How to join

Note: Due to the 2022 COVID disruption and budgetary considerations, the AMA is pleased to be able to waive the annual membership fee for 2023.

1. Use the form here

2. Await contact from the AMA committee to confirm your enrolment.

If you need further help or have questions, email info@arandamusicprogram.org.

Aranda Music & Arts – Terms and Conditions

1. The Aranda Music & Arts Program (The Program) is run by a sub-committee of the Aranda Parents’ & Citizens’ Association. The program is not conducted by Aranda Primary School, Aranda Afters or the Department of Education.

2. The Committee is formed annually from volunteers. It determines program policies and procedures, selects tutors, negotiates the tuition rates with tutors on behalf of parents, schedules lessons, liaises with the school on lesson location, and provides some equipment for the program and the School.

3. The tutors are self-employed specialists in their particular instrument, selected and engaged by the Committee. Tutors are required to have a Working with Vulnerable People clearance before they can teach in the program – however they are not supervised by the school during lessons. Each tutor has a tutor coordinator who is a Committee member to administer student placement.

4. Lesson times - Lessons are offered between 3 and 6pm, Monday to Friday, to coincide with Afters. The timetable is arranged taking into account tutor availability, student and parent time preferences, student age and music skills, sufficient students to make up a new class, and school space availability. No lessons are scheduled on public/school holidays. Timetable placement is at the discretion of the Tutor Coordinator.

5. Enrolment Policy - at the end of term 4 each year enrolment is offered for the following year. Enrolments during the year are also possible, depending on vacancies. Enrolments are for the whole year, although invoices are issued each term.

6. Enrolment Fee – An annual enrolment fee is payable to the Program before any student is scheduled for lessons (payable for 1st and 2nd sibling with subsequent siblings exempt). This fee contributes to costs associated with room usage, administration, equipment and concert programs. Funds in excess of these costs are used, as determined by the Committee, to enhance the musical education of all students at Aranda Primary School. A refund of this fee will only be considered if a student is unable to accept the time/day that has been offered and has not commenced lessons. Program committee members are exempt from the enrolment fee.

7. Tuition fees are set by the Committee, and are payable directly to the tutor. Invoices for each term’s lessons are usually issued at the beginning of each term and payment is due 2 weeks from invoice date.

8. Withdrawal from Program - Tutors and coordinators must be given 4 weeks of notice of withdrawal from tutelage (2 weeks of notice is sufficient for the group subjects such as drama, art, etc). No refunds are made to students leaving the program during a term, except at the discretion of the tutor.

9. Non Payment of Tuition Fees - If tuition fees are not paid within a reasonable timeframe to the tutor, the student’s lessons, and those of any siblings in the Program, will cease until fees are paid.

10. Additional costs –Books, recordings and entry fees (to competitions, exams, etc) are an extra cost for students.

11. Student/Tutor Absences –Tutors are not expected to provide make-up lessons missed by students for any reason. Students are requested to advise their tutor or Coordinator if they expect to miss a lesson. Tutors will make-up or give credit (on the next term’s bill) for lessons they themselves miss. Students will be advised when a tutor is unable to attend lessons. Sick students and students absent from school because of illness should not attend their lesson. No credit will be given for lessons missed by students for any reason.

12. Parent/tutor communication - Students must bring a notebook to lessons to record practice notes and for any questions parents wish to raise with the tutor, or tutors with parents. The tutor’s programs each afternoon are very tight and they cannot be expected to divert their attention from lessons. Tutors will be encouraged to provide periodic reports to parents.

13. Instruments - School pianos are used for piano students. Other students must provide their own instrument and bring it to lessons. Piano students should have access to a keyboard/piano at home for practice.

14. Concerts – Mid-year and end-of-year concerts are arranged at the school by the Committee.

15. Entry/Access to the School for Lessons – Entry to the school will be by the school front doors only. Students from the After School Care should walk to the room in which their lessons will take place and immediately return to the 'Afters" area after lessons. Parents should collect their children promptly after lessons so as not to inconvenience tutors. Students or parents have no authority under this Program to be in areas of the school not designed for the Program.

16. Exclusion of Students – The Committee reserves the right to exclude students from the Program on health or behavioural grounds.

17. Students attending the After School Care – Parents of children who attend the After School Care program ('Afters') must inform Afters staff of the day and time of their child’s lessons, and of any subsequent change. While Afters staff remind children at roll call if they are having a lesson on that day, they are not responsible for making sure that children attend their lessons.

18. The School Principal is the sole arbiter of any dispute arising between a parent and the Committee.