Technologies News
Year Seven Digital Technologies
What an exciting way to end our year; we save the best for last! The engagement from the Year Seven classes has been outstanding as students dive into coding. Throughout this term, we’ve focused on acquiring and applying foundational knowledge in coding, and the results have been engaging and very entertaining.
Using Minecraft Education Edition and MakeCode, students have transformed their Minecraft worlds through code. They’ve made it ‘rain chickens’, ‘spawn zombies’, ‘smash cakes’ to reveal 10,000 parrots, and challenged themselves with a variety of other creative and complex events. To achieve this, students have had to adopt a coding mindset, paired with computational thinking skills, carefully designing and testing their algorithms. Even the smallest syntax error, such as a misplaced full stop or incorrect coordinate, can result in an error or an unexpected outcome.
Here are some screenshots from our first few lessons, showcasing how this looks.
Year Eight Digital Technologies
Students have completed their MakeCode Arcade “Game Design Task” - a highlight for many students where they understand the skill and science behind what makes a fun and engaging game. We first used theoretical pillars to frame the elements of game design: space, rules, objectives, components, and goals. Then we added the 4x C’s - creative components that can transform the elements to make any game unique: Challenge, Change, Choice, and Chance. Combined, we broke down popular sports and games to better understand how (for example) a game without challenge is simply a toy, and how games without chance are more like puzzles.
Then we added our computational and algorithmic thinking into the mix and followed the process of design thinking to ideate games founded on these principles. The class was challenged to problem-solve and work with a wide range of resources; some students were extended and took the next steps toward coding parts of their games using text-based programming in Python. Using the links below, you can take some time to enjoy playing some of the games yourself.
Well done Year Eights.
Mr Kyal Rose | Design and Technology Teacher
Hospitality
Year Seven
This term, the Wilson group of Year Seven students eagerly joined the hospitality kitchen, bringing enthusiasm and a plethora of questions during their first two weeks. They have thoroughly enjoyed learning the kitchen procedures and we are delighted to welcome Miss van Burgel, who is completing her practical teaching placement with us.
Our students’ love for cooking is evident as they have already created colourful and tasty fruit cones, mastering safe knife skills and the steps involved in washing up. While making macaroni cheese, they were introduced to the sensory analysis of food, exploring its appearance, aroma, taste, and texture.
We are excited to see their culinary skills continue to grow throughout the term!
Year Eight
This term, our students are delving into the differences between homemade and fast-food burgers, focusing on both cost and nutritional aspects. They participated in an engaging burger masterclass, which broadened their understanding of various protein sources for mince-based patties, seasonal fruits and vegetables suitable for burger fillings, and a range of sauces, pickles, and relishes to enhance their burger creations.
Recently, the students faced an exciting challenge: creating a burger using a set list of ingredients and then staging it for food photography. They showcased their creativity, coming up with some truly impressive burgers. Currently, they are working on a design brief that tasks them with creating a brilliant burger.
We look forward to seeing their innovative and delicious creations!
Year Nine
This term, our students wrapped up their study of the six essential nutrients by focusing on vitamins and minerals and their importance in our diets. To apply their knowledge, they created a recipe incorporating all six nutrients. In one lesson, they made sweet short-crust pastry, which was stored for the next lesson where they prepared homemade custard. This custard was added to their pastry shells, lined with painted chocolate. The students then artistically cut and arranged seasonal fruit on top of the custard, transforming it into a beautiful fruit tart.
Shifting to a sustainability focus, the students were amazed to learn about the tons of plastic waste Australians generate annually. To help reduce plastic use, each student made two homemade wax wraps. They took one home to their families, while the other will be used in an upcoming design brief.
Recently, the students were introduced to the incredible range of local bush tucker flavours. They completed a sensory analysis to decide which flavour would pair best with homemade cheese crackers, which they are making to store for future use in their grazing box design brief.
Year Ten
This term, our students are tackling an exciting major design brief: creating a tiered celebration cake adorned with piped flowers that complement a chosen colour theme. Each student is developing a mood board to outline their vision and will enter their cake creation into the upcoming Albany Agricultural Show in the Cookery Section for judging.
Our talented hospitality team has been instrumental in guiding the students through this process. Mrs McAllister has been coordinating the lessons and providing overall guidance, Mrs Cherry has been arranging the ingredients and supplies while showcasing her exceptional cake-making skills, and Miss van Burgel has been teaching the students how to make, colour, use, and pipe buttercream icing to bring their ideas to life.
The saying, “to be creative you have to make a mess,” has certainly been evident in the first few weeks of term. We are eagerly anticipating the finished products in the coming weeks and can’t wait to see the students’ hard work and creativity on display!
Certificate II Hospitality
Year Eleven
Our Year Eleven students are enthusiastically preparing for the upcoming Mocktail Party next week. They are busy crafting delicious mocktails and planning an evening filled with fun games and dancing. We eagerly anticipate hosting this enjoyable event!
