Ease of Restrictions

It has been wonderful this week to share the easing of Government restrictions with you and start opening up our school to have parents back on site to build our community connections.

I would like to thank you all for your understanding and compliance with everything we have asked of you, including the hygiene and social distancing guidelines. It makes our school run so smoothly and efficiently when we all work together like we have, for the best outcome of our students.

As communicated last week, parents are now allowed back on site to pick up and drop off children. We know so many of you have developed efficient COVID safe drop off and pick up routines, through the pandemic. If this still works best for you, this also assists us in maintaining the ratio of adults on site and maintaining social distancing guidelines. This has been a great learning opportunity for your children, in which they have excelled in, by sensibly coming into the school playground in the morning and meeting you of an afternoon independently.

If you do need to contact the school for any reason, please remember this can be done through the school email, SZapp, phone call or a message to your child's teacher through their communication folder.

All parent and teacher meetings do need to be pre-scheduled and follow official Department sign in procedures in the office.

Parent Volunteers

Historically in grades K-2, we have always welcomed parent volunteers into the classroom and on excursions to assist in learning and build a strong connection between school and home. Now that restrictions are eased, communication will be coming home, explaining the volunteer role and providing an opportunity for parents to nominate times they are available. Teachers will then send out via the class parent a parent volunteer roster. When you are scheduled to volunteer in the school, please ensure you stop at the office first and follow the appropriate sign in procedures. We are looking forward to having you back in the classrooms soon!

Good luck Ms Wheatley

Ms Wheatley has been working at Artarmon PS in our admin team since 2014 and for the past 18 months has relieved as our School Administration Manager (SAM). From next week Ms Wheatley will be taking on a new challenge as relieving SAM at Umina Beach PS on the Central Coast. Ms Wheatley has been an integral part of our team here for a number of years and has done an outstanding job. We wish her all the best in her new adventures.

As of next week, both of our Mrs Cameron's will be relieving in the SAM position and Ms Fitzsimons will be working in the office.

Class Parents

This week information will be coming home to you via your children relating to class parents. We ask that you fill in the form and return it to the class parent or classroom teacher so that they can compile their list of contacts for the class, and start organising some events and necessary communication.

Student Reports

Each semester, teachers use significant assessment data to develop and report on your child's learning based on syllabus outcomes. These reports take a considerable amount of time to put together and are sent to you, for you to keep and store in a safe place as a record of your child's progress. The admin staff are unable to continue to resend reports or find past years reports, in the case of them being lost at home. Please remember to put these reports in a safe place each time you receive them as they may be needed from time to time.

Zone Swimming Carnival 

Good luck to those swimmers representing our school at the North Shore Zone Swimming Carnival on Friday. We have had communication from the Zone Carnival Convenor regarding parent attendance and unfortunately they are unable to open the carnival up to parents to attend as they had already put in place their COVID safe plan and need to adhere to the pools guidelines. We will have a teacher from Artarmon managing the students in the stand.

Thank you to Ms Wyllie for all her organisation.

Student Representative Council (SRC) is a group of students elected by their fellow students to represent all students in the school. SRC representatives take on the responsibility to represent their class at SRC meetings by actively taking notes and then reporting back to their class. The SRC promotes, plans, implements and supports SRC initiatives and fundraising days.

Congratulations to the following students who were nominated and elected by their peers.

Strings news

Strings parents, please inform the corresponding Strings coordinators, if there is any change to your child’s enrolment. It is important to have our information update, instruments returned, and tutors informed one month in advance to any changes to tuition.

We encourage you to check Newsflash regularly for upcoming events and important updates. We will publish advance dates as soon as we know them to help you plan your year.

Don’t forget to subscribe to SZApp for String Ensemble News. Found under Manage tab, choose the String Ensemble to keep in the loop with any alerts to upcoming events and updated news.

Diary Dates

Strings Committee Meeting/AGM

Strings committee AGM for Term 1 will be held this evening at 7pm (Wed 10^th March) via zoom.

String parents are welcome to join. See following link

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/71297825648?pwd=NTZGMnlFelFWdjBOa1hEdWJZTjEwdz09

Meeting ID: 712 9782 5648
Passcode: h71nZm

Invoices

Invoices for Strings Annual Fees 2021 have been sent out last week. Please check your email for invoice details. If you have not received this, please check your spam/junk/promotions folder.

