Cottesloe Primary is fortunate to run an outstanding Visual Arts and Music program.
Visual Arts
At Cottesloe Primary School, our Visual Arts program nurtures creativity, curiosity, and a love of learning. We encourage students to develop an inquisitive mind and the confidence to explore ideas, experiment with different techniques, and embrace mistakes as part of their artistic journey. Students also learn to organise, respect and share materials, developing responsibility, and care for others and the environment. Through hands-on experiences in art, design, and craft, students build resilience and problem-solving skills, learning that every attempt – successful or not- contributes to their growth as artists.
Our program follows the Western Australian Curriculum, developing students’ skills, knowledge, and artistic behaviours across a variety of media. From painting and drawing to sculpture and printmaking, students engage in a broad exploration of materials and processes. Artist studies inspire their work, helping them connect with diverse artistic styles and cultural influences. Whether refining their technical abilities or expressing personal ideas, every child is supported in developing their unique creative voice.
Year 1-2: Exploring and Experimenting
Students in Years 1 and 2 explore a variety of materials, techniques, and processes to create artworks that express their ideas and observations. As they develop fine motor skills and patience, they experiment with the elements of art- line, colour, shape, texture, and pattern- while learning to make simple artistic choices. Through guided exploration, they begin to discuss artworks, including their own and those of other artists, using basic visual language.
Year 3-4: Developing Skills and Imagination
In Years 3 and 4, students build on their technical skills, experimenting with composition, form, and different media to communicate ideas. They begin to explore meaning in artworks, learning to reflect on their creative choices and respond to the work of artists from different times and cultures. Problem-solving, perseverance and resilience are fostered as they refine their techniques and express their individuality.
Year 5-6: Refining Techniques and Expressing Ideas
Students in Years 5 and 6 develop greater control and purpose in their artwork, using a wider range of techniques and materials to communicate meaning. They analyse how artists create and present work, making deeper connections between art, culture, and history. Through creative problem-solving, experimentation, and self-reflection, they refine their personal style and build confidence in artistic expression.
The CPS Visual Arts program supports students in developing creativity, confidence, and critical thinking through hands-on exploration and artistic expression and appreciation of the arts.
Students will have the opportunity to be involved in community arts projects as well as showcase their work at the Visual Arts Exhibition on Open Night in Term 4, celebrating their artistic growth and achievements.
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Performing ArtsPerforming Arts
At Cottesloe Primary School the Performing Arts program aims to engage, inspire and enrich all students, exciting the imagination and encouraging them to reach their creative and expressive potential.
From Pre-Primary to Year Six, students develop skills in music and dance. Developing confidence in performing for various types of audiences. In the early years, students learn to sing, dance and play a variety of instruments such as drumming, ukulele and xylophone/marimba. By year six, the students are expected to be able to play a variety of instruments that easily transpose to other instruments such as piano or guitar.
From Pre-Primary to Year 6, Drama provides a safe environment for personal expression and creative risk, where students work together in an imaginative journey towards a common goal. In an increasingly digital world, drama encourages face-to-face communication and the exploration of language, facial expression, gesture and use of voice. It challenges student perceptions and allows them to walk in others ’shoes. Drama enhances presentation and performance skills and builds confidence through creativity. Most importantly, Drama is fun! Students are given opportunities to engage with drama through improvisation and scripted performances. Upper primary classes engage with Media Arts where they use their creative thinking to develop ideas, learn about filming techniques, use acting skills and editing skills to portray meaning.
From Year 4 to 6, there are opportunities to join a range of groups, including the School Choir, School Band or Drama Troupe. We offer selected children in Year 5 and 6 the opportunity to extend their musical knowledge in either guitar or clarinet. This is run by the Instrumental Music School Service program (IMSS).
Highlights of each year include our Performing Arts concerts, which give the students a chance to showcase their skills to a wide audience. The concerts are theme based, and each child is a part of the show to deliver a story or present their musical talent. These opportunities are given by term or semester. In year six the students put on a musical, this is a much-loved tradition of the school, and every student thrives through the experience of working collaboratively to honour musical theatre at its best.
Sarah Orton
Performing Arts Specialist