Year 9 - 11 Arts
Year 9 - 11 Arts
Dance and Drama
Compulsory semester course
This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of Drama and Performing Arts. Our 13 week program allows students of all performance abilities and readiness to be able to succeed comfortably in our program. By the end of the unit, the students will have been introduced to Drama Techniques and Elements as well as the Radio Drama genre. In groups they will have produced a mini-length Radio Play where they will write, perform and record their own script utilising Foley sound effects and voice acting. As well as being assessed on their performance ability, the students will also need to demonstrate manaakitanga in the collaboration process.
Recommended Prior Learning: Open Entry.
Contact Teacher: Jessica Cooper
Possible next steps: Year 10 Drama
Find more details in our Course outline 2025
Elective full year course
Year 10 Drama builds on students' knowledge from Year 9 and develops their performance ability across a range of theatre forms and contexts. Students will gain an understanding of Drama Techniques, Melodrama and Soap Opera, Theatre Aotearoa, and Improvised Drama. Year 10 Drama is a dynamic and fast paced program and students should be prepared to collaborate with manaakitanga in group based contexts. Although Year 10 Drama has a strong focus on performance, students will also learn skills in script writing, and directing.
Recommended Prior Learning: Open Entry.
Contact Teacher: Jessica Cooper
Possible next steps: Year 11 Drama, Dance.
Find more details in our Course outline 2025
Full year course
Year 11 Dance is the perfect entry for both students wanting to try something practical and new, and for students who have had prior experience in Dance. We work closely with Pump Dance studios who provide professional tutors to train and teach choreography to our students. Year 11 Dance tailors its program to our students, whilst providing a strongly structured program, the students choose the styles of dance they are most interested. In recent years, this has included new style hip-hop, reggaeton, breaking and contemporary dance.
Recommended Prior Learning: Open Entry.
Contact Teacher: Jessica Cooper
Possible next steps: Year 12 Dance, Year 12 Drama
Find more details in our Course outline 2025
Fill year course
Year 11 Drama is an exciting and dynamic program that offers a meaningful extension to the work students have done at Year 9 and 10. Students will explore a wide range of Theatre Forms including Commedia Dell'arte, and Greek Theatre and will begin to learn skills in Theatre Tech for the first time in our Drama program. Year 11 Drama involves collaborating closely with your peers and develops students ability to work efficiently and comfortably in group and performance settings.
Recommended Prior Learning: Year 10 Drama.
Contact Teacher: Jessica Cooper
Possible next steps: Year 12 Drama and Dance
Find more details in our Course outline 2025
Music
Semester course.
9MUS aims to provide an enjoyable and varied programme for students no matter what their prior musical experience. Students will develop confidence in performing, work on their creativity through composition of original music, and engage in a range of musical literacy based activities. It is one of the three Arts semester courses that will give students a taste of what is on offer from Year 10 onwards.
Recommended Prior Learning: Open Entry.
Contact Teacher: Liam Boyle
Possible next steps: Year 10 Music - General; Year 10 Music - Band Class
Find more details in our Course outline 2025
Full year course
General Music in Year 10 aims to offer a solid foundation of musical learning through performance activities, composing original music, analysing music in relation to students’ own lives, learning to read and write notated music, and use musical technology. Both General Music and Band Class offer the same assessments and content.
However, Band Class will focus on working in a group on learning activities, and learning contexts will focus on contemporary styles of music. General Music will focus more on individual musicianship and a range of musical styles.
General Music is a good choice for instrumentalists and singers, and musicians who do not want to specialise in contemporary rock/pop band styles of music. Band Class is a good choice for students looking to play in a band, singer-songwriters, or those that prefer working predominantly in groups.
Further information about all our Music courses can be found here.
Recommended Prior Learning: Open Entry.
Contact Teacher: Liam Boyle
Possible next steps: Year 11 Music
Find more details in our Course outline 2025
Full year course
Music - Band Class in Year 10 aims to offer a solid foundation of musical learning through performance activities, composing original music, analysing music in relation to students’ own lives, learning to read and write notated music, and use musical technology. Both General Music and Band Class offer the same assessments and content.
However, Band Class will focus on working in a group on learning activities, and learning contexts will focus on contemporary styles of music. General Music will focus more on individual musicianship and a range of musical styles.
