Technology News

Celebrating Excellence in Design and Technology

Earlier this year, the Technology Department proudly nominated a selection of outstanding student work for the Design and Technology Teachers Association (DATTA) Awards. This prestigious annual competition celebrates excellence in Design and Technology education across Queensland, showcasing the most innovative and high-quality student work from schools throughout the state. We are thrilled to share that several of our students achieved remarkable success in this year’s event.

This year, five students from our College were named Regional Winners, a remarkable accomplishment that highlights their creativity, innovation and dedication to their craft.

Congratulations to:

• Joachim Horgan, Braidyn Polich, Van Sanders and Josiah Tsiamalili (Year 12) – winners in the Senior Design category.
• Matthew Kepka (Year 9) – winner of both the Year 9 Design and Year 9 ACARA categories for his impressive Built Environment and Cologne Bottle Design entries.

These awards were determined by public vote, and we extend our sincere thanks to the College community for supporting our students by casting their votes.

We also acknowledge the invaluable contribution of Mr Gray, whose commitment to nominating and mentoring these students has played a key role in their success. His passion for providing enriching learning experiences continues to inspire excellence in our Design and Technology program.

Congratulations once again to all our award winners. We look forward to seeing what they create next!

Students on Track Day – Gold Coast 500 Excursion 2025

Excitement was in the air as students from Marist College Ashgrove arrived at the 2025 Gold Coast 500, immersed in the electrifying atmosphere of Australia’s premier motorsport event. This year’s excursion built on the momentum from their recent and successful Karting Challenge at Ipswich City Dirt Kart Club and served as a dynamic launchpad into the Formula Student Race Car program.

A highlight of the day was the proud display of the 2025 Marist College Ashgrove racecar, selected once again by Careers Employment Australia as one of only six vehicles showcased in the Formula High School program. Positioned in a high-traffic area, the car attracted attention from thousands of motorsport fans, providing outstanding exposure for both the College and our Technologies Department. Our Year 11 students were thrilled to see their hard work recognised on such a prominent stage.

Throughout the day, students gained valuable insights into the world of professional motorsport. From pit lane strategies to precision engineering, they saw firsthand how even the smallest design choices can have a major impact on performance. These lessons reinforced the core principles of the Formula High School program—attention to detail, teamwork, and innovation.

The “Students on Track Day” excursion was more than just a field trip—it was an inspiring educational experience that caps off this amazing program. Students left with a deeper appreciation for the complexities of motorsport and a renewed enthusiasm for their Certificate II in Engineering Pathways studies. As they prepare to take on the Formula High School challenge next year, this experience will undoubtedly fuel their drive to excel.