Issue 5 2024 - Trades & Training

Trades & Training

Mark Boynton

Metals

Year 12 Certificate II in Engineering Pathways students are so close to the finish line with only a few tasks left to complete.  By the time we publish this newsletter I predict some students will have their Certificate II in Engineering Pathways already done!  We are very happy to hear that some students have now secured employment and further training opportunities in this area. We are fortunate that our local area has many innovative businesses that can offer our students a positive start in an exciting industry.

Year 11 students are working hard towards the completion of the minor projects, many of which you may have seen on Open Day. These include welding benches and trolleys, as well as motorbike stands and saddle racks. These students should now be thinking about the major projects they hope to complete in Year 12. Due to limitations on floor space in our current setup, it may be that some larger projects will need to be discussed before we can commit to them. 2025 Year 12 students may not be able to make tandem axle trailers due to space limitations.  

We have many excellent project ideas being discussed, it’s important that students make sure they plan and prepare to ensure they fully understand the demands of any build. On Open Day, some families asked about costing projects. It’s worth noting that a big project doesn’t get better grades or more units of competency, equal success can be achieved with smaller, less expensive projects.

All trailer running gear (Axles, Wheels and Brakes) purchases and licencing must be completed by students or families themselves.  We cannot provide help with these and would recommend you view the website below:

https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/license-a-trailer.asp

Materials, Design and Technology

Design and Technology projects are always set apart from the Cert II Metals projects by the amount of important planning and development of ideas involved. The Design and Technology course demands increased planning and design, materials analysis and evaluations of work once completed.  These critical skills and processes help students to reduce mistakes and costs in the final build of their projects. The skills shown in the Design and Technology program make our students very employable and capable of operating in a range of industries.

In term 3, Year 11 students created a small vice project and have achieved amazing levels of accuracy and quality in their final products.

Autos

Year 10s have been working on Identify mechanical UOC and have been disassembling and rebuilding single cylinder 4 stroke engines. We have also been building a go kart which required us to disassemble a motorcycle and remove the engine from it. This project will carry over to term 4 and students will learn welding/fabrication, electrical and basic mechanical knowledge.

Year 11’s are completing Resolve problems in the workplace UOC and environment UOC during this term along with completing some interesting projects in the workshop. We purchased some 6-cylinder Holden engines destined for the scrap yard and the students have been meticulously rebuilding them during the term. They have also had to construct ignition systems and fabricate exhaust and intake manifolds.

Year 12’s are busy completing their remaining UOC observations with most students just about finished. In between this, they have been allowed to bring their own vehicles into the workshop to carry out some repairs as required. We have also been building a training tool for next year we have called ‘Cybertruck’. This will be set up in the workshop for future students to learn electrical wiring and troubleshooting on…stay tuned…

Equine

Year 10’s are focusing on unit ACMEQU220, how to safely lunge horses and the importance of why it’s used. This is a great unit to learn how to read the body language of a horse and any signs of stiffness throughout their bodies and pinpoint where it is coming from. 

Year 11’s have started on unit ACMEQU311, how to prepare horses for different events, learning how to plait and trim horses in an ethical manner. Also undergoing ACMEQU215 and 216, learning how to provide daily care and treat a variety of injuries and ailments. Year 12’s are finishing off any final competences to get their qualification. 

All classes have spent a fair amount of time in the saddle, enjoying the sunny days we have been getting, most classes even getting a couple of trail rides around the farm.

Trades Club

Tuesday Trades Club appears to have been a success so far with numbers steadily growing. It’s great to see many different students getting involved for many reasons.  Some are taking extra time to perfect their projects, whilst others are getting hands on skills with TIG and CNC Equipment. All of these great skills will help in the development of confidence and employment skills. We are open every Tuesday until 5PM for any student to drop in for a chat, practice or get some help on their projects.    

Trades and Training Staff:

Automotive – Mr Gladish
Engineering (Metals) – Mr Hamilton and Mr Boynton
Equine – Miss Pagan
Conservation & Ecosystem Management – Mrs Hine
Materials, Design & Technology – Mr Toon
Bees – Mrs Dufall

Mark Boynton
Program Coordinator – Trades and Training
WACOA - Denmark