Dancers Dad

1 hour ago, glowlight said:

@Dancers Dad - as another string to your bow - have you or your dd approached Unite through social media? They appear to be quite responsive on Twitter.  No guarantees that it will make a difference, but sometimes a multi pronged approach can help.

I did start to post on their FB page as I had noticed they had been quite responsive to other complainants. I think I'll just see how my latest email settles, then pick up social media if no response. 

There was another alarm earlier tonight...but interestingly it got stopped sharpish - maybe because reception staff were still actually there. Maybe they need to be 24 hour for a while...

49 minutes ago, balletbean said:

So sorry to hear that the alarms were activated yet again. May I suggest dropping an email the Secretary at NBS so she too can spread the word to other parents that may not be on this forum. 
I do hope uS management take control of this totally intolerable situation. One day the alarms may well be needed but could be treated aa another false alarm 😔

Thank you. Yes, I did email NBS over the weekend and have heard back that it's been shared with Miss Gray and the Head of Student Services.

Agreed, it is intolerable - not least because a number of the alarms have apparently been set off deliberately...

I know I'm getting a bit boring on this - apologies - but there have been more fire alarm evacuations, including one around midnight last night. I've been on the phone to New Medlock this morning. One thing they did say was that students/parents emailing them to complain does make a difference because it's something they can show to their managers to demonstrate the urgency of the problem. So if your child is struggling because of the constant alarms, please do take a moment to email New Medlock about it. 

On 24/09/2021 at 22:32, Mjdb said:

I had heard that a few students were I'll & some not attending classes but hadn't realized they were confirmed covid cases. Lets hope it's contained quickly & doesn't disrupt the school too much !

Mj  

Sorry, I was careless saying that - this is supposition, not proven Covid cases. 

54 minutes ago, balletbean said:

The other option for a weekend escape is checking into Premier Inn or similar at Media City. Soak in the tub. Big double bed and a cooked breakfast can be the best remedy and avoids the repeat drive to and from home. Cost of fuel for the round trip v’s cost of hotel can balance out in the end. 

I actually used this method in the 1st spring term when home sickness kicked in. I thought it was the safer option than bringing them home as it’s harder to send them back afterwards. Media City is a lovely area for a walk & a chat just the two of us at the weekend as it’s so quiet. 
 

I appreciate the recent experience isn’t quite home sickness but the above is probably the best medicine anyone can prescribe when life in Halls is getting too much especially in those early days. 

Excellent idea, really, thank you.

(TBH, quite fancy this just for myself...) 

Thanks for the supportive messages - all good advice and observation. I know you'll understand how hard it is to spectate all this from afar!

@Balletmum74 - I know there's a party being held by NBS students tonight but with quite a few Covid cases in Yrs 2 and 3, a number of Yr1s aren't going. Not sure if there are other parties - hopefully not on the same floor as my sleepy daughter!

@glowlight  - I am fed up with it but won't be rushing to a rash decision re: moving out. All the reasons I chose it in the first place remain, it's just a few issues since the start have been very challenging.

We're not too far away from M'cr - 1.5-2.0 hrs in the car depending on the M6 - but whether she comes home/we visit depends a lot on how helpful or otherwise it is to see, and then have to leave, us. Coming home to just sleep for two nights is certainly worth bearing in mind though.

And @glowlightand @balletbean - yes, I will definitely keep in touch with Medlock/Unite. The one lady at Medlock, Zobia, is really helpful and trying her best but there's only so much she can do.

Yes, we have asked that and urged them to put their policies (warnings, fines, expulsion) into action. I bet the fire brigade are just as furious as the parents.

Good grief - fire alarms between 8pm and 3.30am last night: 3.

Total in the first 10 days: at least 10 (though I'm losing count).

In all my research on accommodation, how come I not once read about fire alarms?!

Current status: wondering about moving her out of New Medlock House.

8 minutes ago, glowlight said:

Oh @Dancers Dad - I feel for you and your dd.  The reality of being away from home at 16 can be quite a shock.  You are doing great by being there for her.  That will be exhausting for you too.  The mutual support of the other students, as well as the lifeline you are giving her from home, will help to get her through.  The fire alarm thing won't go on for ever.  

 

On the plus side - at least you know the fire alarms are working!

 

Thank you. You're right in all of the above!

14 hours ago, DancingShoes said:

 

My dd is shattered too, didn't have this last year but covid put paid to a lot of shenanigans I suppose!

I've emailed New Medlock about something else today but also mentioned the fire alarms! I'm sure it will settle down soon. If she needs any help let me know and I can get my dd to contact her x 

That's kind, thank you. We're on video calls with her a lot! And the first years seem to be helping each other out. Hopefully the weekend will be a bit more relaxing. I rang Medlock the other day re: the alarms - they're quite understanding and probably pretty frustrated too! 

