Food technology students at Napier Boys’ High School have the best of both worlds – not only are they learning how to cook and about food safety, they also get to eat what they make.
Food technology teacher Ashleigh Fincham says the course is popular with students from Year nine right up to those in Year 13, with the Year 11 boys’ doing it as an NCEA course.
“They do love the eating component, but they also like being here, whether it is something they want to pursue or just as a fun option.”
“We did doughnuts last week and they were so excited to just come in and put everything on and get into it. And some of them are very independent and want to just do it.”
Miss Fincham joined the NBHS staff this year as maternity cover and is the only full-time food technology teacher (teaching Years 11-13), with two other part-time teachers covering Years 9 and 10.
She says that while the focus is on learning new skills, it is also important for students to enjoy what they are doing. The subject consists of several units which cover a range of different types of cooking.
“So, right now with my Year 12s, I’m doing baking units. We’ve just done bread and we’re doing cupcakes and cakes and then we will go into pastries.”
“They will then have to make one of each for an assessment and then I mark them off. Last term we did international food where the boys had to research different countries and then each pick two dishes to make in class.”
The Year 13 students are currently preparing for their café or hot lunch days as part of their practical service, while they also focus on the theory of the subject.
“We had EIT come in and they cooked their paninis so we could all look at them because we’re going to sell them to staff in two weeks,” she said.
“My Year 11s have done a food safety and nutritional needs unit and now we’re doing a technology unit, so we’re making our pies and they’ve got to create a new flavour.”
The Year 9 students were learning the basics of food technology to get them familiar with the kitchen, competent on knife skills and general cleanliness.
“It is really to pique their interest to see if it is something, they want to do next year.”
She says there is a plan to also help out Good Bitches Baking, a volunteer network spreading kindness in the community.
“The network bake for the Women’s Refuge and other organisations and that baking gets dropped off to all those people in need.”
“We are going to start helping them as we have two Year 12s who are keen to give back to the community and help out.”
For Miss Fincham, an important part of Food Technology is creating a good environment for the boys.
“They obviously have got to respect this environment but most of them enjoy being in here and for some of them this is the one subject they come to school for.”
“If it can make a difference to one child’s life, that is my job done really.”
