How the Awards Work
Although these awards are based around dance, you don't have to be an elite dancer to complete any of these awards. They are designed to supplement dance education and can be completed by recreational and aspiring pre-professional students alike. All you need is a love of a dance, and a healthy measure of curiosity and perseverance... because let's be honest, these awards are designed to challenge you!
Each award focuses on a different area. Stage 1 awards set the dancer up with the foundation to explore topics in greater depth at Stage 2. These awards are designed to broaden students understanding of dance and the fields surrounding it. For recreational dancers, these awards can give students a taste of alternative dance-related careers, for more serious dancers these awards will build skills that help develop healthy and positive habits for their future.
Stage 1 awards are a best fit for Year 8 - 9 students and the work is targeted at this level although the awards are open to anyone from Year 7 onward. Stage 2 awards build on Stage 1 and many have a prerequisite. These awards are open to students who have completed the prerequisite and are targeted at a year 10 - 11 level. Despite the target levels, for the committed and self motivated student, the Awards can be successfully completed by younger dancers.
Below is a brief summary of the awards.
Each award focuses on a different area. Stage 1 awards set the dancer up with the foundation to explore topics in greater depth at Stage 2. These awards are designed to broaden students understanding of dance and the fields surrounding it. For recreational dancers, these awards can give students a taste of alternative dance-related careers, for more serious dancers these awards will build skills that help develop healthy and positive habits for their future.
Stage 1 awards are a best fit for Year 8 - 9 students and the work is targeted at this level although the awards are open to anyone from Year 7 onward. Stage 2 awards build on Stage 1 and many have a prerequisite. These awards are open to students who have completed the prerequisite and are targeted at a year 10 - 11 level. Despite the target levels, for the committed and self motivated student, the Awards can be successfully completed by younger dancers.
Below is a brief summary of the awards.
Stage 1 Awards (Years 7 - 10)
Dance Science Award - Launching in April 2022
In this award you will be learning about the science of dance. The science of dance applies scientific methods and understanding from physics, biology, mathematics, psychology and sport science to develop your understanding of the way science plays a role and can help us to improve performance in dance. The Dance Science Award includes 3 dance science seminars written and delivered especially for years 7 - 10 as well as supporting notes and diagrams to help you make connections and give us an introduction to the world of dance science. |
Dance History Award - Coming Soon
In this award you will have the opportunity to explore aspects of the history of dance. You can focus this in any genre and style of dance you want. Dance history involves finding out about dancemakers and choreographers, investigating the evolution of different styles of dance and looking at the impact of specific dance works. |
Beginning Choreography Award - Coming Soon
In this award you will be introduced to core choreographic ideas and the elements of dance. Activities will support you to develop beginning choreography skills, and understand how choreographers make artistic choices. You'll also have the opportunity to analyse the work of choreographers and be inspired by them. |
Futures in Dance Award - Coming Soon
In this award you will explore future pathways in dance. While this award will give you the opportunity to explore opportunities to study dance, it will also give you a taste of some of the many careers that surround dance, and help you make a plan for a potential future in dance. |
Stage 2 Awards (Years 8 - 12)
Dance Anatomy Award - Coming Soon
(Pre-Req: Stage 1 Dance Science Award) This award builds on the knowledge gained in the Stage 1 Dance Science Award with a focus on the anatomy and function of the human body as it relates to dance. Activities cover the musculoskeletal system, the mechanics of joints, and how to keep the dancing body functioning well and give students an opportunity to pursue an area of interest in relation to the dancing body. |
Healthy Dancer Award - Coming Soon
(Pre-Req: Stage 1 Dance Science Award) This award builds on the knowledge gained in the Stage 1 Dance Science Award with a focus on keeping healthy as a dancer. Areas of nutrition, dance psychology and wellness are explored and students are given the opportunity to explore current challenges facing dancers in a social media age while considering practical solutions to help support their own wellbeing. |
Safe Dance Practice Award - Coming Soon
(Pre-Req: Level 1 Dance Science Award) This award builds on the knowledge gained in the Stage 1 Dance Science Award with a focus on keeping the body safe as a dancer. While the Stage 2 Anatomy Award focuses on the body, this award explores topics including dance first aid, injury prevention, rest and recovery and the changes adolescence has on the dancer's body. |
Continuing Choreography - Coming Soon
(Pre-Req: Level 1 Beginning Choreography Award) This award builds on the knowledge gained in the Stage 1 Beginning Choreography Award and pushes you to extend these skills at a deeper level. You will have the opportunity to explore in depth the work of one choreographer, using this to form the basis for your own piece of work. Activities explore the use of repetition, theme and motif as well as partner work and group dynamics within a choreographed work. |