I am looking forward to celebrating the arts at the Concourse on Thursday evening with our community and watching our students perform on the main stage. Please remember if your child is performing tomorrow night you are fully prepared and organised in regards to where to drop off and pick up.

Pick up after the event: If weather permits students will be walked outside and grouped on the front steps of the main entrance. Teachers will walk the students out for you to collect. 

If wet weather: If raining and the outside area is unusable, we will communicate with you on the night. All I ask is that everyone is patient as this will take a little longer, however, our priority is getting students home safely.

What to wear: Students will come in the costume or uniform of their first performance. The program above will help parents to work out which costume or uniform to come to the Concourse in, as well as the orginal Concourse note. There are dedicated changerooms and teachers to help students get to to their next performance on the night.

COVID-19 ISOLATION CHANGES

As emailed out earlier in the week, please see new changes to the COVID-19 isolation requirements in NSW schools.

In line with the National Cabinet announcement, the following requirements will apply at our school.

All staff, students and visitors who have tested positive to COVID-19 must:

• complete 5 days of isolation from the date they tested positive

• be symptom-free before returning to school, if symptoms remain after Day 5 they must continue following NSW Health guidelines to self-isolate and undertake a rapid antigen test

• complete a rapid antigen test (RAT) and return a negative result before attending school on Days 6 and 7 after testing positive to COVID-19, and

• wear a mask on Days 6 and 7 when attending school (for all staff and those students 12 years and older).

Staff and students may use the RAT kits supplied to them by our school early this term for the purpose of testing before attending school on Days 6 and 7. If you require additional RAT kits for this purpose please get in touch with our front office who can provide or organise additional kits.

All staff, students and visitors who test positive to COVID-19 should continue to follow the NSW Health guidelinesExternal link in addition to the department’s Response protocols and Advice for families.

Finally, please be reminded that anyone displaying even the mildest of symptoms should stay at home, even if they return a negative RAT or PCR test. By staying home if unwell you’ll help keep our school community safe and help us prioritise face-to-face learning throughout the rest of this term and into Term 4.

BUILDING UPDATE

Administration Upgrade: Firstly, thank you for your patience with our current administration building project. The good news is it is almost complete and we will start to move the office back in there during the last week of this term. We intend to be fully functioning in the new administration area for the first day of Term 4 and look forward to welcoming you in. Please be patient with us during the last few days of this term as we start the transition process.

Noah's Ark Toilet - The Noah's Ark toilet or more commonly known as the 'Kindy' toilet or the Abbott Rd toilet block has only weeks left in commission. During the school holidays it will be demolished and the new facilities build will begin. This project will not be complete until during the Christmas holidays and the new toilets will be ready for the start of 2023.

A separate temporary girls block will be located between the 

McMillan Shade Structure - Our new community funded shade structures are finally being erected during the school holidays in the McMillan playground. 

I understand the community use our school playground during the holidays, so please be aware that there will be construction fencing both in the McMillan playground and behind the Kindy at the entrance to the oval.

PUBLIC HOLIDAY - Thursday 22nd September

As announced by the Prime Minister on the weekend, there will be a public holiday next week on Thursday 22nd September to allow people to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

This of course means school will be closed.

YEAR 5 PARENT HELPERS NEEDED FOR THE YEAR 6 FAREWELL

Tradition at Artarmon has always been that we ask the parents of Year 5 to form a committee and work with the school to organise the Year 6 Farewell for outgoing year 6. The main reason for this is we value the significance of the event and the family time leading up to and during the evening. By asking the parents of our current Year 5's, this allows the families of the students graduating to enjoy the moment with their family and not miss this due to running the event.

We are in great need of some Year 5 parents to join our committee and help make the night special for our Year 6 students. Can I please ask for families to volunteer some time to help support?

Some of the areas we need support in are:

Technology - Collecting images and building slide shows for the night

Catering - Source, organise, help set up and prepare

Decorations - Create a theme and design some decorations based around theme.

Pack up / Clean Up - Some bodies on the night to help with everything needed.

If you are able to help, please come along to the Zoom meeting this Friday at 1pm. Details to be sent out via SZapp and class parents.

SCHOOL CROSSING SUPERVISOR

A enormous thank you must go to Janelle who has been a fabulous school crossing supervisor for the past 18 months. Having Janelle dressed in bright yellow at our crossing every morning and afternoon has made a significant difference to not only the  safety of our children but the flow of traffic and happy welcoming smile every child, parent or grandparent get as they pass.

Unfortunately, Janelle is hanging up the yellow coat, hat and sign and we are in need of someone to fill her shoes. If you or anyone you know would be interested in this role, please see the following link.

This is such an important role for the safety of our students and families.

