Lara Eschler

5 minutes ago, The red shoes said:

Our group just did frogs on back but that was in the actual audition along with splits etc . 
 

physio was two rooms. First Lady ( who was in an awful hurry according to my ds though they were the last group so probs desperate to get home) looked at him in different positions eg plié in 1st, tendus to the side. Facing front in parallel etc etc and she made notes. Then he went through to next room where he was pulled about in the bed and yes, that strange contraption was put around his shin/ calf too to see degrees of turnout. 
 

Then in audition the first thing they did was see them do all the positions again!! Which made me think were they ruining out who to not bother looking at for the rest of the ballet class 🤷🏼‍♀️

He did say his shin was manipulated while laying face down. Maybe he did not realize there was a gadget?  All your dss seem much better at recounting the event.  

32 minutes ago, BalletBoyMumma said:

A digital goniometer I think. To test turnout range in the hip maybe for those who don’t already display flat turnout? (I’m just guessing here though based on DS explanation and that apparently not everyone had it - in reality it could be anything as he’s quite sketchy in descriptions). 

 

I really hope we’ll be able to get some sort of feedback. 

 

 

I am a bit concerned he did not have it. Also some boys went into 2 separate physio rooms? I think your ds was in the same group, did they just do frogs on their back? Or maybe my ds was not concentrating and missed the exercise entirely?

8 minutes ago, sunrise81 said:

Thanks!!! I was sure I had read somewhere that they were carrying then over. I know YBS has, as dd has her place from last year for this year. 

I think Hong Kong Spring Intensive did (not sure though). 

17 minutes ago, Bunny said:

My DS said that the physio used a little device on his calf that beeped when she was turning his leg out so presumably whatever that is was measuring turn out also? My DS also said their group were asked to do ‘froggy’ lying on their stomachs and their backs, but not from sitting. 

Interesting, will ask ds about little device. What could it be? DS said they only did supine froggy in his group. 

1 minute ago, The red shoes said:

Flexibility and hyper mobility are two different things. 
My ds is hyper mobile BUT he was never flexible until 2 years ago when he worked his little socks off to get all 3 splits and improve on his turnout. 
So they aren’t related to each other in that way.

Totally agree oversplits is not needed and can cause harm and many top schools view this too. 
Ive taught children who have natural flat turnout ... but put them in the centre and watch them do and adage or allegro and there is zero sign of that turnout as they aren’t using the correct muscles to maintain it! Frustrating as ds does not have flat turn out but he works super hard to improve and maintain what he has. 
 

The physio is on potential... Can they train this body... ?will it be prone to injury etc . Is there are good range in hip motion there..? Are their feet good ?

I told Ds to dazzle & dance his heart out in the audition so if his physio wasn’t perfect they may weigh up if it’s worth taking the risk on him... or not ! 
But it’s not just on turnout.. if that was the case why do a90 minute class and include flexibility stretches etc. 
They are looking also at passion in the eyes, drive, a hunger to dance. The ability to pick up the exercises quickly . Musicality & artistry. They need to tick as many boxes as possible xx 

Yes, my ds has natural flat static turn out (always had) but needs to learn out to use it and gain functional turn-out. The pike stretch, which you see so many dancers do effortlessly is the hardest thing for him  due to tight hamstrings and he needs to stretch regularly to achieve it. If he has a sudden growth spurt, he  loses the pike stretch temporarily until he stretches again. The middle splits were easier for him to achieve than the right and left splits. 

Will there be an interview at the Elmhurst final? So far they just asked for a reference from the current Head teacher. I think they want to make sure a child will be tolerant, and kind and adaptable as living in a small space with people from all different backgrounds, etc. 

1 minute ago, Dancermom said:

I’m sure the physio is very important, I would think there’s a range that they need to come in for potential turnout and also measurements of limbs etc. But if it was just turnout that mattered surely they’d have had to do the frog and other similar exercises in the audition video. I definitely think it’s potential they look for. 

From what I heard from DS and from the video requirements, they only had to do supine frog but nothing else. In our case I wished there had been more focus on turnout as that is one feature ds has naturally, lol. 

I am wondering about the physio check. It was hard to get much info out of DS but I understand they checked for hypermobility of the wrists, elbows, etc. Would being hypermobile in those joints raise a red flag for them? My ds is hypermobile in some joints with tight hamstrings, glutes though if he stretches regularly he can achieve a satisfactory range and has flexible hips with natural turnout. Does anyone have more info of what features are definitely considered an issue in terms of suitability for training especially for boys?  

In terms of Elmhurst, I also feel they might prefer a stronger more developed built for boys even for year 7?

3 minutes ago, BalletBliss said:

So great to hear of such positive experiences boys just had.  Wishing them all every success!!

It's been mentioned that a permit would be required to enter the park.  Is it for all, even those coming on foot, or just for those arriving by car? 

I think just for the car and no one really checked ours. 

5 minutes ago, PetitJeté said:

Someone mentioned the local Waitrose toilets being out of order. Does anyone know where there might be other public toilets nearby? Someone mentioned a Sainsbury’s I think? My daughter will need to visit a loo beforehand, so would be handy if anyone knows. 

In Richmond we used the toilets at Wholefoods, the Costa across from the Waitrose in SHeen let us used the toilet also.  

Just now, PetitJeté said:

Someone mentioned the local Waitrose toilets being out of order. Does anyone know where there might be other public toilets nearby? Someone mentioned a Sainsbury’s I think? My daughter will need to visit a loo beforehand, so would be handy if anyone knows. 

The toilets in the park were open which are the closest.

2 minutes ago, Lara Eschler said:

Happy to email you a a blank form (private message me if you wish),  I assume it is the same form as there were a couple of menstrual history questions. 

