The Arts

Studying The Arts opens up a world of creativity, expression, and inspiration. It encompasses a vast range of disciplines, including visual arts, music, theatre, dance, media and design, providing students with an holistic understanding and appreciation of human culture and imagination. The Arts offer a unique avenue for self-discovery and personal growth, encouraging students to explore and celebrate their unique perspectives, emotions, and talents. Through artistic education, students develop critical thinking skills, enhance their communication skills, and cultivate their imagination. They learn to analyse and interpret artistic works and the historical and cultural contexts in which they were created. Study of The Arts fosters a deep understanding and appreciation of beauty and promotes empathy, cultural awareness, and tolerance. By studying The Arts, students become active participants in shaping and enriching society, as they contribute to the creation and appreciation of meaningful, thought-provoking, and transformative artistic works.

  • Through studying the Dance course, students will represent, question and celebrate the human experience, using the body as the instrument and movement as the medium for communication. Like all art forms, Dance has the potential to inspire, engage and excite the imagination so students reach their creativity and expressive potential. Students will use the elements of dance to explore choreography and performance and to develop their technical and expressive skills.

    Through study of the Dance ATAR course, students will develop body awareness, technical skills and expressive skills to communicate confidently through movement. With a focus on society, students will develop artistic and cultural understandings of dance in the past and contemporary contexts as choreographers, performers and audience members.

    Unit One Focus: Popular Culture

    Unit Two Focus: Australian Dance

    Review the Dance ATAR syllabus here.

    Course Pre-Requisites: 65% in a Year 10 Dance course

  • The Certificate III in Dance is a nationally recognised qualification delivered over two years in Years 11 and 12. The course is designed for students with a strong interest in dance who wish to further develop technical skills, performance ability and industry knowledge.

    Students refine dance technique in selected styles, participate in performances and creative projects, and develop skills in safe dance practice, physical conditioning and ensemble work. Assessment includes practical performance, rehearsal participation and reflective and written tasks.

    This qualification contributes towards the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) and provides pathways into tertiary dance training, performing arts courses and creative industries.

    Course Objectives

    By the end of the course, students will:

    • demonstrate increased depth of dance technique in one or more styles

    • apply safe dance practices and conditioning principles to support sustained performance

    • develop and present dance performance work in a range of contexts

    • work effectively as part of an ensemble or creative team

    • apply basic industry knowledge relevant to the creative arts sector

    Units & Assessment

    To achieve the Certificate III in Dance, students complete 13 units of competency, including:

    • 5 core units

    • 8 elective units, selected to align with the focus of the course

    Assessment may include practical performance, rehearsal participation, choreographic tasks, written and reflective work and teacher observation. Participation in rehearsals and performances is an essential requirement of the course.

    Course Structure & Pathway

    • Delivered over two years (Years 11 and 12)

    • Students work toward completion of the full Certificate III qualification by the end of Year 12 (if not all units are completed satisfactorily, students may attain a Statement of Attainment)

    • Suitable for students intending to pursue pathways in dance, performing arts or creative industries

    An overview of the units of this certificate can be found here.

    Please note a two-year commitment is required for this course to ensure completion contributes towards WACE requirements by the end of Year 12, 2028.

    Course Pre-Requisites: An interview and recommendation from the Teacher in Charge of Dance in consultation with the Head of Performing Arts is required for selection for this course. Additional fees may also be associated with this program.

  • The Drama ATAR course focuses on aesthetic understandings and drama in practice as students integrate their knowledge and skills. They use the elements and conventions of drama to develop, present ideas and explore personal and cultural issues. They will engage in drama processes such as improvisation, play-building, text interpretation, playwriting and dramaturgy, which allow them to create original drama and interpret a range of texts. Their work in this course includes production and design aspects involving sets, costumes, makeup, props, promotional materials, and sound and lighting. Students will present their works to a range of audiences and work in different performance settings.

    Review the Drama ATAR syllabus here.

    Course Pre-Requisites: 65% in a Year 10 Drama course

  • The Drama GENERAL course focuses on developing an understanding of drama in practice to allow students to develop and present ideas. They will engage in drama processes, such as improvisation, play building, playwriting and dramaturgy which will allow them to create original performances. Students will also develop skills of analysis as they interpret the work of playwrights and performers. Work in this course extends to practical experience in production and design aspects involving sets, costumes, makeup, props, promotional materials, stage management, front-of-house activities, and sound and lighting. Students will develop a range of transferrable skills through their completion of this course which will equip them well for a range of pathways in performance, theatre and beyond.

    Review the Drama GENERAL syllabus here.

    Course Pre-Requisites: NIL

  • The Music ATAR course offers students a practical opportunity to grow in confidence as musicians. Through engagement in opportunities to perform, compose and analyse work, students will develop music literacy and a deep aesthetic appreciation. The Music ATAR course strives to develop holistic musicians who are reflective, persevering and creative in their approach.

