This course offers students a unique opportunity to learn and engage in a variety of different dance styles, working with professional tutors across the year. The course is largely practical and performance-based, with standards offered in Dance, but also opportunities in Stage Tech and Design as well. Year 11 will be a foundation year for students who wish to continue this subject in the senior school with University Entrance credits available at Level 2 and Level 3.

Every year professional tutors from Pump Dance studios work with students to teach them original choreography in the style of their choosing. This typically includes different genres of Hip-Hop and modern dance styles.

Year 11 Dance focuses on the development of dance skills to a range learners. This includes those who are already proficient in dance and those trying it for the first time. Throughout the year you will:

Understand dance in context

• Demonstrate an awareness of dance in its many forms and how it has evolved throughout history, as well as how it's expressed and created in different communities and cultures.

Develop practical knowledge

• Explore movement with a developing awareness of the dance elements of body, space, time, energy, and relationships. 

Develop ideas

• Create and explore movement in response to stimuli (theme, idea, narrative etc.)

You will learn to dance in a variety of styles with the flexibility to cater for the interests of the class. Specialist tutors will be brought in throughout the first three terms to teach the students in a range of genres. The skills learnt will contribute to assessment activities. 

There are no prerequisites for this course. However, experience in an area of Performing Arts, such as Dance, Drama, Pacific Performance Group or Kapa Haka is preferable but not essential.

To see success in Year 11 Drama, you will need to:

• Work collaboratively and positively in a less traditional classroom environment

• Feel comfortable performing with and in front of your peers (in groups)

• Show self-discipline and management in independent tasks

• Be supportive of all learners in the class

The course content and assessment will mostly comprise of practical assessment but with some academic/theoretical components as well. You will be given the opportunity to undertake coursework to support all assessments. 

School Policy for NCEA Assessment

Assessments activities will include Performance, Choreography, Dance Elements and Techniques, and theoretical based reflection.

This course is assessed using the WC Learning Progression Framework and provides an excellent foundation for students wishing to continue onto NCEA L2 Dance.