Balletmum55

Ooh good luck to your little students bluebird! They'll have my dd's JA teacher as she does the auditions and she's simply the most lovely smiley lady so they're going to have a fabulous class xxx

Good luck Birmingham auditionees today!!! ⭐️?

So sorry to hear this xanthe, she so little as well and shouldn't have to deal with such things. I hope the school can deal with this properly, and luckily children can and do bounce back very quickly at this age, but I can understand it's very upsetting for you and her xxx good luck xxxx

Or an idea could be that she has a cats tail already attached to her school skirt at the back (or bursting through it) but hidden by her cloak for the first part of the dance ... then when she she tastes the potion, she removes her cloak as she's shocked to feel a tail grow? Might be easier and less fiddly than trying to put a mask on .....

Good luck pictures and your lovely dd xxxxxx

Wow!! Congratulations to you both! ⭐️

Ahh Janjas, my daughter was worried in advance and had never boarded before, and she didn't sleep the night beforehand with nerves. But as we drove through the park the excitement took over (and I suspect a little bravado as she didn't want to look nervous!) and she couldn't wait to start. As I remember, the parents registered the children and then they were allocated numbers for rooms/dorms. They had to give in their pocket money etc and told which group they were in for classes. It was all very organised and all the children were very firmly still with their parents. By the time we got over to the dorms and unpacked with our dd, we helped her make her bed and met her room mate. The children and parents all had a little informal chat in their corridor and exchanged names etc. We then all went across to a talk in one of the studios about the week and what the children could expect. At this point my daughter had forgotten I existed as she was excitedly making friends, but still numerous children stayed with their parents. We were able to go to the PTA shop in the cafeteria and bought a water bottle, notebook etc and had some refreshments. Then as I recall we went back up to the rooms and said our goodbyes. We weren't rushed out at all (apart from by my dd!) and the tears I anticipated never came. In terms of helping with homesickness, in anticipation my dd took a notebook to write about her day (but she hardly got time to fill it in as they're kept so busy!) but I also asked her close friends and family to do her a little good luck card for each day she was there so she could read one each night (I labelled them with the days!) TBH she was so busy having fun though that she forgot to text or call me but she did like opening the cards and reading some kind words. They get up early, have a good breakfasts, have full days of class, rush back to shower, eat and then have various activities every night like a movie night, bbq, disco (with funny dance off!) etc, so they don't have time to miss home. I got the odd text to say she was having the best time of her life but basically heard nothing all week. I really wouldnt worry, the housemistresses were also very kind and took the phones off the children at night so they couldn't be up late texting etc, and apart from 1 little boy, I believe there was very little homesickness as there's such a sense of excitement, mixed with exhaustion from full days, that they just don't have time. Shes going to absolutely love it!! It was an experience we'll both always remember and I'm sure you'll be the same xxxx

I wouldn't worry at all about knowing anyone. My dd didn't know anyone when she went last year aged 10 and she made such amazing friends she still keeps in touch with them. What did help a little was finding a couple of mums on here who had children going the same week and the girls messaged each other in advance once or twice so they recognised one other. However most knew no-one, mainly because there's a lot of international students, but everyone made great friends xxx hope that reassures you. Id also say it was good for my dd to go without a friend as otherwise I have no doubt that she'd have stuck with her friend and not have had as inclusive experience xx

I'm not sure about numbers in Manchester, but in Birmingham they seemed to let similar numbers in in years 4 and 5, then slightly more new associates in year 6. My dd auditioned in Manchester a couple of years ago for a Birmingham place (as we couldn't make the Birmingham audition date) and it was a very friendly experience. If your dd is not that way inclined (as mine wasn't at all!) prepare for some competitive stretching in the waiting room! Didn't seem to have any impact on the outcome though thankfully ? In terms of merchandise, ive seen a variety but it's normally tshirts, notebooks/pens, drinks bottles, bags and occasionally hoodies. I was surprised at how reasonable the merchandise was, can't remember exactly but Tshirts maybe £12 approx x if you're thinking of getting clothing get it early as that generally is what sells out the quickest in the age appropriate sizes x x

Sorry to hear that Sarah2203. Hope a place comes up for her from the reserve list and if not she can always try again next year if not xxxxx

I believe it is most term time Saturdays. My dd is a Birmingham yr 6 rbs JA and many of her classmates do both. They do Elmhurst in the morning (off the top of my head I think it starts pretty early, about 9am, but happy to be corrected??) then royal in the afternoon. On the Saturdays we don't have royal, they still travel into Birmingham for Elmhurst as I believe it's most Saturdays in term time bar the odd one. It's a big commitment but I understand it's a good intense class xx Good luck to your dd if she auditions x

My friend's lovely dd was there yesterday and said the children went in without the parents and I understand they didn't get a talk etc yesterday so didn't really have any knowledge of the numbers of girls there or any info on numbers of MDS awards available. However they will hear this week/within a week hopefully so not too long to wait. The dd said she had a lovely day however and loved the audition which consisted of a ballet class, a free movement class I think, and a musical theatre class. Good luck to everyone (especially my friends dd!) xxxxx

I'm so glad you said that CeliB! I watched the first 10 minutes and couldn't take my eyes off him! I'll look forward to watching the rest at lunch. You must be so proud x

Is this your son's class CeliB? I will very much look forward to watching this in full later.

Not this year but a couple of years ago, my dd auditioned in Manchester and I think there were approx 17 boys there (have no idea why I remembered this, but I seem to recall hearing the staff discussing it) ... could be wrong tho as was at a diff time to my dd. Regardless, I'm sure there'll be a good number of other boys there so your son will have a great class. Good luck xxx

Agreed. We are totally over the moon with mids. And I never thought actually about starting high school too, probably will be a big ask with all the homework etc and adjustment. Ahh thanks for the clarification. Oh its a no for us then unfortunately xx If straight into ballet class you would always be late and neither of us likes being late!! Thanks for the advice x x

12.45 I believe. But I'm not sure if that's the start of Jazz or ballet (if indeed they do both at yr 7 level). Lots of my dd's friends did both at JA level but the time between the classes seemed to be a lot more manageable! She loved Elmhurst so had asked but not sure if it's even manageable. Xx

Had been wondering myself so thank you. Does anyone do the MA class and then rush across town for the Elmhurst extended associates class? Seems like you'd always be late if fortunate enough to get a place on both?

We've been recommended opes too by absolutely loads of people, vocational and non. My dd is going for the first time this year and is very excited x

Junior summer school results are out and my dd has a place (current yr 6) She's going to be so excited xx good luck all xx

Huge congratulations!! ?

You can't beat a happy cry ? Was she a mid associate abitwornout? Also have they always done SAs in Birmingham? For some reason I thought you went to London for seniors xx

Wow congratulations! A huge achievement xxx

Ahh really, where was that bluebird? Xxx

Congratulations tired dance mummy. My dd has also been offered an MA place in Birmingham so they'll be in the same class xxx She's thrilled, especially after the no from finals knocked her a little. My dd has been a JA there since yr 5 so perhaps we know each other Xx Best of luck to all those waiting to hear xxxxx