Background ...
St Margaret's College is a (Years 1-13) single-sex, independent private girls' school in Christchurch, with a roll of around 740 students. Senior technology was progressively introduced into the school, as NCEA technology units became available. Technology Level 1 was introduced in 2002. Level 2 was introduced in 2003 and Level 3, in 2004.
The first year the school offered Level 1 Technology, St Margaret's Technology Head of Department Claire Wood and colleague Terry Wood were keen that the programme be a comprehensive one and include an Information and Communication Technology unit. This, they reasoned, would ensure students had a solid grasp of Information Technology skills, which they could utilise in their later Technological Practice.
The Year 11s completed a Database Design unit before moving on to the technology room to a " Shelter Unit ", developed by Terry.
While students found it a big step to move from Year 10 to Year 11 work, the year was a successful one and most students opted to progress onto Level 2 Technology the following year, with the remainder opting to undertake the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
In 2004 a team-teaching approach was adopted for the Year 11 and 12 classes. Rather than each teacher being responsible for a Year 11 class or a Year 12 class in 2004, Terry and Claire decided to take joint responsibility for the programme design, delivery and assessment for both the Y11 and Y12 technology classes at the school.
