When we approach the end of term it is not only parents that feel exhausted, but teachers and students too. Please remember that if your child/children are coming home and are not able to be 'motivated' to get things done as efficiently or without question as a few weeks ago, please remember that is it Week 10 of the first term of school. Your children have entered a new classroom with a new teacher and made new friends. They have engaged in learning and been challenged, pushed out of their comfort zone to reflect on feedback and improve their own learning. They have managed changes to timetables, playgrounds and COVID smart measures along with all of us too. They have had to be resilient, confident, persistent and organised everyday whilst continuing to get along with others.

It has been a huge term and one with many challenges that teachers always turn into a positive learning experience. In the last 7 days of school before the holidays we have more exciting activities for the students to engage in.

31st March: Year 6 2023 Selective High School Test

1st April: Easter Band Breakfast

4-6th April: Year 6 Canberra excursion

6th April: Year 4 Gibberagong excursion

8th April: K-2 Easter Hat Parade, ANZAC assembly + End of term sausage sizzle

Please be patient with your children and remember we are almost at the end of term where it will be time to rest and recharge our batteries before we start it all again. 

PARENT VOLUNTEERS

We are looking forward to having parent volunteers back in our school as you are all a vital part in working together as a community. Please remember if you are coming into the school to volunteer, each year you need to complete a volunteer working with children check and submit this to the office. If you would like to complete this form from home prior to bringing it to the office, please see a link to the fillable PDF.

Parent_Volunteer_WWCC_forms.pdf

SELECTIVE HIGH SCHOOL TEST

Good luck to all the Year 6 students sitting the Selective High School test tomorrow. Please remember to get plenty of rest tonight, a good breakfast in the morning and remember to read the question carefully before you answer it. 

KIDS LIT QUIZ - Written by Ayaan Garg 6SK

We had a fabulous experience at Lit Quiz. Lit Quiz is a competition in which you and three other students answer Literacy based questions on various topics. This year Lit Quiz was fantastic as we travelled to Jasper Park Public School where we competed against teams from six other schools. We won books for winning rounds and special prizes for answering bonus questions. The Year Five team place third at the end of the competition. We all had a chance to show off our knowledge. That is what makes Lit Quiz so exciting!

What is Kids Lit Quiz: https://www.kidslitquiz.com/home.php

Sample questions: Test yourself on the website.

1. What happened to Bruno Jenkins in the book The Witches?
2. Who is the big huggable giant in the Harry Potter series?
3. How did the kids learn about the Mysterious Benedict Society

SKELLERN CUP - Written By Karina Sun & Chloe Luo 5JM

The Skellern Cup was a great experience! On Wednesday, Stage 2 enjoyed a fantastic day at the cup. We were very proud of them for finishing in 2nd place on the day. On Thursday, Stage 3 travelled to Turramurra and played in four soccer matches against other schools from Northern Sydney. The best part was that we were undefeated in our matches. The worst part was that it rained all day and everyone got cold and wet. We met different people and had a lot of fun despite the weather. We got to meet the Skellern sisters and get a personal message and autograph from them. One of our teammates, Jenna, was awarded a voucher by the Skellern sisters for playing well and demonstrating good sportsmanship. Thank you to Ms Harrington and Ms Wolski for organising this event.

SMART WATCH REMINDER

As part of the Department's 'Student use of digital device' policy, students are not permitted to wear smart watches during the day on their wrist. We understand that some families use these devices for students to contact their families when arriving at school or home. If this is the case, students must turn their watch off when arriving at school and place them in their bag and can be turned on at the end of the school day. 

If students would like a watch on their wrist to tell the time throughout the day, they are more than welcome to wear a normal digital or analogue watch that fits their wrist and is not a cumbersome distraction whilst learning in the classroom.

Accessing the NSW Digital Learning Packs from home when isolating.

If you child is isolating at home from either a positive test or due to being a household member/ close contact please remember to notify the school by either email or using the SZapp - Contact us.

Once we receive your notification the school will be in contact with you for a well-being check and to offer you support. If your child is well enough and you would like them to have access to the Departments Digital Learning Packs whilst isolating at home, please see the following link.

https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/learning-from-home/learning-at-home/2022-digital-learning-packs/primary

The Departments Digital Learning Packs provide 5 days of learning activities for you and your child/children to work through at your pace. This system is set up to support families to manage the time at home. This is not mandatory, only optional.

Please remember to visit NSW Health website for more information regarding what to do if you test positive to COVID-19 and links to translated self-isolation guides in different languages.

https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/management/advice-for-confirmed

What do I need to do?

You and your household contacts must isolate at home

You must self-isolate at home for 7 days from the date you got tested, even if you are fully vaccinated. Self-isolation means staying in your home or accommodation and remaining separated from others. Please see the Self-Isolation Guideline for further information on how to self-isolate and what supports are available to you should you need them.

You must tell people you live with that you have COVID-19. Your household contacts must also self-isolate for 7 days, and have a rapid antigen test (RAT) as soon as possible and again on Day 6 (see Information for people exposed to COVID-19 and Get tested for COVID-19).

The NSW Health Isolation Support Line, is available for practical assistance during self-isolation on 1800 943 553. 

