The Arts - Overview
Mount Lawley Senior High School offers a range of disciplines within the Arts learning area.
This includes the selective Special Visual And Performing Arts (SVAPA) program in Middle School.
The Arts is about creativity and expression.
We develop individuality by exploring authentic ideas, providing students with the skills to transform them into a reality for all to see, hear and experience.
We make learning accessible, fun, rewarding, thought provoking and meaningful.
We want to excite students to think, create and perform.
We aspire to lessen ignorance, embrace other cultures, listen, observe with open hearts and minds, experiment and transform.
We inspire our students to want to learn.
Our programs are unique, rich, challenging and contemporary. We believe in the heart and mind. We understand the intellect and emotional realms. We understand that 'one size does not fit all' and are committed to providing an Arts education which embraces diversity, multiple intelligences and key concepts which develop students potential.
We understand that developing skill takes time and practice. We understand that taking risks is challenging but we are there to support and guide. We understand the whole person and the individual. We are leaders in contemporary innovation and our standards are first class.
We aim to continually inspire our future generation of creative thinkers.
Our staff are talented, professional, supportive, dedicated, passionate, experienced and inspirational. We are interested in being contemporary and critical. We are interested in new ideas and getting students to look beyond themselves to explore. We are interested in diverse activities, new platforms of expression, ideas and risk-taking, as well as, promoting self-discovery.
Our vision is to engineer the imagination, by developing aesthetic awareness and visual sensibilities.
We wish to continually inspire creative and original thought, in our quest to transform students to become aware, compassionate, creative and illuminated young adults.
Drama
As 'Engineers of the Imagination' we encourage an explorative, innovative approach to theatre.
Through experimental and playful methods we open students minds and transform their worlds.
We focus on contemporary and traditional theatre practices and student-centred learning.
Media
Calling future film makers, actors, TV producers, celebrities, radio stars, journalists, advertisers, press secretaries and PR gurus.
Mount Lawley's Media courses have a proud record of developing our next generation of media movers and shakers.
Students learn to harness the creative force of media to entertain, inform or persuade while appreciating its power and presence in our society.
Follow the link for courses and our latest news.
Music
Mount Lawley SHS has a well established reputation for excellence in the delivery of music education programs.
The school offers students the opportunity to study either Jazz or Western Art Music at a high level.
Students may enrol in one of three courses offered, depending upon their level of musical ability and prior musical knowledge.
Students may enrich their music learning through the many opportunities Mount Lawley SHS offers for performance in orchestras, choirs, ensembles and bands that include concert bands, contemporary and jazz bands.
Selected music students also get to participate in our annual Music camp, festivals, extensive concert program and tours.
Visual Art
We believe in the imagination and are committed to innovation and the development of potential.
We inspire our students to enjoy, appreciate and identify with the Visual Arts.
We are interested in giving students the tools for expression, communication and creativity.
We explore possibilities by enabling students to experiment and develop their ideas.
Our work is about nurturing a love of the Visual Arts.
Our programs are rich, creative, collaborative and innovative and are delivered by passionate and dedicated teachers and practicing artists.
SVAPA
The Specialist Visual And Performing Arts (SVAPA) program at Mount Lawley Senior High School is a middle school contemporary cross-arts course, running from year 7 to year 9.
SVAPA focuses on connections within the arts disciplines rather than teaching them in isolation. It was created to meet the needs of an intake that were creative and community oriented. The three year program is the first and only one of its kind in the state. Auditions take place in year 6 across music, art, drama and includes a portfolio submission. The program takes 32 merit selected students per year.
Since its inception, it has grown into a highly esteemed and respected industry led program with an emphasis on experimental and contemporary work.
Students enjoy a wide range of extracurricular activities, projects, excursions, international tours, camps and numerous opportunities to work with professional artists. Students in SVAPA enjoy the enrichment workshops and being in classes of creative, keen peers who respond enthusiastically to the heightened expectations of their specialist teachers.
The alumni have been well represented in the School Prefect and Head Boy and Girl positions; they have also had a real presence in the Mount Lawley SHS Honours Society.
