Dance at Brigidine
Brigidine College St Ives has one of the top secondary school Dance programs in Sydney. Our impressive Dance curricular and cocurricular programs consistently achieve outstanding results in both HSC Dance and cocurricular eisteddfods. The College caters to students of all dance abilities, from beginners to elite dancers.
Dance is recognised as a subject area that provides opportunities for students to develop a range of complex skills to equip them with knowledge, resources, confidence and capability for future success.
Some of the essential skills students will utilise in their future careers can be learned through dance:
• critical and creative thinking
• problem solving
• collaboration
• planning and organisation
• project management
• empathy.
Liya Jonker, Year 10
Curricular Dance
Curricular Dance is offered to students in Years 7 to 12. Entry into our new Advanced Dance and Accelerated Dance programs are by audition and are available to Year 7 and Year 9 respectively. Elective Dance is on offer to any student interested in Dance from Years 9 to 12.
Advanced Dance Year 7 and Accelerated Dance Year 9
In 2026, Brigidine College introduced an elite dance program allowing students to undertake Curriculum Dance classes from Year 7 and Year 9:
• Advanced Dance for Years 7-8
• Accelerated Dance for Years 9-10
The Advanced and Accelerated Dance Program is designed to meet the needs of students identified with high potential and talent in the field of dance, offering unique educational opportunities in performance, creative endeavours and studies in dance technique, performance quality, composition and dance appreciation.
Students will be taught specialised dance training, fitness disciplines which may include pilates, yoga, nutrition, anatomy and technique associated with dance performance. They will study a range of dance styles including contemporary, jazz, lyrical, classical ballet, musical theatre, hip hop and cultural styles, and be exposed to alternative dance genres through visiting artists.
Sophie Senanayake, Year 10
They will also have the opportunity to develop compositional skills, practicing the making and developing of movement associated to a specific concept or idea. Performance events will be an integral part of the course.
In 2026 the program is offered in Year 7 (Advanced Dance) and Year 9 (Accelerated Dance).
Application Process for Entry into Advanced Dance and Accelerated Dance
Students who are interested in this program will be selected via application and audition. An Advanced Dance or Accelerated Dance application form must be lodged online via the College website www.brigidine.nsw.edu.au
Students audition when they are in Year 6 for a Year 7 entry and Year 8 for Year 9 entry. Dancers will be notified within one business week of the audition outcomes. Successful applicants will have 14 days to accept the offer including submitting an Enrolment Application.
It is an expectation that students have had significant previous experience in dance, or show a strong aptitude and interest, as well as commitment to the program for at least two years (Years 7 to 8) and (Years 9 to 10).
Girls in the Accelerated Dance class will be covering work in the HSC Preliminary course for Dance. As such, the Accelerated Dance program for Years 9-10 is a pathway for students to complete the HSC Dance course in Year 11.
Greer Woodbury, Year 12
Accelerated HSC Dance Year 11
At Brigidine we are always striving to provide students with opportunities to deepen their learning, challenge themselves and better prepare for the academic demands of senior study. In line with this commitment, we are excited to announce that students who have completed the Accelerated Dance Program for Years 9-10 can sit their HSC examination for Dance in Year 11.
The accelerated HSC Dance course will provide students with a unique academic advantage as they transition into their senior years. By completing an HSC course in Year 11, students will have one less subject to manage in Year 12, allowing them to focus more fully on their other subjects. The transition to senior studies can be challenging for many students due to the increased workload and higher academic expectations. However, with one subject already completed, students will have more flexibility in managing their time and may experience reduced stress levels during their final year.
It also provides an opportunity for students to pursue cocurricular activities or leadership roles without feeling overwhelmed by their academic commitments. This balance between academic success and personal development is something we strongly advocate for and the introduction of accelerated HSC Dance is one way we will be supporting students to achieve it.
This opportunity will be in place from 2028.
Amelia Fitzpatrick, HSC Dance 2023
Elective Dance
Dance is offered as an elective subject for Years 9-10 (Stage 5) and Years 11-12 (Stage 6).
Students study dance as an artform in which the body is the instrument for non-verbal communication and expression. Students develop their theoretical and practical knowledge of dance through the making and performing of the movement and the appreciation of its meaning.
Underpinning the Dance course is the principle that all dancers are unique and this is to be developed and nurtured. In our curriculum Dance classes at Brigidine, we pride ourselves in creating a positive and supportive environment, where the students feel comfortable in sharing ideas, exploring their creativity, and challenging themselves to achieve their best results.
The Dance course teaches vital skills that are important for lifelong learning. It helps develop students into strong, independent, and creative young artists, who are comfortable working in a collaborative environment and can confidently express themselves.
This subject is suited to students who demonstrate skill and commitment in Dance and who wish to be part of a strong, likeminded and passionate group of students. It caters to students seeking to further develop their dance skills and pursue dance in the future, as well as those who wish to gain valuable skills that will support a range of future career pathways.
