Digital Technologies
This Term in Digital Technologies
It’s been a hands-on and high-energy term in Digital Technologies! Students across all year levels have been busy designing, building, coding, and creating, exploring how technology connects imagination with real-world problem solving.
Year 7 students began the term by learning about the History of Computing and creating their own short videos or animations in Scratch. They then turned their creativity to digital design, producing an eight-panel comic strip using Photopea. After learning to build and program mBots, students will be finishing the term by designing and 3D printing their own custom models to take home.
Our Year 8 Engineering students have shown excellent teamwork and innovation this term. They completed the Grok Academy “Defence Against the Dark Hats” Cyber Security course and recreated our school in Minecraft—carefully measuring and scaling each building. To conclude the term, they’ll program drones to fly through an obstacle course, design and code their own maze games in Scratch, and participate in our eSports challenge.
The Year 8 Creative class has explored a wide range of digital tools and challenges. From racing LEGO EV3 robots and building LAN networks in Minecraft, to mastering Photopea and Photoshop through animated GIFs and fantasy photo edits, their creativity has been on full display. They’ve also completed the Defence Against the Dark Hats course and will soon build their own wind-up toys using 3D modelling software. The term will wrap up with drone programming, maze game design, and our always-popular eSports competitions.
In Year 9, students took their coding to the next level by building original games in the Godot Game Engine and programming Arduino boards using the Cogsworth City kits. They also worked with LEGO EV3 robots to complete engineering challenges, from precision pick-up tasks to obstacle course races. Before the term ends, students will design laser-cut bookmarks, experiment with sound editing and AI tools, and 3D print their own custom decorations — all before the big eSports finale.
Our Year 10 students have had a particularly exciting term, showcasing creativity and technical skills. Working in small groups, they produced green-screen special effects films using Filmora, raced and battled LEGO EV3 robots in our new sumo arena, and are now moving into Grok DT Applied: Design Thinking projects, exploring Arduino applications and virtual reality technology.
Year 11 students have been exploring the importance of Digital Wellbeing and Cyberbullying Awareness through their final project of the year. Each student is creating either a website using an online template or an AI-powered animation that highlights key aspects of being a responsible digital citizen. Their work focuses on understanding online wellbeing, including the positives and negatives of digital engagement, as well as the serious impacts and consequences of cyberbullying. This project wraps up their coursework before heading into exams and marking the end of a successful year of study.
We also want to congratulate our Year 12 Applied Information Technology students on completing their final year! The graduating class of 2025 has demonstrated creativity, persistence, and problem-solving throughout their projects, from developing interactive digital media to tackling real-world technology issues. We wish them every success as they move into new adventures beyond school, and we can’t wait to see where their skills take them next.
Outside the classroom, our CoderDojo/Robotics Club has been focusing on Minecraft-based eSports challenges, while our Warhammer Club continues to grow in numbers and enthusiasm — combining strategy, creativity, and community.
Digital Technologies continues to be one of the most dynamic learning areas at Applecross. Students are not just learning how technology works — they’re using it to invent, explore, and imagine new possibilities.
We can’t wait to see what they create next!
Jocasta Collier, Digital Technologies Teacher