Food and agricultural practices

Focuses on the characteristics of food, where it comes from and how to prepare and cook food items.

Materials and production processes

This focuses on the following context areas –Timber, Textiles and Metal, where students are involved in the construction of individual projects.

Engineering technologies and systems

Students will identify the characteristics and properties of components in engineered systems, while designing, constructing and racing of a CO2 Dragster.

Digital and communication technologies

Computer Aided Design (CAD), coding and operation of Spheros.

Food Technology

The study of Food Technology provides students with the opportunity to develop practical and theoretical skills surrounding all aspects of food. Students who elect to study Food Technology develop a wide range of skills relating to food that are relevant and transferable to other settings.  Practical experiences will be used to develop knowledge and understanding of the skills in designing, producing and evaluating. Students partake in a range of ‘hands on’ practical experiences requiring them to produce food items for specific purposes.

Industrial Technology Timber

The Timber focus area provides opportunities for students to develop knowledge, understanding and skills in relation to the timber and associated industries. The core module develops knowledge and skills in the use of tools, materials and techniques related to timber which are enhanced and further developed through the study of a specialist module

Timber Year A

During Timber A Students will make two projects. These projects will introduce the students to a wide range of tools, machines and processes that they have not seen before.

During the course students will study WHS and risk management, forest to furniture and how the raw material is processed and also gain valuable links to industry and career prospects.

Currently Project 1 is a Timber Coffee Table and Project 2 is a Timber beach chair.

Timber Year B

In Timber B students continue to develop their knowledge and build skills from the previous year on a self-paced project across the course. In this module the students will look at various aspects of manufacturing furniture. They will examine the tools and machines used in its production. The students will also examine a range of finishing techniques.

Currently Project 2 is a Timber Toolbox of their own, and a Timber Footstool.

Industrial Technology Metal

The study of Industrial Technology – Metal provides students with opportunities to engage in a broad range of practical and creative experiences using modern metalworking technologies and industry-standard equipment.

Students develop strong knowledge and understanding of metals, alloys, fabrication processes, and machining techniques. Skills are refined through hands-on use of specialist tools, machinery, and advanced metalworking systems as students plan, design, fabricate, and evaluate high-quality metal projects. Critical and analytical thinking is strengthened through problem-solving, precision work, and innovation in design and manufacturing tasks.

The Metal focus area provides students with the opportunity to develop knowledge, understanding and practical skills related to the metal and engineering industries. Students learn to safely use metalworking tools, machines and fabrication techniques as they design, plan, construct and evaluate quality metal projects.

Metal Year A

Project: Steel BBQ Hot Plate

This major project requires students to:

• Measure, mark and cut steel accurately
• Weld components using MIG techniques
• Grind, clean and prepare surfaces
• Fit handles, legs or supports
• Apply finishing and seasoning processes for safe use

Students also explore real-world applications of metal fabrication and are encouraged to think about pathways into apprenticeships, traineeships and further study in engineering, metal fabrication, automotive, construction and machining trades.

Metal Year B

In Metal 2, students continue to extend and refine the fabrication skills acquired in Metal 1 through a larger and more advanced project. Students improve welding accuracy, fabrication techniques, machine operation skills and metal finishing processes.

Projects include:

• Metal Toolbox – introducing marking out, cutting, bending, drilling, riveting and basic fabrication skills.

• Small Metal Project (e.g., mini clamp or simple fabrication task to support skills progression)

These projects expose students to MIG welding, hand tools, power tools, metal machines, surface finishing and workshop safety procedures.

Industrial Technology Engineering

iSTEM- Integrated, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

STEM refers to science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The basic contributors to healthy STEM are research, international engagement and education. The importance of STEM disciplines for the future economic and social well-being of Australia cannot be underestimated. International research indicates that 75 per cent of the fastest growing occupations require STEM skills and knowledge. In the US STEM employment grew three times more than non-STEM employment over the past twelve years and is expected to grow twice as fast by 2018.

iSTEM is a School Developed Board Endorsed Course which was developed by Regional Development Australia – Hunter, Maitland Grossmann High and industry partners. This means that student success is recognised on their Record of School Achievement (RoSA) in Year 10. It has been an outstanding success and in 2016 will be adopted by around 140 schools throughout NSW. It covers a number of modules in the fields of science, technology and engineering.

Class members have the option to participate in a variety of competitions and STEM based intervention programs during the course. Students will also study a variety of themed units of work focusing on the application of science, technology, engineering and mathematics to real life, through inquiry based learning techniques.

Graphics Technology

Graphics is a subject evolved around the utilisation of multiple advanced technologies with the goal of communicating graphically to the world.

