THE ARTS
The Arts have a long and rich tradition at Hillcrest High School with many students going on to have long and successful careers in the Creative Arts after they leave school. Students have many opportunities to get involved in Performing and Visual Arts through extra and co-curricular activities.
Students can involve themselves in music, drama and cultural performance through the many clubs and groups at school. Our school production takes place every two years and is an event not to be missed.
Drama
Drama has a high profile, with Hillcrest High selected as the Waikato representative at the National Shakespeare in Schools Competition on numerous occasions, and students regularly selected to visit and perform at The Globe Theatre in London. We also have a school Shakespeare Production every second year to bring the Bard to the stage.
Hillcrest High School has always been a strong competitor in the Waikato Secondary School Theatresports Competition. We have junior and senior teams entered and they have been very successful in winning the shield on many occasions due to the energy and creativity of the team members. We also have the social Theatresports club led by senior students at school for anyone who wants to give it a go.
Head of Drama Department:
Music
A range of musical options is provided including the school symphony orchestra, strings (senior and junior), chamber music, jazz band, SCAT Choir and various rock bands. School musical productions have been a highlight of the school year which have included past performances of The Best of Broadway, South Pacific, Spamalot, Godspell, Return to the Forbidden Planet, Guys and Dolls, Seussical the Musical and The Little Mermaid. Our students have also had great success in the NZCT Chamber Music Contest making finals and semifinals over several years and even being judged best chamber group in the country.
Our Music Department is very well resourced, with state of the art equipment and technology so that our students are well prepared to enter the music industry. Music Technology Courses are offered at NCEA Levels 2 and 3 and an accelerated Music Course in Year 10 for those who have already attained a high level in music performance.
Specialist tuition in a variety of instruments is also offered.
Head of Music Department:
