Allocation of lesson times

How private music lesson times are allocated at St Leonard’s College

Lessons for students in years Prep –  6

Students in years Prep – 6 will be generally given lessons on a rotating timetable. This means that a student will only miss a part of any particular curriculum class occasionally. For example, a student scheduled for a lesson in a maths class may miss 30 minutes (out of an 80 minute class) of that maths lesson in one week. In the weeks following, subsequent lessons would most likely be scheduled during different academic lessons meaning that they would not miss a part of another maths class for a substantial time. In some cases music lessons may be scheduled in a fixed weekly time that is decided upon after consultation between the music teacher and the student’s homeroom mentor.

Lessons for students in years 7, 8 & 9

Lessons will be scheduled on a rotating basis during periods 1, 2, 3, X & 4. This means that a student will only miss a part of any particular curriculum class occasionally. For example, a student scheduled for a lesson in a maths class may miss 30 minutes (out of an 80 minute class) of that maths lesson in one week. In the weeks following subsequent lessons would most likely be scheduled during different academic lessons meaning that they would not miss a part of another maths class a substantial time. Music lessons will not be scheduled in a way that may cause a student to miss the same academic class on a weekly or fortnightly basis.

Lessons for students in years 10 & 11

Lessons will be scheduled on a rotating basis during periods 1, 2, 3, X & 4. This means that a student will only miss a part of any particular curriculum class occasionally. For example, a student scheduled for a lesson in a maths class may miss part of that maths lesson in one week. In the weeks following, subsequent lessons would most likely be scheduled during different academic lessons meaning that they would not miss a part of another maths class for a substantial time. Music lessons will not be scheduled in a way that may cause a student to miss the same academic class on a weekly or fortnightly basis.

In as many cases as possible, students in year 11 will be offered lesson times that may be available outside of periods 1, 2, 3, X & 4. While these outside of curriculum times (before school, lunchtime and after school) cannot be guaranteed, every effort will be made by the music department to offer these. Where available out of curriculum times exist (after they have been offered to year 12 & 11 students), these will be offered to year 10 students.

Lessons for students in year 12

Students in year 12 will have their lessons scheduled either before school, lunchtime, after school or in a study period. (IB students only may have their lesson permanently scheduled into Period X should there be no available before school, lunchtime, after school or study period times). In such case, the music instructor will inform the student’s mentor that this is occurring.  Year 12 students will not have their lessons scheduled during curriculum class time (unless in exceptional circumstances that have been agreed with their mentor).

Variation to published music lesson times

It is recognised that occasionally there will be circumstances (tests, excursions, music teacher absence etc) that require a music lesson time to be changed. Any one of the classroom teacher, mentor, subject teacher or music teacher may organise this change. It will be advised to all parties at least 8 days prior to the new lesson time. Any change to lesson time within 8 days of the scheduled lesson must always be negotiated and agreed to by all affected parties.

Core ensemble requirements

St Leonard’s College offers an extensive variety of music ensembles to enhance every student’s learning and music experience. The St Leonard’s College Music Faculty firmly believe that it is essential to the balanced musical development of any student that they participate in both solo and ensemble performance activities. All year 7-11 students taking private lessons are required to perform in a Core Ensemble. Piano students are required to either sing in a choir or to play keyboard percussion in a band or orchestra. A list of Core Ensembles and the Core Ensemble policy can be found on the St Leonard’s College website. *Please note that year 12 students are strongly encouraged to participate in a core ensemble and that only those year 12 students who do so will be eligible to be considered for the Music Honours Group.