sugarplumsmum

ps.. ive now added a photo to my profile so you can see a picture of my Dd, this was taken on a photo shoot with a photographic artist, at the time I was thinking why is she not dancing and only doing shapes and then this picture was sent to me after the photographer had won a competition with it... its named "An angle on pointe" and is how the artist says she imagines dancers find there way to heaven. x

Thank you everyone. well Dd was dutifully delivered to the 6th form boarding house and was greeted by such amazingly welcoming students, each in turn come to visit and was waiting in the wings to sweep her into there embrace once I finally allowed myself to let her go, I had been so good right up to the very last moment but that last cwtch was just a step to far and unfortunately I left her crying because I was crying her day started officially at 8am with a meeting with head of academics and has found that even though she has started only a half term late she has a lot of academic to catch up on and has been advised to perhaps consider dropping a class then when she got to the dance classes (by following the others and just joining anywhere as she wasn't told what set or classes shes in ) she has now found that appraisals are in 2 weeks time and she is expected to learn all the syllabus to take part in the process, so even though she was totally exhausted at 8.45pm when she finally finished her last class and aching all over she was looking forward to the following day and doing the dancing part all over again we've had a steep learning curve and sure were only just on the first step, and my heart hurts so much from loss but also pride, and its thanks to my ballet forum family that made it a little bit easier x

kiwimum I don't get the dancing times are you able to post a link? x

Just a little update.. I think I'm getting there with the help of you all, our insurance papers arrived today along with her railcard and her "very expensive" vocational uniform. we had a few of the things on the list already and hoping the fact her Jazz trainers are capezio not bloch wont matter? we've cut corners as much as possible going for the cheapest option of everything and hopefully not scrimping and set up a go fund me page for her as the person that was going to help with the maintenance has backed out as now funding someone else we have discussed already that next year we will be looking for a hosthome and hopefully this will also cut some costs down.. but we have to get through this year first and as a late starter this option wasn't an option, to the relief of my Dd who said she just wants to feel the magic of the full Tring experience for just a little while but will live in the shed if has too..lol. She's been so good bless her and all her savings she's had since a little girl from birthday monies unspent has gone towards uniform and expenses and ive noticed her looking at prices of things and swapping for value range everything, think Im more proud of how grown up she is being at this very moment but also a little sad as since little instead of doing the usual spending after the birthday she would ask me to put her money gifts into her bank and say this money is for my dance school, even £1 coins were saved instead of a bag of sweets. I'm thinking of all you lovely dancing parents stepping onto this rollercoster of auditions and dance schools and all I can say is hold on tight as it has many a dip and turn and yes on times you will be screaming lol x

thank you zoo zoo I'm on a steep learning curve but doing my tick list and working out cost effective everything's. its her life I shall look into the rail card now as hopefully maybe able to get a discount with my Tesco vouchers I'm hoping someone will be on her rail line from tring to Cardiff or even Bristol and that way she will be able to come home and travel back with someone which would mean I could hopefully get to see her most weekends that's what's holding me together at the moment x

porthesia you are so right the support im getting has helped me so much today, I now have a list and in invitation of a telephone conversation in the morning, ive just ordered some labels and taken the advice and printed everything out so I have it all on hard copy in front of me so I can process it all better. ive even had something to eat for tea so not so light headed. if I can do at least one thing completely a day I shall be ok.. just the funding shortfall now to approach as the sponsor we had inline in the beginning has informed us they are now funding someone else, which I totally understand but means im back at square one x

thank you katymac x

I know there are topics on everything im going to ask but going to admit to you all I am a dyslexic and all the paperwork and words are over powering me I wish there was a list somewhere that's said where the best/ cheapest / easiest is... eg.. insurance? labels or stamper? charities that may still have funding to offer? and what cream to put on my eyes to take the soreness away lol if there are any 6th form parents that can message or advice me on dorm aspects please get in touch. I am so very proud of her and I have to keep shaking myself and telling myself this is HER dream and she's worked so hard for it but im just a mum and she is my everything and im not prepared for this one little bit x

Thank you everyone. yes Dd got given her place at the original auditions and an invite to audition for a Dada, from this she was placed on the waiting list. we weren't one of the lucky ones that were called back for the "last chance to perform" after the originals had there offers. she didn't get a Physio assessment at the audition just a number on the list. the only thing we did and im not sure if others have done is I emailed them once the term started and advised them that if the funding did become available even though my Dd had started her A levels at her regular 6th form that she would be happy to accept her place. I had the acknowledgment for this email this morning and the telephone call at 3 o'clock whilst waiting for my Dd to finish school, and was told that this had been in the pipeline a little while but figures had to be finalised because it is a full Dada as I am under the 20k bracket

