This booklet has been prepared to assist parents, guardians and students with the procedures surrounding instrumental/vocal lessons at Seton Catholic College
It is our hope that learning Music at Seton Catholic College will prove to be an enjoyable and rewarding experience Thank you for being part of the Seton Music Community
If you have any queries regarding the Music Program, please do not hesitate to contact Melissa Lanza or me, on the details below.
Kind regards
Mrs
Emily Dakin
Director of Music
Telephone: 9331 9629
Email: Emily Dakin@cewa edu au
Mrs Melissa Lanza Music Administration
Officer
Telephone: 9314 8303
Email: Melissa Lanza@cewa edu au
Working hours: 9.30am-2.30pm
PRIVATE LESSONS
ROTATING MUSIC LESSON SCHEDULE
Music lesson times rotate throughout the term to ensure that students do not repeatedly miss the same subject This approach helps to minimise the impact on their overall learning
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Catch-Up Work: Students are responsible for catching up on any missed classwork. They should check SEQTA or contact their teacher to confirm if any homework or assignments were issued during their absence
Reporting Issues: We use an auto-assign function in the SEQTA suite to schedule and rotate lessons Occasionally, there may be a technical issue causing a lesson to remain at the same time for several weeks If this happens, students must message Mrs Lanza to have the schedule adjusted
Students should not miss the same subject lesson each week Thank you for helping us maintain a balanced learning experience for everyone involved
LESSON SCHEDULING
Lesson times for new music students will be emailed to parents during the second week of Term 1 and added to the student’s SEQTA timetable.
These lesson times will gradually appear in SEQTA over the course of the first week as they are finalised
PRIVATE LESSONS
MUSIC TUITION INDUCTION MEETING
All music students will attend an induction meeting during PCG time in week 1 of Term 1 Details about the time and location of this meeting will be communicated to students. The meeting will cover important information, including upcoming events, ensembles, new tutors, and an overview of the semester ahead New students will receive guidance on excusing themselves from classes, navigating the timetable, lesson locations, storing instruments (if applicable), and what to bring to lessons
RESCHEDULING LESSONS:
Occasionally, it may be necessary to reschedule a lesson Any changes will be communicated via Direct Messages in SEQTA
Students must check their Direct Messages every morning during PCG to stay informed
Lesson requests are approved for planned appointments, excursions, and scheduled assessments All requests should provide the reason for the request Unfortunately, we cannot make changes to accommodate favourite subjects
Lesson swaps must be requested by 12pm the day before the scheduled lesson
No changes can be made the night before or on the day of the lesson, or over the weekend
Please address all lesson change requests to Mrs Lanza
COMMUNICATION
All parent correspondence should in the first instance be directed to the Director of Music, Mrs Emily Dakin Please call 9331 9629 or email Emily Dakin@cewa edu au If contact is specific to an instrument or tutor, emails will be forwarded to the relevant music tutor
Students should contact Mrs Dakin via Direct Message
All lesson changes/ensemble info is communicated to students via Direct Message, so it is important that students check their Direct Messages at least every morning during PCG Reports are completed at the end of each semester on SEQTA The report in ol es an assessment
ATTENDANCE & ABSENCE PROCEEDURES
LESSON ATTENDANCE
Attendance at lessons is essential for students to reach their full potential Peripatetic music tutors maintain a record of attendance and lesson quotas Weekly follow-ups are conducted for absences, and parents are informed via SEQTA if their child misses a lesson
TUTOR AVAILABILITY
A sign will be placed on the door of the room where the music tutor is teaching each day If the sign is up, this indicates the tutor is on-site If the tutor is not present in the room at that moment, students should wait just outside the room If the tutor does not arrive, students should not return to class , they must go to the Music Office to notify Mrs Dakin or Mrs Lanza
SICK DAYS
If a student is sick and unable to attend their music tuition lesson on the day, no refund or makeup lesson(s) will be issued
If a student cannot attend their music tuition lesson due to an assessment, excursion, or appointment, they must contact the Mrs Lanza (Music Admin) via Direct Message on SEQTA by 12pm the previous day, including by Friday 12pm if there is a planned absence on Monday No lesson changes will occur over the weekend A makeup lesson/swap will then be issued This is the minimum time requested as this ensures that arrangements can be made for a swap and all parties are informed of the changes well ahead of time
