Creative arts

In creative arts, students discover a variety of art forms through a study of dance, drama, music and visual arts.

Studying the creative arts, students learn to appreciate, compose, listen, make and perform. Each art form has its own unique knowledge and skills, elements or concepts as well as a capacity to inspire and enrich lives.

Students must study 100 hours of both music and visual arts during Years 7 to 10. They also have an opportunity to further develop their knowledge and skills in other art forms through elective subjects including drama, dance, photography and visual design. Students can then select from a range of courses in Years 11 to 12.

Drama

Drama is an art form that explores the world through enactment. It is a collaborative art form that involves the creative interaction of individuals using a range of artistic skills. Drama is an important means of understanding, constructing, appreciating and communicating social and cultural values.

In Drama, students can investigate, shape and symbolically represent ideas, feelings, attitudes, beliefs and their consequences. By studying this major art form students acquire skills in interpretation, communication, performance and critical analysis and become aware of the technical processes and technologies that may be used to heighten dramatic presentation. In the critical study of drama and theatre students can recognise the collaborative contribution of actors, directors, playwrights, designers and technicians to production. They develop an understanding of the cultural traditions and social contexts of drama and theatre.

Our students study Drama one period a fortnight in Years 7 and 8 and then can choose the subject as an elective in Years 9 to 12.

Visual Art

Visual Art provides students with the opportunity to enjoy the making and studying of art. Students gain a greater understanding of the Visual Arts by exploring various forms of media when making works and through critical analysis of art in both the contemporary and historical world.

Students learn:

about making different kinds of works in 2D, 3D and 4D forms
how their interests and ideas can form the basis of their artmaking practice
about the study of art and artist’s practice
how art is shaped and influenced by different beliefs, values and meanings.

All students study Visual Art in Years 7 and 8 (Stage 4), and have the option to elect the subject in the middle school years (Stage 5). Preliminary courses are offered in Visual Art, Ceramics and Photography, as well as in the High School Certificate year of study.

All courses are differentiated and tailored to suit the interests of the class.

Ceramics

Ceramics is offered as an elective course in Preliminary and HSC years of study, as a non ATAR subject. Students will build on previous knowledge and experiences with clay from Stage 4 in Visual Arts.

Photography

Photography is offered as an elective course in Preliminary and HSC years of study, as a non ATAR subject.

Students will learn about wet photography and darkroom practice, as well as digital media, photo manipulation and animation/ video.

Music

Music provides students with opportunity to gain knowledge, skills and experience to develop into musically sensitive and capable individuals.

The course helps build their capacity and desire to perform, read, compose and appreciate all forms of music, with a strong emphasis on the use of technology for composition.

Students can extend their skills and musical talents with instrument tutorials and by joining the school band, who performs regularly at school events and in the wider community.

In Years 7 and 8, all students study Music. In Years 9 and 10 students can elect to study the course, as is the same for the Preliminary and High School Certificate years.