Performing Arts
The Performing Arts Program at Catholic College gives opportunities for student involvement in class time and through the rich co-curricular program that runs both after school and in lunchtimes.
Music can be elected as a subject from year 7-12. In addition to this, there is a Junior Band, a Brass Ensemble (group) and a Jazz Combo. For further information on these ensembles please contact the Head of Bands Mr Luke Godfrey .
The College also has an open Junior and Senior choir, with the extension option of the audition-only Chamber Choir. This group is open to talented singers from Year 8 and above. There is also a string ensemble on Thursdays at lunchtime run by Mr Davis Pietsch. Please contact Ms Fiona Dyball for further information on the schools choral and string program.
All groups at Catholic College are free. Catholic College also supports the many student-directed rock bands that rehearse in lunchtimes and after school. We also have thirteen instrumental staff covering many instruments that offer private lessons at the College through the week during class time.
Membership of all the school classes in Dance, Drama and Music and the various ensembles allow students to participate in a range of activities including the Albury/Wodonga Eisteddfod and every second year, the Festival of the Voices Tour to Tasmania. There are unlimited opportunities for all students to perform at school and in the wider community through such events as assemblies, liturgies and Masses, Yr 8 Gathering, Retreats, CCW Open Stage, Retro Youth Café, Artspace Feedback, Kool Skools, The St Augustine's Art Show, Wodonga Show, Border Bandit's Anthem, Concerts, Jazz@ the Carriers Arms, Border Music Camp, Catholic College Day, Arts Week, and the Annual School Production. For more information, please contact the Head of Performing Arts, Ms Fiona Dyball .
Visual Arts
The Arts and Technology Learning Domain at Catholic College provides students with an engaging, hands-on and creative learning environment. Covering five Key Learning Areas, the domain offers students diverse learning experiences and development opportunities from Years 7 to 12.
Student art and technology is prominently displayed at various locations around the school, including: the Arts Centre; the Technology Foyer; Administration Offices; the Library; and, in the Arts Garden. Music and Drama performances take place in a number of contexts throughout the year. This includes lunchtime performances, contributions to school events/celebrations and specifically planned evening performances. The Arts and Technology Festival occurs early in Term 4 as a major celebration of the students' achievements in the Arts and Technology Domain.
There is an active Arts Leadership Group, consisting of two student representatives from each year level and two Year 12 Music Leaders. These students play an active role in ensuring that the Arts are an integral part of student life at Catholic College. Arts Leaders organise visual and performing arts activities and events during lunchtimes and after school. They also play a critical role in program development for, and the running of, the Arts and Technology Festival.
Our parent community is actively committed to supporting the Arts at Catholic College, with the Friends of the Arts Group supporting and promoting the Arts in a variety of practical ways. All parents are welcome to join the Friends of the Arts Group, on either and on-going or casual basis, with notice of meetings appearing in the school newsletter.
Students at Catholic College are offered a variety of arts experiences in Visual Arts, Visual Communications and Design and Media studies. Such experiences include painting, drawing, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, architecture, technical drawing, computer design, black and white photography, digital photography and film. The unique learning that occurs in these classes develops skills, techniques and confidence which results in a variety of outstanding creative works.
The Performance Arts includes both Music and Drama. The music program gives all students the opportunity to play an instrument, join a choir or join a variety of bands. At VCE, both group and solo classes are offered. When choosing Drama, students are provided with the opportunity to develop confidence both personally and in their ability to perform to an audience. Additional opportunities to develop and extend musical talent are available through private music lessons.
The challenge of fostering creativity in all students has resulted in the implementation of a diverse range of approaches to learning, through which students learn to effectively employ the Design Process. This process provides the foundation for building individual skill and creativity, and results in the production of unique and high quality pieces of work across Arts and Technology classes.
Camps and Retreats
Catholic College has a diverse and challenging Camps and Retreats program, which is reviewed regularly to ensure we continually provide our students with a relevant and up to date combination of classroom and experiential learning.
-
Upon entering the College, our Year 7 students participate in a three day outdoor education camp in Harrietville, engaging in team and outdoor activities with a focus on getting to know one another.
-
As of 2010 our Year 9 students will spend a week in Tasmania, as part of the personal learning strand of the Discovery 9 program. They will be studying the environment, infrastructure and history of this rich and exciting location.
-
Year 10 students spend four days in the Sydney CBD, experiencing city life. They visit many of the city's icons and learn how to navigate the central business district using public transport.
-
Year 11 and 12 students participate in a three day Retreat program at each year level. The Retreats are designed to allow our students to reflect upon who they are, deepen their faith and challenge themselves to become responsible global citizens, life long learners and spiritual people.
Our camps and retreats are embedded in our curriculum and are a compulsory experience for all students.
Cultural Exchange
CCW has links with a school in both France and in Japan. The LOTE faculty offers excursions to the country where the LOTE is spoken which allows students to enjoy homestay with students from our sister schools and to visit other parts of the country.
