Visual Arts

Through the curriculum, students in the Middle Years explore, experiment and develop skills and techniques using a range of materials and media. Students develop their own individual concepts in painting, drawing, mixed media, printmaking, clay and sculpture.

As part of co-curricular studies, students exhibit their work in the College’s art gallery as well as the art classrooms. There are also opportunities for students to participate in art activities and events during Art Attack Week and Arts Fest Week.

Art workshops, demonstrations and master classes are also conducted through an Artist in Residence Program, and students have the opportunity to enter art competitions.

Drama

At Good Shepherd, students from Years 7 to 9 have the opportunity to experience drama with a specialist drama teacher. As part of their curricular studies, students explore the various forms of dramatic art including monologues, improvisation, script writing, physical theatre, interschool performances and professional theatre performances.

In addition, the College holds a major musical production, alternating between Years 4 to 7 one year and Years 8 to 12 the following year. These large-scale productions offer a range of opportunities for students interested in acting, dance, drama, and backstage roles such as costumes, make-up, set production and lighting.

Dance

As a part of extra-curricular opportunities, the College offers students up to Year 6 the opportunity to join the Junior Dance Troupe up, or the Senior Dance Troupe from Years 7 to 12. Dancers are given many opportunities to work on choreography and performances for local competitions and in-school performances, including the College’s annual Shepherd’s Fair.

Music

Music is offered to all students from Years 6 to 9 as part of the Middle Years at Good Shepherd. The music curriculum is Kodály-based – a highly interactive, collaborative and sequential approach to music education. The College aims to make music accessible to all students, not just those who learn a musical instrument.

Students learn about musical elements through skills such as audiation (hearing and comprehending music even when it’s not there), singing, rhythmic co-ordination and harmonic hearing, which are at the core of musicianship and applied to performance, analysis and composition.

Students will also cover basic guitar, piano and keyboard percussion skills, as well as music technology which is an increasingly integral aspect to music education.