About the CAPA Program

The CAPA Program is a dynamic program designed for Year 7 and 8 students who demonstrate a passion for the creative arts. This course encompasses the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) syllabus content for Drama, Music, Dance and Visual Arts, offering students a combined creative arts experience.

From Year 8 onwards, students can continue to explore and develop their creative arts interest in elective courses. In the CAPA class, students will engage in a diverse range of classroom experiences and extracurricular activities, including public performances, workshops, and mentoring from specialist teachers.

It is intended, as part of the learning philosophy around this program, that students will participate in a CAPA Challenge Day each year and Year 7 students will complete a unit of work on a CAPA Project.

If accepted into the program, students are required to participate in at least ONE co-curricular activity offered by the school, held before school and during breaks:

• Concert Band
• Vocal Ensemble
• Art Ensemble
• Drama Ensemble
• Dance Ensemble
• Rock Band

Additional opportunities: Students will have the opportunity to participate in a range of workshops within their chosen area throughout the school year, such as:

• Star Struck: Drama/Choir/Dance
• Theatre Sports
• Bandfest
• Annual Excursion to Sydney to see a Musical and participate in a workshop in their chosen area.

Jesmond Senior Campus - Year 11 and 12

Students move to Callaghan College Jesmond Senior Campus which has state-of-the-art CAPA facilities. These include an auditorium with professional sound and lighting, a recording studio, individual soundproof rehearsal rooms, mirrored dance studio, drama theatre and more.

ROUND 2 Applications now open - video submission only

Round 2 Applications Year 7 2027 NOW OPEN - Click here

ALL APPLICANTS

VIDEO AUDITION: Each student will INDIVIDUALLY need to record a 3 - 4 minute piece in their main focus area.

Students should prepare a performance or a collection of art pieces to film. The main focus area that will be selected on your application form is the area you will need to video: dance, drama, music or visual arts. This is to be prepared and rehearsed prior to the submission of you’re application form.

Within the chosen area students are to demonstrate their technical skill, expression and stylistic understanding.

Specific information for each focus area can be found below.

• DANCE: Record a 3 - 4 minute dance that demonstrates your technical skill, expression and stylistic understanding of your chosen area of dance. The dance must show sections that the student has choreographed.
• DRAMA: Record a 3 - 4 minute scripted monologue of student's own choosing. No poetry or self-written scripts. Students may use props.
• MUSIC: Record a piece of music no longer than 4 minutes that demonstrates both your technical ability and expression.
• VISUAL ART: Record a 3–4 minute presentation showcasing four original artworks that you have created, two of these artworks must have been created at home, the others may have been compiled from work that they completed at home, school or any extra-curricular activity they have participated in. Discuss each artwork, including your ideas and inspiration, the materials and techniques you used, and the creative process you followed. Your presentation should demonstrate your artistic skills, creativity and understanding of visual arts.

The video should be recorded in HD at 30 FPS and less than 40mb in size. Make sure the title of your video is the student name and area of application (e.g. Dance, Drama, Music or Visual Arts)

Upload the video to Google Drive - instructions below

• Once the upload is complete, right click the video file and select 'Share'
• Under 'General Access', click the current setting, such as 'Restricted'
• Select 'Anyone with the Link'
• Make sure the access level on the right is set to 'Viewer'.
• Click 'Copy Link'
• Paste the link into the audition submission form where requested.

SCHOOL REPORT

• Upload your most recent school report where requested in the form

VISUAL ART ONLY

• ARTWORK: Scan and upload four of the artworks that were featured in your artwork presentation video where requested in the form

If you are unable to upload your video to Google Drive you may save it on a USB Thumb Drive and drop off at our Administration Office by the date below. The online form must be completed regardless of how your video is submitted.

Wednesday 9 September 2026: Online form CLOSES at 11.59pm

CAPA Application Timeline for Year 7 2027

It is important that you keep your phone number, email and postal address up to date with your primary school. We also advise that if you change your email address, to notify us as well.