Stirrups36

Danceworks in London is our DS extra class during a long break.

Wow. That's quite a schedule! Great to be able to see the company perform later in Nov in a theatre only a 10 minute walk from home.

Our son went to RBS summer school twice. We took the photos ourselves, but used an introduction to ballet book (can't remember which one) that had poses from students at the RBS. So we just tried to make sure our son looked as much as possible like those poses!

I agree completely with Julie.W. if competition for the schools is tough, competition for companies is even harder. of coruse, there are things like Genee and others that attract the attention of schoo directors and that is another route to major schools. It is how sergei Polunin went to the Royal Ballet School who sorted out his sponsorship as well I think. But then, he is Sergei Polunin and if our children were of that calibre, we probably wouldn't be worrying!

tell them to have fun, smile and enjoy the whole day. best wishes to all.

at 9, our son did 1 hour of ballet, 45 mins of tap and 45 mins of modern. No associate schemes, summer schools and no grades. At age 10, the amount rose quite a bit. He is now in year 10 at vocational school.

Of course, the snobbery wasn't from you kiwi mum! (or any others who may be reading this who went to Fulham. Have I dug my hole deep enough.)

DS did these a couple of years ago. Excellent classes. If your son is in the situation mine was, being the only boy of his age in a school of girls and much younger boys, then take the day to take a trip to Fulham. These were the first classes he did with lots of other boys. You'll also meet other ballet boy families - and also some who have children in the LCB performances (and say it quietly, but we did get a bit of snobbery from some who were 'in the performance' and had been for a number of years in various ways, but generally they were all fine). So you can share ballet boy stories. Lots of shops and food close by as well. Including a cafe with the biggest meringues you will ever see! We were also able to combine the trip with other things we wanted to do, so although it was a longish day, well worth it.

Just try keeping Luisa from watching a performance in the 'sound of music' castle! For those thinking about summer schools, it really was a good month, and has made quite an impact (not least on phone bills which have zoomed up).

They're all good Nili, Just sent the DVD onto David at school (resisted the temptation to open it first!). Tim

I was only trying to help. No worries, and no, twitter would definitely not do what you need.140 characters is a challenge for the most conc

an update for you: news about the 2014 summer school has been released by SIBA - their 10th anniversary gala will take place in the castle where they filmed the Sound of Music. They have some scholarships available, and also a 300 euro 'early bird' offer. The school is truly international and my son had a wonderful time. here'sthe video clips they have just released of their 2013 Gala performance. (you will see son at a couple of points ). http://youtu.be/MRScFgwRNDk

Hi Michelle, I do read your posts now and again, but as a man who is not returning (or even starting for the first time, much to the relief of many I reckon) to ballet don't always read them as they are not so relevant to what I visit here for (regarding dancing children). However, I feel that you don't have enough space on a forum to write about your journey. Blogs are a really good place to do this, and they then also allow you to be much more creative in how you post, what you post and how people find your blog to follow/comment. For example, blogs will be much more likely to be picked up on google and other search engines. This sort of thing is my 'dayjob' and forums are often limiting in the thread nature of the medium. also, forums tends to be more about 'one-off' things. Reviewing a performance, asking a question about pointe shoes, advice about classes to start, or about an injury. Forums are hardly ever in my experience used as a record of a journey in the way you would like to write. as I say, blogs are there for exactly that purpose and you may find it much more liberating. Of course, questions and comments are perfect for the forum, as you have found in the past and I sure will do in future. I am trying not to sound patronising here, so apologies if I do. It's just if I was wanting to write what you are wanting to write, I would use a blog. happy dancing. Tim

Maybe I should post up the end of year photo of the year 9 'boys wear the girls class clothes, girls wear the boys'... Or the year 7 photos after the girls had their makeup lessons and all practiced on the boys... But if name calling keeps on, then it needs to be addressed. House parent call in order. And boys trying on pointe shoes might give them a little more respect for those that have to wear them all the time! What was that quote about Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers? 'I do everything he does, but backwards and wearing high heels'

on the old forum, I posted a question possibly related to this. I had noticed that our 2 dancing children did not get car sick, whilst our non-dancing child did. The dancing chidren can read, watch their phones etc with no problem. the non-dancing just can't at all. but the replies were a little inconclusive from others. Maybe a longer and bigger research project would be needed.

