Technology 2026

Programme Description :

This is a level 1 course that introduces students to programming using Python and designing a digital technologies outcome, or extends those with some foundational knowledge.

Learning Outcomes/Contexts:

Students will learn to design a digital technologies outcome and create a computer program.

The course will start with a focus on skills development so you can develop the skills required at this level to create a well structured, flexible and robust program and produce a refined digital outcome which you will evaluate for the external assessment.

A digital outcome could include but not limited to:

• A computer game
• A 3D Blender model
• A website

Skills and Capabilities:

In this course we focus on fewer credits done well. We will be creating a project that we are proud of, learn resilience, learn to plan a large project and develop our problem solving skills. Students will develop skills in application development, managing projects, planning projects, game design, user interface testing and programming.

Cross Curriculum Links:

Mathematics. Art, Graphics, Technology and Design

Possibly leads to :

Computer Science, Mathematics, Computing.

Assessment Opportunities:

15 credits will be available from 3 Achievement Standards.

Programme Description :

This is a level 2 course with the option to focus on Programming, Digital Media Design or Networking. This is a technically challenging course designed for students who have completed a Digital Technology course at level 1.

Learning Outcomes/Contexts:

Students will learn about design principles, managing large projects and the feedback and improvement cycle. Students will be able to choose a context from a range of options. They will then develop skills within this context to produce an outcome.

Students projects may be:

We will continue to develop the skills built in the level 1 course to create a quality project.

Skills and Capabilities:

In this course we focus on fewer credits done well. We will be creating a project that we are proud of, learn resilience, learn to plan a large project and develop our problem solving skills. Students will further develop their skills in application development, planning and managing project development, game design, graphical user interface testing and programming using advanced techniques.

Cross Curriculum Links:

Mathematics. Art, Graphics, Technology and Design

Possibly leads to :

Computer Science, Mathematics, Computing.

Assessment Opportunities:

15 credits will be available from 3 Achievement Standards.

Programme Description :

This is a level 3 course with the option to focus on Programming, Digital Media Design or Networking. This is a technically challenging course designed for students who have completed a Digital Technology course at level 2.

Learning Outcomes/Contexts:

Students will learn about design principles, managing large projects and the feedback and improvement cycle. Students will be able to choose a context from a range of options. They will then develop skills within this context to produce an outcome.

Students projects may be:

Building on the media skills learnt in the level 1 and level 2 courses, students will produce a final year project for their portfolios.

Skills and Capabilities:

In this course we focus on fewer credits done well. We will be creating a project that we are proud of, learn resilience, learn to plan a large project and develop our problem solving skills. Students will further develop their skills in application development, planning and managing project development, game design, graphical user interface testing and programming using advanced techniques.

Cross Curriculum Links:

Mathematics. Art, Graphics, Technology and Design

Possibly leads to :

Computer Science, Mathematics, Computing.

Assessment Opportunities:

15 credits will be available from 3 Achievement Standards.

Programme Description :

DVC (Design and Visual Communication) also known as Graphics, is a challenging and creative environment for students interested in; design, graphic communication and computer aided design. Students are encouraged to generate creative and innovative solutions to solve design problems that are set in authentic contexts.

Students will develop their understanding of design and visual communication through exploring and presenting design ideas that can be customised to suit their interests. They will develop specific skills in researching, freehand drawing, rendering and CAD (computer aided design). They will also learn techniques to enhance and present their design ideas.

Throughout the year students will undertake and solve design tasks using specific design based tools and language. In this course an emphasis is placed on enhancing student’s visual literacy and inspiring a passion for the world of design. Students produce year long portfolios of work, there are no exams for DVC.

