Senior School

Showcasing Student Innovation: Laser Engraving and Metalwork Projects

Some of our Year 12 students have been immersed in their “Passion Projects,” utilising the school’s laser engraver to design and produce motivational plaques. These creative pieces are aimed at promoting positivity and resilience within our school community.

At the same time, our talented Year 10 Metalwork students demonstrated impressive technical abilities by using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software to create desk organisers. 

They transformed their digital designs into tangible items, carefully constructing each organiser from a range of metal materials and employing Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding techniques.

We are proud to share the outstanding results of their efforts, with both creativity and innovation clearly thriving at Aberfoyle Park High School.

Article by Matt Peters | Metalwork Teacher

Year 10s Dive into Exploring Identities and Futures (EIF)

Our Year 10 students are actively engaging with the Exploring Identities and Futures (EIF) program, a SACE Stage 1 subject designed to help them learn more about themselves and their aspirations. 

This program encourages students to look further than just career outcomes, prompting them to reflect on the diverse factors that shape their identity and connections with others.

A recent highlight of the program involved students creating visual representations of their faces, using shapes and colours to express both the visible and hidden aspects of their identities. This creative activity allowed students to reflect deeply on who they are and how they perceive themselves.

We are proud of the creativity and thoughtfulness our students have demonstrated throughout this program, and we look forward to seeing what they will achieve next.

Equipping Success: Custom Lab Coats Arrive for Year 12 Chemistry

Our Year 12 Chemistry students have recently received their custom lab coats. This special addition will provide them with a sense of achievement and professionalism as they complete their final year of studies.

These lab coats are not only a practical resource for their remaining school experiments but will also serve as a valuable asset as they transition to university and further scientific pursuits. We are proud to support our students with the equipment they need to succeed both now and in the future.

Showcasing Student Work in Materials Technology and Woodwork

This past semester, students in Ms Desmond’s Year 9 Material Technologies classes, as well as Year 11 and 12 Woodwork classes, have been busy developing valuable skills through a range of hands-on practical projects.

Year 9 Materials Technology students explored working with different materials, including various timbers and metals. They completed creative projects such as wooden puzzles and metal art figures, with the option to incorporate recycled materials for a sustainable approach. These activities helped foster both technical abilities and creative thinking.

Year 11 Woodwork students focused on developing traditional joinery techniques through a series of Skills Tasks using a range of hand tools. They also learned the basics of Computer Aided Design (CAD) to support their design process. These skills were applied in their major project, where students produced a unique piece of furniture, expanding both practical and digital capabilities.

Year 12 Woodwork students have been engaging in a range of advanced skills tasks, further developing their expertise in traditional woodworking and CAD techniques. These tasks have supported students in the designing and planning stages of their major project, which they continue to work on as the year progresses. 

By applying these skills, students were able to thoroughly plan their design choices, joinery methods, and production processes, ensuring a thoughtful and detailed approach to their major project.

Congratulations to all students for their outstanding efforts and the impressive quality of their projects throughout Semester 1.

Article by Yvette Desmond | Design and Technology Teacher

Food Technology: Skills for Life and Industry

Food Technology at Aberfoyle Park High School provides students with essential practical life skills, up-to-date industry knowledge, and confidence in the kitchen. Recently, as part of the Café and Brunch task, students prepared fried chicken burgers with fresh coleslaw. 

This hands-on experience allowed them to develop key skills in food preparation, safe food handling, teamwork, time management, and food presentation.

In addition to practical cooking skills, students explored current café trends and considered customer expectations, learning how to design dishes suitable for a contemporary café menu. 

Such practical experiences enable students to apply classroom theory in authentic settings, manage equipment safely, problem-solve in real time, and critically evaluate the quality of their work.

These valuable learning outcomes help students become capable, independent, and informed young adults, well-prepared for future opportunities both in and beyond the kitchen.

Article by Helen Pike | Food Tech Teacher

WorldSkills Australia Heat Qualifying Success

We are proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students in the recent WorldSkills Australia Heat Qualifying events.

Firstly, congratulations to Jake C, who was selected from more than 500 applicants to compete in the WorldSkills selection heat for Electrical Trades on 8 August. Jake will be facing off against 11 other top students, all aiming for a place at the WorldSkills Australia National Championships later this month. This is a significant accomplishment that highlights Jake's dedication, skill, and commitment to excellence in his field.

We are also delighted to acknowledge Cooper D, Caleb B and Jethro A, who have each been named among PEER’s Top 10 competitors for the next WorldSkills selection heat in Plumbing. Following Jake’s recent success, Cooper, Caleb, and Jethro have demonstrated exceptional talents in earning their places in the upcoming competition.

All four students will soon compete in their respective heats for a chance to represent our school and region at the national level during the WorldSkills Australia National Championships in August.

We are extremely proud of the achievements and dedication shown by Jake, Cooper, Caleb, and Jethro. 

Wishing them success in the next stage of their WorldSkills journey.