Deniliquin High industrial technologies teacher Ben Grant with the laser cutter provided by the P&C.
Recent donations through the Deniliquin P&C and other schools in the region are making immediate differences at Deniliquin High School.
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A big ticket item is the xTool laser cutter, purchased by the P&C.
It cuts, engraves and inlays students designs on a range of materials, including timber, plastics, acrylics and metals.
The tool was on technological and applied sciences (TAS) teacher Ben Grant’s wishlist, and he said it’s been popular among all year levels.
“Students will be able to use the tool to develop skills in computer-aided design (CAD) and computer numerical controlled (CNC) digital fabrication, precision manufacturing and problem-solving.
“It is all about helping students be employable and be better prepared for skills in the future.
“We had the program Fusion 360 implemented for student designs last year, and they can prototype on a 3D model to see what it looks like before they cut, which saves time and resources.
“It is also nice to offer something we haven’t had in the past.”
DHS P&C president Vince Kelly said the P&C is always looking for ways it can improve engagement and outcomes for students while supporting teachers, particularly through technology.
“This was a great opportunity to do that,” he said.
“The world is a very different to when I was at high school, in terms of how things are done.
“Even in local business and carpentry, there is a lot of computer automated design, which provides significant opportunity to students that they realistically will use and want to learn how to use the tool.”
The laser cutter in action.
In separate donations, the school has also received Casio calculators and textbooks from schools across the district who want to support Deni High as it continues to rebuild after the November fire.
Mathematics head teacher Tanya Momot said the calculators were originally won by another schools at the Mathematics Association of NSW regional conference in Albury, which she attended with Robyn Laverty.
“Nathan Tainton and Matthew Patching from The Scots School Albury won the lucky door prize but decided, because of the fire, that we would be deserving of them,” she said.
“While not the scientific calculators we traditionally use, they have the basic computational functions and may be useful for other faculties that do calculations and numeracy in regular class activities.
“We also have received over 1000 textbooks from Trinity Grammar School. We lost about 4000 in the fire.
“To have something so catastrophic happen, and to find new ways to have those learning materials for classes replenished, has been really heartwarming. We are grateful.”
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