Arts & Culture
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.
New Students
Dio has a significant number of Extra-curricular arts activities in which our students can be involved.
Performance Enrolment Form
Enrol now for 2026 performance lessons, with limited spaces available.
Guide
This booklet is issued to students to allow them to read it through carefully to get an overall idea of all the activities on offer at Dio in the Arts.
Curriculum Arts & Technologies On Offer
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
Pixie Kickers (Guitar Ensemble)
Jazz Band
Orchestra
Worship Band
Barbershop
Cantiamo Choir
Auditioned Choir (Bel Suono Choir)
Dance Groups
Drama Productions
Sheilah Winn Shakespeare
Theatre Sports
Debating
Kapa Haka
Library Helpers
Techy Angels
NOISE Student Magazine
Philosophy and Ethics Club
Performance Lessons and Instrumental Music Groups
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 ProductionThe 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 on to 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
- 2025 Isla Bibby and Imbi Crossland
Contacts
Director of Extra-curricular
Darlene Karena
Email: sports@wdsg.school.nz
Phone: 07 981 5562
Mobile: 021 521 503
Extra-Curricular Coordinator
Anna White
Email: sports@wdsg.school.nz
Phone: 07 855 2038 (select option 3)
Extra-Curricular Coordinator
Georgina Hewitt-McGrail
Email: arts@wdsg.school.nz
Phone: 07 855 2038 (select option 3)
Extra-Curricular Coordinator
Jacqui Sutton
Email: sports@wdsg.school.nz
Phone: 07 855 2038 (select option 3)