Graphics and Technology

The Graphics and Technology Department is well resourced and equipped with six full time and two part time teaching staff members who are highly qualified and very committed.

The Department offers both design and build courses including Design Technology Metal, Design Technology Wood and Mixed Resistant Materials Technology from Year 7 through to Scholarship in Year 13. The Department also offers a full range of industrial based courses including, Food and Hospitality, Trade Building, Automotive Engineering, Bconstructive Fine Wood (furniture based course) Mechanical Engineering and Mechanical Electronics.

Our strong Graphics programme has been enhanced with a new senior graphics/computer suite offering advanced programmes in drawing and design including Auto CAD, Google Sketchup, Archicad, and Pro Desktop. Students become skilled at sketching, rending and formal drawing along with computer aided design and a portfolio of the years work is produced. Studies lead on to scholarship level in year 13.

The Graphics and Technology Department at Nelson College boasts the best secondary school workshop facilities in the Nelson district, with a strong emphasis on high quality products using a range of modern techniques and sustainable materials.

Head of Department: Kieran Cleary

Computer Studies

The area of computer studies can take you in many different directions. At Nelson College we try to introduce students to a wide variety of applications and opportunities. Some of the areas we look at through the years are programming, digital information, digital media and computer science.

 Courses Offered:

Junior
Year 9 and 10 students are offered the chance to enrol in a half year module in Computer Studies. During this time they will be able to explore the following applications:

From 2015 a change will be made and all year 9 students will be enrolled in a 10 week module for Computer Studies as part of the Technology rotation. This change may affect the applications we look at.

Senior
In the senior school we offer two courses at each year level. These are:

• Achievement Standard based course covering the areas of Digital Information, Digital Media, Computer Science and Programming and Planning.
• Unit Standard based course which may cover the areas of DTP, Spreadsheets, Databases, Website creation and Animation. This course is flexible and can be altered to meet the needs of the students enrolled.

Head of Department: Helen Allan