Design & Visual Communication The Design & Visual Communication course has remained highly hands-on and practical, engaging boys from Years 9–11 in developing essential design skills. In the first half of the course, students focused on mastering three core areas: design sketching, rendering with various media such as coloured pencils, watercolours, and felts, and refining their technical drawing skills for precision. Once these foundational skills were strengthened, students in Years 10–11 embarked on specialised design projects. Year 10 students tackled bus shelter designs, with some classes even constructing their
In addition, our Year 12 Accounting students experienced an eye- opening visit to Pak’nSave in Wainoni, where Marcel Gray, a Christ’s College Old Boy, and his team showcased their impressive inventory system powered by SAP. It was a valuable opportunity for our students to witness the power of data science and discover how such technology supported large-scale inventory management. We are very grateful to Marcel and his team for this experience, highlighting the real- world impact of accounting on today’s data-driven business landscape. Some of our Economics students participated in the prestigious Economics Competition hosted by the University of Auckland. This event tested students’ understanding of economic theory and current economic issues, providing them with an opportunity to engage with peers from across the country. Our Accounting programme continues to thrive, with Scholarship sessions held every Wednesday morning. These highly interactive sessions foster insightful discussions as we guide students in preparation for exams. The Scholarship programme not only reinforces core accounting concepts but also encourages students to engage deeply with complex material, such as challenging accounting issues that accountants face today, enhancing their readiness for academic and professional pursuits. We were privileged this year to host several guests who provided our Commerce students with industry insights and inspiration. Rob McCarthy, from McCarthy Contracting Ltd, spoke to the Year 13 Agribusiness class, sharing his experience and knowledge of the agricultural sector. Additionally, Sally Williams, Manager HR Business Partnering and Employment Relations at Airways New Zealand; Brian Shields, Director of Meanwhile Design, specialising in brand and packaging; and Aaron Comis, Director of Systems Inc. shared their expertise with students. Their contributions have offered
basic shapes and building up to personalised scenes. Diploma classes offered students the opportunity to further develop their interests in semester-long courses. Through pathways in web development, programming, and electronics, pupils engaged in project- based learning. They identified outcomes that personally interested them, leading to a wide variety of projects created individually or in groups. This approach emphasised both technical skill development and project management. Senior students took the project- based learning model further, identifying needs or opportunities from their own experiences or the wider community. Projects ranged from a mental health support app to electronic devices and computer games. In addition to technical skills, pupils focused on project management using the Agile framework and considered the impacts of their outcomes. They also explored key computer science concepts, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and the challenges of algorithmic complexity – learning how some problems can be computationally infeasible to solve efficiently. This year has been a testament to the students’ creativity, problem- solving, and technical growth in Digital Technology. Craig Walker TiC Digital Technology
models in cardboard, while Year 11 students explored Matariki, using this theme to inspire designs for portable buildings. In senior classes, Year 12 students deepened their expertise in both Product Design and Architecture, honing their creative and technical abilities. The Year 13 course continued to foster independence, allowing boys to pursue their passions through self-written briefs. This year, all Year 13 students chose architecture, resulting in an impressive array of projects, including hotels, floating restaurants, and cricket pavilions. By following their interests, the students have created diverse and innovative designs, highlighting the individuality and creativity nurtured in the course. This year, Year 11 students
valuable perspectives on real-world commerce applications and career opportunities. We appreciate their help and time. Thank you to all members of the Commerce Department: Logan Ball, Graeme Christey, Robbie Turrell, Neil Porter, William Bell, and Katie Southworth. Your dedication, support, and collegiality have made this a fantastic year, and I appreciate all that you bring to our team and students. Looking ahead, the Commerce Department is committed to enriching our Diploma programmes and core courses, supporting entrepreneurial initiatives, and providing practical learning experiences that prepare students for the business world. Jennifer Thomas Acting HoD Commerce DESIGN & DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY The department has had a thriving year in 2024, with a noticeable increase in junior boys choosing courses in this engaging, problem- solving field. Across all classes, students have been challenged to approach real-world problems by examining constraints and developing innovative solutions. The emphasis on design thinking has encouraged boys to think creatively and push boundaries, resulting in original and
thoughtful work. The department has been expertly staffed with Carey Prebble, Emma Bradley-Hudson, and Monique Ellis-Martin leading the Design and Visual Communications courses; Craig Walker and Kevin Harris teaching Digital Technology; and Paul Rodley and Carey Prebble guiding students in Industrial Design as part of the College Diploma. Their combined expertise has fostered a supportive and inspiring environment, helping students thrive in a discipline that rewards creativity and critical thinking. Digital Technology Throughout, 2024 has been an exciting year for Digital Technology, with students exploring a range of innovative outcomes across all year groups. Year 9 pupils began their journey with a 12-week introduction to the two main strands of the Digital Technology curriculum. In the designing and developing digital outcomes strand, they created avatars using design software, learning how to store and export their creations in various formats for applications such as profile images, 3D models, and animations. The computational thinking strand focused on programming using Python’s Turtle graphics library. Students wrote sequences of instructions, including loops, to create graphics, starting with
had the opportunity to participate in a refined Industrial Design course, building on the foundation developed by Carey Prebble. The course focused on assistive technology for kitchen environments, encouraging students to address real-world problems through innovative design solutions. This semester- long, two-period course emphasised hands-on experience with feedback from stakeholders to create practical outcomes. Using Tinkercad, students were tasked with identifying common kitchen challenges, brainstorming solutions, and developing prototypes. Projects ranged from toothbrush holders to vegetable organisers, showcasing a variety of creative responses to everyday needs. With new 3D printers in the classroom, students were able to rapidly prototype their designs, refining and improving them through an iterative design process.
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