... an education rich in arts maximises opportunities for learners to engage with innovative thinkers and leaders …vital to students’ success as individuals and members of society ...
MCEETYA AND CULTURAL MINISTER’S COUNCIL 2007
Study in the Creative Arts provides students with strong discipline based knowledge and fundamental skills, creative expertise, learning mindset and critical capabilities for the future world. Creative Arts students experience and develop the complex skills required to create and test ideas, generate creative works with confidence, shape inquiry and critically evaluate and reflect on what they do. Study in the Creative Arts prepares students to be significant producers and informed consumers of culture.
At Merewether High School students learn to appreciate, compose, listen, create, design, analyse, engage and perform. Each subject within CAPA has its own unique knowledge and skills, elements and concepts as well as a capacity to inspire and enrich lives through a well-rounded educational program. Students study 100 hours of both music and visual arts during Years 7 and 8. An opportunity to further pursue students’ areas of interest and strength to highlight their ability in a chosen area in Years 9,10,11 and 12 through elective choices in Drama, Music, Photography and Digital Media and Visual Arts.
Creative & Performing Arts at Merewether High School
Drama
The study of drama enables young people to develop an interest in and enjoyment of investigating and enacting a wide range of theatrical forms, styles and acting methods. Through critical reflection and acquiring understanding, knowledge and skills, students respond to the ideas and dramatic works of others by creatively and collaboratively developing their own ideas into dramatic action for performance. The Stage 6 course provides students with the opportunity to engage in collaborative and individual experiences to develop skills in interpretation, communication, performance and critical analysis. Students engage with the cultural traditions and social contexts of drama and theatre through critical study and experiences in practical workshop activities and performances.
Music
The study of music’s forms, styles and ideas enables young people to develop an interest in appreciation and enjoyment of music. Through critical reflection and acquiring understanding, knowledge and skills, students respond by creatively developing their own musical ideas, compositions and performances. Stage 6 Music students are provided with the opportunity to study the concepts of music through the learning experiences of performance, composition, musicology and aural within the context of a range of styles, periods and genres. Students nominate three electives made up of any combination of performance, composition and/or musicology which reflect the three topics studied in the HSC course.
Photography and Digital Media
Photographic and digital media powerfully communicates ideas, identity, values and culture through images. The study of photographic and digital media enables young people to develop an interest in and enjoyment of investigating the rapidly evolving ideas, practices and technologies of this art form. Through critical reflection and acquiring understanding, knowledge and skills, students respond to the ideas, art and arts practice of others, through creatively developing their own ideas and photographic and digital artworks.
Visual Arts
The study of visual arts enables young people to develop an interest in and enjoyment of investigating the world through the ideas, aesthetic and contexts of artists and their work in a broad range of forms, media and styles. Through critical reflection and acquiring understanding, knowledge and skills, students respond by creatively developing their own ideas and artworks in 2D, 3D and or 4D forms. The HSC course provides students with the opportunity to develop their own artworks, culminating in a 'Body of Work' in year 12. Students engage in critical and historical study of the artworld to investigate artists, artworks, worlds and audiences from a range of cultural, political, historical and social perspectives and use these to inform their own artmaking practices.
