Important Dates

Don't forget to add these important dates into your calendar.

Thursday 1st April - Last day of Term 1 (this is not a joke)

Easter Holidays - 2nd April - 19th April

Tuesday 20th April - First day for students Term 2

Crossing Supervisor

Great news! After years of the P&C working together with the school and lobbying the local Council in the best interest of child safety, we have been approved through the RMS to have a Crossing Supervisor on McMillan Rd before and after school. 

The RMS are in the final stages of training the new recruit and this will take affect as soon as possible. Please be aware of this change when driving and ensure you talk with your children about listening and following the Crossing Supervisors directions. 

Teachers will speak with every class about the change and educate the children on appropriate behaviour when using crossings with or without a supervisor.

Student Sick Leave

As you would understand from previous Newsetters, it is a NSW requirement; that if a child has flu like symptoms, they must provide a negative COVID test before returning to school.

Currently when the school receives communication through the SZapp or school emails that a child is 'sick', the office are required to call families and check on symptoms and advise to get a COVID test before returning.

To save the office time calling families daily, could we please ask that you help us out when providing a reason for your child's absence.

If sick with flu like symptoms: Please note in the reason for absence, eg. flu like symptoms and I will get a COVID test.

If sick or absent for other reasons: Please give detail outlining symptoms or reason for leave so the office do not have to call or follow up if a COVID test is needed.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation, we appreciate it!

Extra Curricular Activities

Every year we communicate to families about looking out for the wellbeing of their child and ensuring that there is a healthy balance between educational studies and leisure activities. As educators we assess, plan and deliver differentiated programs to your children every day based on the NSW curriculum requirements. It is important that children have leisure time and engage in fun, non-educational activities to reduce the risk of cognitive overload which can occur when there is no ‘down time’ for students, outside of school hours. If you think your child might be a little overloaded with extra curricular activities, review current programs and ensure a healthy balance.

Year One Adventures 

Year One students have started 2021 with enthusiasm, persistence and an eagerness to try anything their teachers challenge them with. They have been learning new phonics, examining great characters in picture books and working on their numbers skills in LEGO goals.

In Week 5, we were lucky enough to go to Glen St Theatre to watch the Very Hungry Caterpillar Show. The children were enthralled with the colours, the costumes and the storyline of the show. What a great treat!

The students have also been developing their scientific thinking skills with our science unit: Spot the Difference! They have been doing hands-on activities to find out how heating and cooling affects different foods. Please enjoy looking at these photos of our students learning with their hands.

Band parents, in addition to email communications, we encourage you to regularly check Newsflash for upcoming events and important band updates.

We are pleased to advise that we have several events that are coming up and scheduled in for later in the year. See key dates below and pencil them into the diary!

2021 Calendar Dates:

More detailed communications will be sent out about these events in the coming weeks. Keep an eye out for details in the weekly newsflash.

The above events are compulsory, and band students are expected to attend as part of the Music (Band) program.

Easter Band Breakfast – Parents we need your Help!

A big thank you to those parents that have recently volunteered to help organise the upcoming Easter Band Breakfast event (Thursday 1^st April, before school).

We will also need some additional parent volunteers helping on the day. If you are interested in assisting on the day, please email band@artarmonpandc.org.au as soon as possible confirming your availability.

Music Camp – 28^th & 29^th August

We are pleased to advise dates are booked in for our 2021 Music Camp which will be held in Collaroy. This is an exciting and enjoyable event for students participating in the music program and something we are looking forward to bringing back in 2021.

Band & Strings students will come together for an intensive program of learning and music over 2 days.

Parents we need your help. We need a parent volunteer to be our Music Camp Coordinator. The Music Camp Coordinator plays a key role in planning and organising the Music Camp in the months leading up to the Music Camp. Some of the key responsibilities include scheduling (in consultation with our Music Directors, Mr Walmsley & Mr Mansukhani), liaison with Band & Strings Convenors, communications to parents, organising transport (e.g. booking buses), liaison with the camp venue, parental permission notes, dietary requirements, sleeping arrangements, payments, parent volunteer roster, first aid roster, Covid safe officer register, general coordination/administration for this event (e.g. managing camp email box and responding to general enquiries regarding camp).

