SYDNEY ACTORS SCHOOL
WELCOMES YOU INTO THE
2024 ACTING & MUSICAL THEATRE ENSEMBLES
We are very excited to introduce you to your fellow Actors & Musical Theatre Performers.
The 2024 acting ensemble will be the largest intake Sydney Actors School has ever had. This is due to the extremely high level of talent shown by all of you during the audition season. To maintain quality and personalisation throughout the course you will be split into smaller groups within your ensemble. These groups will change from class to class and throughout the years so you will be able to work and engage with all members of your ensemble.
This page has all the essential information you need to know prior to Orientation Week.
MATERIAL COVERED ON THIS PAGE INCLUDES:
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STUDENT HANDBOOK
Please click on the link below to access the Student Handbook, and read through it carefully. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the school to speak with one of our friendly staff members. Once you have read through the Handbook please click on the Declaration Form below, which will take you to a Google Form to complete. By completing this Declaration Form you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to comply with the information outlined in the Student Handbook and that you observe and comply with the SFS Policies and Procedures.
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ACTING & MUSICAL THEATRE ENSEMBLES / PHOTO RELEASE
We will be taking your photos for your student cards and class rolls on the first day of Orientation Week. You must complete the Photo Release Form below, which grants SAS the right to film/video or photograph you during scheduled classes and assessments, filmed or live performances, on set, on location or in Waterloo Studios common areas throughout your training.
STUDENT EMAIL
For the duration of your studies with Sydney Actors School all course and school communications will be sent to your school student email address and via Google Classroom. Your email address has been successfully created. Please refer to your personal email, which you supplied to SAS upon applying, for your username and password. The activation email is titled: You have a new Google account for Waterloo Studios.
If you did not receive this email, please check your spam or junk folder. If you have any questions about your account, please contact Donald Tare on [email protected] or call 02 8399 3380 from 9AM-5PM, Monday to Friday.
Your email will be in the form [email protected]
STUDENT NUMBER
You will be allocated a student number at Orientation Week along with your student card. Your student card will grant you access to Waterloo Studios.
GETTING A UNIQUE STUDENT IDENTIFIER (USI)
What is a USI?
The USI is a reference number made up of ten numbers and letter that:
- creates a secure online record of your recognised training and qualifications gained in Australia
- will give you access to your training records and transcripts
- can be accessed online, anytime and anywhere
- is free and easy to create and
- stays with you for life
Who needs a USI and why?
If you are a new or continuing student undertaking nationally recognised training, you need a USI in order to receive your qualification or statement of attainment. If you don’t have a USI you will not receive your qualification or statement of attainment. Your USI will give you access to an online record of the training you have done since 1 January 2015. You will also be able to produce a comprehensive transcript of your training. This can be used when applying for a job, seeking a credit transfer or demonstrating pre-requisites when undertaking further training. If you are an international student studying offshore and do not intend on coming to Australia to do your study you do not need a USI. However, if you are an Australian expat or resident student studying offshore with an Australian training organisation, you will need a USI. If you are an International student who will be studying in Australia you will require a USI. All international students in Australia will have been issued with an Australian Visa. Once you have arrived in Australia your visa will be activated and you will be able to apply for a USI.
OPAL TRAVEL CONCESSION CARD
Plan your next trip to SAS – Trip Planner: transportnsw.info
How to apply?
First, give your consent:
For privacy reasons you’ll first need to complete the SAS transport concession consent form below, which gives SAS permission to share your details with Transport for NSW.
IMPORTANT
PLEASE WAIT UNTIL THE END OF ORIENTATION WEEK BEFORE APPLYING FOR YOUR STUDENT CONCESSION CARD. WE MUST SUBMIT ALL YOUR TRANSPORT CONCESSION CONSENT FORMS TO TRANSPORT NSW FIRST AND HAVE THEM APPROVED BEFORE YOU CAN SUCCESSFULLY APPLY FOR YOUR CONCESSION OPAL CARD. (PLEASE NOTE: IT TAKES AT LEAST 5 BUSINESS DAYS FOR YOUR INFORMATION TO REACH TRANSPORT NSW.)
How to top up:
If you don’t add value to your Opal card when you first order it, you need to add some value before you travel. You can top up your Opal card:
- Via the Opal Travel app
- Online (one off top up or auto top up)
- At a top up machine
- At an Opal retailer
- At selected Transport Customer Service Centres and Shops
- By calling 13 67 25 (13 OPAL)
Online and phone top ups may take up to 60 minutes to take effect and you must tap on at an Opal card reader within 60 days to collect the top up value on your card, otherwise your top up value will be reversed to your credit/debit card account. Some retailers require their customers to pay minimum transaction values or a service fee to cover credit/debit card merchant fees.
