Welcome to Specialist learning areas
At Moerlina, specialist learning opens up different ways for children to think, create, communicate, and understand the world. Visual Arts, Dance and Drama, Music, Chinese, and Physical Education are not simply additional subjects; they develop capabilities that enrich learning across the curriculum and contribute to the whole child. Through expert teaching and purposeful experiences, students are encouraged to explore new possibilities, develop confidence, and discover ways of expressing themselves that extend beyond the traditional classroom.
Visual Arts
Creativity is as important as literacy. — Sir Ken Robinson
At Moerlina, Visual Arts goes beyond technique to explore ideas, imagination, process, and personal meaning. Children are encouraged to follow their curiosity, develop their own perspectives, and shape projects through their ideas. Working in small classes, students build artistic skills and creative confidence while learning to take risks, reflect, and respond to constructive feedback. Art is often connected to broader inquiries, creating opportunities for cross-disciplinary exploration and helping children develop a distinctive artistic voice.
Chinese
Learning another language opens children to new ways of thinking, communicating, and understanding the world. At Moerlina, Mandarin is introduced in Years 3–6 through an engaging program that builds curiosity, confidence, and an appreciation of Chinese language and culture. Through conversation, games, music, film, and meaningful repetition, students develop foundational language skills while strengthening cognitive flexibility and communication. Chinese is more than learning another language; it is an opportunity to broaden perspectives and connect with a wider world.
Physical Education
At Moerlina, movement is understood as an important part of how children learn, develop, and connect with the world. Physical Education builds more than physical skills; it develops coordination, spatial awareness, confidence, collaboration, and an understanding of the body through purposeful movement and play. As children grow, experiences become increasingly complex, introducing games, strategy, rhythm, and collaborative challenges. Across all year levels, the gym, playground, and natural environment become spaces for exploration, interaction, and embodied learning.
Dance and Drama
At Moerlina, Dance and Drama are about much more than performance. Led by ourspecialist teacher, children are encouraged to move, imagine, create and express themselves in an environment where participation matters more than perfection.
Through games, movement, improvisation and performance, children learn to work as a team, take creative risks and find the courage to step beyond their comfort zone. They learn that being brave doesn’t mean feeling fearless — it means having a go anyway.
Dance and Drama build confidence, resilience and connection, while giving every child opportunities to discover the joy of creative expression.
Music
Music at Moerlina is joyful, active and shared. Through our fortnightly specialist music sessions, children explore rhythm, melody, singing, movement, listening and music-making together.
Along the way, they develop much more than musical skills. Music strengthens memory and concentration, builds confidence and creativity, and teaches children to listen closely and respond to others. Making music together also requires cooperation, persistence and the confidence to contribute as part of a group.
Our aim is for every child to see themselves as musical — to participate, experiment, create and experience the simple pleasure of making music with others.
“There is a gentle ‘hum’ of energy at Moerlina. Children laughing, creating, playing and learning all in one. It’s a place where everyone is encouraged to be their true selves and can flourish without limits.”
Art Specialist Teacher