On your marks... Get set... GO!

NAPLAN Online is off to a great start this year. As communicated earlier, NAPLAN is run differently this year due to the entire Nation completing it online between the 10th-20th May. The only paper version is the Year 3 writing component, which was completed yesterday. As you can imagine for a school our size, the logistical organisation of space, technology and time is complex and has been timetabled to cater for our students. As parents, all we ask of you is to ensure your children are relaxed, well rested and arrive at school on time, ready to do their best. There is no need to add extra pressure or stress to children as this does not help them when they are completing the assessments. If your child does miss a timetabled NAPLAN assessment there are days allocated for these children to make these up at another time. This will be organised at school and communicated to the children when they are back at school. If they are unable to make up the missed assessment in the days allocated, they will be marked as absent and will not get a result for that particular section. This will not impact their education or enrolment into other schools or sectors at all. 

It has been great to see all the children eager to participate in the assessments and arriving with their headphones and positive attitudes. We wish them all the best!

NATIONAL WALK SAFELY TO SCHOOL DAY

Friday 20th May is National Walk Safely to school day. A great opportunity for you to discuss with your children the importance of road safety, health, public transport and the environment.

I will be looking forward to not only a sunny day but seeing so many of our families walk to school next Friday and potentially starting a new trend or way to get active each morning in the future. I understand some families within our community live a little too far to walk. Think outside the box for this one and possibly park a few streets away and walk as an alternative.

WSTSD_2022_flyer_NAT.pdf

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN YEAR 3!

BUILDING WORKS

There are a number of building work projects currently happening or scheduled in the near future to help improve our school.

Current Projects:

Painting of H Block - Abbott Rd Kindergarten and Yr 2 building.

• Scaffolding will be in place for the term as the contractors work their way around the building to prepare the surface and re painting.

Office / Staff room Upgrade

Toward the end of this Term and during Term 3, our office admin area and staff room will go through a renovation to improve the facilities for not only the staff but also our community improving the front admin desk and adding extra space for teachers and parents to meet.

FAQ

Where will the Admin Office be located?

• The office will be relocated to the spare classroom next to the uniform shop.
• Signage will be posted around the school to direct you
• All enquiries, including collecting children from sick bay will be from this location.

My child's classroom is located above the office. Will this impact them?

• Year 1 classrooms above the office area will not be impacted. The only change is access to their classrooms.
• All Year 1 children will access their classroom, morning and afternoon from the stairs located in the McMillan Playground, not the front stairs next to the current admin office. Clear communication will come home closer to the start date re pick up and drop off locations.

Will access to the front of the school be impacted?

• The main gate and bottom gate on McMillan Rd will still be available for students to access the school.
• The front section of the school between these two gates will be fenced off for safety.
• This will not impact students arriving or exiting the school. 
• The 'Kisds and Drop' zone at the front of the school will not be impacted.

When will the project start?

• The current guide is to start in the last couple of weeks of Term 2.
• Once confirmed, detailed information will come home through the Newsflash and SZapp.

Noah's Ark Toilet Block

The original toilet block located behind H block (Kindergarten & Yr 2 building) on Abbott Rd will be demolished and rebuilt this year.  We are yet to get an official start date on these, however, when we do we will communicate clearly dates and how this impacts our school.

See images of new toilet block

Applying for Year 5 entry to an opportunity class in 2023 

Applications for entry to a Year 5 opportunity class in 2023 close Friday 13 May 2022. Parents can ONLY apply online at: 

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

Parents are responsible for preparing and submitting their child’s application, not the school.

All candidates are required to sit the Opportunity Class Placement Test to be held on Thursday 28 July 2022 (Week 2, Term 3.)

The application dashboard enables parents to make updates and add attachments even after an application is submitted. Parents can also communicate directly with the Team through the system’s ‘messages’ feature.

Anyone experiencing difficulty completing or submitting an application, can contact the High Performing Students Team on 1300 880 367 or email ssu@det.nsw.edu.au.

Keep updated on the opportunity class placement process at: 

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

Rapid Antigen Testing: - More RAT kits will be sent home in the following weeks to be used for symptomatic testing as well as testing of close contacts during Term 2. These kits will be sent home in school bags. 

Close Contacts: - As of the 22 April, close contacts (household contacts) no longer have to isolate. This means that from the beginning of Term 2, students and staff who are identified as close contacts will be able to attend school, following certain guidelines.

• Parents must notify the school if they are intending to return under this provision.
• Must be symptom free. Student close contacts are encouraged to wear mask.
• Conduct a daily rapid antigen test (RAT) and return a negative result each morning before attending school for 5 school days.
• Any visitor to a school site who is a close contact is required to advise the school that they are a close contact before they come on site. These visitors should conduct a daily RAT and return a negative result before attending. They must also wear a mask indoors at all times (adult staff and visitors)

COVID Positive: - If a student tests positive to COVID-19 they must follow NSW Health guidelines and

• Notify the school of positive result
• Isolate for 7 days
• Return to school post 7 day isolation as long as symptom free

Digital Learning packs when isolating at home. If your child is feeling ok and you would like to access the Department's Digital Learning packs please access them here.

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.

Continued COVID Smart Measures

• All staff and visitors must meet double vaccination requirements.
• Ventilation is maximised in all learning areas.
• Hygiene practices and enhanced cleaning of high touch and target areas.

Reducing the risk of illness this winter season.

• stay home if unwell

• keep up to date with vaccinations – including the flu vaccine, which is available from your local GP, pharmacy or Aboriginal Medical Service. Flu vaccines are free for all children aged 6 months to under 5 years, or for a small charge for those aged 5 years and older

• get tested immediately for COVID-19 if you become symptomatic and isolate until you receive a negative result

• practice good hand hygiene by washing regularly with soap and water

• take a RAT before visiting vulnerable loved ones or going to large gatherings and events.