If you are interested in being the Music Camp Coordinator, please email band@artarmonpandc.org.au

REMINDER; Submit your Creative Kids Voucher by Monday 22^nd March 2021

Dear Artarmon Band Parents,

A reminder to submit your Creative Kids voucher through MySchoolMusic by 22 Mar 21.

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 Mar 21:

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 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.

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

Kind regards

Angie, Natalie & Sheryl (Creative Kids voucher parent volunteers)

Band Committee 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:

• 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.

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

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

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

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:

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!

This week, I wanted to focus on the importance of volunteers. The band and strings team met up on the weekend to discuss upcoming events and it was made quite apparent we need volunteers to assist and share the workload.

This will be my second year being involved with the Strings Program as Convenor and I have found an amazing network of volunteering parents. Parents that have happily shared their time and knowledge with the Music Program but as their children move onto high school, the baton is to be passed on to the next lot of parents. So in turn, I am looking for a Co-convenor that will take over the reins for 2023.

The String Program plays an important part in the musical life of Artarmon Public School.

The Objectives of the String Committee are to:

• To provide an avenue for string players within Artarmon Public School to play together and develop musically.
• To encourage new learners of string instruments by the provision of a tutorial program.
• To provide an instrumental rental service for string players in the school.
• To complement the successful band program at the school.

The Strings Program is coordinated by the String Committee which is made up of parent volunteers. These parents give their time generously to coordinate instrument hire, finances, tutors, concerts and special events.

Strings Committee Meeting/AGM

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

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

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.

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

• STRINGS CO-CONVENOR:  Assists Convenor with insurances, instrument purchases, newsflash writeups, replies to email queries, updates MSM portal, event planning, liaises with Strings committee, uniform shop, school and Mr Mansukhani. Takes over the reins of Convenor for a minimum 2 year term. Requires work in your own home.  Approximately 2 hours a week.

• ASSISTANT TRAINING STRINGS CO-ORDINATOR: Assists Training Strings coordinator with parent supervision roster, relay information via MSM portal to parents. Updates MSM portal. Approximately 1 hour a week.

• MUSIC INTENSIVE CO-ORDINATOR & ASSISTANT:  Assists to organise the Term 2 weekend intensive at the school: permission forms for student attendance; student sign ins; parent supervision roster etc.  Approximately 15 hours in total from your own home, plus time at the school on the intensive weekend.

• MUSIC CAMP CO-ORDINATOR & ASSISTANT:   Organises music camp in Term 3 at Collaroy including transport, liaison with venue, parental permission, dietary requirements, sleeping arrangements, payment, parent supervision roster, First aid roster, Covid safe officer register. Several people usually share this role, from band and strings programs.  Approximately 30 hours preparation time in your own home and own time, plus time at Collaroy on the music camp weekend.

• FESTIVALS CO-ORDINATOR & ASSISTANT:  Registers Strings for festivals on Mr Mansukhani’s advice, organises permission notes, works with the school to organise transport.  Most festivals occur in Terms 2 & 3.  Work from your own home (although being able to talk to Mr Mansukhani in person is useful – can be done before Strings rehearsals in the mornings).  Approximately 8 hours per festival.

By volunteering you will be making a valuable contribution to the running of the String 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 strings.artarmonpandc@gmail.com attention Ellen.

Diary Dates

Invoices

Thank you parents for prompt payment of Strings Annual Fees 2021.

If you have any questions related to an invoice or payment, email stringstreasurer@gmail.com

Creative Kids Vouchers

Dear Artarmon String Parents,

A reminder to submit your Creative Kids voucher through MySchoolMusic by 22 Mar 21.

If you would like to use a Creative Kids voucher to reduce your 2021 string fees by $100, then please follow these 3 steps by 22 Mar 21:

• 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.
• pay $100 less on your strings invoice for your ensemble fees and instrument hire, than the total amount. 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.

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 strings fees (eg. because you are not eligible or have already used it with another provider), then:

• Please pay the full amount of your strings invoice now. 
• 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

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:          

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

2021 Strings Committee