Arts News

Skill building, creating, connecting, refining, rehearsing and much more!
It has been a busy term here at WSCW in all of the Arts learning spaces. This term has seen many performance  and assessment events for Music, Dance, Drama and Kapa Haka. The Visual Arts spaces are now home to many ākonga busily working to meet their folio deadlines. Seniors have been involved in derived grade exams and option selection decisions for 2023. Not to mention the many projects our keen creatives take on outside the classroom!

Take a bow Arts ākonga and kaiako for your dedication to your craft, creativity and continued resilence. May these holidays be replenishing and allow space for you to appreciate the mahi you have achieved this term. 

Term four…
In term four our seniors will complete the visual arts folios, sit external exams, perform in senior prize givings and for some of them say goodbye to WSCW and hello to the next chapter of life. 

Junior Arts Festival. Wednesday the 7th December. TAPAC theatre.  Show times TBC
As always, we will end the year with a celebration of the Arts at WSCW. If you are a junior student keen to take part in this event contact your Arts subject teachers. 

Samantha Wood Rawnsley – Arts Coordinator

Art News!

Extended Greetings 

Spring has clearly sprung – and it really is the busy end of the year when senior students are starting to ‘live’ in the Art rooms in a concerted effort to complete their folio work before the term four deadlines.  The Level 1 and 2 students should be on their final board and the Level 3 are close behind (although they have a later hand in time).  As part of a return to pre-covid events – we will also be showcasing work from the eleven senior classes next term with the Media and Technology departments  –  so it will be well worth popping your head in for a quick catch up with students who are creating authentic shifts in their critical and creative processes.

As a department we had been fielding a number of inquiries about Art courses as Y9-12 students consider their subject choices for 2023.  The coursebook information is clear and up to date – however if you require more specific course information, please contact
brittonk@wsc.school.nz re: Art Design/Junior Art
teleiaid@wsc.school.nz re: Art Photography
laital@wsc.school.nz re: Art Painting/Art History

We have had a number of students succeeding within the wider Arts communities and would like celebrate in their achievements.  Firstly we have two students who have secured the annual Pat Hanly Creativity Award, Y13 students Shay Patel and Sophia Collins who attended the gala event at the ACAG and received their award from the organisers and representative from the Hanly family.  We also have to acknowledge Y13 student Noah Grimer – who was selected by a panel to have his work ‘To wander’ showcased in the Wallace Arts Trust – Secondary School Art Awards Finalists’ Exhibition 5-30th October at Pah Homestead.  

Finally, a reminder that the Art rooms will be open in holidays on Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday of the first week only between 10am-1pm.  Students are welcome to utilise the space and time to consolidate their external work and finish off internal standards. 

The following are important dates for handing in for the Level 1, 2 and 3;

LEVEL 1 boards due T4 Week 1 Friday 21st October
LEVEL 2&3 Photography and Art Design board files due T4 Week 2 Thursday 27th October
LEVEL 2 Painting boards due T4 Week 2 Friday 28th October
LEVEL 3 Painting boards due T4 Week 3 Wednesday 2nd November
ART/MEDIA/TECHNOLOGY Exhibition T4 Wednesday 2nd November 3.30-6.30 supported by PAG

(Senior student celebration to proceed Y13 Prizegiving)

Scholarship folios and workbooks due Tuesday 8th November
(last call for L3 folios as we need to weigh and pack boards before the courier arrives)                                                                                                                                                                                   

Ia Manuia
Lily Laita – HOD Art

In June of this year Charlie Hill and James Drake participated in The National Youth Theatre’s production, Oliver! This project commenced in 2021, navigated covid disruptions and came to the stage in June of 2022. Today I had the pleasure of sitting down with these two dedicated performers to share a little more about their experience. 

What role/ roles did you play?
 “ I played a house orphan and a posh person. I was part of the ensemble”. James
“ I played two roles. Noah Claypole, a speaking role and the knife grinder, a singing role and I was part of the ensemble”. Charlie

What did you enjoy most about performing in Oliver the musical?
“Getting to know the people and the structure of the show and also performing in the acts”. James
“Going up on stage. The frightening excitement is quite enjoyable” Charlie

What skills do you think you have developed during this time?
“More vocal skills. Working with others. Listening skills. Time management. Commitment. Timing – when to come on stage, knowing the running order of the show”. James
“Confidence to perform in front of others. Built some bravery. This is my second full show. Over the two shows seasons I have learn a lot about ensemble skills” Charlie

Next up for these young performers….
I recently sat my tap exam and received highly commended. Next term I will be taking Dance as an option at school. James
Coming up I am performing in the next National Youth Theatre Company production, Wendy. Charlie

Do you have an experience you would like to share?
Are you taking up opportunities outside of the classroom in the Arts? Would you like to share this with our kura and wider community? Email Samantha Wood Rawnsley to set up a kōrero. rawnsleys@wsc.school.nz