Technologies

The Technologies Department encompasses three learning areas:

  • Digital Technologies
  • Design and Technologies
    • Technologies and Society
    • Engineering Principals and Systems
    • Food and Fibre Production
    • Food Specialisations
    • Materials and Technologies specialisations

The Technologies and Innovation Department strives toward students achieving excellence within the practical and creative arts. We aim to develop critical and creative thinking. Creating an environment where students have the opportunity to use their imagination, problem -solve and develop skills that will assist them in life or future career paths.

We enjoy specialist facilities across all materials in order to provide students with the widest possible experience.

In keeping with the schools direction and focus, we aim to raise student awareness towards the environment we live in as well as their production environment developing a strong work ethic and responsible behaviour.

Students work in a safety conscious, supportive environment where they learn to work both independently and as part of a team assisting and respecting each other.

The current staff in this department are:

  • Mr Tony Wright – Head of Learning Area Technologies and Innovations
  • Mr Robert Vinden – Digital Technologies/Design and Technology
  • Ms Samantha Gibbs-Jones – Digital Technologies/Design and Technology
  • Mr Brett Sullivan – Digital Technologies/Design and Technology
  • Ms Carla Miragliotta – Digital Technologies/Design and Technology
  • Ms Kyra McGuinness – Digital Technologies/Design and Technology
  • Mrs Siok Gan – Digital Technologies
  • Ms Ellen Beemster – Design and Technologies/Food and Materials
  • Ms Stacey Liddle – Design and Technologies/Food and Materials
  • Mrs Linda Neave – Design and Technologies/Food and Materials
  • Ms Nicole Hayes – Design and Technologies/Food and Materials
  • Mr Marc Mlachak – Design and Technology / Food and Materials

Year 7 and Year 8 Program

Students in Years 7 and 8 are given the opportunity to experience the subject specific environments and equipment in a range of learning experiences. Where possible students will be involved in short taster courses in a wide a range of subjects, such as: Wood Technology, Metal Technology, Food Technology, Textiles and Digital Technologies.  Students will learn the correct and safe methods of using available equipment in a range of fun activities.

 

Design and Technologies/Wood

In this subject students will learn to read and create working drawings, mark and measure materials, develop hand-skills such as sawing, planing and chiselling and are introduced to basic machine operations on the drill press, lathe and band-saw.  Safety is a high priority within this department, students are taught correct technique and attitude towards their work, themselves and others.

 

Design Technologies/Metal

This unit compliments the woodwork unit about safety and attitude. Students have the opportunity to experience manipulating various types of metal and learn various hand-skills and techniques including cutting, filing, drilling, buffing, silver soldering, bending and shaping.  To enhance the students experience they will also be given the opportunity to experience glass fusing a small piece of jewellery.

 

Digital Technologies

In compliance with The Australian National Curriculum, the Year 7 and Year 8 Digital Technology syllabus is made up of the following components;

  • Internet security, ethical protocols and legal obligations
  • Data collection, representation and interpretation using Software
  • Hardware and software
  • introduction to programming and coding

 

Design and Technologies/Textiles

Students in this course learn to use sewing machines and overlockers whilst producing useful everyday articles such as pencil cases and boxer shorts. Students will progress through the technology process, learn to manage time and work in a safe and collaborative manner.

 

Design and Technology/Food

Students learn to plan and prepare a variety of healthy nourishing foods.  Cooking skills, time management, technology process, safety and collaboration are important aspects of this course.

 

Year 9 Program

A wide range of subjects are offered to the Year 9 students.

Computer Game Software

This is an introduction to computer programming. Students develop games and explore the creation of interactive games for mobile devices. Social issues, gaming culture and design are investigated.

Food and You

This course focuses on giving the students important background knowledge on nutrition to enable them to make wise choices regarding what they eat.

Students will develop their cooking skills creating a wide range of delicious and nutritious meals that they will be able to reproduce at home.

Metal Technology

This course emphasises the safe use of machines and hand tools. Students will develop a specialised knowledge of processes, tools and equipment associated with Metalwork. Through the construction of various projects students will experience Lathe work, sheet metal, fitting, Milling, welding and oxy acetylene skills. Sketching techniques are introduced to assist students in their design work allowing them to add their own individual flare to some of their project work.  Skills are developed in orthogonal projection.

Wood Technology

Students have the opportunity to hone and increase their skill base in this subject through a range of challenging and engaging projects. They will increase their machining skills on the wood lathe and bandsaw and have the opportunity when they are ready to experience new machines such as the router and cut-off saws. Student safety and wellbeing as always is a top priority and students have all the assistance and instruction they require to use the equipment. Students who may be hesitant to use some of the equipment are given all the time and support they require.

With some of the project work students are given the opportunity to apply individual design variations to the design supplied. In conjunction with this students will engage in the design process, sketching skills and orthogonal drawing techniques.

Robotics

Students learn circuits and componentry associated with electronics through the construction of a range of practical based projects.

 

Year 10 Program

Year 10 enriches and extends the students’ knowledge, confidence and ability through a series of practical projects and skills development.

Wood Technology

This course is highly practical based. Students start the year on a skills based exercise. Following this, they construct a common project that not only increases their skill set but also shows them how simple changes can increase the aesthetics of common design projects.

Later in the year students have the opportunity to spread their creative wings even further. Students are provided guided free choice to research, design and construct a project of their own choosing either, from a list of suggestions, or one of their own.

