Drama
At Mountainview High School, Drama courses from Years 9–13 provide students with opportunities to develop confidence, creativity, and collaboration through performance and theatre-making. Drama offers a supportive and inclusive environment where students can express and refine ideas in a safe space, building a strong sense of belonging, identity, and student ownership. Through practical performance work, students develop communication skills, teamwork, and the ability to think critically and creatively. Senior Drama pathways through NCEA allow students to specialise and extend their skills in performance, devising, and production. These courses open pathways into vocational training and tertiary study, as well as careers in theatre, film, television, and other creative industries.
Music
Year 9-13 courses in Music allow students to create and perform music that comes from their own personal experience. Music students are encouraged to express ideas, share and collaborate, and develop leadership qualities. In composition, performance or musical appreciation students are given the opportunity to explore their own creativity. Rich opportunities to practice music are integral to learning at Mountainview High School. Musicals, concerts, Junior and Senior productions, solos, Jazz Band, Rock Bands, School Trips - Mountainview Music can do it all! Pathways through national qualifications (NCEA) in Music lead to vocational and tertiary opportunities.
Musical Performance (MPR)
An exhilarating journey through the world of musical theatre, where students are invited to immerse themselves in every facet of performance magic. From mastering the art of lighting and sound; to unleashing the full spectrum of acting, dance, singing, and costume design, this class promises to ignite passion and creativity in every aspiring performer. Prepare to be swept away by the rhythm of the music, the allure of the stage, and the transformative power of storytelling. Whether you’re a seasoned performer or a newcomer to the world of musical theatre, this Mountainview High School course is your ticket to unlocking your full potential and shining bright in the limelight. This class allows students to follow their passions, on stage, in the orchestra, in production roles, and in tech (lighting and sound).
Visual Art
At Mountainview High School, Visual Art offers students from Years 9–13 opportunities to explore creativity, develop practical skills, and express ideas through a range of artistic processes. Students create work using drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, and digital media, working with tools and materials such as pencils, inks, acrylic paints, lino printing, cameras, and digital platforms. They develop both technical skills and creative thinking while exploring a range of traditional and contemporary art practices. Visual Art also builds understanding and appreciation of fine art, its histories, and its role in today’s world. Through NCEA pathways, students can specialise in Visual Art at senior levels, building portfolios that support further study and careers in creative industries such as design, photography, animation, and fine arts.
Jazz Band
The Mountainview High School Jazz Band is an extracurricular group that all students at Mountainview are welcome to join. Whether a beginner or a more advanced musician the Jazz Band is for you. The group practices weekly at lunchtime. During the year the Jazz Band plays at a variety of community and in school events. These include Mayoral Receptions, MVHS Concerts, visits to local primary schools and community concerts. A big highlight of the year is the annual Jazz Band Tour. This sees the band touring around a variety of regions performing concerts. Recent destinations include Central Otago, Bank Peninsula, Nelson, Catlins and the Fiordland. This is an amazing opportunity for music students to develop their performing skills!
Musical Instrument Lessons
Mountainview High School is part of the Itinerant Music Scheme. This programme sees specialist tutors coming into MVHS weekly to give students lessons on specific instruments during the school day. These include brass (eg. trumpet, trombone), woodwind (eg. clarinet, flute, saxophone), strings (violin, viola, cello), guitar, bass guitar, drums and piano. High school is a great time to give a musical instrument a go!