The Technology Faculty covers a broad range of subject areas, delivers quality, challenging and innovative programmes that prepare our young people with skills for today and for the future.
Our aim is for the students to develop broad technological knowledge, practices and skills that will equip them to participate in society as informed citizens and provide a platform for technology related careers. Design opportunities are structured and guided to foster the development of innovative solutions which allows students to build their understanding of materials, processes and practices.
From our six optional subjects in the junior school we expand to offer twelve different senior courses. They are assessed using Achievement or Unit standards or a combination of both. They include the very popular trade orientated subjects through to University approved subjects.
Please continue to explore the options we offer by following the subject links.
Building
Building is a practically based programme, providing students with the skills and knowledge that will help them get into a career in the construction industry. The course runs from Year 11 through to Year 13. During the three years, students learn to use a wide variety of hand tools, portable power tools and machines. They construct a number of furniture projects in the well-resourced workshops using traditional woodworking skills, learning to sharpen and maintain tools and read working drawings.
Ideally, to gain the most from this programme students would do all three years, however, they can join at any year as long as there is space in the class.
Students are actively encouraged to work both independently and as part of a group, making their own decisions about how they are going to construct the set projects, selecting the appropriate tools, wearing the correct personal protective equipment as well as managing their time.
Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood Education is an excellent vehicle for learning many life skills. Students learn about themselves, relationships with others, develop their view of children, develop listening, communication and relationship skills. Early Childhood Education helps students to form connections with communities outside of school.
ECE is available to Y12 and Y13 students and assessments in this course are provided through Unitec and Plunket.
Upon successful completion of these courses, students will gain credits for NCEA L2 and L3, be awarded the Unitec Certificate of Achievement and gain credits towards the National Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care Level Three.
Computer Applications for the Workplace
Computer Applications is predominantly a skills based class that provides the opportunity for students to master standard software programs found in the workplace. This course is offered at all senior levels and is assessed through Unit Standards.
Students will develop a basic working knowledge of computers with emphasis on the operating system interface, word processing, spreadsheet and databases and presentation software.
Students integrate their learning and incorporate the use of these tools in the production of professional documents such as web development, statistical charts and advertising media that adhere to workplace standards.
Students learn to input, review, design, and present information in a productive and efficient manner. Skills acquired can provide a pathway towards vocational opportunities as well as be useful for personal use in a range of situations.
Courses allow a degree of flexibility dependent upon the interests and abilities of the student.
Computer Programming
Why is computer science so important? The world is becoming ever more reliant on computer science to complete everyday tasks that humans once performed, from sorting apples to driving cars.
Computer science is about tools and techniques for designing and building computer applications that are very fast, are user friendly, reliable, secure, helpful and sometimes even fun. Examples of which can be found through our Senior Courses; Web Design and APP Development. Programming is the tool that computer scientists use to bring great ideas to life our students learn to use Python, HTML and Javascript.
This course provides students with a full overview of how computers work, think and understand information. Students learn how computers communicate through binary languages and look into the world of Artificial Intelligence, bringing the computer to life.
Electronics and Control
Electronics and Control Technology is a course developed from the Digital Technology Curriculum. Over Years 11 to 13 there is a progression of practical projects each with a different area of focus. The learning is achieved through completing practical experiences and understanding the theory associated with each project.
Each project requires programming and circuit building through project based enquiry learning. The micro controller system used is the popular and adaptable Arduino System, with C++ programming used to bring it to life. As we enter the age of automation this is a subject rich in knowledge and skills required in the twenty first century workplace. This is a fun and engaging discipline for aspiring hobbyist through to budding engineers.
Engineering
Engineering is a practically based programme offered at Years 11 to 13. It is industry supported and resourced, and provides a learning pathway towards a range of engineering apprenticeships or further study.
Over the three years, students will work on projects that will help them to develop basic machining, welding, fabrication and sheet metal skills. These projects will also expose them to a range of modern design and manufacturing techniques such as CNC machining, laser cutting and computer aided design. Each of the projects also develop literacy and numeracy skills, while promoting respect and self-management.
Fashion Technology
Through the use of fabric students from Year 9 to Year 13 will develop skill and understanding around the creation of textile items for a range of purposes.
Skills will be taught from applied design methods, use and adaptation of commercial patterns, construction techniques, and creative design. Assessment through the senior school will be a combination of both Achievement Standards and Industry focused Unit standards. Students are expected to bring their own ideas and problem solve to create garments and accessories that meet a design need or own personal design requirements.
Food Technology
Food glorious food, these well-loved words are brought to life in this exciting exploration of food. Whether it is for a special occasion, to sustain an athlete through a big race or to provide nutrition for young growing children, food can always provide an answer.
Students are challenged to improve their range of cookery skills, compare and evaluate products through standardised testing, learn how to make informed decisions about food, and develop recipes and products to meet a specific need or market.
Students learn to be independent workers, become problem solvers and be organised, efficient and creative workers. We apply knowledge learnt from many areas such as Whanau, Science, Mathematics and English classes, to the development and creation of our new food products.
This course is available at all year levels and for NCEA in the senior school it assessed against Achievement Standards.
Graphics and Design
Through a creative design process students develop conceptual solutions to a variety of design problems. They are encouraged to explore their own sense of creativity and to communicate their ideas using a wide range of drawing styles and media. These include both freehand drawing and rendering techniques as well as formal technical drawing skills. Students are able to use both physical and digital modelling tools to test and explore their ideas.
The senior programme allows students to study in the broad areas of Architectural design, Product design and Presentation where they develop specific skills and knowledge associated with each design area.
Recent students now studying at AUT, UoA and UNITEC have commented on the value of their study in Graphics and Design in preparing them for University study.
Hospitality
Hospitality is an exciting fast growing subject which is taught in a state of the art commercial kitchen. The programme is offered from Years 11 to 13 and the students are given opportunities for work experience through the Gateway programme. Realistic learning opportunities are provided as we cater for various school events and the Year 13 students learn to use a barista machine and improve their skills by running a café.
Students develop knife skills and learn different cookery techniques using a range of commercial equipment. They study international cuisine and experience new products through tastings and practical experiences.
Students develop skills to be able to gain entry into tertiary courses related to the Hospitality and Tourism industry and employment in local eating establishments.
The programme is taught using the industry based Service IQ resources and the unit standards align to each NCEA level.
Mechatronics
Mechatronics is a project base, collaborative class offered at Years 12 and 13. Students design, prototype and build projects combining knowledge from a variety of engineering fields, including mechanical, electronic and computer programming.
The Year 12 course is run as an Academy class in conjunction with AUT. Students complete their weekly 4 hours of tuition on Wednesday afternoons. This course includes a Level 4 paper at AUT.
The Year 13 course is currently based on developing and building an electric vehicle as part of the Evolocity competition. Students work as part of a team with responsibility for a particular aspect of the vehicle, input from an industry mentor ensures their process follows a real world experience.
Over the two years, students will work on projects that will increase their understanding of mechanical design and construction, basic electronic sensors and actuators, microprocessor programming and project management, while also developing an appreciation for how each of these branches of engineering interact with each other and the world.
Product Design
Product design is the process of designing and developing a solution to solve a problem.
Students combine design, science and technology to develop a product that will solve a chosen problem. To do this, students follow the technological process. The process focuses on researching what is required, brainstorming possible solutions, creating and evaluating mock-ups and models and then generating a final idea. To aid this process students will learn to use the laser cutter, 3D printer, and relevant CAD software
In Product Design students learn to be independent workers, improve their drawing skills, become problem solvers, be organised and be efficient and creative workers.
