Dance at Caloundra High can be studied through three different strands. Junior Dance (Year 7 and 8), Senior Dance (Year 11 and 12) and or Signature Program Dance Extension (Year 7 to 10).
Junior Dance
In Junior Dance, students in year 7 and 8 will explore the elements of dance through a range of learning experiences in accordance with the Australian Curriculum. They will perform dances, learning to use technical and expressive skills in the presentation of movement. They will choreograph dances, utilising the elements of dance to create new and interesting combinations of movement and they will analyse dance works to understand how dances are created to communicate meaning. A study of dance at Caloundra provides students with a creative outlet and provides them with opportunities to build skills in practical ways.
Senior Dance
Senior Dance is studied through the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority in the Senior phase of learning at Caloundra State High School. As a General Subject, results in Senior Dance contribute towards an ATAR in addition to gaining points for a QCE. In Senior Dance students study performance, choreography and appreciation in a variety of different styles. It is assumed that students who enter Senior Dance have an understanding of or have participated in the Australian Curriculum P-10 Dance syllabus.
Dance is a course of study consisting of four units. Subject matter, learning experiences and assessment increase in complexity from Units 1 and 2 to Units 3 and 4 as students develop greater independence as learners. Units 1 and 2 provide foundational learning, which allows students to experience all syllabus objectives and begin engaging with the course subject matter. Students should complete Units 1 and 2 before beginning Unit 3. It is recommended that Unit 3 be completed before Unit 4. Units 3 and 4 consolidate student learning. Only the results from Units 3 and 4 will contribute to ATAR calculations.
Units studied include:
- Moving bodies
- Moving through environments
- Moving statements
- Moving my way.
Students will complete the following assessments in each year of study:
- performance (20%)
- choreography (20%)
- project — dance work (35%)
- examination — extended response (25%).
Students in Senior Dance have the opportunity to audition for our Senior Edge performance team. Please see Extra Curricular for more information about our Edge Dance programs.
For more information about the senior dance curriculum please visit the following websites:
Why Study Dance?
We are often asked why students are encouraged to study dance – obviously not all of our students are going to go on to be professional dancers. The answer is quite simple, Dance equips our students with valuable opportunities to build real life skills that are critical for them to operate in the real world. On the surface, it is clear that dance can develop a students ability to be creative, however it goes beyond that. In dance, students develop an ability to work as part of a team and will develop an understanding of the importance of commitment when working collaboratively. They will develop self confidence and learn how to support their peers. Self-discipline will come through training and rehearsal as well as critical thinking skills and an attention to detail. There are a multitude of 21st century skills that are gained through a study of dance with the added benefit of helping students to staying physically fit and healthy.
Dance Extension Signature Program
Dance Extension is an Arts Signature program for students in years 7-10 that is entered via application and audition. Please see the Dance Extension Signature Program page for more information.
