Ballet4Boyz

You're right Cara, certainly at my DS's school - they are very aware of when each child is having a growth spurt as the teachers measure them on a regular basis. The DC are advised on how to restrict certain movements in order to avoid injuries. It's also true that as their dance lessons are incorporated into the day and their school days can be quite long - when the school day is over & they've completed their prep - they don't have to then fit in dance lessons late into the evening . In yr6 - my DS was at primary school then often at dance school til 9pm on certain days throughout the week which was ok at the time due to having less homework, but still very tiring. It must be extremely tiring to attend a normal secondary school, get homework done & then keep up enough hours of dance lessons in evenings & weekends . So I suppose I'm saying whichever route your DC chooses - they have to 'want' to do it, be committed and accept its a busy & tiring life ........ if they love dancing then it's worth it for them

Hi Junedancer - my DS is a present yr7 at vocational school & I'm obviously only commenting on our experience as I'm sure all children & their parents will have different views. Our DS found the first few weeks extremely tiring ..... new school, boarding away from home, new teachers, new timetable & having to be super organised without the help of parents on-site. A massive change which left our DS quite exhausted & stressed at times. My friends with children at non-vocational school however also had similar concerns. A few weeks on though our DS has, in his own words become 'used' to the long days, extra dance hours etc & the daily life of vocational school........ we have had a few ups & downs, a few issues that needed to be addressed & a few tears on bad days, but he's much more settled now & when we ask him if it's all too much or if he'd rather have gone to a more conventional school ...... he looks horrified !! He loves the school, his teachers & most of all his dance classes which makes us realise we've made the right decision. I can see why it might not be the right thing for everyone, but if your DD really wants to give it a go & is committed - it can be a wonderful experience & opportunity.

Hi DP321 .... my DS who is a present yr7 said some DC were asked to sing "Happy Birthday" if they were too nervous to perform their prepared pieces , or if they hadn't prepared anything at all . My DS performed a musical theatre piece & said the people he auditioned for were really nice & tried very hard to help him relax !! Good luck to your DS - it's a lovely school with fabulous teachers

I'm sure that is the case, or at least it was a couple of years ago . We emailed just a day prior to the audition to ask if our DS could attend and it was no problem at all

Ah, thankyou BalletAims, yes DS does have an impish side haha. He's really glad your DD is in his year & will be in the same boarding house. Many years of friendship ahead I'm sure. Looking forward to seeing you & your lovely Dd on Wednesday Xxx

Anther fantastic story Tulip. What an amazingly supportive daughter you have - I hope she continues to realise her dreams !! So glad to hear your son & husband are/have responded well to treatment, you are again another strong lady holding it all together. Wishing you all the best xxx

Oh bless him, what a fight he's having, as you all are ! As parents ..... when our children really need us..... the strength just comes, doesn't it !! I really hope he is starting to improve health wise, despite the difficulties he's been left with. You sound very strong Primrose, although you probably don't feel it at times. I hope you find small pockets of time to look after your own well-being & health, it's so easy to overlook this when your child has a prolonged illness. The small things, that make life seem 'normal' even when they are not, used to be a tonic for me. Look after yourself as well as your son & I really hope things get better for you all. Xxx

Primrose ...Thankyou.... I wish the same for you , your son & your family too. What a fighter he is ...... I hope his health has since improved xxx

I would just like to say Thankyou to everyone for all your warm messages. They made me cry ..... but happy tears !! Maybe a moment to reflect on the sad fact that some children aren't well enough to dance and how lucky we all are if we have healthy dancing children, but how with modern medicine - there is always hope !!

It's a journey that stays with you isn't it ! So pleased your son is well & healthy .... fantastic !!

Oh no ..... I'm so sorry to hear that Karen. Wishing your grandson a speedy recovery.....& lots of strength to you & your family. Whatever he is battling, medical care for children especially has improved so much in recent years. Really hope to hear positive news from you soon. Xxx

So very sad for your friend , there aren't any words really ...... just another reminder of how lucky my DS has been. Your friend & her family are truly inspirational & I hope their charity work brings some form of comfort to their lives. Xxx

Wishing your cousins little girl all the luck in the world to get better as soon as possible, prayers , positive thoughts & hugs to your cousin & family. I hope they find some comfort & strength from my sons story. Xxx

