Arts
“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution.”
– Albert Einstein
At Sancta Maria College, we believe strongly in a broad and balanced curriculum. The Arts play an important role in fostering an appreciation of a wide range of perspectives and in actively promoting both curiosity and creativity. We also offer a wide range of cultural co-curricular activities. These allow students to develop their talents and interests, to celebrate their culture and to give service to both the College and the wider community.
Visual Arts
The aim of the Art department at Sancta Maria College is to build a creative culture which actively engages students and emphasises and supports the Special Character of the school. The Art department staff are passionate about their subject, and each member has an area of expertise that they fully utilise in ways appropriate to students at every level. Disciplines covered for all students include Drawing and Painting, Sculpture, Design, Printmaking, Photography and Mixed Media.
At junior levels students are guided with subject matter and are encouraged to bring their own culture and identity into their work. At senior levels students are given the flexibility of choosing their own themes and topics and are assisted in exploring and developing these through research and critical thinking.
We celebrate the creative talents of our students by displaying their work around the school and with an exhibition of senior work at the end of every year.
Art kits for Years 9-11 will be available for purchase from Gordon Harris, simply click the following link to order https://www.gordonharris.co.nz/category/4178-sancta-maria-college. Specialist materials for Visual Art students in Years 12 and 13 will be provided by the Art Department.
Performing Arts
The Performing Arts allow our students to give expression to their intrinsic creative talents while developing confidence, communication skills, perseverance, resilience and teamwork. The skills that are learnt by studying drama are invaluable in later life. It is an inclusive subject that teaches students to see the world not only through their personal lens, but also through the lens of others which allows them to grow understanding, tolerance and empathy.
The Junior School stages a junior production every alternate year as well as participating in dance and drama competitions. The Senior School stages a major musical production every alternate year, with professional sound and lighting equipment and performed in a professional performance venue. In addition to on-stage performance there are plenty of opportunities to assist in lighting, sound, backstage, set construction, costuming, makeup and front of house.
In May 2025 we staged ‘In the Heights’ in Manukau’s Due Drop Centre. In the Heights was a romantic comedy, telling the universal story of a vibrant community in New York’s Washington Heights neighbourhood – a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open, and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music.
Music
Music is a vital and lively part of the curriculum at Sancta Maria College. As well as an exciting classroom programme, a large number of itinerant teachers come into school each week to offer specialist instrumental tuition in many disciplines including Guitar, Piano, Percussion, Voice, Strings, Brass and Woodwind.
Co-curricular groups offered include Jazz Bands, Choirs, Orchestras, Classical Ensembles, Pop Groups and Concert Band. These award-winning performance groups are a huge credit to the school as they continue to build a reputation for excellence amongst the music community. You can see all the itinerant lessons options below.
Our music groups also perform at assemblies, prize giving, community concerts, regional competitions and festivals with a wide range of music from rock and jazz to classical and vocal. You can also view all our music groups available to join below.
Itinerant Music Lessons
Trumpet Lessons with Mr Johnathan Cook
Mondays 8:30 – 11:00am
Drum Lessons with Mr Finn McNeil
Mondays from 12:00 – 1:30pm
Clarinet and Saxophone Lessons with Mr Lukas Fritsch: Mondays from 12:00 – 3:00pm
Bass and Double Bass Lessons with Mr Alberto Santarelli: Tuesdays from 11:00am – 1:30pm
Guitar Lessons with Ms Kathleen Tomacruz
Tuesdays from 12:55 – 3:00pm
Violin and Viola Lessons with Sandy Niu
Wednesdays from 11:30am – 2:45pm
Trombone and Tuba Lessons with Mr Hamish Arthur: Thursdays from 9:30am – 2:45pm
Flute Lessons with Ms Agnes Harmath
Fridays from 9:15 – 11:15am
Singing Lessons with Mrs Diana Rhodes
Thursdays from 12:10 – 3:10pm
Cello Lessons with Melody Collings
Friday’s from 9:30 – 11:00am
Group Music Lessons
Big Band with Mr Lukas Fritsch
Monday after school
Concert Band with Mr Hamish Arthur
Thursday after school
Advanced Chamber Trio with Ms Sandy Niu
Wednesdays during interval
RockQuest Band rehearsals are by request via HoD for Music
Kids Sing Choir with Ms Sonya Shone and Mr Barry Lee during lunch time on Friday
Festival Strings Orchestra and Symphonia Strings Sectionals with Ms Sandy Niu and Ms Sonya Shone: Wednesdays at interval
Festival Strings Orchestra and Symphonia Strings with Ms Sonya Shone and Mr Barry Lee: Wednesdays after school
Big Sing Sectionals with Mrs Diana Rhodes and Ms Sonya Shone Thursday during lunch time
Big Sing Choir with Ms Sonya Shone and Mr Barry Lee Friday after school
Jazz Combo’s with Mr Finn McNeil & Mr Lukas Fritsch on Monday & Tuesday at lunchtime and Tuesday after school
