| YEARS | TEACHER | CLASSES | SUBJECT |
| 1997/98 | Ross Alexander | 8-9-10 | Visual Arts |
| 11-12 | Studio Arts | ||
| 1997/98 | Frank Ferretti | 9-10-11-12 | Media Studies |
| 1997/98 | Marise Kacan | 7-8 | Visual Arts |
| 9-10-11-12 | Graphics | ||
| 1997/98 | Aldo Marrotta | 9-10 | Visual Arts |
| 1997 | Bernadette Smith | 7 | Visual Arts |
Faculty Rationale
VCE
Our students in Graphics, Studio Arts and Media studies achieved high standards with numerous A+ and A's for their folio CATs. Their high subject scores no doubt assisted them in gaining tertiary places in Art and Design, Draughting and Engineering.Several Year 11 students completed Units 3 and 4 as an extension subject, doing extremely well.
Banksia's Top CATs are exhibited in the 2nd floor gallery.
Curriculum Review
Year 7 and 8 C.S.F. level 5
Year 9 and 10 C.S.F level 6
A considerable amount of time was spent in the latter part of 1997 refining the assessment criteria and report format for the junior and middle school levels. The structure of what is taught at the junior level was targeted with the aim to improve our existing program and work task areas. Practical learning experiences are to be closely linked with cultural and historic contexts emphasising literacy and expanding artistic terminology.
Homework
Both practical and theoretical tasks will continue as in the past to support skill development and classroom learning activities.Curriculum refinement and modification is an ongoing process and monitored closely through faculty input.
Future initiatives
Visual Arts is continually analysing and assessing our work space and studio areas to meet students needs.There will be changes to the media store room in S4 to house the Macintosh Computers to allow more access and alleviate present cramped working conditions.
Plans are also in place to access S1 from S2 with the door through the connecting store room. This will enable senior students more space to work on large projects for VCE.
Theatre Foyer
We see the Theatre Foyer as an important lever for College promotion and we are looking at developing a permanent exhibition space and a third gallery to exhibit student work.
Student Galleries
We have been pleased with the visual impact which our student work has made upon the College and the promotion of self esteem and leadership qualities from contributing students.
Curriculum Initiatives and Extension Programs
We have continued to bring in outside professionals to the Visiting Artist program to expand the learning experiences of our students:
Violence to Harmony Project
Year 10 painting and drawing students produced a visual exhibition of issues confronting violence in the community and society which were exhibited with great success. Several students received awards and recognition for their efforts.Famous Australian artist William Kelly addressed the students and motivated them with ideas and personal experiences.
Banyule Festival
Media Students entered a photographic exhibition, Banksia received awards for the College with the most entries and Sarah Harrison received a merit award and a camera for her outstanding work.
Set Design
Year 11 Studio Arts students produced backdrop and sets for the College Musical as a Work Requirement for the VCE.
City Bound Art Space
Year 11 student Alice Hutchinson represented Banksia with an exhibition of her work at the Ivanhoe Railway Station. This year another student will have the opportunity to exhibit at the same venue.
Excursions
Senior level VCE students are involved in work requirement and tutorials at the National Gallery and the Museum of Modern Art (Heide).
Professional Development
Visual Arts staff have had the opportunity under the guidance of Frank Ferretti to explore the use of the PhotoShop and Illustrator programs and workshop curriculum ideas for classes.All staff have been involved in attending exhibitions held in commercial, private and government galleries to bring the outside world back to Banksia and our students.
Artist in Residence
Talks are in place to bring in an Artist-in-residence on a permanent basis this year over a ten-week period to work with our VCE extension students. Our College was one of twelve schools selected by the Banyule City Arts program. The work is to be photographed and included in next year's Banyule Community Calendar.
New Resources
Teacher Aide
The allocation of some Teacher Aide time will be an invaluable assistance to the faculty and in both practical areas and curriculum resource development.
Future Dreams
We intend to reproduce some of our student work on large format printers to add to the permanent collection of original artworks obtained by the College. This equipment is very expensive and we will look at outsourcing the printing or leasing or buying. More computers would be a definite advantage in allowing students to keep up with new developments and contemporary trends for folio preparation in the competitive arena of the Visual Arts.
Visual Arts Co-ordinator
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