Melanie Tarr

At Aveley Secondary College, Melanie leads an innovative app development program that empowers students to create meaningful digital solutions addressing real-world challenges. Her approach integrates technology, empathy, and cultural understanding to build both technical skills and social awareness.

Under Melanie’s guidance, students have designed award-winning apps including Haven, a safe journal and pronoun tracker for gender-diverse youth; Drip, a period tracker with medical alerts and culturally inclusive content; Mum Says, a culturally grounded app supporting Kenyan mothers abroad; Wizz, a social connection platform tackling teen loneliness; and Breathe Better, an Indigenous wellness app promoting mental health through culture and connection.

Through this student-led, community-informed learning model, Melanie has boosted engagement, agency, and achievement. Her students collaborate with health professionals, Elders, and industry mentors, developing not only coding and design skills but also empathy, cultural pride, and ethical understanding. The result is a classroom where innovation thrives—and students see themselves as creators of positive change in their communities and the world.