Bray Park State High's arts explosion

Bray Park State High School is experiencing what staff are calling an “arts explosion”, with growing student participation driving new subjects, award-winning performance groups and expanded creative opportunities across the school.

Executive Principal Peter Turner says the school’s growth in recent years has allowed the arts faculty to significantly expand both classroom learning and extracurricular opportunities.

“Being able to express yourself creatively and build confidence through the arts is such an important skill for young people into the future.”

The growth has seen the school introduce Media Arts as a new subject, alongside new production equipment, editing labs and dedicated learning spaces inside the school’s upgraded Discovery Centre precinct.

Head of Department – The Arts, Robert Adamson, says students are gaining hands-on experience across filming, editing, sound and production. Students also play a major role in the school's annual RevFest, which transforms the hall into a live lunchtime concert venue across a week in October.

“The event really emulates a live performance environment you’d see at places like QPAC or Suncorp Stadium,” Robert says.

Music programs have also expanded from four ensembles to seven in recent years, with more than 150 students now involved across strings, wind and vocal groups.

The growing music program regularly performs throughout the community, including at Club Pine Rivers’ Dawn Service and Anam Cara Aged Care Home.

Dance has seen significant growth since being introduced three years ago, with Bray Park State High now fielding award-winning dance troupes, including multiple first-place finishes at BPAC Eisteddfods. The school has also launched a new Actors Ensemble. 

Visual arts students are now displaying their work through the newly opened Mango Tree Art Gallery, named after one of the original mango trees from when the site was farmland, featuring specialised lighting and exhibition spaces curated by students.

Peter credits the success to passionate staff, none more so than Head of Department Robert Adamson, who has led the arts faculty for more than 20 years. 

"These opportunities happen because of passionate staff who genuinely care about giving students creative outlets beyond the classroom," he says.

Inside the arts boom

• New Media Arts subject introduced

• 7 music ensembles now operating across the school

• More than 150 students involved in music programs

• Choir performances supporting the local community

• 25 students part of the Tech Crew

• Award-winning dance troupes competing across South East Queensland

• New Actors Ensemble launched in 2025

• Mango Tree Art Gallery showcasing student artwork

Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Bray Park State High School and proudly endorsed by Moreton Daily. Thank you for supporting the sponsors who make Moreton Daily possible. Read more about Bray Park here.