Band parents, remember to check Newsflash regularly for upcoming events and important band updates. We will publish advance dates as soon as we know them to help you plan your year.

Changes to Band Rehearsals

Please review the school event dates below as some band rehearsals are affected:

Thursday, 31^st March 2022 - Year 6 high school selective test

• Senior Concert Band rehearsal from 2.00pm to 2.55pm is cancelled. For all remaining students not participating in selective school test, please join Concert Band rehearsal at 12.20pm to 1.10pm.
• Jazz Band rehearsal at 3pm to 4pm is cancelled

Monday 4^th April – Wednesday 6^th April 2022 – Year 6 school camp

• Tuesday 5^th April – Senior Concert Band rehearsal from 8.00 – 8.50am is cancelled. For all remaining students not attending camp can join Concert Band rehearsal on Monday 4^th April at 8.00 – 8.50am if available
• Wednesday 6^th April – Orchestra rehearsal from 8.00 – 8.50 is cancelled

Friday 1^st April 2022 – Easter Band Performance

• All Band will be performing. A reminder for all performers to bring their instrument to school for the day.

Friday 8^th April 2022 – Anzac Day Assembly

• Senior Concert Band will be performing in the assembly. A reminder for all performers to bring their instrument to school for the day.

Parent Portal – Updating Student Details

If your child is enrolled in Band, please log into the Parent Portal https://portal.msmusic.com.au/artarmonmusic and update the following:

• Your child’s 2022 class details. Class allocation has now been confirmed
• Check the allocated band and instrument

This is important information for scheduling & communication purposes. 

If the details in Parent Portal is incorrect, please email your Band Coordinator or band@artarmonpandc.org.au to advise.

Music Bags

APS music bags are available for purchase for $20 each.  Please contact your Band Co-ordinator if you are interested.

Regular Band Rehearsal Times:  

For rehearsals before school, students should arrive at school promptly at 7.50am so that the rehearsal can start by 8am.

Got a question?

Step 1: Have you looked in the 2022 band information pack? A copy is available in the MSM parent portal.

Step 2: Keep up to date with our weekly Band News.

Step 3:

For instrument related enquiries please contact our Instrument Coordinator Kirsteen at apsbandinstruments@gmail.com.

For tutor related enquires please contact our Tutor Coordinator Jane at tutorband@artarmonpandc.org.au.

For invoicing related enquiries, please contact our Treasurer Lynn at treasurerband@artarmonpandc.org.au.

Step 4: for any other enquiries please contact your wonderful Band Coordinators!

THANK YOU!

Ellis Foong & Christine Cao – 2022 Band Co-Convenors

Email: band@artarmonpandc.org.au

Dear Strings Parents

Please note the calendar of events that are coming up in the coming months to help you plan your year. We have our annual Mother’s Day performance by the Strings ensembles coming up. Please pencil in the date and look forward to what the children have been practising.

Got a question?

Step 1: Have you looked in the 2022 Strings information pack? A copy is available in the MSM parent portal. https://portal.msmusic.com.au/artarmonmusic

Step 2: Keep up to date with our weekly Strings News by checking Newsflash in the Schoolzine app.

Step 3: For instrument related enquiries please contact our Instrument Coordinators Aarti at APSstringsinstruments@gmail.com

For tutor related enquires please contact our Tutor Coordinator Jane at tutorband@artarmonpandc.org.au.

For invoicing related enquiries, please contact our Treasurers Namitha and Cat at stringstreasurer@gmail.com

Step 4: for any other enquiries please contact your wonderful String Coordinators:

Dates for the diary

Attendance to the above events is compulsory and String students are expected to attend as part of the Music Program.

Update your child’s class details

Now that classes have been confirmed, please UPDATE your child’s class details on the parent portal. https://portal.msmusic.com.au/artarmonmusic

Don’t forget to subscribe to SzApp for String Ensemble News. Found under Manage tab, choose the String Ensemble to keep in the loop with any alerts to upcoming events and updated news.

As a general courtesy, please ensure your tutors are also informed in advance if your child is unable to attend their lessons due to illness, doctor’s appointment, Selective School test, Covid isolation etc.

CREATIVE KIDS – claim and volunteer

In 2022 the NSW Government will continue to contribute a $100 Creative Kids rebate for NSW residents. The Artarmon P&C is currently registered as a Creative Kids provider for the band and strings programs.

If you will be taking advantage of this, your first step is to:

Step 1. Apply for a voucher for your child on the Service NSW website:  go to https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-creative-kids-voucher.

Step 2. Please log into the Parent Portal and provide details by completing the form online.

If you wish to use the Creative Kids Voucher you must pay $100 less than your invoice total. We will then credit the $100 against your invoice when we have redeemed the voucher from Service NSW. This only applies to school ensemble fees and not tuition fees.

Step 3. Any creative voucher enquires please email apscreativevoucher@gmail.com

Ensembles 

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

Ensemble rehearsals:

         Junior Strings:                     7:45 for 750am start -8:45am Tuesdays, school hall

         Concert Strings:                  7:45 for 750am start -8:45am Thursdays, school hall

         Senior Strings:                    3-4pm Tuesdays, music room