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Frequently asked questions

Children’s Classes (holiday and term)

General Questions

What ages do you cater for?

5 and attending school, and up!

Will my child be in a class with children of a similar age?

Our classes are mixed so it depends on enrolments.

Can I attend with my child?

We welcome parents to enrol as students and attend with their children.  Parents attending as observers in the classroom will be at the discretion of Canberra Potters and must be discussed with the Education Program Manager prior to class commencement, and is subject to the provision of a current Working with Vulnerable People card and space availability within the class.

What will the children be doing in class?

Classes vary depending on the teacher. Generally they will make something according to a theme ie: animals or dragons for example; and/or a particular pottery technique such as coiling, pinch pots or throwing.

Who is the teacher?

Teachers of the children’s term classes are generally listed on our website. When enrolling for a holiday class please feel free to ask who will be teaching; if the teacher has been confirmed then we will be able to let you know..

When do we pick up finished work after a holiday course?

Children’s holiday class works need to be bisque fired, individually glazed and then glaze fired. This takes approximately 5 weeks. Works are kept together and once finished, can be collected any time from the kiln shed veranda.

When does my class start & what time?

The CPS terms run roughly in-line with the ACT public school system. Term dates can be found on our website on the ‘Learn’ page. The start dates of shorter courses and workshops are as advertised and on the website. The start times of individual classes are as listed on the website.
Children’s school holiday programs run during the ACT public school holidays. There are generally two weeks of classes offered in the autumn, winter and spring holidays and three weeks in the summer holidays. Dates and times are as listed on the website.

What do I need to bring?

An old towel; pottery tools. New students – your teacher will talk to you about tools that may be required.
Tools can be purchased from us although it’s amazing what useful tools you can find in your kitchen or garage.

What should I wear?

Enclosed sturdy footwear; clothes to get dirty in; an apron is useful.

Will I need to buy anything?

Clay and firing costs are included in the fees for introductory classes and all children’s classes.
For all other classes students need to purchase their own clay and pay for firing (unless otherwise stipulated). Clay can be purchased at your class. CPS members receive discounts on firing fees and clay purchases.
We stock a range of tools that can be purchased, including basic kits. Other tools can be purchased from retailers such as Walker Ceramics in Fyshwick. While tools are available for use by students in introductory courses, students who continue into other classes are encouraged, and expected, to have their own tools. These don’t always need to be purchased – useful tools can often be found in the kitchen or garage.

Can I pay at the first class?

All enrolments are done through our website and full payment is required at the time of booking. 

I’m a member of CPS. Do I get a discount on class fees?

Yes, Canberra Potters members receive a discount on class fees. Ensure you have logged into the website prior to booking. Once logged in, members will see the discount automatically applied.
Please note, member discounts must be applied at time of booking classes online. We are unable to apply member discounts retrospectively.

What happens if I am unable to attend class?

Canberra Potters does not provide refunds where students do not attend their enrolled class.
Missed classes are not transferrable. If you miss a class your teacher will do their best to catch you up when you return, within the constraints of the class timetable.
The Introduction to Clay course follows a set curriculum, it is not possible for a missed class to be made up on another day or time.
Missed special interest classes (Clay Foundations, short courses and workshops) cannot be made up due to class numbers and equipment requirements.

If there is a public holiday or long weekend will the class still be on?

Adult term classes do run on public holidays and over long weekends.

Children’s term classes do NOT run on public holidays. 

Can I work on my own projects or do I have to make what the teacher specifies?

In the Continuing Clay classes you can work on your own projects; our teachers are experienced in teaching both hand-building and wheel-throwing techniques. On the other hand, if you’re stuck for inspiration our teachers can suggest projects. We also have an extensive library that you are welcome to browse during class time and where you’re bound to find inspiration.
In the Introductory classes students work through a set curriculum gaining skills in various making techniques.
Some Continuing Clay/Clay Foundation classes also work through a curriculum but there is scope for the techniques being taught to be applied by a student in different ways.
Classes, workshops and masterclasses on special topics often work to a theme or technique but within this there is usually scope for individual expression.

Does the teacher have Working with Vulnerable People registration?

All our teachers and classroom assistants are required to have current ACT Working with Vulnerable People registration.

What are the class sizes?

Introductory courses have a maximum of 12 students. 
Clay Foundation and Continuing Clay adult classes have a maximum of 12 to 14 students depending on which workshop the class is in.
The number of students in shorter special interest courses will depend on which workshop is used and the requirements of the course.
Children’s classes may have up to 14 students. Most children’s classes have a teacher and teaching assistant. The rare exception to this is where there are low enrolments but a class is allowed to run with just a teacher; this only happens when there would be other staff members on the premises to assist the teacher in an emergency.

What are the qualifications of the teachers?

All our teachers are experienced potters with their own art practices. New CPS teachers go through an induction process to ensure that they teach to the expected level.

I didn’t finish something last term – can I come in and use the Workshop to do this?

CPS members with clay experience are able to access the workshop during Member Access Session times once they have completed a workshop orientation.

Non-members are unfortunately not able to access our workshop facilities outside of classes.

I’m a current student in a class. When do I need to enrol in the next term’s class?

Enrolments for the next term will be opened on the website in week 6 of the current term. Once we have dates confirmed for the next terms booking launch, we will post it on our website home page. Time allowing, we will post to our Instagram and Facebook pages too!

What is your cancellation policy if I need to cancel my enrolment?

Class, workshop and masterclass fees in full are required at the time of enrolment. These fees will be refunded, less 10%, if cancellation is notified more than 10 business days before the first class date. If less than 10 business days’ notice is given then a refund, less 10%, will only be given if the place can be taken by another student otherwise the full fee is forfeited.
If we cancel a class, workshop or masterclass, eg due to lack of enrolments, 100% of your class fee will be refunded.

Can I smoke at Watson Arts Centre?

Watson Art Centre is an ACT Government facility and is therefore a NON-SMOKING AREA. This includes all buildings and grounds.