Yes, it's been really hard actually. Two just before 10pm, one about 7.45pm and this morning 3.45am. She's so tired and a bit shakey anyway that this is really not helping. 

Just never thought of it really but I suppose it's to be expected when several hundred 18/19/20 year olds are let loose for possibly the first time and possibly the first time in a kitchen! (Although I believe it was hair straighteners the time before last).

One unexpected challenge of packing off your 16 y.o. daughter - her student accommodation having 4 fire alarm evacuations in the first 5 days... Nightmare. Three of them when she was asleep. She's exhausted. Anyone else with a child in New Medlock?

Anyone know of good physios who specialise in dancers in Manchester please?

3 hours ago, balletbean said:

For anyone that attended the 2 day intensive at the beginning of the summer checkout NBS FB page. They’ve just posted a short video clip of the students in action  ☺️🩰

Thanks for this - spotted my daughter!

One took about 8 weeks but the recent one only 5.

Are any other September starters going to the summer school on Thurs/Fri?

On 11/07/2021 at 19:32, balletbean said:

Well our time at NBS drew to a close yesterday with an amazing showcase and graduation ceremony. Despite a significant number of pupils still in isolation with just 10 days to curtain up, many would have thrown in the towel and decided that the show could not go ahead. But nothing was going to stop them. I’m proud to hand over the baton to the new intake of pupils this Sept, safe in the knowledge that no matter what life throws at them whilst at NBS the pupils are supported and encouraged by the staff to never give up. A valuable lesson not on the timetable.  💃🏼🕺🏻🤩
 

Wonderful to read this - both for you and your family who are finishing, and the likes of mine who are just about to begin.

2 hours ago, NJH said:

watch the  Conspiracy Theorists go into overdrive ... 

 

I don't think it would be being a conspiracy theorist to wonder what was going on if you had a child heading there this September. If he's leaving without a replacement in place, then there's a story there. It's probably a very humdrum story but I wouldn't blame any parent for feeling a bit jittery.

My daughter had a great time at the event yesterday. Enjoyed the lessons and meeting other soon-to-be-first-years. Eased a few nerves ahead of September...

On 04/06/2021 at 18:44, glowlight said:

Congratulations @Dancers Dad on getting this far without social media!

 

I think it is very likely that once your dd moves to Manchester she will start to use social media of her own accord...so perhaps better to get her used to using it now while you still have her at home and can keep an eye.

 

I would encourage her to become friends with you, as many relatives as possible, and any grown up friends you/she may have who use facebook.  That way there is a whole network of people keeping an eye on her.

 

In the past I have picked up 'crisis' moments with some of my friends' children.  Sometimes you can help with just a simple personal message (the young friend who had got of the plane on her first business trip to US to a message that her best friend had died ...she just needed someone to chat to until she could get hold of her Mum).  Sometimes advise (block that looser who was being mean to her on facebook and report the posts).  And on one occasion, contacted Mum because I was really worried. 

Thank you!

Yes, we're going to have a chat about it today. It feels important to be part of the FB group, so I think she'll do that. Thanks for the tips. 

1 hour ago, BalletBear said:

Hi! I went in 2019 and absolutely loved it. Not sure how it’s working this year but I really enjoyed being taught by BRB dancers. Also, my group did Pas de Deux with some of the BRB dancers as well which was an amazing experience (especially for my first time doing pas!). We learnt 3 different rep pieces and a jazz piece for the showing at the end. The food was really nice and it was easy to socialise with everyone else with things like the disco we had. I hope your daughter has fun, it’s an amazing school! 

My daughter went in 2019 too and would agree with all of this. She too was entranced by her first experience of pas de deux, especially as it was with BRB dancers.

6 minutes ago, DancingShoes said:

Just for info, they get a lot of info  from the Facebook group. It's used like a noticeboard, timetables, rehearsal schedules etc.

My dd doesn't do Facebook but uses it for the NBS group 

Thanks - useful to know. Will probably do that then.

27 minutes ago, Balletmum74 said:

Yes I understand this it's a strange world we live in you have to be so careful.  I feel like it will be well monitored. If you want my daughters number for your daughter to WhatsApp message  please just message shes a lovely friendly girl.

That's kind, thank you. I'll have a word with her. Her younger sister persuaded her to join WhatsApp recently so they can be in close contact when she goes away, so she's ok with WhatsApp.

It's just that we both agree that her avoiding all SM until now has undoubtedly been great for her work, dancing, outlook and MH, so it's a big step to join it now.

45 minutes ago, Balletmum74 said:

My daughter doing both events and joined the group. We had a lovely tour last week and shes just so excited to start. Shes 16 but will be commuting from home. Great practice run for her.

Great. My daughter also doing both events. Also 16! (But living in student accommodation.) Just chewing over joining FB...

Hello NBS people. Any of the 2021 intake planning to go to the events on 10 June and 15-16 July?

And are people joining the FB group that NBS has set up?

Thanks.