Andrew's menu comprised a mushroom risotto starter followed by fresh home-made pasta served with pan-fried chicken in a white wine and tarragon sauce. Jomar's meal consisted of pan-fried chicken schnitzel served with a home-made potato salad and served with green rocket and mixed leaves. His dessert was a pineapple and banana crumble served with a tropical fruit coulii.

Head of Food Technology, Mrs Taggart, said "They faced strong competition from older students at Hinckley Catering College and despite their tremendous efforts, they were very unlucky not to win a place into the next round of the competition as their dishes were highly praised. However it has made them even more determined from their positive experience of the competition that they will enter next year with the ambition of reaching the National Final!"

Year 7's make their own board games

In their technology lessons, the Year 7's have been working as a team to come up with ideas for a design of a new board game. Each group has to decide on a theme for a game before producing a number of design ideas for the board and game pieces. Mrs Palmer said "The project really encouraged independent learning. It really raised the boys' confidence and encouraged them to communicate their ideas within a group." Games were marked on quality of design, creativity, quality of game pieces and instructions. Mrs Palmer added "Instead of marking the work myself, we experimented with group marking. Students were asked to give an attainment level for each other's game and to give reasons for their decision.This really raised the students' awareness of how they could improve their work and level of attainment and I noticed that the accuracy of their assessments improved as we worked through the different games."

Year 8 Bridge Project

Students had to build their bridge using a combination of materials and joining methods.

Mrs Palmer said “The project was a great success and highlighted how well the students can work as part of a team to solve a problem.”

The winning construction from each class received a certificate.

Pictured here are some of the bridges that the groups made. More photos and an extended story can be found in The Woodlander on pages 8 and 9.

Year 7's make Totem Poles

For the Year 7 students, the Technology Department has introduced a number of new projects this year which the staff very much hope will be well received.

The first project was to make Totem poles. This project is not only designed to introduce the students to the many different tools and machinery used in the technology workshop, but also to raise the students’ awareness of different cultural beliefs.

Mrs Palmer said “The project was an outstanding success. From planning and designing their Totem poles in the early lessons, the students went on to carving, cutting, shaping and joining in the workshop, and then they took their Totem poles home to decorate as part of their homework.” Winners were then selected from each group.

You can see more photographs by clicking here.