AP Music & Art Studio Policy

Website: www.ap-musicart.com.au

Email: info@ap-musicart.com.au

Phone: 0481 142 868

BSB: 013148

Account no: 643584898

Dear Parents/Students:

Please read the following Studio Policies carefully before proceeding. To ensure full transparency and mutual understanding of our professional standards, you are required to acknowledge each section by ticking the corresponding confirmation box. Your digital signature on the final page constitutes a formal acceptance of all terms and conditions stated herein.

If you require clarification on any specific policy, please contact us for consultation prior to signing.

In the Classroom

1. Punctuality:

• Please arrive on time for classes. Our studio provides a waiting area where parents can wait during class.

2. Hygiene Requirements:

• Please remove your shoes before entering the studio; you may wear the slippers provided by us. Please walk correctly inside the studio and avoid running. The studio is not responsible for any injuries caused by negligence.

  
  

3. Room Usage:

• Please do not enter any rooms other than the restroom. Any damage or loss caused by parents or students must be paid for by the responsible party.

4. Student Preparation:

• Students must cut their nails and use hand sanitiser before class to maintain hygiene.

5. Nail and Hand Cleanliness:

• Students with long nails or hands stained with ink, markers, or paint are not allowed to play the piano.

6. Course Questions:

• If you have any questions about the course, please contact the teacher after class or arrange a meeting time.

7. Late Arrival:

• If a student arrives late, the teacher will not extend the class time.

  
  

8. Recording Devices:

• For privacy reasons, all recording devices (such as phones, cameras, and microphones) must be turned off or silenced during class unless prior permission is obtained. Only photography and note-taking are permitted.

  
  

9. Multiple Students in the Same Family:

• If there are two or more children from the same family attending private lessons, parents are responsible for supervising them. Please let only one child out of the car at a time to avoid disrupting the class.

Practice Expectations

1. Weekly Practice:

• Students should practice before class each week. We recommend practicing 5 days a week to achieve positive results. Recommended practice times are as follows:

  15-20 minutes per day (ages 4-8)

  30 minutes per day (ages 9-11)

  45-60 minutes or more per day

  (ages 12 and up/intermediate/advanced)

  
  

• Practice Tracking & Progress Monitoring To ensure consistent progress and effective learning, all students are required to utilize the Practice Space app. Students must log their practice sessions weekly, including brief reflections on their practice quality and any challenges encountered.

  The teacher will provide weekly focus areas and assignments via the app. We kindly request parents to regularly monitor the app to stay informed of the student's progress and ensure that practice goals are being met.

Tuition Fees

1. Tuition Prices:

• Tuition prices are non-negotiable. Fees for canceled or missed classes are non-refundable.

2. Fee Packages:

We offer two package plans:

• A: Term Package

• B: Term + School Holiday Piano Course Package

We recommend choosing Package B, as it has the following advantages:

Technical Improvement:

Prevents regression and continuously improves skills.

Learning Motivation:

Maintains interest and prevents loss of motivation due to breaks.

Good Habits:

Establishes regular learning and time management.

Holiday Practice:

Holiday learning helps better prepare for the new semester.

Piano lessons during holidays reduce distractions and provide more time for focused learning and practice.

3. Payment Methods:

Cash:

Recommended for cash payments, which enjoy a $10 discount per term.

Electronic Payment:

• Accepted with an additional 1.6% processing fee for electronic payments.

  
  

Cash Payment Discount:

• If choosing to pay by cash, you will receive a $10 discount per term

  
  

Bank Transfer/Electronic Payment:

If choosing to pay by bank transfer or electronic payment, this discount will not apply, and a 1.6% processing fee will be added on electronic payment.

Payment Time:

Cash Payment:

• Must be paid before the start of each semester to enjoy the $10 discount.

Bank Transfer:

• Please complete the transfer 5 business days before the semester begins.

Electronic Payment:

• Must also be completed 5 business days before the semester starts, with an additional 1.6% processing fee.

Late Payment Handling:

• If tuition is not received before the new semester starts, students will be suspended from classes on the first day of the new semester and will wait in the studio until the end of class. Late payments will incur a $20 penalty.

Music Book Fees:

• Fees for music books recommended by the teacher will be borne by the student.

Course Cancellation / Absence / Learning Support Policy

1. Teacher Absence

• a. If the teacher is unable to conduct a scheduled lesson, parents/students will be notified via text message.

• b. In such cases, the lesson will not be rescheduled. A credit will be applied to the following term’s tuition fees.

2. Course Fees

• a. Once tuition fees are paid, they are non-refundable.

• b. Tuition fees secure the student’s allocated lesson time, lesson preparation, teaching resources, and studio facilities during the enrolled teaching period

3. Use of Teacher Time & Studio Resources

• a. When a lesson is missed, the teacher’s allocated teaching time is not released or reassigned.

• b. The scheduled lesson time will be used for lesson preparation, learning assessment, instructional planning, and/or the preparation of the Personalised Lesson Review Program (PLRP) for the student.

• c. As teaching time and studio resources are still utilised, missed lessons are not eligible for refunds or fee credits.

• d. Learning support is provided to ensure continuity of learning rather than to replace unused teaching time.