The payment of invoices is due 12 March and prompt payment is appreciated. If you intend to use the Creative Kids voucher towards the payment of strings fees, please ensure you pay $100 less than the total of your Annual Ensemble fee. If you have any questions related to an invoice or payment, email stringstreasurer@gmail.com

Creative Kids Vouchers

As you may be aware, the NSW Government will continue to contribute a $100 Creative Kids rebate this year for NSW residents.  It is the same as last year and similar to the Active Kids rebate in that you can claim it against the cost of your child's activities from a registered provider and you can only claim it once from one provider for the year.

The Artarmon P&C is registered as a Creative Kids provider for the band and strings programs. We have set up a form on the Myschoolmusic parent portal for you to provide your Creative Kids voucher number to us.

If you would like to use a Creative Kids voucher to reduce your 2021 string fees by $100, then please follow these 3 steps:

• Apply for a voucher for your child on the Service NSW website:  go to https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-creative-kids-voucher. You should do this now.
• As soon as you receive your voucher (it will be emailed to you by Service NSW), log in to the Myschoolmusic parent portal Music Portal Login, answer YES to the question on the Creative Kids form and enter your Creative Kids voucher number  and the other details.
• When you receive an invoice by email from the strings treasurer for your ensemble fees and instrument hire, pay $100 less than the total amount on your invoice as soon as you receive it.

If you have more than one child please follow the process for each child individually.

If you have a child who is in both band AND strings, you can only reduce your band OR strings invoice by $100.

Note that instrument tuition fees which are paid direct to your tutor are a separate fee which must be paid in full unless your tutor advises you that they are a Creative Kids provider. In that case you can choose to use the voucher for your tutorial fees instead of (but NOT as well as) your band/strings fees.

Please note that due to the number of children in the band and strings programs, we are unable to process refunds on the band or strings fees if you pay the full amount and decide later to apply for a Creative Kids voucher. You must pay $100 less on your band or strings invoice and tell us your Creative Kids voucher number by Monday 22 Mar 2021. Thank you for your understanding.

Helping with Strings

We still need to fill in many volunteer roles to assist with Strings 2021. Certain roles only require an hour for one term. Other roles require a little more time. The more people who help out, the less any single person has to do. The smooth running of the Strings Ensemble relies on the dedicated team of parent volunteers.

Got a question?

If it is about your hired instrument or instrumental tutorial please contact your tutor at first instance. Alternatively contact our instrument coordinator or strings coordinator if required. For anything else please contact your Strings Convenor.

THANK YOU.

Ensemble rehearsals:          

2021 Strings Committee

BAND NEWS

Band parents, in addition to email communications, we encourage you to regularly check Newsflash for upcoming events and important band updates. We will publish advance dates as soon as we know them to help you plan the year!

2021 Calendar Dates:

More detailed communications will be sent out about these events in the coming weeks once details have been confirmed.  

Easter Band Breakfast – Parents we need your Help!

With the Easter Band breakfast just around the corner, we need some parent volunteers to help organise this event.

We need a parent volunteer to be our Easter Band Breakfast Coordinator. If you are interested in volunteering, please email band@artarmonpandc.org.au as soon as possible.

Band Rehearsals

This week, due to some year 6 students attending OC exams, there will be a combined Concert Band and Senior Concert Band rehearsal on Thursday (11^th March) during lunchtime (12.50 – 1.40pm).

If your child is sick and/or unable to attend a rehearsal, please notify your Band Coordinator.

Following is a list of all Band & Orchestra rehearsal times:

• Training Band: Fridays 8am to 8.50am
• Junior Concert Band: Mondays 12.50pm to 1.40pm & Thursdays 8am to 8.50am
• Concert Band: Mondays 8am to 8.50am & Thursdays 12.50pm to 1.40pm
• Senior Concert Band: Tuesdays 8am to 8.50am & Thursdays 2pm to 2.55pm
• Orchestra: Wednesdays from 8am to 8.50am
• Jazz Band: Thursdays from 3pm to 4pm

All band and orchestra rehearsals are held in the school music room. For rehearsals before school, students should arrive at school promptly at 7.50am so that band rehearsals can start by 8am.

Band Committee – Appointment of Roles

The Band held the AGM and first committee meeting for the year last week via Zoom. Thanks to those parents who were able to attend.

The following band committee roles have been filled for 2021:

A big thank you to all these parents who have volunteered to help with band this year. Your assistance is greatly appreciated!

We still need to fill the following volunteer roles to assist with Band in 2021/2022:

• Easter Band Breakfast Coordinator
• Training Band Coordinator
• Orchestra Coordinator
• Festivals Coordinator
• Music Intensive Coordinator(s)
• Music Camp Coordinator(s)
• Music librarian(s)
• Secretary
• Assistant Instrument Coordinator 2021 (Instrument Coordinator 2022)
• Band Co-convenor 2021 (Band Convenor 2022)

By volunteering you will be making a valuable contribution to the running of the Band program and your child(ren) will love to see you get involved.

