Around the Senior School
Year 10 Agriculture excursion to the Orange Agricultural Institute
Year 10 Agriculture students recently visited the Orange Agricultural Institute. The students were shown the varroa mite response centre, the extensive entomology collection and the planetarium.
As part of their course the students have learnt about new technologies and the importance of biosecurity in Australia for protecting our clean, green reputation for agricultural food and fibre.
This was a unique opportunity for students to see the varroa mite response centre for the recent NSW outbreak that was detected in a biosecurity surveillance hive at the Port of Newcastle. The regular checking of hives and the immediate response of the Department of Primary Industry has led to the control of the recent outbreak and the protection of the Australian honey bees. The varroa mite is the most serious worldwide pest to honey bees.
The entomology collection contains over 600,000 specimens including tiny insects that are identified under a microscope through to insects and bugs the size of our hands.
TAS, VA & Agriculture Showcase 2022
It was our great pleasure to host again the ever-popular exhibition of TAS, Visual Arts and Textiles elective work. After a 3-year hiatus we made some changes, adding Year 7 and 8 work and further enriching the show with work from TAS and Agriculture. The evening was scented with mint and rosemary wafting from the bountiful Agriculture stand selling fresh produce to raise funds for the flood recovery efforts.
The diversity of exhibits provided the Visual Arts with a wonderful context; Year 7’s animal inspired ceramic vessels eyed-off the wire and paper monsters on a nearby display.
Year 8 Pop Art lino prints popped with colour while their skateboards flanked the entrance with clever designs celebrating or lamenting the state of the world with contemporary issues or reasons for hope.
Year 9’s small figures showed off their imaginative adornment inspired by the costumes and finery of a myriad of African cultures. Meanwhile their still lives shaped by Margaret Preston revitalized this genre with bold patterns and mixed media flourishes. Finally, the dream scenes depicted through textured, coloured collages proved intriguing.
Year 10 had ceramic architectural models on display, suggestive of lost civilisations both imaginary and real. Also, their portraits of friends or family revealed a tenacious effort to build and refine drawing to a very high standard.
Year 11 gave a tantalizing glimpse of things to come, with exquisite mixed media drawings of anatomy, inventive and refined works built of found objects, and evocative 3D work in the form of hands cast in plaster.
Year 7 and 8 Technology had a small selection of class work on display, model chicken coops from the Agriculture unit and laser cut Christmas decorations. Students have now had a taste exhibiting their work we will be able to showcase much more next year.
Woodwork from Year 9 Industrial Technology showcased fantastic timber work on step ladders and bedside tables. The Year 10 metalwork hinted at the welding and fabrication skills seen in the HSC shows. Fire pits and shoe scrapers looking so professional more than one guest asked if they could purchase them! The Year 11 Design and Technology class displayed Flat Pack Furniture of high quality that was designed to meet a genuine need such as storage or display.
Food Technology and Hospitality presented their skills too. The Year 9 Food Technology ginger bread houses were a bright and cheery addition to the display and the Year 12 Hospitality students offered a popular canape menu for the guests.
Year 10 Textiles students hung their lamp shades, textile art hoops and felt bead keyrings, demonstrating a range of textiles skills and techniques. Year 9 had an incredibly productive year, on display were hand dyed and appliqued pillow cases and pencil cases. Folio work from Years 9, 10 and 11 was also presented.
The Textiles Technology and Textiles and Design fashion parade is always popular with the audience, guests and students. The Year 9 students showed off their pyjama shorts and hoodies. Year 9 had made many wearables so Year 10 students stepped in to model the Year 9 towel hoodies. This was the first year of the Round Square sustainability project. The students used donated towels and repurposed them into hoodies for the beach. The new Year 12 Textiles and Design students finished the show with their Year 11 project work. These were individual projects ranging from pantsuits to dresses.
Thank you to all of those who attended to celebrate a wonderfully creative and productive year for our students.
