Terms & Conditions
Welcome to Alison Glew Guitar School!
We’re thrilled to have you join our community. To ensure everything runs smoothly and we all have a great time together, please take a moment to read our updated Terms & Conditions. These policies help us deliver the best experience for all our students and families.
Acceptance of Terms
By signing up for lessons at Alison Glew Guitar and Ukulele School, you’re agreeing to the terms outlined here. Parents or guardians are agreeing on behalf of their children.
If you don’t agree with any of the terms, just let us know or feel free to pass on our services.
Changes to Terms
We might update these terms from time to time. If we do, we’ll send you an email and post the latest version on our website.
MAIN STUDIO INFORMATION
Alison Glew Guitar and Ukulele School
23 Richardson Arcade, Winthrop WA 6150
0403 770 909
[email protected]
www.alisonglewguitarschool.com
Studio Admin/Office Hours (during school terms)
Monday – Friday, 9:00 am to 2:30 pm
Contacting Us
- For last minute zoom requests or running late messages:
- General and non-urgent enquiries:
- For lesson cancellations and catch up lesson bookings:
- Please use the Student Portal.
- Please do not contact your teacher directly for bookings, cancellations, or any admin-related questions as they do not have full access to the calendar or accounts system.
WHEN WE CONDUCT LESSONS
School Term
- Lessons are conducted during Monday – Saturday during the school term.
- Terms are usually 10 weeks long and coincide with the WA Primary School calendar.
- First lessons for the term start on the Monday in the first-week school starts and end on the Saturday after school finishes.
- Please check term dates at the time of registration as they may vary.
School Holidays
- Casual school holiday lessons are available by appointment, based on teacher availability.
- Term students may book casual lessons during the school holidays at term rates (not casual rates).
Public Holidays
- There are no lessons on public holidays.
- If a public holiday falls during the school term, tuition will be adjusted.
LESSON CANCELLATION AND CATCH UP POLICY
Please manage all cancellations & bookings via the Student Portal:
http://www.alisonglewguitarschool.com/portal
- Cancel lessons via the Student Portal at least 24 hours in advance to receive a catch-up credit (maximum 2 per term).
- Catch-up credits expire at the end of term. They cannot be scheduled during school holidays, refunded, or credited toward future terms.
- All available lesson spots are listed in the Student Portal—check regularly for openings!
- Catch-up lessons can be taken with any available teacher.
- Lessons cancelled within 24 hours are forfeited (unless the spot is filled), but you can gift your lesson to a friend or family member—just let us know who to expect!
- Missed or cancelled lessons with less than 24 hours' notice cannot be scheduled during school holidays, refunded, or credited toward future terms.
STUDIO / TEACHER INITIATED CANCELLATIONS
- If your teacher is unavailable, we will arrange a substitute teacher.
- If a substitute isn’t available, a catch-up credit will be added to your account.
- Use your credit to rebook a lesson via the Student Portal before the term ends.
- If you can’t find a suitable time, you may request a refund or credit toward the next term.
- If a relief teacher is provided but you choose not to attend, the lesson is forfeited, and no catch-up credit will be issued.
Online Zoom Lessons
If you cannot make a lesson due to illness or transport issues, instead of cancelling, you’re welcome to switch to a Zoom lesson instead.
- Simply text 0403 770 909 to request your lesson change to an online lesson (same day and time).
- Your teachers’ zoom room URL can be found below and in your lesson reminder email.
- A refund, credit or catch-up lesson will be provided when more than 30% of an online lesson cannot go ahead due to the teachers internet connection being unstable or their equipment malfunctioning.
- A refund, credit or catch-up lesson will not be provided for online lessons is a student is unprepared for the online lesson, their internet connection is poor, they don’t show up or they attend their online lesson late.
TERM TUITION CALCULATION
- Term fees are calculated based on the number of lessons in the school term. Tuition is adjusted for shorter and longer terms and public holidays.
- If you notify us that you’ll miss a particular lesson during the school term (prior to the term commencing) we can reduce your tuition by up to 2 classes.
- If you’ll miss more than 2 lesson, please contact the studio to discuss if term tuition is the best option as we may need to adjust your lesson time for the term so the teacher doesn’t have gaps in their schedule.
TERM STUDENT ENROLMENT
We have a Priority Registration Week for current students in the second-last week of each term.
- During this week, we’ll email all current students a link to enrol online.
