What a great start to the week with sunshine for our athletics carnival. A huge thank you must go to the conveners of the carnival, Ms Correia, Mr King, Mr Oriel and Ms Wolski for organising such a successful event. I am sure you can appreciate the organisation and planning that is needed to allow almost 900 students to participate.

It was wonderful to see the students participating, giving it their best and cheering on their friends and peers. The House Captains and Vice Captains were bringing back some rivalry to add excitement and team spirit with cheers and screams. It was a great atmosphere. Congratulations to everyone for participating in the day and especially to those who tried their hardest and loved every minute of it.

The data entry from all heats is now complete and students will be presented with ribbons at next weeks assembly. In each age group, the top three fastest runners for 100m and 200m events will represent our school at the Zone carnival. Qualifying height and distances are set by the Zone for high jump, long jump and shot put competitors. Students will be notified at next weeks assembly when they receive their school ribbons regarding the Zone carnival and a permission notes if successful.

STUDENT INVOICES & ONLINE PERMISSION NOTES

INVOICES

Term 3 invoices were sent out to families via email this week. Fees attached to your child's invoice are for excursions, incursions or learning experiences that help support the educational programs run in classrooms. These experiences provide opportunities for students to deepen their level of understanding and engage in learning from different perspectives. 

Thank you to everyone for your prompt payment, this is really appreciated. If you have not received your invoice or would like to speak with the school about it, please contact the office and we will assist you.

ONLINE PERMISSION NOTES

Parent permission for excursions and incursions will begin coming home through your email with a link to information and to seek approval. Currently these emails are sent to the primary listed email address within the system, the same email address where invoices are sent.

Later in the week we will be sending an email to all families that clearly shows current contact details listed for your child/family in our system to review and request changes and or updates. 

NOTIFYING THE SCHOOL OF STUDENT ATTENDANCE

If your child is unwell or absent from school, please use the SZapp, 'absentee tile' to notify the school rather than the school email address. This information is added straight into our system through the office staff and you also receive a receipt of your submission

RAT KITS SENT HOME

EDUCATION WEEK

Please see below information regarding our open day for Education Week on Wednesday 3rd August.

Please note we understand this is an exciting time for families to connect with your child in their school environment and we value that. However, please understand that due to current conditions including COVID-19, RSV and Influenza we are asking parents help us keep our community safe by following our COVID Smart Measures, including:

• all visitors to wear a mask when indoors
• do not attend if any flu like symptoms
• only attend the morning assembly performance and assembly if your child is scheduled to be on stage
• use hand sanitiser and appropriate hygiene practices
• be respectful of others

Thank you in advance for working with us to keep our students, teachers and community safe.

We watched as students raced around the track in glory while laughter and cheers erupted from the crowds, left and right students and even teachers were supporting their houses. Every year, the Athletics carnival is such a joy to all the students participating and this year was no different. On this Monday, Artarmon Public School went to E.S marks, eager to run fast and represent their house in any way. We would like to talk you through all the events that our students participated in. Keep reading to find out.

800m race

The 800m race started bright and early, with many enthusiastic competitors eager to participate. We arrived at the track at around 8:30 and the run began in less than half an hour. The run was a challenge for the runners and tested their speed and stamina. Congratulations to the champions - yet to be announced.

100m race

As we walked down to the track, anxiety overcame me. I watched wave after wave of students run 100 metres down the track. What happened if I came last? Or, if I wasn’t able to complete the race? Oh well, it was too late now. I was down here and there was no going back. Every couple of seconds I moved a row forward, a row closer to what I dreaded most. A while later I was about to run. 3 2 1 and 'bam' I ran and I ran as fast as I could each second seemed like a year but I ran trying to come in first place. Cheers were all I could hear as my friend ushered me on and within 20 seconds, I had finished the race.   

200m race 

Boom, and they were off to a start, sprinting down the racetrack. Our students readily lined up for this enormous race. All students had the opportunity to participate in this race and many took this challenge upon themselves. It is an event that takes a lot of effort due to its long distance. All participants of this race should be proud of themselves

Long jump

Thanks to the trials beforehand, a selected few were ready to compete in the long jump. Parents would be pleased to know that everyone was extremely excited to see our athletes getting ready to jump, this time in a sand pit. No matter how competitive they were, winners or not, however, they all tried their best and we are proud of the winners.

High jump

As with long jump and shot put, trials were made to choose a few students to compete against each other. We had been recently practising with a rope instead of a real bar but all of us were ready to try the real experience. We were all very well prepared and showed great sportsmanship towards each other jumping heights higher than expected. In the end, however, there was only one winner but we all enjoyed it a lot.

Shot Put

Shot put was a significant event during the athletics carnival, Where the competitors were put to work to try and push the shot put ball to the furthest distance possible. All the athletes for shot put were eager to have their turn to try with all their might. It was a very competitive competition between the competitors since it was very close competition between all the grades. However, we are proud of everyone that participated and tried their best, winners or not. 

End of the day House relay

At what seemed like the end of this eventful day, four runners from each house were just getting ready for the ultimate face-off. Every competitor had to run 100m before the next runner continued the journey. It was really anyone’s game and every mistake could have a devastating outcome. The runners pushed themselves to the absolute limit to try to win gold for their House. Each house was competing for glory but in the end, only one house could win. Good job to all the houses and CONGRATULATIONS MELBA! 

This day was an exciting day in which every student contributed to the pride and glory of their houses, the commitment and effort from everyone was absolutely astounding. A massive thank you to Mr Oriel and Mr King for organising this event. Congratulations  to all competitors and a HUGE thank you to our awesome teachers for making this event possible. 