These visits enable us to enhance the teaching and learning in the classroom. We visit each of our sister schools in alternate years.
Students from Matsudo High, our sister school in Japan, visit us every year and enjoy homestay with families from our school.
Students from our 2008 trip to France outside the Musée d'Orsay.
Debating and Public Speaking
Catholic College provides a number of opportunities to be involved in Public Speaking and Debating Competitions throughout the year. These are usually advertised through the Daily Bulletin. Students will be assisted in preparing for any event. Any student who has in interest in the area is encouraged to contact the Public Speaking Coach: Bernadette Cromarty
Leadership
At Catholic College we offer a diverse range of Leadership roles for students. At the end of each year students may apply for positions of Leadership for the following year. Student Council, Sport, Music, Liturgy, Social Justice, Sustainability and Arts leadership roles provide students with an opportunity to use their gifts and talents in developing the community of Catholic College. Students will complete a written application and in some cases applicants will be asked to make speeches or attend interviews before the positions are decided upon. Student leaders work in teams throughout the year to achieve their specific team goals and they also work in collaboration with other student teams on bigger projects such as organising Catholic College Day, our whole school celebration day.
Students are also able to participate in our REMAR program, which has a strong emphasis on social justice and leadership. This program operates at Years 10, 11 and 12 and provides students with spiritual, emotional and physical challenges and gives opportunities to build leadership capacity.
At Catholic College we continue to explore ways to support our students realising their full leadership potential.
Outdoor and Environmental Education
Outdoor and Environmental Education is a fast developing aspect of Catholic College. At present we offer Outdoor Education in the curriculum at Senior Year Levels, and from 2010, it will also make up a major component of the Discovery 9 Program. At Year 10 a one-semester elective subject is offered, "The Great Outdoors", with classes running in both semesters. During these classes, students learn about local environments, and how to live and play responsibly in these areas. They travel to a variety of different areas for excursions up to three days: bushwalking on the Bogong High Plains and Mt Bogong, skiing at Falls Creek and canoeing locally on the Murray River and further downstream between Yarrawonga and Cobram. As part of this subject, students can also elect to undertake The Duke of Edinburgh Award. This is an Internationally recognised Award that gives students the opportunity to learn new skills, offer their services to the community, and develop a healthy and adventurous approach to life.
In Year 9 students can elect to spend a week at the Mittagundi Outdoor Education Centre near Omeo. This is a specially designed program that gives students the opportunity to work and live on a pioneer-style farm, using minimal technology such as an exclusively wood-fire kitchen. The program also includes a three-day cross-country skiing and snow camping experience.
Due to large student interest, Outdoor and Environmental Studies (VCE Units 3&4) is running for the first time in 2009. This subject combines theory and practical components to explore Indigenous and Non-Indigenous relationships with the land, the impact of people and technology on environments over the years and addresses the many social and political issues entwined with our environment, both locally and nationally. Students are exposed to a range of practical activities to complement the theory. These include snow camping in the Falls Creek National Park, rock climbing and canoeing, as well as locally based excursions.
Remar
REMAR is a school based youth ministry program developed by the Marist
Brothers in Latin America in 1976 and introduced in Australia in the
early 1990's. It has developed into one of the most vibrant Catholic
youth programs in the church today.
REMAR is a Spanish word meaning "to row together". The jargon used in
REMAR follows this nautical theme, with each group called a Caravel
(‘tall ship'), teacher leaders ‘Helms' and so on. The notions and
language of team-work, personal responsibility and leadership so
necessary for the successful operation of historic sea-going vessels,
are applied to the operation of REMAR groups or Caravels.
Students are invited to join REMAR at the end of Year 9, with 16-20
students hopefully fulfilling a three-year commitment through to the
end of Year 12. Each year level has a corresponding colour: Year
10-RED, Year 11-BLUE, Year 12-GOLD.
Sport
Catholic College Wodonga operates a comprehensive sports program that encourages both achievement of excellence and participation for all students. We have three major intra school sports days each year. These are our athletics, swimming and cross country running carnivals. All students are encouraged to participate at these events and contribute to the success of their house. Catholic College enjoys extremely high levels of student participation at these events. The pride student's have in representing their house is evident on these days.
Year 7 students are introduced to the house system early in the year through the swimming program and swimming trials and encouraged to take a role in sporting leadership as year level sport leaders. House captains and year level sport leaders are elected by the student body and have an important role in the running of these sports events.
Students can also participate in lunch time house competitions. In 2009 these will include tennis, indoor soccer, touch football and Frisbee.
Pathways for students to pursue excellence in their preferred sports are offered through the Catholic All Schools sporting competitions and a number of other schools championships. Catholic All Schools is a statewide competition for both metropolitan and country Catholic schools. Sports include, triathlon, tennis, table tennis, soccer, football, netball, baseball, hockey, athletics, swimming, cross country, golf and lawn bowls. Other competitions are held for cricket, skiing, football, netball and cycling.
|
