All Arts subjects are taught by highly trained, specialist teachers and the curriculum offers a balance of practical and theoretical learning, opportunities for independent and group exploration and focus on local and international, traditional and contemporary areas of study.
Visual Art, Drama and Music form the core Arts subjects offered to all students from ELC to Year 12 (SACE and IB). Film is offered as a subject from Years 10 to 12 (SACE and IB). Pembroke has a long history of achieving outstanding results in Year 12 Arts subjects (SACE and IB) with numerous subject merits awarded to our students in recent years. In all aspects of our Arts program, students are encouraged to develop transferable skills - such as creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and communication. In addition, the Arts at Pembroke foster opportunities for intercultural conversations and we encourage through our many activities student engagement with their own diverse cultures and those other than their own.
Pembroke’s outstanding Artist-in-Residence program, now in its 34th year, offers students opportunities to work with industry professionals and to observe artists at work both at school and in the wider community.
A busy co-curricular program expands on the Arts curriculum to allow all students at Pembroke to enjoy artistic experiences and become involved in the presentation of public performances, film screenings and exhibitions.
The work of our Visual Art students is celebrated fully at Pembroke, with the annual Middle School Art Show and Year 12 Art Exhibition being flagship events in our Arts calendar. Students’ work is proudly displayed throughout the School in our art rooms, Bills House, Angove House and in sculpture gardens on the Middle and Senior school campuses. Anna Horne is our first Artist-in-Residence to work with students in our stunning Shipsters Road building for Art, Science and Technology and Anna’s work, as well as work by previous artists-in-residence, is displayed in complement to our own students’ work inspired by our residency program.
Music offers a plethora of ensemble and solo performance opportunities for students, and music-making is a widely enjoyed pursuit for Pembroke students. Special annual events include the Junior School Soiree, a tour to the Generations in Jazz Festival and our own Jazz Cabaret concert, Music Showcase, and Lessons and Carols at St Peter’s Cathedral. Internationally acclaimed artists frequently collaborate with our students for these flagship events.
Pembroke’s Drama program is inclusive and diverse. Our longstanding tradition of staging both a Year 2 and Year 5 musical each year gives our younger students early experience of storytelling through theatre. Flamenco Dance (Year 3) and Hip Hop (Year 6) residencies are other fun creative outlets on offer in our Junior School. The Middle School Musical is a highlight for many students of their adolescent years, and the Year 11 and Year 12 Productions are of such high quality that they have launched the careers of many award-winning thespians and production designers.
Our highly successful Film program has grown exponentially over the last few years. Students can study Film across both Middle and Senior School campuses for a Semester or for a full year. Our Film program challenges students to develop their awareness of fundamental concepts through an exploration of historical and contemporary filmmakers within a global context. Students apply their theoretical understanding and use industry standard equipment to create film products for various purposes and genres. Our annual Unreel Film Festival provides students with the opportunity to showcase their achievements and share their work with the broader Pembroke community.
The key thing to take away from my Academy Award nomination is that if I can get there, anyone willing to work hard enough can too.
