Warilla High student Lukas Kospic has spent months building a go-kart for his HSC, which he plans to ride at his family’s farm. Photo: NSW DET.
The creations of Year 12 students across the region are finally complete, with focus shifting from the major works they have been working on for months to the upcoming written exams.
Warilla High’s Lukas Kospic got a taste for metalwork when he was in Year 7 and when he was given the opportunity to revisit the craft for his HSC it seemed like the perfect chance to create something he could enjoy making and use well into the future.
“We got to pick anything we wanted to build for it, and we have a farm out in Goulburn so just going out to the farm and riding the bikes out there I thought building a go-kart would be pretty good to have out there,” Lukas said.
While many classmates were eager to start the hands-on work, the design process proved to be a crucial, and time-consuming, task.
“First we had to get some ideas off existing go-karts and work out how we wanted ours to be built and start actually designing it, getting all the calculations and working out what materials we were going to build,” Lukas said.
“I feel like a lot of students did face the struggle throughout where they kind of skipped a few things in the designing process because everyone was really excited to get started, so it kind of slowed them down throughout.
“Definitely if I had another chance I would spend a lot more time designing and calculating all my parts just to make sure everything flows a lot nicer.”
While Lukas was passionate about building and completing his major work, he constantly had to manage his time to ensure his other HSC studies weren’t falling to the wayside.
“It was a bit of a struggle trying to work it out because I was very keen on building the go-kart, so sometimes I would have to step back and realise that I needed to focus on my other subjects as well as spending a lot of time working on my go-kart,” he said.
“But in the end I managed to build up a bit of a plan, work out what needs to be done, and make sure I focus on other subjects as well.
“I would come to school a bit earlier, get a bit of work done and even stay back in breaks with my teacher to try and work on it – I was really keen on trying to get it done to the best of my ability.”
Now he not only boasts owning an ergonomically designed go-kart – which includes a 13 horsepower engine, full suspension and a safety roll bar feature – he’s also ticked off a key component of his HSC.
“It feels good not to have to worry about that and now I’ve got a lot more time to focus in on my other studies and get prepared for the HSC which is really good,” he said.
Thirty thousand students across NSW spent term three finishing their major works and performances in courses including Visual Arts, Music, Drama, Dance, Industrial Technology, Design and Technology, Textiles and Design, English Extension 2 and Society and Culture.
Each project marks an incredible personal achievement and reflection of the broad range of interests and skills developed throughout their school years.
“Students developed projects with increasingly specialised and purpose-built applications, demonstrating greater independence in identifying design problems and developing appropriate solutions,” Warilla High School principal Jennifer Lawrence said.
“Each project has been individually designed and manufactured by the students, allowing them to develop practical skills in metal fabrication, machining, welding, finishing and assembly.”
“These works represent months, and in many cases years, of dedication, creativity, persistence and skill,” NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said.
“Behind every performance, project and piece of work are early mornings, late nights, countless rehearsals and drafts, and the unwavering support of teachers, school leaders, support staff, families and friends.”
But there’s not much time for celebration just yet, with the HSC written examinations set to kick off on Tuesday 13 October.
“Our students should be proud of what they have achieved. They have shown the determination and creativity that make our public schools so special,” Mr Dizdar said.
“As they turn their attention to the final stage of the HSC, our teachers and staff will continue to support, encourage and challenge them to finish strongly.”
Exams will finish on Thursday 5 November with results and ATARs to be released on Wednesday 16 December.
