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We offer an extensive Arts programme through our Visual Arts, Music, Dance and Drama departments along with a wide range of Extracurricular opportunities. These activities also strongly complement the academic learning that occurs within art-based classrooms. Participation and excellence in all areas of the Arts is encouraged and celebrated with many of our students achieving highly in their respective fields. Visual Arts, Drama and Music are offered from Year 9 through to Year 13. As the demand for Dance grows, access to the NCEA senior levels will be available.
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How to get involved with an Extracurricular activity
At the start of Term 1 and Term 3 we have an Arts Expo where all arts-based activities are on display and teachers are there to answer questions and provide explanations for the different groups. Students are encouraged to sign up during these expo's and the teachers will follow up with details on how/when the activities run. Students are encouraged to join activities in Term 1 to give maximum opportunities for learning and enjoyment.
If you miss signing up during the Arts Expo please contact Arts Coordinator Stine Cooper or the Teacher in Charge of the activity.
See below for the Arts Extracurricular opportunities on offer:
At the start of Term 1 and Term 3 we have an Arts Expo where all arts-based activities are on display and teachers are there to answer questions and provide explanations for the different groups. Students are encouraged to sign up during these expo's and the teachers will follow up with details on how/when the activities run. Students are encouraged to join activities in Term 1 to give maximum opportunities for learning and enjoyment.
If you miss signing up during the Arts Expo please contact Arts Coordinator Stine Cooper or the Teacher in Charge of the activity.
See below for the Arts Extracurricular opportunities on offer:
PERFORMING ARTS
Theatre and Drama Opportunities
Community Involvement Opportunities
Our Drama and Performing Arts students support the local theatre companies: Showbiz, Remarkables Theatre and Whirlwind Productions. Students not only take part on stage but help with tech support in areas such as make up, hair and costume, sound and lighting. Teacher in Charge: Jake Hansen
Musical
Every year we produce a successful school musical involving close to a hundred students from all levels of the school. Opportunities for involvement cover areas ranging from acting, dancing and band through to the various tech crews which include, hair, makeup, sound, lighting, front of house, programme design and more. It is the highlight of the year for many of the students and provides considerable leadership opportunities as they assume responsibility for the various crews. The show takes place in Term One with four performances to the public. Information regarding the Musical can be found in the school newsletter and Performing Arts classroom. This will include information on how to join the musical crews as the year progresses. Teachers in Charge: Jake Hansen and Alison Price
Theatrefest
One Act Play is a national competition for schools and community groups which celebrates New Zealand theatre. There are three different stages of the competition: heats, regionals and nationals in Wellington. The competition provides excellent opportunities for students as both actors and directors. Teacher in Charge: Jake Hansen
Performing Art Theatre Tour
Year 12 and Year 13 Performing Arts students visit a commercial theatre in Christchurch, Invercargill or Dunedin to witness life as part of a theatre company. They get a backstage tour, meet the crews and attend whichever play or musical is on at the time. This tour is bi-annual only. Teacher in Charge: Jake Hansen
SGCNZ University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival
The Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Competition involves 5 or 15 minute scenes of famous Shakespearean plays. This group usually has two student directors and auditions for the group are held in Term 1. Teacher in Charge: Jake Hansen
Showquest
An original stage-based mini Broadway that follows the elements of Art, Music, Dance, Drama, Culture & Technology. Students design, produce and perform stories in a powerful performance of celebration and recognition from their community. Performances are centred around an issue chosen by what's important to students. Click here to watch our 2024 performance, which won third place in the Southern region. Teacher in Charge: Victoria Richard
Tech Club Sound and Lighting
Mentors teach students the basics of lighting and sound. Groups may meet at breaks or after-school. Students are encouraged to join the Tech Club classroom to receive updates for times and locations. Teachers in Charge: Jake Hansen and Leo McMenamin
Our Drama and Performing Arts students support the local theatre companies: Showbiz, Remarkables Theatre and Whirlwind Productions. Students not only take part on stage but help with tech support in areas such as make up, hair and costume, sound and lighting. Teacher in Charge: Jake Hansen
Musical
Every year we produce a successful school musical involving close to a hundred students from all levels of the school. Opportunities for involvement cover areas ranging from acting, dancing and band through to the various tech crews which include, hair, makeup, sound, lighting, front of house, programme design and more. It is the highlight of the year for many of the students and provides considerable leadership opportunities as they assume responsibility for the various crews. The show takes place in Term One with four performances to the public. Information regarding the Musical can be found in the school newsletter and Performing Arts classroom. This will include information on how to join the musical crews as the year progresses. Teachers in Charge: Jake Hansen and Alison Price
Theatrefest
One Act Play is a national competition for schools and community groups which celebrates New Zealand theatre. There are three different stages of the competition: heats, regionals and nationals in Wellington. The competition provides excellent opportunities for students as both actors and directors. Teacher in Charge: Jake Hansen
Performing Art Theatre Tour
