along for the ride mum

I have to ask, what is a French roll pin? All kinds of answers come to mind but I'm sure none of them are correct! Is their a special kind of pin for a French roll?

The window ledge in DDs bedroom, the window ledge in the bathroom, between the cushions on the sofa, everywhere in the car (!) the top of the washing machine (?), every bag she's ever owned......

I think the programme on YouTube is Called "a place to dance" if that helps

I saw the ones with the lumps that you get in TK Max in sports direct the other day, didn't look at the price so I've no idea where would be cheapest and dd just has the ordinary foam one which we got from a physio ( and probably paid over the odds for)

With regards to the video - I'll reserve judgement until I've seen her dance in another ten years and another 20 years, if she's still dancing, and living a healthy life then I'll happily say it's great and she's incredible

Don't forget her ballet shoes - I do know someone ( not me! ) who arrived at her daughters JA audition without them......there, I bet you feel better now!

No words!!! ❤️❤️❤️ Best of luck to your ds for his next chapter and to you too!

Blimey £2:50 would be amazing value even for a group lesson, never mind q private! Wish I could find quality group lessons at that price!! ( our little local dance school charged over £5 an hour for group classes years ago!) happy days!! We have also been lucky enough to stumble on a few classes that were in theory group, but no-one else turned up for various activities over the years ( guitar and Pilates recently) but never ballet

My dc ( vocational) has done one week of non-residential ss, a bit of stretching and some other gentle exercise. However, I had heard of voc children doing 4 weeks of summer schools. This fills me with a huge range of concerns and conflicting emotions - Ii really do believe that rest is vital, the summer term can be pretty full on and I think it would have done her no good whatsoever to go from a hectic term at school to weeks of extra dancing without a good break. However, I swing between this belief and thoughts along the lines of ....are my lack of finances putting my child ( young adult really) at a disadvantage as we couldn't afford more than we've done, (and have other priorities too). I worry that she will be one of those that gets left behind because of lack of funds, it is quite scary to hear how many of her peers are doing multiple well known summer schools, private lessons etc. Is that what gives good dancers with potential the opportunity to become exceptional? I have followed this thread with great interest but my gut instincts are being challenged all the time by, well I guess you'd call it peer pressure of a sort. I guess all we can do is go with what seems right for our families at the time. Some very good points have been made about finding the best value for money and the best option for your own individual child, but it is hard to turn your back on some very well respected training/performing opportunities due purely to finance so in answer to the original post, yes I guess it happens...

Oh ok, I knew there was a fair chance I had it wrong, maybe I have next years date!

Eurrgh, statistics! Of course percentages are such a blunt tool. When comparing a (theoretical) local secondary school which maybe has 100 pupils in each cohort with a (theoretical) private school ( be it dance related or otherwise) which my have, let's say, 20 pupils in each cohort, if one pupil fails to make those grades in the local comp, their results drop to 99% but if one pupil in the private school fails to achieve the same grades, that pupil is worth 5% so results would be 95% pass. So comparing percentages needs a little pinch of salt. Of course I do understand that the more pupils you have in each cohort, the greater chance, statistically that one or more of them may have some kind of barrier to learning, too Edited for clarity

Such a shame but it seems to me that this may miss the target audience; I may well be wrong and happy to be corrected but my understanding is that WL and Tring don't break up till 21st July (?) and Elmhurst don't break up till Saturday 16th July, I believe tha Hammond break up earlier though. Unless maybe it's aimed at post 16?

Can't help I'm afraid, as I've never managed to master this one, but oh, the hours I've spent tying.... Your post has reminded me of so many lost hours taking then deleting photos. Good luck

Just realised that maybe I should have made it more clear that this was meant in a jokey lighthearted way ( although I have to admit to zooming in as much as I can on my iPad, squinting, taking the iPad closer to the patio door to get a look in the best possible light, almost convincing myself it was a Blue Peter badge before remembering that they aren't round, then telling myself not to be so silly)

Well, is it just me or has anyone else noticed that on the Elmhurst school Facebook page there are photos of a recent visit from Carlos Acosta who would appear to be sporting a round blue button on his lapel.....coincidence right?

No problem, this fitted my dad in year 7 and through till Easter of year 8 as I recall

Dancemomma this is the original post

Is it the formal uniform you want? I have formal girls blazer and skirt along with the pink formal top for sale. I also have a few other items ( leotards and possibly sweatshirts, jazz pants, and I'd need to look what else) I have a posting on here which has the sizing of the formal uniform

Great idea, it negates the need for all those awkward "ahem, do I know you?" Conversations I've been known to start. I'm happy to go along with the majority preference but I have to say, the colour I instantly associate with the forum is Balletco blue

Well said mnemo. The only way you'll ever know if she is what they are looking for is to go and audition, if it's something that both you and your little dd fancy trying. I would definitely not take the word of another parent for it, who knows where her negativity is coming from

A few years ago there were 6 girls on the waiting list but iI is less of a list, more of a pool. When places become available, they review the video footage and decide which of the waiting children to offer to. This is what I was told by the registrar ( although that was a few years ago so subject to change)

Where does it all lead? To an empty bank account, lots of grey hair and off-spring who have to adjust to bends in the (career) path. But, hey, if they have had a great time during their school years, been given the opportunity to do as their heart desires, learnt many diverse life skills along the way ( as have been discussed many times), learnt the value of hard work, built up a self-sustaining strong character, met some fabulous friends ( some who'll stay with them as friends for life) and had some pretty amazing experiences, well, how bad can it be? So many of them won't end up being principle dancers ( or even dancing at all) but life is about the journey, not the destination - or at least this is what I keep telling myself regularly when I start having similar thoughts, Annalisey. Isn't it surprising just how many people you meet in everyday life who have at some point or another attended White Lodge/ Elmhurst/(insert school of your choice) ???????? ( edited to add that this post is meant to be lighthearted,)

Blimey Primrose, I was joking about moving but I work in a Hampshire school as a TA and get £8:92 per hour and 3 weeks paid holiday per year, the rest is unpaid although the salary is paid equally throughout the 12 months.I had no idea that there was such disparity with terms and conditions

Can't answer your question I'm afraid but if Evelyn Glennie can study percussion at the Royal Academy of Music and go on to achieve the esteemed career she has, then why not? Never set limitations, I say

I clearly work for the wrong local authority then!! Considerably lower hourly rate and contrary to popular belief we are not paid for the holidays, we get the usual statuary holiday pay ( it's about 3 weeks, pro rata ) but it is paid equally over the twelve months so that we receive the same pay each month although we are not actually paid for the summer, looking on zoopla at South Glos now, I feel a move coming on