I would just like to tell the parents and DC our amazing news and give hope to you on your audition journey. My Dd today received the long awaited telephone call from Tring to say she has been offered a full Dada and they would like her to start her 1st year 6th form dance training on the 2nd November... as you can imagine we have had a lot of tears of joy and I am feeling overwhelmed and must admit a little sick with the shock as we really thought that now the term had started that was it, and I can freely admit I was relived I still had my baby at home with me for a little bit longer. Dd had decided to turn down other dance schools as she only had her heart on Tring, even though she congratulated all her friends on there placements for their 6th form places I could see her heart was breaking and advice from her SA teacher to try other places fell on deaf ears as she had a goal and focused only on this, and as her Mum I had to sit and watch her fall to pieces and now it is my turn as her dream has been granted and I have to do in under 2 weeks what her piers had months to do. so this is a message of two half's... encourage your child to never give up as if it is meant to be it will... but also if anyone has advice on what is priority and how to do this step by step I would openly except the advice with open arms as im not sure I can do this. thank you

Catrin works for private clubs but does her classes from Radyr and Pentrych, but if you want you can forward me your number in a pm and I will pass it on to her to get hold of you x

Lollylamb1 I second catrin as she is my daughters advanced 2 ballet teacher, my daughter started with her and within 6 months was put in for the advanced 1 exam and she come out with the highest vocational mark she had received to date although I wont knock her previous dance school as she's always been lucky enough to receive good strong distinctions in all her exams, she needed to go to the next level and as you know all the teachers you have mentioned don't teach to that level. classes with catrin are personal, approachable, young enough to understand the stresses but mature enough to have experienced the dance world and all its up's and downs. I am truly indebted to her as she brought a spark back to my daughter. x

Hi twirly girl I'm from Cardiff and my daughter is currently having rad advanced 2 classes and as she's the only one of this level its private so I'm sure she wouldn't mind some rest between exercises if you would like to join her, and even better is her teacher is a sports rehabilitation physiotherapist pm me if you want any info x

do anyone have a rough guess-timate of how much the short fall is on accommodation with Dada funding? x

Well small world our Dd's dance together as SA's. tell her a massive welldone on getting into Elmhurst and I've no forgotten our £20 bet to good for them anyway x

looking forward to the answers for this one as at this moment all four toes on my Dd's foot have been skinned and as she has a bare foot performance coming up they just keep getting deeper instead of healing. She has very sensitive feet and have done the surgical spirit and wears foot thongs, but still the blisters keep coming. As a child she had to wear socks in the summer with her sandals and can't wear toe post sandals. x

Hi anaballerina my Dd is also a welsh dancer and although she is not going to do NYB this year has done it for the last 5 years, and she was always the only dancer from wales I believe. We know lots of the girls auditioning again this year and they are all lovely. Take into the audition a strong love for dance, personality and smile and you wont go wrong. This season they are doing something different with lots of contemporary dances and new young choreographers so the line up sounds fab. Let me know how you get on as we have a few Nyb leotards in different sizes I wouldn't mind selling. x

So IP they have you all ways Fingers crossed for everyone looks like were all in for a long road of heartaches and battle's. Think I'm going to have to slip into the budget a bottle of hair dye and 'cheap' bottle of wine x

That concerns me a little as if successful Dd would receive a full Dada not a percentage, so if there are a couple of children at the audition needing a full Dada then less children will receive funding wouldn't that go against these children? I also know of a few children been invited to the Dada audition that can self fund, why would they need to re-audition? Very confused

Well it was addressed to me so just couldn't wait its a recall for the funding audition, it says there are a 'number' of students being seen on the day so expecting lots of other happy children opening letters on here today. it has come with a Dada declaration of income form, does anyone know if I'm meant to just sign the front then post it or add/ send any paperwork with it? Good luck everyone x

Letters are here perfect for valentines postman to bring with the sack of valentines cards

Thank you everyone especially picturesinthefirelight, were going to travel down the afternoon of Sunday just encase the weather turns bad plus for a little bit of mummy daughter time, I really think she needs it at the moment with the stress of GCSE's, auditions and hormones x

Hi I've just posted a general question about The Hammond in the upper school audition thread, if anyone has 5 mins could you have a look so not spoiling this lovely thread. And congratulations pas de chat x

Hi can I please pick some off your knowledgeable brains please. My Dd is auditioning on Monday 3rd for 6th form The Hammond 1st time there so a few general questions. I've booked into the travel lodge on warrington road as mentioned on previous threads, and going to pop over to cheshireoaks while waiting. What I wanted to know was, what time do the introduction finish for parents in the morning? and what time must you check out of the travel lodge? I'm going to be on my own so was going to go back to my room for a bit then go over to look at the shops as other wise its a very long time, and fingers crossed if she is invited to do the afternoon section of the audition it will mean a even longer day of wondering about like billy no mates also she not had any singing lessons and have printed the music off the internet so don't even know if its in her 'key' will the pianist know this and help her along a little? They were lovely over the phone and said for her not to stress about singing so feel silly phoning to ask this. Thank you

I know this sounds stupid but how do I find my spam folder on a virgin media email account? I've never had to check it before so not sure if I have one as normally if its advertising/spam I tick it then it gets blocked before it gets to me x