In this course students will learn how to communicate graphically by utilising multiple graphical techniques. These techniques are industry standard in the graphical designing field and prepare students for a career in the increasingly competitive designing space.

Students enrolled in this course will undergo the following activities:

• Students will learn how to create architectural drafts using the Australian architectural standards and discover to how effectively pitch designs to clients and companies.
• Students will learn about some of the greatest designers in human history and step into their architectural wonders using the power of virtual reality.
• They will be introduced to state of the art, industry standard technologies to represent designs in both 2 and 3 dimensional spaces.
• Create models buy utilising state of the art computer aided manufacturing techniques such as 3d printing and laser cutting.
• Design company logos and advertisements using Adobe software and create promotional products using vinyl cutters

All of these activities are placed around a project based learning approach where students are in full control of their projects outcomes and solutions. No project the same! Infinite possibilities! Students have the opportunity to create something truly special in Graphics technology.

In a world of rapid infrastructure, advertisement and social media. This course helps provide students with the opportunity to excel in the multiple forms of graphical design.

In the 21st century, Engineering will continue to be directed towards developing insight and understanding to the provision of infrastructure, goods and services needed for industry and the community.

The role of engineers includes formulating problems, providing solutions and integrating technical understanding. The profession has a duty to take responsible approaches to wealth creation, to be ethical in their practices and to promote sustainability. With such key responsibilities, communication, synthesis and analysis of information, management skills and teamwork are becoming increasingly important.

Professional engineering work is concerned with cost-effective, timely, reliable, safe, aesthetically pleasing and environmentally sustainable outcomes as well as maintaining a consciousness of ideals associated with social and ethical responsibilities and service.

The Engineering Studies course is directed towards the development and application of mathematical, scientific and technological skills and their integration with business and management. It provides students with skills, knowledge and understanding associated with a study of engineering, its practices and associated methodologies. The subject promotes environmental, economic and global awareness, problem-solving ability, engagement with information technology, self-directed learning, communication, management and skills in working as a team.

Food Technology is a content rich subject that investigates the way food works in our body and our society. Such skills include the ability to research, analyse and communicate. Students also develop the capability and competence to experiment with and prepare food as well as design, implement and evaluate solutions to a range of food situations.

Year 11 Course

The Preliminary course involves the study of:

• Food nutrients and diets for optimum nutrition
• The functional properties of food
• Safe preparation, presentation and storage of food
• Sensory characteristics of food
• The influences on food availability
• Factors affecting food selection

Practical skills in planning, preparing and presenting food are integrated throughout the content areas.

Year 12 Course

The HSC course involves the study of:

• Australian Food Industry – including the sectors, policies and legislations
• Production, processing, preserving, packaging, storage and distribution of food
• Food product development
• Nutrition and health in Australia and influences on nutritional status.

Practical experiences in developing, preparing, experimenting and presenting food are integrated throughout the course.

Industrial Technology Stage 6 has a Preliminary course and an HSC course.
The Preliminary course of 120 indicative hours consists of project work and an industry study that provide a broad range of skills and knowledge related to the focus area chosen and an introduction to processes, skills and practices relevant to the design, management, communication and construction of practical projects.

The current Preliminary project is a skills based Bedside Table

The HSC course of 120 indicative hours consists of the development, management and communication of a major practical project and folio that contribute to the development of knowledge, skills and understanding related to the focus area of study.

Both the Preliminary and HSC courses are organised around four sections:
A. Industry Study
B. Design, Management and Communication
C. Production
D. Industry Related Manufacturing Technology.

The Hills Sports High School offers students the opportunity to gain a Vocational Education And Training (VET) qualification in the form of Certificate II Hospitality - Food and Beverage.

Vocational Education And Training programs undertaken in schools are courses students can participate in as part of their High School Certificate. These subjects are dual accreditation whereby students may achieve a Certificate II accreditation and the HSC where the results count towards an ATAR. VET courses provide credit towards a Nationally Recognised VET qualification within the Australian Qualifications Framework.

The training that students receive reflect specific industry competency standards. The course is delivered by an Recognised Training Organisation - Department of Education.

The key to the success of VET in Schools is due to the qualifications of staff. All staff delivering VET courses have the relevant nationally recognised industry qualification, who through their dedication and support facilitate students to gain 'real world' and 'hands on' practical learning opportunities through course content delivery, simulated work placement and hospitality service skills. Students will be given the opportunity to learn and develop barista skills in our school coffee shop 'Hillspresso' and participate in a variety of catering events which include food preparation, styling, plating and service to guests. Students will produce industry standard products across a variety of food and beverages. Hospitality students will be offered a number of catering opportunities allowing them to develop and achieve their competencies in a safe and engaging environment.