Year 12 - 13 Arts
Year 12 - 13 Arts
Drama and Dance
Full year course
Year 12 Dance is a dynamic program that allows students of varying dance experience and skillsets to be able to succeed. We work closely with Pump Dance studios who provide professional tutors to help choreograph and train our students in the dance genre of their choice. In recent years this has included new school hip-hop, reggaeton, breaking and contemporary dance. This course is almost entirely practical, and can be a welcome addition to a students' timetable that may otherwise be full with theory based subjects.
Recommended Prior Learning: 11DAN, 11DRA, Pacific Performance Group, Kapa Haka, Dance tutoring.
Contact Teacher: Jessica Cooper
Outcomes
Endorsement available: No
Internal credits: 18
External credits: 0
Total credits: 18
UE Reading credits: 4
UE Writing credits: 4
Possible next steps: Level 3 Drama, Level 3 Dance
Find more details in our Course outline 2025
Full year course
Year 13 Dance is a dynamic program that allows students of varying dance experience and skillsets to be able to succeed. We work closely with Pump Dance studios who provide professional tutors to help choreograph and train our students in the dance genre of their choice. In recent years this has included new school hip-hop, reggaeton, breaking and contemporary dance. This course is almost entirely practical, and can be a welcome addition to a students' timetable that may otherwise be full with theory based subjects.
Recommended Prior Learning
12DAN, 12DRA, Pacific Performance Group, Kapa Haka, Dance tutoring.
Contact Teacher: Jessica Cooper
Outcomes
UE Approved: Yes
Endorsement available: No
Internal credits: 18
External credits: 0
Total credits: 18
UE Reading credits: 0
UE Writing credits: 4
Possible next steps: Tertiary, Dance tutoring and performing.
Find more details in our Course outline 2025.
Full year course
Year 12 Drama offers students a wide range of performance contexts and forms to explore. For the first time, students will discover the impacts of war, politics and social unrest on the world of Drama and vice versa. Whilst still largely being a practical, group based course, Year 12 Drama grounds itself in thought-provoking and engaging material to extend the students idea of what Drama is and can look like. The students will develop their skills in performing, directing, devising and theatre form through a range of Internal and External NCEA assessments.
Recommended Prior Learning: 11DRA or 11DAN.
Contact Teacher: Jessica Cooper
Outcomes
Endorsement available: Yes
Internal credits: 17
External credits: 4
Total credits: 21
UE Reading credits: 21
UE Writing credits: 0
Possible next steps: Level 3 Drama, Level 3 Dance
Find more details in our Course outline 2025
Full year course
Level 3 Drama provides students with the relevant skills to prepare them for tertiary and professional performance opportunities after they leave school. Students will continue to explore world contexts and theatre forms to broaden their idea of what Drama is and how it shapes the world around us. Students will extend their skills in devising and performing, and will have more opportunities to work in solo contexts than what they have in previous Drama and Dance courses. Students should prepare to work in a fun, collaborative and fast-paced environment.
Contact Teacher: Jessica Cooper
Outcomes
UE Approved: Yes
Endorsement available: Yes
Internal credits: 17
External credits: 4
Total credits: 21
UE Reading credits: 21
UE Writing credits: 4
Possible next steps: Tertiary, professional performance opportunities.
Find more details in our Course outline 2025.
Music
Full year course
Year 12 Music offers students the chance to plan a programme of learning that will challenge them and align with their musical goals. There are no compulsory standards, but students will plan a full workload of assessment standards in consultation with their teacher. This course offers the same standards as Year 12 Contemporary Music, but the musical content and contexts will be more traditional and notation based than that of the Contemporary Music course. This is a good choice for instrumentalists and singers who are comfortable with traditional styles of music, and are self-motivated independent learners. Further information about all Music courses can be found here.
