle | Python Turtle graphics |
| 07 | Cheetah | Animation loops, keyboard controls, global, random and .distance() |
| 08 | Final game | Full two-hour game-building session |
| 09 | Final game | Full two-hour refinement and showcase session |
Students receive a certificate. Sessions combine guided instruction with project development, and concepts build progressively from week to week.
Adaptive extension
An adaptive pathway, not a fixed promise.
All students begin with a shared foundation in Python. As the class progresses, students who are ready may move into numerical data, tables and visualisation using libraries such as NumPy, pandas and Matplotlib. Advanced students may also build towards preparation for the Australian Informatics Olympiad or Australian AI Olympiad.
Core Python
Syntax and variables; input and output; conditions; loops; lists; functions; structured problem-solving.
Applied Python
Working with data, numerical arrays, tables and charts using suitable libraries.
Adaptive extension
Pace and extension content depend on prior experience, progress during the course and the needs of the class.
Possible advanced directions
Where appropriate, extension work may introduce the problem-solving and technical foundations used in Australian Informatics Olympiad or Australian AI Olympiad preparation.
Proposed venue
Dougherty Community Centre, Chatswood.
7 Victor Street, Chatswood NSW 2067. The TechCommons booking is not confirmed. The final room, entrance and arrival instructions will be published when the booking is confirmed.
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Booking not confirmed
- Target window
- 10 October–19 December 2026
- Session pattern
- Once per week for two hours
- Weekend day
- Saturday or Sunday
- Final calendar
- Published before enrolment
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Proposed venue
Dougherty Community Centre
7 Victor Street, Chatswood NSW 2067
Before enrolment
Practical information.
Fees and class viability
Course fees are calculated to cover venue, equipment and operating costs. The final fee will be confirmed before enrolment opens. The amount per participant may decrease when more students enrol because operating costs are distributed across the class.
Minimum viable enrolment is not yet confirmed. If enrolment is too low to cover operating costs, TechCommons may postpone or cancel the class and will inform families promptly.
Refunds
Refunds will be determined according to the non-recoverable operating costs already committed for the course. Complete refund and cancellation terms will be provided before payment is requested.
Attendance
Course content builds progressively from week to week. A student who misses more than 40% of scheduled sessions may be unable to continue in the course.
Device and software
Students require access to a laptop capable of running a Python development environment. Suitable options include Visual Studio Code, PyCharm, or another local or browser-based environment suitable for the course. Final setup instructions will be provided before the first lesson.
Pre-course setup will be published later
The final page will include installation instructions, the selected Python version, editor options, a test script and troubleshooting guidance once the teaching environment is confirmed. No loan-device program is currently confirmed.
Supervision and adjustments
Sessions are taught by the TechCommons student instructor team and supervised by responsible adults throughout the program. Read the safeguarding approach. For adjustments, read the accessibility information and contact TechCommons before enrolment.
Ask about community classes.
Registration is not open. Email TechCommons for course updates or practical questions.
techcommons.org@gmail.com