We have had an exciting start to the year in Technologies, with our workshops, kitchens and sewing rooms buzzing with excitement and creativity. Teachers have focused on increasing our practical application of mathematics concepts from aligning the V9 Maths Australian Curriuclum in the Technologies spaces, and have seen some excellent examples of trigonometry, measurement, conversion techniques and other concepts displayed in the spaces.

Students develop their skills through content knowledge and immediate application in their respective subject areas. All students are encouraged to develop designs and follow a design process in which they research and take inspiration from real life designers and real world jobs.

This year our Technologies staff include Miss Kathryn Allan, Mrs Lizette French, Mrs Chauntell McNamara, Mr Peter Igoe-Taylor, Mr Harley Bartlett, Mr Brendan Booysen, Mr Dominic Charter, Mrs Clementine Wallace and Miss Chloe McCallum – supported by our wonderful support staff, Mr Andrew Rose, Mrs Veronika McCluskey and Mrs Megan Hajduk.

Please see below for more specifics on the work in which JPC students have been involved.

Year 7 Food Technology

Year 7 students completing food technology this term have been busy learning about healthy eating choices, and brand new skills of cooking that allows them the opportunity to demonstrate independence at home as they successfully cooked a chicken schnitzel with two sides for their families!

Year 7 Design and Technology

Year 7 students studying DT have propelled themselves into the world of aerodynamics, with an exploration of car design. Students have researched, designed, and are currently in the throes of creating their very own propeller driven helicar to race against their peers for the ultimate aerodynamic victory.

Year 8 Digital Technology

Year 8 have started the term advancing in their computer literacy with skills such as Microsoft and researching Cybersafety. Students are now developing a base level understanding of how coding works, by using Scratch to develop their own game designs.

Year 8 Textiles

In Textiles, students design and sew their own pencil cases. In order to achieve this, students must sew straight lines, insert a zip and use the zigzag stitch to enhance the strength of fabric edges.

9/10 Design and Technology

Students have been challenged with the application of trigonometry to real world design in their Phone Dock unit this semester. They have grappled with client, consumer, and personal design preferences to produce a functional design which they will work to create next term, experiencing new machinery and tools.

9/10 Food technology

Students have been learning about how different dietary requirements, such as coeliac, allergies, religious requirements and personal preferences impact decision making when it comes to preparing and choosing food. Students have also been looking at the different food trends that consumers have or/are influencing globally; such as TikTok trends, clean eating, and even the evolution of convenient foods.

9/10 Woodwork

Students have been developing their woodworking skills, using hand tools and machinery to develop either a treasure chest or a lolly dispenser. Students have focused on Orthographic Drawing and sustainability over the term, and will continue to develop their measurement skills, improving the conversaion between cm and mm, as well as using trigonometry to determine angles.

Seniors

Designed Environments

Designed Environments is not all about town planning and looking up street patterns! This term seniors students have had a very hands on sensory experience as we explore the world of interior design. Students challenged their comfort zones with a mystery box activity which required them to use any sense, other than sight to explore textures, patterns, and the experience of the consumer. Their consideration of the JPC school context has led to them redesigning some of the Wellbeing offices and thinking about how a space influences a consumer’s perception and experience.

Design and Emerging Technology

Senior DET students dove straight into the world of creativity and design with a case study of Bauhaus principles and the evolution of clock design. Students had to amalgamate current design trends with the basics of Bauhaus to create a functional and aesthetic clock that embodies the ‘form follows function’ ideal.

Hospitality

Students in Hospitality are working towards their nationally recognised certificate, at this stage students have been learning about industry relevant practices regarding safe work practices, proper hygienic food handling practices, and learning to prepare and present simple dishes. Students are currently planning for the upcoming Open Evening, their first big service test- which they are excited for!

Design and Graphics

Students in Design and Graphics have gone back to basics, developing their skills in analysing through impression deconstructions of print advertisement and packaging. Students have spent a lot of time this semester sketching, cutting, drawing, colouring, gluing and pushing themselves to be okay with the less-than-perfect. Students also looked at creating within the bounds of a client, creating either a Try-Highschool day or an Open night flyer as seen below.

Construction

Construction students started with a bang, by fixing some unfortunate holes made by the old ‘wing’ tables in one of our classrooms. Students learned how to back the piece of plasterboard, cut plasterboard and then plaster around the holes. Back in the classroom, students are creating their own saw horses, ready for when they go out into the workforce. Later this term, students will be enclosing some nooks in the school, to create some much needed storage.

Chloe McCallum
Leader of Learning and Wellbeing – Technologies