Realising students' creative potential
The Art, Design and Digital Technologies curriculum area offers over 60 subject options from Years 8 through 12. These subjects are practical based and use the Design and Creative Arts processes. Each student is encouraged to develop agency, to establish their own design briefs or artistic intents and to use multimodal portfolios. The subjects offered aim to foster skills for the future, including the 4 Cs: Creativity, Collaboration, Critical Reflection and Communication. Excursions, events and exhibitions are integrated which tie into curriculum outcomes. The end of year Art, Design and Technologies exhibition provides an avenue for students to showcase their work, with the highlights being the industry standard art display and fashion parade.
Hands-on development of critical and creative skills through Art
We offer several inspiring Visual and Creative Arts programs for students across all Years at Westminster: curricular, co-curricular and extension. They are led by teachers who are practising artists themselves, bringing their passion and skill in disciplines like sculpture, painting, printmaking, and photography into the classroom.
Our curricular programs are offered from Reception to Year 12. They are designed with a hands-on approach, allowing students to experience a range of different media, skills and themes to challenge themselves in the development of their own pieces. By observing, analysing, and creating their own work within the specialised areas of Art, Design (Digital Design and Architecture), and Photography, students develop an awareness of culture and their own creative identity. Through our School’s Artist in Residence program, students can also engage with practising artists and gain an appreciation for the role Visual and Creative Arts play in the wider community.
The Preparatory Extension program consists of a small group of students selected from Years 2 to 7, identified for their gifted ability in the Visual Arts. These students undertake individual works as they hone their skills well beyond their chronological age and take advantage of opportunities to exhibit on a formal stage.
Through Senior School, the Arts curriculum follows ACARA Visual Arts from Years 8 through 10. In Years 11 and 12, students can select from a range of subjects in SACE Visual Arts and Design and SACE Creative Arts.
Offered from Years 7 to 12, our co-curricular activity groups include the Senior School Visual Arts Club and Photography Club. As members of these programs, students are encouraged to further pursue creative avenues and projects relevant to their interests under the guidance of specialist instructors. They also give them a better understanding of how the Visual and Creative Arts contribute positively to individual personal development and wellbeing.
Other curricular and co-curricular activities include regular student exhibitions, major end of year showcase, Year 12 Visual and Creative Arts Camp, and Senior School Cultural Art Tours.
Visual and Creative Arts
Architecture
This subject involves the history and principles of architecture, modelling and architectural visualisation and representation techniques. Architecture students can focus on architectural, interior, landscape and environmental design or a combination of these. Students can select Architecture as a specialist subject in Years 10 and 11. They may pursue Architecture under Year 12 Creative Arts – Design.
Art
Art provides students with the opportunity to explore traditional 2D techniques such as drawing, painting and print and 3D techniques such as sculpture and ceramics and apply these through contemporary practice. Westminster has a historical Artist in Residence program which sees students work with artists and practitioners in the classroom. Students can study Visual Arts – Art or Creative Arts – Art in the SACE.
Digital Design
Digital design sees students look at a range of design areas such as graphic, product and environmental design, animation and projection art. Students learn the concept of drawing for design and a range of digital platforms. Emerging technologies such as AR and VR and computer modeling to manufacture are integrated in the course. Digital Design leads to Visual Arts – Design and Creative Arts – Design in the SACE.
Photography
Photography offers students the opportunity to use Digital SLR camera and learn manual photographic and lighting techniques. They learn photo editing using industry standard programs and have access to the Charles Hargraves Digital Delivery Lab and photography studio. Students can select Photography as a specialist subject from Year 10 onwards.
Developing a future-focused foundation through Design and Digital Technologies
Digital and Design Technologies gives students the opportunity to embark on a creative journey with practical guidance tailored to their interests and goals. Individuals from Years 7 through 12 can explore a multifaceted range of disciplines, including Food Technology, Tech Innovations, Materials Manufacturing, Fashion, and Digital Technologies. Through these programs, they can hone their skills, spark new possibilities and develop a strong foundation for future pursuits in these exciting and rapidly evolving fields. Our dedicated teachers are not only passionate about these subjects, but many have also been industry professionals themselves, giving them a wealth of knowledge and experience to inform their teaching methods.
