lspendl828

Thought I was just being deluded! That's so good to hear there's still hope. x

Since DD got a no for WL finals, does it automatically follow that there's no hope of a Mids place? Am I being mindlessly optimistic keeping my fingers crossed?

We've had nothing with the itinerary for finals day at Elmhurst either. However, we have already booked the train and a hotel. I think you ought to book your hotel, balletjack. From what I've picked up here, the day roughly runs from 9 til 4.

Curious about the numbers applying to Elmhurst for full time training. Does this mean it's around 400? There's not much information out there, not that I can find, despite looking.

It was a no for us from the Manchester auditions - hope DD wont be too upset. Her yes from Elmhurst should help to cushion the blow (I hope!!). Our children do so well to pick themselves up after these disappointments. I think us mums and dads take it harder than they do sometimes. Good luck to those still waiting.

........No, you're not! I'm going to wear out my button!!

WL audition was Manchester on 18th January. The wait is driving me to distraction! Good luck everyone.

DD got a yes today for final auditions at Elmhurst. She's super, super excited. Just wondering what the final might entail? Seen mention somewhere of a child/parent interview. Is that right? And to a non-verbal reasoning test, yes? Still nothing from WL.....

Thanks for that. You've made my mind up.

My DDs audition for Elmhurst, Yr7, is in a couple of weeks. Should she wear her RBS JA leotard or should we avoid this? I can't decide.

....Forgot to say, they also need a file with a clamp for their papers - not a ring binder style. No hole punches wanted. Didn't have that either.

I'd no idea either but some other newbies turned up with one.....don't know how they knew to! I went on a dash to Sainsburys to buy one for me and everyone else who didn't have one. When I got back and handed the towels into class I found that DD had been given a piece of A4 paper to lie on instead!! Definitely no mats in our class. We were actually advised to go Sainsburys for the towels.

DD started last weekend in Manchester (loved it lots!). Miss Agar told us to cut the ribbon into 4 parts to make small bows. I'd only cut it in half so my bows were too big although I wasn't named and shamed! However, she did make the girls kneel down in a line, wearing their National skirts, to check the length. She then pointed out that some mums had to get the needle and thread out to shorten them! Thankfully ours was fine. Remember to take a white hand towel for them to lie on for exercises! I also forgot that but I wasn't alone!!

Our Head is treating DDs Friday morning absences as Educated Off Site which means it doesn't count as absence at all. Thank goodness! Before I approached the Head I phoned the LEA and they told me the same thing.

Thanks Anna Sophia. The sizing of RBS joggers is stupid for the target market! The tracksuit isn't compulsory but I wanted DD to have it just to make her feel that bit special. My DD is so slim but her inside leg is 67cm so the Jacadi joggers will be too short in the smaller size and very large, all round, in the bigger size. Might do what you've done Annasophia. I'm not that impressed with the sweatshirt actually - the zip is a bit dodgy and gets stuck at every other attempt to fasten/unfasten it. I'm contemplating returning it for another. The white leotard is a bit wrinkly at the crotch but I'm not sure if it's because it's too small. I ordered a size 1 but I'm going to reorder a size 2 to see which one's best. Aaaaarrrggggghhhh....... Other than that I'm completely happy!

Hi, just received the RBS sweatshirt/jacket (DD very excited!) but the Zara joggers I bought to go with it, instead of the huge RBS joggers, are a different navy. They are a lovely slim fit though. Do the Next joggers match the colour of the jacket? Anyone found a match elsewhere?

That's a real pity - they obviously don't appreciate what a huge achievement it is. Why don't you do a short summary of the stats involved (1300 applicants nationally, around 200 in your region for 16 places etc. etc. ) and add a bit about the Royal Opera House, Darcey Bussell ........it might dawn on the school just how well your DC has done. Our Head teacher asked me to write something to publicise DDs achievement and then gave her full support, even confirming her backing for 14 Friday mornings off school to attend training. Good luck Dancingmummy.

Ah......is that the RBS logo maybe? In that case, you're right, they won't take it back.

Their website says you can return within 7 days. Hope they honour it as I've just ordered a size 1 based on DDs measurements but it might be too small.

Hi SissonneDoublee, can I ask what size you ordered? My DD has a Y6 place too and I'm just about to order the leo now that I've got her school's backing for Friday mornings off (in Manchester). She normally wears age 9-10.

Hi Littlebear, I received 5 files attached to this email which I've partly pasted below. Dear Associate Parent, Class: Manchester JA2 Congratulations on gaining a place on this years’ Associate Programme 2017/18. Please find attached the Manchester Associate Handbook, uniform list and dates which are important to your child’s time as an Associate with the Royal Ballet School. Having re-read the full email, I have to reply to them by 30 June inorder to confirm that I accept all their policies and hence confirm the acceptance of the place. So it is time-sensitive - if you see what I mean.

The info for Manchester came by email on Wednesday. It was titled "Associates" not Royal Ballet School as before - just in case you miss it. Balletmum55, luckily I don't work on Fridays so I could get her to class just fine. Her school have been very excited about her achievement and have asked me to write a piece to go in the next newsletter and they're going to have her up in front of the whole school at the next merit assembly. Hope they still support her after I tell them about having a lot of Friday mornings off! Our classes are all 10am - 12.15pm, Fridays and Sundays for those that are interested.

Ah! ....so I'm guessing that doesn't count as absence on her attendance record, Bluebird.

Might not be the right place to ask this but....... Having had a 'yes' for Manchester Y6, I've just received the info pack from RBS with the class timetable etc. I'm a little stunned to learn that the classes run on Fridays and Sundays across the academic year. How does that work then???? There are 14 Friday morning classes between September and June! I'm wondering what her (school) head teacher will say when I tell her "sorry, but DD can't come to school on Friday mornings as she's going dancing"........... I know DD is very, very fortunate to get a yes and I shouldn't be complaining (and I know how dreadfully disappointing it is to the little one's and their mums who got a 'no') but am I missing something? I'm feeling very perplexed indeed about the whole thing now but haven't told DD.

It's a yes for my DD in Manchester! After a place on the waiting list last year, I'm so made up for her. Got to say, I'm a little bit shocked!! So sorry to all the kids with a No ........but it might be Yes next year if you try again , just like we did. xx