Students are given all the instruction and assistance required to design and construct their individual creations. As always safety and production environment respect will be of the utmost importance.

Metal Technology

This course extends the students’  knowledge and ability in the three core areas of metal construction. Students are encouraged to develop the independent work habits initiative and perseverance required to develop their own ideas and turn them into reality.

In the second part of the year problem solving and rational decision making will be emphasised as the students develop their own design briefs.

Robotics Mechatronics Electronics

Students design, construct and evaluate a range of electronically controlled machines using microprocessors, PICs, computers and digital equipment. Students will also explore mechanisms, gears, pulleys etc. Electronic circuit design and construction will be emphasised.

Café Food

Year 10 enriches and extends the students’ knowledge, confidence and ability through a series of practical projects and skills development. This course explores modern café menus and the preparation of snacks and meals. A mouth watering journey through modern healthy cuisine.

Computer Game Software Design and Production

This course is an introduction to computer programming in the context of interactive games technology. Social and ethical issues are explored. Students program games and develop graphics using industry standard software. This is a lead in to Applied Information Technology (AIT) Certificate II.

Applied Information Technology – General

G1AIT/G2AIT

Prerequisite: Nil.

Students enrolling in AIT General will focus on the application of computer technologies to living in the community and working in industry and business environments. They will study the impact on workplaces, individuals and society. This course provides opportunities for students to develop knowledge and skills relevant to the use of ICT to meet everyday challenges. Students consider a variety of computer applications for use in their own lives, business and the wider community.

An integral aspect of the course is the opportunity to address vocational competencies, leading to the possibility of a range of VET accreditation, thereby contributing to the international employability of students.

Assessments:

This General course will include research, short answer responses to digital products

Drawing and Design

This course is concerned with the students understanding of shape and measurement. Students will study various drawing styles and techniques. This will include a combination of hand and computer aided drawing, free hand sketching and instrument drawings. Individuality and creativity is encouraged from students.

 

Year 11 Subjects

Materials Design and Technology General

The Materials Design and Technology General course is a practical course. Students can choose to work with metal, textiles or wood, with the design and manufacture of products as the major focus. Students have the opportunity to develop and practice skills that contribute to creating a physical product, while acquiring an appreciation of the application of a design process, and an understanding of the need for materials sustainability. Students will learn and practice manufacturing processes and technologies, including principles of design, planning and management.

Materials Design Technology – Wood General

In this course, the students have the flexibility to design and create according to their interest and skill level. The main focus of the course is on design and construction within topics set by the teacher. What the students build is only limited by their imagination, they are free to be as creative as they desire.

Students will be lead through the design process covering research, concept development, working drawings, costing, cutting lists and procedure planning.

As always safety is of prime importance and students are given the opportunity to develop both hand and machine skills in a safe and nurturing environment.

Materials Design Technology – Metal General

Students in this course focus on multiple part project construction using a variety of materials and processes. Students have the opportunity to develop their own design ideas.

This course is linked to Certificate 1 in Engineering.

Engineering Studies ATAR

The Engineering Studies ATAR course provides opportunities for students to investigate, research and present information through a design process, and then undertake project management to make a functioning product. These activities provide students with opportunities to apply engineering processes, understand underpinning scientific and mathematical principles, develop engineering technology skills and to understand the interrelationships between engineering projects and society.

Certificate II in Hospitality SIT20213

This course enables students to a gain nationally recognised industry qualification whilst completing their school graduation. Students are provided with a range of unique opportunities including barista training, customer service, precision knife skills, and general mise en place kitchen skills; such as concasse a tomato, segment an orange, as well as the preparation of a variety of dishes from different cuisines that may be served at school functions.

Assessment

This qualification assesses student’s skills and knowledge to become competent in a variety of context, for example; hygiene, food safety, service of food and beverages, working effectively with others, interaction with customers This qualification is suitable for VET in Schools (VETiS) delivery and for an Australian Apprenticeship pathway.

Career Possibilities

The Hospitality industry is one of the fastest growing industries in Australia offering a wide range of employment opportunities.  Over the two years students will have completed 12 nationally recognised units of competencies enabling a choice of careers in the Food and Beverage industry, including preparing and servicing espresso coffee in cafés and workings as cooks, service attendants. Further study could see opportunities in Small Business Management and Operations.

Further information: http://training.gov.au/Training/Details/SIT20213

 

Year 12 Subjects

Engineering: ATAR

Students selecting engineering are introduced to common first year university engineering concepts such as principles and elements of design, the engineering design process, engineering innovation and creativity and socially conscious engineering practices. This subject also specializes in systems and control as the focus area exploring the nature of control systems, programming, digital and logic control. Students have an opportunity to work with Arduino microcontroller boards that are an open-sourced electronic prototyping platform that allows students to create exciting interactive electronic projects.

Food Science and Technology/Hospitality ATAR

This course provides the opportunity to develop food related interests and skills through practical and written work. This challenging subject gives students the chance to develop an in depth understanding of the food systems on a global level exploring food equity and sustainable food practices. Looking at nutrition, production and manufacturing practices will help students to become more knowledgeable and wiser consumers.

Course content includes:

  • Impact of foods functional properties on the development of new innovative food products
  • Food properties
  • Occupational Health and Safety
  • Quality assurance
  • Nutritional value
  • Laws and regulations
  • Impact of globalization and innovative technologies that influence food choices
  • Menu planning and design.

 

Last updated: October 2017