IMPORTANT:
USE YOUR UNIQUE STUDENT IDENTIFIER (USI) AS YOUR STUDENT ID WHEN APPLYING FOR YOUR CONCESSION OPAL CARD AND REMEMBER TO SET UP AUTO TOP UP, SO YOU’RE ALWAYS READY TO TRAVEL.
AXCELERATE
To help you easily track your schedule, assessments and course, you will use our student management system aXcelerate. Please watch the below video, which will show you a glimpse of the aXcelerate Learner Portal.
GOOGLE CLASSROOM
In conjunction with aXcelearate you will use Google Classroom for correspondence with your tutors and your ensemble. Below is a step by step guide to installing and signing into your personal student account. Once you have signed in you will be able to view all your noticeboards, classes and discussion boards.
Sign in to Classroom?
You can sign in to Classroom with:
- Your SAS Education account ([email protected]) this has been set up by SAS already for you.
You must have an active internet connection to sign in. SIGN IN TO CLASSROOM HERE
Sign in for the first time:
Go to classroom.google.com and click Sign In.
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Join a class:
How to join a class:
Accept an invitation from your teacher — If your teacher sends you an invitation, you’ll see Joinon the class card on your Classroom homepage.
Accept an invitation from your teacher:
Go to classroom.google.com.
You will have all your SAS classes to join on your Google Classroom Homepage. Please join all the classes.
An example class invitation and class is below; “Google Classroom Tutorial” Class. This Class is an example of all future classes you will be invited to. Donald will go through this page in detail during Orientation Week.
WATERLOO STUDIOS PLAN – GROUND / FIRST FLOOR
WI-FI ACCESS
STUDENT PRINTER
The student printer prints A4 and A3 black and white copies. All the computers in the school which are connected to the Student Printer are located downstairs in the Edit Suites. Printing for SAS students is free of charge. If you would like to connect your personal lap top to the printer, you can find it via the student Wi-Fi using bluetooth.
STUDENT AMENITIES
You will have the opportunity to rent a locker from SAS. Lockers will be allocated on the first day of Orientation Week. To rent a locker you are required to pay a $20 deposit (CASH), which will be refunded to you on your last day of training. To have your deposit refunded you must return you locker key to the General Manager or Course Manager. It is not compulsory to rent a locker.
The Student Common Area is equipment with a vending machine, toaster, sandwich press, microwaves, Nespresso coffee machine and fridge. The fridge is for MILK ONLY. Any student food found in the fridge will be thrown away without warning. SAS recommends you bring your lunch to school in a cooler bag and store your lunch in your locker. We also recommend storing a plate/bowl, cutlery and cup in your locker for your personal use.
There is no student parking onsite at SAS. There is on-street parking around the school with all day parking in certain streets.
SAS is a NO SMOKING OR VAPING school and studio. Smoking and vaping is prohibited throughout all areas of the school including the front and rear outdoor area of the school.
STUDENT UNIFORM AND EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
Acting and Musical Theatre students are required to wear blacks everyday to school. Your blacks should be comfortable and allow you to move freely during skills classes. SAS recommends black t-shirts, singlets, long sleeve tops or jumpers, and black tights, shorts or loose fitting pants without logos or slogans.
SAS T-SHIRT SELECTION
Each student will receive two SAS branded t-shirts and a tote bag on census date. Please complete the below form to indicate your preferred style and sizing. Students can select any style they wish and are encouraged to wear these t-shirts to classes.
EQUIPMENT BOOKING POLICY AND BOOKING FORM
Sydney Actors School maintain a wide range of equipment and facilities to support the educational programs and the learning experiences of students. It is essential to ensure that these facilities are available and in good condition at all times to avoid disruption or disadvantage to the students, courses and to the school’s activities in general. This policy below defines the parameters of student access to equipment that is property of Sydney Actors School.
You will be required to use the school’s equipment for a number of assessments during your time at SAS. Every time you borrow equipment you are required to complete the below SAS Equipment Booking Form. You can download and print this form when required or these forms are also located in the Equipment Store at Waterloo Studios. If you need assistance completing the below form one of the friendly Equipment Store staff members will be happy to assist you.
You will find a Google Classroom invite in your student email inbox, inviting you to the SAS Equipment Store class. Click “Join Class” or “Accept” the class invite.
Once you have accepted the invite, click on the ‘classwork’ tab and read the following documents;
- Equipment Use Policy
- Soundstage Use Policy
- QNAP Access Instructions
- SAS Booking Forms
- Damage Report Form
STUDENT HEALTH INTAKE FORM
You must complete the Student Health Intake Form prior to Orientation Week. Click the below form to complete and submit. Your Health Form provides us with insight to better individually support you throughout your training when/if required.
