Peanut68

Mine too as skin-tone for her is pale & blotchy.....Ginger Genetics not helpful for that sun-kissed look

Thanks everyone, that's so useful. I'm a bit aghast at the price of the Wear Moi ones, but on the other hand they are the only cotton ones I've found (the others seem to be nylon, as far as I can tell). I think cotton is probably comfier and more hygienic - and also it's what my daughter is used to, which always helps.

 

Final question, at that price I'm buying one pair only. Her class leotard is pale pink, the summer school one is black. I'm assuming white pants won't show under a black leotard, but that black ones would under the light pink leotard, so I should go for white? They don't seem to have a flesh coloured option.

We have purchased flesh colour.....another stockist to try for same/similar could be Stardust...the Hammond suppliers

Am sure I have seen some specific ranges.....absolutely right that one persons nude sure isn't another's  !

If you do not find anything on dance shop websites, maybe you could try Instagramming or similar with a dancer such as Precious Adams from English National Ballet for advice - good luck!

I'd disagree Kate. I've seen so many awful camel toe leotard pictures posted by adoring parents on Facebook & also the material tights are made of are just asking for you to get thrush especially when kids are wearing them for long hours.

eeerrrroch....or similar sound! Graphic but very good points made!!!

They are pricey but survive school wash keeping shape & fit & last well

Wear Moi flesh colour sold by Dancing Boutique in Tunbridge Wells (Google - they post out) They are on uniform list at Tring I believe. A firm stay in place knicker my DD really likes for under leotards. One order said a different brand but they were exactly the same. Quite a thick stretch cotton. Rather fancy them for myself as reckon they might just hold one in!!!

And the state of their bags is quite something! Screwed up blazer & tie twisted round ballet tights & pointe shoes! A lesson in folding to an 11 year old will always fall on deaf ears I fear....& probably quite right! They need to find their own messy jumbled way to get by & do all help one another out with loaning stuff if something missing!!! I hope tidiness & care will just gradually happen....ever hopeful!

None of them ever seem to wear the coat, even in the snow! They rebel against wearing it by claiming to loose it. Ditto the scarf.

 

 

They were all told they had to wear the coat to go to Carol Concert in Cathedral this year....I think it is pretty much the only time my DD has worn hers! Its quite a good practical & well made coat & reasonable price (think small size was around £29)

On the whole the uniform is very reasonable - way cheaper (& more machine washable  ) than many of the other voc schools kit!

Have thought when I am old (er) & grey(er) I'll make the unused scarf into a cushion to remind her of her time at Hammond!! Well, just a thought to join long long list of craft ideas I never actually do   

Clashes with Rugby generally but thanks for the thought!

Well...I spoke too soon.....that very day I posted this son said he hates being the only boy in the class & not sure he wants to go any more!!!

He did get an end of season 'Most Improved player' award for his rugby so maybe it is just the natural order coming out! I will be a little sad if he does give up ballet but think he will at least keep on with the jazz as there are a few boys including a good friend of his who do this & it is a pretty cool class!

Loved the pas de deux piece - amazing!

Well....drumroll....I have completed one shoe!!!! It's not pretty but it is DONE!! Is it too early to start on the wine????   Maybe I better wait until 2nd shoe completed & they are in the post otherwise DD will have grown out of them before she gets them!

The tactic of sewing them on really badly has worked well for me Peanut! Not that I did so on purpose - honest! My dd is 14 and now insists on doing her own

Am liking this tactic....am also going for the "if I wait for Mum they'll never get done so better do them myself next time" approach as have STILL not started on them despite the considerable amount of very helpful advice from you lovely balletcoers - thank you!! I do promise to you all however that today is the day.   

Ah...I am on a slippery slope I sense....my DD is just 12 so am not wanting another 8+ years of this! Maybe I should just sew them on really really badly.......????

Thanks Orchidblue! I always thought the elastic was to keep the heel of shoe in place so was sewn at back of shoe but guess your DD has found what works for her!

Realise my DD needs to learn to do this for herself.....was Mum being over caring (& stupid )

Hi - foolishly offered to sew on ribbons & ankle (?) elastic for DD....she is waiting on these shoes & despite dancing many years ago, I have completely forgotten the angle/placement for ribbons & haven't a clue about the mesh elastics for the heel as never bothered with these for myself.

