Learning For Life Programme

Discover Westwood Secondary's Arts for Life! programme, which nurtures students' talents in performing and visual arts through DSA. Find out the selection criteria and how to apply.

Last updated 6 July 2026

Westwood Distinctive Programmes	Learning For Life Programme Arts For Life!
About	Our "Arts for Life!" programme is designed to foster creative excellence and inspire a lifelong passion for the arts among students. Through a range of performing and visual art activities, students can develop their skills and express themselves creatively while building confidence and a sense of community. Westwood’s “Arts for Life!” programme for DSA 2025 involves the following specific art forms: (i) PERFORMING ARTS Concert Band Choir Modern Dance English Drama Guitar Ensemble (ii) VISUAL ART 2D & 3D Studies Ceramics Drawing Painting
Development	School representation in public showcasing, exhibitions, and external competitions Participate in masterclasses and mentoring programmes by experts in their field and gain valuable insights Collaborate with local artists and art organizations to create community projects and engage with the public through the arts Exposure through overseas learning journeys to immerse in different cultures and art forms
Desired Outcomes	Through 3-4 years of active participation in the opportunities and experiences provided by the school, Westwood’s DSA students will become active citizens who are passionate about making a difference to society and/or bringing Arts to the community, and who have the skills and aptitude to create that impact.
Selection Criteria	Prospective students who are selected based on their talents relevant to a particular aesthetic CCA are expected to join the CCA throughout their 4 or 5-year education in Westwood. Candidates must have achieved at least one of the following: Minimum 1 year of participation in the specified art form in their primary school or external agencies Attained good achievements in the specified art form at local/national competitions such as Singapore Youth Festival or certificates such as from ABRSM Prior experience in leading, competing or performing at local or international competitions / performances involving the specified art form In addition, good character report (eg. conduct and remarks in school report book)

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Learning for Life Programme (Arts for Life!)

Applications who apply for DSA in Westwood’s Learning for Life Programme (Arts for Life!) will have to go through an audition in the specific art form via an in-person audition.
Applicants will need to be present for the audition. The school will only consider re-scheduling the in-person audition for applicants who are unwell.

Concert Band

Email the Teacher-in-charge, Mdm Tang Tai-Chi (tang_tai-chi@moe.edu.sg) at least three days in advance of the audition with the following information:
- The candidate's instrument of choice
- The music piece the candidate will perform during the audition
- A copy of the music score for the prepared piece
During the audition, candidates may be asked to play a portion of their prepared piece
Sight-reading exercises will be administered.
Candidates are to bring their own instrument for the audition

Modern Dance

Candidates to put up a 1-minute dance item with music, preferably from the competition or performance they had performed previously
Candidates would be required to learn a simple routine from the audition Panel and thereafter perform on the spot
Candidates would be required to improvise a freestyle dance performance for 30 seconds

Choir

Candidates would be expected to sing a song of their choice during the audition, preferably one that they have previously performed in a competition or public performance. They are strongly encouraged to sing with the backing track of the song (commonly known as “minus one”) on audition day
Candidates might be asked to sing only part of the song during the audition
Basic aural and vocal range tests will be administered
Candidates would be expected to learn a simple excerpt from the audition Panel and thereafter perform on the spot

Guitar Ensemble

Candidates to play one music piece of their choice for the audition, preferably from the competition or performance they had performed previously
Candidates might be asked to play only part of the prepared piece during the audition
Sight-reading exercises will be administered
Candidates are to prepare their own guitar for the audition

English Drama

Candidates to deliver a monologue that showcases their own script, which should last between 3 to 5 minutes
Candidates would be required to improvise a scene using provided item
Candidates would be expected to have a dialogue scene with a Drama Student

Visual Arts

Before the audition, candidates are required to submit a portfolio by email to the Teacher-in-charge, Mdm Tang Tai-Chi (tang_tai-chi@moe.edu.sg). The portfolio must be submitted no later than 10 July 2026
The portfolio should include a write-up and introduction of the candidate's art abilities. Additionally, candidates should describe their submitted artworks and explain if the works are their achievements or enhancements from other sources
Shortlisted portfolios would be granted an audition which would be held in either July or early August 2026
Candidates would be expected to draw a still-life object given by the Panel during the audition