We have been very busy over the last couple of months, as we are sure you all have! We hope your
first Term in the 2014 academic year has been profitable for you, and that your
programs are flourishing.
We would wish to thank Carl Stevens for standing in as interim
chair over the summer time. The role attracts a significant workload, and
we are grateful to him for the work achieved, when most folks are having a
well-earned rest. Thank you, Carl!
Following
our March and April meetings, sMAG has written to all the
Victorian Liberal and Labour MPs, encouraging them to implement the 17
recommendations from the inquiry. We
have also received a letter back from Dr. Napthine’s offices acknowledging our
letter, and the broader work sMAG conducts. It is very encouraging for sMAG to be
personally acknowledged by The Premier, with a letter that has been singed
personally. He notes the high levels of interest in the
inquiry, and so from this we understand what the government’s aims are. The letter confirmed that the government will
make a response, which will be ready for the public in May.
Further,
the sMAG committee has started to develop ideas around encouraging both sides
of parliament to adopt the seventeen recommendations set out in the inquiry
report. We have started to look at ideas around a possible action plan of
implementation should the government adopt all seventeen recommendations. Progress is pleasing.
sMAG
members have been in contact with members of parliament and their various
public servants looking for meetings regarding the inquiry. We look forward to hearing back from them
when parliament rises for the Easter recess.
sMAG has written to the various relevant parent groups encouraging
them to submit to the Our School Needs Labour Web Portal, to support the
petition created by The Music Trust https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/full-deal, and to write to their local MPs.
We
are expecting the media to start picking up stories regarding the inquiry, and
the larger community push to have music education supported and improved. Watch this space J.
If you would like to receive our monthly email newsletter, please send an email to smag.schoolmusicactiongroup@gmail.com with a subject heading 'Subscribe sMAG ENews'.
If you would like to receive our monthly email newsletter, please send an email to smag.schoolmusicactiongroup@gmail.com with a subject heading 'Subscribe sMAG ENews'.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
THE MUSIC TRUST
An online
parent survey has been set up via Richard Lett’s and The Music Trust http://musicinaustralia.org.au/index.php?title=Welcome .
It is vital that a significant amount of data is collected through this
forum to add weight to our efforts.
Would you please circulate through your newsletters encouraging parents
to take the survey? In depth information can be found here: http://us3.campaign-archive1.com/?u=850e6aa7d550c0f932264f185&id=fe86e370a2 The official Survey Monkey Petition: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/full-deal
Principals
have tremendous power to employ a specialist music teacher should their
circumstances allow it, and the parent community encourage it. The
Music Trust has listed an example of how to write to the Principal to this
end, which parent may wish to use and adjust to the specific circumstances of
your local school. Have a look here and
see if this is something your community can employ: http://musictrust.com.au/music-education/advocacy-argument/a-letter-to-principals-why-and-how-to-have-a-music-program-in-your-school/
INTERNATIONAL JAZZ DAY
When
planning a performance calendar, there is a promotional benefit in aligning a
date with international celebrations.
Through social media, local events can be aligned with the major event
allowing the news to travel further. Are
you planning an event for the International Music Day? Why not let us know and we can carry your
news. We may even be able to set up an
event page for you on Facebook.
INTERNATIONAL MUSIC DAY
June
21st – International Music Day.
Are
you planning an event for the International Music Day? Why not let us know and we can carry your
news. At this point, only Brisbane has an official set up. Victorians might like to think about how to
optimise this global celebration of music education: http://publicholiday.org/calendar/world-music-day/ The UK have set up these events: https://musicday.org.uk/
OUR SCHOOL NEEDS - Parents
The
Labour party has an online portal where anyone can nominate their school needs
–www.ourschoolneeds.com.au Parents are great for promoting
submissions like this. Why not pass the
information to supportive parents. They
may be in a position to put forward many aspects of your school that need
addressing.
LETTER WRITING
sMAG
would encourage all in the community to write via email or hard copy to their
local Victorian MPs. Because this is
now timely the more awareness we can
get amongst all the Victorian MPs, the stronger our position will be. We have loaded a generic letter example
onto our blog which you can
alter and customise for your professional circumstances. Please scroll down to March News to see the example.
Letters to
the editor in your local leader press would also be timely.
SOCIAL MEDIA CONNECTIONS
Please
pass these connections to colleagues that use these platforms – particularly
graduate teachers!
YouTube:
Twitter:
@sMAG_Vic
Thank you for
your continued support. We hope to make significant progress over the
next 12 months. Hoping this
holiday season of celebrations and remembrances finds you well, and able to
spend time amongst family and friends.
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