Year 7 and 8 students will study the following courses as part of their mandatory learning in the CAPA subject area
Music
In Stage 4 Music, students develop skills through the interrelated focus areas of Performing, Listening and Composing. Students learn to play and perform, create original music, and listen critically across a range of styles and contexts, building confidence, creativity, collaboration and musical literacy.
Visual Art
In Stage 4 Visual Arts, students build foundational skills in artmaking and critical and historical studies. Students explore materials, techniques and visual conventions while learning to interpret and discuss artworks through an understanding of artworld concepts, viewpoints and practice.
Languages
In NSW high schools, languages is a key learning area.
Language study allows students to develop communication skills, learn about languages as systems and explore the relationship between language and culture. Students engage with the linguistic and cultural diversity of societies and reflect on their understanding of social interactions.
The study of a language is compulsory for 100 hours in one continuous school year from Year 7 to Year 10, but preferably in Years 7 or 8.
Years 9 & 10 are elective years, with students electing to study subjects for Year 9 only (100 hours) or in both Year 9 and 10 (200 hours).
Visual Art
Stage 5 Visual Arts extends students’ skills in artmaking and visual literacy through deeper practical work and critical/historical investigations. Students develop a personal style, experiment with a range of media and techniques, and build a stronger understanding of artists, artworks and artmaking practice.
Ceramics
Ceramics develops student understanding of ceramic processes and practices, including the planning, making and evaluating of works using clay. Students explore handbuilding and sculptural forms, surface treatment and glazing, and use critical/historical investigation to inform their own making.
Visual Design
Visual Design focuses on designing and making visual communication for real audiences and purposes. Students explore the links between art and design, learning how aesthetic qualities and meaning work alongside function. Practical projects are supported by a critical and historical study of designed images and objects.
Photography, Video & Digital Imaging
Students develop conceptual and technical skills through making photographs, video/time-based works and digital images. Students learn camera and editing workflows, develop visual storytelling skills, and investigate photographers/filmmakers/artists to inform their own practice.
Music
Stage 5 Music provides students with the opportunity to extend performance skills, composition techniques and listening/aural abilities. Students work across a range of musical styles and contexts and develop confidence as performers, composers and critical listeners.
Drama
Drama develops confidence, communication and collaboration through performance-based learning. Students explore role, character and dramatic techniques, supported by reflection and analysis. (Please refer to the English Faculty page for course details.)
Years 11 and 12 are elective years with students electing to study subjects in the Preliminary and HSC courses.
Visual Art
Visual Arts Stage 6 provides students with opportunities to develop and refine their own artmaking practice while investigating artists, artworks, worlds and audiences from a range of cultural, historical, political and social perspectives. Students create a developing body of work supported by a visual arts process diary and build skills in critical and historical study. Visual Arts includes a submitted body of work and HSC examination requirements.
Ceramics
Ceramics Stage 6 is a Content Endorsed Course (CEC) that develops students’ understanding of ceramic processes and practices and how these can be used to make artworks and products. Students explore histories, conventions and contemporary applications of ceramics and apply this learning to their own making. Learning may include handbuilding, throwing, sculptural forms, kilns, glaze technology, casting and surface treatment, with a strong focus on safe studio practice. Assessment is school-based.
Visual Design
Visual Design Stage 6 is a Content Endorsed Course (CEC) that allows students to explore the links between art and design by designing and making images and objects where aesthetic qualities and meaning are as important as function. Students develop skills across designing and making, supported by critical and historical investigation of designers and designed works. Assessment is school-based.
Photography, Video & Digital Imaging
Photography, Video and Digital Imaging Stage 6 is a Content Endorsed Course (CEC) in which students develop knowledge, skills and understanding through the making of photographs, film/time-based works and digital images that demonstrate increasing conceptual and technical accomplishment. Students also undertake critical and historical investigations of photographers, filmmakers and digital artists to inform their own creative practice. Assessment is school-based.
Music
Music Stage 6 develops students’ understanding of the concepts of music through the learning experiences of performance, composition, musicology and aural. Students study musical topics across a range of styles, periods and genres and build confidence through both practical and listening/analysis work.
Drama
Drama in Stage 6 builds advanced performance and collaboration skills through practical projects and reflective analysis. Students explore dramatic forms, techniques, and performance making. (Please refer to the English Faculty page for Stage 6 Drama details.)
