[Design and Technology] class numbers

Kaylen Kornberg KNK at mentonegrammar.net
Sun Dec 4 19:45:26 AEDT 2016


Thanks so much for this and yes it is very relevant.

Kaylen Kornberg
Acting Finlay Anderson House Coordinator
Technology Teacher

Mentone Grammar
63 Venice Street, Mentone
Victoria, Australia 3194
Tel: +61 (03) 9584 4211
Dir: +61 (03) 9581 3234
Email: knk at mentonegrammar.net<mailto:knk at mentonegrammar.net>


On 4 Dec 2016, at 7:20 PM, steven.donaldson steven.donaldson <steven.donaldson at bigpond.com<mailto:steven.donaldson at bigpond.com>> wrote:

Hi all,

Not sure how relevant this is,,

All technology classes at my school have been capped at 20..  If required to go beyond that number then it is with negotiation with the teacher. However, the Food Tech and Textiles are strictly capped due to space considerations and the number of stoves and sewing machines.  The Design-Fabrication classes are capped at 18 due to high risk activities.. Robotics-20..    The only space that can be negotiated in senior wood,, but again 20..

It is in the interest of the principal and teachers involved that classes and activities are monitored based on the risk assessment and the expected portable power tool and machine plant usage.. The available space to work with,,  Remembering there are advised minimum distances between work stations..   any common walkways, benches, fixed plant are not to be included in the workspace calculations etc..

I unfortunately have had a bad experiences with a student injury and the subsequent fall out afterwards..  Safety in the workshop is not to be treated lightly and principal's and those responsible for the allocation of class sizes must be educated on these risks..

We still operate traditional equipment including new modern equipment..  How else can products be made with out the planning and thinking skills combined with the safe training of various tools and equipment in workshops..  I am confident that students who pass through my welding workshop can safely use one at home if they chose to do so later in life..

Worksafe Vic have also indicated if you do any OHS training during a start up program (Head start, etc.) , make sure the assessment is in the following year..
We have had some issues with Worksafe,, brand new workshops, poorly designed,, blind spots every where..  However, they did indicate that any OHS training and assessment must be completed in the year they plan to use machines and power tools..  A refresher is required each year after that.

Apologies for the long string,, but this issue is one I must speak up about..

Regards
Steve Donaldson
Technology Manager & VET Coordinator
Crusoe College
Kangaroo Flat.


------ Original Message ------
From: "julie armstrong" <self.delicacy at gmail.com<mailto:self.delicacy at gmail.com>>
To: "Design and Technology Teachers' Mailing List" <destech at edulists.com.au<mailto:destech at edulists.com.au>>
Sent: Sunday, 4 Dec, 2016 At 12:26 PM
Subject: Re: [Design and Technology] class numbers

Thank you for your positive response. I am using these head start weeks and a few weeks next year to go through OH&S although I am still concerned about the class size and not seeing what everyone is doing

Julie

On 4 December 2016 at 08:25, Kaylen Kornberg <KNK at mentonegrammar.net<mailto:KNK at mentonegrammar.net>> wrote:

That's a wise move for your first year of teaching this. I've taught it for over 25 yrs but with OH&S rules and schools just getting bigger it's getting harder to keep practical and hands on subjects going. That sounds like a great project. Good luck with  it.

Kaylen Kornberg
Acting Finlay Anderson House Coordinator
Technology Teacher

Mentone Grammar
63 Venice Street, Mentone
Victoria, Australia 3194
Tel: +61 (03) 9584 4211
Dir: +61 (03) 9581 3234
Email: knk at mentonegrammar.net<mailto:knk at mentonegrammar.net>


On 4 Dec 2016, at 8:05 AM, julie armstrong <self.delicacy at gmail.com<mailto:self.delicacy at gmail.com>> wrote:

Hi all

I am teaching woodwork for the first time this year and have 3 classes of 26 students. Basically I have made a no power tool rule at least for first term until I get to know the kids and they get to know me. We are doing a reclaimed item they must bring  from home that we can repair, reuse and make it an item they or someone will use

Julie

On Sunday, 4 December 2016, Kaylen Kornberg <KNK at mentonegrammar.net<mailto:KNK at mentonegrammar.net>> wrote:
Wow. How on earth do you cope with that number? What projects do you do to make It easier to supervise them all?



On 3 Dec 2016, at 7:49 pm, Paul Haydock <docca1 at hotmail.com> wrote:

Hi kaylen,
We have year 7 & 8 classes that usually reach 25, 26 or 27 students. Year 9 at 22 and year 10-12 capped at 20 students.

Sent from my iPhone

On 29 Nov. 2016, at 3:59 pm, Craig Watson <C.Watson at kardinia.vic.edu.au> wrote:

Hi Kaylen,
Here is some information I received last year over a similar question I had. Hope it is helpful. Craig.



