Arts

At Wakatipu High School, our arts vision is to provide an energetic, stimulating environment that enables students to explore their own creativity and develop their individuality within the different arts disciplines. We motivate our students to be; passionate, creative, experimental, inspired, questioning, and willing to take risks. See the sections below to learn more about each subject area within our arts programme. 

Extracurricular
Wakatipu High School's academic arts programme works in close coordination with extracurricular opportunities on offer to our students. Visit our Extracurricular Arts page or contact our Arts Coordinator, Stine Cooper for more details.
2026 Course Information
For 2026 course information, including areas of study, prerequisites, assessments and standards, please follow the link to our Course Options Portal:
Follow WHS's arts instagram page @whsartdepartment for a celebration of the many talented students and the work they do within visual art, music, dance and drama at our school.

Junior Arts

Junior Music
​Our Year 9 and 10 Music programmes focus on developing student skills across the range of music disciplines. These include instrumental/vocal performance, use of computer programmes to develop composition and theory understanding as well as an exploration of music genres and context. The programmes focus on developing students confidence so they are able to experiment and challenge their abilities in a supportive environment. The completion of two years of Junior Music provides a strong foundation for achieving in the senior level and complements the many activities that are available for students to be involved in.
Junior Drama
Our Year 9 and 10 Drama programmes focus on developing student skills across the range of drama disciplines. These include performance, group devising, interpreting scripts and application of drama techniques in acting. use of computer programmes to develop composition and theory understanding as well as an exploration of Theatre Form and context. The programmes focus on developing students confidence so they are able to experiment and challenge their abilities in a supportive environment. The completion of two years of Junior Drama provides a strong foundation for achievement in the senior level and complements the many activities that are available for students to be involved in.
Junior Visual Arts
​Our Year 9 and 10 Art programmes are centred on developing skills understanding and appreciation for art works, artists and art making processes. The programmes we deliver aim to develop students who value exploring, discussing and developing their own creativity and technical skill level. Visual arts connect mind, heart, body, and spirit as students learn to express their thoughts, feelings, ideas, and actions in the development and creation of visual art works. Through studying and making art works, students respond to and make sense of themselves and their community, their society, and the world in new and different ways.

Our junior course includes:
  • Drawing
  • Painting
  • Printmaking
  • Digital manipulation

​The completion of two years of Junior Art provides a strong foundation for completing art at the senior level.

Senior Music

We offer three disciplines and a wide range of course options within each discipline.
Level 1 Music further develops the skills learned in the junior years with an emphasis on performance, composition and exploration of music genres and context. There is also the opportunity for specific music technology sessions. Students should be involved in activities where they can enhance their understanding of music.

At NCEA Level 2 students  are able to focus on programmes that suit their particular interests and strengths. There is more emphasis on independent learning and students should be fully engaged with music activities both in and out of school.

​Level 3 Music is an individually based course where students continue to focus on their areas of interest. The options enable students to pursue music to the level they wish while continuing to to be involved and lead cultural activities within the school and community. At this level the opportunity to mentor younger students is also available.

Senior Drama

Now more than ever we need to communicate effectively with those around us. The confident articulate person finds it easier to share information, seek answers, accept new challenges, and explore new directions.

​Students are enabled to develop: a high level of self-awareness and an ability to evaluate themselves and others; confidence, assertiveness, tolerance, self-worth and discipline; an ability to face and respond to an audience; a greater understanding of the multi-cultural society in which we live. New Zealand has developed a strong and exciting performance arts culture where performers are living their dreams while making a living.
Level 1 NCEA Drama further develops the skills learned in the junior years with an emphasis on performance, devising, exploration of drama techniques and Theatre Form. There is a strong focus on consolidating acting techniques, gaining confidence with physical movement and collaborating with others to create original work.

Level 2 NCEA Drama allows students to challenge themselves within the areas of acting, devising and interpreting theatre. They have opportunities to explore performance through contemporary, modern and historical texts that will challenge students to reach their potential as actors.

Level 3 NCEA Drama is an individually-based course where students continue to focus on their areas of interest: including script-writing; directing; scholarship courses and creating original drama. The varied options  enable students to pursue Drama to the level they wish, while continuing to to be involved with and lead cultural activities within the school and community. At this level the opportunity to mentor younger students is also available.

Senior Visual Arts

Level one Art enables student to gain a taste of what the study of Painting / Photography / Design entails at the senior level.

In completing this course students will be more informed about the specific direction they wish their art to take at NCEA Level two.
At NCEA level two we offer three pathways, Painting, Photography and Design.

The prerequisite to each Level three course is the successful completion of the respective level two  course, and thereafter the opportunity to apply for polytechnic or university Visual Art courses such as Art/Architecture/Design (Graphics).

Any students considering tertiary study in the Visual Arts, Architecture or Design Courses are recommended to take at least one art course. Further, research suggests that art education is important for developing thought processes and perceptual awareness which is helpful in developing creative thinking.
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ARP – Both the level two and three painting course offers students the opportunity to follow their personal interests in greater depth as a result of having successfully completed Level one Art. They are required to explore painting issues that relate to a chosen area of interest and as a result, formulate their own theme study for the duration of the year.

FOT –   Both the Level One, Two and Three Photography courses offer students a self-selected approach to explore their own theme and ideas. They are required to develop their knowledge through photographic practises and have the chance to extend ideas through other disciplines.  Students will have access to all Photoshop programmes, camera gear and studio spaces. This course encourages creativity, diverse thinking, emotive responses and the ability to critically reflect on the visual world that we capture. 

ARD – Level Two Design  provides an introduction to graphic design and the production of a substantial body of design work consisting of logo, poster and double page magazine spread, based on the promotion of an event. This course  enables students to gain the background skills and knowledge needed to satisfactorily undertake Level Three Design where students follow briefs that have been individually devised in order to suit their personal areas of interest.