Recommended Prior Learning: 11MUS or a discussion with HoD Music about prior Musical learning
Contact Teacher: Liam Boyle
Outcomes
Endorsement available: Yes
Internal credits: To be discussed with teacher
External credits: To be discussed with teacher
Total credits: approx 20
UE Reading credits: 0
UE Writing credits: 0
Possible next steps: Year 13 Music; Year 13 Contemporary Music
Find more details in our Course outline 2025
Full year course
Year 13 Music builds on the Year 12 course and offers students the chance to plan a programme of learning that will challenge them and align with their musical goals. There are no compulsory standards, but students will plan a full workload of assessment standards in consultation with their teacher. This course offers the same standards as Year 13 Contemporary Music, but the musical content and contexts will be more traditional and notation based than that of the Contemporary Music course. This is a good choice for instrumentalists and singers who are comfortable with traditional styles of music, and are self-motivated independent learners. Further information about all Music courses can be found here.
Recommended Prior Learning: 12MUS or a discussion with HoD Music about prior Musical learning
Contact Teacher: Liam Boyle
Outcomes
Endorsement available: Yes
Internal credits: To be discussed with teacher
External credits: To be discussed with teacher
Total credits: approx 20
UE Reading credits: 0
UE Writing credits: 0
Possible next steps: Music Courses, Tertiary
Find more details in our Course outline 2025.
Full year course
Year 12 Contemporary Music offers students the chance to plan a programme of learning that will challenge them and align with their musical goals. There are no compulsory standards, but students will plan a full workload of assessment standards in consultation with their teacher. This course offers the same standards as Year 12 Music, but the musical content and contexts will be based around contemporary styles of music and have less of a focus on traditional notated styles of music. This is a good choice for singer-songwriters, beatmakers and producers, and musicians interested in contemporary styles and modes of music. Students should self-motivated independent learners. Further information about all Music courses can be found here.
Recommended Prior Learning: 11MUS or a discussion with HoD Music about prior Musical learning
Contact Teacher: Liam Boyle
Outcomes
Endorsement available: Yes
Internal credits: To be discussed with teacher
External credits: To be discussed with teacher
Total credits: approx 20
UE Reading credits: 0
UE Writing credits: 0
Possible next steps: Year 13 Contemporary Music
Find more details in our Course outline 2025
Full year course
Year 13 Contemporary Music builds on the Year 12 course and offers students the chance to plan a programme of learning that will challenge them and align with their musical goals. Students are encouraged to plan a musical outcome that goes beyond the assessment activities. For example, release an EP of original music, or plan a series of live music events. There are no compulsory standards, but students will plan a full workload of assessment standards in consultation with their teacher. This course offers the same standards as Year 13 Music, but the musical content and contexts will be based around contemporary styles of music and have less of a focus on traditional notated styles of music. This is a good choice for singer-songwriters, beatmakers and producers, and musicians interested in contemporary styles and modes of music. Students should self-motivated independent learners. Further information about all Music courses can be found here.
Recommended Prior Learning: 12MUS or a discussion with HoD Music about prior Musical learning
Contact Teacher: Liam Boyle
Outcomes
Endorsement available: Yes
Internal credits: To be discussed with teacher
External credits: To be discussed with teacher
Total credits: approx 20
UE Reading credits: 0
UE Writing credits: 0
Possible next steps: Music Courses, Tertiary
Find more details in our Course outline 2025.
Visual Arts
Full year course
Level 2 Art History is an essay and written assessment Visual Arts course. Students will explore the meaning, purpose, and context of art through the study of significant movements, artists, and artworks. Learning will focus on developing skills in visual analysis, critical thinking, and essay writing. Students will examine how art reflects cultural, political, and historical contexts, with a focus on specific periods such as Modernism, Postmodernism and global contemporary art. This course supports pathways into humanities, visual arts, and design-related fields.
Recommended Prior Learning: Open course
Contact Teacher: Ms Rhea Stevenson
Outcomes
Endorsement available: Yes
Internal credits: 16
External credits: 4
Total credits: 20
UE Reading credits: 8
UE Writing credits: 0
Possible next steps: Level 3 Art History
Find more details in our Course outline 2025
Full year course
Level 3 Art History is an advanced essay and written assessment based Visual Arts course. Students will investigate the deeper meanings and influences behind key artworks, artists, and movements within a range of cultural and historical contexts. The course emphasises independent thinking, critical analysis, and essay-based research skills. Students will explore themes such as identity, power, and innovation in art, building a strong foundation for further study in the humanities, fine arts, architecture, or design-related disciplines.
