7–10Dance 7–10 Syllabus (2023)

The Dance 7–10 Syllabus includes 4 elective courses:

• Dance 200-hour elective
• Dance 100-hour elective
• Dance Life Skills 200-hour elective
• Dance Life Skills 100-hour elective.

Students may commence the elective study of Dance at different points across 7–10.

The Dance 7–10 Syllabus develops students’ knowledge, understanding and skills in the essential practices of Performance, Composition and Appreciation. Dance supports the physical, creative and intellectual development of students and provides the means for them to express and communicate ideas through dance. Founded on artistic and aesthetic principles, the syllabus places value on the art form and dance in cultural, social and personal contexts.

Students study performance, composition and appreciation to develop knowledge and understanding about how dance communicates ideas. They gain insights into the significance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance, and the multicultural dance heritage of Australia, deepening their awareness of culture, society and diverse perspectives.

Students demonstrate the application of dance technique to communicate intent across different styles and contexts. They show safe dance practice and dance technique in preparing the body to express and communicate an intent. They manipulate the elements of dance to demonstrate performance quality and interpretation in context.

Students take on the role of a composer and they create and structure movement to communicate an idea and intent. In response to different stimuli, students build a personalised movement vocabulary and structure the elements of dance to communicate a specific idea and intent. Students assume the responsibilities of a viewer and they describe, analyse and make informed judgments about dance works. They investigate and explain how social, cultural and historical factors shape the development of dance and evaluate dance works based on context, the elements of dance, the dancing body and theatrical elements.

Safety and risk management

Schools are required to ensure they follow Loading  in delivering the Dance 7–10 Syllabus.

For Dance Life Skills:

• Students are required to demonstrate achievement of one or more Dance 7–10 Life Skills outcomes.
• Outcomes and content should be selected to meet the particular needs of individual students.
• The focus areas provide possible frameworks for addressing the Dance 7–10 Life Skills outcomes and content and are suggestions only. Teachers have the flexibility to select, group and sequence outcomes and content to meet the needs, strengths, goals, interests and prior learning of their students.
• Students should have the opportunity to engage in the practices of Performance, Composition and Appreciation as appropriate to their needs, interests and abilities.