Technological and applied studies (TAS) is mandatory for all students in Year 7 and 8. Students can also select from a range of elective TAS subjects.
In TAS, students develop knowledge, understanding and skills through a design and production process using a range of tools, materials and techniques in theory and practical lessons.
The continuum of technology learning is:
- mandated from Kindergarten to Year 8 through Science and Technology K-6 and Technology Mandatory Years 7-8 syllabuses
- based on students becoming increasingly sophisticated in their ability to apply knowledge, skills and understanding to design and produce solutions
- optional for student specialisation in high school through a range of syllabuses addressing particular technologies and aspects of design.
Available courses include:
- Technology Mandatory Years 7-8
- Agricultural Technology Years 7-10
- Design and Technology Years 7-10
- Food Technology Years 7-10
- Graphics Technology Years 7-10
- Industrial Technology Years 7-10
- Information and Software Technology Years 7-10
- Textiles Technology Years 7-10
- Agriculture Stage 6
- Design and Technology Stage 6
- Engineering Studies Stage 6
- Food Technology Stage 6
- Industrial Technology Stage 6
- Information Processes and Technology Stage 6
- Software Design and Development Stage 6
- Textiles and Design Stage 6.
Courses for each Year Group
The Technological and Applied Studies (TAS) department offers students at Willoughby Girls High School the following courses:
- Years 7 & 8 - students study Technology (mandatory). In Year 7, students study a Food and Agriculture unit where they grow herbs and design a burger using the herb, and a Digital Technologies unit in which they learn how to code and complete challenges, design and produce a game. In Year 8, students study a Material Technologies unit where students design and produce a bag that conceals a USB, and an Engineering unit in which they design and produce a pin ball machine.
- Years 9 and 10 - students may elect to study Design and Technology, Food Technology and Textiles Technology.
- In the senior school (Years 11 and 12), students may elect to study Design and Technology, Food Technology, Textiles and Design, Hospitality-Kitchen operations vocational education and training (VET) and/or Community and Family Studies (CAFS).
Computing courses
IST (Information and Software Technology) is offered as a course in Years 9 and 10, and is one of the most popular electives. In IST students learn skills which will be beneficial to their work across all of their subjects. Whilst developing these skills students will produce music clips, graphics, websites, databases and videos. They learn about computer networks, artificial intelligence, robotics and how to code using a number of programming languages.
The school also offers students in Years 11 and 12 the opportunity to study the following computing courses:
- Software Design and Development (development of programs and games, apps, emerging technologies) and
- Information Processes and Technology (project management, multimedia, databases and information systems)
Students are invited to sit for the Digital Technologies competition (Years 7 to 10) and apply for the National Computer Science School (Years 10 to 11) to further their programming skills with students from across the nation, both of which are held annually.
Exhibits of work
Any exemplary projects developed by students in this area are displayed on open night. The TAS faculty also holds a fashion parade in Term 3, which is an exciting event in which all students of TAS are invited to participate.
Students are often invited to enter their work in district and state school competitions, such as the Minister’s Young Designer Award for Year 7 and 8 students, the Australian Wool Fashion Awards and the Design Tech Exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum.
HSC (Higher School Certificate) Design and Technology and Textiles and Design students are often invited to display their major design projects each year in a state wide exhibition of exemplar productions.
