Design and Hospitality

Faculty of Design mission: Create the very best learning environment in the technology classrooms that enables its students to ‘work technologically’ and confidently, using their ingenuity and creativity to solve problems and thus contribute to their development as critical thinkers and lifelong learners.

The Faculty of Design comprises two primary learning arenas: Engineering and Hospitality. All subjects within this faculty are immersed in a pedagogy based on enquiry and investigation. Problems are set and each girl embarks on her own journey of discovery utilising her particular learning style, to arrive at the best solution to the set problem. Areas of learning may be as diverse as robotics, computerised milling machines (CNC) and resistant materials, to the development of hospitality events focusing on a specific cultural cuisine.

One of the fundamental challenges in integrating young girls into the workshop and built environments is confidence. I have taught girls and boys and in a workshop environment, boys tend to have a lot of confidence, yet lack common sense; girls, on the other hand, lack confidence yet possess much common sense. Girls love to tinker. To gain confidence and an insight into how things work, we pull things apart, bash them, break them, examine all components and discuss what makes things work. Girls love this hands-on approach.

Opportunities for female engineers in Australia are huge. Many large corporations see male engineers as efficient and diligent in their approach to engineering projects; female engineers are seen as articulate and creative. It is this collaboration of approaches to work and problem solving that big organisations are seeking.

Design and Hospitality Subjects

Years 7 to 10

Design and Technology

Hospitality

Years 11 to 12

Engineering Technology

Hospitality Studies

Meet Brandt Ward

Brandt Ward is Head of Faculty of Design and Engineering at the all girls’ school St Hilda’s on the Gold Coast. He taught for 8 years and then left education to pursue engineering related challenges in industry. In 1998 Brandt returned to teaching after securing a position at St Hilda’s. In 2004 he completed his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and has since been immersed in the delivery of technology and engineering curriculum to female learners. Taking a keen interest in gender issues related to technology studies, Brandt has been published both nationally and internationally and in 2013 was awarded recognition from the International Technology Engineering Educators’ Association (ITEEA) as an emerging leader. In 2011 he was awarded the Sir Samuel Griffith Excellence in Teaching Scholarship (Griffith University). Brandt’s current interests lie in the development of pedagogies related to the electronic delivery of courses catering for engineering students both locally and internationally. Brandt is currently on Queensland’s State Panel overseeing the delivery and moderation of its Engineering Technology program in the senior years.

Meet Sherilyn King

Sherilyn King’s passion and enthusiasm for creating engaging, interactive and inclusive learning environments for each student and their learning style remains at the forefront of all classroom experiences. In addition to her many years’ experience as a classroom teacher and having been a member of District Panels for Business subjects, Sherilyn has also held Head of Karragaroo House and Fundraising co-coordinator positions. She holds a strong belief in the importance of life-long learning and hopes to inspire her students to see that by developing a passion for learning, you will never cease to grow. Sherilyn holds a Bachelor of Education specialising in Secondary education and joined St Hilda’s School in 1998. She is a member of the School of Business Faculty as well as Design and Hospitality.

Meet Ben Andrews

Ben is an experienced Media Arts teacher who is passionate about film, media and new technologies and the opportunities they bring to each student.

He holds a Bachelor of Multimedia from Griffith University and taught Virtual Reality (VRML), Sound, Image and Video Compression and Multimedia authoring as part of the Griffith University School of Information Technology. Ben worked at Brisbane Boys’ College as the Educational Multimedia Coordinator, before commencing as the Digital Media support officer at St Hilda’s School in 2004 and undertaking his Graduate Diploma Education (Secondary).

Over the past five years, he has undertaken a variety of bespoke digital design projects incorporating a variety of CNC technologies such as Digital Engraving, Cutting and FDM (3D Printing ABS, PLA) techniques, which he teaches as part of the Design and Technology subject.

Ben joined the Middle School as Head of Year 8 in 2012, and in this role focuses on supporting the girls as they develop their individual identity and transition through the Middle Years of education. He teaches across the Visual Art (Media Arts; Film, Television and New Media) and Design (Design and Technology) faculties.

Design and Hospitality