At Aquinas Catholic College our Technological and Applied Studies (TAS) department strives to provide our students with learning experiences that develop their creativity, communication, collaboration, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These skills are essential for our students to be able to participate fully in the 21st Century with the rapid rate of technological development and societal changes.
The TAS department utilises a variety of technologies to provide students with opportunities to engage in a diverse range of innovative practical design activities/projects which are both challenging and rewarding.
Students at the Stage 4 level experience four different technologies, which they can then specialise in at the Stage 5 level. They have the ability to choose two elective subjects at that point.
Students at the Stage 6 level have the ability to concentrate their study on technologies as diverse as Food Technology, Design and Technology, Industrial Technology Timber, Software Design and Development and Information Processes and Technology.
Throughout all TAS Subjects, students develop flexible technological capability, innovative thinking, effective communication skills, team work, time management and organisational skills in design project based contexts. Our students develop the ability to be able to consider and be aware of the impact that designers and design has upon the world.
Stage 4 - Years 7 & 8
Industrial Technology -Multimedia
Industrial Technology - Timber
Information & Software Technology
Design & Technology
Industrial Technology – Timber Products and Furniture Technologies
Information Processes & Technology
Software Design & Development
The aim of Technology (Mandatory) is to develop students' ability to design, produce and evaluate quality solutions that respond to identified opportunities and needs. It enables students to justify solutions and to responsibly, safely and creatively use and select materials, tools and techniques.
During the two year course, students will study within the three areas of Built Environments, Products and Information and Communications. Students will complete FOUR Major Design Tasks, which provide them with practical experiences in designing, making, evaluating, using computers, communicating and managing.
Students will have the opportunity to work with a diverse range of materials and technologies.
Stage 5 Food Technology
The study of Food Technology provides students with a broad understanding of food properties, processing, preparation, nutrition and consumption. It addresses the importance of hygiene and safe working practices, relating to the food industry. Food Technology will allow students to explore the richness, pleasure and variety of food and how it contributes to everyday life experience and careers.
Students will undertake practical cooking lessons once every fortnight, enabling them to develop skills and produce quality foods.
Stage 5 Industrial Technology
Industrial Technology in Years 9–10 develops student’s knowledge and understanding of materials and processes. Related knowledge and skills are developed through a specialised approach to the tools, materials and techniques employed in the planning, development, construction and evaluation of quality practical projects and processes. Critical thinking skills are developed through engagement with creative practical problem-solving activities.
At Aquinas students can select from The Industrial Technology specific focus areas of Multimedia or Timber.
Stage 5 Industrial Technology – Multimedia
Projects that we undertake as topics for this course include: stop motion, digital posters, game design, sound design, documentary film/advertisement, and the students own major project.
Stage 5 Industrial Technology- Timber
Practical projects include card boxes, foot stools, dart board cabinets and a major design project.
Stage 5 Information and Software Technology
The study of Information and Software Technology Years 9–10 assists students to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to solve problems in real life contexts. Through experiential and collaborative tasks, students engage in processes of analysing, designing, producing, testing, documenting, implementing and evaluating information and software technology-based solutions. Creative, critical and meta-cognitive thinking skills are developed through students’ practical involvement in projects. We also teach students to be good digital citizens in a modern world, and how to use the technology in an appropriate fashion.
At Aquinas, we do a variety of projects across a variety of software platforms and technologies. Some of our projects include: creating apps using Xojo; websites, videos, Flash animations and other digital media products through the Adobe Creative Suite; making robots move, follow paths and do rescues using Lego Mindstorm, and create networks.
The topics that we cover in IST include: Project Management, Digital Media, Internet and Website Design, Authoring and Multimedia, Networking, Robotics, and Software Design and Programming.
Students also have the opportunity to enter into competitions for Lego Robotics, Computational Thinking, and Website Design, as a means of extending the students.
Stage 5 Textiles
The aim of Textiles Technology is to develop confidence and proficiency in the design, production and evaluation of textile items. Students will actively engage in learning about the properties and performance of textiles, textile design and the role of textiles in society.
