A BIG THANK YOU TO THE ARTARMON SCHOOL COMMUNITY

Since the beginning of lockdown our community has assisted us by following the guidelines regarding student attendance. We very much appreciate your support during this very challenging time.

On Monday 18 October Kindergarten and Year 1 students will return to face to face learning. It is important for these students to have this time to settle back into school without all the other students present. They will be able to reaquaint themselves with the school environemnt and we can use all our staff to support them. Our focus will be on making this a happy and safe time and to help them enjoy being back at school. 

All other students will return to face to face learning on Monday 25 October.

Some parents may have concerns about children returning to school. We have practices in place to protect their health and safety and we will spend time helping them rebuild relationships with their friends and teachers.

Whilst we have all looked forward to 'getting back to normal' it will also have its challenges for many of us. Re-establish routines and be kind to yourselves. Look after your wellbeing as well.

This will all take time but we all have the same goal in mind - our children learning in a safe and happy environment.

We have included some helpful tips for parents in this week's Newsflash.

RETURN TO SCHOOL INFORMATION

Information will be distributed to Kinder and Yr 1 parents on Friday. Parents of students in Yr2 -6 will receive communication early next week.

Please be mindful that guidelines can change at any time in accordance with Department requirements.

Currently we are planning 2 different recess and lunch times so that we can reduce contact with students in other grades/stages.

All borrowed devices need to be returned to school with children.

Canteen will be open for online orders from the 25th but student will not be able to go to the canteen to buy at recess/lunch.

NO PARENTS ON THE SCHOOL SITE - use email or phone to communicate with us and if it is absolutely necessary to come to the office you should observe physical distancing, check in using the QR code and wear a mask.

TEACHER / PARENT COMMUNICATION

We have received many emails for parents wanting to talk about their child's achievements  during online learning.

Teachers have not been face to face with their students since 25 June.

Teachers will need time to support students adjusting back to school.

Teachers will need time to assess where each child's learning is at.

Teachers will need time to use the assessments to plan learning for this term.

Teachers will then prepare student reports for later in the term.

Teachers will prioritise literacy, numeracy and student wellbeing.

With additional times for recess and lunch it also means more playground duties for teacher.

They will contact you if they have any concerns. Please consider how busy they will be over the next few weeks.

If you had borrowed a school laptop during the home learning period, please organise your child to return the laptop to the office in the morning when they arrive at school. 

Remind them that they will need to wait until a staff member in the office mark their name and laptop off as returned.

News from the Canteen

We’re excited to be open for lunch orders again on Monday 25^th October. We’ve really missed our days in the canteen, making lunches and seeing all the smiling faces!

To begin with we will be offering a revised lunch menu, which will be available via

www.spriggyschools.com.au or the spriggy schools app as usual.

As we won’t be able to open for cash sales straight away, all orders will need to be placed online.

Your child’s lunch will be delivered to their classroom, just before their designated lunch break.

We’ve put together some combo lunch deals (including sushi bowls) to make the decisions easy, and we will be packing frozen juice cups into the lunch order baskets. We don’t want anybody missing out on those!

Thank you,

Nina, Takae, Kazumi and Yoshie

Dear Strings Parents, 

Welcome back to Term 4, by now, the students should be back into routine with their tutorials and ensemble rehearsal online. With the return to school on 25^th October, the music committee are working on a program with the school executives and will keep you informed as soon as we can.

Thank you to the students that participated in the ensemble recording task last term. It was a delight to hear the students playing music together which Mr Mansukhani produced over the school holidays. Thank you Mr Mansukhani.

Here’s a few helpful tips on ‘how to practice,’ to get back into the swing of things.

How to Practice

We know that students understand the benefits and rewards of practice but sometimes don’t know exactly “how” to practice. This uses a start/focus/playtime routine which works well.

Start

Students to start with stretches and warm ups with long, clear tones, then scales and arpeggios and finally a warm up piece or exercise.

Focus

This is where the student works on new and challenging pieces, paying close attention to detail, correcting mistakes and also focussing on their strengths. Focus helps the player to make improvements and build confidence at the same time.

Playtime

Saving the best for last, is when you get to have fun, play your favourite Frozen/Disney movie tune. Play chopsticks. Record yourself, make up a tune, improvise your pieces, compose a piece, try and beat your mum at chromatic scales (this happens at my household). The fun ideas are endless.

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 convenor.

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

Helpful tips for parents and carers to support children

Every family has a different learning-from-home story. Here are some ways you can support your child return to school and reconnect with their school community.

Be positive about the return to school

• Ask your child how they are feeling about returning to school. Your child may be feeling a mix of emotions about their return, so it is important to listen to any concerns and respond in a calm, supportive and reassuring way.
• Promote positive conversations by asking what they like about school and what they are looking forward to when they return. Let them know that school staff are looking forward to seeing them. Your child might like to make a list or drawing about things they have missed about school.
• If they feel nervous or worried, help them understand this is a normal reaction, and that you and their teachers are there to support them.
• If your child has questions about COVID-19 provide factual and age appropriate information. Let them know everyone at school is working hard so that everyone is safe.
• Consider limiting media content your child is viewing if it is contributing to worry or distress.
• Remind your child that everyone at school is working hard to make sure that everyone is safe and that anyone who is unwell will stay home.

Prepare yourself and child for changes and new school procedures

• Look at the school website, Facebook page and newsletters to learn about new procedures that may have been introduced such as changes to parents’ access to the school grounds, drop off and pick up points as well as new rules such as wearing face masks or hygiene rules.
• Discuss these with your child and plan together how these changes will be managed. The more your child understands the changes, the more comfortable they are likely to feel. If you are unsure about anything, contact the school or your child’s teacher.

Re-establish your routines

• Routines help provide certainty and increase feelings of security, so it will help to re-establish routines and plan for the return.
• In the week before, bring back the usual wake up, bed and breakfast routines. Set aside time to find school equipment and check uniforms and shoes still fit – your child may have grown. Give yourself enough time to organise replacements or a uniform alternative if needed.
• The day before returning, encourage your child to check their school timetable if needed, pack their school bag, and get their lunch box, drink bottle and uniform ready.
• Allow more time than usual on the first morning back to calmly get ready. Take your child to school if that will help build a greater sense of security. Alternatively, encourage your child to meet up with a friend before school and travel in together.

Update the school

• Let the school know of any concerns relating to your child that may impact their transition back to school. This will assist the school to work with you to plan and put in place appropriate support strategies.

At the end of the school day

• Talk to your child about their day and what they are looking forward to tomorrow. If your child prefers, get them to write down or draw their feelings.
• Provide opportunities for your child to play and relax at the end of the day. Returning to school may contribute to tired and emotional reactions at the end of the day.
• Help re-establish after-school routines to review the day’s learning and complete homework tasks.
• Consider having extra family time together as your child may have missed being at home with you.

Supporting your child

• Returning to school routines may take some time. Reassure your child that this is normal. Encourage them to ask for help if they need it
• Take care of your own wellbeing while supporting your child’s return to learning at school. You may have some children returning to school while others are continuing to learn from home. You can help your child by explaining that all children will be returning to school soon.
• If they are finding things difficult, remind your child of times in the past when they were able to do things that were difficult and face situations that made them nervous or scared.
• If you are concerned about your child, seek support by contacting the school.

How you can help your school community

• If you are picking your child up from school, please be sure to follow the guidelines for our school.
• Please practice physical distancing at pick up time.