Technology

The Technology Learning Area includes Wood and Metal Technologies, Graphics, Electronics, Mechatronics as well as Home Economics, and provides students with pathways to university, TAFE and the trade areas. We encourage students to be productive, innovative and enterprising by generating ideas and taking action, as well as developing techniques and products that satisfy human needs.

Wood Technology

Students work on teacher-directed and student-initiated tasks. Students will increase their knowledge and literacy skills in both woodwork and metalwork, develop manipulative skills and expertise in the use of hand and power tools. This is a practical subject designed to give students the opportunity to experience aspects of designing, construction, furniture making, appraising and marketing wooden projects of all descriptions.

Metal Technology

In this course you will use technology processes to design and produce products. You will learn knowledge about metal materials and processes necessary to work in different metal industries. This is a practical subject designed to give students the opportunity to experience aspects of working with metals in a number of different contexts. The focus will be on the application of current technology in the metal industry. Suggested areas include the use of common metals in machining, sheet-metal, welding and fabrication.

Metal Technology (Focus on Jewellery)

This course will have a focus on the design of jewellery and will cover the skills, techniques and processes used to create functional pieces of jewellery. Students will work to a design brief, as a working jewellery designer would. Students are provided opportunity to design and construct unique and exciting pieces of jewellery with the use of processes such as 3-D printing and laser technology. Materials such as sterling silver, brass, aluminium and titanium may be used in conjunction with gemstones, dichroic glass to produce items of jewellery.

Graphics Technology

This course allows students to develop an understanding of the significance of graphical communication as a universal language and the techniques and technologies used to convey technical and non-technical ideas and information. Graphics Technology develops in students the ability to read, interpret and produce graphical presentations that communicate information using a variety of techniques and media.

Computer Science

This course teaches about principles related to the creation of computer systems, software and connectivity between computers. Students will develop conceptual and technical skills as they learn how to diagnose and solve problems in the course of understanding the basic building blocks of computing. The major themes of the course centre on systems design using database solutions and programming and networking. The course content is divided into five areas: - systems analysis and development - databases - developing software - programming - networks and communications

Mechatronics Technology

The Mechatronics Technology course combines mechanics, electronics and computer programming and design in a theoretical and practical course. Students learn basic aspects of electronics and will work on projects to develop techniques and products that satisfy human needs. Students will develop skills in all areas and use them to create self-regulating systems and autonomous robots.
This course is essentially a practical course focusing on real‐life contexts. Students apply a design process to research and present information about materials, engineering principles, concepts and ideas, and design proposals. They develop engineering technology skills in planning and implementing a process to manipulate tools and machines to produce a prototype of their designed solution.

Home Economics

Our focus is much more than just cooking and sewing! Students explore contemporary topics and issues such as nutrition, technology, lifestyle, culture and environmental sustainability, whilst developing everyday living skills to become independent young adults. Courses in Home Economics create pathways to a variety of traineeships and further education for rewarding careers in hospitality, tourism, management, childcare, fashion and design. For information about our courses in Year 11 and 12, please refer to the Student Curriculum Handbook.

Food Technology

While developing practical skills in the kitchen, we also focus on the role of food in meeting nutritional and lifestyle needs. Students study the origins of different foods and learn to make a variety of healthy meals. As they experience new foods, students will discover that creating their own, healthier ‘fast-food’ is both delicious and rewarding.

Textiles

Students will explore the properties, performance and uses of textiles, culminating in a portfolio of different machine and hand-sewing techniques. These skills are then applied by students to design and construct a variety of creative textile products, with a focus on sustainable materials and practices.

Children, Family and the Community

Our course focus is on the development and wellbeing of individuals and families, with emphasis on infants and young children. As students progress through this course in Senior Years they participate in hands-on activities, working and interacting with children and infants from local primary schools and day care centres to gain an understanding of development and to build skills in caring for and raising children.