Stage 6 Food Technology
The Preliminary course will develop knowledge and understanding about 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 and factors affecting food selection. Practical skills in planning, preparing and presenting food are integrated throughout the content areas.
The HSC course involves the study of: sectors, aspects, policies and legislations of the Australian Food Industry; production, processing, preserving, packaging, storage and distribution of food and the impact of technology; factors impacting, reasons, types, steps and marketing of food product development; nutrition incorporating diet and health in Australia and influences on nutritional status. Practical experiences in developing, preparing, experimenting and presenting food are integrated throughout the course.
Stage 6 Design and Technology
The Preliminary course involves the study of both designing and producing. This is explored through areas such as design theory and practice, design processes, environmental and social issues, communication, research, technologies, and the manipulation of materials, tools and techniques. The course involves hands-on practical activities which develop knowledge and skills in designing and producing. The Preliminary course includes the completion of design projects, a case study and a collaborative task. These projects involve the design, production and evaluation of a product, system or environment and includes evidence of the design process recorded in a design portfolio. The design portfolio can take a variety of different forms.
The HSC course applies the knowledge and understanding of designing and producing from the Preliminary course. It involves the development and realisation of a Major Design Project, a case study of an innovation, along with the study of innovation and emerging technologies. The study of the course content is integrated with the development of a Major Design Project, worth 60% of the HSC mark. This project requires students to select and apply appropriate design, production and evaluation skills to a product, system or environment that satisfies an identified need or opportunity. A case study of an innovation is also required with students identifying the factors underlying the success of the innovation, analyse associated ethical issues and discuss its impact on Australian society.
HSC Design and Technology Major Projects 2016
Stage 6 Industrial Technology - Timber products and furniture technologies
Industrial Technology has been developed to incorporate content related to current and developing technologies. It offers students the opportunity to study the interrelationships of technologies, equipment and materials used by industry and to develop skills through the processes of design, planning and production.
Industrial Technology seeks to raise students’ awareness of the interaction between technology, industry, society and the environment, and to develop their ability to make value judgements about issues, decisions and problems arising from this interaction. Students achieve this by applying practical experiences to the study of the technology, management and organisation of industry.
HSC Industrial Technology – Timber Products and Furniture Technologies
Major Projects 2015
Stage 6 Software Design and Development
The major focus of the Software Design and Development (SDD) Course reflects the traditional structural approach to software development and the top-down development of source code. This framework of fundamental concepts taught, leads to a deeper understanding by students, enabling greater flexibility in developing software solutions using newly available technology and languages.
Students interested in the fields of software development and computer science will find this subject of value. The subject is not only for those who seek further study or careers in this field, but also for those who wish to understand the underlying principles of software design and development. Students with software development skills wishing to acquire team and communication skills will find this subject relevant. We also teach students to be good digital citizens in a modern world, and how to use the technology in an appropriate fashion.
At Aquinas, we do a variety of projects across a variety of software platforms and technologies. Most of our projects include creating apps using Xojo in group and individual situations.
The topics that we cover in SDD include: Social and Ethical Issues, Software Design Approaches, The System Development Cycle, and Developing Software Solutions.
Students have the opportunity attend an excursion on Careers in the ICT industry and experience game design programming in practice. We will also be offering students a variety programming competitions, courses and camps for those that are interested.
Stage 6 Information Processes and Technology
Information Processes and Technology is the study of computer-based information systems. It focuses on information processes performed by these systems and the information technology that allows them to take place. Social, ethical and non-computer procedures resulting from the processes are considered. Different types of information systems are studied. Through project work, students will create their own information system to meet an identified need.
In 2018 Aquinas Catholic College is undertaking a new student information system called Compass.
Aquinas Catholic College Menai is a co-educational, Years 7-12, Catholic High school, established in 1993. The present accommodation includes the Administration Building, College library, general classrooms and the full range of specialist rooms.
College Dux Keira Dailly
HSC subjects above state average
Band 6's / E4's
Band 5's / E3's
Ph: (02) 9543 0188 | Fax: (02) 9541 0398 | Anzac Rd, Menai NSW
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