4. Student Absence & Notification

• a. If a student is unable to attend a scheduled lesson, a minimum of 48 hours’ notice is required for the absence to be considered for learning support.

• b. Absences notified with less than 48 hours’ notice will not be eligible for learning support, refunds, credits, or rescheduling.

5. Learning Support for Missed Lessons

• Learning support for missed lessons is provided through either the Personalised Lesson Review Program (PLRP) or, where applicable, a Term Break Make-Up Lesson.

• Learning support is offered as an additional educational service and is not part of the regular tuition entitlement

6. Personalised Lesson Review Program (PLRP)

• a. The Personalised Lesson Review Program (PLRP) is a structured learning process designed to support continuity of study when a live lesson is missed.

• b. The teacher will prepare a personalised recorded lesson addressing the key learning objectives of the missed class.

• c. Students are required to submit practice or performance recordings as instructed.

• d. The teacher will review submissions and provide individualised feedback and comments, tailored to the student’s level and learning needs.

7. Lesson Review Duration & Assessment

• a. The amount of recorded instruction, number of student submissions, and level of feedback provided will correspond to the length of the missed lesson.

• b. For example, for a one-hour regular lesson, sufficient instructional content and feedback will be provided to ensure the learning support is educationally equivalent, acknowledging that live lessons include interactive elements such as real-time correction, technique work, and musical assessment.

8. Term Break Make-Up Lesson (Where Applicable)

• a. With at least 48 hours’ notice, students may be eligible for one make-up lesson per term, scheduled during the term break, subject to teacher availability and studio scheduling.

• b. Specific dates and times during the term break cannot be guaranteed and will be arranged at the studio’s discretion.

• c. If a term break make-up lesson cannot be arranged, the Personalised Lesson Review Program (PLRP) will be provided instead.

• d. Any term break make-up lesson must be taken during the term break immediately following the missed lesson.

• e. Make-up lessons cannot be deferred to a later term break or transferred to another term, as studio scheduling must accommodate multiple students.

9. Package-Based Eligibility

Term-Time Package

a. Students enrolled in a term only package may choose one learning support option per term:

• One Term Break Make-Up Lesson (subject to availability), or

• The Personalised Lesson Review Program (PLRP).

Term + Holiday Program

• a. Students enrolled in the Term + Holiday Program already receive lessons during school holidays.

• b. As holiday lessons are included in this package, term break make-up lessons are not applicable.

• c. In the event of an eligible absence, learning support will be provided through the Personalised Lesson Review Program (PLRP).

10. Opt-Out of Learning Support

• a. Parents or students who do not wish to utilise the Personalised Lesson Review Program or make-up options are advised to attend all scheduled live lessons.

• b. No alternative arrangements, refunds, credits, or rescheduling will be provided if learning support is declined.

11. Student Health Issues

• a. If a student is unwell, please do not attend the studio.

• b. Parents/students must notify the studio as soon as possible and provide medical documentation.

• c. Eligible absences due to illness will be supported through the Personalised Lesson Review Program (PLRP) in accordance with this policy.

12. Severe Weather & Safety Conditions

• a. In cases of severe weather, road blockages, floods, bushfires, or accidents near the studio, the studio may recommend alternative learning arrangements, including the Personalised Lesson Review Program (PLRP), to ensure continuity of learning.

13. School Holidays & Academic Review

• a. Students will be assessed toward the end of each semester.

• b. If a student does not meet the required learning standards or fails to engage appropriately with the learning program, the studio reserves the right to discontinue enrolment at the end of the semester.

CCTV and Image Rights Policy

1. CCTV (Studio Use Only):

• Our studio uses CCTV during class hours to ensure the safety of students and teachers.

• Recorded content will remain confidential and is used solely to ensure internal studio security.

• Any potential risks to teachers or students will be disclosed to relevant authorities as required by law.

2. Image Rights:

Photography and Videography:

• To protect the privacy of other children and individuals, please do not take unauthorized photographs or videos in the studio.

• Any photography or videography inside the studio requires prior permission.

• During the shooting process, please avoid recording to prevent affecting students' independent learning and the class atmosphere.

Parent Photography:

• Parents may take photographs of their own children during class but may not record videos.

• During the photography process, please ensure not to capture teachers or other students to protect their privacy.

• Encourage children to learn independently and avoid relying on class videos for learning.

Use of Photos and Videos:

• If you agree to the use of your child's photos or videos on our studio website, promotional materials, or blog, please sign the relevant consent form.

• Signing the consent form indicates your agreement to our use of these materials for promotional purposes.

• You may contact us to withdraw consent or request the removal of any photos or videos already used.

Termination Policy

• No Refunds

Our Studio does not offer refunds for any unused lessons or tuition fees under any circumstances.

• Notice of Termination

If a student decides to terminate their lessons, they are required to:

a. Complete the last lesson of the current term.

b. Provide at least two weeks' notice via email, notifying us of their decision to discontinue lessons.

• New Student Placement

The Music Studio will arrange for new students to take over the vacated lesson slot during the term break.

• Rejoining Lessons: If a student wishes to re-enroll in the future, they will need to follow the current enrollment process and pay the applicable fees for the new term.