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In this episode, Creative Arts curriculum advisor Alex Papasavvas speaks with teachers Anni Gifford and Miriam O’Rance from James Fallon High School, ex-student Shanaya Quinn, and Duncan Smith OAM and Jakida Smith from Wiradjuri Echoes Consultancy. Listen to a deep discussion about how the school worked with Wiradjuri Echoes to establish Maliyan Mob, a student-led Aboriginal dance group, and the Cultural Protocols developed and followed throughout this successful long-term partnership. Note: Throughout this podcast terms such as First Nations or Indigenous are used. In NSW public schools, 'Aboriginal' or 'Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander' are preferred. This podcast contains the name of a deceased person. To learn more, visit our resource Cultural Protocols and practices in Creative Arts or join the Creative Arts statewide staffroom.

In this episode, Creative arts curriculum advisor Jackie King and Aboriginal Education Advisor Dominique Higgins are joined by Barkindji Song Woman Nancy Bates to discuss her song "I Belong: As I Walk on My Country" which is the first song to be studied in the Stage 4 unit Bigger than the song. The discussion reveals the story behind the song, and also the permissions and protocols Nancy would like teachers and students to consider when engaging with her song in the classroom.   The Bigger than the song unit will be published on the Department’s Music 7-10 website in 2026.   Note: Throughout this podcast terms such as First Nations or Indigenous are used. In NSW public schools, 'Aboriginal' or 'Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander' are preferred. 

In this episode, Creative arts curriculum advisor Jackie King and Aboriginal Education Advisor Dominique Higgins are joined by Dharug Knowledge Holders Jasmine Seymour and Debbie Smith from the Bayala Aboriginal Corporation.  They are actively involved in Dharug language research, curriculum development, community teaching, and the broader revitalisation movement, with work grounded in cultural responsibility, community authority, and the collective care required to ensure Dharug continues to grow for future generations.   Their songs “Yanma Ngurrawa” and “Ngarra Badhu,” are included in the Stage 4 unit Bigger than the song and we discuss the Language, story, protocols and permissions for teachers and students to learn these songs.    Bigger than the song unit will be published on the Department’s Music 7-10 website in 2026.    Note: Throughout this podcast terms such as First Nations or Indigenous are used. In NSW public schools, 'Aboriginal' or 'Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander' are preferred. 

In this episode, Creative arts curriculum advisor Jackie King and Aboriginal Education Advisor Dominique Higgins are joined by Gumbaynggirr, Yamatji and Noongar singer and songwriter, Emma Donovan to discuss her songs ‘Warrell Creek’ and ‘Mob March’ which are to be studied in the Stage 4 unit Bigger than the song. The discussion reveals the story behind the songs and Emma’s collaboration with The Putbacks, and also the permissions and protocols Emma would like teachers and students to consider when engaging with her songs in the classroom.   Bigger than the song unit will be published on the Department’s Music 7-10 website in 2026.   Note: Throughout this podcast terms such as First Nations or Indigenous are used. In NSW public schools, 'Aboriginal' or 'Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander' are preferred. 

In this episode, Creative arts curriculum advisor Jackie King and Aboriginal Education Advisor Dominique Higgins are joined by Dr Aunty Jacinta Tobin who is a proud Dharug descendant of mixed heritage. In the Stage 4 unit Bigger than the Song, students will investigate Jacinta’s work with The Preatures on the song Yanada and explore the process of their collaboration. This discussion unpacks Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP) and the importance of following Cultural protocols and seeking permissions when engaging with Aboriginal Language and story.    Bigger than the song unit will be published on the Department’s Music 7-10 website in 2026.    Note: Throughout this podcast terms such as First Nations or Indigenous are used. In NSW public schools, 'Aboriginal' or 'Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander' are preferred. 

In this episode, designer and drama teacher, Judith Hoddinott, shares her deep knowledge and extensive experience of the plays on the text list for Individual Projects in the 2025–2027 HSC Drama Course Prescriptions, in conversation with Creative Arts advisor, Angus Lamb. 

In this episode, Tahnae Luke speaks with Sam Foster and Hayden Jones, the founders of Shock Therapy Arts, about the company's approach to devising that uses “epic values to engage, provoke, inspire, and connect”. Listen to a dynamic discussion about their process as they detail how they bring an idea from a conversation to a fully formed show.