Dear Parents and carers, 

NAPLAN is currently taking place for year 3 and year 5 students. Sessions will be held between Tuesday, 10 May – Friday 20^th May 2022. No changes on our regular band rehearsals, but please keep checking your emails as there may be changes to tutorials. 

Please refer below for other key dates and events.

Band Key Date/Event for Term 2:

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

Music Intensive Weekend

The Artarmon Music Intensive Weekend is coming up on Saturday 28th – Sunday 29th May 2022. All students in Junior Band, Junior String, Concert Band, Concert String, Senior Band, Senior Strings, Jazz Band and Orchestra are expected to attend. You should by now received an email from our event coordinator to register your child for Music Intensive Weekend. Please complete the online registration by Friday 20th May.

We need parents to assist with supervision for each session for the Intensive weekend to work effectively. Tasks will include sign in/out, supervision of tutorials and breaks and cooking and serving of sausage sizzle. Please make yourself available and indicate your time preference on the online registration form. Please note there are 2 different days signup sheets for Saturday and Sunday.

Music intensive Weekend parents volunteers (signup.zone)

Please contact the event coordinator Dan Liu (Nicole) at ld810207@hotmail.com if you have any questions.

Band Supervision: Call for Parent Volunteers for Morning Rehearsals

As parents are now allowed back on the school site, we are excited to announce we can now organise a roster for parents to assist and supervise band rehearsals. The roster has started on Week 2 of Term 2. 

We require help with supervising band rehearsals from 07:50am to 08:50am morning. This year we would like to open the volunteering to all band groups. You are welcome to volunteer for any rehearsal on the mornings that suit you and not just for the band your child is in. 

The band co-ordinators have created a signup zone page. Please click on this link and enter your details for the time that best suits you (please note there is a different tab for each band group).

https://signup.zone/gsdhQDjk2Eo2mWqJA 

Band Invoice

Please note that band enrolments have been finalised and invoices were sent out in April 2022. Please check your Junk Mail folder or contact Band Treasurer at treasurerband@artarmonpandc.org.au if you have not received your invoice.

Please read carefully before you make payment.

1. You will see both band and string bank accounts on the invoice. Please make sure you pay into BAND account and the details are: BSB - 032090, Account number 170463.
2. If you are using the creative kids voucher, please make sure to submit your voucher details ASAP and deduct $100 from the total amount when transfer your payment. If you are unsure how to submit your voucher details, please contact band at your earliest convenience.

Feel free to contact the band treasurer should you have any other questions.

Regular Band Rehearsal Times:  

For rehearsals before school, students should arrive at school promptly at 7.50 am so that the rehearsal can start by 8:00 am.

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

String parents, in addition to email communications, we encourage you to check Newsflash regularly for upcoming events and important string updates.

What a fantastic concert the Strings students put on last Thursday for Mother’s Day. It was extremely exciting to see the students performing live in front of an audience again. I know that many parents enjoyed seeing their children perform.

Please note that registrations for the Weekend Music Intensive is being finalised. Please ensure that you have filled in any medical, dietary requirements for the sausage sizzle.

Weekend Music Intensive 28-29 May

The Artarmon Music Intensive Weekend is coming up on 28-29 May. All students in Junior Band, Junior Strings, Concert Band, Concert Strings, Senior Band, Senior Strings and Orchestra are expected to attend (Except Training Band & Training Strings). 

This event will put the students in good preparation for the Sydney Eisteddfod recording that is occurring the week after the music intensive on Saturday 4^th June.

Detailed information was sent out this week from Nicole Liu. Please register for the Music Intensive online via the parent portal by Friday 20^th May. https://portal.msmusic.com.au

Please note that Music uniforms will require to be purchased prior to the concert on Sunday for the Weekend Music intensive in May.

• White point-collar long sleeved shirt (NOT the winter blouse for girls)
• black formal pants,
• black socks, and
• black school shoes;
• Music Tie

White collared shirts and pants are available from the school uniform shop or may be purchased elsewhere e.g. Kmart, Lowes etc. Music tie, only available from school uniform shop - $20. Please purchase a music uniform prior to Music Intensive and Eisteddfod.

If you are able to assist in this event, please add your details to APS Music Intensive Weekend (signup.zone)

Sydney Eisteddfod Saturday 5^th June

The Weekend Music intensive will have the students well prepared for the next event which is Sydney Eisteddfod on Saturday 5^th June.

Please note down the times that students will require to be in attendance. Orchestra 930am-10am, Junior 10-11am, Concert 10-11am, Senior Strings 11-12pm will perform at the Sydney Eisteddfod on Saturday 4th June at the Concourse, Victoria Ave Chatswood. It is recommended that students be at the venue of Chatswood Concourse, a good half an hour before their allocated session.

All String members are expected to attend. If there are any difficulties meeting this commitment you must email the Eisteddfod Coordinator explaining the reason. Children are to wear their performance uniform, and bring with them their music, instrument, and a water bottle and small snack to have at the venue while waiting. There will not be time to visit the canteen.

Parents are very welcome to come to watch the performance, tickets are available from the Sydney Eisteddfod desk at Level 1, Chatswood Concourse Concert Hall, on the day. The cost is $25 per ticket for adults, $20 concession, $10 child/youth.

If you have any questions please contact your String Eisteddfod coordinator, Courtney at courtskimyoshi@gmail.com

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:

        Trainings Strings              1250pm for 1pm start -140pm, Tuesday Lunchtimes, music room

 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