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

Water Damage to the Hall

Over the last few days with the intense weather, the school hall has unfortunately succumbed to water damage in the ceiling at the top level entrance. We are currently working with Department contractors to solve the issue and fix any damaged areas. We have sectioned off the top entrance above the stairs and there will be no access through these doors.

What this means for you and your children:

• The hall is still safe for students to use for school activities.
• Students and visitors will enter the hall from the side doors opposite the canteen.
• Easter Band Breakfast - Location changed to McMillan playground.
• Camp Australia are an external company and update the school and families daily in regards to their operational activities.

I would like to thank all the families for their understanding and patience during this week. Although, it has not been the best weather for standing at the gate each morning and afternoon, it has been comforting to speak with so many parents that are supportive of the school during a global pandemic and a 50 year flood.

Year 6 Canberra Camp

I would like to wish all the students and teachers who headed off to Canberra this morning the best of luck with their camp. A huge thank you to the teachers for leaving their families for a few days, to allow our students to have a wonderful experience.

This week, students from our school are undertaking an educational tour of the national capital. Students will be given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy.

The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government is contributing funding of $30 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.

Cross Country Carnival Postponed

Due to this week's inclement weather we have already decided to postpone next week's Cross Country carnival and move to our back up date of Tuesday, 27th April 2021.

Information regarding this carnival will be communicated to you at the start of Term 2.

NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) is in the process of releasing a new English and Mathematics Curriculum for our schools. They want to hear from teachers, parents and the community about the draft outcomes and content for Kindergarten to Year 2.

The evidence-based draft outcomes for English and Mathematics clearly identify essential learning and the sequence for teaching foundational skills.

Your feedback is important and will help to ensure our youngest students build strong foundations for future learning and success in an exciting and rapidly changing world.

Visit the NESA website to read the consultation materials and have your say:

• English K–2
• Mathematics K–2

Public consultation is open until 30 April.

This consultation is part of the Government's curriculum reform program, which is streamlining and strengthening the NSW school curriculum over the next four years.

HAVE YOUR SAY

This week parent volunteer letters were sent home with each child in Kindergarten to Year 2.
If you are able to spare some time to help students and teachers in the classroom, please fill in your available times and return it to your child's classroom teacher by Wednesday week 10 March 31st.
A timetable will be developed by the teacher and communicated to you through the class parent.

Year 2 Fantastic Fun   

It has been such a sensational start for all of us in Year 2 in 2021. We began the year by remembering how to be good friends and using those skills in our new classes. We have been trying to go up a level in LEGO goals, investigating natural resources in science and enjoying using our movement skills in whole grade sport.

However, most of all we have been exploring what Australia was like in the past. Beginning with the original custodians of this land, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, we jumped through until about 1900. We have immersed ourselves in literature which helped us examine schooling, housing, work, entertainment and games of the past in Australia.

Our most exciting learning experience though, was our excursion to the Schoolhouse Museum in Week 5. Parts of the museum date back to 1877. We explored a classroom from back then, a 1910 classroom and played outdoor games. Some of the highlights were writing with slates, experimenting with ink pens, dancing around a maypole and doing drills, which were used to help discipline young children. The students learnt it is a very good thing that teachers no longer use the cane as a punishment tool.

Enjoy looking through these photos of our fabulous day.

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.

Easter Band Concert

Thankyou Parent Volunteers!

A big thank you to all the parents that have recently volunteered to help organise the upcoming Easter Band Concert event (Thursday 1^st April) as well as those parents that have volunteered to help on the day.

We are excited about the up-coming Easter Band concert which will be held on Thursday 1^st April before school from 7.45am to 8.55am outdoors in the McMillan Playground.  See following for performance times:

• 45-8.05 - Senior & Concert Bands
• 15-8.30am - Jazz Band & Orchestra
• 40-8.55am Junior & Training Bands

Important Note - Band Captains and Senior/Concert percussion players will be required at school music room by 7.15am to assist with setup for the Easter Band Concert. All other band students to arrive 20 minutes prior to their performance.

We are really looking forward to seeing parents at the Easter Band Concert to see their children play in their ensemble groups in person!

Rehearsal Update

Due to year 6’s being away for an excursion/camp to Canberra this week, there will be combined Concert Band & Senior Band rehearsal this Thursday (25^th Feb) at lunchtime (12.50-1.40pm).

Orchestra & Jazz Band rehearsals are cancelled for this week only, due to the year 6 camp.

Invoices

Confirming Semester 1 invoices have been issued. Please check your email for invoice details. The payment of invoices is now due.  Prompt on time payment is greatly appreciated.

If you intend to use a Creative Kids voucher towards the payment of band fees, please ensure you pay $100 less than the total of your Semester 1 invoice.

If you have any questions related to an invoice or payment, email treasurerband@artarmonpandc.org.au

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 in preparation for end of year concert events.  

We need a parent volunteer to be our Music Camp Coordinator. This event can only go ahead if we have a Music Camp Coordinator.

Parents we need your help. The Music Camp Coordinator plays a key role in planning and organising 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, recruiting parent volunteers to help out with Music Camp, general 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 or helping out with Music Camp, please email band@artarmonpandc.org.au

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 APS Community and the running of the Band program. Your child(ren) will also 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, our 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 Jane/Rebecca at tutorband@artarmonpandc.org.au

Important note – All Students participating in the Band program are required 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.

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.

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!

We are excited be able to have our school band breakfast performance on site this term.

When: Thursday the 1^st of April (Week 10)

Where: McMillan Playground (in front of the library).

Timetable

7.45-8.05: Senior Band & Concert Band

8.15-8.30: Jazz Band & Orchestra

8.40- 8.55: Junior Band & Training Band

Performance times of different bands are split up to keep the organisation Covid Safe. The space has been chosen to allow parents to maintain appropriate physical distance. Please read the Covid Safe instructions below carefully.

To keep our event Covid Safe please follow these directions:

• Enter via the main McMillan Rd gate.
• Sign in using Service NSW app upon entry to school.
• Please maintain 1.5m physical distance at all times.
• Please use the hand sanitiser provided.
• Please limit attendance to one adult per family (apologies for inconvenience)

 Thank you for your understanding.

We are looking forward to welcoming you and having an exciting and Covid Safe performance!

A big thank you to those parents that have emailed me to let me know you are available to assist with the Music Program. It is very much appreciated.

We are pleased to advise that we have many upcoming events and so don’t forget to schedule these into your diary. More detailed communications will be sent out about these events in the coming weeks.

Please keep an eye out for details in the weekly newsflash.

Diary Dates

Attendance to the above events is compulsory and String students are expected to attend as part of the Music Program.

Volunteers needed

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 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.

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.

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

Do you want to know more about what your child is learning at school? URSTRONG is a social and emotional wellbeing program that is used at Artarmon Public School to help students build friendship skills. URSTRONG uses kid-friendly concepts to help kids establish and maintain healthy relationships, manage conflict with kindness and increase their overall resilience. Go to the URStrong Parent Webpage for more information about free Parent Memberships.

URSTRONG also provides 'The Language of Friendship' family workshops to help parents use meaningful language to open up a dialogue with their kids.