Performing Arts

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Our Team

HOL: Leah Kersey
Teaching staff and specialties:
Leah Kersey ( Dance and Drama)
Moana Keefe (Music, Maori Performing Arts)
Itinerant Teachers include Hillary Baker (Piano, Violin and Cello) Damon Rangitaawa (Base, Drums, Guitar)

Our dedicated teachers bring a wealth of knowledge within their crafts. They inspire students to step out of their comfort zones.

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ASPIRE – Our Purpose

• Our Purpose as a department is to inspire students to want to learn, create and think.
  We aim to teach students a range of skills that will be transferable in any way to any pathway they are on.
• We encourage our students to aim high and develop their confidence while giving them a sense of purpose and belonging as part of the Performing Arts department.

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ACT – Teaching, Learning & Support

Students learn through:

• Scaffolding
• Collaboration
• Reciprocity
• Tukana Teina
• Independent Learning

Students will:

• Develop their theory knowledge
• Work in groups to develop compositions in their chosen crafts
• Develop techniques and skills
• Perform to a range of audiences
• Rehearse for performances

Assessment & feedback

• Assessment and feedback are done in a variety of ways
• Performances are always videoed
• Students learn to give each other feedback so Peer evaluation can happen
• Students also have the opportunity to complete External standards as well as internal standards
• Feedback is given to students that enables them to take further steps forward within Performing Arts.

Support & Extension

Performing Arts provides a safe and nurturing environment where students are both supported and extended to improve their skill sets, grow their confidence, and develop both creative and critical thinking.

Students are able to work at their own pace, they learn in a variety of ways that are suitable to their needs. Our environments are both inclusive and challenging to support and extend students.

• Junior learning builds foundations and confidence
• Senior courses offer clear pathways and choice
• Assessment supports growth and next steps

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ACHIEVE – Pathways & Outcomes

• Senior course options and qualifications: Students can continue to develop their crafts beyond school in Performing Arts courses and or transfer the knowledge and skills to other chosen careers.
• Students develop co-operative, critical and creative thinking while developing their own confidence and resilience.
• Pathways beyond school: Toi Whakare, Unitech, Christchurch Performing Arts school, EIT film course, Southern skies, AUT, Waikato University Dance Programme,
• Opportunities beyond the classroom

Subject Selection Booklet  - page 9

Learning in the Performing Arts Department opens pathways beyond school. Students develop skills that prepare them for further study, work, and life — including critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and resilience.

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Working in Partnership

We value strong partnerships with whānau. Families can support learning by encouraging regular attendance, engagement with feedback, and open communication with teachers.