BCE student recognised as winner of Apple’s global coding challenge

A Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) student has proven the future of tech is ripe with talent, after taking a big bite out of Apple’s Swift Student Challenge.

Martina, a Year 9 student from Siena Catholic College, Sippy Downs has earned international recognition as one of the winner’s of Apple’s 2026 Swift Student Challenge with her innovative app, Calm Corner, designed to support student wellbeing. 

The annual Swift Student Challenge invites students from across the globe to bring their ideas to life through original app playgrounds built with Apple’s easy-to-learn Swift coding language. 

Selected as one of 350 winning submissions worldwide, Martina is the only female winner from Australia and New Zealand this year.

The Year 9 student said her app addressed real world challenges faced by young people. 

“My app helps primary aged children manage big emotions, such as anger and anxiety,” Martina said.

“It uses guided check-ins and simple calming strategies to help them understand what they’re feeling and manage it in a healthy way, allowing them to get back to learning sooner.” 

Siena Catholic College Curriculum Leader Paul Dionysius said Martina’s app will make a real impact. 

“Martina's app not only addresses the student's emotional needs but also aligns with the school's goal of improving reading standards,” he said. 

Paul adds he noticed Martina had real coding talent when she took his Digital Technologies class in Year 8. 

“From the moment Martina started coding, she hasn’t looked back,” he said. 

“She was completely immersed, coding at every opportunity, which made it clear she needed opportunities beyond the standard curriculum.
  
“My role as her teacher was to support that passion, challenge her thinking, and give her the space to grow her talents. 

“We are incredibly proud of Martina and this outstanding achievement, which reflects both her dedication and the strength of her talent.” 

Paul adds it’s been just as rewarding to see the impact Martina has had on other students. 

“She’s inspiring more students, particularly young women, to see coding and STEM as something they can also pursue and see success in,” he said. 

Looking to the future Martina is already branching out into new ideas and continuing to develop her coding skills, with the aim of developing another app which will control a robotic arm using wrist motion on an Apple Watch.  

Martina’s achievement joins that of Siena Catholic College Year 12 student Kobe who was recognised as a Swift Student Challenge winner for his app Deconstruct in 2025.  

For more information about Siena Catholic College, Sippy Downs or to enrol click here.

Catholic schools on the Sunshine Coast bring together long‑standing tradition and contemporary learning. From schools that have served local families for generations to modern P–12 colleges in growing communities, families can choose pathways across primary, secondary and P–12 that combine strong foundations, modern facilities and the connected community the Coast is known for. Find a Catholic school for your child on the Sunshine Coast, click here.

Image caption: Siena Catholic College Year 9 student Martina with Siena Catholic College Curriculum Leader Paul Dionysius.  ©Brisbane Catholic Education, Siena Catholic College, Sippy Downs (2026).