Welcome to another year of Arts education and events at Urangan High. A particularly warm welcome to students and parents who have joined the USHS community this year.
I’m pleased to say that the Art programs delivered in classrooms, and as part of our co- and extra-curricular programming, have plenty to offer students in 2025. The Creative Futures teaching team are enthusiastic to be working with students across Year 7 to 12, empowering our community of learners to be curious, creative, and connected humans. For every move the Arts teaching team makes, whether it be during curriculum development, professional development and industry networking, or event production, we always have this ‘just cause’ in mind.
As Head of Department, I have always taken the view that students in a regional area should have the same advantages as their city cousins. The recent Mega Jam Dance workshops are an example of this. Jasmine and Luis are world-class dancers and teachers who have been visiting USHS every year for over 20 years. Their workshops are a highlight of the year for our senior Dance students and teachers, and an activity that our younger dancers look forward to with anticipation.
Our upcoming day trip to GOMA and QPAC in Brisbane is an example of an opportunity that sits alongside the classroom curriculum, extending learning and giving students of the visual and performing arts the chance to experience real art and live theatre. Creative Generation: State Schools Onstage is a longer-term commitment that takes what is learned in the classroom onto the stage of the biggest student performing arts event in Queensland. USHS is preparing for our 18th year of participation in this incredible event and, for the first time, welcome the addition of primary school students from our area onto the team.
Our first live music event, Acoustic Night, is on the calendar for Thursday 27th March. This event is produced by our Certificate IV in Music students and is the first of the ticketed events offered throughout the year. Planning is also underway for an original multi-Arts performance event scheduled for Term 3. Auditions will be called in a few weeks. Funds raised from staging performing arts events are put directly back into making improvements to facilities and arranging workshops with industry professionals. Thank you in advance for supporting the performing arts throughout the year.
Our Instrumental Music program is underway with students in the Strings and Band program attending their group lesson once a week and participating in Strings Orchestra, Concert Band and Stage Band rehearsals before school in the Performing Arts Centre. Listening to the smooth sounds emanating from the PAC so early in the year is a credit to our IM teachers, Mrs Gray and Ms Zorbas. Of course, our young musicians also deserve recognition for the countless hours of practise they've dedicated to making their participation possible.
I believe creative expression is one of the key aspects of human intellect and thus a natural part of education. Arts in schools plays an important role in the education of students and their holistic development, but don’t take my word for it. Here are my top picks from a recent survey by Arts Queensland (Source: www.arts.qld.gov.au):
Engagement in arts has a positive effect on other subjects.
The arts play an important role in developing the critical and creative thinking skills required in many other subjects while also fostering a positive environment for students. Involvement in school-based arts activities has been shown to enhance a range of cognitive skills, including creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving, while also helping students better understand complex concepts in subjects such as science, mathematics, and beyond.
Arts support and promote discussion on a range of topics important to students.
Arts can provide a safe and fun way to explore topics important to and concerning students. Content areas for arts activities often centre on social issues and cultural diversity, as well as issues related to self-esteem, physical and mental health, identity, and contemporary concerns such as environmental issues.
Professionally delivered arts experiences improve student wellbeing.
87% of teachers agree arts improve students’ personal well-being. Data collected through case studies and feedback from Artist in Residence fund recipients indicate students involved in arts projects experience a strong sense of satisfaction, demonstrate more confidence, develop their creative thinking skills, and increase their confidence to take risks.
For a final word on why the Arts matter, I’ll leave you with a quote from Wendy Clark from the National Endowment for the Arts:
“The arts matter because they help you see what’s in between – they help you think twice. Notes, chords, images, and words float within you and have the power of surfacing at any moment, to soothe, distract, entertain, or give comic relief. That’s a lovely thing and yes, it matters.”
Bring on 2025 and another year of Arts experiences and excellence at USHS. I can’t wait!
Liza Young - Head of Department Creative Futures