Newman Senior Technical College (NSTC) and John Henry Institute (JHI) recently collaborated to construct a sandpit to be used in plumbing training. The sandpit, built at NSTC, is an effective teaching tool designed to teach students skills in drainage, pipe layout and irrigation practices.

The NSTC Construction class (12 CON 1) led by teacher, Luke O’Brien and teaching assistant Steve Bishop, designed, planned and constructed the sand pit with the skills of NSTC carpentry students. The sandpit frame is 6-metre by 12-metre with a depth in the middle of 1.2-metres. Students enjoyed building a real-life construction and undertook the project with enthusiasm and great teamwork.

JHI Plumbing Trainer, Travers Goldie, believes the sandpit will support the development of vital plumbing skills required in the Certificate III in Plumbing (apprenticeship).

“The sandpit highlights the need for quality training resources and students are already enjoying the hands on approach to practical learning and skill development,” says Travers.

The sandpit also reinforces other learning relating to plumbing such as WHS practices and how to work as a team to achieve an end product.

This is a great example of how collaboration can reinforce quality learning outcomes for students at NSTC and JHI.