GET in gear with the new school term with a school bus pass.
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Edwards Coaches operations manager James Cross said most students were eligible to apply for free bus transport to and from school.
“Catching the bus is safer and causes less congestion at the school gates,” Mr Cross said.
Edwards Coaches operates 48 buses at its Drew Street depot; 33 buses service the schools run, which includes Armidale and its outlying areas.
It takes about 10 working days for the bus pass application to be processed. More information, phone 131500.
Office Express owner Jonathan Roberts says there’s a rush as children and their parents prepare for the new school year.
“We stock all your needs when starting school,” Mr Roberts said.
This includes exercise books, binders, pencils, glues, erasers, rulers and geometry sets.
“We liaise with local schools who advise us of what students will need for the year and we stock accordingly,” Mr Roberts said.
Office Express is in the Beardy Street Mall.
Teaching prospective flute players the fife has helped young students maintain good habits when they progress to the larger instrument, according to Armidale flute tutor Sharon Davidge.
“It's really important to teach young students on the right sized instrument, so when they grow they maintain the correct technique and posture and feel comfortable with a flute,” Ms Davidge said.
Sharon commenced playing the instrument in high school in Grafton and continued her studies at Sydney Conservatorium. She started teaching flute in Armidale in 1991, after a successful return to playing at the Eisteddfod.
“The flute is portable and you can join a band, or orchestra or play folk music, so it can be a social instrument.
“A number of my younger students also play the flute because it develops their breathing, especially students with asthma.” Ms Davidge teaches people in a range of musical styles.
“Lessons can be tailored around the standard material to suit an individual student's needs and interests,” Ms Davidge said.
Sharon Davidge teaches flute, fife, tin whistle and piccolo. For more information, phone 6771 1607.
A ONE-STOP shop for back-to-school needs is Carr’s newsagency, in the Armidale Mall.
Open seven days, the newsXpress stocks stationery, software, gifts, cards and magazines, owner Rodd Carr said.
“We’ve been serving the community since 1999, so have a sound knowledge of students’ needs,” Mr Carr said.
That includes advising parents and students on the types of books needed in a particular form, as well as academic and novelty trends among students.
Before coming to Armidale, Rod and Amanda Carr managed newsagencies in Young, Albury and other regional towns.
“We’ve built on our experience, January can be a hectic month as families prepare for the beginning of term, but we can meet those needs, all under one roof,” Mr Carr said.