Creative Arts
Education of the arts is an increasingly important form of cultural enquiry in an era of internationalization. A subject with profound significance for us all, the arts reflect human creativity, self-expression and individualism that simultaneously promotes innovative thinking and critical understanding. Here at St. George’s College, the creative arts play a fundamental role in the life of every student, providing guidance through a wide variety of programs, leading to a cumulative and expanding knowledge of subjects and processes. It is our aim to develop, nurture and enhance the artistic potential of each individual student, allowing for the dissemination of ideas and concepts that enables them to make informed decisions about their life and work.
Training the mind and imagination is integral to a child’s development and thus, our Kindergarten art program is diverse and multi-faceted. From Fine Art to Music, Dance to Drama, we provide the basis for visual perception, which plays a central role in cognitive, motor, language and social-emotional development. Throughout the year, kindergarten students receive regular opportunities to demonstrate their talents culminating in a special production staged in the Centenary Theatre at the end of the school year.
Encouraging students to think independently and openly – shaping their artistry – is important in creating a culture of questioners rather than reactioners. The art courses in Prep School provide the basis for this development, building abstract and lateral thinking skills which can then be fed into other academic subjects. Exciting their imaginations is key at such a young age, for they are developing the ability to imagine what might be, and here at St George´s we are keen to promote self-discovery and creative expression. This is evidenced by a range of programs and workshop activities that include vocal and instrumental studies, contemporary dance, drawing, painting and photography. This year, our two international artists in residence are working closely with the students offering further exposure to the creative arts industry.
The Creative Arts Department’s ambition to become one of the most renowned in South America, is highlighted by the number of opportunities afforded to students.
Senior students successfully toured Berlin, Germany with their devised theatre piece titled ‘Self i.e.’ The school musical ‘Annie’ united Prep and College students, who together produced the best musical in the history of the school. The College Choir’s participation in the Encantar choral festival in Tandil, Argentina was a complete success and now a regular event in the school calendar.
The College year provides a variety of events such as ‘Jazz Night’, ‘The Dance Showcase’, ‘The Big Sing’ and Senior and Junior plays that allow students to perform in a variety of disciplines, broadening their artistic horizons and building their confidence and self-esteem.
The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.
Pablo Picasso
International Artists in Residence
Acting as a conduit between the contrasting worlds of academia and the contemporary art framework, our ‘International Artists in Residence’ provide students with additional creative art classes that cover a range of artistic mediums, from photography to printmaking, dancing to music. The addition of these artists opens the students up to foreign cultures as they provide a critical awareness of art in its historical, global and contemporary contexts.
Trinity College Exams
Trinity College London is a historic Musical Institution who offer practical exams in almost every musical instrument.
In December 2013, over thirty of our Prep school students took part in the Trinity College exams with an excellent pass rate. In November 2014, over forty students from Prep and College participated in the exams and for the first time 5 students took the Grade 3 singing exam and all passed with merit or distinction!
The importance of introducing an internationally recognised exam board such as Trinity London is of great value to our students. This year our ambition is to expand the instrumental system and the Trinity exams into College and provide the much needed continuity and coherence of a successful academic curriculum across the whole school.