Recommended Prior Learning: 12ARH, Essay experience in English, Politics, Philosophy or similar courses
Contact Teacher: Ms Rhea Stevenson
Outcomes
Endorsement available: Yes
Internal credits: 12
External credits: 8
Total credits: 20
UE Reading credits: 20
UE Writing credits: 4
Possible next steps: Visual Arts Courses, Tertiary
Find more details in our Course outline 2025.
Full year course
Level 2 Design is a senior specialist Visual Arts course. Students will develop ideas using illustration, photography, and digital design techniques in response to a client brief. Students will explore and apply design conventions as they create a cohesive body of work. This might include illustrations for books, poster series, brand identity and packaging, magazine or editorial layouts, album covers, advertising campaigns, or character and concept designs for games or animation. Learning will include research into established practice and the use of industry tools like Adobe Creative Suite. The external two-panel portfolio will show a cohesive body of work that explores design conventions and communicates creative solutions to real-world problems.
Recommended Prior Learning: 11DES or any other Visual Art experience
Contact Teacher: Mrs Stephanie O'Brien
Outcomes
Endorsement available: Yes
Internal credits: 8
External credits: 12
Total credits: 20
UE Reading credits: 0
UE Writing credits: 0
Possible next steps: Level 3 Painting, Level 3 Photography
Find more details in our Course outline 2025
Full year course
Level 3 Design is an advanced senior specialist Visual Arts course. Students will clarify ideas using illustration, photography, and digital design techniques in response to a personal brief. Students will explore and apply design conventions as they create a cohesive body of work. This might include illustrations for books, poster series, brand identity and packaging, magazine or editorial layouts, album covers, advertising campaigns, or character and concept designs for games or animation. Learning will include research into established practice and the use of industry tools like Adobe Creative Suite. The external three-panel portfolio will show a cohesive body of work that explores design conventions and communicates creative solutions to real-world problems.
Recommended Prior Learning: 12DES or HOD approval. Previous Visual Art/Portfolio experience recommended.
Contact Teacher: Mrs Stephanie O'Brien
Outcomes
Endorsement available: Yes
Internal credits: 8
External credits: 14
Total credits: 22
UE Reading credits: 0
UE Writing credits: 0
Possible next steps: Visual Arts Courses, Tertiary
Find more details in our Course outline 2025.
Full year course
Level 2 Painting is a senior specialist Visual Arts course. Students will generate and develop ideas using drawing and painting conventions specific to oil paint in an independent visual arts inquiry. Learning will reflect established practice research and applied knowledge of oil painting methods and ideas. The external two panel portfolio should demonstrate a body of work that shows painting fluency and extends their visual arts inquiry.
Recommended Prior Learning: 11ART or previous drawing/painting experience.
Contact Teacher: Nikki Corbishley
Outcomes
Endorsement available: Yes
Internal credits: 8
External credits: 12
Total credits: 20
UE Reading credits: 0
UE Writing credits: 0
Possible next steps: Level 3 Painting, Level 3 Photography
Find more details in our Course outline 2025
Full year course
Level 3 Painting is a senior specialist Visual Arts course. Students research established practice and use it to extend their ideas, investigating and using concepts and techniques in the context of drawing studies and oil painting. The external three panel portfolio should demonstrate an understanding of painting conventions and ideas.
Recommended Prior Learning: 12ART or HOD approval. Evidence of drawing skills may be required upon request.
Contact Teacher: Nikki Corbishley
Outcomes
Endorsement available: Yes
Internal credits: 8
External credits: 14
Total credits: 22
UE Reading credits: 0
UE Writing credits: 0
Possible next steps: Visual Arts Courses, Tertiary
Find more details in our Course outline 2025.
Full year course
Level 2 Photography is a senior specialist Visual Arts course. Students will develop and refine ideas through a range of photographic techniques, including manual camera settings, studio lighting, and digital editing. Learning will involve research into established practice and artists' approaches to visual storytelling. The external two-panel portfolio will present a cohesive body of work that demonstrates control of photographic conventions and a clear development of ideas.
