Art

Mrs C Aindow —

The following courses are available for study in 2026

 Art Practical:   11Art Practical  Full Year

Course Description: Students will draw, paint, and print artworks inspired by local Te Taiao/nature and their turangawaewae/sense of identity, with the support of local and international artists. 

They will explore a range of art making processes and procedures, develop their ideas, and gain an understanding of basic art theory.

Year 11 Art is the beginning of the senior art programme (Art Painting and Printmaking) and is the foundation course on how to think visually and create artwork. Themes relating to  cultural background and identity are explored as a starting point to generate ideas and meaning in their work.

Senior Visual Art students at SBHS work like artists, developing and building good habits and an understanding of processes, procedures, materials, and techniques. Assessments during the year require students to develop artworks in response to a theme, often looking at and responding to examples from other artists’ works.

Recommended Entry Criteria: 9 or 10Art/Arx

NB: Students studying 11 Art cannot study 11Adi.

Qualifications to be gained:  Level 1 Achievement Standards credits

Next step: 12Ard, 12Pai, or 12 Pho

Contact Person: Mrs Aindow  cja@shirley.school.nz


Art Digital : 11Adi Full Year

Course Description: Students will develop ideas around their ancestry, identity and whakapapa and create artworks using digital design and drawing, animation and photography. During this course students will learn photographic techniques and camera skills along with a range of digital art-making techniques. Students will also develop essential creative thinking and problem solving skills. 

Year 11 Digital Art is the beginning of the senior art courses (Art Photography and Art Design) and is the foundation course on how to think visually and create art work. Themes relating to cultural background and identity are explored as a starting point to generate ideas and meaning in their work.

Senior Visual Art students at SBHS work like artists, developing and building good habits and an understanding of processes, procedures, materials and techniques. Assessments during the year require students to develop artworks in response to a theme, often looking at and responding to examples from other artists’ works.

Entry Criteria: 9 or 10ADx/Arx

NB: Students studying 11 Adi cannot study 11Art.

Qualifications to be gained: Level 1 Achievement Standards credits

Next step: 12Ard / 12 Pho / 12Pai. Digital Imagery units to be advised.

Contact Person: Mrs Aindow  cja@shirley.school.nz


Art Design:   12Ard   Full Year

Course Description: This course focuses on developing design knowledge and skills by learning to communicate visually. This is a digital course that focuses on teaching students about promotional campaigns: students get a chance to design various projects ranging from logos and posters, to website and app designs, to creating and promoting their own brand. Students will use professional computer software (mainly Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign) to create designs. Students will:

  • Explore a range of design techniques and ideas

  • Develop skills through creating a related series of Design works 

  • Create their own portfolio of work 

Recommended Entry Criteria: minimum of 10 credits from 11Art or 11Adi

Qualifications to be gained: Level 2 Achievement Standards credits

UE Literacy: No

Next step: 13Ard

Contact Person: Mrs Aindow  cja@shirley.school.nz


Art Design:   13Ard   Full Year

Course Description: This course follows on from the Level 2 Art Design course. Students at this level complete a body of work that is assessed externally and demonstrates a high degree of critical thinking. Students will write their own briefs to successfully launch a campaign of their choice, based on their artist model analysis. Students will:

  • Develop skills through producing series of related works 

  • Develop and refine design their techniques and ideas

  • Learn how to reflect and respond to artist models through their  designs  

  • Produce an exciting body of work for a folio

Pathway: Our Visual Art courses help prepare students for university and jobs in creative industries. Students will also develop essential creative thinking and problem solving skills that are transferable to many occupations. Outside of employment, the arts contribute to health and wellbeing. 

Recommended Entry Criteria: minimum of 12 credits from 12Ard

Qualifications to be gained: Level 3 Achievement Standards credits

UE Literacy: No

UE Approved: Yes

Contact Person: Mrs Aindow


Art Painting:   12Pai   Full Year

Course Description: This course focuses on developing painting knowledge and skills. Students will explore a range of painting techniques and ideas based on appropriate artist models and artistic movements from Aotearoa  and around the world. The portfolio submission is based upon the student’s own interests and ability within the field of painting and printmaking. Students will:

  • Explore many inspiring approaches to creating artwork

  • Develop techniques and skills through creating a series of related artworks 

  • Create their own portfolio of original paintings. 

Recommended Entry Criteria: minimum of 10 credits from 11Art

Qualifications to be gained: Level 2 Achievement Standards credits

UE Literacy: No

Next step: 13Pai

Contact Person: Mrs Aindow  cja@shirley.school.nz


Art Painting:   13Pai   Full Year

Course Description: This is a practical course that builds on the skills that students have developed in Level 2. Students will develop a body of work based around a theme of their choice: this is assessed externally and needs to demonstrate a high degree of critical thinking. Students will:

  • Develop and extend their skills and understanding of historic and contemporary painting practice  

  • Learn how to reflect and respond to art through their own artwork  

  • Focus on developing a high quality portfolio of artworks.

Pathway: Our Visual Art courses help prepare students for university and jobs in creative industries. Students will also develop essential creative thinking and problem solving skills that are transferable to many occupations. Outside of employment, the arts contribute to health and wellbeing. 

Recommended Entry Criteria: minimum of 12 credits from 12Pai

Qualifications to be gained: Level 3 Achievement Standards credits

UE Literacy: No

UE Approved: Yes

Contact Person: Mrs Aindow  cja@shirley.school.nz


Art Photography:   12Pho   Full Year

Course Description: This course focuses on developing photographic knowledge and skills. This is a digital course where students will use digital cameras and develop their work using professional software, including Photoshop. Students will get a chance to analyse artist models and use this knowledge to generate their own portfolio. This is a largely practical course with a small component of theory. Students will:

  • Learn about contemporary art practice in Photography

  • Create their own portfolio of work  

  • Use photography as a creative way to explore the world around them 

Owning your own camera for this course is recommended, however we do have school cameras available to students. Please contact your Photography teacher for camera information. 

Recommended Entry Criteria: minimum of 10 credits from 11Art or 11Adi

Qualifications to be gained: Level 2 Achievement Standards credits

UE Literacy: No

Next step: 13Pho,

Contact Person: Mrs Aindow  cja@shirley.school.nz


Art Photography:   13Pho   Full Year

Course Description:  This course extends the photography skills students have developed during Level 2 in new and innovative ways. Students at this level complete a body of work based on a theme of their choice. This is assessed externally and will demonstrate a high degree of critical thinking. Students also get a chance to develop their own practice and make personal statements through their photography. Students will:

  • Develop and refine skills in creative problem solving  

  • Learn how to reflect and respond to art through producing their own artwork  

  • Produce an exciting body of work for a folio

Pathway: Our Visual Art courses help prepare students for university and jobs in the creative industries. Students will also develop essential creative thinking and problem solving skills that are transferable to many occupations. Outside of employment, the arts contribute to health and wellbeing.  

Owning your own camera for this course is recommended, however we do have school cameras available to students. Please contact your Photography teacher for camera information. 

Recommended Entry Criteria: minimum of 12 credits from 12Pho

Qualifications to be gained: Level 3 Achievement Standards credits

UE Literacy: No

UE Approved: Yes

Contact Person: Mrs Aindow  cja@shirley.school.nz