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Instrumental Lesson Policies
Thank you for enrolling in instrumental lessons! These policies are in place to ensure
lessons run consistently, fairly, and efficiently for all students and families. My goal is to ensure
lessons are as productive as possible, and fair for all parties involved.
1. Student Expectations
Students are expected to:
● attend lessons regularly
● arrive on time
● bring their instrument and any required materials
● participate respectfully and appropriately
● practise consistently between lessons
2. Behaviour
Students are expected to behave respectfully and appropriately during lessons.
Consistent practice is essential for student progress. While progress varies from student to
student, regular practice at home is an important part of the lesson commitment.
If a student’s behaviour repeatedly disrupts the lesson, affects the learning environment, or
raises safety concerns, I reserve the right to contact parents/caregivers, issue behaviour
expectations, or discontinue lessons where necessary.
Discontinuation of lessons due to behaviour does not create any entitlement to a refund.
3. Lesson Scheduling
Lesson times may rotate by 30 minutes each week. This is to reduce the likelihood of
students missing the same class time each week.
Students are expected to arrive on time and be ready for their lesson.
If a student arrives late, the lesson will still finish at the scheduled time. Lost time due to
lateness will not be made up.
If a student is significantly late and there is not enough time for the lesson to proceed effectively,
the lesson may be treated as forfeited.

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Lesson times may run through lunch time, and will be aimed to only occur once per term.

4. Timeframe Commitment
Enrolment in lessons is a commitment for the full school term. Little to no exceptions.
When a student is enrolled, a lesson slot is reserved for them for the duration of that term. As
places are limited, this prevents that position from being offered to another student. For this
reason, enrolment is not casual, week-to-week, or pay-as-you-go.
By signing up, you are agreeing to pay for the entire term, regardless of attendance, personal
scheduling changes, holidays, or withdrawal during the term.
Lesson places are offered on a first come, first served basis.
5. Fees and Payment
Invoices must be paid in full by the due date stated on the invoice.
If payment has not been received by 8:30am on the due date, the student’s lesson place may
be withdrawn and offered to another student.
A flat $50 late fee may be applied to overdue invoices.
A student’s place is only secured once payment has been received in full.
6. Absences and Missed Lessons
If a student is unable to attend a lesson, a minimum of 7 days’ notice must be provided
by email to be considered for a make-up lesson.
Notice of absence does not guarantee a make-up lesson.
If less than 7 days’ notice is given, the lesson will be forfeited.
Missed lessons are not refundable, transferable, or credited.
Do not notify me by phone call of planned absence - calling is reserved only for sickness.
6.1 Make-Up Lessons
Make-up lessons are offered only at my discretion and only where scheduling permits.

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A make-up lesson:
● is not guaranteed
● must fit within available times
● will not be rescheduled a second time if missed
● has no cash value, credit value, or refund value
If a make-up lesson is offered and the offered time cannot be attended, the lesson is forfeited.
There is potential to deduct the cost of the make-up lesson in the next invoice, but not
guaranteed.
6.2 Holidays and Travel
Family holidays, trips, and other planned travel during term do not qualify for refunds,
credits, or guaranteed make-up lessons.
Term dates are known in advance, and families are expected to take these into account before
enrolling. Signing up indicates acceptance of the full-term commitment, including any known or
anticipated absences during that term.
Holidays will not be treated as exceptional circumstances.
6.3 Sickness
If a student is unwell, notice should be given as soon as possible by email.
Where sufficient notice is given and scheduling allows, a make-up lesson may be offered, but
this is not guaranteed.
If a student attends while clearly unwell, I reserve the right to end or cancel the lesson if I
believe it is not appropriate for the student to continue. Any make-up lesson in this situation
remains at my discretion.
6.4 Group Lesson Policy
For group lessons, each individual student or family must notify me separately if that
student will be absent.
Notice from one family does not count as notice for another student, even if multiple students
from the same group will be away.
If one or more students are absent, the group lesson will still proceed for the students in
attendance.

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Absence from a group lesson does not entitle a student to a refund, credit, or guaranteed
make-up lesson.
6.5 School Absences and School Events
If a student is absent from school on the day of their lesson, the lesson is considered
missed unless alternative arrangements have been approved in advance.
If a school event, excursion, camp, performance, or other school-related activity clashes with the
lesson, this does not automatically entitle the student to a make-up lesson, refund, or credit. If
the school event was not planned, and no notice was given to family members about the event,
then the school will be held responsible. It is unlikely that the school will not have given the
family notice, nor is it allowed for teachers to refuse lessons just because they don’t want the
student to leave.
7. Refunds
There are no refunds for lesson fees once enrolment has been accepted and a place
has been reserved.
This applies to, but is not limited to:
● change of mind
● missed lessons
● timetable clashes
● extracurricular activities
● family holidays or travel
● partial term attendance
● withdrawal partway through the term
● dissatisfaction due to circumstances outside my control
Refunds will only be considered in serious and exceptional circumstances, and only
where approved by me in writing at my sole discretion.
Examples of exceptional circumstances may include a major and unavoidable change in
the student’s situation, such as relocating or changing schools. Approval of a refund, partial
refund, or credit is not automatic and remains entirely at my discretion.
8. Communication
All lesson administration must be handled by email wherever possible. This includes:
● absences

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● timetable questions
● payment matters
● enrolment changes
● general administrative concerns
Lesson time is reserved for teaching and learning and should not be used for administrative
discussions unless necessary. It is best to have important messages in writing - do not call
unless in an emergency.
9. Teacher Absence
If I am unable to teach due to illness or unforeseen circumstances, I will arrange either:
● a make-up lesson
● a credit
● another suitable alternative
This decision will be made by me based on what is most appropriate in the circumstances.
10. Withdrawal
If you wish to withdraw from lessons, notice must be given in writing by email.
Withdrawal during the term does not cancel fees owing for that term and does not create any
entitlement to a refund, credit, or partial reduction in fees, except where I have expressly agreed
otherwise in writing.
If a student withdraws, their lesson place may be offered to another student and may not be
available again in a future term.
11. Acceptance of Policies
By enrolling in lessons, submitting a sign-up form, or making payment, you confirm that you
have read, understood, and accepted these policies in full.
Failure to read the policies does not remove the responsibility to comply with them.