Open Day 2026
welcome to some art at Coffs Harbour Senior College
Embedded Files
In Year 11, our focus is exploring and experimenting with materials and skill development. Students engage with two-dimensional artmaking materials and techniques in Term 1. In Term 2, students select the artmaking skills that they would like to extend and develop autonomy in their artmaking practice.
In Year 12, students create a Body of Work which is a series of artworks where each student selects their chosen theme, materials and techniques in consultation with their teacher. Students can choose to create artworks that explore drawing, painting, photomedia, graphic design, textiles and fibre arts, sculpture, time-based forms, designed objects, printmaking, documented forms or a collection of works that explores a range of materials and techniques.
The Stage 6 Visual Arts course is balanced with 50% Artmaking and 50% Art Criticism and Art History. Art Criticism and Art History focuses on engaging contemporary artists and artworks.
Coffs Harbour Senior College has a strong Visual Arts department.
Coffs Harbour Senior College has a strong Visual Arts department.
In 2025, TEN Visual Arts students earned Band 6 for their HSC by achieving a mark over 90% (23.8% of the Year 12 cohort achieved a Band 6 in 2026)
In 2025, TEN Visual Arts students earned Band 6 for their HSC by achieving a mark over 90% (23.8% of the Year 12 cohort achieved a Band 6 in 2026)
In 2025, 19 Visual Arts students earned Band 5 for their HSC by achieving a mark over 80%
69% of our 2025 Visual Arts students achieved in the top TWO bands (Bands 5 & 6).
In 2024, TEN Visual Arts students earned Band 6 for their HSC by achieving a mark over 90%.
In 2024, TEN Visual Arts students earned Band 6 for their HSC by achieving a mark over 90%.
In 2023, EIGHT Visual Arts students earned Band 6 for their HSC by achieving a mark over 90%.
In 2023, EIGHT Visual Arts students earned Band 6 for their HSC by achieving a mark over 90%.
In 2022, FIVE Visual Arts students earned Band 6 for their HSC by achieving a mark over 90%.
In 2022, FIVE Visual Arts students earned Band 6 for their HSC by achieving a mark over 90%.
In 2021, SEVEN Visual Arts students earned Band 6 for their HSC by achieving a mark over 90%.
In 2021, SEVEN Visual Arts students earned Band 6 for their HSC by achieving a mark over 90%.
Some Year 12 Bodies of Work
Some Year 12 Bodies of Work
We can't publish or share Year 12 Bodies of Work before they are marked by NESA but we can show some snippets of some of their amazing work and talent.
2026 Year 12 Body of Work
ink on paper
2026 Year 12 Body of Work
graphite on paper
2026 Year 12 Body of Work
charcoal on paper
2026 Year 12 Body of Work
watercolour on paper
2026 Year 12 Body of Work
Prismacolor on paper
2026 Year 12 Body of Work
wool sculpture
2026 Year 12 Body of Work
ink on paper
2026 Year 12 Body of Work
digital drawing
2026 Year 12 Body of Work
graphite on paper
2026 Year 12 Body of Work
acrylic painting
2026 Year 12 Body of Work
Prismacolor on paper
2026 Year 12 Body of Work
ink on paper
2026 Year 12 Body of Work
Prismacolor on paper
2026 Year 12 Body of Work
Graphite on paper
2026 Year 12 Body of Work
Graphite on paper
2026 Year 12 Body of Work
Graphite on paper
Some Resources
Some Resources
If you would like a sneek peek into what we do in class, clink on the link below to access some resources. You will only be able to access the link with a Department of Education login so make sure you're logged in to your search engine with your DOE email address as only NSW public school students can access the site.
https://sites.google.com/education.nsw.gov.au/artwithamber?usp=sharing
Some Year 12 Visual Arts students hard at work
Some Year 12 Visual Arts students hard at work
Year 12 Visual Arts students are busy creating their Bodies of Work due to NESA on 31st August 2026.
Year 12 class Term 3 Week 2
Year 12 class Term 3 Week 2
Art Express
Art Express
Four students were nominated for Art Express last year. Two student's Body of Works were chosen be exhibited in the Art Express exhibitions.
Both students' Body of Works are currently exhibited at Art Express at Glasshouse in Port Macquarie until 19th July 2026.
