Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts

- Wollongong High School of The Performing Arts is a culturally diverse, co-educational, specialist high school with a high quality performing arts focus. The twin goals 'academic excellence' and 'excellence in the performing arts' have succinctly summed up the school's purpose and focus for a number of years, but the school provides much more than our highly regarded academic and performing arts programs. The sports programs are first class and there is every opportunity to represent the school, region and state in any sport. The school has considerable success in a range of sports including rugby league, soccer, basketball, netball, gymnastics, athletics and swimming. All students are encouraged to pursue their goals and are given every opportunity to achieve their full potential through a broad and flexible curriculum with an emphasis on Quality Teaching. Our experienced and dedicated teachers are supported in the delivery of innovative programs that challenge and inspire students through higher order thinking activities, a welcoming and encouraging classroom environment and lessons that connect to the students' world. The emphasis on Quality Teaching is evident in our excellent Higher School Certificate results, which are regularly among the best in the region. It is common for our Higher School Certificate cohort to achieve Band 6 results in up to twenty different courses. Our Performing Arts students' learning is enriched by exceptional creative and performing arts programs in which like minded students work together with their committed and talented teachers to achieve outstanding results. Our extension ensembles in Dance, Drama, Music and Visual Arts provide an environment for students to excel in their area of choice. The beginning of 2011 saw the completion of our exciting new performing arts facility which has enhanced our programs as well as enabled the introduction of the Entertainment course into our curriculum. The school enrols students who reside within the designated local enrolment area and has strong links with its partner primary schools, providing programs such as the Year 6 gifted and talented  lessons, Year 6 Discovery Days, the PE and Drama program as well as a number of activities enabling a smooth transition into secondary school. In addition, students can gain entry into the performing arts and visual arts programs through an audition and portfolio process. A small number of offers of enrolment are made to students who reside outside the drawing area and who wish to access the high quality educational programs of the school. The school has a strong focus on the shared values of safety, tolerance, achievement, and respect and visitors to our school regularly comment on its friendly atmosphere. The school has been providing quality education outcomes to its students since 1916 and continues to serve the Illawarra and its community.