HAIRBELLES

Hi Taxi4ballet Hammond year 11 also do early morning ballet classes .I'm pretty sure it's 3 mornings a week .

For all the DP's interested in the Graze boxes ....groupon have really good deal on 4 boxes for £5!

Of course they are Flowerdew.... how could I have forgotten that.! I was very lucky to share the journeys with a friend she did the Fridays and I the Sundays .

I never thought I would ever say this but I love to see their rooms untidy.......after a particularly busy, very enjoyable half term I am missing my girls more than ever! I have yet to start my accounts,the most ardous task of the year by far,I envy you hfbrew! And the only thing Ive ever knitted was many moons ago,a scarf that wouldn't have looked out of place around Dr Who's neck Roll On Christmas....nearly a whole month off !!!

The results for MA's do come out after Lower school results after what seemed like a very long wait, and if placed on the waiting list like my dd an even longer one as they keep that open until the October half-term of the new academic year. I have just had a look in my files for the date of the letter, date as postmark and I throw all the envelopes away,typical! Sorry just to add to your dilema eloise_please I believe MA's are on saturdays and JA's are sundays. Good Luck with the auditions.

Hi Pointytoes22 You are right in thinking that The Hammond does not have boarding facilities for upper school.You board with a landlady or a few students rent together. We have set our own criteria for eliminating certain schools.Adopting a similar approach may help you decide where best to audition.Just a few examples of our criteria: Purely classical , dance course or MT Diploma or degree course this will have an impact on funding too.As I understand you don't receive a grant for accomodation on the Diploma course. If you were awarded a DaDa award can your parents afford the living expenses (london more expensive) Which A levels do the schools offer and so on...... It costs quite a lot of money just to audition with admin fees,trains hotels etc not to mention the lost days at school leading up to those crucial GCSE's. We saw very little point of auditioning at places if we could not afford for her to go. Just to mention if you haven't already looked, the direct.gov website lists all the schools that participate in the Dada awards with criteria (my dd not old enough for two of the ones she would like) and links to the actual webpages..... There is also alot of well informed information on past threads. It is a very stressful year ahead for all you young dancers . Good Luck with your decisions.

We had similar problems to you Ian but only at the very but crucial end.Just as Odette was about to do her dying swan the screen went blank and we could only hear the music. Much to our amusement the cinema staff proclaimed we had only missed a few minutes ..... Yes but probably the best two minutes.! We all thought the performance was outstanding and left with four complimentary tickets (that's the Nutcracker sorted) and my daughters pirouetting through the lobby of our local Odeon.

There is some lovely bedding with ballerinas in Cath Kidston .

Aww Dancingmom this brought a lump to my throat just reading your post. Its my birthday a few days after the start of term and last year my younger DD ,who bravely went off to join her sister at vocational school,secretly left me a birthday card saying loads of lovely things about how we have always done things together and she hoped it would never change etc (we spent a lot of time together owing to festivals JA's etc). Every time I thought about what she had written I would get all sniffly ,people must of wondered what on earth was wrong with me . I echo all that Primrose has posted and you will have lots of quality time with your son too. Sometimes it still seems like they are there with all the nightly phone calls and exeat/leave out weekends do come around quickly.I feel like I'm never away from school Good Luck to you and your DD ps.Don't forget the tissues

I don't think they do drdance.....if they accept dvd's maybe its instead of the prelim audition......I have no idea so I wouldn't like to guess! I get the feeling my earlier post has been taken the wrong way. I would imagine the children at audition are recorded so the panel, sometimes depending which school, there can be over 6 people all with subjective opinions , can remind themselves which child or young adult they are referring to at a later date. This recording of the actual audition is what I was refering to when I commented to tutoo2much about asking for feedback.

Some letters will say that they will not enter into ANY feedback but some like RBS will accept feedback from your usual teacher.I know for sure that The Hammond and Elmhurst video their auditions so they would be able to look at your child again. Yes it did make sense tutoo2much and it did stop all the wondering why she didn't make it.

