We would like to congratulate Drew Daniels for securing a permanent position in the Department of Education through merit selection at West Wallsend High School. Drew gained the position earlier in the year but was granted permission to stay at Mount View to see his year 12 class through the year and to complete their HSC. This is just a small measure of his dedication to our students and Music education.
In his time at Mount View, Drew has worked across faculties and in a variety of mentoring roles, gathering high quality skills, networks and perspectives along the way. From HSIE to Visual Arts, Drew has delivered quality lessons and programs outside his core subject of Music without fail. His passion for the arts is evident in Drew’s extensive community links with artists and musicians. Students, however, are his highest priority and he has dedicated many hours to building their performance confidence, repertoire, and deep understanding. We thank him so much for this.
As well as being part of every ensemble, accompanying students in performances and coordinating concerts and off-site performances, Drew has also mentored backstage, sound and lighting crews. He also handling many a staging and event crises in his trademark calm, cool and collected manner.
Skinny jeans, polo shirt and the round neck jumper are all tied up in the witty and affable character that is ‘Daniels’.
We are grateful that you have shared your insight and perspective with us and wish you every success at West Wallsend High. Thank you.
We tried really hard to find some pictures of Mr Daniels working but...
Dear Mount View High School,
I would like to pass on my sincere gratitude and best wishes to all the Mount View High School staff and students as I move forward into a new chapter. Over the last ten years teaching at Mount View High I have had the opportunity to work with some incredible people. The numerous faculties I have been involved in, to my current home in CAPA have been a whirlwind of vocational awesomeness! I will leave here on a bittersweet note, heading toward the deep unknown of a new school. To all the community, family and students, farewell and take care.
HSC Music Class of 2020 and HSC Practical Music Examination
The HSC music class of 2020 recently completed their HSC practical exams with resounding success. Students elected to undertake a combination of music performances or viva voces, which are a 10 minute discussion with the HSC examiners on a particular topic that interests the student.
This year the students definitely had their challenges due to the COVID 19 restrictions set in place by the NSW government. The restrictions created significant hurdles for our students and in some cases, they had to rethink their programs as they could only have one musical accompanist for each performance or students had the choice of using a backing track if they required a larger ensemble accompaniment.
The class of 2020 will hold a special place in our hearts as they are the last class taught by Mr Daniels and myself as Mr Daniels has been successful in attaining a permanent appointment at another school and I will be taking extended leave. They have been an absolute pleasure to guide, teach and mentor with each students bringing something different to the class through their individual talents and unique personalities.
We wish all of our students every success in their musical aural examination during the HSC examination period as well as in their future endeavours. Farewell to you all.
Mrs Howells
Year 12 Visual Arts
A huge congratulations to the Year 12 Visual Art Class of 2020 as they have now completed half of their HSC commitments for the course by finishing their Body of Work submissions on Monday 14th September. Students completed their final ‘studio time’ during the Trial Examination period last week where the art studio was humming with sugar overloaded and frenzied artmaking.
Year 12 have had a very challenging year with major disruptions to their face to face and practical lessons because of the Covid-19 restrictions. Mrs Willis, their practical teacher also had to have urgent medical treatment which left the students having to cope with even more change to their final year routine. However their resilience and drive have prevailed and all students submitted their works which form fifty percent of the Higher School Certificate examination for Visual Art. Ms Wiseman and Ms Alder guided the students through the final development of their works and we hope to welcome Ms Willis back during next term.
The Visual Art works will be assessed internally this year because of the pandemic, Dept of Education and NESA guidelines. Ms Wiseman has completed the NESA HSC practical work assessment training and we formed a collegial group with art teachers Linley Robson of Cessnock High and Vanessa Crooks of Kurri Kurri High. We also secured the expertise of former MVHS and Belmont Head Teacher Visual art, Steve Wakefield and former Warners Bay HT CaPA, Trudy Farmer to advise the marking team. This assured marking consistency in our area and enabled positive critical dialogue.
The students are also not able to stage an end-of-year exhibition for friends and families which is a tradition for CaPA students at Mount View. As a small compensation we have included a Virtual Catalogue. VIDEO
We wish the students the best of luck with their written exam Tuesday 27 October 2020
Art Criticism and Art History at 1.55pm – 3.30pm.
Ms Wiseman, Ms Alder and Ms Willis are willing and able to assist in the preparation for the exam through assessing practice papers and helping devise study plans and notes. Please let us know if you would like help.
Year 11
Students in the year 11 Preliminary Visual Art course have been exploring signs and symbols with the intention of producing artworks that are conceptually stronger. Students have investigated concepts close to them and developed signs and symbols to convey the meaning in their work.
Year 11 Photography, Video and Digital Imaging
Year 7
Year 7 students have been inspired by artists who have responded to water in the unit of work titled Splish Splash! They have also learned about the work of Aboriginal artist Lin Onus and his appropriation of the famous work The Great Wave by Japanese artist Hokusai. Students also enjoyed recontextualising the same work to create art that was funny, challenging and personal. They have also been inspired by surf and skate culture, using their knowledge of the elements of art and composition to create skateboard designs with logos for their brand.
