Week 10, Term 1

A special congratulations to our Kindergarten students and parents for getting to the end of your very first term of school. It has been amazing to see how much they have grown and learnt in just 10 weeks. I am sure though, they, and you are looking forward to having some rest and taking time to slow down. Well done Kindergarten!

I would like to wish everyone a safe and relaxing holiday period. Mrs Green is very much looking forward to returning next term and being able to see you in the school grounds.

COVID Update

Currently NSW schools are following all government updates and restrictions released on Monday 29th March regarding anyone who visited Greater Brisbane since Saturday 20th March.

If a person has returned from Greater Brisbane, which includes Brisbane, Logan, Moreton Bay, Ipswich and Redland Local Government Areas since 20 March 2021 must comply with the Stay at Home Order consistent with those living in identified areas in QLD until 5 pm Thursday 1 April 2021. This means they cannot attend work or come to school for this period.

We thank you for your understanding and compliance with these orders.

Any updates from the Department for the start of Term 2 will be communicated through the SZapp.

Don't forget

Tomorrow (Tghursday 1st April)

- Last day of Term 1

- Crazy Sock Day (Gold coin donation Year 3 fundraising team) 

Tuesday 20th April

- First day for students Term 2

Farewell Mrs Raines and Mrs Cartland

Today we celebrated the educational achievements of two wonderfully talented teachers from our school.

Mrs Raines started her teaching career in 1979, and joined us here at Artarmon as an EAL/D teacher in 2005. The impact she has had on the students, staff and parents over her time and especially our multicultural community has been nothing short of outstanding.

Mrs Cartland has been teaching since 1968 and joined our team in 1994. In 2002, Mrs Cartland was appointed the permanent teacher librarian at our school and has used this platform to directly impact every students' love of literacy throughout her time here.

To both of these amazing teachers, I know the entire school community sends their best wishes for an healthy, happy and relaxing retirement. Know that your impact in the education of children has been deeply appreciated and we sincerely thank you!

K-2 Pick up starting Term 2

As COVID restrictions ease, we will be moving back to our pre COVID pick up routine, for our students in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2.

From the start of Term 2, children will be lined up with their class teacher in the following locations for parents to come and collect their children:

Kindergarten - Abbott Rd COLA

Year 1 - McMillan Playground

Year 2 - Opposite the canteen near the hall.

We will continue to communicate with you all through the SZ app if there are any changes in the future.

Easter Hat Parade

It was so great to have our first COVID safe community event on the oval this week.
Thank you to our community for working with the school to make this event successful.

Crossing Supervisor

As advertised last week, the NSW Government Transport, Roads and Maritime Services have advertised for our very own Crossing Supervisor on McMillan Rd. This is wonderful news for our school community and we are looking forward to having a trained professional at our crossing to help keep our students safe.

They are currently in the recruitment process so if you or anyone you know might be interested in this position please see the advertisement here.

Year 6 Canberra Trip

In Week 9, Year 6 students excitedly departed on their trip into the heart of Australian democracy: Canberra. At the crack of dawn, they made their way onto the buses and settled in for the long journey. On arrival in Canberra, they explored Parliament House and met with the Federal Member of Parliament for our North Sydney electorate, Trent Zimmerman.

The Year 6 students explored a number of different venues over the three days. They had opportunities to learn about the history of Canberra and the process of Federation in Australia. Students also learned about Australia’s representative democracy, the structure of Federal Parliament and the process of preferential voting in an election.

Please enjoy some of the photos taken on the trip!

Year 6 teachers

Dear Parents and Carers,

If your child is currently in Year 4 and you have intentions to apply for an  opportunity class placement in 2022, please read the below information.

• Intention to apply note sent home today with your child. Please return to your classroom teacher. Intention_to_apply.pdf
• Information_about_applying_for_Year_5_entry_to_an_opportunity_class_in_2022.pdf

Important dates:

• Tuesday 20 April 2021: Online applications opens  
• Friday 7 May 2021: Online applications closes (Parents and carers must apply by the due date.)  
• Wednesday 21 July 2021: Opportunity Class Placement Test

In a blink of an eye, the end of term 1 has arrived. Students are settled into their ensemble rehearsals, group lessons and tuition at school.

Training Strings will commence their first ensemble rehearsals on Tuesday lunch time at the first week of Term 2. Please remind students that they will need to bring their instruments and be ready to go for 1255pm in the music room. It is advisable for the parents to provide a quick lunch, no canteen orders as the rehearsals will be commencing after roll call is taken.

Training Strings students will be provided a music folder which will have all their music they will need to learn for the year and these will need to be returned to Mr Mansukhani at the end of the year. Please ensure these folders are brought every week to rehearsals and are kept in good condition.

If you require to purchase a music bag, please let the instrument coordinator know.

Hope you all have an Happy Easter and relaxing school holidays.See you all refreshed for Term 2.

Reminders

Please check your email for invoice and payment details. If you intend to use Creative Kids vouchers towards payment for Strings fees, please ensure you pay $100 less than the total invoice. Please consider the administration headache for the Strings Team volunteers if you decide later that you would like to use the Creative Kids Voucher. Thanks for your understanding.

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.

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

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:

Easter Band Performance:

We are excited about the up-coming Easter Band concert and are looking forward to seeing parents at the Easter Band Concert to see their children play in their ensemble groups in person!

When: Thursday 1^st April

Where: McMillan Playground (in front of the library)

Performance Timetable:

7:45am to 8:05am – Senior & Concert Bands

8:15am to 8:30am – Jazz Band & Orchestra

8:40am to 8:55am Junior & Training Bands

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

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!

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.  

A big Thank you to Nadia Gajic and Tom Gajic who have volunteered to help with the Music Camp Coordination in 2021!

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:

• Festivals Coordinator(s)
• Music Intensive 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.

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!