Arts - Visual and Performing

The arts include the strands of art, dance, drama, and music.

Art

Aim 

During this unit students will develop practical skills in two-dimensional and three-dimensional art practices as well as personal and creative responses to art-related issues and concepts. 

Content

Students will work on a number of exercises that will extend their practical skills in painting, drawing, printing, sculpture, collage and other media. They will develop knowledge in a range of methods, experimenting with a variety of techniques. Throughout the course students will learn to select elements and construct images through trialling and refining design ideas. Extension activities will be provided as required. Students will also learn about art works and styles through discussion, writing and analysis. 

Assessment

 A folio of practical work, visual diary, research assignments, self-evaluations, class notes and class discussions.

Media 

Aim 

• To develop creative and technical skills to produce work in Media.
• To develop reflective analysis and appreciation of media and society. 
• To develop awareness of the relationship between the media and audiences. 
• To develop individual/group problem solving skills.

Content 

This course will focus on further enhancing student skills using media equipment and technologies such as Adobe, Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere Pro and Final Cut. Students will be given opportunities to explore a variety of different media forms, including digital photography and video production techniques, as well as podcasting and print production. Students also analyse films for meaning and audience engagement. This course is excellent preparation for students considering studying Units 1 & 2 Media at VCE level and/or students interested in careers in photography, journalism, filmmaking and advertising. 

Assessment 

A folio of practical work, and a workbook detailing ideas, research and analytical notes.

Ceramics

Aim 

The focus of this unit is on the development of creative design skills and on interpreting these using a variety of hand-building, decorative colouring and glazing techniques. 

Content

The course will focus on the principles of creative design and the extension of practical skills. Students will use basic coil and slab hand-building methods and decorative, glazing and firing techniques. They will produce a number of colourful, well-built and imaginative artworks. Students will get the opportunity to use the pottery wheels to create small vessels. 

Assessment 

A folio of practical work, a workbook detailing working methods and design ideas, a research assignment and class notes

Visual Communication Design

Aim

The unit of study focuses on the Design Process. Students will undertake tasks that are reflective of real-life design problems and in doing so, come to appreciate the role of designers within our community. They will gain insight into the power of visual communication through regular analysis of contemporary graphic design and advertising, as well as appreciation of ethical issues faced by designers. 

Content 

Students explore a variety of tasks using the Design Process as a framework for the development of their ideas and technical skills. They develop skills in two and three-dimensional drawing styles and improve their knowledge and appreciation of industry standard design software such as Adobe, Photoshop and Illustrator. They learn a range of thinking techniques and strategies used by designers to enrich and expand on the quality of their ideas and ability to solve design problems. Topics at this level include Design Elements and Principles, The Design Process, industrial and communication design. 

Assessment 

The students will be assessed on written and developmental work, as well as the final presentations produced in response to each set design task. The process of idea development and visual documentation will also be assessed.

Dance Skills & Technique

Aim

Year 10 dance involves the further development of students’ technical abilities and the understanding of their bodies as an instrument of movement. Students become aware of how to use their bodies safely and correctly, concentrating on posture, core stabilisation, strength and body alignment. Previous dance experience is not necessary for this subject. Both students with extensive or little experience can successfully take part in this elective. 

Content

Students will be introduced to choreographic techniques, including the use of form, phrasing, the elements of movement and body actions. Students will continue to practise safe dance techniques and implement warm-ups and cool downs as part of their dance preparation. Students will choreograph both a solo and a small ensemble dance works during the semester. 

• Demonstrate an awareness of the way that a range of stagecraft elements can be used to communicate dance ideas. 
• Students will evaluate the performance of their own choreography and a learnt group dance. 
• Research a chosen dance choreographer. 

Assessment

Students will be assessed on their individual dance technique, the ability to choreograph a creative solo and small group work. Students will also complete a research assignment on a chosen dance choreographer. 

Drama Script & Performance

Aim 

Students will expand their understanding of the techniques involved in script interpretation by planning, developing and presenting a class performance. They will learn about different theatre styles and gain practical experience in acting methodology, directing and designing for theatre in the areas of lighting, sound, set, props, costumes and make up. An excursion to a professional performance will enable students to apply analytical skills and to demonstrate their understanding of theatre terminology.

Content

Students will explore scripts from different theatre styles and attend a professional performance. The process of developing the class performance will provide each student with the opportunity to work creatively in an acting and production design role of their choice. 

Students will have input into the scale and type of class performance. Some rehearsals may be held out of class time.

Assessment

Students will be assessed on their contribution to the class performance as actors and designers. They will also write an analysis of a professional performance and demonstrate their ability to use theatre terminology. 

Music in the Digital Drop

Aim

How do people actually get their music to sound so good and drop it online? This elective will show you how. You will have an opportunity to compose, rehearse and record musical pieces and learn how to create recordings that can be shared on online platforms such as TeacherTube, YouTube, TikTok, Spotify etc... It also includes an overview of the music industry, how to copyright music, how to prepare music for release and how to share music on streaming services through distributors like DistroKid. 

This is a hands-on subject that allows students to experience digital technologies in a range of different settings.

By the end of the unit, all students will create a musical recording and/or video that will be uploaded to TeacherTube. Students will have the option of sharing these recordings with the wider community.

Content

This elective includes the following:

• Composing and recording musical pieces
• Sound production
• Studio recording techniques
• Working in the music industry
• Preparing, uploading and sharing musical recordings
• Music Copyright

Assessment

• Making: Composition and practical work. Teacher observation and feedback on how you approach each task.
• Presenting: Performance and presentation of your practical work.
• Responding: Critical and reflective response to music. Various oral and written tasks prompting you to reflect upon your work, the classes work and the work of professional musicians.

Year 10 students can elect to study Unit 1 & 2 of the following Arts subjects. The 2023 VCE Curriculum Handbook has full details of the area of study and content of each unit. 

VCE Art Creative Practice

VCE Media

VCE Visual Communication Design

VCE Music

VCE Theatre Studies