CAPA
Creative and Performing Arts play a key role in the life of Cronulla High School, both within and beyond the classroom. Students participating in our programs are offered a range of disciplines including Dance, Drama, Music, Visual Arts, Photography, Ceramics, Entertainment Industry and Musical Theatre. In each arts area, students gain practical experience in a supportive, non-judgemental environment that emphasises performance and critical thinking skills, as well as leadership and team building. By participating in one of our co-curricular ensembles, students are given the opportunity to participate in representative organisations such as The Arts Unit ensembles and State Music, Dance and Drama.
The information on this page is specific to classroom learning across the Creative and Performing Arts faculty. For detailed information about each co-curricular ensemble, please refer to the Co-Curricular menu of the school’s website.
Dance
Dance is offered as an elective course in Stage 5 (Years 9 & 10) and Stage 6 (Years 11 & 12), and is also included within Stage 4 PDHPE.
Dance involves the development of physical skill as well as aesthetic, artistic and cultural understanding. Cronulla High School provides students with the opportunity to think imaginatively and to share ideas, feelings, values and attitudes while physically and intellectually exploring the communication of ideas through movement.
Co-curricular offerings for Dance include:
- Elite Dance Company
- Training Dance Company
- Conditioning Dance Ensemble
- Junior Dance Ensemble
- Dance Show Group
Over the past several years, Dance at Cronulla High School has grown and flourished with the progress of these groups. Students now have access to invaluable experiences which contribute to their whole development.
Drama
Drama is offered as an elective course in Stage 5 (Years 9 & 10) and Stage 6 (Years 11 & 12), and is also included within Stage 4 English.
Drama is a popular subject taught at Cronulla High School. The collaborative nature of this artform engages students in the creative process of sharing, developing and expressing ideas and stories suitable for performance.
Theory within the Drama program represents an essential and robust element of the course. Stage 6 Drama students study three main disciplines within the curriculum: making, performing, and critically studying. Theatre excursions take place throughout the course to support and enhance coursework.
Co-curricular offerings for Drama include:
- Year 7 Show Group Drama Ensemble
- Year 7 Drama Skills Ensemble
- Year 8 Drama Ensemble
- Elective Drama Ensemble
Music
Music is a mandatory 100-hour course in Stage 4, completed across Year 7 and Year 8.
Music is offered as an elective course in Stage 5 (Years 9 & 10). In Stage 6, students can elect to study Music 1, Music 2, and/or HSC Music Extension.
Music allows for the expression of emotion and imagination, the intellect, and the exploration of values. The study of music also allows students to develop their capacity to manage their own learning, to engage in problem solving individually and collaboratively, and to develop a lifelong appreciation and enjoyment of music.
Students develop knowledge, understanding and skills in Music through performance, composition, improvisation, listening, and research activities. Learning experiences are carefully sequenced to provide a balance of these integrated activities. Students are also given the opportunity to engage with music technology throughout the courses.
Cronulla High School offers opportunities for all students to use our excellent facilities, which include practice rooms, as well as a purpose-built music space with a recording studio.
Co-curricular offerings for Music include:
- Concert Band
- Stage Band
- Vocal Ensemble
- Drumline
- Instrumental Ensembles
Visual Arts, Photographic and Digital Media, and Ceramics
Visual Arts is a mandatory 100-hour course in Stage 4, completed across Year 7 and Year 8.
Visual Arts is offered as an elective course in Stage 5 (Years 9 & 10) and Stage 6 (Year 11 & 12).
Photographic and Digital Media is offered as an elective course in Stage 5 (Years 9 & 10).
Ceramics is offered as an elective course in Stage 5 (Years 9 & 10).
Students in these courses are offered opportunities to explore a broad range of media and techniques in their artmaking, including drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, design, sculpture, digital media, and photography. Students are encouraged to be creative, experimental, and to work collaboratively. Students studying Visual Arts at a HSC level are required to work autonomously in the creation of a Body of Work, in any media or combination of, and of any subject matter.
Artists and artworks studied in the Critical and Historical components of the Visual Arts courses relate to the practical opportunities and are carefully selected to inspire our students. Students learn to analyse artworks, as well as to develop an understanding of art and its context across time and place.
Co-curricular offerings for Visual Arts include:
- Art Club
- Photography Club
Exhibition is an important aspect of Visual Arts, and therefore a major art exhibition is held annually in Term 3, with all elective students having at least one artwork on display. Cronulla High School students are regularly represented in ArtExpress and Art Rules exhibitions at Hazelhurst Gallery.