Hoping a lovely Balletcoer can offer me tips or direct me to a video clip for this!

Thank you!

I have a 10 year old rugby playing (& built for it too  ) son with a sister at vocational school. He started ballet a couple of years ago . I think as he was often taken along to drop off/pick her up from class he was exposed to seeing dancers both male & female & one day realised a school friend was at a class before hers. Well anything that boy did my son was keen to give a go to as well! He joined in & soon took up jazz too my proudest dance Mum moment was him getting the award for most improved dancer in the very high standard jazz class he does with the teacher saying no works harder than him in class! Since starting ballet & never being selected to do the exams he has seen all the other boys drop out but has carried on & am pleased he was finally selected to do Grade 2 RAD & got a merit! I think he loves ballet more than he will let on (certainly to Dad!) but I often find him doing leaps/jumps & pirouettes when he thinks no one is looking. Am pleased that he does not let any mean comments (you know - all the usual ones about boys doing ballet...yawn) get in his way & he says that ballet helps with his rugby with balance & co-ordination. Have wondered whether he ought to try for Associate schemes (but think DH would draw the line there) & I think as he didn't do beginner classes he missed the whole 'good toes. naughty toes' bit so do not think it has quite connected with him how to point his toes!! Hoping for a 'penny drop' moment for him there but in the meantime I know he loves class & enjoys the attention from the teacher as the only boy.....as well as spending time with girls he rather likes too......  !!!

Good luck with your son...hope he too can enjoy a balanced mix of activities!!

Thought I'd add in some prices.....

Good condition girls Tring uniform items for sale. Size suit a Prep 3 / Year 7 pupil. Some items (dance/pinafore for Prep Pupils only but others suitable for main school). These prices are a big saving even on School second hand shop prices!

Size 28 Blazer (unisex) £25

Girls Long Sleeved Blouse X 1 £7

Girls Short Sleeved Blouse x 2 £5 each

Girls Jumper x 1 £10

Girls Cardigan x1 £10

Tracksuit top x 1 £7

Prep Pinafore x 1 £12

Prep Ballet Leotard & Belt x 1 £8

Prep Modern/Tap Unitard x 1 £10
 

Gaynor Mindon convertable tights are a lovely pink - quite pricey but they wash well & last well!

Frankly....who cares? That's my answer to the original Q asked!

Now, was a developpe unfurled with true expression of the music & sentiment of the choreography & any story being told? Was it then tantalizingly extended to convey the completion of that movement with the time held almost like a hover in the air....a promise of something to come....that intangible thing that can make that simple movement a thing of true beauty!!? Now those are questions worth asking! & a developpe extended just at an angle of say 45% can be as stunning & effective if executed with true artistry as a devloppe at 180%....it is not just the leg movement but the way the body may lean, the matching or mismatching of arm line, the tilt of the head...the direction of the eyes...a smile or a flash of anger perhaps even! Whatever is called for in the choreography, by the Dance Director or by the story being told.....or even what is asked for if part of the syllabus if in 'class'. This is one of those movements that can just make you fall in love with a particular dancer's style & indeed with ballet!

Well....that has set me off wanting to go see more ballet soon!

Go girl!!

You are bang on right Lema! Huge achievements 2 years running show that your DC is absolutely on the right track. Fingers crossed that at some point well deserved funding will be secured so she can take up a well won place!!

Please all be aware that Bursaries are means tested too...in fact quite possibly the questions asked on the official forms are more in depth as you have to declare information on all income & on value of assets (such as cars etc) too. Also, copies of P60's etc all have to be sent in.

Each year you have to re-fill in these forms so the bursary amount may well be 'adjusted' if there is a significant change in circumstances. This is of course all quite as it should be as we all want our DC's fairly supported & that it is as level a playing field as it possibly can be (though I do feel there should be much more transparency about MDS provision & that each school should have the same number to give out for year 7 entry each year plus then the opportunity for additional new ones for talented older DC's. Maybe fairer than 'reasigning' ones when DC's move on which seems to mean that number available may vary wildly year on year)

Good luck to all looking to secure funding & congrats to DC's for achieving the offer of a place!

What about Royal Ballet Junior Associates in Bath.....not sure if weekly or fortnightly option which might make travel easier - good luck!

Oh & not just long hair but fab luscious locks!!!