By Rhys Lett

Term 4 update

Hello everyone welcome to “term 4”!!

We wish there was better news to begin the term. We will commence the term teaching online. If the projected Victorian vaccination forecast holds true we look towards the November 5th target reopening date as outlined in the roadmap. If this prediction is accurate lessons would be held on premises from Monday 7th of November onwards. We will remain open for lessons right through summer for those wanting to continue through as we did last year where teachers are available. We will keep you updated and notified on announcements through the website, your teachers and our social media platforms.

Another big thank you to our teachers for their flexibility and commitment to the Eastern Suburbs School of Music. We hope that your music lessons have helped you endure another lengthy lockdown period. We have unfortunately had a number of teachers need to leave the field during the shutdowns of our industry. I thank them all for their time at ESSM. Each expressed their support that we do have the best music school around and were saddened to have to finish their teaching. We continue to have great teachers join our school that will carry on the ESSM culture.

If you are not returning to lessons please notify your teacher as soon as possible. This allows us to keep an up to date timetable upon reopening and budget accordingly.

10 Year Anniversary – Term 4

As of the end of term 3 it has now been 10 years since I took over ownership of the music school. It has been an incredible time. In these ten years we have grown the school from 100 to 400 students per week taking lessons. Expanded to two locations growing the Carrum Downs school from scratch. Long time students that have become teachers for our school and also moved into the classroom system. Fabulous concert nights and community performances. Outstanding success in AMEB, ANZCA, Trinity College and VCE exam results. Students have gone on to perform and tour around Australia and internationally. We have achieved a lot in the last 10 years. Our goal for the students of our school is that your half hour at ESSM is the best fun you have all week. I think our success over the last 10 years has shown this to be the case.

As for the future of the school it is difficult to predict. 2021 has mirrored 2020 with the second half of the year conducted online. It has cost the business another predicted loss of $50000 of income over term 3 and 4 of this year. This brings to a total an estimated loss of $125000 across the two years affected by COVID. We will open our doors in 2022 and give it our best shot in adding to our success story.

It is hoped we have a recovery in line with term 1 of this year where the school welcomed 180 new students to ensure survival in 2022 and beyond.

Outstanding Lessons in 2021

A reminder fees paid for lessons during term 3 and 4 will be valid until the end of January in 2022 as previously outlined in our term 3 update. We cannot carry lessons into term 1 of 2022. Please complete any outstanding lessons by this time. As stated under the terms and conditions of the Eastern Suburbs School of Music lesson fees are non-refundable.

COVID Safe Reopening – Term 4

COVID safe practices remaining of utmost priority to the staff and students of the Eastern Suburbs School of Music. As has been policy from 2020:

• if you are unwell do not attend lessons. They can be caught up at a later date or held online for the day. Make sure you notify your teacher before the 12 midday cancelation cut off.
• waiting areas at both Carrum Downs and Boronia will be closed. Please wait in your car until your lesson time.
• staff and students only on premises. This allows us to accurately contact trace should we need to.
• we predict masks will need to be worn by staff and students over 12 years of age in lessons. This will be determined from guidelines outlined by the Victorian Government.
• check in QR codes are posted on entry and in all tuition rooms.

Enjoy the remainder of the year everyone. We will keep you updated on return to face to face learning. Keep playing and supporting our fantastic school.