Arts and Culture

All aspects of the Arts and Culture are highly valued at Dunstan High School – and they play an important role in both the taught curriculum and the extra curricular life of staff and students.

The Arts in the Curriculum

Our school has very successful Art, Music and Drama departments.  Many students participate in taught classes in these areas and our students have achieved consistently well in terms of both qualifications and pathways to tertiary study or work within associated industries.

Extra Curricular Activities

Dunstan High School offers wide ranging opportunities for students to engage in Arts and Cultural activities – and our students embrace the opportunities with enthusiasm and an incredibly high standard of performance. Our Drama and Musical productions are received with enthusiasm and critical acclaim within our community and the among the wider theatre community.  Our stage challenge entries have always punched well above our weight with every entry being placed in the regional competition and two of the last five being awarded first place in Otago/Southland.

Our choir “Dunstanza” has a long tradition of excellence and performs in competitions, concerts and functions.  Students also participate in a wide range of other musical groups and bands.  Many students join our Kapahaka Group and enjoy the opportunity to perform at school and community events.  An annual Choral festival is a highlight of the inter-house competition and an arts week is held annual to focus attention on the arts and encourage wide participation from all students.

Performing Arts Centre

Our new Performing Arts Centre opened in 2007.  A joint school-community facility it is celebration of the many years of excellence in the performance of our students and energy and enthusiasm of staff who embrace the arts.  It contains a music teaching room, four private practice room, a drama room, teacher offices, resource area and dressing rooms.  It links closely with the large performance space available in the Hall.

Community Links

The school enjoy very strong links to the community in the arts and culture.  We work very closely with the Alexandra Musical Society, Central Otago Regional Orchestra, Art Society, CO Pipe Band and many other groups who provide further opportunity for our talented students to practice their skills and enjoy their chosen endevour.