ACADEMIC The Cathedral Grammar School comes to College
The Design and Technology workshop is always a hive of activity, but this year the ring of young female voices has been added to the mix.
Year 7 and 8 students from nearby The Cathedral Grammar School have come to College to take part in technology classes run by Kevin Harris and Gavin Love. The school approached College to run the classes because it currently does not have the resources to meet the technology curriculum requirements. Design and Technology HoD Kevin Harris says College has top facilities, resources and teaching staff, so they were pleased to accommodate the students who come for an hour and a half for a 16-week block. “It is particularly good for the Year 7 students who will return next year, so we can extend the knowledge they have gained this year.’’
Much of the focus this year has been on workshop safety. As Gavin Love says, “We can’t stress enough the importance of workplace safety. In New Zealand, on average one person a month is killed and 30 people are injured, so understanding the rules around safety is a basic foundation for future learning.’’ Kevin Harris says the students come in with a lot of enthusiasm, especially the girls, who seem motivated and keen to learn and this tends to rub off on the boys. “We know that not every child is going to go into a career in a technology workshop, but there are a lot of skills we teach that are used in crafts and arts, as well as DIY. It’s all about learning practical
skills and we are the ones who plant the seed. They learn a little bit of everything, including digital technology, and next year we will be incorporating design.’’ The Cathedral Grammar School Deputy Principal Nicola Church says the classes have been a great experience for the students. “Since the earthquakes, our technology classes have been rather piecemeal, so it has been good to be well set up in such great facilities within close walking distance. It has been good for our boys too, as they can see what College has to offer and feel comfortable finding their way around. They have found the classes fun with lots of learning and problem solving.’’
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Christ’s College Canterbury
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