Rationale:

Ku-ring-gai Creative Arts High School is a community that values the individual worth and contribution of all its members.  

Our school:

Ø  Ensures excellent student centred, coeducational and comprehensive education with a positive focus on developing outstanding opportunities for students in the creative arts. 

Ø  Engages students in learning experiences in the visual and performing arts as part of the comprehensive curriculum.  

Ø  Is the only Creative Arts High School in NSW, and as such, our unique curriculum builds and extends students’ skills, knowledge and understanding within the creative arts.  

Ø  Articulates creativity across all key learning areas, recognising the invaluable contribution that creative learning experiences make to the development of the whole child.

The objectives and outcomes that follow therefore relate to:

Ø  Effective teaching and learning; 

Ø  Fostering a positive and participatory school culture; 

Ø  Building Community Partnerships; 

 Effective Teaching and Learning 

Objectives:

• Providing stimulating and creative educational experience in a diverse and harmonious environment; 

• Identifying student strengths in the creative arts

  Effective teaching and learning in the Creative Arts through:

• A comprehensive curriculum that embraces and nurtures creativity across all key learning areas.

• A comprehensive curriculum that offers a full range of School Certificate and Higher School Certificate Creative Arts Courses;

• Developing and implementing student enrolment criteria that reflects the nature of our unique school;

• Additional Creative Arts Curriculum (NOVA Years 7 – 10) to enhance gifted and talented students by providing opportunities to develop and showcase talent.

• Vocational Education opportunities in areas such as Entertainment, Photography, Performance, Ceramics and Visual Design,

 Results for students:

Students will:

• Develop independent learning skills that enhance their appreciation and involvement in the Arts;

• Understand the significance of creativity in learning and the contribution of the arts to society;

• Engage in the diversity of the creative arts spectrum;

The following statements from Board of Studies Syllabus demonstrate the importance of creativity and creative thinking in the comprehensive and academic curriculum offered at Ku-ring-gai Creative Arts High School. 

HSC English:“..using the information and ideas gathered from a range of texts to present a point of view in analytic, expressive, imaginative and evaluative ways.” “students draw upon the imagination to transform experience and ideas into text”.  

Junior English:“..the cleverness and joy of invention” 

Junior Mathematics:“understand and to apply a variety of analytical techniques to develop the skills to become flexible and creative users of mathematics” 

H.S.C. Design and Technology“investigates and experiments with techniques in creative approaches in designing and producing……..” 

H.S.C. Physics:“…creative, responsible and scientifically literate…” 

H.S.C. Geography:“……applying a range of geographical tools and skills so they can become critical and creative thinkers…..”

Student Enrolment:

• Refer to KCAHS, “Enrolment Policy and Procedures” Document for details.

• “Criteria for Enrolment” as established by the enrolment Committee, follows:

 Positive and Participatory School Culture 

Objectives:

• Providing a supportive and caring school environment that embraces harmony and diversity;

• Encouraging all students to engage in creative learning opportunities;

• Develop school structures that support creative arts learning opportunities for students;

 Effective school culture through:

• The provision of additional Extra-curricular Programs in the Creative Arts.

• Showcasing students talent through Creative Arts major and Minor events;

• Planning with staff, Executive and the Creative Arts Association all Creative Arts Events and activities. Endorsing and resourcing events and publishing an Annual Creative Arts Events Calendar and Management Plan prior to the commencement of the year.

Results for students:

Students will:

• Develop and explore their area of creative arts talent;

• Value and support the creative abilities in themselves and others; Understand the significance of creativity in learning and the contribution of the arts to society;

• Appreciate the diversity of the experiences offered through the creative arts at school and in the community;

Procedures for students participating in extra –curricular opportunities, Creative Arts events and NOVA Courses and events

When participating in Creative Arts and extra-curricular events, students are expected to inform their classroom teachers and meet the curriculum expectations (and assignments etc.) in each subject;

 Generally, students to be in full school uniform and of neat appearance for performances;*

Where costuming is required, performers are to attired in the context of school-age performance and according to the school dress-code (as approved by the Senior Executive);

Solo vocal performers to dress in black (Confirm as needed with principal) 

* Refer DET Core Rules for Students in Government Schools, 2006.
 

 Community Participation 

Objectives:

• Providing opportunities for community involvement and support through concerts, performances and exhibitions;

• Planning and showcasing significant major Arts events on a bi-annual basis;

 Effective Community Participation through:

• The established parent groups P & C Association and Creative Arts Association;

• Building Community Creative Arts linkages with industry and arts providers;

• Performing for local Primary schools and Community Events;

• Building formal links with Arts Secondary and Tertiary Educational  Institutions (traineeships, Practicums, Teacher Exchange Programs, Student Exchange Programs);

• Showcasing student talent in the community (considering aspects of rehearsal, presentation and performance quality);

• Parental support for performances and exhibitions

Results for students:

Students will:

• Gain recognition for outstanding arts achievement;

• Become confident participants in the broader Arts community and in the wider community;

Refer to the Creative Arts Association and the P&C Association for details:

Contact person 2009: Ms. Sally Ailwood (Parent) President, KCAHS Creative Arts Association       

The Creative Arts Curriculum

Ku-ring-gai Creative Arts High School is a community that values the individual worth and contribution of all its members.

Our school:

Our school ensures excellent student centred, co-educational and comprehensive education with a positive focus on developing outstanding opportunities for students in the creative arts.

Our school also engages students in learning experiences in the visual and performing arts as prt of the comprehensive curriculum.

We are currently the only Creative Arts High School in NSW and as such, our unique curriculum builds and extends students’ skills, knowledge and understanding within the creative arts.

Our Curriculum:

Enhances effective teaching and learning in the Creative Arts through:

·      A comprehensive curriculum that embraces and nurtures creativity across all key learning areas.

·      A comprehensive curriculum that offers a full range of School Certificate and Higher School Certificate Creative Arts Courses.

·      Developing and implementing student enrolment criteria that reflects the nature of our unique school.

·      Additional Creative Arts Curriculum (NOVA Years 7 - 10) to enhance gifted and talented students by providing opportunities to develop and showcase talent.

·      Vocational Educational opportunities in areas such as Entertainment, Photography, Performance, Ceramics and Visual Design.