Friday is the last day of term before we break for two weeks of rest and relaxation. Your children have had an amazing term and it has been wonderful to see their resilience and persistence when faced with challenges in their learning. Please take time these holidays to rest, recover and recharge not only your children's batteries, but yours too. Stay safe, spend quality time with family and hopefully the weather allows us all to get outdoors in the sunshine.

Start of Term 2 

Tuesday 26th April: Staff development day - No children at school.

Wednesday 27th April: Student's first day back. 

CANBERRA

Year 6 have had a wonderful time in Canberra for the last three days. They have visited Parliament House, the War Memorial, Royal Australian Mint, the Electoral office, Questacon, the National Gallery, Museum of Australian Democracy, the Australian Institute of Sport and Mt Ainslie. They have had wonderful weather and all reports from staff are they have been amazing to take away and represent Artarmon PS. A huge thank you must go to the teachers for giving up their time with their families to make this trip possible for our students. We will continue to update through the SZapp this afternoon of arrival time.  When coming to collect your children, please do not park on the school side of McMillan or Abbott rd as we will need this free for the coaches to park, allowing students to disembark safety.

Message from PACER (Parliament and Civics Education Rebate)

Students from Year 6 are currently undertaking an educational tour of the national capital. Students will be given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy. The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the excursion cost, the Australian Government is contributing funding of $30 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.

BUILDING WORKS

During the holidays, scaffolding will be erected on H block (Kindy building) to begin the process of repainting the outside. This scaffolding will remain on the building throughout Term Two. Access to the building will be completely safe and fencing will be set up to ensure safety for all students.

Abbott Rd Toilet Block

During Term Two, demolition of the old toilet block on the Abbott Rd campus will begin and construction of our new toilet block. More information about this will come closer to the date, including updated access to the school via the oval stairs and safety for students.

TERM TWO FEES

Term Two student fees will be sent via email at the end of the week. Included in our fees will be the 2022 Voluntary Contribution. Below is a PDF explaining the the details of how this impacts our school.

Attention Year 4 parents, Carers

Please see detailed information and important dates for the application process for the NSW Department Opportunity Class in 2023

Important dates in the application process are as follows:  

• Tuesday 26 April 2022: Online applications opens  
• Friday 13 May 2022: Online applications closes (Parents and carers must apply by the due date.) 
• Thursday 28 July 2022: Opportunity Class Placement Test 

Parents and carers must apply online between Tuesday 26 April 2022 and Friday 13 May 2022 at: 

https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/selective-high-schools-and-opportunity-classes/year-5

PDF LINKS

Information_about_applying_for_Year_5_entry_to_an_opportunity_class_in_2023.pdf

NAPLAN 2022 The National Assessment Program

National Assessment Program- Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment of literacy and numeracy skills. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in the annual tests in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. All NSW schools will sit NAPLAN online in 2022. Our school will be participating in NAPLAN between 10 and 20 May 2022. In preparation for NAPLAN, our school will also be participating in practice tests between Monday 21 March and Friday 1 April. The practice test is a trial run and key preparation activity for NAPLAN in May. It is not an assessment of student ability, and the tests will not be marked. Excessive preparation for NAPLAN is not recommended. Students can use the public demonstration site (https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site) to familiarise themselves with the types of questions and tools available in NAPLAN. If you have any concerns, please contact the office.

More information on NAPLAN online can be found here. naplan_information_brochure_for_parents_and_carers.pdf

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 in the second week of May. If you are able to assist, please sign up your availability on the sign up sheet.

        https://signup.zone/vGYpynCyNHHnFF8f9

Please note details in regard to Training strings lunch time rehearsals have been sent out this week via email. Exciting to see the Trainings Strings students begin their lunch rehearsals from Term 2. We look forward to seeing their performances later in the year.

Enjoy the Easter break, we look forward to seeing you all next term.

Regards

Ellen Hird (Strings Convenor 2022)

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.

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

Dear Parents, 

With holidays upon us, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you and the students for participation and commitment to Band during Term 1, with Easter Band performance being the highlight for this term.

Despite the extreme weather condition, the Easter Band Performance have been a great success. I must thank our Band Director, Band Coordinators, parent volunteers, enthusiast band performers and enormous support from the school and P&C.

We wish you and your family a safe and relaxing holiday break and we look forward to seeing students back and ready to participate in Band again in Term 2. 

The Band program will start again on Tuesday 26th April 2022.

Band Key Date/Event:

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

Thursday 7^th April 2022

• Senior Concert Band rehearsal as per normal time 2.00 pm – 2.55 pm
• Junior Concert Band, Concert Band and Jazz Band is cancelled

Friday 8^th April 2022

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

Term 2 Key dates placeholder

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

GUITAR NEWS

This is week is going to be the last week of Individual Guitar lessons and Junior Guitar Group rehearsal. Since the Junior Guitar Group is new and learning the new pieces, we will arrange for a performance at the end of Term 2 instead of Term 1.

And Thanks for all the parents and students in Term 1 – Everyone has made great progress!

Enrolments for Guitar in Term 2 2022 now open for Years 3 to 6.

APS has a long established Guitar Tuition program.

Guitar lessons are available in school during school hours. Lessons are catered to all levels. The program focuses on music reading for guitar, guitar basics and the kids get to enjoy learning a wide range of music.

Junior & Senior Guitar Groups play music from a wide range of music genres, from Classical to Rock. Students are able to join groups when they attain an appropriate level of competence on the instrument.

For further information please contact:

Mrs Lan Zhong, lanzhongster@gmail.com, 0431 603 305

• Specializes in Classical Guitar
• Focus on learning music notes, foundational skills and techniques
• AMEB Classical Guitar Grade Exam
• Responsible for Junior Guitar Group (7:45am-8:45am every Thursday)

Mr Andre Laus, dreyrollan@gmail.com, 0422 286 807

• Specializes in Acoustic and Electrical guitar
• Focus on basic notes reading and techniques
• Contemporary music (Blues, Country, Rock etc.)
• Responsible for Senior Guitar Group (date to be confirmed)

Regular Guitar Group Rehearsal Times:

 Junior Guitar Group: Thursday 7:45am - 8:45am

Senior Guitar Group: (date to be confirmed)