Arts Electives

The following electives run for one semester at 4 periods per two-week cycle: 

Drama 

This Drama elective encourages students to take Drama to the next level. Over the course of a semester, students develop an understanding of various performance styles, strengthen their performance and expressive skills and begin to explore how to analyse and discuss external performance pieces. This subject builds confidence and competency in group work which can lead to opportunities such as: the school production; small performances in and out of school; applying for extra-curricular Drama programs; preparing students for VCE Drama/Theatre Studies or simply to teach students to get out of their comfort zone. 

Media 

In this subject, students will be introduced to the world of Media. They will learn how different types of media – film and photography – are created and how they communicate ideas. Students will explore the structure and purpose of media stories, looking at things like characters, settings, points of view, and different genres (such as action, drama or comedy).

As they use media tools and technologies, students will build skills in using elements like time, space, sound, movement, and lighting to create their own media work. They will also explore how people watch, share, and respond to media, and how meaning is created for different audiences.

Students will be taught how to use media equipment and editing software safely and responsibly. It is expected that they will use the programs provided by the school, such as Adobe Creative Suite.

Throughout the course, students will begin to see themselves as both media creators (artists) and viewers (audiences), learning to think critically and creatively.

Music 

Music in Year 9 caters for all students interested in music from students who like to listen to music to those who like to perform, compose or mix, there is something for everyone! 

Year 9 Music jumps into looking at the different purposes for music and how music can effectively create meaning or capture their audiences attention. Students compose music in different styles and for different purposes such as advertising and promoting. They continue to learn how to use the Digital Audio Workstation (DAWS) Sound Trap to mix, arrange and record their music compositions. Students also develop their instrumental skills through learning how to rehearse and perform as part of a small contemporary band (i.e. Rock Band).  

Visual Arts 

Year 9 Visual Arts offers students the opportunity to create visual art works that communicate, challenge and express their own and others’ ideas. Students learn about the relationships between the viewer and artworks and how artworks can be displayed to enhance meaning for the viewer. Students will extend their ability to develop and explore ideas in a visual diary in order to prepare for the production of several final artworks. Through Visual Arts, students make and respond using visual arts knowledge, understanding and skills to express meanings associated with personal views, intrinsic and extrinsic worlds. Visual Arts engages students in a journey of discovery, experimentation and problem-solving relevant to visual perception and visual language, utilising visual techniques, technologies, practices and processes. Learning in the Visual Arts leads students to become increasingly confident and proficient in achieving their personal visual aesthetic, appreciating and valuing that of others. Key skills: Enhances conceptual and perceptual development, inquiry, arts techniques, material use, processes, critical and creative thinking, respect and understanding of social, cultural and industry practices, confidence, curiosity, imagination, enjoyment and a personal aesthetic through engagement with visual arts making, viewing, discussing, analysing, interpreting and evaluating. 

Visual Communication 

Year 9 Visual Communication and design aims to enhance the students’ ability to convey ideas and information to an audience through visual language. In Visual Communication Design students develop designs and solutions to provided design briefs. The development of ideas and visualisation of these ideas combined with observational drawing are a key focus of this subject. Students also learn about design, and the role of the visual communication designer and their contribution to society. Visual Communication Design allows students to investigate the world through the practices of designers. Students explore the significance of visual communication design in different times, places and cultures. They build an understanding of the important role of visual communication design in contemporary society and apply this knowledge in their own visual communications. Key skills; Development of confidence, curiosity, imagination and enjoyment through an engagement with visual communication design practices, greater skills to communicate ideas and information, ability to apply design elements and principles, creative, critical and reflective thinking.