    The Year 11 Music ATAR course is divided into two units:

    Unit One: Elements

    Students will consider the fundamental building blocks of music as a basis for the composition and performance of their own works.

    Unit Two: Narratives

    Students will reflect on the ways music can tell potent stories which stir an emotional response.

    There is both a written and practical component to the Music ATAR course with students required to produce either a performance or portfolio.

    Review the Music ATAR syllabus here.

    Course Pre-Requisites: A formal recommendation from the Head of Music is required for this course

  • The Certificate III in Music is a nationally recognised qualification delivered over two years in Years 11 and 12. The course is designed for students with a strong interest in music performance who wish to further develop technical skills, musicianship and industry awareness.

    Students focus on performance on their instrument or voice, ensemble participation, rehearsal techniques and safe performance practices. The course supports students intending to pursue further study or pathways within the music and creative industries.

    This qualification contributes towards the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE).

    Course Objectives

    Students will:

    • develop technical and expressive performance skills

    • participate confidently in solo and ensemble performances

    • apply safe practice and rehearsal techniques

    • build foundational knowledge of the music industry

    Units & Assessment

    To achieve the Certificate III in Music, students complete 11 units of competency, including:

    • 3 core units

    • 8 elective units, selected to align with the focus of the course

    Assessment includes practical performance, rehearsal participation, and supporting written or reflective tasks.

    Course Structure & Pathway

    • Delivered over two years (Years 11 and 12)

    • Students work towards completion of the full Certificate III qualification by the end of Year 12 (if not all units are completed satisfactorily, students may attain a Statement of Attainment)

    • Pathways include tertiary music study, performance, and creative industries

    Please note this course requires a two-year commitment which will ensure students meet WACE requirements by the end of Year 12, 2028.

    An overview of the units associated with this course can be found here.

    Pre-Requisites: Students who select this course will be required to compete an interview with the Head of Music. Additional fees may also be associated with this course.

  • The Visual Arts ATAR course covers the practice and theory of art, craft and design. Student will be encouraged to express their individuality through the presentation of artwork. In addition to this, students will gain the visual literacy needed to make informed evaluations of art. Through engagement with this course, students will extend their creativity, cultural awareness and ability to solve problems in dynamic ways.

    The Year 11 Visual Arts ATAR course is divided into two themes:

    Unit One: Differences

    Students will consider the role of diversity arising from culture, place, gender, class and history in creating art and interpreting the artwork of others.

    Unit Two: Identities

    Students will develop an understanding of art as an expression of an individuals identity and their connection to culture.

    Review the Visual Arts ATAR syllabus here.

    Course Pre-Requisites: 65% in a Year 10 Arts course

  • The Visual Arts General course encourages students to explore their creativity and express themselves through a variety of art forms such as painting, drawing, sculpture, and digital media. Students will have the opportunity to experiment with materials and techniques as they develop their own artistic style and respond to the world around them.

    Throughout the course, students will produce artworks inspired by personal experiences, social issues, and the environment. They will also study the work of artists from different cultures and time periods, learning to reflect on how art communicates ideas. The course supports the development of practical skills alongside critical thinking and visual literacy.

    Visual Arts General is ideal for students who enjoy being creative and want to build their confidence, problem-solving abilities, and appreciation for the arts — all valuable skills for future study, work, and everyday life.

    Review the Year 11 Visual Art GENERAL syllabus here.

    Course Pre-Requisites: NIL

  • The Design General course in the Graphic Design context introduces students to the fundamentals of visual communication and the design process. Students learn to apply design principles and elements to create effective visual messages tailored to specific audiences and purposes.

    Throughout the course, students engage in projects that involve researching design problems, generating ideas, developing concepts, and producing final designs. They explore various techniques and tools used in the industry, such as digital illustration and layout software, to bring their concepts to life. By analyzing existing designs and reflecting on their own work, students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

    This course is ideal for students interested in pursuing further studies or careers in graphic design, advertising, branding, or related fields. It provides a solid foundation in design thinking and visual literacy, essential skills in today's visually driven world.

    Review the Year 11 Graphic Design General syllabus here.

  • The Media Production and Analysis GENERAL course aims to prepare students for the media-driven world by providing them with the skills needed to create and interpret texts. In this way, students will reflect on the ways technology is driving media platforms and the ways information is received. Students will be encouraged to explore technologies and conventions associated with forms of media while taking on a range of production roles. Students will develop a sound knowledge of how meaning is constructed in a range of media sources and how society is influenced by media and, in turn, influences media production. Students will engage with a range of media genres in this course including blockbuster films, TV sitcom, comics, advertisements and video games.

    Review the Media Production and Analysis GENERAL syllabus here.

    Course Pre-Requisites: NIL

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