Welcome to Taupaki Technology; our Ruru Team provides technology education for for Riverhead, Matua Ngaru, Whenuapai, Hare Krishna, Timatanga, Huapai, Waimauku, Waitakere, and Taupaki schools.
Kei te harikoa matou ki te ako me koe. We are excited to learn with you.
Courtney Edwards - Team Leader, Design (Monday)
Nigel Bacon - Hard Materials Technology
Azhar Mohamed - Digital Media Technology
Amanda Dove - Food Technology
Renee Cosio - Design Technology
Anita Lambert - Design (Tuesday), Food (Wednesday)
OUR PROGRAMME
Our programme focuses on technology as a human-centered design process. It emphasises innovation, adaptation, and critical and creative thinking. Students will learn to:
Understand technology: As a tool to address needs and expand human possibilities.
Develop design skills: Including stakeholder empathy, problem definition, ideation, prototyping, and testing.
Master practical skills: Through hands-on projects and skill-sharing.
Communicate effectively: Using written, oral, and visual means.
Embrace ethical design: By considering te ao Māori and the New Zealand environment in design.
We use the Stanford Design Thinking Process to guide students through the design cycle.
Year 7 students will be working towards licences for mastery of practical skills alongside making and communicating their outcomes. Year 8 students will expand their knowledge and skills through individual projects within our Country Markets concept.
OUR CLASSES
Food Technology
Food Technology is a way for whakawhanaungatanga and leads to opportunities in a dynamic industry. Food Technology leads to hospitality at high school and a lifelong skill set for contributing to self, whanau, and community. Students will produce a range of recipes during the semesters which will allow them to explore and build new skill sets in the kitchen. The semester courses at Year 7 and 8 allow students to gain experience in these areas:
Engaging in a design cycle
Developing the knowledge, understanding, and skills required to design and create solutions for authentic experiences
Food science
Kitchen safety and hygiene
Nutrition
Budgeting
Presentation and hospitality
Baking
Making meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks)
Regional foods
Design Technology
Design Technology is about developing the skills and knowledge related to designing functional and beautiful products in textiles. Design Technology leads to DVC at high school and futures in the fashion, furnishing, and textile industries. Students will create a range of projects during the semesters which will allow them to explore and build new skill sets in a creative studio. The semester courses at Year 7 and 8 allow students to gain experience in these areas:
Engaging in a design cycle
Considering design opportunities for ourselves and others
Textile selection and properties
Pattern making
Fabric prep and finishing
Textile design
Construction with fabrics
Hand and machine sewing
CAD for 3D printing
Hard Materials Technology
Hard Materials Technology prepares students to enter a local economy that relies heavily on practical skills. Hard Materials Technology leads to industrial design at high school and is also helpful for students interested in construction and architecture. Students will fabricate a range of projects during the semesters which will allow them to explore and build new skill sets in a physical environment. The semester courses at Year 7 and 8 allow students to gain experience in these areas:
Engaging in a design cycle
Problem solving and the evaluation of design possibilities
Fine motor skills
Accurate measurement
Safe use of machinery and tools in a workshop
Construction techniques
Understanding the properties of hardware, materials, and equipment
Economics and application
Engineering concepts
Digital Media Technology
Digital Media Technology is a diverse and exciting industry that spans many specialisations. Our course is split into programming and media creation. Digital Media Technology leads to digital technologies such as computer science at high school and is also helpful for students interested in digital art, design, and media studies. Students will undertake a range of activities during the semesters which will allow them to explore and build new skill sets in a digital environment. The semester courses at Year 7 and 8 allow students to gain experience in these areas:
Engaging in a design cycle
Understanding contexts and end-users
Block coding and programming language
Robotics and electronic control
Composition and the use of media to tell a story
Animation, motion graphics, video, and interactive experiences
Web design and usability
Working with a range of software
THINGS TO REMEMBER
Information: Please notify us of any information we may need to know about and ensure any necessary medication comes to tech.
Requirements: Stationery, enclosed footwear, a hair tie for long hair, a wide brimmed sun hat or school cap (in Term 4), well fitting clothing (not overly draping, baggy, or bulky - particularly sleeves), only ear studs as jewellery, and a container with a lid for Food Tech.
Safety: Our priority is the safety of all students at Taupaki School and guidelines will be given for both tech rooms and the playground - all safety equipment is provided.
Behaviour: We expect a high standard of behaviour, through our Manaaki Taupaki system, and reward positive behaviour with Manaaki Taupaki tickets. Behaviour issues will be communicated back to schools.
Collection: Any arrivals or departures during the day must be done through the school office; schools will be notified.
Devices: Please return Cyber Safety forms in order to be able to attend Tech and use devices for learning. An alternate programme will be provided until a form has been received which may mean missing an opportunity to make projects. Personal devices cannot be used and any phones that must come to school (e.g. change over day between two homes) need to be given into our school office.