Creative arts is mandatory for students from Kindergarten to Year 6.
In creative arts, students discover a variety of art forms through a study of dance, drama, music and visual arts where they learn to appreciate, compose, listen, make and perform.
Each art form has its own unique knowledge and skills, elements or concepts as well as a capacity to inspire and enrich lives.
Oatley West Public School provides numerous opportunities for our students to participate in a variety creative arts extra curricular activities. Such activities include band, percussion power, recorder, choirs, talent quest and chess groups. Students can unleash their creative flair through dance and drama performances, competitions, exhibitions and enrichment programs. Students with particular interests and talents can participate in local and statewide activities in visual arts, music, dance and drama.
BAND
Our school is noted for its exceptional music program. The band program has been running for 35 years and our bands continually achieve high standards at inter-school competitions. There are three levels of band: Training, Intermediate and Concert. Children are eligible to join Training Band from Year 3. The school band includes flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, trombones, euphoniums and string instruments. Instruments are available to purchase through the school. The bands practice two mornings a week before school.
CHOIR
Our junior and senior choirs provide students with the opportunity to showcase their singing talents. Both choirs are conducted by staff and rehearse regularly during lunch times. They perform at school assemblies, annual school musical evening and also form part of the massed combined school's choir at the St George Performing Arts Festival (SPAF). Separate auditions may be held to select members of each choir.
PERCUSSION POWER
Oatley West has two percussion groups - junior percussion power for K-2 and senior percussion power for Years 3 - 6. Drums, bongos, disc breaks and boom whackers are just some of the exciting instruments played in the percussion groups. Senior Percussion Power competes in various competitions and performs at school functions and at times performs with the bands.
RECORDER
Our Recorder Program is offered to interested students. This is a good introduction to both learning to read music and the discipline of playing with a group of other children.
TALENT QUEST
All students from K-6 have the opportunity to participate in the Talent Quest at the end of the year. Students work collaboratively or as individuals to present items covering a wide range of talents in Performing Arts.
CHESS
The Sydney Academy of Chess usually conducts chess classes at our school during a lunch time session. Chess is a valuable activity to children developing their logical thinking skills, concentration and discipline as well as being a source of much enjoyment.