Registrations of interest for cultural, music or language lessons take place at the end of each year. However, in case you missed this, we have included a PDF below for you with contact details for all current options.

Itinerant Music & Language Lessons at Mt Pleasant School 2024

Mt Pleasant School students have the opportunity to learn an instrument at school during school time.

We take registrations of interest at the end of the year and pass this on to tutors who will contact you directly, after this point whānau liaise directly with tutors regarding lessons, cost & payment arrangements, and to communicate about lesson times & absences.

>> Private tuition is available for the following

• trumpet
  

• singing

• guitar / bass guitar

• drums

• ukulele

• recorder

• flute

• keyboard

• piano (Trinity level)

• hip hop
  

>> Notes about private tuition

• Students from year 1 to year 2 may learn recorder and ukulele.

• Spaces are limited so your child may be placed on the tutor’s waiting list.

• Tutors will advise lesson times/start dates directly with parents

• Parents are asked to limit their child’s choices to one music lesson only. We prefer that lessons do not interfere with core classroom learning times.

>> Lesson costs

• All lessons are taught by private arrangement at school.

• Parents pay tutors directly and you will be informed before lessons commence what the cost is and how payment is to be made.

• Individual charges will vary depending on the length of lessons and whether they are individual, in pairs or groups.

• You can discuss lesson arrangement with the tutor after making initial contact.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

• Because your child will most likely be coming out of class to attend lessons, it is strongly advisable to check the classroom teacher feels she will cope with missing out on schoolwork. Your child may need your help catching up on work at times.

• Please liaise directly with your child’s music or language tutor throughout the year. This includes all queries, concerns, absentee notifications and other messages. Avoid asking office staff to pass messages on to tutors.

• If you would like to contact me with any comments or concerns once you have first communicated with the tutor, my email address is andrea@mtpleasant.school.nz
  

The Joy of Learning an Instrument

Practice is a vital part of learning an instrument, so check that your child is willing to make a daily commitment. (It can be effective to ask your child to “play through their pieces and pay extra attention to the sticky bits” instead of telling them to practise – some children can be allergic to that word!)

It takes time and lots of playing to start feeling comfortable and confident with an instrument. Aim for a long-term commitment, as giving up too early or switching instruments frequently can be counter-productive. Occasionally a migration to a more suitable instrument can be successful. These decisions should be made in conjunction with the music and language tutors.

Performance Groups

Students who sign up for performance groups are expected to be principled and honour their commitment to the group. If for any reason students need to withdraw they must let the school know - this is the student’s responsibility.

>> Kapa Haka

Kapa Haka is the term for Māori performing arts and literally means ‘group’ (kapa) and ‘dance’ (haka).

MPS has a small and mighty kapa haka under the tuition of Matua Steve. This group currently practises on Tuesday mornings and is involved in many performances throughout the year. All students are invited to be members of this group regardless of cultural heritage.

The only costs associated with kapa haka are to cover transportation to events (if required).

>> Choir

Senior Choir is open to all students from years 5 - 8. They currently practise from 12:20 - 1:00pm on Wednesdays. The choir is involved in a number of performances throughout the year.

Junior Choir is open to all students from years 1 - 4.  They currently practise at lunchtime on Thursdays.

Choir is $7.50 per term.

>> Bands

Generally bands are for year 5 - 8. Bands meet to practise one lunch time per week.

Places are by audition only and students are encouraged to listen carefully to notices to find out when these will take place.

There is a tuition fee associated with bands which will be communicated by the tutor.

>> Languages

La Petite Académie teaches French on a Monday at lunchtime.

Sometimes we have a German teacher - contact us & we will let you know if this is currently available or not.

>> After School Art

Jo Loughnan holds After School Art on a Thursday after school from 3:00 - 4:30pm.