Terms and Conditions at Marshall Laing Music School.

It’s really important to us that you know how everything works at the school.

Take some time to read through our terms and conditions before enrolling

Music School Lesson Policy:

Non Subsidised Group or Individual Classes:  *any student age

• Lessons for Small Non Funded Group or Individual lessons are invoiced by school term.
• Full payment of fees is required before classes begin.
• If payment is not received by the due date – the school will contact you and we reserve the right to cancel the class until payment is received
• Lessons follow a typical school term or 9 to 10 weeks less any public holidays that fall during a school term.
• Cancellation is required in writing of  4 weeks notice prior to the next school term, otherwise an invoice will be emailed, place booked automatically and payment expected.
• If the school is unable to provide a lesson on any given day, this lesson will be credited towards the next account.
• There are no make up lessons for student absences.
• Special Online Term and Conditions will apply during times when we cannot teach onsite (e.g. lockdown/red light setting) (see further below)

Saturday Morning Ministry Subsidised Classes: *primary and intermediate age students only

• Lessons for MOE subsidised and Larger Keyboard groups are invoiced annually at the beginning of the school year.
• Full payment of fees is required before classes begin. 
• If payment is not received by the due date – the school will contact you and we reserve the right to cancel the class until payment is receive
• There are no make up lessons for student absences.
• Long Term absences (4 or more lessons in a row) without sufficient notice will be deemed as cancelled and the space will be offered to another student.
• Special Online Term and Conditions will apply during times when we cannot teach onsite (e.g. lockdown/red light setting) (see further below)

When are Classes Held?

• Mondays to Fridays After school hours from 3.15pm to 7pm.
• Saturday mornings between 8.30am and 1.30pm during school term time.
• Check on our Calendar for term dates in 2023.

How Old Does My Child Need To Be?

Children should be the following minimum ages when music classes commence.

• • Violin  Recorder and Ukulele is 5/6 years of age.
  • Keyboard and Piano is 6/7 years of age.
  • Cello, Drums and Guitar is 8 years of age.
  • Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone, Trumpet and Trombone is 10 years of age.
• Please check with your tutor or the office to ensure your child is enrolled in the correct level and/or year. This helps us to create an efficient timetable.
• Speak to the Supervisor or the music teacher about which music book is right for your child’s class and level, so that you buy the correct copy.

What I need to know about Enrolment?

• For After School lessons, enrolments are open at anytime. (depending on availability)
• Saturday enrolments are annual intake and open in November for the following year.
• We recommend you enrol as early as possible so the school supervisor can place you in the appropriate class.
• Your place in a class is subject to :
  • The successful completion of the enrolment form and hire agreement if applicable.
  • Full payment of fees before classes begin.
  • That a sufficient number of students are enrolled in a particular class.
  • Please make sure your child is at the appropriate age for the instrument as per guidelines.(please read below)

What if we change our mind? Refunds

• If a student has enrolled and paid for a class and decides to withdraw before the class commences, you can arrange with the music school office for a full refund of lesson fees.
• There will be no refund if a child withdraws after 2 weeks of lessons.

Further Information

Onsite Lessons:

• At the beginning and end of each lesson, parents are requested to assist their child with their instrument if necessary.
• Once lessons have commenced, Parents and other siblings are asked to remain outside of the classrooms during the lessons.
• If it is cold and/or raining parents are able to wait in the school hall.
• Parents will need to guide and supervise practice times at home so please speak briefly to the tutor at the end of the lesson.
• Tutors will also write down the practice requirements in a notebook or on a practice sheet.
• Aim to arrive on time for music lessons because a late student can be quite disruptive to the entire class.
• If you have any concerns regarding the lessons, please avoid holding up teachers’ valuable time, come and see the supervisor.
• Students will be given opportunities to perform in either an ‘in class’ concert or within the main annual formal ‘showcase’ concert.
• From time to time, the music school may hold concerts on Saturday mornings with visiting bands, orchestra and choirs. The music school considers this as part of a students development musically and opportunities will be given to all students to attend.

Reports:

• Tutors will provide a written report once a year to table progress and musical development for each student.

Music Exams:

• Yes we can facilitate music exams for students. Normally you would need to be enrolled in an individual lesson.

Concerts and In Class Performances:

• We provide opportunities for all students to participate in our in class performances held at the end of Term 2 and Term 4.
• Our Performing Groups and Senior students participate in our Annual Showcase concert.

Attendance Requirements:

• The Ministry of Education requires a minimum number of children to be enrolled in order for a class to start.
• If during the year, a class falls below a minimum number of students, parents may be advised to enter their child into another class or offered a refund.
• Please ensure your child is committed for the whole year. Children need to attend class regularly – not only for their own benefit, but so that other students are not disadvantaged.

Books  and Accessories:

• A list of music books and prices are shown on each class page, below the enrolment section.
• Books can be paid for at the school and collected from the Office.
• Marshall Laing Music School has a limited number of accessories available for purchase in the office.
• If we do not have any particular items, we will direct you to an authorised and reputable retail outlet.

Instrument Hire and Purchase:

• From 2018 Marshall Laing Music School will no longer be hiring instruments.
• For students who have hired in 2017 we would like to offer the option of buying the instrument at a price to be negotiated with the supervisor.
• Going forward we strongly recommend students hire instruments from KBB Music.
• For purchase advice speak to your tutor or our school supervisor who can recommend where to go and what options are best to suit your child.

Office Hours

• The music school office is open during term time on Saturday mornings.
  Ph. 626 5103 (Saturday mornings only) or email anytime at office@mlmusic.school.nz

Toilets

• Toilet facilities for parents and students are available in the school hall (Saturdays)
• For After school, a toilet is located at the end of Room 24 (classroom block directly beside car park). Please ask for a key if locked.

What about Car Parking?

• First of all, it’s important that families who attend our school feel safe and free to walk to and from their classes.
• Therefore, the car park is for Staff use only on Saturday mornings and all families are required to park outside the school gates.
• If you have exceptional circumstances (needing wheelchair access or other reason) please let me know and I will organize a pass for you to enter the staff car parking area.
• For all other families please use the 3 main entry points to the school of Battersby Avenue, Kimber Hall Avenue and Marshall Laing Avenue.
• A Map on the (Contact) page, shows the entry points to the school.
• Kimber Hall Avenue and Battersby Avenue have no parking restrictions on Saturdays and are good options if Marshall Laing Ave is congested.
• Finally, please ensure you do not park on yellow lines or where cones have marked a non parking zone.
• After School Students can park in the school grounds after 3.45pm.

Other Health and Safety reminders:

• A First Aid Kit and Defibrillator are available in the school staff room for emergencies.
• Please speak with the school supervisor or office staff if you need any medical assistance at anytime.
• They both have up to date first aid certification.

• Under no circumstances are children to sit, climb or play on or under the seated bleachers at the rear of the hall.
• This is very dangerous and we ask you to ensure your children are not playing on this structure.

• Please be aware that the music school bears no responsibility for injuries if they occur whilst playing on the school fields or playground equipment.
• Therefore, children must be supervised at all times.

• A continuous Bell will ring, classrooms will be evacuated and tutors are required to take their students to a designated point on the school field for safety.
• Parents at the school during an event are also requested to assemble on the school field.

•  Continuous short bell rings – children will be kept in the classrooms and doors and windows will be locked.
•  Parents on site are requested to make their way to the nearest classroom and follow instructions of the tutor and supervisor.

•  In the unlikely event of an earthquake, volcano or tornado tutors will keep students indoors and under a safe structure.
• Parents on site are requested to make their way to the nearest classroom and follow instructions of the tutor and supervisor.