Arts & Technology March 2026

Term 1 has been a dynamic and creative start across the Arts and Technology learning areas at Greenvale Secondary College, with students engaging in a wide range of practical, analytical and design-based learning experiences.

Media

Students across all year levels have explored how meaning is constructed and communicated. Year 8 students analysed the Australian series Crazy Fun Park, investigating how camera work, lighting and sound shape audience response, before applying these ideas in their own digital poster designs. Year 9 students focused on the superhero genre, analysing key scenes from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse to deepen their understanding of media codes and conventions. Year 10 students developed photography skills, experimenting with DSLR cameras and technical settings such as ISO and shutter speed, and are now planning a personal photo essay titled Australia and Me. At VCE level, Year 11 students examined how representations of teenagers have evolved over time through texts such as Rebel Without a Cause, The Breakfast Club and The Edge of Seventeen, considering the social and cultural influences behind these changes.

Visual Communication Design

Creativity and problem-solving have been at the forefront. Year 7 students produced imaginative 8-page zines, exploring storytelling through design elements and principles, and then applied perspective techniques in their unit 1 assessment. Year 9 students have been experimenting with typography as a powerful tool in visual language, creating calligram posters that capture the identity of a chosen figure. Year 10 students explored design methods and technical drawing, reimagining everyday objects through innovative thinking. Meanwhile, Year 11 students have successfully completed their first SAC, focusing on design thinking, human-centred research, and defining design problems using the Double Diamond Design Process.

Food Technology

Students have combined theory with hands-on learning in the kitchen. Year 8 students focused on food safety and hygiene while completing practical tasks such as apple pikelets and beef stir fry, alongside sensory analysis activities. Year 9 students investigated cooking methods and heat transfer, exploring how these impact nutritional value, and conducted experiments comparing potato types. Year 11 Food Studies students examined the historical development of food systems, from early agriculture to modern global trade, supported by practical cooking experiences using traditional ingredients.

Art

Students have explored a range of techniques and styles to express their creativity. Year 7 students experimented with paper collage to understand visual elements and principles, culminating in a character portrait. Year 9 students began their study of portraiture, exploring diverse styles such as Expressionism, Cubism and Anime. Year 10 students completed a unit on Surrealism, producing imaginative artworks inspired by dreams and the subconscious. Year 11 Art Making and Exhibiting students investigated a variety of materials and techniques, documenting their experimentation in preparation for their first SAT.

Materials Technology and Product Design

Students have developed practical and design skills. Year 8 students explored timber types and sustainability while designing and constructing a biomimicry-inspired hexagon shelf. Year 9 students built foundational woodworking skills through the creation of a timber puzzle. Year 10 students focused on carpentry techniques, producing a functional sawhorse using industry-relevant tools. Year 11 Product Design students have begun their SAT, applying the Double Diamond Design Process to create innovative, functional prototypes, with many designing phone charging stations using CAD and sustainable materials.

Overall, Term 1 has showcased the creativity, curiosity and skill development of students across the Arts and Technology, setting a strong foundation for the year ahead.