Yes - our oncologist is a truly remarkable man. He always, always had time for all the parents & their endless questions & worries, insisting we call him by his first name, visiting the ward on his days off when a child's condition was worsening. He would celebrate with us good blood/scan results by twirling us literally around off our feet, but also sit & hold our hands through the bad times . He would sometimes disappear into his office with the door closed and we all knew he'd be crying !! He would then return with red eyes, but the biggest smile painted on to spend time with the children. The children adore him - but after years & years of this emotional roller-coaster..... it has taken its toll & he's very exhausted. There aren't the words to describe how much we value this very special man, and indeed his team of registrars, house officers , nurses , play coordinators, counsellors , auxiliary staff - they are all beyond amazing. The children, teenagers & their families who weren't so lucky will be etched in our hearts forever. A 17yr old young lady who knew she was terminally ill caught me crying one day in the corner of my Ds's room. He was having a morphine-sleep & she had brought some toys to his bedside as he couldn't walk. She comforted me, told me it was "OK to cry - as it must be terrible to be a parent of such a poorly child" she also went onto say how she worried about her own parents & how they would cope once she'd gone" I looked at her & she had the most beautiful brown eyes and gorgeous smile......... the cancer couldn't take these from her !! She told me she really felt DS would be "one of the lucky ones" & she had a really good feeling about him ....... she was trying so hard to comfort me, I was truly humbled. She passed a few months later, but I had time to call her my friend, give her comfort when her parents had to be elsewhere & it was such an honour to know her. The cancer never took her beauty away. This is one story of many - and I hope the courage, dignity & strength of these amazing youngsters has in some way left myself & Dh better people for knowing them.

I have made small references to our DS' journey a couple of times but thought it would be nice to share our news. He was born with severe kidney & bladder abnormalities for which he underwent numerous operations as a baby/toddler & has had further surgery throughout his life, leaving him with one kidney . His amazing medical care saved his life on more occasions than I care to remember. Lightening struck twice & he was diagnosed with one of the most aggressive cancers, totally unrelated to his renal problems - he was nearly 5yrs old at the time. He went through further surgery & months of the strongest chemotherapy. We nearly lost him again on too many occasions & he was unable to walk properly for months afterwards...... but he was cancer free. We were told if the cancer returned ......there would be no hope of a cure, and we would have to wait years before a final all-clear. DS grew in strength very slowly & I arranged dance lessons for him after he'd repeatedly asked for tap shoes & to learn how to dance - he was nearly 7 by now. I was nervous, his heart had taken a bashing from the chemo and he suffered terribly with leg pain, again another side-effect. His oncologist who was by now a good friend - said to me .....if he wants to dance, let him dance & enjoy himself ..... his heart is strong enough, try not to worry . The rest is history, his dancing went from strength to strength , gave him confidence, focus, his leg pain eased and his heart grew strong again, he had less time to dwell on upsetting memories ... he was healing before our eyes and his happiness charging to dance class was palpable. His oncologist was and is amazed by how DS has recovered so well and puts it down to his dancing - improving his physical & emotional well- being. DS said goodbye to his oncologist a few weeks ago as he is retiring after a lifetime of trying to save children from cancer. His oncologist told him ..... I'm retiring now, but I'm so happy to tell you finally that you are cured , and your cancer won't return & I'm so proud of your dancing achievements. DS cried at saying goodbye, and also at hearing this news . DS starts at vocational school this week. As parents ..... this is a new chapter for us & watching him dance over the last few years has helped us heal our own scars. We realise how amazingly lucky we have been for DS to recover so well, we count our blessings all the time . I write this in memory of the children & teenagers we met & became so fond of along the way and so sadly weren't as lucky as our DS . We hold their families in our heart knowing they would be so pleased for DS ..... Every now and again it's nice to be reminded of success stories with cancer & other serious health problems...... and we firmly believe dancing has played a huge part in our family's healing. ????

Thanks Regattah, I was wondering how the school carpark coped with big events. DH says parking at clovelly isn't too bad .

Hi Regattah ...... oh, didn't realise there was parking behind the BH ?? Yes, was thinking of school, but that's fine if it's meant for staff etc. I just thought there was a larger carpark somewhere we were unaware of !!

Ah, ok - that explains why they don't mention parking at the rear. Thanks pictures

Hi all, I'm sure I've read somewhere on a thread about parking at The Hammond - and it's possible to park around the back of the school ? My DH has been asking where the access to this is - I've searched several threads & can't find where I read it. Can anyone shed any light on this - as we always seem to struggle parking up when visiting. Thanks

Thanks Pictures Straceydor .... I've been told to take some coat hangers just in case.

Does this school production feature all the students or is it for a specific genre ie musical theatre , drama or dance ? Thanks

It's such a change isn't it !! I still can't get my head around not taking him most evenings/weekend to his old dance school. Mumof6 - thank you , he's much brighter today

Thanks Karen

Quick question about bedrooms at the boarding houses...... do the children have their own notice boards or area to put things on the wall ? If so - are pins preferred or blu tac. ?? Thanks

Thanks Ellen & Pictures I'm strangely calm at the moment but think that's because I'm in a labelling frenzy !! DH remarked that he's wary of standing still in case he gets a label slapped on his forehead !! Haha DH is a little down I've noticed. Hopefully once all our DC have settled & made friends, I'm sure their anxieties will pass & us parents can breathe a sigh of relief