CAPAL

Creative, Performing Arts and Language - CAPAL - has a focus on fostering creativity, independent thinking and opportunities to flourish in the Arts through engaging future focused programs.

“Creativity doesn’t wait for that perfect moment, it fashions its own perfect moments out of ordinary ones”

Faculty Subject Overview

The CAPAL (Creative and Performing Arts and Languages) Faculty at Kurri Kurri High School aims to foster creativity, critical thinking, self expression and cultural awareness through a diverse range of artistic and linguistic experiences. Students engage in practical and theoretical learning that enables them to explore their identity, understand others, and confidently contribute to their communities and beyond.

Across Music, Visual Arts, Visual Design, Dance, and Languages, students experiment with various forms, techniques, and technologies to create, perform, and interpret meaning. They are encouraged to take creative risks, collaborate with others, and reflect on their own processes and growth.

Students develop essential skills in communication both visual and verbal by exploring their own ideas and responding to the works of others. Through exposure to Australian culture, including the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, as well as global perspectives, students gain a deeper appreciation of cultural diversity and creative practice.

The CAPAL curriculum is designed to build foundational knowledge and practical skills in the early years and extend these into more sophisticated and personalised explorations in the senior years. In Stage 6, students have the opportunity to specialise in courses such as Music 1, Visual Arts, Visual Design and Dance where they refine their skills and pursue their artistic or cultural passions.

Stage 5 – Visual Arts

Stage 5 Visual Arts provides students with greater choice and artistic independence. They develop a portfolio of artworks that extend their technical skills across a wider variety of media and techniques, including painting, drawing, sculpture, mixed media, and digital forms. Students explore more complex concepts in art and begin to investigate art history and visual analysis in depth. Through guided exploration of artists and movements, they build critical thinking and analytical skills while continuing to shape their individual artistic voice. 

Stage 6 – Visual Arts 
In Stage 6, Visual Arts students engage in a balanced study of artmaking, critical analysis, and art history. In Year 11, they explore major art movements and the evolving role of the artist through history while developing skills in 2D, 3D and 4D art forms. They experiment with media and ideas to discover their creative strengths. In Year 12, students undertake case studies of modern and contemporary artists and artworks, deepening their understanding of the artworld. At the same time, they work independently on a Body of Work for the HSC, showcasing their conceptual development, technical refinement, and personal vision.

VISUAL DESIGN

Visual Design is a creative, hands-on elective offered in Stage 5 and Stage 6 that introduces students to real-world design practices. Students explore graphic, product, wearable, and interior/exterior design through practical projects and design briefs.

In Stage 5, students complete tasks such as illustration, soft toy construction, themed event planning, and printmaking. They learn to design with both function and style in mind.

In Stage 6, projects include room makeovers, logo and packaging design, food truck branding, stage set creation, and multimedia options like animation and web design. These tasks promote creativity, innovation, and teamwork.

The course is mostly practical, with theory lessons and case studies of designers that support and deepen students' understanding. Students gain valuable design skills and explore how design influences the way we live, work, and connect with others. Whether students are interested in drawing, making, or digital design, Visual Design offers a fun and future-focused pathway into creative industries.

MUSIC

Stage 4 – Music 
In Stage 4, Music students at Kurri Kurri High School build core skills in duration, pitch, tone colour, texture, structure and dynamics and expressive techniques, through performance, composing and aural understanding. They begin by exploring rhythm through bucket drumming, developing coordination, timing, and ensemble awareness in a fun and energetic setting. Students then explore pitch and melody through hands-on practice with guitar, keyboard, and ukulele, learning how to read music and play familiar tunes. As their skills grow, they work in small bands to perform ensemble pieces, building confidence, collaboration, and creativity. Throughout the course, students listen to and reflect on music from a range of styles, laying the foundation for musical appreciation and expression. 

Stage 5 Music Elective 
The Stage 5 Music elective invites students in Years 9 and 10 to develop their musical skills through performing, composing, and listening. Aligned with the NSW Music 7–10 Syllabus, this course encourages students to explore a wide range of musical styles and traditions while developing their creativity and confidence as musicians. Students have opportunities to perform individually and in groups, compose original music, and analyse how music functions in different contexts. No prior experience is necessary—just a passion for music and a willingness to learn in a collaborative and dynamic environment. 

Stage 6 Music 1 
Music 1 is a dynamic and flexible Stage 6 course designed for students with a broad interest in music, regardless of their formal training. Aligned with the NSW Stage 6 Music 1 Syllabus, the course allows students to deepen their skills in performance, composition, musicology, and aural analysis across a wide range of styles and genres. Students can tailor their learning to their strengths and interests, whether they enjoy singing, playing an instrument, creating original music, or analysing musical works. Music 1 supports the development of critical thinking, creativity, and self-expression, and prepares students for a variety of pathways in the arts and beyond.