Year 12 and Year 13 Performing Arts students visit a commercial theatre in Christchurch, Invercargill or Dunedin to witness life as part of a theatre company. They get a backstage tour, meet the crews and attend whichever play or musical is on at the time. This tour is bi-annual only. Teacher in Charge: Jake Hansen
SGCNZ University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival
The Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Competition involves 5 or 15 minute scenes of famous Shakespearean plays. This group usually has two student directors and auditions for the group are held in Term 1. Teacher in Charge: Jake Hansen
Showquest
An original stage-based mini Broadway that follows the elements of Art, Music, Dance, Drama, Culture & Technology. Students design, produce and perform stories in a powerful performance of celebration and recognition from their community. Performances are centred around an issue chosen by what's important to students. Click here to watch our 2024 performance, which won third place in the Southern region. Teacher in Charge: Victoria Richard
Tech Club Sound and Lighting
Mentors teach students the basics of lighting and sound. Groups may meet at breaks or after-school. Students are encouraged to join the Tech Club classroom to receive updates for times and locations. Teachers in Charge: Jake Hansen and Leo McMenamin
MUSIC
Music Opportunities
Band Hub
This is a group for students who want to be in a band and are looking for other band members. Students get a chance to jam with other musicians from the school with itinerant teachers supporting them. Once in a band, each group has a music mentor to support the band’s progress. Students interested should join the Musos Classroom. Teacher in Charge: Alison Price
Big Break
This is an event run through WHS with the assistance of Rockformation featuring student bands/musicians from our school. It is an opportunity for musicians at all levels to showcase their skills and have the experience of a live event. This is usually run ahead of the Rockquest local Regional for a practice run. Students interested should join the Musos Classroom. Teacher in Charge: Alison Price
Central Soundwaves
An event organised through the RockFormation that gives student musicians an opportunity to perform in front of their peers and win prizes. This is a great chance for musicians to showcase their skills and occurs towards the end of the year. Teacher in Charge: Alison Price
Strings Group
This group that involves string and woodwind instruments and runs during one break a week. It focus is on classical music and gives students the experience of playing in a small performance group. Teacher in Charge: Alison Price
Digital Music Production
The main objective is to dedicate 40 minutes per week to using digital music production software - Ableton - as a tool to create music. Students will spend time learning and experimenting with Ableton. The group will look for different kinds of inspiration and take on some fun challenges to broaden their options for musical creativity and production. This group is not for mixing and mastering. Students must be prepared to commit to the whole year. Students must join the classroom to show interest. Teacher in Charge: Chris Mason-Battley
Guitar Group
Guitar Group is an excellent opportunity for students to learn to read single line music and perform arrangements of popular and classical music for ensemble guitar. Students meet once a week during break, to receive extra tuition from Mr McMenamin and to practise soloing and blending their guitar sounds within the context of a group. Future performances are anticipated for 2025, as the group continues to evolve and grow into the fantastic performance unit that it has the potential to be. Bring on 2025. Teacher in Charge: Leo McMenamin
Itinerant Music Lessons
These lessons run throughout the year and are provided by the ministry of education. Depending on the instrument there may be costs for instrument hire but the lessons themselves are free of charge. The priority is for those students taking Music as a subject and is essential for anyone considering senior music courses unless they have access to lessons outside of school. Teacher in Charge: Alison Price
Our tutors are: Alistair Monteath, Chris Mason-Battley, Harrison Maguire and Alex Pyle
Rockquest
Rockquest is a national event that focuses on rock music. It has been running for many years and WHS bands, soloists and duos have featured successfully throughout that time with bands making it to both the national Top 30 and final top 10 sections. It has two categories in solo/duo and band and alternates between Wanaka and Queenstown for the regional section of the competition. This is open to any band/acoustic acts and is a key event in the music calendar. Students interested should join the Musos Classroom. Teacher in Charge: Alison Price
Saxophone Ensemble
The saxophone ensemble provides an opportunity for students to play a wide range of music from pop arrangements to jazz and classical pieces. Saxophone ensembles are a rewarding and enjoyable music group to play with as the arrangements share the lead role around the players. For senior music students, the saxophone ensemble is an excellent option for NCEA music group performance assessments. This group is suitable for students who have had at least one year of saxophone tuition. Teacher in Charge: Chris Mason-Battley
Live Performances
WHS bands get to experience what it’s like to do a live performance at various venues and events like Winterfest, Ayrburn, Arrowtown Market and more. Teacher in Charge: Alison Price
This is a group for students who want to be in a band and are looking for other band members. Students get a chance to jam with other musicians from the school with itinerant teachers supporting them. Once in a band, each group has a music mentor to support the band’s progress. Students interested should join the Musos Classroom. Teacher in Charge: Alison Price
Big Break
This is an event run through WHS with the assistance of Rockformation featuring student bands/musicians from our school. It is an opportunity for musicians at all levels to showcase their skills and have the experience of a live event. This is usually run ahead of the Rockquest local Regional for a practice run. Students interested should join the Musos Classroom. Teacher in Charge: Alison Price
Central Soundwaves
