2022 has been a massive year for TAS and CAPA. The experiences our students have had have been varied, exciting but above all have enhanced their confidence with new materials and challenged them in new ways of thinking.

Junior Technology for year 7 and 8 saw all classes moving every 8 weeks throughout 5 different areas. It was intense for all but rewarding by allowing consistency to happen with their projects which increased their focus on their learning.

Mrs Hunt led the Mandatory Technology cycle in Food/ Textiles/ Ag and GROK for beginners. Year 7 learnt how to design, dye, sew, applique, insert a zipper to create a personalised pencil case. They also created some fantastic aprons and wall hangings. In year 8 they studied the Dairy Industry in Australia. They created a Dairy recipe book with the focus of increasing the dairy intake for adolescents. Yr 8 also designed a garden for a Gunnedah area. All of year 8 attempted GROK for beginners. Thanks must be given to Mrs Hunt for her continued love of textiles and holding lunchtime classes for these students that wanted to further their skills in this field.

Mrs Hannaford with Mr Neader led a combined experience in Mandatory Technology where Mrs Hannaford concentrated on Food & Agriculture and the students developed a vege patch and prepared a meal from their produce. The Chicken croissant was a favourite of many. Mr Neader created acoustic phone speakers. This was a small project that allowed students to amplify their music by using clever design and natural timbers which have acoustic characteristics while only occupying a very small space.

Mr Young’s Year 7 Technology classes focused on material technology through the design, shaping and construction of a Balsa wood Co2 race car. Students enjoyed painting their cars and adding detail with paint pens.

Year 8 focused on engineered systems. They were given a design brief and developed a design for a scaled model of a skyscraper. They worked in teams of 4 and constructed their buildings from timber and metal components. They used a range of tools and processes in the construction of their designs and learned to communicate and solve a range of problems during the project.

Year 9/10 metalwork completed a range of projects using various tools and processes. Students used aluminum sheet and pop rivets to construct a toolbox. They designed and fashioned a drill operated paint mixer tool, a workshop vehicle chock and a G - clamp. Second year students made independent projects ranging from coffee tables, stools, shoe racks and motorbike workshop stands. Giving students the opportunity to use the TAFE facilities allowed the students to gain a sound level of competency in welding and fabrication.

Throughout the year the 9/10 elective Industrial Technology (Timber) class demonstrated their developing skills in creating a number of projects. They created an open wall cabinet focusing on housing joinery with a profiled base and top. They then progressed to a laminated and turned candle holder which was constructed on the lathe. Their Major Project was the focal point of the year. It was a timber speaker box with 6 inch speaker that incorporated a laminated and mitred hardwood feature. Students worked incredibly hard to complete their Major Project. There were some concerns about the music choice of some of the young men (pop girl tunes) but they assured Mr Neader that ‘everything was fine’.

The standard of the senior students equaled their junior counterparts. Year 11 produced a jewellery box, a laminated and turned kitchen rolling pin and their major project a hall table. These wares were a feature at our annual Exhibition and received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback.

This year's HSC students created four beautiful projects. A double drawer coffee table with build in chess board created with merbau timber by Cameron Byrnes, A free standing entertainment unit created with New Zealand Beech by Matt Ross, A beautiful queen-sized bed with build in shelf created with Blackbutt timber by Elissa Groth and a stunning kitchen table created with Sydney Blue Gum by Rory Taylor. All 4 projects were displayed at this year’s exhibition and received huge amounts of praise. Their dedication is a credit to the students which was also nurtured by their teacher Mr Neader.

We would like to make a special thanks to Mr. Lindsay Mainey for his help, guidance and all round effort in our TAS workshops.

Year 9 and 10 Food Technology students prepared many culinary feast in class this year with Mrs Hannaford and Mrs Garnett. Their highlight would be their Food Product Development task which saw them create a food to be sold in a cinema candy bar. Many students also helped in the preparation of special occasions at the college. Mrs Hannaford worked quietly behind the scenes at many of the school's special occasions and is thanked for her expertise in the hospitality field.

