MOBILE PHONES AT SCHOOL

In December 2018 it was announced that mobile phones and associated devices will be banned in NSW public primary schools this year in a bid to combat bullying and distractions in the classroom.

The ban follows an independent review which found a rise in online bullying, the sharing of explicit images and a lack of focus in classrooms due to mobile devices.

"Technology should be there to help a child learn it should not be there to upset them or make them feel uncomfortable," Premier Gladys Berejiklian

At Artarmon Public School we have always implemented a practice where students who bring a mobile phone and/or watch with phone capability, will need to turn it off before school starts and can only use it again at 2.55pm when school finishes.

Parents can always contact the school for emergency issues and the school will contact parents if students are unwell.

I often hear parents and caregivers say that they feel that children are safe with a mobile phone. Nothing keeps your children safer than parents and teachers giving them skills to look after themselves. A phone is just a communication device. In fact Dr Michael Carr-Gregg recommends parents buy their children ‘dumb phones’ , only capable of phone calls.

The Artarmon Public School policy will be reviewed when the Department policy is issued and all students will be participating in an online cyber safety program – eSmart Digital Licence- through the Alannah & Madeline Foundation.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2019 CLASS PARENTS

Thank you to all 48 class parent volunteers. This is an important role at APS . Class parents help with communication between the families of children in the class, with the teacher, school and P&C Committee and help to make families feel part of the school. We are all very appreciateive of the work you do.

YR 2 GOING SWIMMING

EXCURSION REFUNDS

When the school books excursions we have a set cost for the buses and an entry/participation cost. If your child is unexpectedly unable to attend an excursion we are unable to refund the travel/bus cost as the companies do not charge per person, they charge per bus.

LOST PROPERTY

We ask parents to ensure all items belonging to their child are named.

A system is in place to return lost clothing, water bottles and other items to students. However, where items are unnamed or are second-hand and carry the name of an unrelated student, we are unable to find the current owner.

6VC Artwork

School   Band   News

            Band parents, please check Newsflash weekly for the latest news and reminders, we will publish advance dates as soon as we know them to help you plan your year!

Hired Instruments: Instrument Care and Pink Slips

Information has been sent to parents of all students who hire an instrument about how to look after your instrument and what to do if it needs repairing. Please read the document and ensure your child takes care of their instrument properly.

If you have not returned your pink slip (instrument hire form for 2019) please sign and return the signed part to the band box next to the office. If you did not receive a pink slip for 2019 when you collected the hire instrument please contact Kirsteen at APSbandinstruments@gmail.com.

Reminders: Invoices, Creative Kids and updating your child's class

Semester 1 invoices are now due, please pay now if you have not already. If you want to use a Creative Kids voucher, please log on to the music parent portal at https://portal.msmusic.com.au/artarmonmusic and provide the details. If you use a Creative Kids voucher you pay $100 less than your invoice total, we will credit the $100 against your invoice when we have redeemed the voucher from Service NSW.

Also, have you updated your child's class to their 2019 class in the music parent portal? If not please do it as soon as possible so that we have the correct details for your child. Just log in to the portal, click on Update Student, type in their class and Save.

Easter Band Breakfast Concert

All bands (yes, including Training band!) and Orchestra will perform at the annual Easter Band Breakfast concert on Friday 12^th April (the last day of term) before school.

We are looking for a group of parents to organise and assist with this. It is an informal concert and easy to organise. Tasks include publicising the event, buying and serving hot cross buns and drinks, collecting money and clearing up. Please contact band@artarmonpandc.org.au if you are able to help with this event.

Got a question?

Have you looked in the 2019 band information pack? A copy is available at https://portal.msmusic.com.au/artarmonmusic.

If it is about your hired instrument or instrumental tutorial please contact your tutor firstly, then our instrument coordinator or tutor coordinator if required.

For anything else please contact your band coordinator.

Strings News  

Thank you to those who have volunteered for roles in our committee. We’ll be finalising the positions soon. Stayed tuned (yes, intentional) for details on the committee meeting to be held before the end of term. 

Strings Captains

 Congratulations to this year’s strings captains:

 Senior Strings – Ashleigh Li and Lily Ikawa

Concert Strings –  Mark P'ng and Ria Chari

Junior Strings – Aram Tontian and Riya Kabeer

Senior Strings auditions – Festival of Instrumental Music performance

Auditions April 2^nd

You should have received an email from your Senior Strings coordinator regarding the auditions for the Festival of Instrumental Music at the Opera House in August.

Please contact Ada Pan if you have not received it.

Calendar:

Ensemble rehearsals:

        Training Strings:               Tuesdays lunchtime, starts in Term 2

        Junior Strings:                  7:45-8:45am Tuesdays, middle level S block

        Concert Strings:               7:45-8:45 Thursdays, middle level S block

        Senior Strings:                 3-4pm Tuesdays, music room

        Orchestra:                       8-8:50am Wednesdays, music room

Committee Positions

Training Strings Coordinator – Ellen Hird

Junior Strings Coordinator – Rose Wen

Concert Strings Coordinator – Karen P’ng

Senior Strings Coordinator – Ada Pan

Orchestra Coordinator – TBA

Instruments Coordinator – Joanne Wang

Assistant Instrument Coordinator – TBA

Secretary – Arzoo Patel

Strings Treasurer – TBA

Emma Nicholas, Strings Convenor – strings@artarmonpandc.org.au