The Arts

The Arts is a learning area that draws together related but distinct art forms. While these art forms have close relationships and are often used in interrelated ways, each involves different approaches to arts practices and critical and creative thinking that reflect distinct bodies of knowledge, understanding and skills. 

Dance

Students participate in a dance program once a year.

The Arts, dance knowledge, understanding and skills ensure that, individually and collaboratively, students develop:

• body awareness and technical and expressive skills to communicate through movement confidently, creatively and intelligently
• choreographic and performance skills and appreciation of their own and others’ dances
• aesthetic, artistic and cultural understanding of dance in past and contemporary contexts as choreographers, performers and audiences
• respect for and knowledge of the diverse purposes, traditions, histories and cultures of dance by making and responding as active participants and informed audiences.

Drama

Students participate in a weekly drama lesson, with a specialist drama teacher.

The Arts, drama knowledge, understanding and skills ensure that, individually and collaboratively, students develop:

• confidence and self-esteem to explore, depict and celebrate human experience, take risks and challenge their own creativity through drama
• knowledge and understanding in controlling, applying and analysing the elements, skills, processes, forms, styles and techniques of drama to engage audiences and create meaning
• a sense of curiosity, aesthetic knowledge, enjoyment and achievement through exploring and playing roles, and imagining situations, actions and ideas as drama makers and audiences
• knowledge and understanding of traditional and contemporary drama as critical and active participants and audiences.

Media Arts

The Arts, media arts knowledge, understanding and skills ensure that, individually and collaboratively, students develop:

• enjoyment and confidence to participate in, experiment with and interpret the media-rich culture and communications practices that surround them
• creative and critical thinking, and exploring perspectives in media as producers and consumers
• aesthetic knowledge and a sense of curiosity and discovery as they explore imagery, text and sound to express ideas, concepts and stories for different audiences
• knowledge and understanding of their active participation in existing and evolving local and global media cultures.

Music

Students participate in a weekly music lesson, with a specialist music teacher.

The Arts, music knowledge, understanding and skills ensure that, individually and collaboratively, students develop:

• the confidence to be creative, innovative, thoughtful, skilful and informed musicians
• skills to compose, perform, improvise, respond and listen with intent and purpose
• aesthetic knowledge and respect for music and music practices across global communities, cultures and musical traditions
• an understanding of music as an aural art form as they acquire skills to become independent music learners.

Students in Year 5 and 6 learn to play the ukulele within their music lessons.  Playing an instrument has many health benefits including increased eye-hand coordination, lower stress levels, improved brain function, focus, and mental clarity. Other benefits include social interaction, a sense of achievement, and improved reading comprehension.  We are fortunate to have talented teachers who are able to support students in playing an instrument.

Visual Arts

The Arts, visual arts knowledge, understanding and skills ensure that, individually and collaboratively, students develop:

• conceptual and perceptual ideas and representations through design and inquiry processes
• visual arts techniques, materials, processes and technologies
• critical and creative thinking, using visual arts languages, theories and practices to apply aesthetic judgement
• respect for and acknowledgement of the diverse roles, innovations, traditions, histories and cultures of artists, craftspeople and designers; visual arts as social and cultural practices; and industry as artists and audiences
• confidence, curiosity, imagination and enjoyment
• a personal aesthetic through engagement with visual arts making and ways of representing and communicating.