Learning Outcomes/Contexts:

Level 1 students will be focussing primarily on; the development of freehand drawing skills, understanding design elements, using CAD software and learning how to present design ideas. Freehand sketching is the communication of ideas unassisted by the use of instruments. Two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) freehand sketches must be produced in proportion and clearly communicate design features. 3D freehand sketching methods learnt are isometric, oblique, planometric and perspective. Freehand sketches must show details of construction and/or design features, as appropriate (e.g. by use of sectional, detail and/or exploded views)

Students learn how to undertake development and show a coherent flow of design ideas through graphics practice. Students will; integrate design judgements into their work, use design principles; and incorporate their own tastes, values and views. Students then present their design solutions using Archicad CAD software.

Cross Curriculum Links:

Building and construction, Furniture, Art, Fashion/Fabric, Engineering, Trades, Computing (CAD).

Possibly leads to :

Art, Architecture, building & construction, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, plumbing, electrician, landscaping, interior design, industrial design, fashion design, product design, advertising/promotional work/sign writing.

Assessment Opportunities:

There are no exams in DVC. Students produce a full year portfolio of work. Achievement standards are marked both internally (marked in school) and external assessment, where the external assessment is submitted and sent to Wellington to be marked. 15 credits are available from 3 assessments.

Programme Description :

DVC (Design and Visual Communication) also known as Graphics, is a challenging and creative environment for students interested in; design, graphic communication and computer aided design. Students are encouraged to generate creative and innovative solutions to solve design problems that are set in authentic contexts.

Students will develop their understanding of design and visual communication through exploring and presenting design ideas that can be customised to suit their interests. They will develop specific skills in researching, freehand drawing, rendering and CAD (computer aided design). They will also learn techniques to enhance and present their design ideas.

Throughout the year students will undertake and solve design tasks using specific design based tools and language. In this course an emphasis is placed on enhancing student’s visual literacy and inspiring a passion for the world of design. Students produce year long portfolios of work, there are no exams for DVC.

Learning Outcomes/Contexts:

The DVC level 2 course further develops students’ design capabilities. Initially students explore a design movement of their choice and embed its influence into their own conceptual design work. They then explore practices specific to product or spatial designers through a major design project which is customised to reflect their personal interests.

Students are challenged to examine solutions to design problems in greater depth. Interspersed in the projects are exercises to advance students’ technical skills. The work done in these projects contributes to internally assessed standards and a portfolio for external assessment.

Design-focused students can complete an optional topic creating a presentation of their project. Technically oriented students can complete a set of working drawings for their project.

Cross Curriculum Links:

Building and construction, Furniture, Art, Fashion/Fabric, Engineering, Trades, Computing (CAD)

Possibly leads to :

Art, Architecture, building & construction, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, plumbing, electrician, landscaping, interior design, industrial design, fashion design, product design, advertising/promotional work/sign writing

Assessment Opportunities:

There are no exams in DVC. Students produce a full year portfolio of work. Achievement standards are marked both internally (marked in school) and external assessment, where the external assessment is submitted and sent to Wellington to be marked. There are a minimum of 16 credits available in this course comprising 3 internals and 1 external.

Programme Description :

DVC (Design and Visual Communication) also known as Graphics, is a challenging and creative environment for students interested in; design, graphic communication and computer aided design. Students are encouraged to generate creative and innovative solutions to solve design problems that are set in authentic contexts.

Students will develop their understanding of design and visual communication through exploring and presenting design ideas that can be customised to suit their interests. They will develop specific skills in researching, freehand drawing, rendering and CAD (computer aided design). They will also learn techniques to enhance and present their design ideas.

Throughout the year students will undertake and solve design tasks using specific design based tools and language. In this course an emphasis is placed on enhancing student’s visual literacy and inspiring a passion for the world of design. Students produce year long portfolios of work, there are no exams for DVC.

Learning Outcomes/Contexts:

The level 3 DVC course covers NCEA Level 3 and Scholarship. Students develop their own design briefs, which are based on an authentic situation, in the context of spatial or product design. They are challenged to generate innovative and creative design ideas and carry them through to a highly resolved design solution that communicates in depth design detail, function and appearance.

Students are to demonstrate their understanding of; opportunities, constraints, legal and/or council requirements, antropometrics and environmental considerations.

