Creative expression is valued at Rangi as an integral part of a girl’s development. 

Creative and cultural pursuits at Rangi Ruru are incredibly popular and many girls go on to pursue these at tertiary level. Creative expression is explored across the curriculum, in many subject areas at all levels, and most specifically through studies in the Visual Arts, Theatre Arts, Media and Music.

Many girls choose to pursue their creative interests in the Performing Arts as subject options, for many more girls these are co-curricular activities (see Co-curricular, Music and Co-curricular, Drama and Dance).

The quality of teaching and resources in these areas, coupled with the influence and mentoring provided by our In- Residence mentors provides girls with the knowledge and skills to produce exceptional work.

The Arts in the Curriculum

Visual Arts

Rangi Ruru's Visual Arts teachers are all practicing artists, offering senior students the opportunity to specialise in photography, printmaking, painting and design.

The Rangi Ruru Art Faculty is well known for the achievement of its students. Rangi girls achieve a disproportionate number of scholarships and accolades for their work. Many Rangi girls go on to pursue careers in the visual arts in New Zealand and overseas.

Music

The Rangi Ruru Music Department caters for all young musicians from composers to instrumental and vocal performers; the merely interested to the very able musician. The department offers practice and lesson facilities, Sibelius composing software and a recording studio.

All girls from Years 7 to 9 inclusive study music as part of the curriculum. The aim of this programme is to expose girls to a wide range of musical styles and genres through performance and composition.  
In addition Music is offered as an option to girls in both Years 9 and 10.  These courses are for girls who have a very strong interest in and love of music, with the emphasis again on performance and composition.  As well girls will develop skills in music theory, aural, and will study music history, from both a classical and popular perspective.

At Years 11to13 Music is offered as a subject for NCEA Levels 1-3, and for Scholarship.  All girls study a set course in Year 11.  At Years 12 and 13, courses may be designed to cater for the individual needs and interests of the girls.

Drama and Dance

Drama and Dance are very popular co-curricular activities at Rangi Ruru with 100s of girls each year being involved in school productions -  as cast and crew.

Within the curriculum, Drama is offered to girls from Years 7 to 13.

All girls from Years 7 to 9 inclusive study Drama. In Year 10, Drama is a half year option. Girls can take Drama from level one to three NCEA and we have a number a girls each year who go on to take and achieve outstanding results in Scholarship Drama.

These mainly practical courses cover the elements, techniques and conventions of Drama in performance, the history of theatre, creating original work and viewing the work of others. This usually involves trips to professional theatre around Christchurch.

We also have strong links with a number of professional theatrical companies in the area and girls may be given the opportunity to work alongside industry practitioners.

All girls from Years 7 to 9 inclusive study dance. The aim of this programme is to expose girls to a wide range of dance styles, and to give them an opportunity to develop skills in performance and elementary composition and to study the history of dance.

In Year 10, dance is a half-year option. These intermediate and junior school programmes give students a broad and varied look at many aspects of dance.

Other subject options

Girls may also explore their creativity and learn very practical skills through subjects such as Media Studies, Design Technology, Graphics and Textiles.