At San Clemente, Creative and Performing Arts programs on offer reflect our view that the Arts are an integral aspect of whole school curriculum. Through participation and study in Arts areas such as Music, Drama and Visual Arts, we provide students with unique opportunities to create, reflect, challenge, respond, critique, present, and celebrate across a range of media and contexts.
San Clemente has a vibrant Creative and Performing Arts Department with frequent exhibition of student work and performance in the school and community. Classroom learning is enhanced by visiting artists, professional workshops and access to a range of live performances and gallery excursions. Learning experiences and performance opportunities are tailored to student interests and abilities.
Community performances, the ‘Sight and Sound’ exhibition and performance showcase, and Drama night at the Playhouse are some of the highlights of our school calendar. These are in addition to a host of diocesan wide activities available such as the Theatre-sports competition, ‘Dio-Sounds’ and ‘Aspire’ - an audition-based drama, dance, music and creative and performing arts program.
Creative and Performing Arts subjects include:
A compulsory course in Stage 4
An elective course in Stage 5
A compulsory course in Stage 4
An elective course in Stage 5
An elective course in Stage 5
Visual Arts
Visual Arts at San Clemente provides opportunities for students to enjoy the making and studying of art. It builds an understanding of the role of art in all forms of media, both in the contemporary and historical world, and enables students to represent their ideas and interests in artworks. Visual Arts enables students to become informed about, understand and write about art in their contemporary world.
Students studying Visual Arts at San Clemente enjoy painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, digital photography and digital media as well as developing and expressing ideas and concepts. They are enriched in their own artmaking process through the research and discussion of artists and artworks.
Artwork created by students is proudly exhibited, not only at the classroom level, but at our annual ‘Sight and Sound’ exhibition. This exhibition is opened in the last term of the school year and is a fabulous opportunity to view the creative works of our student artists.
We are delighted to extend the learning of our students through trips to galleries and art studios, and through workshops with artists and photographic shoots. Professional artists are often invited into the classroom to further enrich the experience for our classes.
Music
Music is offered to students in all year levels at San Clemente. Students are given the opportunity to study music from Rock, Pop, Jazz, Art Music, Classical Music and Australian Music. Students learn the concepts of music through a focus on technology and group work.
Performance is a very important part of the course and students are encouraged to perform on their chosen instruments throughout their studies at San Clemente. Their individual talents are fostered through an array of extra-curricular opportunities. Students are given the opportunity to perform at school assemblies, perform in the school vocal group, school band and senior ensemble. Students also participate in concerts such as ‘Dio-Sounds’, ‘Aspire’ and at San Clemente ‘Sight and Sound’.
Music is a very important part of whole school events and is always on display at formal assemblies, liturgies and community days.
The San Clemente Music staff ensure that the facilities are up to date and are well suited to the needs of the students. The students have access to ukuleles, drum-kits, guitars, amplified instruments, mixers, pianos, keyboards and many other classical instruments. We ensure that students are up to date with technology, gig equipment and empower them with the skills to become independent performers.
Drama
Drama students at San Clemente are
- Creative
- Adaptable
- Team players
- Articulate
- Flexible
- Organised
- Committed
Stage 5 Drama at San Clemente is about making, performing and appreciating Drama and Theatre. A large focus is on improvisation and playbuilding. Students also learn to record and reflect on the learning process through the use of the drama logbook. Theatrical forms and styles, such as melodrama, physical theatre, Shakespeare, mask and comedy are explored and students learn to apply the features of a particular style or form to create their own work.
Drama has an important role to play in the personal development of our students. The skills and qualities developed by students in Drama, such as teamwork, creativity, leadership and risk-taking are assets in all subjects and all areas of life. Drama stimulates the imagination and allows students to explore issues and experiences in a safe and supportive environment. Students take on roles as a means of exploring both familiar and unfamiliar aspects of their world while exploring the ways people react and respond to different situations, issues and ideas.
With the new addition of a lighting and sound system, the San Clemente Drama classroom provides students with the opportunity to experiment with the impact and impression lighting and sound can make on a performance piece.
The highlight of the Drama year is our performance night at the Playhouse theatre. Featuring highly polished scenes from Year 9 and 10 classwork, the show is not to be missed. The hard work of the classroom moves onto the stage with strength, maturity and focus; it is an evening at the theatre that is sure to impress.
Creative and Performing Arts Leader of Learning