ONPSYCH AND REFERRAL FORM
Sydney Actors School has partnered with OnPsych to provide mental health services to individuals at no out of pocket cost (bulkbilling without a gap fee) under a GP Health Plan. This entitles students 10 sessions within a 12 month period with a psychologist or accredited mental health social worker.
To ensure there is no waiting period for you to access onPsych services, please follow these easy steps to obtain a GP referral.
- Firstly complete the Adult Referral Form below.
- Book a double appointment with your GP
- Advise them of your concerns regarding your emotional wellbeing
- Obtain a referral under the Better Access Initiative (Item 2715/2700)
- Have your GP fax the referral and the paperwork directly to onPsych on 1300 651 580 or via email at [email protected]
- onPsych will then be in contact with you to arrange a meeting time online or at their office
For further information about onPsych services, feel free to contact Donald Tare, SAS Course Manager or visit www.onpsych.com.au
Please note: any student wishing to schedule a session with onPsych will be cleared from class with approval and support from the Director of Education. All you need to do is communicate your appointment time to the Course Manager, Donald Tare so that your Tutor can be informed ahead of class.
ORIENTATION WEEK TIMETABLE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION
We will be taking your photo on Tuesday 23rd January (first day of Orientation Week). If you wish to wear make up, have your hair styled a particular way, or wear a particular shirt, please do so. We will have a Welcome BBQ Lunch on Tuesday 23rd January where you will have a chance to meet the Second Year Actors, along with the First Year Filmmakers from Sydney Film School. You will not need to bring your lunch on the first day of Orientation Week. You will be required to attend all days of Orientation Week: Tuesday 23rd, Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th of January from 9am to 4pm each day. We have so many fun things planned for you all!
2024 TIMETABLE
We will explain the timetable in greater detail during Orientation Week. Your timetable will be accessible through aXcelerate. Waterloo Studios is open from 8am to 7:30pm daily, (closed Saturdays and Sundays). You must be on time for class each day. If you are late, you will be locked out and not allowed to participate in your first class of the day. Attendance at all classes is compulsory. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the SAS Director of Education and the SAS Course Manager in advance if they are unable to attend class. For further information on assessment and attendance, please see the SAS Student Handbook.
COVID INFORMATION
Waterloo Studios will deliver face-to-face training on campus in accordance with the NSW Government requirements.
Our procedure if a person tests positive for COVID-19:
- The person who has tested positive should follow the advice from NSW Health.
- We will ensure the safety of the studios, for example by cleaning and disinfecting all areas used by the person who tested positive for COVID-19.
- We will assess how much contact other people had with the person who tested positive for COVID-19, while that person was infectious in the studios. Information for people exposed to COVID-19 will help determine if any workers have high risk exposure or moderate risk exposure.
- If the assessment of studio risk indicates there are people who have had exposure, those workers should be encouraged to follow information for people exposed to COVID-19.
- We may advise people of the situation in the studio.
What should you do if you test positive?
You may be infectious for up to 10 days. You are most infectious in the 2 days before your symptoms start and while you have acute symptoms (such as a runny nose, sore throat, fever, cough).
To reduce the risk to others NSW Health recommends you:
- Stay home until your acute symptoms have gone.
- Don’t visit people at high risk of severe illness, anyone in hospital or an aged or disability care facility for at least 7 days.
- Wear a mask when indoors and on public transport, if you must leave your home.
- Avoid large gatherings and indoor crowded places, especially where you will be in contact with groups of people you don’t live with.
- Talk to your employer about when you should return to the workplace.
If you work in a high-risk setting such as health, disability and aged care, it is recommended that you stay away from the workplace for 7 days and until you have no symptoms to help protect other staff, patients, residents, and clients. If your employer needs you to return to the workplace before this time, they may ask you to take additional steps to protect others, subject to their work, health and safety assessment. - Tell people that you live with, or spend a lot of time with, that you have COVID-19.
People you live with or spend a lot of time indoors with are at greatest risk of catching COVID-19 from you. You should tell then you have tested positive and try to separate from them as much as possible. They should monitor for symptoms and if they get sick, they should get tested and stay home. They should follow the Information for people exposed to COVID-19 fact sheet. - Register your positive rapid antigen test result with Service NSW.
If you or someone in your family can’t register online, please call Service NSW on 13 77 88. Registering your result helps you access medical support from NSW Health, including antiviral medicines if you are eligible, and also assists NSW Health respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This keeps you, your loved ones and the community safe. If you tested positive on a PCR test, you do not need to register your result.
The SAS Staff look forward to meeting you all at Orientation, and we can’t wait to watch you grow throughout your training.