YEARS 9 AND 10 ACADEMIC INFORMATION HANDBOOK

THE ARTS - CURRICULUM OPTIONS

DANCE CONCERT PERFORMANCE  

Students will learn dance techniques in multiple genres and have two dance works choreographed on them to perform in the College Dance Concert.  

 

As dancers you will develop body awareness, alignment, physical fitness and musicality through learning two different styles of dance as well as learning methods for your own creative expression through movement. You will be immersed in the creative process learning from staff and professional dancers. Dancers will learn how to work both collaboratively and independently through the choreographic process developing critical thinking and expressing ideas in physical form. 

 

Students will view professional works to inspire their own practice and learn about the human body and anatomy to understand how the physical body works. 

Students should consider this unit if they are contemplating ATAR Dance.  

 

Students can select Dance Concert Performance in both Years 9 and 10 if they wish as technique and choreography will be different. 

 

Please note that if you are currently on a Dance Scholarship you must take Dance each semester. 

DRAMA SPECIALIST 1 (SCRIPTED PERFORMANCE)  

Drama Specialist (Script Performance) is designed for (but not exclusive to) the students who have an ambition to study & perform Drama in Year 11 & 12 and beyond. The rigour of the course will demand that students can engage creatively, with agile minds to analyse published play script and develop the skills to perform and realise the play.  

 

Students will approach the texts as both actor and director while also being introduced to roles that will include production and design aspects involving set, costumes, props, sound and lighting.  

 

The class will invite guest artists to coach and direct work in class as we analyse and realise scripts a fully supported productions for live audiences. 

 

Additionally, the course is designed to support students grow their capacity for empathy and interpersonal skills. 

 

Students will perform the work that we produce in a fully realised performance for an audience.  

 

It is important to note that Drama Specialist 1 can work alongside Drama Specialist 2 as a complete unit across the year or can be studied individually.  The unit can also work alongside Drama Production Play/Screenacting for a truly immersive and dedicated experience. 

 

Please note that if you are currently on a Drama Scholarship you must take at least one option per semester. 

DRAMA - PRODUCTION: PLAY

Students will work as actors and or designers in their own company to create a fully realised performance for a live audience. The performance will offer an opportunity for students to engage in all elements of production, including lighting, set, sound, and costume design as well as directing and acting. Through the creative process students will develop their empathy, teamwork and leadership skills as they take the responsibility for the production and the company.  

 

This course is designed for students of all different abilities and experiences. It will be flexible and adapt around the interests and skills of the group, providing a variety of different roles to suit each student’s passions.  

 

The class will invite guest directors and actor to work on coach and direct in class as we create the production. 

 

Please note that if you are currently on a Drama Scholarship you must take at least one option per semester.

HCo - FILM, BROADCAST AND BEYOND

 

Take a magical and mystical learning journey deep into the world of Film, Broadcasting, Sound and Media. In this brand-new project-based course staff and a series of industry professionals and mentors will teach you the skills, techniques and practices to make top quality Media work, and prepare you for professional opportunities. You will be part of a team that has the chance to take on ASC promotional and production jobs and build a real portfolio of work that will make you desirable to employers. You will become expert in the use of our new production studio - the CAVE - and engage is meaningful learning in a range of fun creative tasks. Media is the language of the modern age, so whether you are interested in a career in Film or just learning skills and processes that will help you in any career, this is the course for you! 

MEDIA PRODUCTION (FICTION)

This course focuses on the genres, styles and movements of fictional film, television and online industries. Students will develop their existing knowledge of using cameras, lenses, tripods, rigs, microphones and editing software in production, to allow them to tell screen stories in live action, animated or hybrid mediums. They will take inspiration from the classics of cinema to create their own stories and experiment with ways of communicating ideas. 

 

Students can select Media Production (Fiction) in both Years 9 and 10 if they wish as production contexts will be different. 

SCULPTURE CASTING & CONSTRUCTION

More of a hands-on creative? This unit will let you get physical with your art. The creation of three-dimensional artwork requires specialised techniques and processes, and these will be explored throughout the semester for you to create a variety of sculptural objects. 

 

This unit will expose students to processes in sculpture using a variety of mediums such as clay, silicone, resins and metals. Students will learn: 

  • Modelling in 3D
  • Working in the round
  • Additive/Reductive techniques
  • Art history – Auguste Rodin and Henry Moore
  • Casting techniques
  • Cuttlefish casting
  • Mold-making
  • Resin jewellery

Students will extend their knowledge of art practices, such as manipulation, and the creation of multiples, and use their understanding of a variety of art styles in the making of their own three dimensional artwork. Students will extend their knowledge and practise of safe and sustainable visual arts practice. 

DANCE CHOREOGRAPHY

Dance students will be guided through the choreographic process, learning the necessary skills to create their own group dance works, that they can then perform at Choreography Night.  

 

Students will be guided through progressions and technique exercises, improvisational practices and tasking and creative processes to build the skills to develop their own work. 

Self-expression is encouraged where dancers portray their own ideas through movement. As an art form, Dance encourages artistic creativity and the active use of the imagination. Dancers will play, explore and improvise to create new moves and choreography in the genre(s) of their choice guided by staff and professional dancers. 

 

Students will have the opportunity to learn about lighting, sound and multimedia and design their own works for performance.  

 

Students will develop transferable skills including communication skills, collaborative teamwork skills, negotiation and conflict resolution skills, problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to organise. 

 

Students can select Dance Choreography in both Years 9 and 10 if they wish as the contexts and choreography will be different. 

 

Please note that if you are currently on a Dance Scholarship you must take Dance each semester. 

