Students from Concord High School have capped off years of hard work with a stunning collection of HSC Industrial Technology Major Projects, each piece reflecting hundreds of hours of design, problem-solving and skilled craftsmanship.

From a hand-carved Jarrah bench to a mid-century inspired desk in Tasmanian Blackwood, the finished works demonstrate not only technical mastery of woodworking techniques, but a genuine passion for turning an idea into a finished, functional object.

Head Teacher Technological and Applied Studies, Armagan Basak, said the calibre of this year's projects was a credit to the students and their teacher.

"I am extremely proud of the outstanding Major Project's produced by these students and the tremendous effort, commitment and perseverance they have demonstrated throughout the project. Their final outcomes are a reflection not only of their individual creativity, practical skills and dedication, but also of the significant amount of time and effort invested throughout the development and production process," Mr Basak said.

"I would also like to acknowledge the exceptional commitment of their teacher, Mr Luke Shephard, who has worked tirelessly alongside the students throughout the Major Project process. Luke has dedicated countless hours to supporting, guiding and mentoring the students, helping them overcome challenges, refine their ideas and develop their projects to an exceptionally high standard.”

A desk built to last

For student Duncan Gors, the brief was personal: he needed a desk for his own room. The result was a piece featuring hanging drawers and an intricately detailed inlay design across the top.

"Building my major project was a challenging experience for me. I decided to create a desk as I needed one for my room. The desk would need to include hanging drawers and inlay design at the top. As I was creating my project, I became more confident in different tools, machinery, and construction techniques," Duncan said.

The inlay proved to be the project's biggest test of patience and precision.

"The inlay at the top was one of the most detailed parts of my desk and was one of the biggest challenges I faced. It required a lot of time and precision to create a result I was happy with. There were times where I had to redo a step of my inlay as sometimes, I created the corner curves too big or small," he said.

"Overall, I am happy with how my desk turned out. I have spent a lot of time working on this major work, and it was rewarding to see it all come together. I am proud of the result, the quality, and especially the inlay and hanging drawers."

Carved roses inspired by home

Alex O'Brien's project began not in the workshop, but on the front porch of his own home, where a hand carved bench now takes pride of place.

"The overall design was heavily influenced by its intended location. The bench will sit on my front porch, where the hand carved design on the backrest and armrests mirror the leadlight window above its location, and the leaf details reflect the rose bush beside it," Alex said.

Jarrah was chosen for both its beauty and its strength, while a bent lamination technique helped shape the bench's distinctive curved backrest.

"I chose Jarrah as it's an Australian hardwood, and for its durability and strong grain. The backrest was achieved using bent lamination, which softened the otherwise boxy form of the bench. The hand carved roses are the main decorative feature, copied from the leadlight onto the timber before being carved and painted. The hinged seat opens and allows the bench to have more function and usability."

Having not studied the subject in Stage 5, Alex said the project pushed him well outside his comfort zone.

"It was very fun and I am proud to display the results of my project.”

Mid-century style meets modern craftsmanship

Andrew Morozoff drew on mid-century design principles to create a desk that balances simplicity, function and natural materials.

"My HSC major project was inspired by mid-century furniture, with a focus on simple forms, natural timber and a balance between functionality and appearance. The rounded tabletop and tapered cylindrical legs soften the overall shape of the desk, while the raised work surface creates a sense of lightness rather than making the design appear heavy or bulky," Andrew said.

Tasmanian Blackwood was selected to let the timber's natural character shine through the design.

"The Tasmanian Blackwood was selected because of the natural grain highlights and warm tones making the material itself a major design feature. The three large drawer fronts continue this grain-focused appearance while providing practical storage without the need for visible handles. Dovetail joints were used in the drawers, adding strength and showcasing traditional woodworking techniques."

"The open space between the drawer cabinet and tabletop, combined with the slim legs and clean lines, creates a floating appearance and reinforces the mid-century style. Overall, the curved edges, natural grain and simple proportions work together to create a desk that is both functional and visually appealing."

Celebrating craftsmanship and commitment

Each of these Major Projects tells a different story but all share a common thread: the dedication of Concord High School students to learn new skills, solve problems and produce work they can be proud of.