19 Feb 2021
QHS Woodwork and Metalwork students have united to create a legacy for the entire school.
Teacher, Mr Miggins enlisted the vision, talent and skills of Year 8, 9, 10 and 12 QHS students to design and construct a series of dynamic new benches for both the Woodwork and the Metalwork rooms.
The students were excited by the project and took complete ownership of the design straight away, proving enthusiastic and considered with their design concepts.
“With the support of Head Teacher, Technology and Applied Studies(TAS), Mrs Cowan and Principal Worley, we were given a budget of $5,000.00 to complete the entire project,” said Mr Miggins, who added… “Thirty percent of the material was recycled from pallets and donated materials.”
QHS Woodwork students of all ages united to undertake the design element of three 2.4m x 1.2m work benches that incorporated well considered ideas for usage, space, size and colour.
“Students also designed and constructed a ‘Teachers Bench’ incorporating a sliding draw toolbox and choose the colour they wanted to paint it.”
They made the decision to paint the top of their work benches with blackboard paint, so drawings and instructions can be drawn and revised on their working area instead of the main chalk board.
“The students asked if they could have a vice-free bench so they can have more room on their work benches. I asked them to create a design solution to solve that problem and they came up with the vice bench. The fantastic design fits bench vices on a bar away from the work area.”
After the design and consult process, the benches were then constructed by Year 9 and 10 Woodwork students and the Teachers Bench was completed solely by Finn Saunders from year 12 Construction.
The painting of the benches and the orientation and positioning within the classrooms was undertake by the Year 8 students.
Year 9 and 10 Metalwork students the metal work benches, and Year 12 VET Metals and Engineering class undertook the construction process.
“Students also designed a mobile welding trolley for their welding area so they can weld larger projects.”
As part of the outstanding initiative, the QHS students also designed a wrought iron machine bench so junior classes can have an area to make all their wrought iron projects.
A major role in the design and manufacture of my teachers bench - that also incorporates a sliding drawer toolbox with shelves for paperwork in the desk – was also undertaken as part of the process.
“Students choose the colour blue for all the benches and enjoyed the process of learning how to prepare and spray paint metal.”
Mr Miggins added that none of this would have been possible without the support of the local business community.
“Gowings Toyota, Peel Valley Machinery and Quirindi Grain and Produce, Tamarang Engineering and Mitre 10, helped us work within our budget and donated materials to the school for the project and the students are so grateful for their support.”
QHS woodwork and Metalwork rooms are now like new and the students are justifiably proud of their work.
“There is an amazing sense of camaraderie and achievement amongst the students who worked on these projects. project has given all students involve such great feeling of being part of their own learning and feeling of self-worth.”
Mr Miggins also said he cannot thank the professionalism of the QHS Executive staff enough.
"Without the support and backing and trust of my Head Teacher, Natasha Cowan and the Principal, Mr Worley this project would never have taken off."
Congratulations QHS.