St Andrew’s Anglican College has made history, becoming the first school in the world to take part in the Worldwide Kids Vibe Coding Hackathon , hosted in partnership with the Peregian Digital Hub . The event connected young learners across the globe in a celebration of creativity, coding, and digital problem-solving.

Led by St Andrew’s staff Larry Hay and Sandra Robinson , the Hackathon invited students from Years 5 to 7 to explore what it means to be literate in the modern world. The day focused on redefining literacy — expanding beyond reading, writing, and numeracy to include the digital fluency essential for life and learning in the 21st century.

Supported by Year 11 mentors Noah Moller and Riley Harries , students designed and built their own digital applications using AI-assisted creation tools . Through the process of “ vibe coding ” — describing ideas in everyday language to generate working prototypes — participants discovered that success in technology is about creativity, clarity of thought, and confidence, not just technical skill.

Projects ranged from wellbeing and first-aid tools to interactive games and music experiences, each reflecting the imagination and individuality of its young creators.

As the first region to commence the worldwide event, Australia marked the beginning of a global wave of student innovation. St Andrew’s students proudly represented both the College and Australia, demonstrating curiosity, perseverance, and creativity. Their projects will now be reviewed by a global judging panel, with international recognition to follow in the coming weeks.

Mr Brett Moller, Director of Knowledge Services and Head of Technologies , said the Hackathon exemplified the College’s commitment to innovation and digital opportunity.

“This culture encourages every learner to explore ideas, act with purpose, and grow in confidence as they apply their knowledge in real-world contexts,” Mr Moller said. “Understanding how to work with technology thoughtfully and ethically is becoming a vital literacy skill for life and learning.”

He also praised the leadership and initiative of the staff involved.

“I would like to thank Sandra Robinson and Larry Hay for their leadership and for embracing opportunities to deepen their professional understanding of how these emerging tools can extend student learning across the College,” Mr Moller said.

“A culture of mentoring, coaching, and shared success sits at the heart of our Digital Technologies programs. These experiences nurture far more than technical ability — they develop resilience, curiosity, communication, and compassion, shaping young people who are confident, capable, and ready to move forward into their futures.”

The College also extended its gratitude to the Peregian Digital Hub for their ongoing partnership and commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for young people to explore and innovate.

Together, St Andrew’s Anglican College and the Peregian Digital Hub are helping students learn with purpose, grow with courage, and contribute positively to the world around them.