Karen

We would be grateful to hear about any student perks anyone may have come across for 16 year olds starting on the L6 Trinity diploma in September. We have discovered you can have a Lloyds Bank student account from 17, but you have to be 17 by 31st Oct to apply for the bonus NUS card that gives discounts. I think there was a thread about student perks for 16 year olds a couple of years ago, but I guess things may well have moved on since then, so any information gratefully received. 

Definitely 2 bags (sweaty shoes and school work is a no no!!) and I don't think many adhere to a dark colour for dance if they prefer something else. 

Really good show last night. I loved the way the first half especially told the story of the development of The Hammond over the past 100 years. Some very clever ideas in the choreography and storytelling. As usual, much talent on display across all year groups. Can't wait to watch again tonight and tomorrow! 

Coke on the bottom of the tap shoes is helpful too and remind her to keep her weight well forward. Good luck! ?

I think that dc's experiences are very different in each academic year and depend on which teachers are allocated to them, amongst other things of course. Year 9 may be a very different experience (hopefully much happier on the ballet front) so if your ds wants to stay at the school, you could consider reviewing the situation at Oct half term. If things are not how you want them then, it is a good time to make applications elsewhere if that's what he/you want. When dd had some second thoughts about vocational school in the early days, we did similar and agreed that we would review her feelings at a set later date. When we did, she felt differently from our original conversations and has stayed and been happy. Would your you and your  ds feel better if you had further discussions about the ballet teacher or if you sit it out for half a term and see how things are in Sept/Oct? Hope you get it sorted - it's horrid when they are away from home when something like this happens. 

You can often pick up from the forum when people have received results from somewhere. Hammond DaDa funding results from Wednesdsy's final were out yesterday. 

56 minutes ago, Miracle said:

Has anyone heard the results from Elmhurst boys upper school finals yet? X

Dd's friend told her that they were told they will know next Wednesday. 

Yes badballerina, well done for getting to finals. Hope you get an offer that you are happy with for the next stage of your training.

Hi Dancing2003, yes blazer is also 32" and still available but tracksuit tops now sold.

Apologies for my poor counting- I just glanced at the lists, but obviously should have gone to spec savers! Dd was in a different group to bad ballerina, but said the opposite - she felt that the panel gave everyone fair and equal attention. She also felt the standard was very high, and quite a few international students in her group too, so no expectations, but a very enjoyable day.

Think there's between 30 and 35 girls at Elmhurst today. One of dd's friends told us there were about 25 boys last week. It's been a really well organised and friendly day so far. Dd is doing her audition class after lunch and has had physio assessment, tour and interview/chat this morning.

Thank you all for parking help. Will pack umbrellas!

Are the candidate/parent interviews happening for upper school auditions too? Just curious as the parent of a current year 11, I was assuming I wouldn't need to be there that day! We haven't had much information from school regarding the day itself.

Yes mimismom, upper school too - 15 mins. We have had a timetable for the day and been told that parking at the Priory is not an option because of work going on there. Not sure where to park now!

I have 2 outgrown zip up Hammond dance tracksuit tops 32" chest and 1 blazer with a small mark under front pocket also 32" chest. £4.00 for each plus postage or £10.00 for all 3 plus postage.

Great news and I hope your dd is very happy at her new school

Best wishes for those of you waiting for upper school finals results. Tring are usually very quick. Was Mrs Rist at finals? X

Yes she was and after the audition spoke briefly to the dancers and parents, saying they were all good enough to be at the school but that there was not funding for everyone. She also said that it was a very high standard year and that about 80 had reached finals. (This was our experience - there were other groups too during the day so she may have said other things to them.)

I think it's so hard to be a dance mum. There are some great highs, some awful lows and everything else in between. I have realised more and more over the years that I have to go with it more than is naturally my way of doing things and not to be surprised (although sometimes disappointed) at other people with influence's choices at auditions, examinations, for parts etc when they don't give dd what she hoped for. The most important thing is to have a happy, healthy dd who is equipped to be an independent, confident adult, who hopefully gets a job in the dance world in a place that feels right and happy for her. We have wondered about the best path to take (and still continue to make decisions) but we make the choices we can from the options we have, trying to remember all the things that are important to ensure dd's happiness and work towards a successful career. I'm sure there will be many more ups and downs before we're through. I think that maybe there is more intensity and more regular competition in the dance world, but having had 2 non dancing children too, I would equally say that it's just hard to be a mum who wants the best for her kids and for them to succeed and be happy, which we all do, so I'll just reflect that it's hard to be a mum and send love and empathetic thoughts to all the mums out there.

Edited to delete rogue apostrophe!

Maybe its a double barrel name - Miss Dixon-Richardson hehe!

Sorry Karen's dd exam brought forward. DD's exam was supposed to be Thur, but was moved to Friday cos of school trip to Magistrates Court tomorrow!

Glad Snape's dd exam went well!

Dd really pleased with way her drama went today which is a reliefe.

Such a busy time in school this week - would have loved to see the Grad showcase, good luck to them in London x

Thank you; Dd said she thought it went well and examiner was very pleasant. Good luck for tomorrow to all your dc.

 

The examiner was called Mrs Richards [/quote

 

Thank you - it's not the one that dd has had several times - phew!

Just spoken to dd and RAD exam has been moved to tomorrow afternoon! Classes all morning, I hope! And yr 11 drama assessment is in a couple of weeks.

My DD is doing hers now! ekk. Dd had no idea who examiner was!

Would just like to know it's not the one that seems to follow dd around if you do find out the name, Snape!

No sorry, dd's exam Friday! Maybe you'll find out before me and let me know haha!! Is you're dd's today?

Dd more stressed over first part of GCSE drama piece today than RAD exam Friday!

No, Friday too. I think dd should be doing drama today too, but she hasn't mentioned it....? Hmmm!

Good luck to everyone at Hammond doing RAD exams this week. You'll all be fab ????????

Seconded by me! Do you know who the examiner is, Dancingunicorn?

Well all I know is that it takes an incredible amount of focus and attention to make it through hundreds of dances each day and critique them all. I only had to witness three or four sections and my komats were feeling distinctly numb.

As are mine (and a few other bits too) when I have been writing reports through a 9 hour day! Lots of fun with some highly professional on the surface but rather naughty underneath adjudicators though!

'Make sure your komats circle underneath you', 'ensure your frieze lines are accurate' are 2 that I have written for adjudicators recently. I don't know Greek at all and had to ask 'frieze or freeze?'

Don't get me on to Scottish - told an adjudicator that I knew nothing about it and she snorted and said, 'What makes you think I do?' We had a joke that the nicest kilts should win! (To be fair, she knew a lot more than she was letting on!)

Was impressed with another adjudicator recently who pulled out her national folder with notes on costumes, steps, music and other points all neatly laid out country by country with pictures.