COLLEGE CALENDARED EVENTS
For events such as Swimming Carnival, Athletics Carnival or Seton Day, no lessons occur on these days The tutor will provide a makeup lesson before the end of the school year to meet their lesson quota For assemblies or Mass, students are still expected to attend their music lesson They may discreetly leave the Gym by sitting at the back or at the end of their row. Makeup lessons will not be provided for students who miss a lesson during these events if they are on campus
HOLIDAYS DURING TERM TIME
If a student is on holiday during term time, no refund or makeup lesson(s) will be provided for missed music tuition
PERIPATETIC MUSIC TUTOR ABSENCE
If a tutor is absent, students will be notified via Direct Message on SEQTA, and a sign will be placed on the tutorial room door These lessons will be made up by the tutor before the end of the school year to fulfill their lesson quota
REDUCING STUDENT ABSENCE
Students who find it difficult to remember their music lesson times are encouraged to use tools such as a watch with an alarm or reminders set on a laptop
All subject teachers are aware that students enrolled in the Music Program may need to excuse themselves from class occasionally. As a courtesy, students should inform their subject teachers at the beginning of the year that they are participating in the Music Program
During the first few weeks of Term 1, tutors will assist new students by locating them if they forget to attend their lesson After this initial period, it is the student’s responsibility to remember their lesson time and arrive punctually. Tutors do not collect students after the initial grace period
MISSED/FORGOTTEN LESSONS
If a student forgets to attend a lesson, no makeup lesson will be granted As a courtesy, parents will receive a message on SEQTA to advise that their child missed their lesson.
N LEVY
The Music Tuition Levy, which is part of the tuition fee, covers a practice diary, books, scores, and accompaniment fees for school events, including the Catholic Performing Arts Festival
No additional invoices are issued by the Music Department throughout the year
Please note: Graded examinations are not part of the Tuition Levy in 2025
MATERIALS & RESOURCES
INSTRUMENT HIRE
In all cases students should have use of a practise instrument This includes piano students who should have a keyboard or piano at home to practise on, preferably with 88 fully weighted keys A drums student should have a drum kit (acoustic or electric) at home
The Music Department has several woodwind and brass instruments for hire, and if required this will be organised at the students’ first lesson The cost of instrument hire is $200 this year The hire cost will be added to your school fees account More information can be obtained from the Music Administration Officer by email on Melissa Lanza@cewa edu au or by calling 9314 8303 We strongly encourage parents/students to purchase their own instrument after the first year.
If you are purchasing your own instrument and need some advice, please contact Mrs Emily Dakin or the student's music tutor.
RESOURCES
Students should bring their instrument (where applicable) together with their music diary, any books/sheet music as well as their laptop/tablet to their lessons
All students will be provided with a music diary at their first lesson This should be used weekly to record details of practice homework and indicate the amount of practice they have completed.
All music books/sheet music will be ordered through the school and passed onto students during their lessons as it is included in their levy This means parents do not need to purchase these books themselves
ENSEMBLES
Ensembles are provided as a complimentary service to Seton Catholic College students and are considered a great privilege
The following ensembles will be offered in 2025:
- Seton Senior Rock Band
- Seton Intermediate Band
- Choir
- Musical Theatre Choir (Year 7-9)
- Setonics Choir (Year 10-12)
- Concert Band
- Percussion Ensemble
- Guitar Ensemble
- Woodwind Ensemble
Ensemble Participation & Rehearsal Schedule
The rehearsal schedule will be published in the College newsletter and included in student notices on SEQTA by Week 3 of Term 1 All ensembles will commence rehearsals by Week 4 of Term 1
Auditions for Rock Bands & Setonics Choir
The Rock Bands and Setonics Choir are auditioned ensembles open to all music students Auditions will take place in Week 2 Details and audition times will be provided in the daily notices on SEQTA Students wishing to audition should sign up on the sheets located on the Music Room door (SP22) or in the Band Practice Room
Ensemble Participation Expectations
All students undertaking individual music lessons are strongly encouraged to join at least one ensemble as part of their commitment to the Seton Music Community Ensemble placement is under the discretion of the Director of Music
