School and Industry Partnership

The Technology Faculty have a strong belief in the advantages and opportunities created by developing links with local employers.

One such connection has been established with NZ Steel. Working with Richard Parsons the school managed to obtain 'seed funding' for a boat building project. The idea behind choosing to build boats was that they could be used on school camps. More importantly the construction required groups of students to work together on a project larger than is normally allowed in a classroom. Also, the chance to have fun with their boats on camp.

John Robinson reports:

"We think the boat projects are a great idea, but the response from students has been very surprising and is, I think quite a good indicator of the need to involve them in group work on larger projects."

In conversation with students the following comments have been made;

"Was it really made here?" "Who built it?" "Why?" "How much did it cost?" "Have you got a motor for it?"
"Is it going to be waterproof?" "Who is it for?" "Will it go on water?"
"Why are you making it?"

"Can I do it?"

We have had school displays of the finished boat in assemblies, we have published information in newsletters and I have spoken to the whole school about the project, what it is who can be involved and why we are doing it.

The general nature of student's comments has stunned me.

Why students should be so amazed that a boat could be built in the school is a shock, but then I came from a school with a history of boat building.

There are a large number of students who have shown interest in the boats, especially the assembled one, who then ask if it will float.

We have had a lot of interest in the project, many students have approached their Form teacher asking if they could be involved yet very few actually turn up after school (sporting commitments). In response to this and our discussion a few days ago I have brought the second boat into my workshop. This makes it visible during the day and several of my Year 10 students are now working on it in class time. (Volunteers)

While I have reservations about having the boat out all the time, this is what I have done in the past and the risk of it being damaged has been offset by the advantage of letting everyone see the project develop. My experience is that students are very slow to accept change, have little belief in what they/we can do and we need to prove ourselves first. I remember the look on my students faces (in Riverton) when we launched the first Canadian canoe and four student paddled off around the estuary.

In summary I think that what we are doing is very worthwhile but we have to prove ourselves. Simply telling the students we are capable of building something large with teams of students is not enough on it own. We have to gain some credibility first.

Those involved benefit greatly from the experience of working within a team on a collective task.

August 2009:

We have now moved on from this very popular and successful project. Our next project has been established, another boat, but an aluminium one this time.

Using the seed fund from NZ Steel to build then sell the original boats (one back to the school for use on camps) eight of our Year 10 students will be able to go with their teacher to work at in Hornell Industries Ltd, extending their engineering and team work skills.