Ok, it wasn't the splits one! I do know my limitations. And they are many.

It's not all about finance, homesickness, injuries, dance teachers and schools (of all types), examinations, etc (although if you need advice about any of those, then you have come to the right place). Watch this video, try not to have a smile on your face, then send it onto your dancing children. I may even try the 'walking down the stairs' bit myself! If I do, watch out for the post entitled 'broke my leg whilst trying to tap dance down stairs' http://bit.ly/1fZqGZB which bit is your favourite?

I am sure we shall be able to find anecdotal evidence both supporting and against boarding education. I am sure that some have had very bad experiences in the past, and have felt abandonment. Indeed, I am sure we could find plenty of evidence where children being at home has been damaging for their health! But I think that the very fact we are discussing such issues mean that we shall be more aware of the needs of our children, at home and at school. And if we are aware of the issues, then we can take action to try to ensure that our children know and understand our love whilst they are away. As I look today at a list of possible side effects of a drug, it doesn't mean that the taker WILL have these side effects, but that we should be on the lookout just in case. As our children go to boarding school, or go to the local comp, or are home schooled or... Or... It doesn't mean that they WILL suffer any possible negative consequences, but because we know(and share) the signs, it means we can take action.

I think that's an excellent suggestion, and I think (but I am sure the Mods will say if it is possible), that you can still have conversations on the topics to add updated information. They aren't 'closed' discussions, just stickied at the top.

'Send a child away' - never! Help a child to fulfill dreams through being a supportive family - well, we hope so.

Hi, I think there would be more of a problem if he was phoning home all the time on his own accord and sobbing. The fact that he wanted to go back, an seems to be having a good time says it all really. It is those occasions when we get lots of phone calls and long chats that we think something might be up. But have a chat to the house parents as well. They will probably be able to put your mind at rest. With regards to phone calls, another parent we know put this on Facebook after a 'long period of silence' - "ring me in the next hour and I shall buy you an iPad" - as far as I know, the money has stayed in their pocket!

They can work on laptops, it just isn't a requirement. And work such as power points etc is done, but using the in school computers. The school also uses online maths and other quizzes, but again in the computer room. I am all in favour of every child having their own laptop and using them wisely... I fact my job rests on the very notion that all have their own online ICT access at school and home! (So maybe I am a little biased). But at elmhurst it is not an essential item in year 7. And having said all that... My son had a laptop there since year 8. So it really is up to you. With regards to choice. The school does use some websites that need flash, and so are not available through using iPads. But then there are some super ipad apps for learning...

I agree with Nana Lily. There is definitely not much need for either in year 7. Don't listen to any 'but so and so has one...' . For school work, they have the computer suite. Maybe later years they will become more needed. Personally, I think they can be used very well for educational reasons if used properly. We have also skyped now and then, but not that often. If you want to buy one for his leisure use, then that's up to you, but your son doesn't need one for yr 7 work. Save your money and see what new things come about for year 8/9.

At the SIBA summer intensive my son has just finished, classes varied between 30 for the general daily class to 1 for individual solo coaching. Other classes varied as the school is heavily weighted towards performing for a final series of shows. So if you were in a particular dance of 6 people, then the class was 6 people. If it was a dance for 12, then 12 it was. For the rehearsal classes, there could also be more than 2 or 3 teachers each time. I think the whole ethos is slightly different to that of a 'normal' UK summer school. As is the time taken, which is 4 weeks. The aim of the school is to replicate the daily life of a company, which means class sizes and teachers vary. Looking 'outside the box' is a phrase I hate, but SIBA is indeed outside the normal summer school/intensive box. P.s it is in Salzburg, which is lovely!

That's good news. The first residential summer school our DS went on, he was very homesick. But 4 years later, those are dim and distant memories.