Year 12 Textiles created beautiful garments, one which was inspired by the 4 seasons by Hollie Bennett and an evening gown designed by Myah Irwin. Both gorgeous and beautifully sewn.

In Music this year, Year 7 students learnt to play the Piano and guitar. Year 8 were introduced to ensemble playing, electric guitars, bass, keyboard and drums. They also completed a Music technology unit using recording software. Years 9 and 10 focused on Improvisation, composition and performance. Students attended the Big Band Blast in Port Macquaries which was a Jazz music festival over 3 days. It included performances by up to 35 participating big bands across 4 stages, jam sessions, workshops with guest clinicians, feature performances by premier guest bands, a crazy street parade and a "Tribute to Quincy Jones" concert night, with special guest performers.

The Eisteddfods in both Gunnedah and Tamworth were a highlight seeing St Mary's take a clean sweep of 1st place.

The HSC Music performances demonstrated the students perseverance, skill and refinement in Performance, composition and their Viva Voce Electives. So much talent. Exceptional performances and encouragement from their dedicated teacher Miss Kersley.

This year we ran a Drama unit in Year 8. The students were introduced and participated in improvisation and drama games. Fun was had by all and they loved being able to dress up and become a different person.

Year 9/10 Drama Elective participated in Children’s theatre, Gothic theatre and street theatre this year creating amazing performances. Students especially loved performing ‘The day the crayons quit’ for Kinder and year 1 at St Xavier's.

Miss Stanley is thanked for her enthusiasm and contribution in developing these new units.

A year of Visual Arts. Year 7 created their portraits which over the year were created with different materials from layers of cardboard , to wire using light and shadow, wax resist style and more. They also created their ceramic fantastical fish which took many different shapes using something from water and something else.

Year 8 learnt the importance of preparing and joining clay in making their coil pots. In their painting unit their subject was still life. The expressive nature of each student's painting style was evident and exciting to witness.

Year 7 Work Samples 2022

In year 9 and 10 the whole year was based around the title All the Rivers Run. It focused on our river system and all rivers heading to the sea. The students created a fish sculpture, wax resist bird portraits, atmospheric perspective landscape woodblock print and an ephemeral (not long lasting) site specific sculpture out at Pilliga pottery. We were to finish off the year at Sculpture by the Sea but the floods put a stop to that. A huge disappointment for all.

Year 12 Visual Arts students were under the creative guidance of Mr Young this year. The students developed an interesting range of artworks for their HSC body of work. There was a combination of 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional works with a focus on the local environment and how the beauty of the Australian landscape has been represented over time. Other works were concerned with animal conservation and stewardship in protecting endangered species.

This brings our year to a close in which we celebrated it with our end of year Exhibition ‘Viva la Vida’ and musical Soiree which was held in Gunnedah’s Cultural Precinct . It showcased our students in such a positive light and also displayed the talent and the skill our students and teachers have here at St Mary’s College. It is always a privilege to be a part of this event which runs for 2 weeks. The images will speak for themselves. Over the course of the 2 weeks the exhibition had 566 viewers. A great result for such a short lived exhibition.

Some comments from the gallery visitors book

Congratulations students and teachers. Wonderful exhibition- vibrant & Imaginative

Fantastic work, obviously a great amount of effort has been committed by both staff and students to achieve such fantastic work 10/10.

Absolutely wonderful exhibition, the students and teacher put so much work into it, and I was very proud to be a member of the school community.

What an amazing exhibition of the talented students of St Mary’s College. Very professional. A credit to all involved- Congratulations.

What a pleasure to walk through and discover such talent . Congratulations to all the students who displayed. Just remarkable.

I would also like to thank Mrs Karen Mainey for her dedication to our learning area and her enthusiasm and efforts in keeping our wheels turning. We are very lucky to have such a capable and supportive person.

The Carols in the Convent will be our final celebration for the year which will be held on Thursday 15th December on the convent lawn. All are welcome to come sing and watch our student band and vocal ensembles.

Have a wonderful and safe break and keep creating!

Angelique Langton

TAS & CAPA Leader of Learning

St Mary's College Newsletter

2022 Year in Review · 07 Dec 2022

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