The Technologies curriculum follows Australia Curriculum Design and Technologies and Australian Curriculum Digital Technologies from Years 8 through 10. In Years 11 and 12, students are able to select from a range of subjects in SACE Design, Technologies and Engineering, SACE Digital Technologies and SACE Food and Hospitality. Our curriculum provides a comprehensive platform for students to enhance their critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation skills while navigating the Design and Digital Technologies process. Within the courses, they work across various mediums, acquire diverse abilities, and explore different themes, all aimed at challenging them to create innovative and original projects.
Through our industry partnerships and our focus on practical learning, students also gain a deeper understanding of the significance of real-world applications of their disciplines of study. By collaborating with professionals, they gain insights, explore emerging trends and develop hands-on skills within specialised areas. This experience fosters an appreciation for local and global design practices and prepares students for future careers in these industries.
In addition to core ACARA and SACE curriculum, students can delve deeper into their chosen area of focus through our co-curricular programs like Fashion Club and Design Club. Under the guidance of our specialised staff, they are encouraged to undertake projects aligned with their passions, allowing them to develop their skills further and showcase their creativity.
In addition to these activities, our programs offer various events and initiatives, such as regular student exhibitions, major end-of-year showcases, industry visits and workshops and cultural excursions and tours.
Design and Digital Technologies
Digital Technology
Digital Technologies covers a range of skills and knowledge with students learning to code for various outputs with Game Development and Robotics and Electronics streams being included in the program. Students can write their own briefs which can range from projects in facial recognition, biometrics in AR through to programming drone swarms, while also investigation ethics in these areas. Digital Technologies is offered at Stage 1 and 2 in the SACE.
Fashion
The Fashion program takes a modern approach with students learning techniques in garment construction and embellishment techniques such fabric laser cutting and etching. Fashion at Westminster focuses on industry trends and sustainable fashion. Fashion is offered under the Design, Technology and Engineering: Materials Solutions or Industry and Entrepreneurial solutions contexts in the SACE.
Film and Media
Students will learn the fundamentals of cinematography, production and postproduction techniques in Film and Media. There are opportunities to be involved in school and community projects, live broadcast and external film shoots. Students have access to the Charles Hargraves Digital Delivery Lab and film studio. Students can select Film and Media as a specialist subject from Year 10 onwards.
Food Technology
Food Technology is a vibrant program where students have access to state of the art kitchens and equipment. Students explore food trends and café culture within the curriculum. Some features include a discreet coffee unit, cross-curricular, service, and community programs and events. Food Technology leads to Food and Hospitality in the SACE.
Materials Manufacturing
Students will be working in the Materials workshop to develop practical skills and produce projects to respond to a need. Products can be manufactured from a range of materials using traditional finishing techniques and CNC technology using industry standard machinery. Materials Manufacturing is offered under the Design, Technology and Engineering: Materials Solutions context in the SACE.
Tech Innovations
The Tech Innovations subject stream is suitable for students with an interest in contemporary design and engineering. This course focusses on CAD/CAM processes including laser cutting and 3D printing to prototype and produce designed and engineered products and systems. Tech Innovations is offered under the Design, Technology and Engineering: Industry and Entrepreneurial context in the SACE.
Facilities
Students undertaking studies within the Art, Design and Digital Technologies curriculum access an expansive range of modern technology and exemplary facilities to further their learning, hone their skills and expand their creative pursuits.
The Visual Arts Centre is a spacious open plan learning facility with dedicated spaces for several activities including studios for drawing, painting and exhibition, a printmaking studio, a ceramics studio, design labs, photographic lighting studios and labs, and general purpose areas.
Our state-of-the-art Styles Centre for Inquiry and Innovation provides students with a well-equipped learning environment featuring specialised studios and resources, including:
- Contemporary design labs for hands-on experimentation, prototyping, and digital design.
- Industrial Food Technology facilities for culinary exploration and food innovation.
- Materials Manufacturing workshop for working with various materials and manufacturing techniques.
- Fashion studio for design and garment construction.
- Digital Technologies spaces for computer programming, robotics and electronics projects.
- General purpose areas for collaborative projects and independent work.
Wellbeing
Wellbeing is at the heart of the Westminster philosophy, creating a place where all of our students can flourish.