Director of Cultural Activities: Mr Riccardo Massari
Email: r.massari@kingscollege.school.nz

The College philosophy has at its heart the concept of providing our students with a 'balanced education'. To this end our students not only take part in academic, sporting and community service activities, but they are also encouraged to participate in a wide variety of cultural activities. In this way,students are exposed as artists, as well as, spectators to the visual and performing arts thus enhancing appreciation and hopefully helping each student reach personal fulfillment.

Cultural activities fall into three broad areas namely music, drama and the visual arts and are a mix of the academic curriculum and extra curricular activities.

The Director of Music runs a thriving Music School situated at the end of the drive and the exciting Visual Arts programme is directed by the Head of Art in the Arts Building opposite the main quad. Both the aforementioned programmes expose our students to the pleasures of their respective art forms.

Drama is offered in the form of three groups operating out of the Great Hall at various times of the year. From 2010, The Glee Club produces a musical at the end of Term 2, Senior Drama at the end of Term 1 and Junior Drama at the end of Term 3. The drama productions are normally directed by guest directors sourced outside of the College. King’s offers Dance along with Speech and Drama lessons, which are conducted on a private basis and they augment the College’s dramatic opportunities.

The House Music competition is a wonderful opportunity for all College students to participate in a cultural competition. The trophies for 'Big House' and 'Small House' are competed for in an enthusiastic manner. The event has become so popular of late, that it has been moved from our Great Hall to a public stadium.

The Kapa Haka group is a wonderful opportunity for our students to explore their indigenous heritage. Membership of this group is drawn from a wide range of cultural backgrounds.

We are very fortunate in having created an ethos at the College where participation in the various cultural activities is seen by students as not only an important part of their education, but also a real opportunity for them to enjoy and excel in a different area of endeavour .The introduction of the Merritt Shield has also provided each student with an opportunity to gain points for their House by participating in various cultural opportunities.

A student cultural co ordinator and a student arts committee taps into the needs of students and keeps the student body informed of the variety of activities happening around the College. A thriving residency programme in the arts and regular lunch time concerts for the arts ensures that our students are exposed to cultural enrichment, skills development and creative self-expression.

We pride ourselves on the high standards reached in the arts at the College and take pleasure in the fact that a growing number of students go out into the world wanting to explore further career options as visual artists, actors, singers, musicians and technicians.