Issue 6 2023 - Trades & Training
Trades & Training
Mark Boynton
Last week Year 10 students selected options for next year. We are pleased to report that Trades and Training preferences look very positive with many students keen to experience more in our training areas. It's clear that the areas of study and practical experiences we are offering are in line with student requirements. Year 11 students will make their choices in Term 4, see Mr Mungioli’s Newsletter section for more information.
Uniform and PPE:
We are finding that students are beginning to wear jewellery while in their Hi Viz uniforms. The Hi Viz uniform is a requirement for all practical areas. It is not suitable or permitted to wear any jewellery while in this uniform. As I am sure you know, many job sites also have a no jewellery policy. We feel it is important that jewellery is not worn and students who choose to wear it will be asked to remove it.
The College provides PPE in the workshops, these include items such as; safety glasses, ear plugs and gloves. A small number of students have started to purchase their own additional PPE such as welding jackets and welding helmets. This is a good option for students who are keen on welding and are more comfortable using their own equipment.
Bees:
As you may have seen on social media the Bees section has been getting colourful! New and refurbished bee boxes have been getting special treatment with a new Bee Brand (AG8) made by Ms Pepper. Ms Pepper used the CNC plasma cutter to create the letters and welded them to a handle. The students then used the forge to heat it up and brand the wooden boxes. All new and existing boxes will be getting the same treatment soon. Mrs Dufall continues to energise the Bee area with her inclusive approach and enthusiasm! The proceeds from the very successful open day sales were put to great use with new tools and equipment purchased for this area.
Design and Technology:
In the classroom, the software called Auto Desk Inventor 2024 has been helping students to get to new levels of skill and design capabilities. Inventor 2024 is an industry level design and modelling package. You can learn more about it by clicking the button below.
In the workshop we have been experimenting with designs that are possible on the CNC plasma cutter. Students have learnt about design spacing and the need to include the kerf. Kerf is the width or thickness of the cutting method. Workshop projects for the year are now coming together and completion in Term 4 is well on track. Year 12 students are almost there with the design and project portfolios, and they make impressive reading. Some excellent work and detail can be seen in these portfolios and they have proved to be very useful to support the design and review processes that are essential in this course.
Engineering:
Year 11 students had discussions this week on what 2024 would look like in Cert II Engineering Pathways, we examined project ideas and the new MEM20422 Cert II. The current Year 12s will be the final students on the now superseded MEM20413 course.
The Year 11 students will be the first from our College to complete this course. It contains huge learning opportunities in both theory and practical sessions. This new course requires good planning and development skills, consideration for safety and the environment as well as building projects and developing practical work-based skills.
Year 10 Metals students are showing great promise and we are very pleased with the skills and development happening in this year group. I know some students have plans to get boilermaker apprenticeships in the coming years and I hope that their work experience placements will support these goals.
Equine:
Equine continues to be a busy hub as the term comes to a close. On Saturday the 9th September, we held the Inter-College Equine Challenge where our students went head to head with their classmates in a combined training event. This consisted of a dressage test and show jumping round. All students had a great day smashing some personal goals, stepping out of their comfort zones and trying something new. Congratulations to the following students for winning their year group.
Year 12: Ella Cameron
Year 11: Phoebe Mottram
Year 10: Heidi Walter
If you have any comment or contribution to offer our Trades and Training Department, please get in touch and let us know.
Trades and Training Staff:
Automotive – Mr Kemp
Bees – Mrs Dufall
Design & Technology – Mr Toon
Engineering (Metals) – Mr Hamilton
Equine – Miss Pagan
Forestry – Mr Adams/Mr Spencer
Mark Boynton
Program Coordinator – Trades and Training
WACOA - Denmark