The robots are coming

Computing at Northcote High School

Following the great reception at our VCE Course Expo, we would like to take this chance to formally introduce the Computing program to the Northcote community. Computing is a new learning area at Northcote High School this year, and we have been thrilled to share our passion for this subject with so many enthusiastic and talented students.

This year brought three new computing subjects to our school: Coding, Programming for Design, and VCE Computing. All three have seen fantastic results and will be returning next year (with minor name changes!), as well as a new offering of Year 12 Software Development, the next step in the VCE pathway.

Read below for details on our VCE subjects, which now also appear on the myNorthcoteHigh Subject Selection portal, and keep reading for news about our school’s robotics club, the STEAM Team!

Computing in Years 11 and 12

In Year 11 Computing, students learn the underpinnings of logic and design that sit behind every piece of computer software and technology. They explore a range of computer concepts and technologies spanning web programming, project management and collaboration, networks, data collection, and databases. Year 12 Software Development refines those skills, delving deeper into programming practice before focusing on the design and creation of purpose-driven solutions to real problems.

Both subjects have a strong emphasis on the problem-solving methodology and design thinking, and give students the opportunity to take ownership of their learning in self-led projects and tasks. Students have the chance to flourish in the fusion of creativity, logic, and artistry that is computer programming.

Find more information and study summaries on the myNorthcoteHigh Subject Selection portal.

STEAM Team

This Saturday 28 July, Northcote’s student-led robotics club, the STEAM Team, is travelling to St Kilda to take part in the RoboCup Junior Competition! Two teams of five have entered robots of their own creation, tasked with navigating a random field and rescuing a “victim” from a chemical spill, all without any intervention or remote control.

The teams are hard at work this week getting their robots ready and their logic programmed. This will mark Northcote’s first entry into the RoboCup Junior, and has been driven entirely by the students’ own initiative, with STEAM Team founder Issa Chanzi leading the charge. Wish them luck!

The event will take place at St Michael’s Grammar School at 25 Chapel Street, St Kilda, with the first round starting at 10:00am and finishing with awards at 3:30pm.  Any parents interested in attending or volunteering to help with the event should contact Erik Koopmans.

Erik Koopmans

Maths and Computing teacher and STEAM Team facilitator