General Music is a good choice for instrumentalists and singers, and musicians who do not want to specialise in contemporary rock/pop band styles of music. Band Class is a good choice for students looking to play in a band, singer-songwriters, or those that prefer working predominantly in groups.
Further information about all our Music courses can be found here.
Recommended Prior Learning: Open Entry.
Contact Teacher: Liam Boyle
Possible next steps: Year 11 Music
Find more details in our Course outline 2025
Full Year Course
Music at Year 11 aims to build on the foundation established in the Year 10 Music courses. Students will continue to develop their performance and composition skills with greater freedom of style and format. Activities will provide a basis for the ways of working in Year 12 and 13 Music courses.
Further information about all our Music courses can be found here.
Recommended Prior Learning: Open Entry.
Contact Teacher: Liam Boyle
Possible next steps: Year 11 Music
Find more details in our Course outline 2025
Visual Art
Compulsory semester course
Te toi whakairo, ka ihiihi, ka wehiwehi, ka aweawe te ao katoa.
Art is a powerful way to express yourself, build confidence and see the world in new ways. It helps you develop creative thinking and problem solving skills that are valuable in every subject and in life. In this course you will explore the basics of drawing and printmaking through fun, hands-on projects. Learn how to sketch realistic still life objects, draw expressive portraits and create bold prints using traditional techniques. No experience is needed, just bring your imagination and a willingness to try something new.
Recommended Prior Learning: Open Entry.
Contact Teacher: Stephanie O'Brien
Possible next steps: Year 10 Art
Find more details in our Course outline 2025
Elective full year course
Te toi whakairo, ka ihiihi, ka wehiwehi, ka aweawe te ao katoa.
Art allows you to communicate ideas, explore your identity, and think creatively about the world around you. It encourages curiosity, builds confidence, strengthens problem solving and design skills you can use in many areas of life. In Year 10 Art, you’ll develop your own style while learning a variety of new techniques. Projects include traditional landscape drawing and painting, character design, reduction woodblock printmaking and album cover design. This course is all about experimentation, creativity, and developing your own artistic voice.
Recommended Prior Learning: Open Entry.
Contact Teacher: Stephanie O'Brien
Possible next steps: Year 11 Concept Art and Design, Year 11 Painting and Printmaking, Year 11 Photography and Sculpture.
Find more details in our Course outline 2025
Elective full year course
This course explores ideas around portraiture and tūrangawaewae (a sense of place and
belonging). You’ll develop your art skills through a personalised project in your workbook and portfolio. Strengthen your drawing using pencil, charcoal, and ink, and explore painting techniques that reflect identity and culture. You’ll also learn woodblock printing, including multicolour reduction, drypoint etching, and experiment with contemporary collage to express your ideas in unique ways.
Recommended Prior Learning: Open Entry.
Contact Teacher: Stephanie O'Brien
Possible next steps: All Year 12 Art courses (Painting/Printmaking/Photography/Design/Sculpture)
Find more details in our Course outline 2025
Elective full year course
In this design focused course, you’ll create a sustainability campaign for Wellington City
Council. Guided by your interests, you’ll develop a brand identity that includes a campaign logo, a character or mascot, a poster, a double-page magazine spread, and an Instagram carousel. You’ll explore both traditional and digital illustration, learn key design principles and image integration, and use Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. The course supports creative thinking, independent work, and collaborative feedback.
Recommended Prior Learning: Open Entry.
Contact Teacher: Stephanie O'Brien
Possible next steps: All Year 12 Art courses (Painting/Printmaking/Photography/Design/Sculpture)
Find more details in our Course outline 2025
Elective full year course
This hands-on course lets you explore both photography and sculpture through creative,
practical projects. In photography, you’ll focus on the theme Nature vs Manmade Objects, using industry software Photoshop and Lightroom. You’ll build your ideas in a workbook and portfolio, and take part in class critiques to refine your work. In sculpture, you’ll experiment with materials like paper and clay, learn traditional and modern techniques, and build a strong 2D and 3D portfolio.
Recommended Prior Learning: Open Entry.
Contact Teacher: Stephanie O'Brien
Possible next steps: All Year 12 Art courses (Painting/Printmaking/Photography/Design/Sculpture)
Find more details in our Course outline 2025