Hereworth Boys School

To further broaden the experiences offered at Hereworth, we have an exciting range of cultural opportunities and classes. I would urge you to explore the pages of the cultural section of this website to get an excellent overview of our specialist teacher led; Music, Visual Arts, Performing Arts and Music programmes.

"Students benefit from the high quality, purpose built environments for specialist programmes, particularly in technology and the arts." ERO Report June 2007

Choir The choir is an integral part of the Hereworth school community. Auditions are held at the commencement of each school year. A Head Chorister and Deputy Head Chorister are duly appointed. Currently we have 43 boys in the Chapel Choir. As a member of St. James Chapel Choir boys are expected to attend weekly choir practices on a Tuesday afternoon and attend three Chapel Services a term. Throughout the school year the choir is often called upon to perform at events held in the local community e.g. The Kids Sing, entertaining at the Havelock North Community Centre and local retirement villages. A Choral camp is held in the first week of Term 4 in preparation for Carol services at the end of term. A biennial tour is also held where the choir travels away to perform in another city. The St. James Chapel choir was invited to sing with the Wellington Cathedral Choir for the Battle of Britain Service.  In October 08 the choir produced their first C.D. which was available for Christmas. The choir has also been  involved  with the Hospice Holly Trail fundraiser and sing at the two carol services held at St. Luke’s Church, Havelock North in December each year. Performing Arts

Drama & Dance

An alternate term by term classroom programme with a focus on either Drama or Dance is implemented at each level. In Dance, the boys learn to appreciate dance in its many forms. They learn, rehearse and share dance works and perform them in a variety of formal and informal settings. They explore and use the language of different dance forms, genres and styles. The boys are given the opportunity to express their experiences, ideas, beliefs, feelings and information through dance. Traditional folk dances and multicultural dances are also explored at each level. In Drama, all students are introduced to the drama elements and techniques.  Improvisation and performance skills are taught in a safe and co-operative environment.  Students develop ideas for and participate in classroom process drama. All boys are encouraged to develop skills of critical analysis when responding to live drama in film and on television.

School Production

The biennial school production is compulsory for all Year 7 and 8 boys and is held in the Hereworth school hall. This year (2011) the production was Blackbeard  the Curse of the High Sea.  It was an incredibly polished and professional production performed by the 120 boys gracing the stage. The next production will be in 2013 Class Drama Each Yr 5,6,7 and 8 class selects and performs a class play for performance. This is held every second year, alternate to the school production. All the boys contribute whether it be with acting roles, props, lighting or costumes. Performance week is the final week in term three over a three evening season - a real treat for all families.

House Music

The House Music is also held bi-annually, alternate to the school production. Each house must perform a set song and a song of their choice. All boys participate and this is a wonderful opportunity for the boys from each level to work together.  An adjudicator is invited to judge this highly competitive event!

Visiting Artists

Hereworth regularly have performing artists invited into the school to perform. This usually occurs once a term and we try to cover a range of genres. As an example, last year an Australian group ‘Men Wot Sing' performed and  we had Class Act Opera from Auckland performing ‘The Magic Flute'.   Recently we have had the ‘Celtic Kids Show' with Bob Bickerton and the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra. Music At Hereworth, music is a curriculum subject taught at all levels. A progressive music programme provides the students with many learning opportunities to:

• develop listening and aural sensitivity
• acquire knowledge of the music elements - rhythm, tempo, beat, pitch, dynamics, tone colour which are explored and developed through listening, moving, singing and playing
• create musical works demonstrating improvisation and composition skills
• develop notation and interpretation skills
• develop individual and group performance skills
• acquire knowledge and understanding of music in past and present contexts
• compare and contrast styles and genres of music
• investigate and celebrate traditional Maori music and the multicultural heritage of New Zealand

All students from years 1 to 8 attend weekly lessons with the music specialist teacher. Classroom programmes introduce students to the recorder at years 4, 5 and 6 and guitar at years 7 and 8. Ukelele is also being introduced at each level. Itinerant Teachers for Instrumental Tuition Individual tuition is available for piano, drums, violin, guitar, saxophone and trumpet. These lessons are generally held on a Tuesday throughout the day on a rotational basis. Depending on demand other specialist teachers are available for students who wish to learn other instruments. Visual Arts A fantastic purpose-built studio sits in the hub of Hereworth School housing the creative works in progress of Year 1 to Year 8 classes. All students attend visual art classes with a specialist teacher. One hour classes are scheduled weekly for Year 1-6 and two hour classes scheduled fortnightly for Year 7-8 classes. Hereworth's facilities allow a diverse range of creative activities to be carried out.  Not only is the Art Studio used extensively - offering traditional techniques in printmaking, sculpture, painting, sketching, carving, leather, construction, weaving, and also opportunities to explore theatrical art techniques used in Film and Theatre - the Izard block is also used for specific activities where molding of plastic forms takes place, spray painting in an industry equipped booth, cutting of wood, plastic, polystyrene, finishing of artworks with varnish and resin, can all be carried out in a safe and appropriate environment. The school-wide programme focuses on boys' interests while purposefully concentrating on specific skills and experiences that continually move boys on.  Included in the programme are off-site excursions to view exhibitions and participate in workshops. A bi-annual Art Exhibition is held at the end of the third term to showcase the spectrum of work that boys have proudly created. Artworks are found all around the school, along hallways, in classrooms, in the Library, Hall, and in the Headmaster's office. Visual Art is regarded highly at Hereworth and the boys' works reflect their pleasure and confidence in themselves as successful artists.