SPOONVILLE

Community connection and enjoyment is never overrated. Thank you to all the families who have contributed to our schools growing 'Spoonville' on Abbott Rd.

It is great to see the community come together with this little village of spoons. If you have a spoon at home and would like to contribute to this growing village, please do so.

STAFFING CHANGES

At the end of this term Ms Lewis (1JL) and Ms Goulter (EAL/D) will be finishing up for the year and taking maternity leave. This is a very exciting time and we wish them and their families good health and happiness.

Ms Carmichael will be taking 1JL  for the remainder of the year and has already begun working with Ms Lewis and meeting 1JL in weekly Zoom check ins.

Mrs Nicol Will be returning in Term 4 to work on the EAL/D team.

INVOICES

We understand that some families paid for sport activities in advance at the beginning of the year. Please know that the office are currently working out refunds for these activities.

McMILLAN PLAYGROUND GUM TREES

Two weeks ago we communicated to you that after an assessment of our trees we have been told that the two beautiful old blue gums in the McMillan playground need to be taken down and removed for the safety of the children. 

After a slight delay, this will now happen on Friday this week, 10th September. Due to the large operation needed to remove these trees, no children will be allowed in the McMillan playground or classrooms that surround the area on that day.

If you're an essential worker and your children need to come to school this Friday, please drop them off at the Abbott Rd COLA in the morning. Supervision will be available from 8:25am. K-2 children will still be dismissed from the oval at 2:55pm. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. 

MATHS OLYMPIAD UPDATE

The following update has come from APSMO in regards to the 2021 Maths Olympiad Competition

APSMO would like to advise the following:

In NSW, Papers 4 and 5 of the Maths Olympiad and Maths Games competitions can be delivered via remote learning, however the results will not be included in the calculation of end of year awards. 

Artarmon Public School Students from Years 4, 5 and 6 who are part of a 2021 Olympiad team will have a chance to complete papers 4 and 5 through their Google classroom. 

*What does this mean for the end of year results?
The APSMO Maths Olympiads and Maths Games attract teams from across Australia and New Zealand.  In the interests of fairness and equity, we must therefore recognise and account for the disruption of program delivery in NSW due to the COVID-19 lockdown.
This means that:

• The 2021 Maths Olympiad Awards in NSW will be calculated using the results from Papers 1, 2 and 3 only, which were conducted in the classroom.  
• For the purposes of the 2021 end of year Maths Olympiad Awards, teams from NSW will be measured against the performance of other NSW teams in a state based competition This will ensure that results are compared to teams that have completed the same papers under the same conditions.
• Certificates of Achievement for both the Maths Olympiad and Maths Games program will be issued to schools as normal, to be given to participating students at the end of the year.

As a fun way to end the term we would like to celebrate by sharing a video at the end of term.

If your child/ family would like to be involved we are asking that you record a 5 second video of dancing and upload it to the below google drive. We will then edit all the video's that we receive for a special end of term surprise. You can record your video's inside or outside anywhere you like. You could dress up and dance like no one is watching.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1MOQ5I5FbOHIBUQfp7RQz6ZLMQesuFEq_?usp=sharing

Please note, if you upload videos these will be shared with the community. 

Here is another family friendly art activity from Ms Simms.

It would be great if you could share some images next week of individual masterpieces for everyone to enjoy. If you have attempted one or all of the art activities, please email them to the school email address for sharing in next weeks Newsflash.

Rather than articles to read or links to follow, this week I thought I could share an image to inspire you and your family to take a virtual tour. We may be in lockdown and unable to explore amazing places all over the world, but remember we are also very well connected in 2021.

Take your children across the world virtually and explore some of the worlds most amazing places.

Please see links to minutes from last weeks P&C meeting.

20210901_P_C_meeting_mintes.pdf

P_C_August_2021_report_1_.pdf

P_C_Meeting_1.9.21.pdf

Dear Strings Parents, 

It has been great to see a high level of participation from Strings and Orchestra students in the online rehearsals and music tutorials. Many thanks to the parents and student. Well done everyone. We hope you and your family are continuing to stay safe.

During Term 3, Strings students will be learning new music pieces and requested to provide audio recordings (not video recording) for an ensemble piece. Please ensure you read through the requirements with your child and save the audio file in the correct ensemble folder.

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 regarding sight reading for students to practice.

6. Read ahead

Always try to read a bar or two ahead. This will help you know what’s coming and adjust the fingers/bow accordingly.

This week’s joke.

Q: What is the difference between a fish and a piano?

A: You can’t tuna fish.

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

Music Camp and Term 3 String event updates

Due to the extended COVID019 lockdown in Sydney, the following events have been cancelled for Term 3:

• Eisteddfod
• Music Camp (refunds processed and can take up 10 days)
• Track down studios recording session
• Concourse concert

Correspondence

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.

Payment Reminders

Please ensure payment to tutors.

Please check your email/junk mail for invoice and payment details. Thanks for your understanding.

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

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.

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.

If you have a question regarding online music tutorials, please contact your tutor directly.  

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

Music Camp & Term 3 Band Event update

Unfortunately, due to the extended COVID-19 lockdown in Sydney, confirming the following events have been cancelled:

• Ryde Eisteddfod
• Music Camp
• Track down studios recording session
• Concourse concert

Confirming 2021 Music Camp refunds have now been processed.

Please join the music committee in thanking Nadia for all the time and effort she has put into organising the music camp refunds.  We really appreciate all the time and effort that has been dedicated to this.

Sydney Eisteddfod Update:

Congratulations to all students who participated in the Sydney Eisteddfod during Term 2. We recently received great news regarding the results:

Senior Band – First Place

Orchestra – First Place

Concert band – Second place

Jazz Band – Third Place

Junior Band didn’t receive an award but were playing one level higher than their age group. A great achievement.

Well done everyone and a big thank you to our tutors and Band Director, Mr Walmsley!

Band & Orchestra Online (Zoom) Rehearsal Times:

Confirming all band & orchestra rehearsals will continue online (via Zoom) until further notice. Updated zoom links were sent out on Sunday (5^th Sept) and will remain valid until the end of Term 3.  

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 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 helping with 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 laptop/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!

MOSAIC Spring School Holiday Program

MOSAIC Multicultural Centre presents three fun online activities in the coming holiday season. Parental supervision is compulsory for all holiday activities. Suitable for K-Y6 children. Free but bookings are essential. Click the activity name to register online or contact MOSAIC on 9777 7952 or email to mosaic@willoughby.nsw.gov.au 

• Origami- Jumping Rabbit : Friday 24 September, 10am-11am
• Welcome to the fantastic origami world. Use your creativity and fine motor skills to create something magical out of ordinary paper. Prizes to be won on cultural quizzes. 
  
• Cooking - Carrot & Cream Cheese Muffins : Tuesday 28 September, 10am-11am
• A healthier twist on a traditional carrot cake. Learn to bake these yummy carrot and cream cheese muffins, a perfect treat for breakfast or an afternoon snack.
  
• Cooking- Naan Bread & Chickpea Curry : Thursday 30 September, 10am-11am
• Make a healthy and delicious Indian chickpea curry, full of nutrition. Serve it with Naan, an oven-baked flatbread and some freshly steamed rice.