 

DRAMA SPECIALIST 2 (SCREEN ACTING) 

Drama Specialist 2 (Screen Acting) is designed for (but not exclusive to) the students who have an ambition to study & perform Drama in Year 11 & 12 and beyond. The rigour of the course will demand that students can engage creatively, with agile minds to create original work that will be devised and realised. This work is key to further academic success in drama and the curriculum as a whole.  

 

In this course, you will develop your screen acting skills in a fun and supportive atmosphere. Learn the basics of the Stanislavski system of acting, script analysis and the technical demands of screen acting. Become confident in front of the camera while rehearsing scenes from film and TV. The course will culminate in you creating your own acting show-reel. 

 

This course focuses on developing students’ vocal, physical and emotional range as actors. It is best suited to students interested in pursuing an Arts pathway or considering Drama ATAR. It is a fast paced, intensive program that equips students with the skills to cope with the challenging demands of a creative industry. Even though this course culminates in the production of an actor’s show-reel, it is primarily focused on a ‘process’ and ‘learning by doing.’ Students will be assessed both formally and informally. 

In this course, you will: 

  • Develop your body and voice through exercises that enable emotional and creative freedom.
  • Learn how to build a character.
  • Break down a script into story beats and define terms such as the ‘through line’ and ‘spine’.
  • Gain knowledge and confidence in front of a camera.
  • Study Stanislavski’s techniques such as given circumstances, tempo-rhythm, method of physical actions, beats and objectives; and realise these techniques in monologues and duologues.
  • Learn rehearsal techniques and rehearsal processes including script analysis.
  • Experience working with industry professionals in tailor-made workshops and show-reel production.
  • Develop and create a fully edited show-reel.

It is important to note that Drama Specialist 2 can work alongside Drama Specialist 1 as a complete unit across the year or can be studied individually.  The unit can also work alongside Drama Production Play/Musical for a truly immersive and dedicated experience. 

 

Please note that if you are currently on a Drama Scholarship you must take at least one option per semester.

 

 

DRAMA PRODUCTION - PLAY/MUSICAL 

Students will work as actors and or designers in their own company to create a fully realised performance for a live audience. The performance will offer an opportunity for students to engage in all elements of production, including lighting, set, sound, and costume design as well as directing and acting. Through the creative process students will develop their empathy, teamwork and leadership skills as they take the responsibility for the production and the company.  

 

This course is designed for students of all different abilities and experiences. It will be flexible and adapt around the interests and skills of the group, providing a variety of different roles to suit each student’s passions.  

 

The class will invite guest directors and actors to work on coaching and directing in class as we create the production.  

 

Musical 

 

In this Musical Production option, you will explore the genre of the Musical (you don’t have to be a great singer/dancer or actor - you just need to be willing to give it a go and learn). Whether it be as a solo artist or working in a chorus you will explore and experiment with the many elements required to perform. We will explore the Broadway version of the musical as well as having the opportunity to create contemporary and personalised versions of the show.  

 

The class will invite guest professional choreographers/directors from the industry to work on musical numbers in class as we workshop our way through sampling as many numbers and experiences as possible.  

 

Students will perform the work that we produce in a fully realised performance for an audience. 

 

Please note that if you are currently on a Drama Scholarship you must take at least one option per semester. 

MEDIA PRODUCTION (NON-FICTION)

This course immerses students in the world of non-fiction media productions. Students will learn about more traditional forms of non-fiction storytelling in documentary production, where documentary is studied as truth and commentary, and new and emerging forms of communication, in podcasting and vlogging. They will also continue to develop practical production skills, such as, sound recording techniques, cinematography and editing. Students may choose this course as a follow on from the semester one ‘Fiction’ course or as a stand-alone option.  

 

Students can select Media Production (Non-fiction) in both Years 9 and 10 if they wish as production contexts will be different.   

CONTEMPORARY PAINTING

Acrylics, oils, gouache, watercolour, pastels, egg tempera, inks and spraypaint...... In contemporary art practices, artists combine paint with a variety of other materials to create expressive and layered works of art. This unit allows you to learn traditional painting techniques whilst combining and incorporating contemporary mixed media techniques. Students will create one, or a series of unique paintings using these experimental techniques. 

 

This unit will expose students to a variety of painting techniques, both traditional and contemporary. Students will learn: 

 

Painting Techniques 

  • Colour mixing
  • Layering and blending
  • Paint application

History 

  • Art history – Basquiat (or other selected artists)

Materials Information 

  • Brushes and supports
  • Mediums
  • Health and safety issues

  

This unit is designed to extend students’ knowledge and practise in the creation of two-dimensional artworks. Students will develop greater understanding of contexts of culture, time and place and how these impact on the development of ideas and the production of art works. Students continue to explore artistic influences, while being encouraged to express greater individualism in their application of ideas and materials. 

URBAN ART

In this unit you’ll look at how street art has developed from the 80s to now, learn a variety of techniques used by influential street artists and learn how to apply them to a variety of media including skate-decks, tee-shirts and walls. 

 

Students will:  

  • Investigate influential street-artists from the 80s to now, then develop a concept into an artwork and transfer it to a 9-ply skateboard deck using spray-paint and paint pens.
  • Looking at T-shirt art and retro and contemporary graphic design, design a detailed image and expose it on a photographic silkscreen to print multiple identical t-shirts or bags.

 

Students experience a growing awareness of how and why artists, craftspeople and/or designers are influenced by other artists, their environment and the contexts of culture, time and place. They continue to apply knowledge of techniques used by other artists in the production of their own work. 

Students use visual art language and artistic conventions, in both written and practical work. They further develop and refine their ideas and techniques to resolve artwork by documenting the design, production and evaluation processes of their artwork. Students extend their knowledge and practise of safe and sustainable visual arts practice.