Beyond the Classroom

Co-curricular Programme

The Co-curricular Programme at Somerset College covers most aspects of tuition that are considered complementary to the curriculum. This covers such areas as music, dance, ESL (English as a Second Language), speech and drama and chess.

These offerings allow for the broadening of the pupils' experiences in the arts. The Arts is an important area of development for children.

Some key aspects are as follows:

People participate in and enjoy the Arts in a wide range of contexts and art forms and at any time of life. The Arts play a pivotal role in shaping a sense of social and cultural identity.
In powerful ways, the Arts help construct, reinforce, challenge and transform social, cultural, political and religious values.
The areas covered by the Arts are never neutral. They are the embodiment of values, opinions and choices. The Arts can be used to preserve and maintain tradition; they can also be dynamic agents of social change.

PROCEDURE FOR ENROLMENT

Enrolment from one year to the next is assumed unless otherwise
notified.
Read the Co-curricular Handbook (especially the section on
Terms and Conditions p.11).
Complete the blue Co-curricular Enrolment form.
Complete the Musical Instrument Hire Agreement (if
applicable).
Place the completed form in an envelope labelled Co-ordinator
Peripatetic Programme and return it to the school. Early
returns would be appreciated. Please note:- Enrolments are
treated strictly in order of receipt. If vacancies do not exist the
pupil will be placed on the waiting list and the parent notified.

CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMME

Somerset College offers tuition in the following areas:

Strings (violin, viola, violoncello, double bass)
Woodwind (flute, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon)
Piano
Keyboard
Brass (Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Tuba)
Recorder
Guitar (Acoustic, Electric, Bass)
Drums/Percussion
Music Theory
Singing
Chess
Dance (Classical, Modern, Jazz, Funk, Tap)
Speech and Drama
ESL (after consultation with ESL/Support Programmes Co-ordinator)

If tuition is required in an area not listed above, please contact the
Co-ordinator Peripatetic Programme as arrangements can be made.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF CO-CURRICULAR TUITION

FEES MUST BE PAID IN ADVANCE.

If fees are not paid within two (2) weeks of receipt of account, lessons may be suspended at the discretion of the teacher.

Notification of withdrawal from lessons is required in writing to the Co-ordinator Peripatetic Programme three (3) weeks prior to ceasing lessons or before the vacation preceding the next term or fees will be charged.

There will be 32 lessons during the year unless otherwise notified.

If the pupil is absent due to:

illness: Please notify the individual teacher or the Co-ordinator Peripatetic Programme as soon as possible so the teacher may be informed. Every attempt will be made by the teacher to make up this lesson. When notifying the school of absence, please inform reception that your child has a lesson.

school excursion: The lesson will be timetabled to another time slot if possible. This may not be possible if the teacher is only at the school one day per week. Every attempt will be made by the teacher to make up this lesson if missed.

non-attendance, although at school: These lessons are the responsibility of the pupil, the teacher will not be responsible for lessons missed in this manner. Lessons will only be made up if a suitable arrangement can be made between teacher and pupil.

extended absence: The Co-ordinator Peripatetic Programme must be notified well in advance of an extended absence (e.g. holidays) so arrangements can be made concerning fees.

Pupils are expected as a matter of courtesy to apologise to teachers for non-attendance at lessons.