2024 Term 4 Newsletter
Sunday, December 1, 2024 by Joanne Trewick | Uncategorized
Welcome to our last newsletter for the year. What an amazing year we have had with so many achievements to celebrate and progress to be proud of.
There is still a lot of important things for you to know, so thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter carefully. I appreciate this very much.
It never ceases to amaze me just how many awards there are when I list them out for newsletter, check out this super fabulous list fat the end of the newsletter for your child’s name.
I hope the Christmas and New Break is a special time for your family.
Warmly,
Ms Joanne
* WHAT THE END OF 2024 LOOKS LIKE
~ Our studio runs to state school terms and so we have lessons through to the end of week 11. Week 11 is our games week, and no one ever wants to miss that! If your child’s regular lesson time is hard to get to because your family has extra commitments then shoot me an email as there may be another class they can join for games week. Lots of organisation goes into the activities for this week, but without fail I am amazed at the new learning and consolidation of learning but in a different way that occurs. Games days have proven to be some of our most effective learning times - so its not just the kids that love them, but a very satisfying way for me to finish out the term as well ;)
~I am available in week 12 for individual lessons for anyone that would like to book and also for those finishing up school early, many have already booked extra lessons in week 11. There are still a handful of times available if you would like to do this; whether it is to complete an exam, learn a special Christmas song, or just sit in on your child’s lesson to see what they are learning.
~If your child is at Saints Augustine’s their games lesson is for the lesson invoiced during week 10. Juniors already had this lesson on Friday (we had to move it out of week 10 to get around other school activities) and Seniors are getting it this coming week - either way, it is the lesson that appears on your December invoice.
~The studio will be closed from Dec 20 until Jan 6. Enquiries about individual lessons in January, or other 2025 matters, are welcome after that date. It is my hope that all 2025 class details and enrolments will be finalised prior to Dec 20 though.
* 2025 SCHEDULE
I had hoped to have the timetable of classes for the new year to everyone by now, but that has not yet been possible. Please look out for an email detailing options for your child in the next couple of weeks.
We know that demand for our most wonderful piano classes is at an all time high, but I am still taking expressions of interest for classes in other instruments (eg. bass/ guitar/drums/strings/woodwind/brass etc) vocal classes or ensemble groups.
If you are a Saint Augustine’s student - it is planned for your lessons to resume in week 2 of the new term at school.
*KINDER BEAT
We have had some truly wonderful early childhood music classes this year in the fabulous space that is our music room at Saints school. Kinder Beat classes will again be available during 2025, book your spot now for children from 2 years up until school age. This very well designed prepatory music program has endless musical benefits but also engages learning in many other ways, such a boost to the wholistic development of our littlest people.
Miss Rebekah has been getting rave reviews from the youngest students she has worked with this year.
*FEES
Firstly, to those who consistently keep their account in order - a very big thank you to you!
A little note about invoices in December and the Term 4 Resource Fee, as this is often the time of year I get the most enquiries about this.
Listing what the Resource Fee goes towards would take ages, but here is a small snapshot.
-Purchase of music books, media files, instruments, teaching resources etc. utilised in the music classroom.
- Professional development courses and travel
- Subscriptions to many teaching and student platforms that form an integral part of our learning program. (Piano teaching Success/ Soundwise/ Supersonics etc.)
- Studio digital licensing costs
It would be easier for me if I just charged the resource fee at the start of every term, but instead, I look for the month with the least number of lessons in it, and apply the resource fee at that time - to spread costs for parents as much as possible. In term 4 that was the December invoice.
Our fees are set to cover the cost of providing a wonderful musical education to your child over the course of the whole year. Even though fees are charged by the lesson, in all reality, the lesson is such a small part of what is being paid for. So invoices for lessons right up to the end of term do have to go out in December, regardless of whether your child is attending still or not. December and January are my hardest working months of the whole year as I get prepared to make the year ahead as amazing as possible. Please finalise your 2024 account well before Dec 20 - it is very unpleasant for me (and for you!) If I have to chase overdue accounts over the Christmas break.
I am considering charging by the term rather than by the month in 2025, to reduce book keeping time. If this is going to come into affect you will receive notification by email. Scholarships continue to be available on a case by case basis, if your family is unable to afford to continue with music. Please advise if you would like information on how this works sent to you.
*PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Just before this term started I travelled to Melbourne for one of the best professional development conferences I have ever attended in my 40 years of studying music and music education. The Kodaly Australia Teachers Convention was a full on 5 days and 4 evenings of inspiring and incredible learning, absorbing and participating. I look forward to using so many ideas that I gained at this conference in our 2025 lesson plans.
- RECITAL
This year our Annual Recital and Awards Night was held in term 3 - it was definitely the highlight of our year. The difference in skill level for our students after preparing for that is enormous and in term 4 now I have witnessed so many benefits, inspiration and progress. I am already eagerly planning our 2025 Recital, you will have a date to save in the first newsletter next year.
I also plan to have all of the Term Showcase Concert dates to you in that newsletter too - so that families can plan travel and other events around these dates so that your child does not miss any of these opportunities.
