Woodwork projects go with the grain across the HSC curriculum

They’ve been working on these projects since the beginning of the school year and learnt skills in budgeting, problem-solving and project management along the way and this week, Bega High School’s year 12 woodworking students displayed their handmade creations for family and friends.

“The project is only limited by the student’s imaginations and their budget,” says teacher Matt Collins.

Billy Stubbs, of Bega, faced a few challenges when constructing his bar.

“It’s pretty big,” Billy says with a grin “I got some measurements wrong early on so it turned out bigger than I had planned.”

The resin that Billy used to display colourful bottle caps in the top piece of timber cracked a week before the project was due to be assessed, leaving Billy and his mum running around trying to find the right kind of resin to fix it.

“When he said he wanted to make a bar, I wasn’t sure if he could get it finished,” mum Kelly Cody says “but he’s worked so hard on it, whatever mark he gets, I’m impressed.”

Billy has woodworking in his genes, with a grandpa and brother both working in the building trade but some of the students are completely new to the subject.

Ashlin Deighan-Smith switched to woodworking in year 11 and hasn’t looked back, making a beautifully finished table which is the perfect height to set up his DJ equipment.

“It’s been his favourite subject,” mum Rian Smith says of her son “I credit Mr Carrett for passing on his knowledge and enthusiasm. It’s really a shame that the practical side of the subject has come to an end.”

HSC woodworking is assessed on an exam worth 40% of the final mark and 60% on the final project but includes a portfolio where they plan the project and track its progress through the year.

There’s no doubt that the students enjoy the practical side of the subject.

“It’s good fun, I’d prefer to be here doing something with my hands than sitting at a desk,” Ashlin comments.

“There’s not really any parameters, the project has to made from timber and the students and their parents have to work out a budget,” explains teacher Matt Collins

“We have some materials here but students have been very resourceful at sourcing timber from friends and family. The final budget doesn’t determine the quality of the work.”

Eli Badger wanted some nice timber for his beehive and so he and his dad Geoffrey headed to Blue Ridge Hardwoods in Eden, where they not only selected the perfect wood but got a tour of the facility.

Because of the generosity of Blue Ridge, Eli’s project came in at under $60.

Matt says that the department welcomes donations of clean timber that students can use in their HSC projects so if you’ve got some offcuts from a woodworking project lying around, drop them off at Bega High School.

“A lot of the timber we use is not A grade, we show the students how to shape and finish it so that it looks amazing but that’s not what we start with usually.”

Now that the projects are finished and graded, it’s time to focus on exams.

Good luck guys!