2023 has been a successful year for the Technology Department with students producing work to a high standard across the range of technological disciplines offered at St Hilda's, including; Digital Technology, Design and Visual Communication and Textiles. As a Department we are looking forward to the development of the new Technology block in 2024 which will be located in the old Library. We have enjoyed working with Cameron Grindlay at Dwelling Architectural Design to develop modern spaces that are well suited to the Technology learning needs of the 21st century.

This year we welcomed some new additions to our teaching team, including; Mr Chris Richards (Digital Technology), Ms Deb Sutton (Design and Visual Communication) and Mrs Katie Mangi (Textiles). I would like to take the opportunity to thank the entire team including Mr Baydon Harris (Textiles) and Mrs Carla Joint (Intermediate Technology) for their professionalism and commitment to high quality teaching and learning.

There have been some notable highlights across all of our specialist subject areas. In Textiles, St Hilda’s had several entrants into the Hokonui Fashion Awards with students Elizabeth Grounds, Lucy Hilgeholt-Martyn, Meg Pope, Ruby Young, Emily Wright, Ellie Templeton and Katie Wilson all taking part.

Congratulations to Elizabeth who won the Natural Fibres Section of the School Division. It was also pleasing to see current Fashion student and former St Hilda’s Head Girl (2020) Molly Marsh winning the Open Division of the competition. Lucy, Ellie and Katie were also recognised at the Te Pūkenga Otago Polytechnic: Celebrate Design Awards with Highly Commended Awards. In Design and Visual Communication, Alexia Jones and Emma Grindlay were also rewarded for their hard work and dedication with Highly Commended Awards at Celebrate.

One of the metrics we use to measure our success is the number of students continuing with courses related to the Technology subjects we offer at a tertiary level. It is pleasing to see that a number of students have chosen to continue their study in related courses in 2024 and wonderful to have feedback from some of the lectures of those courses that our former students are excelling and enjoying success. As Head of Department I am proud of the work we are doing in preparing students to succeed once they have finished at St Hilda’s.

Tim Armstrong
HOD Technology