Happymum

This year My DS is planing to audition to a couple of vocational schools for year 7 entry. He recently started RAD grade 4, used to do two 1h long classes per week plus RBS JAs every other week plus boys Training at Tring once a month. He really likes street dance (does one 40 minutes class a week which I don't think is worth anything but he likes it) and loves all the tricks like back flips, aerials etc which he is working on but can't do as never done gymnastics. Now - the plan was to carry on with 2 grade4 Classes a week (plus associate classes) but today we got a call from nearby gym that he got a place at boys gymnastics class - of course at the same time his ballet class would be. His ballet teacher just had a baby so she was kindly ready to teach just my son's class twice a week but says that DS should take up gymnastic instead and she will be happier teaching just once a week. What do you think? Will 1 ballet class a week be enough? I'm worried it won't be. Will he get any "bad habits" from gymnastics which will decrease his chances during auditions? Are they any advantages of starting gymnastics now? Sorry for such a long post. Thank you for reading. I'm just not sure if I should let him go for it as he really wants to try? Or should I encourage him to focus on ballet until auditions and let him join the gym (if he is lucky to get a place) after the auditions are finished (especially if he doesn't get in to any of the schools). Help!

Hi Ana, thank you for sharing your feelings with us. I hope just writing it down helps (it does help me). I'll agree with others that talking to somebody else will be a good idea. Also maybe just thinking it through? Asking yourself why you feel like this? Is it harder then last year because it's not that new and exciting like it was when you started? Is it because you know now that you might get injured anytime and be out of dancing for several months? Is it because you just had a lovely summer with your family and friends and you simply miss them? Whatever the reason - it's normal to feel a bit down, homesick, isolated and I think it's good to allow yourself to feel like this. Don't feel bad or guilty about it, the feelings are normal, just talk about it to somebody. You are a beautiful dancer (I was lucky to see you dancing once!) and you'll soon get your strength back - give yourself more time, don't compare yourself to other dancers, (at least not straight away after having 6 months off). Sending you lots of warm wishes! Take care.

great to have somebody to "talk to" on the forum during the whole process :-) I've already decided to ask for audition on 29th of Nov, maybe see you then

Sherbet - I think the smile and support etc is there for the children, coworkers/clients/patients, rest of the family, neighbors etc etc Then on this forum we can share the difficult moments, sad feelings etc - no one should assume that we let the DC children see that we sometimes struggle, or suggest that they don't have our blessing or support.

I've finally cleaned my DD's room. It was a terrible mess but that's my trigger - it's never tidy when she's home so now it doesn't look "normal"! I don't like going in there, makes me feel sad. On a positive note, after a tearful call the first evening DD is settling in and sounds much more cheerful in the evenings. Long may it last!

Yes, sadly some children are assessed out in year 9 (not only in Elmhurst) so there are places available for new year 10 students.

Here we go again ????. The auditions dates are announced! Who is auditioning at Elmhurst this year? My DS will be trying for year 7 place. After dropping my older DD at vocational school this afternoon I will give myself a couple of weeks off before I start to worry about application forms and dreaded photos. But good to have the dates.

And already one tearful call from DD... ???? I wish others homesickness free term

Just dropped my DD off. I feel like crying but she was very happy to see her friends and was beaming and smiling when we were leaving. Good luck to all the parents... Hope your DC happiness makes it easier to cope with them being away from home.

What a beautiful story, thank you for sharing. I wish you and your DS all the best, hope he enjoys his new school. What an inspiration he is.

I wanted to wish everybody a happy, successful and injury free year at vocational school. Good luck to all DC going for the first time. My DD is going back tomorrow and I have to say that my heart aches, it's not any easier that it was last year. She already says she will miss us all after 7 weeks at home :-( last year there was the excitement, the "dream came true" feeling. But still DD won't change it for anything so I hope as soon as the ballet classes start she will feel better. I need to keep myself very busy next week, especially in the evenings.

That's great to hear. I think such great dancers as teacher will be an inspiration. Good to know it was challenging

Any feedback from Dance Forward? I'm thinking about booking it for DD next year

My DC went to Ballet Cymru summer school. It's not residential. They both really enjoyed it. DS was in the youngest group (10+) It was just over 30 children. Very mixed level - some never did ballet before, some were RBS JAs. There where always around 5 or more professional company dancers at the same time. One as a main teacher, the others were helping, correcting, showing steps etc. There were lots of personal corrections. Children were put into small groups according to their level and did slightly different exercises, routines so everybody was challenged adequately. Apart from dancing there were a few music or drama games to keep it fun. DS enjoyed it, found it challenging enough and his only complain was that the brakes were too often. There were several boys in this group. DD was in the 12+ group. There were around 25 children, 4 were from vocational schools, plus there were associates of different schools/companies. DD said that it was challenging enough for her. Lots of personal attention as well as there were up to 7 company members during a class. Once Ballet Cymru artistic director himself took a class. There was ballet, repertuar, stretching, creative and PDD which my DD loved!! The girls were partnered with and lifted by company male dancers which was an amazing experience for my DD. There was just one boy in this group. The show at the Riverfront theatre consisted of 4 dances - both groups danced one classical ballet piece and one creative. Creative For younger group was more of a jazz/modern/street dance which children have mostly choreographed themselves. 12+ group was more of a contemporary style. I understood that mostly choreographed by one of the teachers. My DC would like to attend this summer school next year again. Also I think it's important to add that this SS is really affordable in comparison to other SS I know about.

But I need to add that I won't be staying - just dropping off/picking up and taking turns with other family members as I'm working mornings/evenings. That's why the first hour free parking works the best for me. I'm afraid I don't have a balletco badge ????

The car park by the theatre is very small and you need to pay for it. I'm planning to park on the shopping centre car park. It's big and first hour is free. It's almost opposite the theatre.

My DS (also 10) will be going for the first time - mornings and afternoons. My older DD is going as well, she loved it last year.

I have four year 7 leotards for sale, size child 2 x2 and size child 3 x2. Used but in good condition

3 hours! That's long! Can't wait to see it on Saturday. Enjoy the show today Billyelliott

After a few days it doesn't sound as bad as it did when I've heard about it all. Thankfully I didn't hear any stories about serious bulling, it's more about older DC not being nice towards younger DC. I'm sorry to read about more serious problems that others had. I agree that they are just teenagers and they do spent a lot of time together and get frustrated ect. After a short research I know that it's much worse at a local school for example. I'm still going to write a feedback to one of the schools but I've made sure that houseparnts have already reacted accordingly.

Mods please correct the "bullying" typo in the title, I don't know how to do it, sorry

I feel very sad and disappointed after hearing worrying stories from DCd currently at vocational schools. I know that probably I was naive thinking that "ballet teenagers" are different then ordinary teenagers, that vocational school will be "better" then local secondary. I was so shocked to hear about boys calling much younger girls "b...ch", year 8+ children smoking, older girls bullying younger girls etc etc. (By the way these are facts I've heard from more then one child from more then one vocational school). Why? How come? What for? Is it so normal at any boarding school? I feel sad... And very naive..

My DS loves kick start! Never missed a session since it started and it is nearly 3 hours drive for us to get to Tring. Well worth it! Lots of boys attending and only male teachers. The details are not yet on the website but we have been assured the programme will carry on. There are no auditions.

Hope your DD enjoys the book. I've read all the posts and ordered the book already :-)

Elmhurst Y7 girls wear socks just during the first term (pointe class as well) then they wear tights from January. RBS MA wear tights.