Arts in the Junior School
Developing Creative Capabilities
At Tranby, we offer our Junior School students varied opportunities to discover, develop and build their creative skills and talents. Exploring ideas through visual art, dance and performance supports children in the development of their motor, language and social skills, as well as encouraging inventiveness and decision-making.
Visual Arts
Students from Pre-primary to Year 6 engage in a Visual Arts classes for two periods a week in a designated Visual Arts room, delivered by a Specialist teacher. Creativity is nourished, and cultural appreciation developed, through stimulating learning environments and experiences which complement classroom learning. These involve:
- An Artist-in-Residence program,
- Incursions by artists,
- Visits to the Art Gallery of WA, and
- School and Community Exhibitions.
Students discover the elements of art through practical art-making and responding to works of art they encounter. They learn to analyse, interpret and evaluate their own and others’ art in a supportive environment. Their expression of creativity is encouraged using imagination and thinking skills, whilst a variety of materials and techniques are explored. Exposure to many art forms is offered, including drawing, painting, mosaic, ceramics, printmaking, textiles, sculpture, felting and bookmaking.
Dance
A part of Tranby’s culture for over 20 years, our Dancesport program is a firm favourite amongst our Junior School students from Pre-primary to Year 6. Delivered by Debbie Godenzi, Studio Principal of DanceZone WA, students develop co-ordination, fitness and experience positive social interactions whilst learning the fundamentals of hip-hop, line dancing and basic ballroom dances. Regular Dancesport competitions and social events are held, and over the years, students have been frequent winners of both individual and team awards.
Performances
The exploration of drama, and expression through movement, is integrated into Junior School classroom activities. A more formal opportunity for performance, and a highlight for our Junior School calendar, is the bi-annual musical production. This entails auditions and is open to students in Years 4 to 6, the challenges and dedication involved with large-scale performances are experienced. With regular rehearsals and coaching in voice, dance and performance, past performances include Madagascar – A Musical Adventure JR, Shrek The Musical JR, The Wizard of Oz and Disney’s The Littlest Mermaid JR.