Arts and culture are integral parts of school life. Whether performing or producing art for public performances or exhibitions or simply for personal fulfilment and enjoyment, we believe creativity is vital to education.
Visits to art exhibitions, galleries and theatre performances – as well as hosting performance groups in the school – ensure that students have broad exposure to the arts. On-stage or backstage, there is an arts and culture experience for everyone.
Students can express themselves in music and drama – from Shakespearian productions to barbershop and rock bands.
Kapa Haka is an essential part of the school culture and arts programme, and Waikato Diocesan is committed to mutual enrichment and tangata whenua (people of the land), offering cultural assistance and opportunities for our Maaori students.
School productions highlight the arts calendar, and music, speech and drama lessons are available to all students.
Involvement in the creative and expressive arts, both in the classroom and through the wealth of extracurricular opportunities we provide, helps to boost students’ confidence and self-esteem and is a key element of the special Dio spirit.
Curriculum Arts and Technologies on offer at Dio
Dance (Y9 rotation, Y10/11 full course, Level 2-3 NCEA, Scholarship by negotiation)
Drama (Y9 rotation, Y10/11 full course, Level 2-3 NCEA, Scholarship by negotiation)
Music (Y9 rotation, Y10/11 full course, Level 2-3 NCEA, Scholarship by negotiation)
Visual Art (Y9 rotation, Y10/11 full course, Level 2-3 NCEA)
Design (Level 2-3 NCEA)
Photography (Level 2-3 NCEA)
Design and Visual Communication (Y9 rotation, Y10/11 full course, Level 2-3 NCEA)
Textiles and Design (Y9 rotation, Y10/11 full course, Level 2-3 NCEA)
Food Technology (Y9 rotation, Y10/11 full course, Level 2-3 NCEA)
STEAM Studio (Y9 rotation, Y10/11 full course, Level 2-3 NCEA)
Co-Curricular Arts on offer at Dio
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To find out more about Arts and Culture opportunities at Dio, check out our Co-Curricular Guide
* Students please sign up using your WDSG email address.
2025 School Production - The Prom
Performance Dates
Saturday 5th April 7pm
Sunday 6th April 1pm
Monday 7th April 7pm
Tuesday 8th April 7pm
Held in WDSG's Piki Mahuta Centre (Parking via Martin Street Entrance)
Synopsis
Four eccentric Broadway stars are in desperate need of a new stage. So when they hear that trouble is brewing around a small-town prom, they know that it’s time to put a spotlight on the issue…and themselves. The town’s parents want to keep the high school dance on the straight and narrow—but when one student just wants to bring her girlfriend to prom, the entire town has a date with destiny. On a mission to transform lives, Broadway’s brassiest join forces with a courageous girl and the town’s citizens and the result is love that brings them all together. Winner of the Drama Desk Award for Best Musical, THE PROM expertly captures all the humor and heart of a classic musical comedy with a message that resonates with audiences now more than ever.
Directed by: Ms Lee Armitage
Musical Director: Mrs Maria Colvin
Choreography: Mrs Tanya Gould
Music by: Matthew Sklar
Book by: Bob Martin, Chad Beguelin
Lyrics by: Chad Beguelin
BY ARRANGEMENT WITH ORiGiN™ THEATRICAL
ON BEHALF OF THEATRICAL RIGHTS WORLDWIDE, NEW YORK
www.origintheatrical.com.au
Tickets will be available in March 2025 via Humantix (Run time approx 2 hours and 30 mins, including intermission).
If you have any questions, please contact arts@wdsg.school.nz
Kapa Haka - Te Kaahu Piihopatanga
Incoming students are also welcome to register their interest in joining our Kapa Haka roopuu, Te Kaahu Piihopatanga. They start their year with an overnight noho on 30th and 31st of January 2025, before Term 1 starts.
If you would like to register your interest, please email Ms Faith (Kōka) Tautuhi before 29th November 2024 ftautuhi@wdsg.school.nz
Performing Arts New York Trip 2026 - Relaunch!
Waikato Dio is thrilled to relaunch the New York Performing Arts Trip for April 2026!
We are very excited to now be able to offer this wonderful opportunity to students who will be in years 11-13 in 2026, and who are planning to take a curriculum performing arts subject in 2026 AND/OR students who show significant participation in co-curricular performing arts groups at Dio.
Parents and Caregivers will have received an email about the trip on Monday 25 November 2024 (or see PDF below) but if you would like any futher information please contact arts@wdsg.school.nz in the first instance.
What Our Former Students Say
Arts Honours
Students who receive an “Arts Honour” are clearly recognised as excelling in their area of expertise. The student will consistently display ability, commitment* and service to the school in the selected Arts activity/discipline. They will have shown enthusiasm, outstanding involvement and spirit as a member of an extra-curricular Arts activity and will be role models for the Arts. Out-of-school activities/achievements will be considered, but students MUST be involved in school activities.
The Arts Honours are presented at the Arts Awards evening each year. Junior Honours are awarded based on the same criteria for Years 9 & 10 students.
Due to the nature of arts-related disciplines, students must nominate themselves.
*NB: Attendance and contribution will be checked with the person/teacher in charge of discipline.
Waikato Diocesan School Arts Laureate
2008: Abby Dutton
2009: Nathalie Harrington
2010: Tina Sun
2011: Beth Elder
2012: Gwen Lyon
2013: Kelly Greer
2014: Ruby Lyon
2015: Remy Garrett and Keeha Oh
2016: Katherine Garvey
2017: Olivia Thomas
2018: Matiria Moleni
2019: Kate Seager
2020: Lucy Thomas 2021: Isabella Reid
2022: Alexandra Newman-Jacobs 2023: Julia Sharratt
2024: Ava Germaine
Contacts (Arts and Culture)
OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
Georgina Hewitt-McGrail
Email: arts@wdsg.school.nz
Phone: 07 855 2038 (select option 3)
OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
Anna White
Email: sports@wdsg.school.nz
Phone: 07 855 2038 (select option 3)
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
Maria Colvin
Phone: 07 855 2038
HoD KAUPAPA MAAORI
Faith Tautuhi
Phone: 07 8552038