- To secure your lesson time for the next term, you need to enrol by the due date and pay a deposit.
- We’ll automatically reserve your usual day, time, and teacher until the end of Priority Registration Week.
- If you miss the enrolment deadline, you might lose your spot, as it’ll be marked as available and offered to waitlisted students, new students, or anyone wanting to swap lesson times.
- If you're not planning to return the next term, please let us know so we can offer your spot to someone else.
TERM TUITION PAYMENTS
- To finalise your enrolment, a deposit or full upfront payment is required.
- If you enrol but we can’t find a suitable lesson time (for example, if you’re waiting on other extracurricular schedules), we’ll refund your deposit.
- You can pay tuition by cash, direct credit to our bank account, credit card, or direct debit via GoCardless.
- Please note: an online payment fee applies for credit card and direct debit payments and will be added to your tuition when you enrol.
- If paying by cash or bank transfer, just subtract the online payment fee.
- The remaining tuition balance is due in full by your first lesson in week one.
- If tuition isn't paid on time, lessons may be suspended until the account is settled, and your lesson time may be offered to someone else.
REFUNDS ON TERM TUITION
- Once the term has started, tuition is non-refundable, but it can be transferred to another student.
- If you withdraw at least 10 days before the start of term, you won’t have to pay the remaining balance, but the deposit is non-refundable.
- If you let us know in writing 10 days before term starts, we’ll refund your tuition minus the deposit.
- No refunds or credits are given for mid-term withdrawals.
GOCARDLESS DIRECT DEBITS
- If you choose to pay in weekly or fortnightly instalments, we’ll send you a link to set up your bank account or credit card details with GoCardless.
- Once you’re set up, you won’t need to do this again – just check the GoCardless box when enrolling next time.
- Please make sure your bank details are set up with GoCardless before the first week of term.
- Payments will start on the first Monday of term and continue until you request a change.
- The online payment fee for GoCardless is already included in your tuition when you sign up online.
- GoCardless will show up on your bank statement.
- You’ll be bound by GoCardless’s Terms and Conditions.
- GoCardless may charge a fee for failed payments, so please ensure you have enough funds in your account to cover the debit.
- Alison Glew Guitar and Ukulele School doesn’t collect fees for missed payments.
Trial / Casual Lesson Tuition
- Tuition for all lessons must be paid in advance and can’t be paid at the lesson.
- You can pay for your trial or casual lesson using the link on the invoice or by bank transfer (details are on the invoice).
Group Lessons (Ukulele and Guitar Group Classes)
- Group class tuition must be pre-paid.
- Tuition is transferable but not refundable.
- Students can choose to pay a casual lesson rate or purchase a discounted 5 or 10 Lesson Pack.
- Pack purchases are credited to student accounts to use over 3 months.
- Students will be booked into classes based on their preference (weekly, fortnightly or as arranged).
- 24 hour advance cancellation notice must be given via the student portal to ensure you’re not billed for the class.
- Same day cancellations, forgotten lessons, or cancellation with less than 24hrs notice will be billed to student accounts and will not be credited or refunded.
- Cancelled lessons with more than 24 hours notice will generate a catch-up credit to your account to use in a future class.
- You can book into group classes via the student portal where there is availability.
Semi-Private Lessons
- Tuition for students sharing a lesson time (max 2 per lesson) is discounted to our semi-private rate.
- If one student cancels the lesson, we will provide the other student with a a private lesson (at the same day and time) at no additional charge.
- If the cancelling student gives the required 24 hour notice via the student portal, they will receive a catch up credit to use in another “group” or “semi-private” class.
- Catch up credit can also be used towards tuition for a private lesson with the difference in tuition billed to the student.
- Due to limited availability, group catch up lessons for the cancelling student cannot be guaranteed and the lesson would be forfeited.
GIFT VOUCHERS
- Gift vouchers are transferable but not refundable.
- Gift vouchers may be used for lessons with any teacher and can be booked based on teacher/studio availability.
- Gift vouchers expire after 3 years from purchase.
Student Behaviour & Expectations
Learning an instrument is a team effort between you and your teacher! To make the most of your lessons:
- Have your instrument tuned and ready (out of its case/bag) with all your books.
- Give your teacher your full attention during the lesson.
- Answer questions verbally and ask questions if you need help.
- Be polite and respectful.
- Let your teacher know if something isn’t clear.
- Share your goals and what you’d like to learn.
