CAPA Faculty

MUSIC 

Year 7 Music have embarked on a study of the impact of technology in music, with the Music and Technology (Video Game Music) unit of work. Students have demonstrated further development with their keyboard skills as they work through video game themes with two-handed proficiency. Next term they will work on their songwriting abilities as they form groups and explore Let’s Make a Band. 

Stage 5 Music have been progressing well, exploring covers and arrangements in the Like a Version unit (Year 9) and the Elements of Music in the Musical Theatre unit (Year 10). Students have been developing the skills to discuss music in a range of contexts, and we look forward to giving them an opportunity to perform at our upcoming MADD Night on the 26th of November in Term 4. 

This term, Year 11 Music worked through the Music for Small Ensembles unit of work, leading to the presentation of their group performances and a listening exam for the Year 11 Preliminary Examinations. With this completed, they now enter the HSC course and can begin working their repertoire for next year’s HSC. The students will be required to perform one song and present or submit three electives (either Performance, Composition or Viva Voce) and should be working hard consistently at home or with their tutors to do the best possible. 

After the Trial HSC, Year 12 Music completed their HSC Practical Examinations – a major element of the Music 1 course where they performed a program of four songs to external markers. These students are commended on their efforts in practicing in class and outside of school and we wish them luck for their HSC examinations next term. 

DRAMA 

Year 10 Drama Elective students began the term by exploring design for theatre, focusing on sound, lighting, script, costume and set design. Through this study, students developed a theoretical understanding of the behind the scenes aspects of live theatre performance. By spending a week on each element of design, students were able to engage closely with every area and identify a key focus for their recently completed assessment task. 

For the assessment, students had the opportunity to select their own play scripts and scenes, along with their chosen design area. Students engaged with the task exceptionally well, presenting their design pitches with confidence and creativity. 

Students also attended an excursion to see The Lion King live at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney, gaining valuable insight into how design elements operate and the role they play in professional theatre. Following the show, the class had the special opportunity to speak with the cast and crew about the design of the production. 

Students will now transition into their Term 4 topic of improvised theatre. 

DANCE 

Year 10 Elective Dance students began the term by completing their Musical Theatre performance assessment to ‘You Can’t Stop the Beat’ from Hairspray. Students were outstanding in their portrayal of the characters, demonstrating significant growth in confidence, performance quality and stage presence. We are hoping to showcase their hard work once again later in the year, with students performing the routine at the school’s MADD Night. 

This term, students have shifted their focus to the foundations of Dance Composition, working towards creating and performing their own original pieces. Through a combination of practical and theoretical learning each lesson, students are exploring the Elements of Dance, choreographic devices, motif development and the use of stimulus and intent to communicate ideas through movement. We look forward to seeing students move from performers to choreographers as they experiment with their own creative ideas throughout the term. 

VISUAL ARTS 

Year 8 have been studying 'Animals in Art' during Term 3. Their projects for this term included creating fish from found objects bringing light to the impact pollution has on the ocean and to the Sealife.  

Year 9 Visual Arts have been studying the conventions of Pop Art through critical and historical study of Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. Through artmaking students have appropriated Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans in a ceramic sculpture. These pieces will be showcased at MADD Night.  

Year 11 Visual Arts successfully created Picasso-inspired pots and artworks influenced by a modern artist of their choice. These pieces were showcased at MADD Night, with some selected for Fishes Ghost. Well done, Year 11, on achieving great results with this project! 

Year 12 Visual Arts have completed their Body of Work this term. Congratulations on your hard work and dedication in completing this major project. Good luck with your studies and the HSC! 

VISUAL DESIGN 

Years 9 and 10 have been building a portfolio of works focused on the theme of ‘Fonts.’ Activities include creating a Jasper Johns-inspired artwork, designing emojis, producing zines, and developing a mini graffiti wall. All projects will be showcased at CAPA Night in Term 4. We look forward to seeing the finished results! 

Year 11 Visual Design just completed their unit of study on Interior Design. Using shoe boxes and a variety of materials students created a diorama of a Hotel Room based on a theme they researched individually. These dioramas will be showcased at MADD Night.  

Year 12 Visual Design have just completed their Individual Design Projects looking at how products are made for a specific audience. Students had to pitch, propose and then design a prototype of the product based on a topic studied throughout Stage 6 Visual Design course.  

FRENCH 

Throughout Term 3, Year 7 French students have been exploring French cuisine and restaurant culture. They have developed their vocabulary relating to a range of food and beverage items, colours and descriptive language, enabling them to describe different foods and express their likes, dislikes and personal preferences in French. Students have also learned the appropriate language required to make a restaurant reservation, book a table, order from a French menu and communicate politely with waiters and restaurant staff. Through structured dialogues, realistic scenarios and role-play activities, they have applied their French language skills in meaningful and practical contexts. 

As part of their cultural learning, students also watched the film Ratatouille, which provided an engaging introduction to French cuisine, Parisian culture and the world of professional cooking. They explored important themes presented in the film, including perseverance, creativity, friendship, courage and the importance of believing in one’s abilities. Students also reflected on the idea that talent can come from unexpected places and that success often requires determination, resilience and the confidence to pursue one’s passion. This unit has strengthened students’ language skills while deepening their knowledge and appreciation of French culture. 

ITALIAN 

Term 3 has been a colourful and creative one for our Year 7 Italian students! Students have expanded their vocabulary for colours and clothing while learning to use simple adjectives and adjective agreement in Italian. 

Students will put their language skills into practice through an upcoming Italian fashion parade, where they will describe their classmates’ outfits in Italian. They have also explored Italian geography and culture, including Vatican City and the regions of Italy. In Term 4, students will build on this learning by completing a research poster on an Italian region. 

Later this term, students will begin learning vocabulary related to family members, friends and pets. Through visuals, modelling, games and regular speaking practice, students are continuing to develop confidence across listening, speaking, reading and writing. Bravissimi, Year 7!