Class Size
The Victorian Government Schools Agreement (2013) has the following information in relation to class sizes.
1.    The principal, as the Employer’s representative, will use the consultation provisions of this agreement when considering the class sizes in a school.
2.    It is recognised that there are varied forms of teaching arrangements (including practical classes, team teaching and lecture tutorials) and different structural options,  (including P-12 arrangements, senior school arrangements and senior campuses) that optimise student learning opportunities. In addition, the organisation of teaching should provide and maintain, so far as is practicable, a working environment that is safe  and without risks to health.
3.    In this context, and within the fixed resources provided to schools and the physical facilities schedule, class size should be planned on the minimum possible. Provided that  class sizes should be planned generally on the following basis:
a.    P to 6 - an average of 26 provided that the average class size of 21 at P-2 is maintained;
b.    7 to 12 – groups of up to 25 students.
Practical class sizes

  1.
c.    Schools are required to provide and maintain, so far as is practicable, a working environment that is safe and without risks to health.
d.    Schools should plan for the minimum practical class sizes possible given available resources. Practical class sizes should be determined having regard to the nature of the  activities, the nature of the equipment used, the maturity and competence of the students and the capabilities of the teacher to provide expert supervision.
e.    A practical class includes a subject or course where the use of equipment and/or material of a potentially dangerous nature is involved and/or a class in which students are  undertaking manual or other tasks requiring greater individual supervision of the classroom activity.
As such, it is up to the principal to determine appropriate class sizes with consideration to nature of the activities, the nature of the equipment used, the maturity and  competence of the students and the capabilities of the teacher to provide expert supervision. Some of these factors are expanded further below.

Class Spacing and Layout
The workplace must ensure that spacing is assessed when determining whether an art, design or technology area is appropriate. This includes assessing:
The overall size of the room – can all of the required equipment, students and school employees  physically fit into the space. An assessment of the space should include:

  *   effective walkways;
  *   lines of site;
  *   additional space for the effective use of plant and equipment;
  *   additional space to allow for the handling of materials (e.g. moving timber);
  *   additional space required for materials storage; and
  *   additional space required for the storage of works/projects that are in progress or completed.
Spacing around Individual Plant and Equipment – can each item of plant and equipment be used  safely and efficiently with respect to spacing? In general, it is recommended that there is at least 800mm free space around the point of use of any plant. This is taken from Compliance Code - Workplace Amenities and Work Environment (Worksafe Victoria, September 2008) which states:
‘Movement in and around workstations needs to be free of obstructions such as plant, furniture, materials or other employees. Employers need to ensure that the space for  employees to move and work between plant, equipment, structures and materials is at least 800mm. This is to enable employees to work safely between machines, benches or counters. It will also allow them to evacuate quickly in an emergency.’

Figure 1: Space required around plant
<image001.jpg>
It should be noted that 800mm is only a general recommendation. The operation of the specific plant should be taken into account when determining appropriate spacing. For  example a drop saw may require more space to either side to allow for the material being cut. Conversely, a fully enclosed CNC machine may only require 800mm.
Layout of the Room – has the layout of the room been considered in terms of:

  *   Frequency of plant and equipment use.
•         Are the most frequently used items easily accessible?
•         Are the most frequently used items grouped together? Could this cause congestion?

  *   Location of higher risk equipment or activities. Are higher risk equipment or tasks located in an easily visible location, to enable active supervision,  or located away from high traffic walkways?
  *   Location of store areas. Does the location of stored materials have any impact on the placement of plant/equipment and/or activities?
  *   Project progression. Have plant/equipment and/or activities been located so that minimum movement is required. This would be especially relevant  when one task logically follows on from another (e.g. clay storage ==> potter’s wheel ==> kiln).
Overall, when determining the layout of a room, operations within that room must be able to be completed safely.


From: destech-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:destech-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Kaylen Kornberg
Sent: Tuesday, 29 November 2016 3:33 PM
To: Design and Technology Teachers' Mailing List (destech at edulists.com.au)
Subject: [Design and Technology] class numbers

Hi all.
Presently we are undergoing some changes at school and our wood tech class sizes have increased dramatically. Can I have some indication of what other schools’ class sizes are capped at for yrs 7-9  please as I am really  concerned about OH&S issues and the size of the room as we can only fit 10 rectangular benches in the space. Also, is there a specific distance between benches that is documented that can be used as a guide?
Thanks so much everyone as I am getting a bit stressed about all of this.
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the named recipient(s) only. If you have received this email in error please notify
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any one or make copies.
Please note that the recipient must scan this e-mail and any attached files, for
viruses and the like. While we do everything possible to protect information from
viruses, the Self Delicacy accepts no liability of whatever nature for any
loss, liability, damage or expense resulting directly or indirectly from the access
and/or downloading of any files which are attached to this e-mail message.
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