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
Our 2025 School production of "The Prom" in April 2025 was a roaring success with over 98% of seats sold.
Many thanks to the wonderful cast, crew, musicians, staff, and also the parents/caregivers who played taxi drivers. And of course many thanks to our wonderful supportive audience.
If you have any messages you would like to pass onto the creative team or cast, please email arts@wdsg.school.nz





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)
DIRECTOR OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR
Darlene Karena |
Email: sports@wdsg.school.nz |
Phone: 07 981 5562 |
Mobile: 021 521 503 |
OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
Anna White
Email: sports@wdsg.school.nz
Phone: 07 855 2038 (select option 3)
OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
Georgina Hewitt-McGrail
Email: arts@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