Technology

Beaconhills College offers a thriving and highly successful Technology Program that begins in Year 5.

Manual Technologies encompass four subjects: Design and Technology, Systems Engineering, Textiles Technology and Food Technology.

For Middle School students, Design, Textiles and Food Technology classes start in Year 7 and continue to Year 8. Systems Engineering is taught in Years 7 and 8.

In Year 9, Technology is covered in Personal Best projects – if required in the students’ personal projects – and also in some electives, which change each year.

In Senior School, Design and Technology, Systems Engineering, Textiles Technology and Food Technology are all available as an elective subject at Year 10 and taught to Units 3 and 4 VCE level.

In the Design Process, students use a design brief to investigate and research a product, then go on to build the product and evaluate their work. Design Technology follows the Design Process; most products are wood or metal based, but can be made from any material.

Systems Engineering also follows the Design Process. Most products students make are electronic and incorporate mechanical components.

Textiles Technology uses the Design Process to create textile products mostly relating to fashion and garment manufacture. Food Technology also follows the Design Process and students learn to cook a wide variety of meals.

The College has a strong track-record in these subjects, with the work of many of our Technology students ranking among the best in the State. Each year increasing numbers of our students qualify for Top Designs – part of the VCE Season of Excellence – and some have achieved Premier’s Awards.

For example, our 2010 VCE results in Systems Engineering show the extraordinary success of this subject.  Twelve students achieved scores of between 40 and 50 – meaning Beaconhills College students were represented in this high achieving bracket more than any other school in the State.