Winners showcase D&T skills in Trust 'upcycling' competition

A magnificent 150 entries were received from students across Trust secondary schools, wanting to showcase their creative solutions to give everyday objects a new lease of life.

Entries were whittled down to a shortlist of just 3 projects from each school, before the winners were decided. The quality of  entries meant it was no easy task for the judging panel, who included guest judge former Dragon's Den star and TV personality Max McMurdo. Max said he was 'very impressed' with the variety of entries and the standard of work.

Dale Mears, Trust Director of Design & Technology, said: "This was the first year we opened the competition up to all schools in the Trust, after last year's competition was trialled at The Carlton Academy."

"It's a great way for students across Redhill Academy Trust to engage with a subject in their own time outside the curriculum."

Next year Mr Mears expects the competition to be even bigger and better! He is in the process of distributing trophies to the winning engineers for their tremendous efforts.

And the 2022 Upcycling Competition winners are...

Finlay Martin (Brookfield Community School)

First place went to Finlay Martin who was in Year 7 when he entered the competition. Finley took an old play table and stripped it down, edged the table, covered it in Pokémon cards and used resin casting to add a clear layer over the top to make the graphics permanent. A great way of upcycling an old table and giving it a new lease of life.

---

Gian Gauci (Colonel Frank Seely Academy)

George Le-Baigue (Brookfield Community School)

Second place was a tie between Gian Gauci and Brookfield's George Le-Baigue who were in Years 10 and 7 respectively at the time of the competition. Gian took some old pram wheels and some off-cuts to produce a fantastic wheeled cart/buggy/trolley. He even used a range of wood joints to construct his vehicle. George opted to use a range of D&T related consumables and old parts to produce this very cool and very saleable 'man-cave' sign. 

---

Courtney Denoon (The Carlton Academy)

Third place went to Courtney Denoon who was in Year 8. She took an old chair, sanded it back, re-painted and re-covered it using her textiles skills and re-assembled this lovely chair.

---

Post-16 Winners: 

Mr Mears said: "It was a very difficult decision to judge between our Post-16 entries. Sixth formers were under-represented in this year's competition, with both entries coming from Brookfield Community School. Next year we'll definitely be aiming for more Post-16 entries. These students can showcase a wide range of skills they have learnt in our subject across the key stages, inspiring the younger generation of pupils."

Dylan Moore (Brookfield Community School)

The win went to Dylan Moore, who was in Year 12 (now Year 13), for the fire pit he constructed out of an old barbecue and scraps of metal. Some series fabrication skills were used here!

Peter Simcoe (Brookfield Community School)

Second place went to Peter Simcoe, also now Year 13, who took an old, disused fire extinguisher and upcycled it into a super modern lighting solution. Again the judges agreed that some excellent engineering skills were used to construct this product.

These students can showcase a wide range of skills they have learnt in our subject across the key stages, inspiring the younger generation of pupils - Mr Mears, Trust Director of Design & Technology