High School for Performing & Visual Arts in WA

John Curtin College of the Arts, Fremantle:
As Western Australia’s only selective Arts school, John Curtin College of the Arts, located in Fremantle is the premier college for gifted arts students. Our suite of Arts programs and an Arts-infused curriculum extend students’ creative talents and enhance their academic education. Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, specialist teachers and links to tertiary and industry bodies. They participate in classes with other gifted students who share their passion and desire to excel. Rich in the history of Fremantle and the Arts, we have been offering programs for gifted and talented dance and drama students since 1973. We now offer seven Arts programs: Artsmedia, Ballet, Contemporary Dance, Drama, Music, Music Theatre and Visual Arts. The opportunity to participate in these elite programs is only given to the most gifted and talented arts students in Western Australia. An innovative, stimulating and rewarding education and supportive learning environment awaits your child.

DRAMA

Our leading drama program will enable your child to develop and showcase their dramatic skills alongside other gifted arts students. Your child will learn through playmaking, performance and critical reflection and regularly develop, rehearse, produce and perform drama works for a range of audiences and purposes.

The lower school program is divided into two strands: Drama Studies and Performance Studies. Your child will develop skills in improvisation, play building, script writing, stage management and production management and design. They will learn to work both independently and with others.

Your child will broaden their knowledge and appreciation of drama as an art form and profession. They will attend a variety of drama performances and participate in workshops with industry artists including professional actors and directors of stage, TV and film, as well as extension programs in physical theatre, improvisation and comedy theatre. Performance is a key component of the program and your child will have the opportunity to perform in front of a variety of audiences.

BALLET

Your child will be extended in this challenging and innovative classical ballet program, where highly expert staff and tutors teach technique, choreography and performance. Students also develop skills and an understanding of other dance styles including contemporary and Spanish dancing.

Performance is an important aspect of this program and students present their work to a variety of audiences. They develop choreography, interpret the choreography of others, rehearse and perform. They are given the opportunity to work with guest artists from industry. They also attend dance performances and take part in excursions to develop a critical understanding of the Arts.

Our ballet program provides students with a firm foundation for pursuing a career in ballet. Current courses include preparation for upper school dance courses of study, school endorsed programs and tertiary entrance.

Additional classes are provided for vocational ballet students. Exceptional students are invited to audition for the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts’ (WAAPA) Certificate II in Dance course, which provides a direct link to future studies at WAAPA. Students may also be selected for the Project Company, a small group of ballet and dance students with vocational aspirations working with professional artists in the industry.

CONTEMPORARY DANCE

Our contemporary dance program is designed to build on your child’s natural ability and focus on developing their dance technique. Students learn to develop and interpret choreography, perform and reflect on dance. The program focuses on developing student understanding of a range of dance genres including contemporary, classical ballet and Spanish.

Performance is an important aspect of this program and students present their work to a variety of audiences. As part of the program, students attend dance performances, take part in excursions and develop a critical understanding of the Arts. Students are also regularly provided with the opportunity to work alongside guest artists from the industry.

Our dance program provides students with a firm foundation for pursuing a career in dance. Current courses include preparation for upper school dance courses of study, school endorsed programs and tertiary entrance.

Additional classes are provided for vocational dance students. Exceptional students are invited to audition for the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts’ (WAAPA) Certificate II in Dance course, which provides a direct link to future studies at WAAPA. Students may also be selected for the Project Company, a small group of ballet and dance students with vocational aspirations working with professional artists in the industry.

MUSIC

Our music program will give your child the opportunity to develop their ability, skills and love for music through solo performances, composition/arrangement techniques, aural perception and music literature analysis and investigation. They will be encouraged to learn through music creation, performance and reflection. Students study all genres of music including world, rock, pop, classical and jazz.

Performance is an important aspect of this program and your child will take part in a variety of music performances, concerts and festivals to develop an understanding of the Arts. They will also participate in performance ensembles such as concert band, jazz band, string ensemble, percussion ensemble, classical guitar ensemble, contemporary guitar ensemble or vocal ensemble.

Your child will have access to instrumental or vocal lessons, music extension and enrichment activities and the opportunity to work alongside industry musicians.

Our music program provides students with a firm foundation for pursuing a career in music. Your child will be equipped to apply for entrance into tertiary music courses at the University of Western Australia or Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.

MUSIC THEATRE

Our music theatre program is a dynamic program that combines dance, drama and music that will provide your child with the skills to create, present and analyse music theatre.

Students develop their skills through practical workshops and theatrical study. They receive specialist tuition in music knowledge and theory, music theatre history and analysis, dramatic and vocal work, and tap and jazz dance.

Performance in an important aspect of this program and your child will take part in a variety of productions. They will have the opportunity to work with industry artists who bring their real life experience to the program. They will also attend a variety of music theatre performances, take part in excursions and develop a critical understanding of the Arts.

Music theatre students in Years 11 and 12 are offered a course leading to TER requirements through the Music Course which can prepare them for music theatre courses at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.

VISUAL ARTS

Your child can develop their creative and artistic abilities in this exciting visual arts program. They will learn through a mix of visual inquiry, studio work, exhibition and critical reflection.

Gallery visits, sketching excursions, tutor studio classes and exposure to new mediums and technologies are all part of the curriculum designed to help your child develop their creative thinking and problem solving abilities.

Our Gifted and Talented visual arts students have access to excellent resources and dynamic teachers and professionals who are leaders in their field. Your child will be given unique opportunities to work in partnership with successful artists, curators and crafts people who inspire and mentor the students. Students also benefit from exhibiting their own work at school and in the wider community.

ARTSMEDIA

The artsmedia program offers your child the opportunity to develop skills in radio, film and television media. They will learn to create, produce and analyse media and develop their talent in video production, radio broadcasting and journalism. They will learn to work both independently and in a team.

Media production is an important aspect of this program and students develop and present artistic media works to a range of audiences including other students. They also attend films and excursions to enhance their understanding of media as an art form.

Your child will be able to pursue their specific interests, whether it is editing, audio recording and manipulation, camera and digital photography, producing roles, crew roles, script writing or directing.