Students may work in a range of different media, both paper based and digital. Alternatively they may choose to present 3D printed models. Final assessments are presented as a portfolio.

Cross Curriculum Links:

Building and construction, Furniture, Art, Fashion/Fabric, Engineering, Trades, Computing (CAD)

Possibly leads to :

Art, Architecture, building & construction, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, plumbing, electrician, landscaping, interior design, industrial design, fashion design, product design, advertising/promotional work/sign writing

Assessment Opportunities:

There are no exams in DVC. Students produce a full year portfolio of work. Achievement standards are marked both internally (marked in school) and external assessment, where the external assessment is submitted and sent to Wellington to be marked. This is a university approved subject at level 3. There are a minimum of 16 credits available in this course comprising 3 internals and 1 external.

Programme Description :

Learning Outcomes/Contexts:

In this course you will be creating one outcome of your choice. This outcome must include at least two different types of wood joints and four different kinds of hardware.

You will complete small theory tasks, including planning and creating cutting lists, as part of your assessment.

Skills and Capabilities:

Developing hand tools and fixed machinery capabilities, confidence and knowledge, at times working collaboratively with peers to achieve a successful outcome in the form of a completed project.

Develop clarity of communication, adaptability, building a positive work ethic, develop the skills for time management.

Perseverance, self–management, interpersonal skills, motivation, participation and contributing, respect for self, others, and the equipment used in the building and construction industries; identity and self-worth will be developed through planning and reflection in class time as well as practical activities.

Cross Curriculum Links:

Mathematics, Physics for Trades.

Possibly leads to :

Assessment Opportunities:

You can gain a minimum of 14 -16 unit standard credits at level 1 - All assessments are internally assessed which means you do not have an exam at the end of the year.

Programme Description :

Learning Outcomes/Contexts:

In this course you will be creating two pieces of outdoor furniture which must incorporate more complex skills and techniques than were used at level 1 as well as the supporting theory paperwork to complete the course.

Skills and Capabilities:

Working collaboratively, developing clarity of communication, adaptability, continuing to build a positive work ethic, further developing the skills for time management, perseverance when things are not going according to plan, self–management, interpersonal skills, motivation to achieve a quality product, participation and contributing in class to assist others, respect for self, others, and the environment; identity and self-worth will be developed through planning and reflection in class time as well as practical activities.

Cross Curriculum Links:

Mathematics, Physics for Trades.

Possibly leads to :

Assessment Opportunities:

You can gain a minimum of 14 -16 unit standard credits at level 2 - All assessments are internally assessed which means you do not have an exam at the end of the year.

Programme Description :

Students study BCITO Level 3 Unit Standards which expects projects to have a range of complex building components included in the design and construction. There is a mixture of practical and theory units assessed through the presentation of a Diary of Work.

Students need to discuss their programme with the teacher to construct a suitable project to meet assessment specifications. The choice of practical work is dependent upon the type of programme the student chooses and will be discussed with the teacher at the commencement of the year. All projects should be constructed on site at school, however there are provisions for the students to engage in a community based project.

Learning Outcomes/Contexts:

The scope of the course covers

• An extension of Level 2 content material
• Theoretical and practical learning involved in a selection of specialised trades of your choice

Prerequisite: Completion of the Carpentry Level 2 course is advantageous but not essential.

Skills and Capabilities:

Working collaboratively, developing clarity of communication, adaptability, continuing to build a positive work ethic, further developing the skills for time management, perseverance when things are not going according to plan, self–management, interpersonal skills, motivation to achieve a quality product, participation and contributing in class to assist others, respect for self, others, and the environment; identity and self-worth will be developed through planning and reflection in class time as well as practical activities.

Cross Curriculum Links:

Mathematics, Physics for Trades.

Possibly Leads to:

Placement in the Gateway program for practical experience in the chosen trade with a local business. Apprenticeship in a furniture or related specialised factory within the building industry.

Assessment Opportunities:

There are a range of unit standard credits you can achieve (a minimum of 14-16) but this will be dependent on the project you complete.