- INSTRUMENTAL EXAMS
We continue to have absolutely outstanding success with entering our students for internationally recognised exams. A whopping 87% of our students who have completed exams in 2024 so far have received a distinction or high distinction result, with not a single one receiving lower than a credit marking! That is very impressive numbers and I am very proud of all exam candidates. We still have 34 students who will complete their exams this month….so those numbers may creep even higher yet….watch this space :)
- DEC 8 COMMUNITY CAROL EVENT
Our vocal students are preparing to be a part of this event and some of our instrumental students will participating with their school ensemble as well. Please come along to this event and support our students.
- QMTA EVENT
A very big thank you to Khobi Arthurson and Ava Axon fro representing our studio so admirably at this event on Nov 10 at Saint Monica’s Cathedral.
- THANK YOU FOR THE LOVE
A wonderful celebration lunch and party was held for students and their families who have been with our studio for more than 5 years. Unfortunately due to my mothers illness I couldn’t attend at the last minute, but the event went ahead and I appreciated the messages of support and love and thoughtful group gift.
On that note, I had already received a very generous gift of thanks from a big group of parents at our Term 4 Student Showcase - again - very, very much appreciated. And now I believe there is a music parents group that has been formed, so that music parents can share resources and help each other out in a variety of ways. If you are not yet part of this group and would like your contact details sent to the organiser - then please let me know.
I would also like to mention that my Christmas tree is sporting so many treasured decorations that have been gifted to me by students over many years now, it might be time to invest in second tree for my home! Please know that if that has been you, your gift continues to be enjoyed year after year.
*AGED CARE VISIT
It has been an absolute privilege to take teams of students from Saint Augustine’s to visit the residents at Kubirri Aged Care Home a number of times this year. Over the month of December, our vocal, flute and string students will have more opportunities to visit aged care facilities in our shire to share their music. This is part of what we do as a studio, and something that is very important to me. Thank you to those who always get involved.
- JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Our studio continues to grow from strength to strength, and there is lots more that we would like to offer our students in the year ahead; which means that we have some part time work available for 2025. If you have either or both of the following skill sets and would like to enquire, I would love to hear from you.
-Film making/video and music editing/ photography/ social media and website/ graphic design or 5 star skills in canva ;)
-Business management/office management - must have outstanding understanding and efficiency in Mac operating systems, digital filing and Xero software.
- AWARDS SINCE LAST NEWSLETTER
Menno Hinde - 10 pc piano certificate
Oscar Hack - 50pc piano trophy
Phoebe Berwick - 10pc piano certificate
Dannielle Lake - 40pc drum certificate,50pc drum trophy and Rockschool Drum Award
Poppy Albury - 30pc guitar medal
Stevee Lake - 20pc violin certificate
Madeline Morgan - 20pc piano certificate
Tyler Morley - 20pc piano certificate
Caiden Nicholson - 10pc piano certificate
Cody Hilton - 30pc guitar medal
Archer Scomazzon - 20pc guitar certificate and 30pc guitar medal
Etenia Chayenne Simon - 20pc piano certificate
Parker Fapani - Preliminary grade piano 20 pieces
Gabriella Ewan-Smith 10pc piano certificate
Ema Parker - 50pc piano trophy
Carys Rigby - 50pc piano trophy
Brooklyn Macrae - 60pc piano certificate
Mila Edwards - 10pc piano certificate
Mahli Goetze - 20pc piano certificate
Aiden Jenkin - 30pc guitar medal
Olive-Litsa Kavanagh - 50pc piano trophy
Moses Kavanagh - 50pc piano trophy
Tiago Wilson - 100pc piano trophy
Nate Hancock - Grade 5 Piano 10 pieces
Hayley Sims - 10pc drum certificate
Quinn Kelleher - 60pc piano certificate
Elise Morris - 20pc piano certificate
Lana Soltwedel - 20pc piano certificate
Callum Moffat - 60pc piano certificate
Ryder Melchert - 80pc piano certificate
Indie Scomazzon - Distinction PRELIMINARY GRADE PIANO EXAM and 50pc piano trophy
Peggy Mulcahy - High Distinction PRELIMINARY GRADE VOCAL EXAM
Frankie Hughes - Credit GRADE 2 PIANO and 50pc drum trophy
Alyssa Arthurson - Grade 1 piano 30 pieces
Estella Spence - Grade 1 drums 10 pieces
Kit Walker - 10pc piano certificate
Khobi Arthurson - Grade 5 piano 20 pieces
Emma Coiutti - 100 pc piano trophy
Kieantae Salam - 10pc flute certificate
Haku Emmerson - 40pc piano certificate
Zeno Cancrini - 60 pc piano certificate
Jordi Keune - 60pc piano certificate
Amalia Blain - 10pc piano certificate
Eleanore Hinde - 100pc piano trophy
Ava Dwyer - 100pc piano trophy
Erik Pese - 200pc piano trophy
Jimmy Scott - 50pc piano trophy
Nova Hilton - Grade 2 piano 10 pieces
Cora Mountford - 30pc piano medal
Saxon Keech - 50pc drum trophy
Sadie Melchert - 10pc and 20pc piano certificate
Finn Gray - Distinction GRADE 2 PIANO EXAM
Bailee Weier - Preliminary Grade piano 10 pieces
Otillie Wells - 50pc piano trophy