In this episode, Creative arts advisor Alison Tenorio speaks with Sydney composer Ella Macens and Queensland-based performers Louise King, Therese Milanovic, and Christa Powell from Muses Trio. Listen to this episode to explore the perspectives of the composer and the performer through Ella's piece 'Eternity', Movement II from The Brightest Star in the Night. This episode supports the Stage 5 Music unit, Music of our solar system.    Biographies:  Ella Macens is one of Australia's most celebrated young composers, drawing upon elements of her Latvian heritage and fusing these with her love of popular and classical music. Her language is rooted in a deeply evocative and sensitive musical aesthetic, for which she is becoming well-known in Australia and beyond. She has been commissioned by prominent ensembles, including the Sydney and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras, and has worked with various choirs and chamber groups around the world. Ella holds a Masters degree in Composition from the Sydney Conservatorium, which she completed under the guidance of Professor Matthew Hindson AM. Her accolades include the Frank Hutchens Scholarship for Composition and the Fine Music FM Young Composer Award, and in 2023 she was a finalist in the Australian Art Music Awards. Ella has participated in prestigious programs like the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Composing Women program and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra Australian Composers' School. Ella is also a dedicated music educator and holds the position of Associate Lecturer in Composition at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.    Louise King, cellist of Muses Trio, is the Artistic Director of Cello Dreaming, where she teaches, produces concerts, and mentors young musicians. She serves as Music Director for the Southern Cross Soloists Winter Music School and tutors for the Australian and Queensland Youth Orchestras. After moving to Australia in 2003, Louise became a freelance musician, performing with a range of orchestras and chamber ensembles. She also collaborates with singer-songwriters like Katie Noonan and international artists such as Il Divo and Josh Groban and creates new works with composers, choreographers, and artists.    Therese Milanovic is the pianist for Muses Trio and a dedicated performer, educator, and advocate for musicians’ health. After overcoming a decade of playing-related injuries through the Taubman Approach, she became Australia's first Taubman Instructor and is now its most experienced teacher. Therese promotes injury prevention and rehabilitation, offering online learning, consultations, and workshops for music educators. As a performer, she collaborates with musicians, has worked with Topology, and has performed internationally. She also focuses on chamber music, promoting lesser-known repertoire, particularly new works and compositions by women.    Christa Powell is as comfortable in the theatre pit as she is in character wardrobe on stage, or playing choreographed violin solos for the many dance companies she collaborates with. She excels in diverse settings, from orchestras to playing with Led Zeppelin and performing solo violin in Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre. As a founding member and creative director of Topology, one of Australia’s leading creative arts organisations, she created the award-winning Top Up program. Christa is a highly respected performance artist, violinist, and session musician and when she is not playing with Topology or for theatre, she performs a wide range of contemporary chamber music, her long-held passion.

In this episode, Tahnae Luke speaks with Adriane Daff, one of the core artists of The Last Great Hunt, about the company's approach to devising that aims to create “rigorous, relevant and engaging original theatre”. Listen to an insightful discussion about the collaborative processes used by their non-hierarchical company.

In this episode Creative Arts Curriculum Officer, Eleisha Taylor, speaks with Tamara Mitchell about Major study appreciation. Listen to an insightful discussion that unpacks this major study option and details approaches to teaching the content that aims to optimise student success.

In this episode, Carolyn Mattick speaks with Emily Ayoub, artistic director of Clockfire Theatre, about the company's approach to creating highly visual and physical performance works through a process of collaborative play. Listen to an insightful discussion that unlocks the devising processes (influenced by Emily's training at the Jacques Lecoq Theatre School) used by the ensemble to create original devised theatre. NSW DoE teachers can join the Statewide Staffroom through https://bit.ly/creativeartsSWSR

In this episode, Creative Arts Curriculum Officer Eleisha Taylor speaks with Shea Atchison from Orange High School and former student Zara Dimmock from Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College about the dance interview. Listen to the way Shea approaches the teaching, learning and assessment of the interview in her classroom practices and how Zara prepared for the interview throughout her HSC year and the support this understanding has provided in her budding professional dance career. NSW DoE teachers can join the Statewide Staffroom through https://bit.ly/creativeartsSWSR

In this episode, creative arts curriculum officer Helen Yip speaks with Louise Halpin from the Art Gallery of New South Wales about unlocking students' practice in visual arts. As an experienced educator and curator of the ARTEXPRESS 2022 exhibition, Louise shares her expertise and insights into how visual arts teachers can use the exhibition as a learning tool to unlock students' artmaking process, with a focus on the HSC body of work. NSW DoE teachers can join the Statewide Staffroom through https://bit.ly/creativeartsSWSR

In this episode, Music 1 HSC Strategy Stage 6 Curriculum Advisor Alex Manton speaks with Australian composers Holly Harrison and Jessica Wells about two of their works performed by Australia's leading art music ensemble, 'Ensemble Offspring'. Also joining the discussion is the Artistic Director and percussionist of Ensemble Offspring, Claire Edwardes. Listen to an insightful discussion that unlocks the compositional process used in two Australian music compositions of the last 25 years through the composer and performer lens. NSW DoE teachers can join the Statewide Staffroom through https://bit.ly/creativeartsSWSR Music teaching resources can be found on the Creative Arts Curriculum website https://bit.ly/CACurriculum Guest bios Holly Harrison is a composer, educator and drummer from Western Sydney whose music explores the juxtaposition of styles and genres. Holly specialises in music for wind band, orchestra and chamber ensembles. Jessica Wells has obtained a Master of Music in composition from the Sydney Conservatorium and a Master of Arts in Screen Composition from AFTRS. Her career has blossomed as a composer, orchestrator, and arranger for concerts, films, theatre and album recordings. Jess’ concert works range from solo harp through to full symphony orchestra. Claire Edwardes has performed on the set of Play School to the mainstage at the Sydney Opera House, and has been coined ‘the sorceress of percussion’ (City News, Canberra). She is the only Australian to win the 'APRA Art Music Award for Excellence by an Individual' three times and is the recent recipient of an Order of Australia. Claire leaps between her role as Artistic Director of Ensemble Offspring and concerto performances with all of the Australian and New Zealand orchestras plus numerous European orchestras.

In this episode, Creative Arts Project Advisor Jackie King speaks with Lindfield Learning Village's Deputy Principals Amy Murphy and Shae Dunbar about inspiring mastery in the creative arts. Listen to an insightful discussion unpacking the assessment of mastery in the creative arts and building a culture of collaboration through trans disciplinary learning. NSW DoE teachers can join the Statewide Staffroom through https://bit.ly/creativeartsSWSR