@Raquelle, you will also need to print to permit to enter Richmond Park though which has the specific date of the audition.. 

5 minutes ago, Raquelle said:

Hi everyone. How far before the audition did they send the health form? We are leaving Wales Monday afternoon and will be in hotels till Friday when she has the rbs audition so won't have chance to print the form off unless they send it Monday morning.is it the sort of form you can fill in online? Or do you have to print off and give in? I have emailed the audition team but they didn't get back to me x 

Happy to email you a a blank form (private message me if you wish),  I assume it is the same form as there were a couple of menstrual history questions. 

1 minute ago, Raquelle said:

Hi everyone. How far before the audition did they send the health form? We are leaving Wales Monday afternoon and will be in hotels till Friday when she has the rbs audition so won't have chance to print the form off unless they send it Monday morning.is it the sort of form you can fill in online? Or do you have to print off and give in? I have emailed the audition team but they didn't get back to me x 

They sent it on the 9th for the 12th.

1 hour ago, BalletBoyMum1 said:

 

 

We are 9am too. See you both there!

 

We are staying overnight the night before as it's too far to drive that early. I'll take a bath bomb so he can have a relaxing bubble bath in the hotel before bed. 

We did bath bombs last night too. I think I was the most exhausted one, no longer used to days out, or too much excitement for me and yes the wait was long with not being able to sit outside the car really. The waitrose toilets in Sheen were out of order too by mid afternoon. My ds enjoyed it but hard to get details out of him.   

Just now, The red shoes said:

My ds said he saw your ds and waved at him ☺️. He is looking forward to seeing him properly on Thursday xxx 

My ds thought your ds did not recognize him when he first waved at him. My ds was pleased to see him across the room. 

Just now, The red shoes said:

I gave her a print out which she kept but another parent showed the text message on her phone and she was fine with that too xx 

I gave them a print out of the test results and she also asked for the physio questionnaire at the door.

1 hour ago, BalletBoyMum1 said:

He was in at 1.30. I'm not sure what group it was? 

 

I love how supportive they were as I had heard some horror stories of how competitive it can be. He came out beaming, which is always a good sign that he is relaxed and happy. 

 

Are any of your boys doing Elmhurst next week? Xx

My ds was in the 1:30 group and yes going to the Elmhurst audition next week (9am arrival).

16 hours ago, TwirlyWhirly said:

Hello @Weloveballet! The health form was just asking about any previous injuries/ hospital stays/ meds that they currently take and also if your child has asthma, diabetes, heart condition etc. You fill it in and hand print off to them at the audition. It is presumably for information so they are aware during the audition. There is a line for the physio to sign on it, so presumably it's so the physio can sign off on your DC after their own assessment. Hope that helps!

 

@Weloveballetthey also ask about menstrual history for girls. 

19 minutes ago, ponklemum said:

I was going to to the lateral flow test now. Do you think it’s too late and better to do first thing tomorrow? X

It is not too late. It is better to take the test when you haven't recently eaten or drank. We took one before dinner , negative so far. 

2 minutes ago, The red shoes said:

Anyone doing their lateral flow test on their ds thus evening? Or are most doing it tomorrow? 

Yes, I am doing one tonight and again on Friday morning I think. I did one last week too. 

6 minutes ago, Raquelle said:

Hi everyone. I've had an email from my hotel explaining that I will be asked to present evidence that we are allowed to travel according to government guidelines. I was thinking of just showing the audition email from elmhurst. Are we permitted to travel as this is for educational purposes? Just want to make sure I say the right thing x 

Hi Raquelle, Yes, that's what we are showing the hotel as well. xx

1 minute ago, Reggi said:

Just out of interest with these tests do we report them online and then get emailed the result also so we can pass that on to the schools as I have also ordered these kits 

Yes, you self-report the test result, and can scan the barcode with your phone which brings up the test reference number. I got both an email and text confirming the result. 

12 minutes ago, BalletBliss said:

Hi, everyone!  This is my first post here.  Congrats to all the finalists! 

 

I searched for more information on the final auditions as we are not in any way part of the crowd.  My daughter was never a JA (in fact, until this forum I've never even heard of JA or any other RB schemes).  She attended regular ballet classes.  Still, this year my daughter learnt about White Lodge and decided to try with the video audition, which somehow got us to this stage... 

 

I hope someone more experienced with the RB auditioning process here could kindly help me understand, what is actually happening on the day of the Year 7 finals.  In the email, we were told to come 8:30-9:00 and leave at 12:55.  So, basically, they are going to be there for four hours.  But then, the actual ballet class is only for an hour to an hour and a half, whilst, I would assume, the physio will take another hour or so (for all of them by rotation, probably).  So, what happens for the other two hours?  Do they have any more tests?  Perhaps, something academic?

 

We just wish to be prepared, so that there will be no surprises...

 

Many thanks, xx           

Congratulations! I think they will take some time to register the children and check COVID tests results so the class will probably start at least half and hour after the arrival time or more. I think there will be some time waiting around for the physio as children are seen individually. It is a very different year this year due to COVID so with social distancing everything could take a little longer but from what I understand auditions can usually take a whole day and includes the pastoral care interview which we had on zoom. I don't think they are doing any academic assessments this year, they might just test the children who actually join. xx

On 02/03/2021 at 19:03, balletboy8 said:

Planning to go private - Boots for example. However, Registration is the 6th and 2nd is Good Friday, then Saturday then Easter Sunday and then Bank Holiday Monday the 5th. I'm worried labs will be closed for processing - especially private labs. This will make it impossible to get results in 72 hours. 

 

When WL finals accepted LFT - I enquired for intensives and got an email back stating that it must be PCR.

 

If only things were easy 😃

So they now will swab them on arrival (which is great) but they still want the PCR.