Whittlesea Tech School
Newsletter
Words From Our Director
At the Whittlesea Tech School, our primary goal is to support our education community by providing opportunities for students to develop the skillsets and mindsets for the future world of work. Due to the everchanging nature of education provision, as a result of Covid-19, our Tech School has been working tirelessly to provide opportunities for remote learning, including on-line student programs, skill up sessions and teacher professional development opportunities. We invite all of our partners to reach out and let us know how we can be of support during this time. I would like to acknowledge the exceptional work of all teachers in our partnership, and in particular, our Teacher Ambassadors, who have been a wonderful support in communicating opportunities to their respective schools. Stay safe and please do not hesitate to contact our team if we can be of any assistance
Sandra McKechnie
Director Whittlesea Tech School
Tech School Highlights
Our New Website
We are thrilled to announce that the Whittlesea Tech School has a brand new, shiny website! Visitors will now be able to browse all our available programs, after-school clubs, professional development opportunities, meet our staff and much more! You can also have a peek at our inspiration gallery to view some of your students' work.
https://www.whittleseatechschool.vic.edu.au/
Student Ambassador Day
On the 30th of July, the Whittlesea and Banyule Nillumbik Tech School Student Ambassadors came together for a fun and educational day creating artwork with adobe illustrator. Check out a great example of finished work by one of our student ambassador and what he had to say about the experience:
"The feeling was great. I learnt something new, because Illustrator was something that I hadn't versed in before, and the opportunity to learn something new was inspiring. The Tech School team were really nice, knowledgeable and extremely supportive. I am so excited to attend the next student ambassador day"
James N
Introduction to Entrepreneurship - Enrichment Series
Delivered in partnership with Melbourne Innovation Centre and Supported By BNLLEN & HWLLEN and mentor support provided by In2Science, the Introduction to Enterprise Learning - Enrichment Series provides a structured, virtual entrepreneurial extension program to support High Ability secondary school students in years 8-12 across Victoria build critical entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial skills.Students are presented with societal or market challenges with enterprise opportunities and need to develop rapid prototyping business model solutions. Using a range of tools and methodologies, students will work through the critical elements of Start-up and lean methodology theories and will be supported to develop solutions and receive feedback from real, potential customers.Graduates from this program will have the opportunity to apply to our Student Start-Up Academy – Victoria’s only student Business Incubator, an intensive accelerator program with access to highly credentialed mentors, pitch training and seed funding, to start building and executing their business model.
This program is delivered virtually - students will require their own device, internet, a pen and paper. A link and password will be provided post registration.
INTAKE GROUP 1 - INTENSIVE PROGRAM
This event will take place over two days:
September 14: 9.30 am - 1.00 pm
September 16: 9.30 am - 2.00 pm
https://arc.educationapps.vic.gov.au/eventhub/providers/BNWTech/events/1220/details
INTAKE GROUP 2 - HOLIDAY PROGRAMThis event will take place over three days:
September 28: 9.30 am - 1.00 pm
September 29: 9.30 am - 1.00 pm
September 30: 9.30 am - 11.00 am
https://arc.educationapps.vic.gov.au/eventhub/providers/BNWTech/events/1253/details
Design Club Virtual Exhibition
The big day has finally arrived! At the end of last week, we launched the Design Club Final Exhibition!Special thanks to everyone for their participation in our after school design club.
WE INVITE YOU TO ATTEND OUR EXHIBITION:
1. Click the link button below to enter the virtual Design Club Final Exhibition (best viewed on Desktop).
2. When you arrive: Click ‘Play’ for a virtual tour or Click each image for detail on each artwork
https://www.artsteps.com/view/5f152f29aabd2a7d3437ec4d
Farmwall
Our Farmwall is set up and ready to use in our FoodLab. The Whittlesea Tech School would like to pass on a special thanks and acknowledgements to GH Commercial for kindly donating us a Farmwall to help us with our Food Programs and educate students about urban farming.Curious about growing food in your own home? Have a look at the Resillence Growing Program by Farmwall in the provided link below.
https://farmwall.com.au/education
Online Programs
Register to receive your free resource pack!
Whittlesea Tech School is offering programs for partner schools to run virtually. The programs have been re-developed with resources for teachers to structure their own online learning sequences or alternatively, book with the Tech School team to help support the delivery of the program with Skill-Up Workshops.
Inquiries
MENTAL WELLBEING
In collaboration with Science Gallery, students will explore the factors that affect our mental wellbeing, such as health, social and personal connections, safety, living standards, achievements in life and future security. Students will innovate using technology to prototype solutions that promote positive mental wellbeing outcomes.
BIOTECH IN FOCUS
During this 8 week program delivered part in-school and part at the Tech School, students learn about antibiotic resistance and then set up their own scientific inquiry as they investigate novel antimicrobials derived from plant based extracts.
Design Challenges
HUMAN-ANIMAL INTERACTIONS
Students will develop an innovative product that improves the welfare or wellbeing of a human and animal involved in a human-animal interaction.
STEM ARCADE
As Arcade Game Designers, students will develop a fun and engaging arcade game that demonstrates a STEM topic to primary school students.
STEAMPUNK GEARS & COGS
As a prop or costume designer on the steampunk film 'Gears and Cogs', set in the 1890's, students will build a component of the main character’s costume.
ESCAPE ROOM
Students engage in the design and construction of a themed escape room experience. They will have a choice of five themes/historical periods and collaborate to exhibit their puzzles as part of an immersive escape room experience.
Register at:
whittleseats@melbournepolytechnic.edu.au
Tech Skill-Up Workshops
Support for Students and Teacher PD
Whittlesea Tech School is offering free 90-minute virtual Tech Skill Up sessions for partner schools. Teachers can book groups of students into these sessions to learn from our highly skilled Tech School Team. These workshops can also run as professional learning workshops for teachers.
Make Code Arcade
In this session, students will develop programming fundamentals with Block Code and JavaScript MakeCode editor to create a simple game.
Tinkercad
In this session, students will understand the fundamentals of 3D modelling and incorporate them into a design.
Micro:bit
In this session, students will understand the fundamentals of computer programming and incorporate micro-controllers
Illustrator
In this session, students will understand the fundamental tools and functions of vector software for the creation of graphics.
Register at:
whittleseats@melbournepolytechnic.edu.au
Science Week
National Science Week 2020
Rosetta Tomorrow Program
Until 24 August 2020
Supporting our partner schools during the 2020 National Science Week, we are offering you something different to engage your students during round two of remote learning.
Science Week Competition
This challenge is a chance for students to flex their creativity by designing their version of the Rosetta stone for the future. Schools can run the challenge independently, or book in for a 90 minute Online Skill-Up session link below.The Tech School will choose the top 10 submissions and put into a time capsule for future societies to discover. Winning designers will also receive a 3D-printed version of their design. Winners will be notified by the 28th of August and shared on social media.
Entries close 12:00 pm on 24 August 2020. Winners will be notified by 28 August and designs will be shared on social media.
Take on the challange
https://sway.office.com/D4peaym9jjA3XLMd?ref=Link
Book your class
https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/RosettaTomorrow@melbpoly.edu.au/bookings/