The four main outcomes for the Arts learning area are:
1. Arts Ideas. Students generate art works that communicate ideas.
2. Arts Skills and Processes. Students use the skills, techniques, processes, conventions and technologies of the arts.
3. Arts Responses. Students use their aesthetic understanding to respond to, reflect on and evaluate the arts.
4. Arts in Society. Students understand the role of the arts in society through historical and cultural contexts

Music

The Academic programme is supported by an extensive co-curricular programme which provides excellent performance opportunities for young musicians. All Year 8 and 9 students participate in the Creative Arts programme, which includes a Music component. Students in Years 8 to 12 may choose Music as a specialist subject, leading to the Tertiary Entrance Examination. With the introduction of the Curriculum Framework the School is moving towards an outcomes based program. By its nature, Music has always placed great importance on “outcomes” with its emphasis on performance.

Students who have little background in music can still achieve good outcomes through the Keyboard Laboratory in Year 8 and the Music Computer Laboratory in Year 9 in the General Arts classes through the use of modern technology.

Music Elective students are able to progress at their own level in theory and performance and achieve outcomes commensurate with their ability and potential. For instance, in Year 8 some boys may be studying for the Grade I AMEB Theory Examination whilst others may be studying for Grade V. Similar variations in performance ability are also catered for. Teachers will tailor class activities to the abilities of individual students within the same class.

Parents may need to have a basic understanding of the arts learning area outcomes in order to interpret their son’s school report. Class activities and assessments are based on the appropriate levels of achievement described in the Curriculum Council’s Arts Learning Area Outcomes document.

Drama

Drama in Year 8 is delivered over three periods each 10 day cycle for one term and two periods for a second term; in Years 9 and 10 over six periods each 10 day cycle for the year.

The course is based on the Arts Learning Outcomes and offers open ended learning opportunities through which students can progress at their own pace.

Through the arts outcomes, students are offered a variety of valuable experiences that contribute toward the development of their individuality, creativity and self esteem.

The courses are focused on verbal and non-verbal communication and improvisation skills, followed by group-devised and scripted drama for both stage and television. Students are encouraged to take part in at least one public performance each year and are offered the opportunity of both production and acting roles. In Year 10, a performance in a public production is part of the assessment process, & occurs in both 'performance night' and/or on the production seasons.

Assessment
Assessment is expressed in levels based on explicit criteria developed from the Drama pointers in the Arts Student Outcome Statements.

The outcomes based assessment is ongoing and is generated through: observation of work in progress; student-teacher discussions; folio and journal entries; peer and self-assessment; open ended stepping stone tasks; and final performance tasks.

Art

Art in Year 8 is delivered over five periods each 10 day cycle for two terms - either Terms 1 and 3 or Terms 2 and 4. Art in Year 9 is delivered over 6 periods per cycle throughout the full year.

The courses are based on the four Arts Learning Outcomes and offer open ended learning opportunities in both 2D and 3D for students to move through at their own pace.

Art provides a powerful means of expression and communication of life experiences and imagination contributing toward the development of individuality, creativity, self esteem and enjoyment.

Opportunities are provided throughout the year for extra unstructured time in the art studios in After School Art where students may work on individual extension art activities of their own choice under the guidance of the art teacher. At least two exhibitions are run each year where selected student works are showcased and celebrated with an official opening. For those interested in competitions there are also opportunities to enter work in the Anniversary Art Awards which offers prizes at each Year level, and the John Dowson Memorial Art Awards which are selected from the annual Senior School Art Exhibition in Term Four.