Recommended Prior Learning: 11PHT or any other Visual Art experience
Contact Teacher: Mrs Stephanie O'Brien
Outcomes
Endorsement available: Yes
Internal credits: 8
External credits: 12
Total credits: 20
UE Reading credits: 0
UE Writing credits: 0
Possible next steps: Level 3 Painting, Level 3 Photography
Find more details in our Course outline 2025
Full year course
Level 3 Photography is a senior specialist Visual Arts course. Students will develop and refine ideas through a range of photographic techniques, including manual camera settings, studio lighting, and digital editing. Learning will involve research into established practice and artists' approaches to visual storytelling. The external two-panel portfolio will present a cohesive body of work that demonstrates control of photographic conventions and a clear development of ideas.
Recommended Prior Learning: 12PHT or HOD approval. Previous Visual Art/Portfolio experience recommended.
Contact Teacher: Mrs Stephanie O'Brien
Outcomes
Endorsement available: Yes
Internal credits: 8
External credits: 14
Total credits: 22
UE Reading credits: 0
UE Writing credits: 0
Possible next steps: Visual Arts Courses, Tertiary
Find more details in our Course outline 2025.
Full year course
Level 2 Printmaking is a senior specialist Visual Arts course. Students will develop and extend ideas through drawing and a range of printmaking techniques such as drypoint and woodcut. Learning will be informed by research into established practice and artists' approaches to layered image-making. The external two-panel portfolio will show a sustained body of work that explores printmaking conventions and demonstrates technical skill and personal voice.
Recommended Prior Learning: 11ART or any other Visual Art experience
Contact Teacher: Mrs Stephanie O'Brien
Outcomes
Endorsement available: Yes
Internal credits: 8
External credits: 12
Total credits: 20
UE Reading credits: 0
UE Writing credits: 0
Possible next steps: Level 3 Painting, Level 3 Photography
Find more details in our Course outline 2025
Full year course
Level 3 Painting is a senior specialist Visual Arts course. Students will develop and extend ideas through drawing and a range of printmaking techniques such as drypoint and woodcut. Learning will be informed by research into established practice and artists' approaches to layered image-making. The external two-panel portfolio will show a sustained body of work that explores printmaking conventions and demonstrates technical skill and personal voice.
Recommended Prior Learning: 12PRI or HOD approval. Previous Visual Art/Portfolio experience recommended.
Contact Teacher: Mrs Stephanie O'Brien
Outcomes
Endorsement available: Yes
Internal credits: 8
External credits: 14
Total credits: 22
UE Reading credits: 0
UE Writing credits: 0
Possible next steps: Visual Arts Courses, Tertiary
Find more details in our Course outline 2025.
Full year course
This course focuses on developing a personal and sustained body of work through three dimensional practices. You will explore ideas around identity, environment, and form, using a range of sculptural materials such as clay, plaster, wire, cardboard, and found objects. Learning is informed by research into established sculptural practice, helping you to generate, clarify, and extend your ideas. You will experiment with techniques, installation methods, and conceptual development to create a two panel portfolio that shows confidence in 3D thinking and making.
Recommended Prior Learning: 11ART, 11PHT or any other Visual Art experience
Contact Teacher: Mrs Stephanie O'Brien
Outcomes
Endorsement available: Yes
Internal credits: 8
External credits: 12
Total credits: 20
UE Reading credits: 0
UE Writing credits: 0
Possible next steps: Level 3 Sculpture, Level 3 Photography
Find more details in our Course outline 2025
Full year course
Year 13 Sculpture course is a Visual Arts course that supports the development of a personal and conceptually rich body of three dimensional work. You will investigate contemporary and historical sculptural practices to inform your own direction and voice. Using materials such as plaster, wire, fabric, wood, found objects, and installation elements, you will explore form, space, and meaning. The course encourages risk taking, innovation, and refinement of ideas, ending the year with a three panel portfolio that demonstrates confident sculptural thinking and a deep engagement with individual themes.
Recommended Prior Learning: 12ART, 12PHT, 12DES or HOD approval. Previous Visual Art/Portfolio experience recommended.
Contact Teacher: Mrs Stephanie O'Brien
Outcomes
Endorsement available: Yes
Internal credits: 8
External credits: 14
Total credits: 22
UE Reading credits: 0
UE Writing credits: 0
Possible next steps: Visual Arts Courses, Tertiary
Find more details in our Course outline 2025.