Sarah Lanyi, Year 12
Selected for CALLBACK
2025 Callback
CALLBACK is an annual showcase presenting a selection of outstanding major works by HSC Dance students in NSW.
In 2025, Brigidine College had two students selected for CALLBACK:
• Sarah Lanyi for her HSC Dance Major Performance
• Georgia McDowell for her HSC Dance Core Performance
Brigidine College also scored a record of 20 nominations for CALLBACK, with all of our Dance students achieving at least one nomination.
Core Performance nominations:
Alisha Cheng
Jessica England
Sarah Lanyi
Cynthia Ma
Georgia McDowell
Emily Moss
Charli Senanayake
Kristen Socrates
Caitlin Wilson
Major Study Performance nominations:
Alisha Cheng
Jessica England
Sarah Lanyi
Georgia McDowell
Core Composition nominations:
Alisha Cheng
Jessica England
Georgia McDowell
Kristen Socrates
Emily Moss
Sabrina Mulhearn
Charli Senanayake
Lauren Watts, Class of 2023
Selected for CALLBACK
Other Recent Highlights in HSC Dance at Brigidine
4th Place in the State for HSC Dance
15 nominations and one selected for CALLBACK
Company Contemporary
“Participating in Cocurricular Dance at Brigidine has been so much fun and a great way to make new friends. Working together on our routine and performing it on stage at the Dance Spectacular have been highlights of my first year at Brigidine.”
Charlie
Bayley
Cocurricular Dance
Cocurricular Dance offers a variety of classes for students from Years 7 to 12 catering to girls of all abilities and interests.
Classes offered at the College include:
• Jazz
• Contemporary
• Hip hop
• Lyrical
• Salsa
• Show Girl
• Musical Theatre
• Technique
Dance Spectacular
Dance Spectacular is the highlight of the year for the entire Cocurricular Dance community at Brigidine College. It brings together more than 250 student performers from Years 7 to 12, across a range of dance styles and forms. Dance Spectacular showcases the incredible talent, dedication, teamwork and learning that has taken place within the Brigidine Dance program each year. Combining movement, artistry and choreographic collaboration, this impressive production is held annually at The Concourse, Chatswood.
“Cocurricular Dance at Brigidine has given me the opportunity to push myself out of my comfort zone and gain new experiences performing and working in a team. I am able to do what I love in a nurturing environment full of supportive teachers and friends.”
Elif Caner
Eisteddfod Performance Teams
All dancers are welcome to audition for places in these troupes. Our eisteddfod dance groups compete at various eisteddfods throughout the year. Auditions take place annually for selections into the following esitdeddfod groups: Company Jazz, Jazz Ensemble, Company Contemporary, Contemporary Ensemble, Company Hip Hop
Culmination of Eisteddfod Results
2025
I’d Rather Be Dancing
1st Place – Company Jazz
1st Place – Company Contemporary
3rd Place – Company Hip Hop
Level Up
1st Place – Company Jazz
1st Place – Company Contemporary
1st Place – Company Hip Hop
2024
Extreme
2nd Place – Company Jazz
3rd Place – Company Contemporary
3rd Place – Contemporary Ensemble
Level Up
1st Place – Company Jazz
1st Place – Company Contemporary
2nd Place – Contemporary Ensemble
2023
I’d Rather Be Dancing
1st Place – Company Jazz
2nd Place – Company Contemporary
Sydney
2nd Place – Company Contemporary
2nd Place – Company Hip Hop
Highly Commended – Company Jazz
“I graduated from Brigidine in 2019 and am currently in my fourth year studying a Bachelor of Law/Science (majoring in Genetics) at UNSW. Studying Dance for my HSC was the best decision as it gave me a creative outlet not offered by the traditional subjects. The skills Dance provides are highly transferable across different fields and it produces well-rounded individuals.
The impromptu discussion requirement in Dance has also given me the ability to confidently present myself and I frequently participate in Law competitions in front of Solicitors, Barristers and Judges. I also regularly use my knowledge of anatomy from Dance in my Science degree.”
JEMIMA BELGER - CLASS OF 2019
Placed 4th in the State for HSC Dance
Brigidine College St Ives is an independent Catholic secondary school for girls located in St Ives on the North Shore of Sydney. The College offers a holistic education which combines the spiritual, academic, physical and cultural dimensions of learning allowing girls to flourish today and beyond their school journey.
With excellent academic results, a high level of achievement in the performing arts and sport and a strong commitment to service, girls at Brigidine are challenged to think and experience beyond their boundaries, to have the courage to question their world and to be strong and sensitive leaders in their own lives and the lives of others.
Our Misson
We inspire our students to value learning, seek wisdom, act with integrity and to honour their spiritual heritage. We challenge young women to act as global citizens, with strength and gentleness in their own lives and the lives of others.
Our Motto
Fortiter et Suaviter
Strength and Gentleness
Find out more
Go to our website to find out more and to book a College Tour. We’d love to show you around! brigidine.nsw.edu.au
