Technologies News
Year Seven Digital Technologies
Year Seven students have been diving into their “Quiz Me” assessment tasks, and the results have been impressive! In a short period of time in just this term, I've witnessed remarkable developments in algorithmic thinking skills. This is a crucial pillar in Computer Science, and students are mastering it with confidence.
Algorithmic thinking is like following a recipe to bake a cake. Just as a recipe guides you through each step to create a delicious treat, algorithmic thinking helps students plan and develop sequences of instructions, or code, for digital systems. This foundational skill is essential for creating software and solving complex problems.
Mr Kyal Rose | Teacher
Years Eleven and Twelve Computer Science
Our computer scientists in Years Eleven and Twelve are busily working through the finishing touches of several projects that will be demonstrated at next week’s Technologies Showcase!
Year Eleven General students have been unpacking a business case study and designing for a new gaming lounge venture that has involved researching systems and working on a proposal for the business.
Year Eleven ATAR has commenced their database project on exploring and unpacking what’s involved in developing an SQL database. Our topic is to create a system to handle effective data storage for the GSG therapy dog program.
Year Twelve General students have been researching and developing a software project focused on creating an innovative text-based adventure game. We’ve made use of generative AI to assist with our narratives. From there the process has involved exploring good programming practices and the use of control structures that are most suitable for this style of programming and game development.
Year Twelve ATAR are in the home run in completing coursework. Their final project, a database and software development task that has involved researching and understanding a given scenario to build out an internal catering request system. They have designed databases, considering the different table relationships, constructed appropriate SQL queries to meet the needs of the system, and finally built a user interface coded in Python to interact with the database.
Mr Kieran Bailey | Head of IT Services/Teacher
Hospitality Electives
Year Seven
The first half of this term has been an exciting journey in our kitchen! Our enthusiastic students have embraced every lesson with open arms, eagerly asking questions to perfect their newly acquired skills. From mastering new cookery techniques and knife handling skills to learning various preparation methods, they’ve been hard at work.
Their efforts have paid off as they’ve created delicious snacks like macaroni and cheese, apple muffins, and mini pizzas. This group is not only fun and fast learners but also full of positive energy. A big well done to all of them for their dedication and enthusiasm!
Year Eight
This term, our students have dived into the world of dairy, using homemade yoghurt to add moisture and tenderness to a lemon cake. They learned that while such treats are discretionary, they can be both tasty and educational.
Exploring protein as our secondary energy source, students whipped up a classic spaghetti bolognese, showcasing their growing skills with beautifully plated dishes. Their understanding of the importance of cereals in our diets led to the creation of a vibrant fried rice, packed with colourful vegetables for a healthy meal. They even mastered the art of making prawn crackers and enjoyed the challenge of eating with chopsticks!
To wrap up the term, students will use their newfound knowledge of the five food groups to design, produce, and present a hearty breakfast. Their enthusiasm and creativity in the kitchen have been inspiring.
Year Nine
Our students have been on a delicious journey, diving into the history of pizza and discovering the magic of yeast as a leavening agent in bread. They rolled up their sleeves to produce a variety of homemade pizza bases, crafting the classic margherita pizza. These creations were then compared to mass-produced frozen pizzas and takeaway options, with a keen eye on nutritional content and sustainability.
To appreciate their work, students conducted a sensory analysis, evaluating the appearance, aroma, taste, and texture of their pizzas. Currently, they are following the design process to create their own unique pizzas, which they will prepare, cook, and present in sustainable pizza boxes.
The class also embraced the challenge of cooking a range of snacks, which were a hit during the intermission at the Year Seven to Nine Social held this week.
Year Ten
Our class has been working diligently in their groups to design recipes that meet the three design briefs for this year’s McCormick’s Flavour Forecast Student Recipe Challenge. Their brilliant ideas and use of interesting ingredients have led to some fantastic recipes, while others have proved valuable lessons in flavour profiles and textures.
The groups are focusing on using local and seasonal ingredients to give their final dishes a unique Albany twist. It's been a joy to read the students’ weekly learning logs, where they reflect on their inspirations, decisions, cooking techniques, and production skills. They've shared what they enjoyed, what challenged them, and what they learned along the way.
I can’t wait to see their final dishes come together in the coming weeks!
Certificate II Hospitality
Year Eleven
Our talented students have outdone themselves this year! Using their newly acquired knife skills, cookery techniques, and plating styles, they designed, produced, and presented their own unique recipes. Each dish, creatively served on a spoon, was a testament to their diversity and innovation. Over two lessons, students planned their workflow, covering everything from ordering and preparing to par-cooking, storing, labeling, and completing their recipes. The final presentations were not only attractive but also beautifully garnished, showcasing the impressive progress our students have made in this unit.
Recently, our students embarked on an exciting journey into the world of sandwich making. They explored various types of bread perfect for sandwiches, learned about the essential equipment, and discovered suitable ingredients to create delicious sandwiches. This resulted in an array of Pullman sandwiches, packaged perfectly for grab-and-go. Our students mastered the art of making mouth-watering BLT and Club sandwiches, presenting them with professional flair.