I know the DaDa's are awarded to the students showing most potential but can anyone advise as to how they are given out? Do the schools have so many like the MDS awards? Or does it depend on how many marks you get at audition? I know there may be changes this year with schools/colleges doing their own admin but any advice from any DP's that have already been through this process would be really appreciated. Thankyou

How true Tulip! I found it really hard to accept when my younger DD wasn't given a final for WL and she was also upset that the majority of her JA class had. She was a JA for 3 years and whilst you know that potential can change and others come along with more, it is upsetting when you have travelled a 2hr round trip, given up numerous social occasions and missed school lessons. I had a very encouraging phone call from the JA teacher that year coupled with Gailene Stock pulling her back into the audition room to give her a second look, I let MY hopes for final run away with me. I wouldn't have usually asked for feedback but I felt at some time over the last 3 years her JA teacher must have had an idea she wasn't quite Royal material. Her local teacher called and the feedback given was lovely and positive.The reasons given for her non selection were quite correct and in the end I was relieved we hadn't had a wasted journey to london.

And not enough of group D for me. I haven't had much time to discuss everything with my daughter as she has gone to her friends. She said that the BRB dancers were lovely especially Max Maslen who she partnered ,said some lovely things that really boosted her confidence. She felt they did rather a lot of Rep work compared to everything else. I don't think I could add anymore your review is spot on Tulip!

Unfortunately my DD is having trouble getting a consistent signal so I have only spoken to her briefly and a few text messages. She seems to be having a ball, one text saying everyone is soooooo friendly she is sharing a room with an old roommate from Hammond and there is even a girl from her old JA class 5 years ago. Lots of familiar faces from festivals as well. Food is "ok " which translates as very good as she usually insists the food at school is awful. I am looking forward to the performance on saturday and hearing all about the week. Which other summer schools has your DD done Ribbons?

Hi janice and ellen The Travelodge at Mickle Trafford, a short ride from the station, is situated at the bottom of the country lane leading up to the school. Its also a Toby Carvery so good for Dinner. The Hilton Doubletree is also in the same area and there are plenty of small hotels and guest houses in an area called Hoole a stones throw from school.

Hi Millie3 Maybe they are wanting to make sure that the students for MT have a good standard of dance. When I questioned my DD about the new style course she said it was like NBS in that you specialise in yrs 2 & 3. She said that the MT students are currently not doing enough dance. All the students at Hammond sing in the choirs and even in Lower School singing is a requirement at audition. I await the announcement regarding funding with baited breath as this could impact where my daughter can apply to. A very stressful few months ahead..... hopefully some of the parents on here will be able to guide us through the post 16 stage! Good Luck

See you there Dragonlady DD very excited ,she's looking forward to seeing your DD ......in fact Ive just sent her upstairs to pack your DD's belongings!!!!!.... Hope to put a face to some of the names of other BalletCoers and all our DD's and DS's have a great week

Hi Twoballerinas0004 Ive sent you a PM....

Every time I've been to Covent Garden station it has been manic.........far easier to get off at the stop before I'm sure its Leicester Sq only a stones throw from Covent Garden.......Have a lovely time!

Try the word and as an ampersand as the page reads ,Buy,Sell & Swap Dancewear. Sorry I cant get the link to here bit of a technophobe!!

There are 3 for sale on the Facebook page Buy,Sell and Swap Dancewear .

I have the tracksuit,leotards,wrap around skirt ,jazz leggings and jazz shoes all brand new and never worn. Leotards are the foundation year( baby blue ) To fit a small 11yr old. £50 for the lot or will spilt. Can be seen on the Planet Dance website PM me for any details or measurements Thanks for looking

Hi Willow I will have the dvd if its still available........I dont have a paypal account if cheque is acceptable please inbox me your address Thankyou Hairbelles

Thankyou........BankruptMum that made me smile.If you knew my dd ..she would go on stage with holes in her tights ...so wash them 7 pairs it is!