We are coming to the end of the term and it only seems a few days ago that we began the school year. It is never too late to welcome Year 7 students and their families to our school community and wish them all the best during their six years of high school. I would also like to take the opportunity to welcome all students and I am happy to report that they have settled into their years very quickly and are working hard toward achieving their course outcomes. Teachers are very happy with the progress of their students and there are many exciting things happening in classrooms and in the faculty.

Year 7 and 8

In Technology Mandatory, students will undertake three units of work on a rotational basis each year. The syllabus requires 4 areas of study: Digital Technologies, Agriculture and Food Technologies, Materials Technologies and Engineering Systems.

Year 7 will complete units on Agriculture and Food Technologies, Engineering Systems and Coding. In Year 8 students will complete units of work on Materials Technologies, Timber, Textiles and Game Design.

Each unit of work includes the study of Design thinking, Computational thinking and System thinking through the completion of a design project, where students apply problem solving, decision making, creative and critical thinking skills.

We also offer NE8 courses, Electronics and MakerSpace for students in Year 8. 

Year 9 and 10

Elective subjects in Years 9 and 10 are Design and Technology, Industrial Technology- Timber, Textiles Technologies and Food Technology. In addition, the Design and Technology faculty offers the following NEO courses: MakerSpace, STEAM and Food Styling and Photography.

All courses are working on their first unit of work and assessment tasks, students are working enthusiastically to achieve the outcomes to the best of their ability.

Year 11 and 12

Y11 and Y12 Design and Technology, Industrial Technology –Timber and Textiles and Design students are working on a variety of projects, from Architecture to Jewellery Design, from Interior Design to Industrial Design; all projects show high complexity problems and high creativity.

Visual Arts and Design Stream Enrichment Program

In 2023, the TAS faculty will deliver a special program for students in the Visual Arts and Design Stream. The program includes workshops, excursions, talks, presentations, etc.

In Term 1, Year 7 students attended a workshop on Freehand Technical Drawing, while Year 8 had a workshop on Digital Drawing, Illustrator. These workshops will continue throughout the year with one full day workshop per term. 

Engineers Without Borders UNSW is a member-based, community organisation that runs outreach activities for high school students and team members participate in humanitarian engineering programs and competitions. A group of Volunteers .delivered a workshop to NEO STEAM students on “Design Thinking”. They will be back in Term 2 for another workshop on “System Thinking”. Thank you to Ms Lumkin that organised the workshops.

Year 12 Textiles and Design attended the TexStyle Exhibition and workshop. The exhibition features innovative HSC works from across NSW including garments, wall hangings and 3D textile pieces. The exhibition is supported by a workshop program for teachers and students.

Year 12 Design and Technology attended the Shape exhibition and workshop at the Powerhouse Museum, Ultimo. This excursion was planned to visit a showcase of outstanding Major Design Projects from HSC Design and Technology and HSC Industrial Technology courses. Students were able to understand what a top product and project involves, helping to support their own project development.

Year 12 Industrial Technology – Timber attended the InTech exhibition, also showcasing outstanding Major Timber Projects. Students had the opportunity to talk to former students and HSC Markers as well as have a close look at Band 6 projects and portfolios.