Enrichment Ensembles

Beginner String Ensemble

High Potential and Gifted Education Policy

• Creative, Intellectual Domain

Beginner String Ensemble is open to all students who wish to begin learning a string instrument. The String ensemble also allows students to develop team skills, listening skills, intonation, and rhythm. Students will have the opportunity to participate in: Pulse Showcase of Excellence. Once students have reached a certain point they will be moved into the String Ensemble.

Visual Arts Ensemble

 High Potential and Gifted Education Policy

•  Creative Domain

Visual Arts Intensive is open to students in Years 7-12. Visual Arts Intensive enables students to develop their artistic and creative skills, and experiment with new mediums. Students will have the opportunity to participate in: the Nagoya Art Exchange, Operation Art, Young Archie Competition and Woof Art Prize.

Contemporary Ensemble Program (Junior and Senior Ensemble) 

High Potential and Gifted Education Policy

•  Creative, Intellectual Domain

Formed in 2020, the Junior and Senior Contemporary Ensembles are open to students from Years 7 - 12. The Junior Ensembles focuses on students in years 7 - 8 who have not worked in a small ensemble previously. Whereas the Senior Contemporary Ensemble is an auditioned ensemble that engages in rigorous and challenging repertoire. Students in these ensembles will have the opportunity to perform at a range of internal and external events throughout the year, including: the Penrith Valley Performing Arts Festival, Penrith in Performance, Carols in the Garden, Year Assemblies, Recognition Assemblies.

Drama Ensemble

 High Potential and Gifted Education Policy

• Creative, Intellectual, Physical Domain

The Drama Ensemble Enrichment Program is open to students in Years 7-12. The Drama Ensemble Enrichment Program is focused on extending and challenging students in the Creating and Performing Arts.  Drama promotes communication skills, teamwork, dialogue, negotiation, socialisation and critical thinking. It stimulates the imagination and creativity. Through intensive focused rehearsals, students will have the opportunity to participate in: LightsUP Drama Festival and the Penrith Valley Performing Arts Festival.

Competetive Dance Ensemble

 High Potential and Gifted Education  Policy

• Creative, Physical Domain

The Competitive Dance Ensemble at Penrith Selective High School is an auditioned ensemble that aims to provide students with more challenging choreography and allows students to participate in a broader range of performance opportunities. Students train and rehearse dance works during scheduled weekly rehearsals which are then auditioned and showcased at various events throughout the year. Our highly experienced dance tutor will choreograph, teach and prepare a work with the students that is technically and stylistically appropriate to the ensemble. 

Students will have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of internal and external performances including Penrith in Performance, Synergy Dance Festival, Penrith Valley Performing Arts Festival and selected eisteddfods at the discretion of our Dance Tutor.

Dance Ensemble

 High Potential and Gifted Education Policy

• Creative, Physical Domain

Dance is open to students in Years 7 to Years 11. Dance provides students with the opportunity to express themselves through a variety of genres and styles through either individual or group work. Students can also develop skills in choreography. There are opportunities to enter external competitions throughout the year.

Concert Band Ensemble

High Potential and Gifted Education Policy

• Creative, Intellectual Domain

Concert Band is open to students in Years 7-12. Concert Band is focused on extending students in their chosen musical instrument. The Penrith Selective High School Concert Band has grown exceptionally in size and talent. With the increase in band members, we have also seen a variety of new instruments. These include a bass clarinet, French horn, and percussion (including the congas). Students will have the opportunity to participate in: Penrith Eisteddfod.

Choir Ensemble

  High Potential and Gifted Education Policy

• Creative, Intellectual Domain

Choir is open to students in Years 7-12. Choir is focused on extending students in singing. Choir improves mood, decreases stress levels, depression and anxiety. Singing in a group provides students with a sense of belonging to our school community. Students will have the opportunity to participate in: In-Concert, Pulse Showcase of Excellence in the Arts, Penrith Anzac Day Ceremony and Schools Spectacular.

Film Ensemble

High Potential and Gifted Education Policy

•  Creative, Intellectual Domain

Film is open to students in Year 7-12. Film is focused on extending students filming and editing skills. Students will have the opportunity to create a film each term.