Art Design

Art and Design is taught in Years 7 and 8. Across two years, students explore skills in the fields of Art and Visual Communication. Students use a variety of mediums and techniques. They explore the application of the Art Elements in tasks that include painting and drawing, ceramics, rendering, typography, pictograms, technical drawing, and mixed media activities.

FAQ

What are some areas explored in this subject?
1. Art and Design includes two parts that relate closely to each other. A lot of the theories and skills we learn can be used in both subjects.

2. We spend time exploring Art, which includes looking at some art theories relating to colour and tone. To show that you understand these, we create illustrations and a painting. We also make ceramic sculptures and look at artworks by professional artists to see how they use colour and apply paint.

3. The other part of this subject, Design, is focused on how we can communicate through imagery. You will learn how to identify pictograms and then create one, relating to a topic we discuss in class. In the course we also explore creative typography (lettering) and look at the technical drawing style of one-point perspective.
What are the real-world learning opportunities?
In Art and Design we use a wide variety of materials and explore real-life needs. Art is important because people are able to express their feelings or document an event or idea through a visual image. Art can be personal, political, mindful, thought-provoking and a way to relax. Design allows for people or groups of people to communicate many different types of information. It may be the production of an instructional document, a house plan, a fun way to demonstrate what something means. There are many professions that use design skills in their work: industrial product design, landscape artists, people who work in media, graphic designers, interior designers, architects and many others.
What will be hands on?
1. Art and Design is very hands on. We use a wide variety of media (paint, pencils, ink , pastel, clay) and equipment (brushes, ceramic tools, our computers) for when we design.

2. Visual diaries are very important, where we develop lots of ideas and make improvements before we work on our final presentations.
How often will I have this class?
Art and Design has three periods per week for one semester of learning, either at Year 7 or Year 8. In Year 9, Art and Design become separate subjects. You are able to choose to keep studying Art or Design or you may choose to keep studying both subjects. We also add Media to the Arts Curriculum in Year 9. Art and Design at Year 9 become student-chosen elective subjects which run for one semester of four periods per week.

Drama

Drama is a creative and collaborative subject that requires students to work with focus, energy and fun. Drama is an excellent opportunity for students to build their confidence, team building and cooperation, creative thinking, the ability to think on their feet, and public-speaking and communication skills. It enables students to participate and lead in workshops that allow students of all abilities to experience success in learning tasks.

FAQ

What are some areas explored in this subject?
In Drama we explore getting out of our comfort zone and having a go at performance. We focus on using our expressive skills, particularly movement and expression, to show characters and ideas in set and student-led performances.
What are the real-world learning opportunities?
A primary focus of Drama is to boost confidence. Getting in front of an audience of any size can be extremely confronting, so we work on building confidence in public speaking and performance so you can see improvement in your skills
What will be hands on?
Much of Drama class is being up on your feet and moving around the space. You will be learning in a practical environment underpinned by key theory covered throughout the course of the unit.
How often will I have this class?
Drama runs for three periods per week for one semester of learning, starting in Year 8. At Year 9, Drama becomes a student-chosen elective subject which runs for one semester of four periods per week.

Music

Year 7 Music introduces music notation reading, writing and listening skills across the semester. Students explore the fundamental theoretical concepts of rhythm and pitch, and also start introductory ear training to develop skills in identifying key characteristics of different styles of music. Each student at Year 7 is provided the opportunity to choose from a variety of wind, brass and percussion instruments to learn for the semester. This incorporates a small group instrumental lesson  and a large group band rehearsal as a whole class.

FAQ

What are some areas explored in Music?
Year 7 Music at CMC explores areas such as Music Theory, Listening Analysis, Composition and Performance. The Listening Analysis component involves students analysing pieces of music and determining how the musical elements affect the mood and style of each piece.
What are the real-world learning opportunities?
You will develop skills of teamwork in Music lessons through class ensemble and band rehearsals and performances. This can lead to self confidence through the personal achievement of learning to play an instrument and the knowledge that success in Music can only be achieved through hard work and dedication.
What will be hands on?
You are given the opportunity to learn a wind instrument or percussion as part of your classroom music studies. You have weekly lessons with a specialist instrumental teacher, with tuition and instrument hire being offered without cost for a semester in Year 7. You are then encouraged to continue learning your instrument once you have finished the semester of classroom music. You will also be given the experience of playing in various musical groups in class such as guitar ensemble, percussion ensemble and class band.
How often will I have this class?
Classroom Music consists of three periods per week for one semester of learning, either at Year 7 or Year 8. One lesson will usually include theory/listening and the other lesson will include class ensemble/band. Your 40-minute weekly instrumental lesson will be held during other class times.
At Year 9, Music becomes a student-chosen elective subject which runs for one semester of four periods per week.