In other news, our students recently showcased their professionalism at the Year Twelve Boarders Valedictory Dinner. They represented themselves and their class with grace, demonstrating excellent teamwork and professional interaction with guests. After assisting Chef Nick in preparing a variety of homemade salads, the students managed several pop-up food stalls, serving lunches to the Year Twelve Valedictorians and their families. Their dedication and professionalism made us incredibly proud.
Mrs Teresa McAllister | Head of Technologies/Teacher
Sustainable Production
It’s an exciting time in the garden as the warm weather crops go into the ground. However, the thing I have enjoyed most over the last few weeks is watching the students grow. I have had some great conversations over the weed bucket recently that have made me really grateful to be working in a subject where everyone can relax and be in the moment.
Year Eight
There has been plenty of activity in the Market Garden over the last few weeks. With the Year Eights harvesting their spring crops, such as broccoli, cabbage and lettuce, we are all getting ready to plant some more interesting things for summer including watermelon and rockmelon.
We have also set up a mealworm farm and have been able to take our first load of mealworms to the chickens for them to eat. They found them quite delicious!
On top of this, some of us have also started experimenting with fertiliser to see how it helps our plants grow, and we have donated our recent harvests to teachers, Hospitality and the primary school. We have now removed most of our flowering plants from the garden, but before we did, it was alive with bees. We learnt that attracting bees to your garden with flowers is good because they pollinate the other plants and help them grow better. They absolutely loved our yellow flowers!
Hannah Hull | Year Eight student
Year Nine
In Sustainable Production our Year Nine class engage in hands on experiences in the garden. We started by planning and designing our projects. Then we started to work in our gardens. I’ve been growing strawberries as my project. Every week we plant seedlings, care and nurture for our garden, do weeding, mulching and many more things to grow healthy plants.
The year Nine students also but the foliage arrangement skills to good use this week making beautiful succulent displays for the table decoration for Year Twelve Boarding dinner.
Caris Stone | Year Nine student
Ms Diane Thomas | Teacher
Woodwork
Year Seven
This term has started with a new group who have begun the process of designing their contemporary modern tea light candle holder using Western Australian Hardwoods. We are aiming for a unique design to meet the clients need. The class has been looking at exiting images and researching what makes a great holder. The designs are coming along and soon we will start the production process.
Year Eight
This term has seen the group move into the production stage of making their boxes. The class has been busy measuring and docking their material on the drop saw, routing the joints and joining the boxes using titebond two glue. The feather joints have been cut and fitted and now the group is fitting their lids. There are several steps involved in putting these boxes together and its pleasing to see everyone engaged and focused on task.
Year Nine - Technology Composite Materials
This term we have started Design Task Two of Designing and Creating a ‘Floris Hoovers Arche’ Metal Toy Vehicle. We are off to the Men’s Shed Albany in the next few weeks to use the metal workshop to cut, weld and create our Metal Toy Vehicles. The last few weeks the group have been researching and looking up existing images of these toy designs to create their own. I am getting excited to head into the welding bays for the first time with GSG students.
Mr Ashley Keatch | Technology Woodwork Teacher
The recent woodworking projects undertaken by the students have showcased not only their creativity but also their deep engagement with the craft. Here’s a closer look at the impressive work from each year group:
Year Nine - Crafting Unique Serving Boards
The Year Nine students recently completed their serving board projects, demonstrating remarkable creativity and engagement. Each student designed and constructed a serving board from a piece of timber measuring 1200mm x 150mm x 25mm. The use of local hardwood, Jarrah, ensured durability, while the inclusion of wood laminations, acrylic, and resin added unique lines and contrasts to their work. The finished products are not only functional but also artistic, reflecting the students’ dedication and engagement with their projects.
Year Ten - Designing and Building Coffee Tables
Year Ten students are well underway with their coffee table projects, once again using Jarrah timber. Their engagement is evident in the thoughtful designs and the progress they’ve made. With the tabletops nearly completed, the next steps involve constructing the frames and legs. The students were given the freedom to design their tables, including features like drawers or shelves, which has led to a variety of unique and personalized pieces. The use of resin to fill natural cracks in the timber enhancing both the aesthetic and structural integrity of their tables.
Year Eleven - From Hall Tables to Individual Projects
Having completed their hall tables, the Year Eleven students are now embarking on individual projects, showcasing their creativity. Some students have chosen to build single-seat outdoor wooden chairs. They started by constructing templates from scrap timber, allowing them to perfect the angles and dimensions before moving on to the final product. This methodical approach not only ensures a high-quality finish but also deepens their engagement with the design and construction process.
The use of Jarrah timber and resin across these projects highlights the students’ ability to work with high-quality materials and incorporate them into their designs creatively. Their engagement with these projects is evident in the care and attention to detail they have shown. It’s inspiring to see such dedication and skill development in these woodworking classes.
Mr Brodie Sarre | Materials Design and Technology Teacher