Santa’s Workshop Just Got a Serious Upgrade – Thanks to You
There is something special about the hum of Santa’s Workshop. The buzz of power tools, the scent of timber, and the quiet determination of students turning rough pieces of wood into something they are genuinely proud of.
Thanks to the generous support of our families through the Parent Levy, this creative space has undergone a major transformation. And the best part? It is giving students from Years 6 to 9 the chance to dive into bigger, bolder and more ambitious projects than ever before.
New Tools = New Possibilities
Under the guidance of Woodwork Teacher Craig Jordan, Santa’s Workshop has always been a place for curious minds and clever hands. But with a few key additions, the possibilities have exploded:
- A thickness planer helps students adjust timber to custom dimensions – opening up the use of recycled wood and allowing for more precise designs.
- A second bandsaw and mitre saw mean more students can work at once, cutting down on wait times and boosting creativity.
- And a Festool Domino Joiner — a serious, industry-level tool — letting students experiment with high-end joinery, ideal for creating furniture and complex projects and essential for the future expansion of the subject to upper years.
Craig Jordan shared, “The Generosity of the Parent Council has been essential in firstly the creation of Santa’s Workshop, but also in the expansion of tools and machines that have been added in the last two years. Our students can now gain the confidence and experience of using power tools and machines from the woodwork industry, which can be used and applied for their whole life beyond school.”
Thinking Sustainably, Creating Confidently
One of the coolest things about the new gear is that it allows students to work with a much wider range of materials, including salvaged and recycled timber. Not only is that better for the planet, but it is also teaching students to be thoughtful and resourceful in their design choices.These projects are about imagination, problem-solving and pride in a job well done.
Thank You, Parents
It is easy to see the impact of the Parent Levy in new buildings or big events. But sometimes, it is the smaller spaces, like a buzzing workshop tucked into a corner of the campus, where your support makes the biggest difference.
Because of you, more students are building, creating, collaborating and discovering what they are capable of. That is a pretty powerful legacy.
From all of us in Santa’s Workshop – thank you.
- Featured, HandsOnLearning, InnovationInSchool, ParentLevyFunding, ParentLevyImpact, SantaMariaCollege, SantasWorkshop, StudentCreativity, WoodworkProjects, WoodworkTools
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
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