Brought to you by your student leaders -Suyii, Eric,Rayyann and James. 

Please see below information about the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check. Teachers will be completing the assessment between Week 4-6 of this term.

message_for_parents_and_carers.pdf

The busy dad's heading The Fathering Project's 'Dad's Group' have started planning their first event for later this term. Please mark down Saturday, 3rd September in your diaries for the event. More information regarding times and details to come.

If you haven't already you can join the dad's portal through the QR code below.

COVID SMART MEASURES UPDATE

As we continue to prioritise student and staff learning and wellbeing while at school, our layered COVID-smart measures will continue for Term 3. These ‘baseline measures’ are aligned to the NSW Government’s general community settings and include:

• staying home and getting tested if unwell, and only attending school when symptom free

• strongly encouraging mask-wearing for all staff and students, particularly in the first 4 weeks of term

• rapid antigen testing for symptomatic students and staff, and close contacts attending school to learn and work

• strongly encouraging COVID-19 vaccinations for students, staff and their families, including a booster shot (when eligible)

• strongly encouraging students, staff and their families to get a flu vaccination

• strict requirements for close contacts attending school

• good hygiene practices

• maximising natural ventilation

• boosted cleaning during the day, with particular attention given to high touch surface areas

• responding to local COVID-19 conditions when necessary, by working with the department’s Health, Safety and Staff Wellbeing team.

Continuing these baseline COVID-smart measures allows us to prioritise student and staff wellbeing while giving our learners a consistent and productive learning environment this term.

CLOSE CONTACTS

Students and staff who are identified as close contacts and have no symptoms can attend school if they follow certain guidelines:

• They must notify the school (including their outside of school hours care provider) if they are intending to return under this provision. Please use the 'Contact Us' tile on the SZapp.

• They should conduct a daily RAT and return a negative result each morning before attending school for 5 school days.

• No student or staff member identified as a close contact will be permitted to participate in overnight excursions, including school camps.

ADVICE FOR FAMILIES:

For more detailed information including translated resources from the Department of Education, please click on the following link: https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/advice-for-families#Specific10

DIGITAL LEARNING PACKS:

If your child needs to follow isolation requirements and is well enough to complete some learning whilst at home, please access the Departments Digital Learning Packs. All this informaton can be found here:

https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/learning-from-home/learning-at-home

Artarmon has been chosen to complete a NAPLAN item trial in preparation for 2023 NAPLAN. Next week 3BT, 3EH, 5JM and 5PO will be taking part in the trial.

No individual student data is collected from the item trials.

More information can be found in the attached PDF.

ACARA_Item_Trial_2022_parent_and_carer_information_brochure_12042022.pdf

Dear Parents and Carers, please refer below for key dates and events.

Upcoming Band Key Date/Event:

Attendance to the above events is compulsory and all Band students are expected to attend as part of the Music Program (except for the New England Orchestra Tour).

Ryde Eisteddfod

Dear Parents and Carers,

In the current climate bus companies, due to staff shortages they are unable to guarantee or provide us with a service to transport the student’s safety to and from Ryde. Therefore, unfortunately Artarmon Band must pull out of competing in this year Ryde Eisteddfod.

Please contact Band Convenors at band.artarmonpandc@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Collaroy Music Camp

Registration and payment for the camp is now closed. Our Music Camp Coordinator, Nadia Gajic has sent out important information relating to the Music Camp being held on 6^th – 7^th August 2022. Please take time to read the email carefully to ensure camp runs smoothly and is enjoyable and safe for everyone, including COVID SAFE protocol.  Please check your junk mail folder if you have not received the email or contact the Music Camp Coordinator.

Please head to https://signup.zone/7E5TJvq2W64myMXXQ for those who has offered to help out the event. Slot for volunteering still available.

Please contact Music Camp Coordinator Nadia Gajic at artarmonmusiccamp@gmail.com if you have

any questions.

Band Supervision: Call for Parent Volunteers for Morning Rehearsals

We have started a roster for parents to assist and supervise 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, all help is very much appreciated.

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

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 Daly, Oisze Altonaga & Jun Li at instrumentsband.artarmonpandc@gmail.com.

For tutor related enquires please email your Tutor in the first instance. Alternatively, email Jane Absolum/Rebecca at tutorband.artarmonpandc@gmail.com

 For invoicing related enquiries, please contact our Treasurer Lynn at at treasurerband.artarmonpandc@gmail.com

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@gmail.com

Dear String Parents,

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

Dates for the diary

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

Open Day on Wednesday 3rd August

All strings and bands will be performing at the Open Day on Wednesday 3^rd August as part of Education Week.

All string ensembles, including Training Strings, will perform in the school hall between 8-8:55am as parents and visitors tour around the school. 

In addition, Senior Strings will also perform in the Assembly shortly after 9am. More information will be communicated to parents via our ensembles coordinators in the coming days.

Students are to arrive at the hall at 7:45am for setup and tuning. Full winter school uniform please.

Collaroy Music Camp

The Artarmon Public School Music Camp will be going ahead this year over the weekend of the 6^th - 7^th August at The Collaroy Centre, Collaroy for all BAND and STRING members from Year 4 to Year 6. The music camp provides our children with a great opportunity to not only bond with their fellow musicians, but also to help consolidate their skills ahead of The Concourse concert.

Strings Orchestra Coordinator Wanted!

We are recruiting for a volunteer Orchestra Coordinator for our Strings team. If you are interested in joining our wonderful group of Strings parent volunteers and assisting our students in their Strings music program, please reach out to our Strings Convener, Ellen Hird at strings.artarmonpandc@gmail.com.

Ensembles

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

Ensemble rehearsals

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.

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.