CaPA
What is happening in the CAPA Department?
Visual Arts
Year 7 Visual Arts
Our Year 7 Visual Arts students have completed their Culture Vulture Lino Print project, and the results have been colourful, creative, and full of personality. This unit introduced students to the exciting world of printmaking, where they explored the trends, interests, and cultural influences that shape their everyday lives — from favourite foods and shoes to video games, apps, characters, and music.
Students designed and carved their own lino printing block, using various coloured inks for their main print and adding colour through mixed media such as coloured pencils, markers, inks and watercolour. They also learned about four influential artists — Mulga, Andy Warhol, Brian Robinson, and Shepard Fairey — and experimented with using their styles in their own work.
Year 9 Visual Arts/Design
Over the past two terms, our Year 9 Art and Design students have been immersed in a dynamic exploration of appropriation in contemporary art. This unit encouraged students to investigate how artists borrow, reinterpret, and transform existing imagery and ideas to create new meaning.
Building on this understanding, students applied their knowledge in a highly engaging practical project: designing and painting the underside of a skateboard deck. Each student selected an artist whose visual style inspired them, then adapted that style to suit the unique shape and format of a skateboard. This process required thoughtful consideration of composition, colour, scale, typography, and the conventions of acrylic painting.
This unit was a highlight for the cohort, offering a contemporary, hands‑on way to connect art theory with real‑world design practice. The finished skateboards showcase impressive craftsmanship, individuality, and a strong grasp of how artists influence one another across time and culture.
Students were also given the opportunity last week to attend an excursion to the Art Gallery of New South Wales to deepen their understanding of Indigenous art and cultural storytelling. A highlight of the excursion was viewing the remarkable Ku' dogs, powerful sculptural forms that express identity, community, and connection to Country within various Indigenous cultures. Students then participated in a hands‑on digital workshop, using iPads to design their own contemporary interpretations of Ku dogs. This experience allowed them to blend cultural learning with modern creative technology, resulting in thoughtful and imaginative digital artworks.
On the 29th of July, the Year 9 elective art classes went on an excursion to the Art Gallery of NSW. We took a tour of the gallery and participated in a digital art workshop, where we put into practice what we learned from our tour of the Indigenous sculptures. We also stopped for a tasty lunch at Circular Quay. Overall, everyone had an extraordinary time and benefited greatly from the workshop!
Sophie Slack
HSC Visual Arts
Our year 12 students are in full working mode to get their Body of Works completed for submission. Works vary from drawing, painting, sculpture, graphic design and so much more. We wish all of our creative students the best in their completion of their Body of Work.
WATCH THIS SPACE for completed masterpieces!!
Body of Works due for submission on 31 August by 3pm
HSC Drama
We are excited to announce our Year 12 Drama students who are part of the VIVA HSC Showcase Evening at St Patrick’s College Sutherland.
Date: Wednesday, 19 August
Time: 5:30pm St Patrick’s students
7.00pm - VIVA students
Please come and support our Year 12 students in this outstanding achievement!
