Interested Parent

I would definitely support Spanner's approach to the whole experience, believe me, I know, because our family have been through all of the above!! Choose your secondary school - THIS IS PART OF YOUR PLAN B Visit open days - preferably with your DH as well so that he can get a feel for what she's aiming for. Get your teacher's support and take their advice - this is always advised because you need to know what your chances are and get help with any solos, photographs and dance teachers comments for the audition forms. Stick to the proviso with your DD of only accepting if she gets the funding - although there may be other options offered depending on the school, its best to set a boundary for your DD so she understands if there is any disappointment. Handling rejection - ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN B (as above) plus looking at other local schools, forms of dance, dance days and workshops that she can enjoy throughout the year so that the rejection comes easier and you can all move on. Of course she could get that infamous MDS and if she really wants to go for it after all of the above then consider that if you turn it down because you don't want her to go, you and she, may regret it later in life. So go for it......!!!!!!!

Agreed! I take my girls to Wycombe Swan, Aylesbury Waterside and Oxford New Theatre to see many good ballet companies. Russian state and Northern as originally commented but also saw a fantastic version of Alice in Wonderland by ENBC in Oxford; ticket prices were good because children go half-price at New Theatre and what a lovely city to shop, eat and drink before and afterwards. Support your local theatres and ballet companies they need you. Oh also Richard Alston dance co always go to Wycombe Swan

Hi Lil, I have sent you a PM.

Still happy to give away my Ladies small one - just price of the postage would be fine.

Oooh just brimming over with joy. Never been able to afford decent seats at the ROH but I joined their Welcome Performances programme designed for families who have never been to ROH ie booked tickets with them (thank you Spanner for your advice ages ago) Today I got the Welcome email inviting me to book seats for The Royal Ballet's performance of Swan Lake on 6th October at 12 at the fantastic stalls price of 20 quid! I very quickly jumped on the phone and bagged my centre stalls seats for 4 people immediately. I know some of you may have been to these so would be interested to get your view on them but for those of you who haven't done this and qualify, do go onto the website and click on the Families Welcome Performances link to register your interest and you will receive an invite (maybe not for this one - but then who knows). Liz

Done.

Thanks Ribbon. I have PMd you x

Hi Lil. No this one is for their CBA on Sundays.

I have the above in a Ladies Small if anyone is interested. Leg stitching has run a little but because it is a Wear Moi it is still in vgc. Happy to sell for the price of postage. Would really love to buy second hand the same again but in the next size (Ladies Medium?) if anyone has it. Please note this is not the Lilac leo for the younger students.

Wishing all the NYB dancers a fantastic time.

She's 13 and has a taxi (me) for every journey including school :-)). She got home safely sporting her first blister but still happy.

My DD THOROUGHLY loving it but very sore all over each day. Also getting loads of tips from the principal teachers so all good and can't wait to see a rehearsal! Just waiting for her to get off the train from Aylesbury for the first time on her own which is far more nerve-wracking than any ballet. X

Fantastic news. Another door opens for your lovely DD. Wishing her lots of luck. Xx

Your DD and DSs can sign up to be Ballet Buddies. It's £15 for annual membership. You get some freebies (signed photo etc) and crucially all the info regarding these events that you can pre-book with some being free for members.

Hmmm this is a topic close to me and my DD's heart. DD has been told by a couple of teachers that her technique and performance are excellent, flexibility progressing nicely in general and she has the long neck, short body and long legs always mentioned HOWEVER her feet are poor in terms of arch and instep and general flexibility. We are convinced that this is why she has never been chosen for vocational school (offers of school place, finals and bursaries but never that infamous MDS). We were also told that during the growth of her feet there is potential to enhance what she's got but obviously not to change it significantly and DD has worked so hard to do her strength and flexibility exercises. During the recent growth spurt her metatarsals are looking amazing but her ankle hasn't changed at all and pointework is causing problems at this time. We hope and pray things will change but certainly this 'lack of facility' has been her biggest problem. Have to say though, she has amazingly strong feet and never has an injury.

Thank you youngatheart. I will keep checking.

Many thanks for all of your replies! I have canvassed the other parents who are upset about this and we are going to approach the German language teacher and see if she would be interested in running a tutoring class after school!

We have actually challenged the Board of Governors but they are being told to make cut backs and this is the language that will go, including the teacher. I'm thinking that we spend so much time in the car to and from lessons that we could BOTH do a course on CD!!

This makes me so sad because although my DD loves German and they have been tasting German, French and Spanish languages this past 2 years, the school is dropping German as a choice in Year 9 due to lack of interest!! She will have to choose Spanish (doesn't enjoy French) and I am wondering if she could do a correspondence type course for German?

Any news about the relocation? My DD would like to audition but I need to know if the commute is do-able for us.

Wishing everyone lots of luck and hoping to see some of you at CBA in September.

Hmm I agree with Spanner regarding the shop. Staff busy talking to friends and a very small, smelly and stuffy shop so we didn't stop to find out. Sorry, no help I know.

Thanks Fiz. I will check DDs waist size and PM you if that's ok?

Hi grumpy bear. What syllabus and grade is your DD doing? My DD nearly gave up when she moved grades for the same reason (older girls in the new class) but also because she found the new syllabus alot harder. I had a chat with the teacher for both with DD there and explained the concerns and she reassured DD that she was doing fine and should just take it slowly and if she didn't want to be put through for the next exam straightaway she could wait. It helped enormously and after a term the older girls had taken her under their wings and she was loving it?

Has anyone got a burgundy full-length chiffon skirt for my DD's RAD Grade 6 exam? I need about age 11-13.