If you are interested in volunteering for one of these roles or would like more information, please email band@artarmonpandc.org.au attention Serena.

Creative Kids Voucher – Reminder to Apply Now

As you may be aware, the NSW Government will continue to contribute a $100 Creative Kids rebate this year for NSW residents.  It is the same as last year and similar to the Active Kids rebate in that you can claim it against the cost of your child's activities from a registered provider and you can only claim it once from one provider for the year.

The Artarmon P&C is registered as a Creative Kids provider for the band and strings programs. We have set up a form on the Myschoolmusic parent portal for you to provide your Creative Kids voucher number to us.

If you would like to use a Creative Kids voucher to reduce your 2021 band fees by $100, then please follow these 3 steps by 22 March 2021:

• Apply for a voucher for your childon the Service NSW website:  go to https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-creative-kids-voucher. You should do this now.
• As soon as you receive your voucher (it will be emailed to you by Service NSW), log in to the Myschoolmusic parent portal Music Portal Login, answer YES to the question on the Creative Kids form andenter your Creative Kids voucher number  and the other details.
• When you receive an invoice by email from the band treasurer for your ensemble fees and instrument hire,pay $100 less than the total amount on your invoice as soon as you receive it.  Please note that this discount may already be included on the invoice.

If you have more than one child please follow the process for each child individually.

If you have a child who is in both band AND strings, you can only reduce your band OR strings invoice by $100.

Note that instrument tuition fees which are paid direct to your tutor are a separate fee which must be paid in full unless your tutor advises you that they are a Creative Kids provider. In that case you can choose to use the voucher for your tutorial fees instead of (but NOT as well as) your band/strings fees.

Please note that due to the number of children in the band and strings programs, we are unable to process refunds on the band or strings fees if you pay the full amount and decide later to apply for a Creative Kids voucher. You must pay $100 less on your band or strings invoice and tell us your Creative Kids voucher number by Monday 22 Mar 2021. Thank you for your understanding.

If you do not intend to claim the Creative Kids rebate as part of your 2021 band or strings fees (eg. because you are not eligible or have already used it with another provider), then:

• Please pay the full amount of your band or strings invoice as soon as you receive it.
• Log in to the Myschoolmusic parent portal Music Portal Loginand respond NO to the question on the Creative Kids form. You can do this now.

Any questions please email band@artarmonpandc.org.au

Instrument Hire

If you have hired an instrument, this is a reminder to read, complete and return the pink slip asap. Pink slips can be found inside the hired instrument case and should be returned to the Band mailbox near the school main office.

If you have a question regarding instrument hire and maintenance please contact Kirsteen, Instrument Coordinator, at apsbandinstruments@gmail.com

Tutorials:

Small group tutorials and individual in-school tutorials have started.  Parents have been emailed tutorial details (including tutor name, tutorial time, tutorial day and location).

If you have a question regarding your child’s tutorial, please email your Tutor in the first instance. Alternatively, email tutorband@artarmonpandc.org.au.

Important note – All Students participating in the Band program are expected to take lessons (at school or externally) in their band instrument. If you were going to arrange an external music tutor but now need in-school tuition, please email Jane/Rebecca, our Tutor Coordinators.

Parent Portal – Update Class Details

If your child is enrolled in Band, please log into the Parent Music Portal and update your child’s class details asap. This is important information we need for scheduling & communication purposes with the school.  

https://portal.msmusic.com.au/artarmonmusic

THANK YOU!

Year 4 visit to Gibberagong

Vroom! The bus had left the school and we were heading to Gibberagong Environmental Education Centre. It is in Ku-ring-gai and was a one-hour drive. Once we arrived, we left our bags in the bus and went down to the ground. There we saw some carvings on the rocks below. One of the guides, called Uncle Lorry, told us the right hands or feet were male and the left were female. After that, we went to the picnic area. While we were eating, two other guides introduced themselves. Their names were Lisa and Leah. Then we saw a goanna. Uncle Lorry got a spear and another tool and shooed it away!

After recess, we continued our bush walk. Leah rubbed her fingers against a tree and rubbed them on her face. We all copied her as we rushed over. After that, we all made a shelter with the nature that we found around us. Even then, a goanna was wandering around, admiring our shelters! Then we had lunch and saw more goannas. Uncle Lorry said that there were three. We all enjoyed this excursion and learnt a lot. I would love to go again! 

                                                                                                          Ridhima 4SR