Application process details and forms for all these programs will be included in all Year 7 enrolment packs.
eXcel Program
This program has been tailored to meet the needs of students who have demonstrated a very high level of capacity in the areas of Mathematics and Science. In Mathematics, students are progressed to the next year of study to facilitate the start of Year 11 Mathematical Methods in Year 10. In Science, across Years 7 – 9, students will complete the ACARA achievement standards for Years 7 – 10 cumulatively to facilitate the start of one of Year 11 Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Psychology in Year 10. It is intended to provide students with opportunities in both Mathematics and Science to engage in S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) programs such as Robotics, Experience University program at QUT, Investigation of Fresh Water Ecosystems for advanced students at Toohey Forest EEC based at Griffith University, SPARQ-Ed at the Transitional Research Institute attached to the PA Hospital where students undertake investigations involving cancer cell research, amongst a range of other contemporary and challenging programs. S.T.E.M. opportunities are nominated as they become available and could change from year to year.
Music Plus
Music Plus is an exciting program at Centenary State High School which caters to students in Years 7 – 9 with advanced musical abilities. This program has been created for the needs of students who demonstrate a very high level of capacity in the area of music and/or instrumental music. The course is designed to allow instrumentalists and vocalists to explore and extend their musical capabilities in the early years of high school.
Students are taught by specialist music teachers, studying units of work that align to the Australian Curriculum but that differ from those that students in regular Years 7 – 9 Arts subjects study. They are extended on the respective year level (band level) coursework and will engage in more cognitively demanding concepts related to the three strands of music: musicology, composing and performing.
This pathway is intended for students who wish to combine their study of Music and Instrumental Music, and links directly with Years 11 and 12 General subjects Music and Music Extension.
Students in Music Plus are also provided with the opportunity to gain national certification from the Australian Music Examinations Board in Theory of Music. Composition students are catered for with an Artist in Residence program (in 2022 provided by Topology).
There are many other opportunities with external providers and agencies provided to students in Music Plus, including but not limited to: SHEP at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Creative Generation (State Schools on Stage and MOST), composition competitions such as Vermillion High and Triple J Unearthed, and performances events such as RockFest. Students are also able to engage with real-world opportunities to see live musicians and performances as appropriate.
Performance Plus
Performance Plus is an exciting initiative of the Centenary State High School Arts Faculty, allowing students with a keen interest and talent in the Performing Arts to specialise in the areas of dance, drama, singing and musical theatre. This program has been created to cater for the needs of students who demonstrate a very high level of capacity in the areas related to musical theatre. The course is designed to allow students to explore and extend their skills in dance and drama specialisations in the early years of high school.
Students are taught by specialist dance and drama teachers, studying units of work that align to the Australian Curriculum but that differ from those that students in regular Years 7 – 9 Arts subjects study. They are extended on the respective year level (band level) coursework and will engage in more cognitively demanding concepts.
Students in Year 7 will study a musical theatre-based course, combining elements of dance and drama; Year 8 students will do a one-year drama specialisation and students in Year 9 will complete a one-year dance specialisation. At the end of each course, students will prepare a showcase, with the Year 9 students celebrating three years' worth of study with a culminating Performance Plus musical.
This pathway links directly with Years 11 and 12 General subjects Dance and Drama, and Applied subjects Dance in Practice and Drama in Practice. Students in Performance Plus are provided in each year, an opportunity to link with a performer through an Artist in Residence Program. Professional artists from RAW Dance Company and La Boite Theatre Company work with the students in a series of workshops in both dance and drama.
There are many other opportunities with external providers and agencies provided to students in Performance Plus, including but not limited to: Creative Generation (State Schools on Stage), dance competitions, theatre camps and residency activities. The school offers differing events from year to year that students are also able to participate in as active members, including the whole school musical, dance troupes, drama plays and choir. Students are able to engage with real-world opportunities to see live performers and performances as appropriate.