English

Senior Classes

The Certificate 1 Furnishing course was again popular with students this year and Mark Mattioli (12.1) was awarded the prize for the Most Outstanding Student work. The surfboard photo frames, using a variety of timbers, produced some excellent models from students in the class.

This year in the Materials Stage 1 Metals class the boys improved on the status of last year’s ‘drifting trikes’ to design and manufacture motor mini-bikes. Two students were responsible for making each mini-bike so that teamwork was an important factor in the completion of each unit. Cody Leggett (12.1) was the prize winner in the class demonstrating excellent practical skills.

The Stage 3 Design (Technical Graphics) students completed comprehensive design folios during the year which will no doubt be used to help them gain entrance to university courses or employment in the future. Andrew Steere (12.4) was the award winner in this course for his excellent classwork and folio.

In the Stage 3 Engineering Studies class, specialising in systems and control, students learned to build and program robotic models such as a model solar tracker operated by a Picaxe microcontroller. The boys also programmed robotic arms, designing and manufacturing complex electronic circuit boards in this process. Alex Majewski (12.5) was the overall academic prize winner in the class, with excellent results, narrowly outperforming his classmates.

New Machines

To complement our two laser cutting machines we now have two 3D printers in the department. These machines will allow us the flexibility of enabling our students to design and make artefacts using the latest technological tools. We have also purchased three new woodworking lathes to complete the equipment used in the Middle school materials room. These machines are already proving to be popular with our students when making bowls, dishes, decorative table legs and wooden pens.

I take this opportunity to thank my colleagues in D&T for their efforts during the course of this year. It is a pleasure to work amongst a group of talented and dedicated professionals who always encourage our students to strive to do their best.

Mr Ray Archibald Head of Design and Technology

“The limits of my language means the limits of my world.” Ludwig Wittgenstein

Ms Lisa Mack Head of English

A group of five Middle School teachers are bent over their long workbench in the centre of their office, moderating an assessment and deliberating over the qualities of a student work sample. The discussions become heated as one colleague disagrees with another – both passionate about finding that balance between awarding a student for their qualitative effort and the quantitative elements of their work – pregnant pens and coffee cup stains on planning paper. At the other end of this workspace, three senior teachers huddle: two of which are WACE markers again this year. One peers into a curriculum document while eating a sandwich. Knock! Knock! Another compares its demands with our next WACE type assessment. The third, arms gesticulating, relays the content of a discussion that was had in a previous lesson. “These guys have been really outspoken concerning our national election and gender politics…” All are thrilled with the calibre of the Stage 2 and 3 students this year. “I know…they understand the plight of one asylum seeker. They are judging the quality of our country’s humanism”. “So mature aren’t they?” “I know, right!” All stop and smile in satisfaction. Someone leans over them and snaps up the last homemade muffin. “Thanks, whoever made these this week!! Haven’t had lunch yet!” Knock! Knock! One teacher is in the hallway giving feedback to a student on their work – Please indulge me as I share 850 words that sum up the English Department. Picture my colleagues on an average lunchtime in our office. The language of imagery will assist you in understanding the success of our year.

they duck. Through the doorway, “Excuse me, sir?” Another is reaching over and taking a large box of props from a Drama Club student. “Are the Friday tutorials on again this week?” Mr Adam Kealley, who is just back from completing a successful internship at Harvard University, stops mid-sentence and leans way back on his chair, “As always, buddy, I am on this week. See you at 2.30 in SG18.” The phone rings and the department crescendos into a cacophony of noise and activity. Two teachers swap resources – their voices slightly raised as they share ideas over our bemoaning photocopier, Basil. One repeats themselves due to the muffle of the muffin. The bell wails and we disband quickly – a choreographed return to our desks. We arm ourselves for the next lesson, swivel on our heels in unison and leave the office. Mr Richard Herrmann flies through the door, armed with debating bells and empty chocolate bags. He smiles widely and says to no one. “Great turn out for the club today!” After throwing down his things, he follows everyone out the door. Laughter echoes down the stairwell and the office heaves a sigh of silence. No wait … a solitary teacher is still left in the corner, earphones in and hunched like a hyena over her laptop, tip-tip-tapping – she is creating another one of those amazing interactive PowerPoints for us all to steal.