mimi'smom

Early night tonight for you then Billyelliott - if the excitement will allow it! At least you will have a nice relaxing afternoon watching the summer show! x

Hi Dancingfeet The year 7s will be around in the morning I think as they get to meet the children they are guardian angels to, so hopefully your dd will meet most if not all of them then! Hope she enjoys the induction and you get back safely to Hammond on time!

Thanks for that NL - we don't allow our dd onto the internet on her phone as it isn't part of her package so hadn't realised that loophole! You are absolutely right they are too busy - sometimes it hard enough to find time for that phone call home!

Facebook is blocked at some vocational schools - certainly for the younger years

I kept in touch with parents of her close friends and we arrange get togethers each holiday which have become a real highlight. Ipods are useful as they can face-time and i-message (without the cost of texts if you are pay as you go!)

Can't seem to see anything on their website or the Dar Danse website about October - you could always send them an email and ask. Here's the link to Dar Danse in case you wanted to browse that. http://www.dardanse.com/wbc.php xx

Here's the link Pasdebourree15 http://www.wellsballetcourses.co.uk/away.html xx

What year associates is she starting? If it is year 6 and she is thinking of auditioning for vocational school then those auditions come round so quickly I would be tempted not to miss any of the associate classes as the year 6 ones are quite focused on audition practice. If not year 6 then I think you can be a little more relaxed - our JA teacher was very supportive of the children's other dance commitments such as festivals, particularly if not attending would impact upon others. x

Thanks Nana Lily x

Hi CDR it's Tim Cross Photography - here's the link! xx http://www.tmcross.com/elmhurst.html edited to add link!!

Me again - impatient year 7 parent!! I noticed that the photos for this year are listed on the photographer's website but you need a user name and password to view them. I'm guessing Elmhurst email this to you but can anyone advise when? Thanks!

Iron on transfers are great for socks, tights, underwear etc. We got ours from Easy2name. x

Hi Aly My dd was on the Elmhurst Pre-Vocational Programme (now Birmingham Associates) since year 4 and had an amazing time. We both made very good friends amongst the girls and parents and she is now very happily pursuing her dream as a full time student at the school. It may be slightly different for the Birmingham Associates possibly as their classes are held at Elmhurst itself and with some of the school's own teaching faculty. I would echo Spanner's sentiments entirely - no two children will have the same experience and you will only know if it's right for your dd by giving it a try! Good luck with the audition!

They are held at the BRB studios (at the Hippodrome theatre) entrance in Thorpe Street but one door down from Dance Xchange xx

This may well vary with the school, but at Elmhurst all the girls went en pointe at the same time at the start of the year.

I've just booked for Tamworth and I would say there were less than a third of the seats sold, which is really sad as I have seen BTUK a number of times and think they do a brilliant job bringing accessible ballets to the parts of the country other companies don't reach. Even my ballet hating elder dd asked to see this one having seen photos and being intrigued by the production aspects as a keen theatre fan. I have to say ticket prices are fantastic - 3 tickets for less than the price of 1 West End show!

Hi Fab_feet Have sent you a pm xx

Hi Billelliott Glad your induction stuff came through - it makes it all real and very exciting! This is the first year that Elmhurst have done the weekend adventure break for the whole of lower school. Previously (well certainly last year) it was a whole school trip to Drayton Manor. You will find that they offer lots of trips over the course of the year at the weekends so keep that chequebook handy!! xx

Are posters aware that the RSC do £5 tickets for 16-25 year olds for all of their productions at Stratford and possibly some/all of their touring productions including Matilda? Two tickets (one for Matilda) can be booked using a special code available on the RSC website. The only downside is that the young people themselves must book the tickets (ie they cannot use parents credit/debit cards). They don't post the tickets out to you but instead ask that you collect them at the box office on the day of the performance bringing along with you proof of eligibility. My non dd is very excited that she is going to see David Tennant in Richard II under the scheme

Hello BalletAbbie'smom and welcome! With regard to letters, you were spot on but there is also a waiting list letter. Numbers of children auditioning and being accepted onto the JA programme can be found on p11 of the Royal Ballet School annual report. In 2011-2012, for Bristol 84 girls auditioned and 14 were offered places. I'm sorry I'm not sure if this is just for year 4 or for all JA years. The link is below: http://www.royal-ballet-school.org.uk/media/dloads/RBS_Annual_Report_2011-2012.pdf There was a thread on this wonderful form last year about the perceived preferred physique for the RBS, but if you read it, you will see so much of it is speculation! We have all asked ourselves exactly that same question! Here's the link: http://www.balletcoforum.com/index.php?/topic/176-what-does-the-rbs-look-for/?hl=%2Bbody+%2Btype#entry1652 Hope your daughter enjoyed the day and fingers crossed for a yes letter. It is a brilliant scheme and a wonderful opportunity. But if it a no (as it was for my dd first time round) please don't be down hearted - there are lots of lots of great associate schemes out there (and there's always next year!) Good luck to you both x

My dd's dance school would very often have students doing multiple exams at the same sessions so I don't think it's that unusual. It always amazes me how many routines and exercises our dancing children can hold in their heads!

For weeks last summer we felt like we were constantly doing the 'last' of everything and saying far too many goodbyes - it was emotionally draining and we were relieved when the time came to look forward to new adventures (though we have both made lifelong friends and many happy memories along the way!)

Thank you so much picturesinthefirelight for posting the link - much appreciated!

Has anyone mentioned the chain ferry - think it might be the only (or a at least one of a very few) still operating and if you do the river walk to the church do pop in and see Shakespeare's resting place. If you are feeling energetic, it is always good fun to hire a rowing boat and my youngest daughter insists on a visit to the Christmas shop (opposite the birthplace) whatever time of year we go!

Hi Dea I wouldn't worry about numbers of places available as when my daughter was a PVP the class sizes varied quite a bit in different years and new children joined in both years 5 and 6. I am pretty sure that children don't (well they didn't!!) have to be assessed out for spaces to become available. Glad your dd enjoyed the day - hope the letter, when it arrives, brings good news!!