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

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.

Ryde Eisteddfod

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

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.

Our Music Camp Coordinator, Nadia Gajic has previously sent out important information relating to the Music Camp. Please take time to read the email carefully to ensure camp runs smoothly and is enjoyable and safe for everyone, including information on the COVID SAFE protocol. Please contact Nadia Gajic at artarmonmusiccamp@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Please head to https://signup.zone/7E5TJvq2W64myMXXQ for those who would like to offer their help for the event. Slots for volunteering are still available.

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.

BAND NEWS  

Congratulations to all the Band (Yes, including Training Band) who has performed during our 2022 Open Day this morning. What fantastic performances!

Special THANK YOU to our music directors, tutors and students worked diligently during their music tutorials and rehearsals and made great progress with their ensemble pieces. 

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).

Collaroy Music Camp

TWO more days to go!!

Please make sure you spend some time to read the information pack. It has all you need to know to get you ready for Music Camp.

Children should arrive at school between 7:15am – 7:30 am on Saturday, 6^th August to sign in outside APS Music Room. Please have your COVID – 19 Music Camp Health Declaration form completed and hand-in during sign in.

Buses will depart at 8:00 am sharp. No waiting for late arrival.

We still have numbers of critical positions for volunteering. Please head to https://signup.zone/7E5TJvq2W64myMXXQ for those who has offered to help out at the event.

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