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FASHION | EXPRESS YOURSELF Thinking of pursuing the Creative Arts? With so many on offer here at the College – Digital, Design, Food, Information and Textile Technology, plus Drama, Art, Media and Graphics – our students are spoilt for choice. Aspiring Engineers, Chefs, Fashion Designers and more, are nurtured through ATAR, IB and VET courses alike. In this, the first in a series of articles on Technology and the Arts, I spoke to Ingrid Rucinski, Fashion and Design Teacher as well as VET Coordinator, about the courses she teaches here at St Peters.
C A SSIE T WEMLOW
publications officer
Plus Ultra | June 2021
F
ashion became an applied subject at the course. Having contextual learning and St Peters back in 1998. At the time, this was industry links with local companies such as considered quite progressive, especially at a Black Milk and designers like Jac Hunt, of Jac private school. However, the College saw the and Jack, means students see, hear and feel need for those students who wanted to learn what it’s really like within the fashion industry. more trade-style subjects to equip them for “You can’t be what you cannot see,” Ingrid more practical natured vocations later in life. shared. “Earlier this term, we took one of “In that regard, it showed vision because [the the Senior classes to Black Milk in Banyo, College] understood that there were other where they were able to look around the pathways for students and ensured they had warehouse and saw firsthand the sourcing the skills to equip them,” Ingrid said. of designs, advertising, cutting, production, digital printing, quality control and shipping When she started in 2005, the program only in the warehouse." had two classes—one multi-Year Level Senior class and a Year 10 class (just 24 students Ingrid even bumped into one of her exin total). Since then, it has grown into a students, Maryanne Frost (2011, pictured subject that is adopted by approximately 350 right with her sister in the Wedding Dress students per year from Years 7-12. competition), who currently works at Black Milk! Over the years, Ingrid progressed Fashion as an applied subject to that of a vocational Another Old Scholar, Joash Teo, of eponymous subject; part of the St Peters Vocational brand Joteo, began his university studies Education Training (VET) pathway. She during his final year at St Peters in 2014. recognised the skill level the students had Last year he was named the Fashion Design and knew that Certificate qualifications would Graduate of the Year (Qld) from the Design be advantageous in the workplace and give Institute of Australia, after completing his greater diversity to the academic studies. Bachelor of Design (Hons) degree at QUT. To During the Junior High years, it’s basic training, add to this honour, Joteo also opened at the however, once students start studying in 2020 Brisbane Fashion Month—a big deal for Senior, it’s essentially like the first and second any designer! years at TAFE. Ingrid is immensely proud of her students’ “This is great,” Ingrid explained, “because achievements. Seeing what can happen, she students who want to pursue a creative said, raises the profile of Fashion being a pathway learn skills including pattern making, legitimate career choice, instead of something garment production and how to present that’s a hobby or go-between job. a portfolio for entrance into their desired “It’s a multi-billion-dollar industry,” Ingrid course after school.” said. “Probably one of the largest businesses, Ingrid also stresses the inclusion and globally, is clothing and manufacturing. importance of industry connections within Everyone needs clothes!”
