Rationale

The Arts are practised and valued in our School, Parish and Local community. They are outlets for the communication of ideas, feelings and beliefs. They are a source of intellectual, physical, spiritual and emotional development, understanding and enjoyment. They provide students with necessary skills, understandings and confidence to participate fully in The Arts throughout their lives.

Learning in The Arts takes several forms. Through arts practice students learn to develop ideas by drawing upon experience, exploring feelings, observing and researching. These processes may require the development of imaginative and creative solutions.

In order to communicate ideas, students learn the elements, principles, processes and techniques as well as the cultural and aesthetic values associated with specific arts forms. They also learn how different arts forms can be presented in collaborative ways.

In responding to The Arts, students learn to analyse and interpret arts works. They learn how The Arts are practised and valued in different societies and cultures, past and present. They form personal judgments of their own works and those of others. They learn about aesthetic qualities in arts works and aesthetic values relating to the nature and role of The Arts in particular cultures or societies.

Extension Program

The Arts program at St. Mary's is enhanced by the addition of the following activities:

Aat Show
Throughout the year students are encouraged to choose particular pieces of their work to be displayed in the annual Art Show. At this event, parents, staff, friends and students are invited to view and appreciate the works on display. The media and the local community are also invited to attend.

The Art Show runs over two days and is normally held in October.

The Festival of Performing Arts
The Hobsons Bay Schools' Festival of Performing Arts is an opportunity for students from all over the City to participate in a Performing Arts Festival. Students from particular grade levels are rehearsed in particular items and then participate at the Festival.

F.O.P.A. is not a competition, but an opportunity to showcase the talents of students from the primary and secondary schools in the City of Hobsons Bay. Parents, friends and the local community are invited to share the experience.

Local Community Events
Students are encouraged to take part in the many local community events throughout the year. These include the Bayside Festival, Altona City Art Show, local shopping centre competitions, The Ambulance Society Calendar and others which may be available form time to time..

Newport Power Station - Community Arts Centre
Schools in Hobson's Bay have been invited to participate in this long term venture, of transforming the Power Station into a Community Arts Centre.
Students of St. Mary's have produced two window collages which are currently on display at the Power Station. The creation of a mosaic glass collage which will be a permanent fixture to the new Arts Centre is the next project that students artist at St. Mary's will participate in.

Family Quilt Project
Families within the school, are asked to create a square containing aspects that represent their family life. These in turn are sewn together to form a school quilt.

The Family Quilt is then displayed in the school foyer as a reminder of the diversity of our community. The Family Quilt project is undertaken every two to three years. The quilt has been entered into the Hobsons Bay Craft Show on a previous occasion.

Tunnel Graffiti
As a means to beautify our school grounds, the students took part in the painting of cement tunnels on the field. There are other areas within the school where further artistic beautification may occur in the future.

Resident Artist
Local artists have worked with the students form St. Mary's on numerous occasions over the past few years. They have participated in the Altona Bay City Festival Banners, the beautification of Altona Station and most recently the Hobson's Bay Banners. These banners are displayed in the local shopping centres at appropriate times during the year.

Christmas Carol Singing
Students form St. Mary's are encouraged to participate in Christmas carol singing at local shopping centres and other appropriate venues.