The focus of HSPA is the pursuit of excellence in all areas, within a caring and creative environment that provides for the best educational outcomes for all students. The school promotes and caters for students talented in the performing arts. Enrolment is by audition only.
Facilities: Two drama studios, two dance studios, well-equipped information centre, computer rooms and computer labs, band centre, darkroom, music centre, dance centre, sound recording and audio visual recording studios and specialist rooms for all core curriculum subjects. The school has a newly constructed 380-seat, fully equipped state-of-the-art theatre performance facility. This centre has a full auditorium, fly tower, recording studio and associated rehearsal rooms.
Electives Years 7 to 10: Dance, Drama, Music, Theatre Arts, Photography, Visual Arts, Computing Studies, Italian, Japanese, all other traditional subjects. All students are required to follow through with their auditioned performing arts electives throughout Years 7 to 10.
Electives Years 11 and 12: The usual range of NSW Board-developed courses is offered. Entertainment Industry Training and Music Industry Training are also offered to Cert III level and provide accreditation in the arts, sound and lighting and stage management. Other courses in the VET frameworks and TAFE courses are also available. The school is also part of the Newcastle Trade Training Centre and has a fully equipped commercial kitchen.
Sport: Most traditional sports and many recreational sports. Performing arts activities are also offered.
Extracurricular activities: The school has dance, drama and music ensembles; bands; major whole-school productions; and outstandingly successful national, state and regional performing arts competitions. Also, there’s debating, public speaking and Mock Trial.
Welfare and personal development: The school has a very active SRC, a peer support program geared to the special needs of students coming from as many as 80 primary schools, peer mediation, a learning support team and a strong student welfare network. All students are expected to wear the school uniform.
Special features: The school is unique in NSW as a fully performing arts school for Years 2 to 12, with enrolment by audition only.