The Arts
At Salisbury High, Arts offers a variety of subjects linking the Visual, Media and Performing Arts. In Junior & Middle School, students undertake a program of work that exposes them to all aspects of the curriculum based on their chosen preferences. This allows them to build the necessary knowledge and understanding for specialist Arts subjects in Senior School.
Visual Arts
Students experience a range of expressive and imaginative media techniques. They are encouraged to search for independent expression and insight and are taught to observe, interpret and communicate their ideas through drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpting, mixed media and multimedia/ computers. Students may study Visual Arts from Years 7 to 10 and Art Practical at Stage 1 and 2.
Media Arts
- Film & Cinematography
Students will learn the art of filmmaking using a variety of technologies and creative tools. Students will study the processes and practices of film production through cinematography, digital editing and post-production elements/effects. Various digital devices and digital software will be used to produce media content that fits with our online world
- Animation
Students will study the processes and practices of creating animation through digital art, visual art, digital editing, and postproduction elements. Students will learn how to use industry standard software (eg: Stop Motion, Claymation, PowerPoint animation, etc) to bring artwork to life on screen and create content that is interesting and entertaining for modern audiences.
These courses are currently offered at years 9 & 10 with the potential to be offered from years 7-12 in the future.
Performing Arts
· Dance
Dance is a form of expression and communication through movement that provides students with opportunities to create, rehearse, perform, appreciate and analyse, through a variety of dance activities and experiences. Students can choose dance as a subject from Years 7 to 10 and may continue with dance as a subject in Senior School. Students build their skills and understanding through activities that focus on technique and a variety of dance styles, such as jazz, hip-hop, contemporary and cultural dance. They explore composition/ choreography, dance appreciation, analysis and history, and have the chance to attend performances by professional companies. Students also have opportunities to perform in the classroom, at school assemblies and public events, such as the school musical.
· Drama
Through Drama, students study various aspects of dramatic performance. They study and compose scripts, develop an understanding of characterisation, and work on rehearsing and preparing for performances. They practice analysing, understanding and appreciating the performances of others and the history of acting and the theatre. Students develop their understanding and skills in specific drama activities, and also develop self-confidence, collaborative and communication skills as well as organisation and time management skills. Students have opportunities to perform in the classroom, at school assemblies and public events, such as the school musical. Students can choose Drama as a subject from Years 7 to 10 and may continue at Stages 1 and 2. Integrated Learning – Stage Production. This subject gives students the opportunity to be involved with the process of creating a major arts production for the school eg: The Musical. Students who choose this subject will be involved in: script reading and development, staging and direction decisions, planning and rehearsing, designing and manufacturing props and sets, costuming, hair and makeup and of course, performing. Students complete assignments relating to the school production based on their chosen field of interest; drama, dance, music or theatre/stagecraft and can be involved in the production either as part of the back stage crew or as an on stage performer.
· Music
Through Music, students participate in a variety of learning activities that help to develop both practical skills, knowledge of music history and the appreciation of music theory. Students learn to use digital music programs for composing, recording and editing electronic music. In Years 7 to 10, the emphasis is on learning the basics and in small group performances within the classroom, and participating in a range of small and larger public performances. Students can continue with Music in Years 11 and 12, upon meeting the prerequisites, when the course becomes more specialised and students work on both independent learning and ensemble performance tasks, for the wider community. Students can also receive individual tuition in a variety of musical instruments, with the opportunity to hire instruments through the school.
Contact Sarah Macaskill, Arts Coordinator. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
