Dance

Contacts

Dance is currently taught in the junior school as an optional subject. At Year 9 the course runs over two terms and at Year 10 it is a full year course.  NCEA level 1, level 2, and introducing level 3 for 2010. All Dance levels will now be fully implemented at Manurewa High School.  

The Dance/Drama studio is an impressive facility which includes a springboard floor, ballet barre, mirror and lighting facilities. It is a studio that can operate both as a rehearsal and performance space.

Hip Hop Dance is a major part of the schools culture and the school has their own competitive Hip Hop crew that this year consisted of 45 students. In 2009, a splinter group called themselves the Rewa All Stars and won the Stand up Stand out competition. Dance is still a developing art form in the school and its growth is very exciting.

Stage Challenge is also been a huge success in 2010. We entered for the firlst time since 1995 and 100 students were involved. We came 2nd overall which was an amazing result considering the schools that we were up against.

Why Dance?

Year 9

This course provides students with the opportunity to explore movement as a dance art form. Students will develop insight, understanding and practical knowledge of significant dances and experience different genres. They will develop choreographic skills while learning to present and respond to movement. Basic dance terminology will be learnt and applied at an introductory level. Student will learn a large range off base steps, plus some tap, jazz and much more.

Year 10

Year 10 Dance continues to develop knowledge and skill learnt in Year 9. Students will learn to perform a cultural dance from the Pacific and study its origins and significance. Opportunities will be given to develop choreographic skills using stimulus, such as music. Students will attend and review a live dance performance. Students will also begin to learn and understand the purpose and function of dance production technologies and how they can enhance performance.

Year 11

In this NCEA Level 1 Dance course students will choreograph, demonstrate and perform Dance individually, in partnership and in group situations. Dance genres to be explored in this level are Disco, Musical Theatre, Kapa Haka, Break Dance, African Gumboot Dance and Ballet. Students will view live and recorded performances during the year and will be required to maintain a portfolio where they will interpret, respond and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of their viewing experience.

Total credits offered: 24 Level 1 Achievement Standard credits (16 internal, 8 external).

Year 12

In this NCEA Level 2 Dance course students will choreograph, demonstrate and perform Dance individually and in group situations. Students will be required to choreograph a section for a solo dance and a group dance. They will learn and perform an ethnic dance and participate in the performance of a musical theatre dance work. Students will view live and recorded performances during the year and will be required to maintain a portfolio to assist them in analysing these dance works in the external examination.

Total credits offered: 24 Level 2 Achievement Standard credits (16 internal, 8 external).

Potential career options

• Dancer
• Choreographer
• Primary or Secondary teacher
• Tertiary lecturer
• Reviewer / Critic
• Artistic Director
• Event Manager