The Arts
“Where Imagination Comes to Life.”
The Arts Flowchart
Year 9 The Arts
DRAMA:
Year 9 Drama develops your performance skills while encouraging creative thinking and collaboration. You will explore how drama can communicate ideas and stories to an audience using a range of dramatic elements, expressive skills, and performance styles. Students create both improvised and scripted scenes, learning how to rehearse, refine, and present work with a sense of purpose and impact. They investigate different performance traditions and analyse how drama communicates meaning. Students also take on production roles and begin experimenting with directing, design, and ensemble devising. Reflection and evaluation are key parts of the course—students learn how to talk about their work and the work of others using appropriate drama terminology. This subject builds foundational skills in preparation for more advanced performance work in Year 10 Drama.
Subject Duration: one semester
Lessons per fortnight: 8
MEDIA:
Year 9 media is focussed on developing further practical understandings of digital software and production processes that underpin published media works such as film, photography and marketing. Students will engage in navigating the Adobe Professional Creative package so that students are exposed to real world industry applications, whilst developing understanding of collaboration, reflection and critical thinking skills that are further developed in Year 10.
Subject Duration: one semester
Lessons per fortnight: 8
MUSIC:
In year 9 music, students will continue to build on skills and knowledge learnt in previous years. This includes developing their creative thinking and listening skills, demonstrating their abilities to compose and perform music to range of audiences. Students will focus on exploring a range music practices from different cultures, times, places, and other contexts. This will include identifying how music is created and/or performed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, to mark celebrations and challenges through multiple perspectives of Australian Identity. Students will evaluate and reflect on their own creative practices by responding to their own work and the work of others across different genres and styles. This will involve discussing how the elements of music and compositional devices are utilised to evoke emotion and tell stories through sound and lyrics. Students will also be given the opportunity to compose their own music and demonstrate their songwriting abilities through solo and/or ensemble instrumental groups. This includes using music production software and digital devices to record, arrange, and edit their own works to continue developing their knowledge of musical production.
Subject Duration: one semester
Lessons per fortnight: 8
VISUAL ARTS:
In Year 9 Visual Arts, students build on their knowledge and skills from previous years to further develop their creativity, visual language, and understanding of art in a range of cultural and historical contexts. Students experiment with a wide variety of materials, techniques, and art processes, exploring both traditional and contemporary artworks to develop their own art practice.
They investigate the work of a range of artists, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, to understand how artworks can express personal, cultural, social, and political ideas. Students explore how meaning is created and interpreted in artworks and begin to develop their own artistic voice through individual and group projects.
Students are encouraged to explore themes that are personally meaningful, drawing on their own experiences, identity, and interests as inspiration for their creative work. They also consider the environmental impact of materials and processes, engaging with sustainable art practices and rethinking how art can contribute to positive change.
Throughout the semester, students reflect on their creative decisions, analyse and respond to artworks, and make purposeful choices in their own artmaking. They learn to communicate ideas visually, strengthening their visual literacy, and creative and critical thinking skills. This subject helps students appreciate the role of the visual arts in society and beyond, and supports pathways into senior Visual Arts, as well as related creative industries.
Subject Duration: one semester
Lessons per fortnight: 8
Year 10 The Arts
DRAMA:
Year 10 Drama, builds on students’ previous learning to further develop their skills in performance, collaboration, and critical thinking. Students explore a range of dramatic styles, conventions, and performance techniques, both contemporary and historical, to devise and interpret works that express ideas and engage audiences. They are encouraged to take creative risks, refine their expressive skills, and contribute to all aspects of production; including scripting, directing, and designing. Through rehearsal and performance, they deepen their understanding of how meaning is communicated through drama. Reflection and analysis are important areas of the course, with students evaluating their own work and the work of others using appropriate terminology. The subject fosters confidence, teamwork, and empathy, supporting students to develop as independent artists and thoughtful audience members.
Subject Duration: one semester
Lessons per fortnight: 8
MEDIA:
Year 10 Media provides students with the opportunity to explore, analyse, and create media artworks in a range of forms, including film, television, photography, print, and digital media. The course helps students deepen their understanding of how media works influence and reflect society, culture, and audience. Students develop practical and theoretical knowledge, examining media representations, narrative structures, and the impact of technologies and institutions. They create their own media productions, refining their technical and creative skills while working both independently and collaboratively. The subject encourages critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving, preparing students for further study in VCE Media or related fields. Throughout the course, students engage with ethical, cultural, and social considerations in media production and analysis, building their awareness of the role of media in shaping identity and perspectives in contemporary life.
Subject Duration: one semester
Lessons per fortnight: 8
MUSIC:
Year 10 Music, provides students with opportunities to further develop their skills in performing, creating, and responding to music. Students explore a range of musical styles and traditions, both contemporary and historical, to deepen their understanding of how music is structured and how it conveys meaning. They continue to refine their technical and expressive skills on chosen instruments or voice, individually and in ensembles, while also experimenting with music technology and composition tools. Analysis and critical listening play a key role, enabling students to interpret and evaluate music using appropriate terminology. Collaboration, creativity, and personal expression are central to the course, helping students build confidence and resilience as performers and creators. This subject supports students in developing a lifelong appreciation for music and can serve as a foundation for further study in VCE Music or pathways in the creative arts.
Subject Duration: one semester
Lessons per fortnight: 8
VISUAL ARTS:
Year 10 Visual Arts, students the opportunity to further develop their artistic skills, critical thinking, and understanding of visual language. In this course, students explore a variety of materials, techniques, and processes across both traditional and contemporary art forms. They investigate the work of diverse artists, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, and examine how artworks reflect cultural, social, and historical contexts. Through individual and collaborative projects, students refine their ability to express personal ideas and viewpoints, using art as a form of communication. They develop skills in visual analysis, exploring how meaning is constructed and interpreted in artworks. Students are also encouraged to reflect on their own artmaking practices and make informed creative choices, developing a deeper understanding of the role of the visual arts in society. The subject supports the growth of creative problem-solving, visual literacy, and cultural awareness, laying the foundation for further studies in the arts and creative industries.
Subject Duration: one semester
Lessons per fortnight: 8
VCE The Arts
Mickleham Secondary College will be undertaking VCE The Arts subjects from 2027. If you would like information on these subjects, please click the buttons below to be directed to the VCAA website.
YEAR 11
YEAR 12
The Arts Contacts:
Louise Mercer - Domain Leader
louise.mercer@education.vic.gov.au