- Come with a positive, eager-to-learn attitude.
- Try everything your teacher suggests—even if it seems silly! (Trust us, there’s a reason!)
- If you have any concerns, talk to your teacher or email [email protected] so we can adjust lessons to suit your needs.
Exclusion from Lessons
We want every student to have a great experience, but we do reserve the right to include or exclude students at our discretion.
You may be excluded if:
- You don’t participate in lessons.
- You aren’t practising regularly at home.
- You aren’t mature enough to fully engage.
You will be excluded if you:
- Are rude, aggressive, sexist, lewd, or violent.
- Are disruptive or destructive.
- Are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
We’re here to support you on your musical journey—let’s keep it fun, engaging, and respectful!
Student Lesson Time Etiquette
Lesson Time
- Lessons are booked back-to-back, so if you're late, we cannot extend, discount, or credit your lesson time.
- Be mindful that another student follows your lesson—pack away your instrument and music promptly so they can start on time.
- Try not to arrive more than five minutes early to avoid disrupting other lessons.
Student Drop-off & Pick-up
- Be on time for pick-up, especially at the end of the night, as our teachers have other commitments.
- Primary school students must wait inside for safety.
Waiting Room Etiquette
- No messy food or drinks in the waiting area.
- Leave the space tidy.
- Speak quietly to respect ongoing lessons.
- Take phone calls outside.
People Sitting In / Watching Lessons
- Parents or caregivers of young children who are especially nervous are welcome to sit in on their lessons. However, in most cases, we prefer lessons to be one-on-one with the teacher. Students tend to concentrate, behave, and learn more effectively without feeling “watched over.”
- Parents will receive emailed lesson notes after each session and are welcome to have a quick debrief at the end of the lesson to discuss progress and practice requirements.
- Siblings and friends are not permitted to sit in on lessons, as it can be distracting and tuition fees only cover the registered student.
- If you feel it’s necessary to sit in on a lesson, you are always welcome.
Instruments
- You’ll need a real instrument (not a toy) to practice at home between lessons. We’re happy to help you find one or offer advice on what to purchase.
- Keeping your instrument in good, clean condition is important. Strings should be changed when they become rusted or frayed—usually every six months. We can change them for you (for a fee), or you can do it yourself
PARKING GUIDELINES
- Do not park on the neighbour’s lawn.
- You may park on our grass behind teacher cars (avoid driving over sprinklers along the edges). Please don’t park in the middle of the lawn, as this restricts access for others.
- Do not park in the driveway, as it blocks access to the grass area and makes it difficult for residents to use the garage.
- Street parking is available on our side of the road—please avoid parking on the opposite side, as it obstructs traffic.
- Follow local parking laws and be respectful of our neighbours.
- Additional parking bays are available at the park on the corner of Richardson Arcade and Houghton Way.
- Be mindful of students walking to and from lessons—drive carefully when arriving and leaving.
Teaching Staff and Contractors
Qualifications
- All lessons are conducted by tutors who are proficient in their area of expertise.
- We have both Senior Teachers and Junior Teachers available for lessons. Their titles reflect their experience, qualifications, and skill set.
- Lessons with Junior Teachers are available at a discounted rate.
- All tutors hold a current Working With Children Check (WWCC).
Non-Solicitation of Teachers
- You agree not to solicit any teacher to provide teaching services outside of Alison Glew Guitar and Ukulele School, including requesting lessons at your home and paying them directly.
Medical Conditions / Disabilities / Disorders
- Please inform Alison Glew Guitar and Ukulele School at the time of enrolment about any conditions or disorders that may affect how lessons are delivered.
- Our teachers need to be able to prepare appropriately for student needs, including but not limited to ADHD, ADD, Sensory Processing Disorder, Autism, Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, etc.
- Please notify us in writing of any life-threatening or serious medical conditions, such as allergies, heart problems, or diabetes.
- It is a requirement that any student with the potential for anaphylaxis be accompanied by a parent or caregiver who is capable of managing the situation if it arises.
LIABILITY / RESPONSIBILITY
- Alison Glew Guitar and Ukulele School accepts no liability or responsibility for any injury sustained by a student or their equipment that arises from participation in any activity connected with Alison Glew Guitar and Ukulele School.
- We do not accept liability or responsibility for any damages caused to any minors, siblings, friends or relatives or caregivers of the students who attends, visits and/or waits at any Alison Glew Guitar and Ukulele School location.