Ballet4Boyz

Thanks pictures ..... think it's tonsillitis, no doubt a big part of his mini meltdown earlier today. I'd rather him feel poorly now than the start of term though. I agree - the late nights & tough days at SS leave him jaded at the best of times despite me warning him to pace himself.... Hopefully he'll be back to full form for the 7th !!

Thanks Sarah .... it's the first time he's had to withdraw from classes as he felt just too poorly to continue. He normally dances through when slightly under par - so I think he's just feeling really bad . Everything seems magnified when unwell so will have a chat with him when he feels better. It's easy to think how wonderful it is to attend a school like Hammond ...... and as parents we feel so pleased he's been given this opportunity - but it's still a very daunting step for them at this age . He's a bit perkier now - amazing what a little ibuprofen can do !!!

Changing the subject yet again .... DS has returned home slightly early from Tring SS due to a high temperature & feeling awful. He absolutely loved the SS & felt he learnt a lot. He has however had his first major wobble about leaving home & attending Hammond full time. Quite a few tears & feeling anxious about being away from us - especially when feeling unwell as he does at the moment. This is the first time we've had tears as up until now he's been very excited & looking forward to it. We're putting it down to him feeling exhausted from SS and unwell at the same time along with the leaving date looming. I was just wondering if other DC were feeling a bit the same way. I'm sure/hope this is normal ????

Thanks Pictures

Must admit, that's our worry ..... being held up in a traffic jam on the way to pick DS up & then being late !! I'm sure it must happen as some parents will no doubt have a long way to travel....... and even if you set off with loads of time to spare - wonder what happens if you break down en route ?? I was also wondering on EXEAT weekends - do we collect our DC from the school or the boarding houses at 4pm & if it's from school - when are we supposed to collect their bags etc from the boarding houses ?? Not sure that makes sense , but hopefully someone will decipher it !! Haha

Thanks Snape, that's great - I'll re-read the Handbook ......read it ages ago, so probably wise to refresh my memory on a few things ????

Ahhh Hairbelles - I can understand how the school must become such a way of life - must be really sad in a way when it comes to an end. I'm presuming your daughters have left & moving forward with their lives . ???? You could always still go to the carol concert - must admit I'm really looking forward to it as I love anything associated with Christmas & have seen a past performance on YouTube which was was just lovely & took my breath away. The students were amazing.Maybe your girls were among them ???????????? On another note - can anyone confirm that it's 5pm the earliest we can arrive at the boarding house on the 7th ? - and will they need a packed lunch ? I seem to remember that they don't provide an evening meal that day - but maybe I'm mistaken ? Just wanted to say how welcoming & helpful all the existing Hammond parents are with all the information & advice given to us newbie parents. Really do appreciate it as it helps lessen the worries so much - thank you all ????

Thanks picturesinthefirelight - helps to plan ahead - I realise I need to take the day off now !!????

Thanks dancing pickles - great help ????

Just changing the subject slightly can anyone shed some light on a couple of events at The Hammond please? Is the open morning in October for all parents (existing & prospective) to attend & what actually happens - are we lucky enough to watch the students perform ? Secondly - the infamous carol concert - what time of day does it usually take place & do we need to buy tickets ?? I know this seems a little early to enquire about, but my job requires plenty of notice for time off - not to mention shift patterns of my partner & another child at a different school to juggle. ???? Thank you ????

Thanks v much for all the advice - think we may postpone for now until he finds his feet. It's such a transition we didn't want him to feel anymore overwhelmed than necessary but I'll see how he feels .

Do most of the dance students take the extra drama class ? Our DS would like to do it at some point - but we weren't sure if it would be extra pressure for him on top of just coping with a new school. Having said that, we wouldn't want him to feel left out if all/most of the students take the extra drama from the beginning. Would be grateful for any thoughts/advice.

Thanks Karen ..... One less concern ticked off

Does anyone know if the younger students have help with ironing their clothes when necessary? I'm not sure whether I should be giving my DS a crash course - but still feel he's a little young to be left to his own devices with a hot iron !

Yes .... We received the same letters today - might be worth giving the school a ring to enquire about the invoice, especially as you've not been informed of your termly commitment.

Thanks Sarah ...... had completely forgotten about that email, makes us aware of how lucky we are to have an award !! Maybe stretch to a bottle of wine with the beans on toast now

Hi .... just wondered if anyone can answer a couple of questions re fees for the Hammond - sorry in advance for bringing up the dreaded subject, but just trying to fathom it all out !! We've received notice of what our termly fees will be with an MDS award and we realise there are always 'extra' fees to be paid on top.... these being school trips, taxis, photographs, examination fees, participating in & attending school productions etc etc The schools medical insurance scheme with BUPA is shown to be £247 per term .... is this counted as an 'extra' or is it included within the termly fees or covered by the MDS award ?? - maybe wishful thinking on our part !! If this is the case - just calculated that the extras if you include the returnable deposit are at least £1286 for the first year and that's before adding some of the smaller extra fees....... may have to adopt a diet of beans on toast for the foreseeable future haha My second question is are invoices actually sent out to us before the start of term as I know the termly fees are due a week before term starts. Sorry this is a bit long winded

Hi everyone, we heard yesterday re MDS contribution and we are a "W" . Thanks very much to those amongst you who let me know via text. Sorry can't seem to reply as on hols & reception a nightmare !! ( Nice problem to have so definitely not complaining ) Just a quick question ...... does anyone know what socks the boys wear for modern/jazz/tap ....... my DS has always worn black socks for tap & bare-feet for jazz/modern .......the uniform list doesn't seem to mention anything ? Can't believe how quickly the weeks are passing, luckily my DS seems to be really looking forward to it and very excited with only a little bit of nervousness thrown in .

My DS wears the same ones Sarah and yes his die quite quickly too - or are lost !!! I have seen the full sole foot thongs for sale, but I'm not sure if they would last any longer !

Thanks Sarah ..... Do you have a Dd or Ds ? I've checked list again & boys list doesn't mention thongs. Think I'll pack him off with them anyway just in case x

Hi, does anyone know if the students dance in bare feet for any of the classes and if so - do they wear foot thongs / undeez etc . My DS wears them quite a lot, but they aren't mentioned in the dance uniform list. Thanks

Brilliant news mumof6 ..........so pleased for your daughter, I've told my DS there will be a new classmate for him to meet in September !!

Hi - has anyone had any letters through about the induction day on the 21st June ? I was just wondering how the day pans out for parents and the DC ?

Just checking with everyone ....... do MDS calculations take into account any savings you have in savings accounts or is it solely based on gross income for the household ? Thanks

Thanks Eowyn