Delenn Croaker
Delenn Croaker
'Drawn to the Shore'
Graphite on paper
Delenn's Body of Work will be exhibited at Bondi Paviliion.
https://www.bondipavilion.com.au/whats_on/event/artexpress
Delenn achieved 4th in the state for Visual Arts.
Zoe McDonald
Zoe McDonald
'Disjunction of Collective Properties'
Prismacolor on paper
Zoe's Body of Work was exhibited at the Art Gallery of NSW in Sydney until 27th April 2026.
https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/art/insideartexpress/2026/zoe-mcdonald/
Art Express at the Glasshouse in Port Macquarie. The lady with the hat is looking at Delenn's BOW.
Zoe's BOW is in exhibited on the back wall at the Glasshouse.
Zoe McDonald's Body of Work at the Glasshouse.
Edyn's The Lies that Love Told was nominated for Art Express and exhibited in Yearbook '25 at Yarilla Art Museum
Kiah's The Language of Flowers was nominated for Art Express.
Arla's Rhythms of Nature was selected and exhibited in Yearbook '25 at Yarilla Art Museum.
Eva's Weathered was selected and exhibited in Yearbook '25 at Yarilla Art Museum.
Billy Watkins
'Family'
graphite on paper
I chose to draw my nanna, Rosemary. She helped raise me and we have a strong bond. She’s always been a solid and constant presence in my life. I enjoyed capturing the fine detail of her face using pencil and shading, showing every line and spot, which marks her age and wisdom.
Visual Arts students are encouraged to enter competitions.
Visual Arts students are encouraged to enter competitions.
See below for information on the Young Archies competition at Yarilla Art Museum in Coffs.
Billy Watkins, a Year 12 Visual Arts student, entered her work in the Young Archies at the Art Gallery of NSW and her work achieved an honourable mention.
https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/prizes/young-archie/2026/919/
Stella Dodd, a Year 12 Visual Arts student, won the Senior Secondary section of University of New England School Acquisitive Art Prize. There were 716 entries and 60 finalists. Stella artwork will become a part of the University of New England collection. The exhibition opens on 24th July 2026 at New England Regional Art Museum, Kentucky Street, Armidale.
Both artwork were part of their Year 11 assessment tasks.
Stella Dodd,
'The Ward'
charcoal on paper
Young Archies competition at Yarilla Art Museum (YAM) in Coffs Harbour
Young Archies competition at Yarilla Art Museum (YAM) in Coffs Harbour
Budding artists between the ages of 5 and 18 are invited to submit a portrait for the Young Archie competition, as part of our family-focused activities for the Archibald Prize 2025 regional tour. Entries must be received by midday Sunday 26 July 2026.
The portrait should be of a person who is special to you - someone who is known to you and plays a significant role in your life.
There are four age categories:
5-8 year olds
9-12 year olds
13-15 year olds
16-18 year olds
Judging
Finalists for display will be shortlisted by Yarrila Arts and Museum staff and a minimum of five finalists from each category will be displayed in the Young Archie Coffs Harbour exhibition. The exhibition winners will be judged by Coffs Coast artist and inaugural ABC Television’s Australian Portrait Artist of the Year competitor, Seabastion Toast based on merit and originality. One winner will be chosen in each category. Each winner will receive prizes provided by AGNSW.
Your artwork
One artwork only per entrant.
You may use any art materials you like but your artwork must be two-dimensional and on good-quality paper for optimal display if you are a finalist. Please note artworks will be pinned to the wall with pins inserted in each corner.
Can be vertical or horizontal.
Must be A3 (420 x 297 mm) in size and no thicker than 1cm.
Should be clearly labelled on the back with which way it should be displayed, along with your name, age, address and contact details. Make sure this doesn't show through to the front.
How to enter
Download, print and complete the entry form, which includes a brief statement (less than 100 words) telling us who you have chosen to depict and why. This form must be signed by a parent or legal guardian.
Your artwork should be sent flat, not folded or rolled. We suggest you place it between two pieces of cardboard to protect it.
If you wish your artwork returned after the competition, please also enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope of the correct size. Families submitting artwork for more than one child must enclose one envelope per artwork due to the way that entries are processed.
Entries can be hand delivered or mailed to:
Young Archie Competition, Yarrila Arts and Museum, 27 Gordon Street, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450. Please note YAM’s opening hours are Tuesday to Friday 10:00am to 4:00pm and Saturday and Sunday 10:00am – 2:00pm.
YAM Young Archie Competition Entry Form and Terms and Conditions.pdfPage updated
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