The SCS role Artarmon Public School for is now live. Please click here to view the advert and share with your network.

https://jobs.transport.nsw.gov.au/job-invite/78045/

Last chance to complete The Parent Tell Them From Me Survey. This survey allows us to collect valuable information on how parents feel about our school. Survey closes this Friday, 4th November.

When you click on the link, you will be taken to the page below, where you are able to change the language easily if needed.

http://nsw.tellthemfromme.com/artarmon2022

Artarmon Public School’s belated Book Week celebrations, all K-6 students are encouraged to dress up as a book character or dress to the theme ‘Dreaming with eyes open’ on:

Wednesday 21 September 2022

If students choose not to dress as a book character, they can wear their normal school uniform.  Please note that the costume does not need to be too elaborate.  We would encourage parents to use dress-up clothes from home for the event.

Students are also encouraged to bring their book along to school with them if possible.

K – 2 Parents are invited to attend: K - 2's Book Week Character Parade

When: Wednesday 21 September 2022

Time: 10:00am

Where: McMillan Playground

Dear String Parents,

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

Chatswood Concourse Concert

The Artarmon Public School Celebration of the Arts is this Thursday 15^th September 2022. All String ensembles are to arrive at the Chatswood Concourse at 6:30pm and bring their instrument and music with them. Please note that double bass players will be required to bring their home double bass to the Chatswood Concourse for their performance.

All strings students are to wear their music uniform for the performance.

The music uniform is as follows:

• 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. The Music tie is only available from school uniform shop - $20.

New String Co-Convenors

A big thank you to Ellen Hird for her amazing work as Strings Convenor. Ellen has done an incredible job bringing together a strong team of volunteers, organising events, and coordinating the Artarmon Public School String program over the last 3 years. During that time the String program has grown to over 170 students and we appreciate Ellen’s time, hard work and dedication in making it such a success!

Ellen will be handing over the role to Anna Mo and Tazien Javed at the end of this term. Anna and Tazien will be sharing the role as String Co-Convenors and are looking forward to working with the APS String community. If you have any queries, please continue to email strings.artarmonpandc@gmail.com

Tutorial Absences

A reminder regarding absences: parents/caregivers must inform their child's instrumental tutor directly regarding absences in a timely manner. It is important to note that the school does not inform tutors of student absences. Lessons that are missed without due notice will be forfeited.

Orchestra – Parent Supervision Roster

Our orchestra ensemble is on Wednesdays 7:50am – 8:50am in the Music Room. If you are available to assist and supervise the rehearsals, please sign up using the following google link:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AWVJlOXfX9dBr-W4a2_a2t1yeis5_G1FwaYDnAWE9fA/edit?usp=sharing

Dates for the diary

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

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.

Concourse Concert

The Artarmon Celebration of Music is coming up tomorrow, Thursday, 15th September 2022 at Concourse Chatswood. A few last-minute reminders:

• Complete the Permission Note and return directly to Mrs Singh and Mrs Stokes
• Jazz Band rehearsal is CANCELLED
• Children are to wear their APS Music Uniform
• Each child should bring their instrument and music
• If you have child who play a large instrument, you need to transport the instrument yourself to the venue. If you think the instrument at school is better quality than the one you have at home, please get yourself organise to pick up the instrument at school before performance.
  Please note that the music room is only open when there is a rehearsal, otherwise it will be locked.
• All Jazz Band will need to arrive at the Concourse Foyer by 6:15 PM the latest.

If you have any questions please contact your Band (band.artarmonpandc@gmail.com) and String Convenor (strings.artarmonpandc@gmail.com)

Music Chairs

The music children are very excited as the long-waited music chair are finally here. Strings and Band have purchased 60 posture chair that allow music children to sit in the manner that best suits their style and instrument. The cost of these chair has already been included in the semester music fees.

Parent Volunteers Needed!!

As you may know, ALL of the administration of the Band Program (and Strings) is completed entirely by parent volunteers.  Currently we have two openings of new parent volunteers to fill empty roles. Volunteering to help out with band is a great way to connect with the school community, gain a better understanding of the music & band program and most importantly your child will be thrilled that you are involved with something they are involved in.

If you are able to assist or have any further questions on any of the roles, please email band.artarmonpandc@gmail.com

• Tutor Coordinator Assistant

Liaises between the school, parents, tutors and music directors (Band & Strings) in relation to tutorials, coordinates lesson timetables & reports, communicates tutorial information to parents, updates / email tutors as required.

• Instrument Coordinator Assistant

Assists Instrument Coordinators with issuing instruments, organising repairs, updating and maintaining instrument register and annual instrument checks.

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 is also a great opportunity to watch your child and their band practice. However, except for Training Band, we still missing significant numbers of parent volunteers.

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 contact your Tutor in the first instance. Alternatively, email Tutor Coordinator Jane Absolum/Jessy Tandani at tutorband.atarmonpandc@gmail.com

For invoicing related enquiries, please contact our Treasurer Lynn 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