Physical Education, Sports and the Arts
Physical Education & Sports
Physical Education and sport play an important part in the development of all Prendiville students. Many life skills such as team work, cooperation with others and the ability to strive for success against difficulties are valuable lessons that students learn from an involvement in sport. The College encourages students to strive for excellence and to set high goals and standards for themselves while at the same time acknowledging the efforts of those around them. Above all, we encourage participation to the best of each person's ability, regardless of the level at which they perform.
Prendiville prides itself on the conduct and sportsmanship of its students on the sporting field, and we have high expectations that our standards are maintained at all times. This includes dress and behaviour standards, accepting decisions of umpires and accepting victory or defeat graciously.
Physical Education
Physical Education is an integral part of the curriculum in Years 8-10 and can be selected as a Course of Study in Years 11and 12. All students in Yeas 8-10 are involved in a physical education programme which aims to develop a wide range of skills in team and individual sports. The sports covered give students exposure to a variety of activities aimed at promoting physical awareness and an interest in their own health and well being.
Sport
Prendiville Catholic College is a member of the Associated and Catholic Colleges competition and participates in athletics, swimming and cross country with other ACC schools. In Years 8 and 9 students have the opportunity to participate in regional (CAS) competition with students from other local non-government schools.
In Years 10-12 students are given an opportunity to participate in a wide range of Champion Schools programmes.
CAS Summer Sport
Term One sports are:
Boys: Year 8 and 9 - Basketball, Tennis and Cricket
Girls: Years 8 and 9 - Basketball, Softball and Tennis.
Training is conducted on one evening of the week and matches are conducted on Tuesdays.
CAS Winter Sport
Term Two sports are:
Boys: Year 8 and 9 - Soccer, Hockey; Year 10 - Basketball
Girls: Year 8 and 9 - Hockey, Soccer; Year 8 Netball; Year 9 - Netball.
Uniforms
The Physical Education uniform can be obtained from the school uniform shop and consists of a red shirt and specific black school shorts. The students will also require some non-marking footwear for times when they are using the gymnasium. An attractive College track suit is available and is required wear for Physical Education classes. Other tracksuits are not acceptable.
The Arts
At Prendiville Catholic College students are encouraged to develop creative skills, critical appreciation and knowledge of artistic techniques and technologies in dance, drama, music, visual arts and various combinations of these art forms.
The Arts programme provides students with opportunities to develop a sense of personal and cultural identity and equip them for life-long involvement in and appreciation of the arts.
Students are encouraged to recognise and use the unique language, techniques and conventions of each of these art forms. In each area students are challenged to develop creative ways of expressing themselves and to develop a critical appreciation of their own works and those of others. They will come to a realisation that they use their senses, perceptions, feelings, values and knowledge to communicate through the Arts.
The Arts fosters skills in cognitive development, special understanding and critical thinking. Through the Arts, students become collaborative leaders and team members. The Performing Arts enhances self esteem and self courage in the unique situation as performer.
Music Education
Students at Prendiville Catholic College can be involved with music from Year 8 through to Year 12, whether it be in the classroom, in individual tuition, in one or more performing groups, in musical productions or in a combination of these activities.
The music programme aims to expose students to many facets of music listening and music making present in western and non-western societies.
Music is offered to students as a classroom elective in Years 8-10 and as a Year 11 and 12 Course of Study. The classroom curriculum is strongly based on active learning principles aimed at developing music literacy and skills in composition, performance and creative expression. The electronic keyboard laboratory plays an important part in integrating theory and performance.
Ensembles
Prendiville Catholic College has several large performing ensembles: the Senior Concert Band, Junior Concert Band, Jazz Band, Liturgical Choir, Flute Choir, String Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble. Students in Years 10-12 are given the opportunity to attend the annual music camp.
Rehearsal times for each of the groups are set at the start of the year. As with any activity which requires collective endeavour and aims at high levels of performance, commitment and perseverance are essential. Students nominating for these activities are expected to fulfil their obligations to others in the group.
Instrumental tuition at the College includes Cello, Clarinet, and Double Bass, Electric Guitar, Flute, French Horn, Guitar, Keyboard, Oboe, Piano, Saxophone, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba and Violin. Students can continue their tuition through to Year 12.
Music Scholarships
Each year a small number of music scholarships are made available for orchestral instruments.
Once students accept a scholarship they are required to commit themselves to performing in ensembles and bands and pursuing their instrument to a high level.
Drama
The Theatre Arts courses of Years 8, 9 and 10 are a sound background to developing both the practical and written skills required in the senior courses available to Year 11 and 12 students.
In lower school students are given the opportunity to create and extend their own productions using the skills taught in class. The programme is designed to enhance performance ability and will provide opportunities to develop design, technical and backstage opportunities through an annual production or performance night.
Many of the benefits of this subject lie hidden under the guise of fun and games. Team discipline, respect for others, confidence, awareness of body language and developing one's own ideas are just some of the basic life skills incorporated in this area of study.
The Drama Course of Study, offered to Year 11 and 12 students, enables them to understand the important ideas and issues about themselves, their cultural identity and that of others. They understand how dramatics works both critically reflect and support ideas and values. Students use a wide range of drama-based artistic processes such as improvisation, text interpretation and playwriting to create original works and dramatic presentations based on a variety of text.
Visual Arts
The Visual Arts course in Years 8-10 enables students, through the process of visual inquiry, studio practice and reflection to develop an understanding of the elements of art. By applying this knowledge in the artworks they create, students are encouraged to explore the world of ideas and feelings.
The Year 11 and 12 Visual Arts Course of Study encourages innovation. Students engage in art making processes in traditional and new media areas. This involves exploring, selecting and manipulating materials, techniques, processes and emerging technologies with constant reference to the physical world as a source of inspiration. Students gain knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the art of other cultures, locally, nationally and internationally.
Dance
Dance is offered as an elective subject in Years 9 and 10.
In this programme students are encouraged to use the various elements of dance (body, space, time and energy) to develop an awareness of movement possibilities. By working with these elements students will use expressive skills, focus, concentration, discipline and commitment to communicate meaning through dance.
The key activities in which students will participate are: choreography, performance and reflection.