As you all continue to do everything you can to support our State and current situation by working together to keep everyone safe, I want to thank you immensely. By following the stay at home orders and doing everything you can to support your child to learn from home, you are minimising community movement and keeping our entire community safe.

We all know that your children learning from home is not how students learn best. We know that the learning we are providing is a temporary arrangement until we are back learning face to face. Our goal and purpose behind our current online learning for your children is to provide flexibility and accessibility for EVERY student, parent and teacher of Artarmon Public School.

With the recent news of the 'learn from home' extension of 4 weeks, the school will be communicating with you soon around additions to our current online programs to include live Zoom check-ins for all classes. The purpose of these will be to support your children with connection to their teacher, class and school work. Detailed information including protocols and connection information will be sent out via the SZapp in the coming week.

I want to thank you all for everything you are doing to support your children and families through this pandemic. I know it is hard, I know at times it can be frustrating and I know some days just fall apart and do not go to plan. Remember, this is ok! I can not stress enough the importance of keeping the well-being of yourself and family at the forefront. Please look after yourselves and each other. Be sure to reach out and connect virtually with family and friends around you. Find creative ways for your children to chat or connect with their friends and let them know that is ok to feel sad or frustrated, and talk with them about their feelings. Be kind to one another and we will get through this.

NSW EDUCATION WEEK

Education week is an annual celebration of NSW public education and the achievements of our schools, students and the education system. This years theme is year’s theme is ‘Lifelong learners’ and celebrates education as a lifelong journey. 

It has been so wonderful to see the learn from home images come through the school email as we prepare to share with you a small video at the end of the week. What has been so uplifting, supportive and is very much appreciated, are the small messages of thanks and support that have come through as well.

We are looking forward to sharing the video with you all to celebrate our wonderful students, teachers and community and everything they do to make our school what it is today! Stay tuned....

FAMILY ART ACTIVITY

STAFFING

MUSIC NEWS

EPIC READERS

Dear Strings Parents, 

Please note that all music rehearsals, whether it is with the tutor or ensemble rehearsals, these will all continue to be online until further notice.

Thank you parents and students for being so adaptable in our current situation. I hope you and your family are managing school online and the online zoom sessions.

Learning an instrument can be the start of an adventure that lasts a lifetime but can also be frustrating at the beginning. Passing on the best advice from ABC Classics from parents/caregivers of an inspiring musician who’ve been there before.

1. Be encouraging and patient - “Don’t try to correct them. Encourage them. NEVER complain or nag about practice. Create an environment where learning is safe and encouraged.” MJ

2. Create a regular practice routine - “Ten minutes of mindful practice is better than 30 minutes of mindless playing-through.” Honoria

3. Make it fun - “Make it fun. My sister and daughter would still be playing piano if they’d been allowed to play popular music in addition to classical. Classical-only just wasn’t for them.” Teresa

Please let your strings coordinator know if you have not received an email link to attend ensemble rehearsals for Training Strings, Junior Strings, Concert Strings, Senior Strings via Zoom run by Mr Mansukhani. Please check that these invites are not in your spam/junk/promotions folder.

Ensemble rehearsals: Currently on ZOOM         

Informative videos to help with string instruments.

If your instrument is out of tune, do not forget to have a look at these informative videos to help with string instruments. These videos will assist with how to tune and take care of the violin. These have been most helpful to ensure the violin is in tune during practice. Please watch with your child. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOP1ht4mHt0bLr-boSTZ9ig/featured

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

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.

Tutorials:

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

THANK YOU!

2021 Strings Committee

Dear Band Parents,

We hope you and your families are staying safe and adapting to online learning and online (Zoom) Band rehearsals.  

By now you should have received an email with Zoom link details for your child’s Band rehearsal times. If you have not received, please check your junk mail folder.

If your child is having music lessons at school, you will also have been contacted by your tutor regarding online individual/group lessons. If you have a question regarding online music tutorials, please contact your tutor directly.  

For any other general enquiries, please email your Band Coordinator or email band@artarmonpandc.org.au.

Band & Orchestra Online (Zoom) Rehearsal Times (Weeks 2 & 3):

Due to the recent COVID lockdown across Sydney, confirming we have moved to online (Zoom) rehearsals for all Band & Orchestra ensemble groups per the following timetable:

• Training Band: Fridays 8am to 8:40am
• Junior Concert Band: Tuesdays 4pm to 4:40pm & Thursdays 8am to 8:40am
• Concert Band: Mondays 8am to 8:40am & Wednesdays 4pm to 4:40pm
• Senior Concert Band: Tuesdays 8am to 8:40am & Fridays 4pm to 4:40pm
• Orchestra: Wednesdays from 8am to 8:40am
• Jazz Band: Thursdays from 3pm to 3:40pm

Zoom links for rehearsals have been emailed to all Band & Orchestra parents. Please check your email and junk mail folder if you have not already received. Alternatively email band@artarmonpandc.org.au

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

Tutorials:

Due to the recent COVID lockdown across Sydney, confirming we have moved to online individual/group tutorials for Band students. You should have received an email from your tutor regarding online tutorial details.  

If you have a question regarding your child’s tutorial, please email your Tutor directly in the first instance. Alternatively email Jane at tutorband@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 the running of Band in 2021/2022:

• Band Secretary 2021
• Band Convenor 2022 (Co-convenor 2021) – Needed!

By volunteering you will be making a valuable contribution to the APS Community and the running of the Band program. Your child(ren) will love to see you get involved and it’s a great way to help with the local school community!

Many of the band committee roles are flexible and can be performed from home with a computer and internet connection.

If you are interested in getting involved in the music program as a parent volunteer or would like more information about volunteer roles available email band@artarmonpandc.org.au

THANK YOU!