Goals
- guide students in skill development in drama, music and visual arts that leads to curiosity
- provide students with the opportunity to explore and experiment with creativity and innovation
- support students in accepting mistakes are part of the creative process, and that many drafts and rehearsals leads to refinement and confidence
- immerse students in authentic experiences to engage depth of understanding and enrichment of learning
Features
- a dedicated team of advocates for the Creative Arts focus on creative excellence through well rounded student wellbeing supported by the enrichment of the Arts
- develops Higher-Order Thinking Skills: Studying creative arts cultivates students' abilities in critical analysis, synthesis, and evaluation, encouraging advanced cognitive processes that are essential for academic and professional success
- promotes Emotional Intelligence and Personal Well-being: Engagement with creative arts facilitates self-expression and introspection, aiding in the development of emotional resilience and mental health
- enhances Cultural Literacy and Global Awareness through the exploration of diverse artistic forms and historical contexts enriches students' understanding of cultural heritage and global perspectives, fostering a more inclusive worldview
Ensembles / Clubs
- senior & junior concert band
- percussion ensemble
- art club
- string quartet
- wind ensemble
- clarinet ensemble
- drama ensemble
- flute ensemble
- saxophone ensemble
- vocal ensemble
Our Team
- WATSON, Amber HT REL., VISUAL ARTS
- FERGUSON, Charissa MUSIC MON TUE THU
- GILBERTSON, Karen VISUAL ARTS
- PETTENGELL, Gillian MUSIC
- ROXBY, Sienna VISUAL ARTS & DRAMA, Y9 YEAR ADVISER
HSC Results 2023
- Music 1: 89% students Band 6 and 5
- Music 1: 11% students Band 4
- Music 2: 100% students Band 5
- Music Extension: 100% students Band E3
- Visual Arts: 96% students Band 6 and 5
- Visual Arts: 4% students Band 4
Alumni Focus
- Sarah Kendall 1994
- Kurt Sneddon 1998
- Adam Miller 1998
- Gordon Hamilton 2001
- Erin James 2001
- Chris Williams 2004
- Rebecca Gill 2004
- Anthony Albrecht 2004
- Matthew Bevan 2007
- Charissa Ferguson 1998
- Music Teacher Merewether High
- Music Director NSW Hunter Trebles
- Brent Budden 2005
- Teacher Whitebridge High
- Christopher Harley 2005
- Musician & Theatre Production
- Teya Duncan 2014
- actor and director
- Stella Adler Art of Acting Studio L.A.
- stage and film productions Australia/USA
- The Mad Hatter, Alice in Wonderland
- Ghost Christmas Present, Christmas Carol
- teaching musical theatre Hive Creative Studios in Charlestown NSW
Activities & Excursions
- Visual Arts Y8 Luna Park Excursion
- Visual Arts Exhibitions
- Visual Arts Gallery Excursions
- Merewether Portrait Prize Term 3
- HSC Visual Arts Mona Excursion
- Excursion Elective Drama & Music
- Flamingos HSC Music Term 2
- Y9 Music Elective Performance Night
- Posh Concert Newcastle Conservatorium
- Vocal Ensemble Concert Sydney Town Hall
- HSC Music Sydney Conservatorium
- HSC Music Day Newcastle Conservatorium
- Drama Performance Nights
- Drama Production Term 4
Courses
STAGE 4: Y7 & Y8
- Y7 & Y8 Music
- Y7 & Y8 Visual Arts
- Y8 Cartooning & Animation
- Y8 Drama Performance
- Y8 Music Performance
STAGE 5: Y9 & Y10
- Y9 Photo And Digital Media
- Y9 & Y10 Drama
- Y9 & Y10 Music
- Y9 & Y10 Visual Arts
STAGE 6: Y11 & Y12
- Y11 & Y12 Drama
- Y11 & Y12 Music 1
- Y11 & Y12 Music 2
- Y11 & Y12 Music Extension Y12 ONLY / PRE-REQ MUSIC 2
- Y11 & Y12 Visual Arts
Student Achievement
Artexpress Nominations 2023
- Izobel Zwart
- Georgia Thiveos
Artexpress Nominations 2021
- Emma Welsh
- Aysha Willis
- Artexpress 2020 Inclusion
- Abbie Barr
Artexpress 2020 Nominations
- Pepita Barton
- Teia Bradbury
- Maya Cox
- Josef Milan
First Class Nominations & Inclusions 2023
- Izobel Zwart,
- Georgia Thiveos,
- Connie Huang,
- Evelina Moloney,
- Shany Eidels,
- Chloe Chiong,
- Poppy Grady
First Class Nominations & inclusions 2020
- Naz Gulman
- Grace Williamson
- Zara Kelly
- Jenna Marley
- Madeline Lock
- Myra Paleologos
- Josef Milan
Encore 2022 Nominations
- Chloe Kidd
- Encore 2020 Nominations
- Tui Hammick
- Farin Siddique
- Amy Smart
OnStage Nomination & Inclusions 2021 & Feature Artist HSC Drama Study Guide
- Julia Boyd
Reprise 2020 Concert Inclusions
- Tui Hammick
- Farin Siddique
- Amy Smart