An event organised through the RockFormation that gives student musicians an opportunity to perform in front of their peers and win prizes. This is a great chance for musicians to showcase their skills and occurs towards the end of the year. Teacher in Charge: Alison Price
Strings Group
This group that involves string and woodwind instruments and runs during one break a week. It focus is on classical music and gives students the experience of playing in a small performance group. Teacher in Charge: Alison Price
Digital Music Production
The main objective is to dedicate 40 minutes per week to using digital music production software - Ableton - as a tool to create music. Students will spend time learning and experimenting with Ableton. The group will look for different kinds of inspiration and take on some fun challenges to broaden their options for musical creativity and production. This group is not for mixing and mastering. Students must be prepared to commit to the whole year. Students must join the classroom to show interest. Teacher in Charge: Chris Mason-Battley
Guitar Group
Guitar Group is an excellent opportunity for students to learn to read single line music and perform arrangements of popular and classical music for ensemble guitar. Students meet once a week during break, to receive extra tuition from Mr McMenamin and to practise soloing and blending their guitar sounds within the context of a group. Future performances are anticipated for 2025, as the group continues to evolve and grow into the fantastic performance unit that it has the potential to be. Bring on 2025. Teacher in Charge: Leo McMenamin
Itinerant Music Lessons
These lessons run throughout the year and are provided by the ministry of education. Depending on the instrument there may be costs for instrument hire but the lessons themselves are free of charge. The priority is for those students taking Music as a subject and is essential for anyone considering senior music courses unless they have access to lessons outside of school. Teacher in Charge: Alison Price
Our tutors are: Alistair Monteath, Chris Mason-Battley, Harrison Maguire and Alex Pyle
Rockquest
Rockquest is a national event that focuses on rock music. It has been running for many years and WHS bands, soloists and duos have featured successfully throughout that time with bands making it to both the national Top 30 and final top 10 sections. It has two categories in solo/duo and band and alternates between Wanaka and Queenstown for the regional section of the competition. This is open to any band/acoustic acts and is a key event in the music calendar. Students interested should join the Musos Classroom. Teacher in Charge: Alison Price
Saxophone Ensemble
The saxophone ensemble provides an opportunity for students to play a wide range of music from pop arrangements to jazz and classical pieces. Saxophone ensembles are a rewarding and enjoyable music group to play with as the arrangements share the lead role around the players. For senior music students, the saxophone ensemble is an excellent option for NCEA music group performance assessments. This group is suitable for students who have had at least one year of saxophone tuition. Teacher in Charge: Chris Mason-Battley
Live Performances
WHS bands get to experience what it’s like to do a live performance at various venues and events like Winterfest, Ayrburn, Arrowtown Market and more. Teacher in Charge: Alison Price
Jazz
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Jazz Band (Big Band/Combo)
We have two jazz bands which practise every Wednesday after school. The bands participate in jazz festivals throughout the year which are explained in more detail below. Students should have at least two to three years of instrumental learning to be part of these groups and will need to audition for the combo group Teacher in Charge: Alison Price Blenheim Jazz Festival The Blenheim jazz trip has been a regular fixture on the WHS calendar for many years and is an excellent opportunity for the jazz musicians. Involving around 15 schools and more than 20 acts, the Blenheim event includes performances to the public, a masterclass, competition and the opportunity to observe other schools. This is one of the best learning experiences, and we have been fortunate to achieve some great results over the past few years. Teacher in Charge: Alison Price Invercargill Jazz Festival The Invercargill Jazzfest has been a regular fixture for our jazz combo over many years as we compete against other bands around the region. A great event to round off the jazz year. Teacher in Charge: Alison Price Junior Jazz Band The junior jazz group provides the basic skills for students who want to progress into the senior band. It operates at one break a week and brings together students from all levels of playing in Years 9/10. Teacher in Charge: Alison Price |
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VISUAL ARTS
Visual Arts Opportunities
Art Club
A club for students to carry on with work from class or get creative and experiment with various art media and techniques. Teacher in Charge: Julie Hamilton
End Of Year Senior Folio Exhibition
Senior students have the opportunity to display their final folio in a collection of the work completed for the year which is then sent away to be assessed. Teachers in Charge: Abbey Brown
On Screen Media group
A club for students to compete in the "On Screen" event through multimedia. They can use technology and get creative and experiment with various film media and techniques. Teacher in Charge: Julie Hamilton
Showing Off
An annual art exhibition held at the Lakes District Museum. This exhibition shares the previous year’s work of students who received Excellence for their final art folios of Painting, Design or Photography. At the end of the exhibition, there is a people’s choice award that is presented to a student from each discipline. Teacher in Charge: Abbey Brown
TOI Wearable Arts
An afterschool group where students design, create and display their wearable arts pieces. This group presents and performs at the Invercargill Showquest event annually and travels down mid June for this event. Teacher in charge: Abbey Brown
Visiting Artists
Different local artists and musicians are asked to come into the school and teach or share their experiences with our students. This often happens during normal class times.