Year Twelve
As our students approach the end of their studies, their espresso coffee-making skills continue to impress! Each week, staff members eagerly anticipate their orders of various coffees, hot chocolates, and chai lattes, delivered right to their offices and classrooms. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with everyone loving the convenience and quality of their beverages.
Next week, our talented students will showcase their skills at the Technology Showcase. They will be serving up delicious coffees and hot chocolates, along with some mouth-watering appetisers for our guests. This exciting event will be overseen by our assessor from Perth, representing our Registered Training Organisation.
We are incredibly proud of our students’ hard work and dedication. The journey has been nothing short of inspiring, and we can’t wait to see them shine at the Showcase!
Mrs Teresa McAllister | Head of Technologies/Teacher
Year Nine CyberSET
It has been a very rewarding experience spending time with the small group of Year Nine boys who have started in the CyberSET elective. The start of our program has been to take the first steps towards a secure digital future; we have a deep understanding that cyber threats are on the rise, it has never been more crucial to equip ourselves with the knowledge and skills to protect against them. CyberSET is delivered through the online platform Netacad, which equips us with resources, labs, and simulations in technology fields. This semester we are working towards the completion of four modules to be granted a Cisco Network Partner Academy Badge. This enhances students' future cybersecurity opportunities and provides valuable knowledge and skills for their digital journey.
Mr Kyal Rose | Teacher
Sustainable Production
Year Seven
The Baudin garden is looking very tidy thanks to some inventive upcycling of wooden pallets. The carrot and lettuce seeds that were sown directly into the garden have germinated really well. Someone was a little heavy-handed with the lettuce seed, and we now have about 500 seedlings - we will learn about thinning out seedlings next week! These are our own seeds saved from past crops they have proven to have very high viability.
Last week I asked the students to move the soil from our raised garden beds last week so they could be relocated. I was pleased to see students stepping up and organising two teams to form a chain so that many hands made for light work. Spending time with the chickens and eating vast amounts of peas and broccolini seem to be very popular in the garden at the moment.
Year Eight
The Year Eight students gardens are looking very healthy with the addition of mulch and vigilance in removing weeds while they are still small. We are also experimenting with coffee grounds sprinkled around our seedlings to make it harder for slugs to move onto them. Unfortunately, we had a chicken escape incident last week and they dug up many of the small pea plants. Last week the Year Eight students had a go at pruning grape vines, and they harvested daffodils and used them to make lovely flower arrangements. Students took home some arrangements and others were gifted to delighted staff. This week we jumped in the bus and went to Bunnings to purchase seeds and seedlings and to get ideas for what we can grow as the weather warms.
Year Nine
The Year Nine students have also done a Bunnings raid which they thoroughly enjoyed. I really loved seeing them plan and choose seeds, seedlings and materials that they needed to carry out their projects. Consideration was given to cost, sustainability, season and other factors when planning purchases. We have a lovely range of herbs chosen in consultation with Hospitality for a herb garden and another group growing edible flowers. I am really looking forward to planting this week.
Ms Diane Thomas | Teacher
Woodwork
Celebrating Craftsmanship and Creativity in Woodwork
As Term Three kicks off with its usual vigour, the excitement is palpable among the Woodwork classes. The annual Technologies Showcase is just around the corner, and students are diligently working to complete their projects, ready to display their hard work and creativity to the school community. This event is a testament to the culture of excellence and engagement that permeates our Woodwork classes.
Year Nine - Mastering the Tee Half Lap Joint
Our Year Nine students have been honing their skills with a focus on the tee half lap joint. Each student began by drafting their own project drawings, followed by cutting and shaping their timber pieces. The final product—a shelf supported by their meticulously crafted joints—showcases their growing expertise. The creativity on display is remarkable, with some students using coloured resin to highlight features, while others incorporated acrylic for added contrast. The finished shelves are a source of pride, reflecting the students’ dedication and craftsmanship. Next up, they will be designing serving boards, emphasizing seamless timber joins.
Year Ten - Innovative Coffee Table Designs
The Year Ten cohort is in the midst of planning their coffee table designs, while simultaneously completing barstools and end grain chopping boards. The barstools focus on the mortise and tenon joint, and the chopping boards involve multiple stages of laminating to achieve a striking end grain effect. The early coffee table designs are promising, and the students are eager to bring their innovative ideas to life. This project not only enhances their technical skills but also fosters a deep engagement with the design process.
Year Eleven - Hallway Tables Nearing Completion
Year Eleven students are nearing the completion of their hallway tables, with many close to installing drawers and mounting tops. This project has tested their resilience and patience, especially with adjustments needed due to the hardwood timber sizes available. The perseverance and adaptability shown by the students are commendable, and the final products will undoubtedly reflect their hard work and attention to detail.
Year Twelve - Flatpack Inspired Furniture
The Year Twelve class is tackling the challenge of creating flatpack inspired furniture. Despite the simplicity of the concept, the lack of mass manufacturing tools requires students to rely on their creativity and manual skills. Starting with flat pieces of plywood, they transform these into diverse and appealing furniture pieces. This project beautifully bridges theory and practice, highlighting the students’ ability to plan and execute complex designs.
Mr Brodie Sarre | Materials Design and Technology Woodwork Teacher