These terms and conditions are effective beginning Term 1 2016. We appreciate your co-operation.
1. FEES and SECURITY BOND
TERM FEES ARE PAYABLE IN ADVANCE, by the end of week 2 of each term. A late fee of $6.00 WILL be applied for every week after this. Credit Card details or a $100.00 bond is required from all students enrolled at SOPA to cover incidental costs or missed lessons without notice. The bond may be claimed on termination of lessons.
If this arrangement is unsuitable, a payment plan may be arranged at a slightly higher rate per lesson. In this case, fees are still payable in advance and a credit card number is required as a holding deposit.
2. PAYMENT METHODS
EFTPOS, cash, cheque, EFT or credit card. A current surcharge applies for credit card payments: 2% for Mastercard, Visa (subject to change in accordance with financial institution charges).
3. LESSON CANCELLATIONS
Students are requested to notify the school as soon as possible if unable to attend any lessons, preferably in writing. Lessons cancelled by the student are not refundable, as the teachers’ booking for that time slot remains for the whole term. However, if 24hrs notice is given, the student will be entitled to a catch-up lesson (see section 4). In the event your teacher cancels a lesson at short notice, you will be granted a private catch up lesson.
Occasionally teachers may be absent due to touring or performance commitments. We encourage teachers to remain active on a professional musical level for the betterment of their craft and experience they can add to the lessons. In this instance relief teachers will be scheduled to fill in so as students need not have any interruptions to the weekly schedule.
4. CATCH-UP LESSONS
Catch-up lessons are held as group classes for a duration of 40 minutes. The group class will be of a theoretical, aural and sight-reading content. You are required to schedule your own lesson within the term. The dates for catch-up lessons are posted on the notice board. Each student is entitled to one catch-up lesson per term, and this can be carried over into subsequent terms until the end of the year.
5. TERMS
Lessons are held weekly in public school terms. Term dates for 2016 are as follows:
Term 1 – Thurs Jan 28th – Friday April 8th 2011 Term 2 Wed 27th April – Friday 1st July
Term 3 – Monday, 19th July – Friday, 23rd September Term 4 Monday 10th Oct – Friday 16th December
6. HOLIDAYS
There will be no lessons held on Public Holidays and School Holidays. Those students with lessons that fall on Public Holidays will be charged accordingly; i.e. one week less.
7. ENROLMENT
Enrolment is required for a minimum of ONE TERM. Notice to discontinue lessons must be given AT LEAST 2 WEEKS IN ADVANCE IN WRITING. If a student discontinues during Term, giving the appropriate notice, a refund will be made for lessons not received, less an administrative fee of $25.00. We strongly recommend that students commencing an instrument continue lessons for a minimum of one year, unless the teacher advises otherwise, in order to accurately determine the student’s genuine aptitude and potential. If you are not returning to a new term we require notice in writing or by phone 2 weeks before the commencement date of a new term. If you have not given notice and do not attend your lesson time, which will be automatically held for you each term, you will be charged for the lesson plus an additional $25.00 administration fee.
8. EXAMINATIONS AND COMPETITIONS
The teacher will not enter the student into any examination or competition without prior consent of students or parents. Equally, the teacher’s opinion as to what examinations and competitions are suitable at each stage of the student’s progress, must be accepted by the student.
9. MUSIC BOOKS AND LEARNING RESOURCES
To avoid any possibility of contravening copyright laws, students/parents are required to purchase original copies of music books suggested by the Teacher. Students undertaking exams are required to buy all books needed for examinations within the first term of lessons. Entry fees apply for examinations, as set by the AMEB.
The following extra costs may be incurred for essential learning resources:
CDs - $2.50
Downloads - $5.00
Music Books – as per retail costs (plus postage if special order)
Photocopies - 40 cents per page