I am constantly amazed and grateful for the staff and students at Artarmon PS. Throughout this week I have viewed grade Google classrooms and watched, listened and read a range of activities that students have been able to access throughout the week in all areas of the curriculum.

From Kindergarten's writing activity where students were taken for a virtual walk around a local park with Mr Hand to illicit creative thinking and stimulate motivation to write.

To Year 1's terrifying personal account from Mrs Morgan and a red back spider to build connection and background information before listening too and comprehending the story, Diary of a Spider. 

To Year 2's teacher videos on persuasive writing techniques for students to create their own advertisements for some of their favourite things. ​

To Year 3's cooking with Miss Danias where students are able to make a 'frog in a pond' dessert, linked to to their literacy unit on frogs (this will be posted on Friday so prepare for a weekend treat).

To Year 4's in depth and detailed lesson on inferring meaning from a text when reading.

To Year 5's decimal multiplication lesson, where I think the image of a cat as the decimal was the most entertaining way to remember to ignore it and come back to it at the end.

Finally Year 6's  Geography lesson on perceptions and portrayals of our country really provided an opportunity for children to critically think and reflect on their own research task and the contestability of information gathered.

It is not just the classroom teachers who have been creating interactive and engaging content for our students at home. Our EAL/D and learning support teachers have also been adapting, modifying and connecting with families and students to ensure they are able to participate and learn from home throughout this period.

Everybody is going above and beyond. Our teachers, staff, parents, grandparents and most importantly our students. This afternoon, tell someone they are doing a good job, tell them you love them, tell them you know it is hard and this is not easy for anyone, tell them you are proud if them.

Because, I am proud of our entire school community! Our teachers, staff, parents, grandparents and most importantly our students! Well done everyone! Keep doing what you are doing and we will get through this and have you all back inside the gates soon.

FAMILY FRIENDLY ART ACTIVITY

It is that time of the week again to clear the table, turn off the computers (except the one needed to play this video) get the whole family around and engage in some quality family time creating your next masterpiece.

Brought to you by the famous Ms Simms, try your hand at some of Giuseppe Arcimboldo's historical Italian creations. Good luck!

KEEP THE LEARNING FROM HOME IMAGES COMING THROUGH!

Back by popular demand and now a regular featured article in weekly newsletters are our WELLBEING WEDNESDAY'S

As mentioned last week, wellbeing trumps all at the moment. I know it is hard and I have had many conversations with families this week to try and support them as much as I can through this dificult time. 

A few tips that might help:

• Create a daily schedule together.
• Small work sessions 15-30mins.
• Break up with some fun or favourite activities.
• Family time in the afternoon with some excerise or family board / card games.

Please look at the links below and use them. There is no shame in seeking support or reaching out to friends and famikly for help.

The following resources are to support everyone:

Department of Education NSW support: 

Mental Health and Wellbeing support for students, families and schools: 

https://education.nsw.gov.au/student-wellbeing/counselling-and-psychology-services

Covid-19 specific resources: 

https://kidshelpline.com.au/coronavirus

https://au.reachout.com/collections/coping-during-coronavirus

https://au.reachout.com/articles/10-ways-to-take-care-of-yourself-during-coronavirus?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9vWDz77h8QIV85JmAh1v2AmgEAMYASAAEgLetfD_BwE

https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/coronavirus-covid-19-guide

Child friendly websites: 

https://kidshelpline.com.au/ - students can go online and click on their age group, then click on what they are feeling and thinking about and it takes them to helpful videos and information. 

For parents: 

https://parents.au.reachout.com/- heaps of advice and topics for supporting children and their own mental health 

https://raisingchildren.net.au - general advice on mental health, behaviour, support for parenting and medical issues. 

The Education Department are streaming different activities every day students can participate in. These will be continuing every week throughout the 'learn from home' restrictions.

You can access them here:

https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/learning-from-home/learning-at-home

These sessions are at 10am everyday, however, are recorded and can be viewed when it suits your family.

Get ready for more #EducationLIVE, 10am AEST daily:

This weeks sessions:

• Monday 9 August: Explore how food can affect mood and conduct 3 foodie experiments with @Fast.Ed.Chef and @ ReachOutAUS.
• Tuesday 10 August: A mad science lesson with Dr Graham Walker from @TheAustralianNationalUniversity.
• Wednesday 11 August: A very special guest.
• Thursday 12 August: A creepy crawly lesson on insects you can find at home with Dr Tanya Latty of @sydneyuni.
• Friday 13 August: Embrace your inner popstar with a singing lesson by @TheVoiceAU ‘s Bella Taylor Smith.

Dear Strings Parents, 

I hope you and your families are keeping safe and settling in with online learning and (Zoom) String Ensemble rehearsals. Thank you students for participating eagerly each week.

Thought I’d throw in a music joke that made me laugh.

Q: What’s a cat’s favorite subject in school?
A: MEWsic.

If students would like to send in a music joke, please do to strings.artarmonpandc@gmail.com

Please ensure students have their new music sheet printed before rehearsals to ensure that the students get the most out of their ‘Mewsic’ rehearsal session.

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.

Here’s this week’s tip in regard to sight reading for students to practice.

2. The Key Signature

Before playing, have a look at the key signature. What key is the passage in? Is it major, minor or something else. Mentally remind yourself of the finger pattern for this key.

Update your details

If you are not receiving emails from the Strings Committee, you need to log into your parent portal and update your contact details immediately. A lot of information goes out via email that is not included in Newsflash.

If you have trouble logging into the parent portal, email your group coordinator or the strings address below.

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         

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

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 & Orchestra Parents,

We hope you and your families are continuing to stay safe and have adapted to the routine of online learning and (Zoom) Band rehearsals.  

By now you will have received an email with Zoom link details for your child’s Band & Orchestra rehearsal times. Confirming Zoom links will remain valid until week ending Friday the 3^rd of September.

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.  

It has been great to see a high level of participation from Band & Orchestra students in online rehearsals and music tutorials. Thank you to all the students and parents for their participation and cooperation. Well done everyone!  

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

Band & Orchestra Online (Zoom) Rehearsal Times:

Confirming all band & orchestra rehearsals will continue online (via Zoom) until further notice. All rehearsal Zoom links sent via email on the 18^th of July, will remain valid until the week ending Friday 3^rd of September.

Any future transition back to in-person rehearsals will be in accordance with APS (Artarmon Public School) and the Department of Education COVID-19 guidelines.

Please find following online (Zoom) timetable for all Band and Orchestra ensemble groups:

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

Zoom links for rehearsals were emailed to all Band & Orchestra parents on the 18^th of July. Please check your email and junk mail folder if you have not received. Alternatively email band@artarmonpandc.org.au

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

New Music:

During Term 3, Band and Orchestra students will be learning some new and interesting music pieces.

Emails have been sent to Band and Orchestra parents with links to the new music. If you have not received, please check your email/junk mail.

Tutorials:

Confirming we have moved to online individual/group tutorials for Band students.

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 the running of 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 Convenor 2022 (Co-convenor 2021) – WANTED
• Band Secretary 2021

Serena and Kali finish their volunteer Convenor/Assistant Convenor roles at the end of Term 4 (2021).  We will need a new Band Convenor and Band Co-Convenor for 2022 and would ideally like someone to start in the Convenor/Co-convenor role(s) before the end of Term 3 (2021). This will allow time for handover/training and involvement in end of year Band activities. If you are interested in finding out more about the Band Convenor role email  band@artarmonpandc.org.au.

Many of the band committee roles & responsibilities are very flexible, can be performed from home with a computer and internet connection and fitted in around other work and/or family commitments.  

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

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!