A club for students to carry on with work from class or get creative and experiment with various art media and techniques. Teacher in Charge: Julie Hamilton
End Of Year Senior Folio Exhibition
Senior students have the opportunity to display their final folio in a collection of the work completed for the year which is then sent away to be assessed. Teachers in Charge: Abbey Brown
On Screen Media group
A club for students to compete in the "On Screen" event through multimedia. They can use technology and get creative and experiment with various film media and techniques. Teacher in Charge: Julie Hamilton
Showing Off
An annual art exhibition held at the Lakes District Museum. This exhibition shares the previous year’s work of students who received Excellence for their final art folios of Painting, Design or Photography. At the end of the exhibition, there is a people’s choice award that is presented to a student from each discipline. Teacher in Charge: Abbey Brown
TOI Wearable Arts
An afterschool group where students design, create and display their wearable arts pieces. This group presents and performs at the Invercargill Showquest event annually and travels down mid June for this event. Teacher in charge: Abbey Brown
Visiting Artists
Different local artists and musicians are asked to come into the school and teach or share their experiences with our students. This often happens during normal class times.
Cultural Opportunities
Pasifika
The Wakatipu High School Pasifika group welcomes all students wanting to learn, and/or contribute to dances from around the Pacific. Last year, we took on the challenge of learning a sāsā, and will continue this year, perfecting a school sāsā. We hope the Central Otago Polyfest runs this year, and we can give an on stage performance later in the year. Practices will be once a fortnight at a lunch time suited to the majority of the group. More practices will be required closer to Polyfest. Teacher in Charge: Erin Sefo
Te iti o Tāhuna (Kapa Haka)
Te Iti ō Tāhuna is the kapa haka rōpu of Wakatipu High School. Te Iti o Tāhuna is the name given to our kapa haka to acknowledge that although we are small, we represent the many diverse peoples of Tāhuna. We welcome any student interested in joining no matter your culture or level of experience with kapa haka. If you're keen to learn, we're keen to have you on board the waka. We train once per week after school and often have weekend wānanga (workshops) too. We regularly perform for community groups and events, and also for private functions in the Whakatipu area. In particular for 2025, we're looking forward to performing at Te Hautonga (the Southland/Otago secondary school kapa haka championship) and Central Lakes Polyfest. Teacher in Charge: Alistair Ford
The Wakatipu High School Pasifika group welcomes all students wanting to learn, and/or contribute to dances from around the Pacific. Last year, we took on the challenge of learning a sāsā, and will continue this year, perfecting a school sāsā. We hope the Central Otago Polyfest runs this year, and we can give an on stage performance later in the year. Practices will be once a fortnight at a lunch time suited to the majority of the group. More practices will be required closer to Polyfest. Teacher in Charge: Erin Sefo
Te iti o Tāhuna (Kapa Haka)
Te Iti ō Tāhuna is the kapa haka rōpu of Wakatipu High School. Te Iti o Tāhuna is the name given to our kapa haka to acknowledge that although we are small, we represent the many diverse peoples of Tāhuna. We welcome any student interested in joining no matter your culture or level of experience with kapa haka. If you're keen to learn, we're keen to have you on board the waka. We train once per week after school and often have weekend wānanga (workshops) too. We regularly perform for community groups and events, and also for private functions in the Whakatipu area. In particular for 2025, we're looking forward to performing at Te Hautonga (the Southland/Otago secondary school kapa haka championship) and Central Lakes Polyfest. Teacher in Charge: Alistair Ford
The Cultural Blues Awards is the most formal Arts event in Wakatipu High School's annual calendar, and celebrates excellence, achievement, service and leadership across all areas of the Arts. Students can receive Annual Blues awards for leadership and achievements, Service Blues for participation and effort and Achievement Blues for success at regional and national level. There are also Junior Achievement Blues recognising success for students in the junior school. The most prestigious category, the 'Outstanding Blue', is reserved for those who attain extraordinary cultural success.
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