sarahw Posted June 29, 2016 Posted June 29, 2016 I've just had an email saying all uniform for MDS must now be purchased from Stardust. I'm new to this - what do you think about this?
Tutusrus Posted June 29, 2016 Posted June 29, 2016 Stardust are expensive so therefore your funding gets used up much more quickly. I don't like the idea of pointe shoe fittings in lunchtime and also considering other people will also want to purchase items. Does any onion know if they can actually stipulate it? The funding is from the Government isn't it? 1
Picturesinthefirelight Posted June 29, 2016 Posted June 29, 2016 Dd has found her pointe shoes are actually cheaper at Stardust but we like the fitting service at Dancique (no MDS so not affected by that).
Dancing2003 Posted June 29, 2016 Posted June 29, 2016 Not happy - My main concern is with pointe shoes it's not a quick thing that can be fitted going on my own dd. We don't live near the shop either so that's not an option 1
Regattah Posted June 29, 2016 Posted June 29, 2016 Hi all. The lady who owns Stardust is a friend of mine. This is a decision by the school to handle it this way (presumably the admin of refunding receipts from other shops was too problematic for them) and she wasn't involved in the decision at all. I guess any discussion/concerns need to be taken up with the school.
Beautifulballerina Posted June 29, 2016 Posted June 29, 2016 If your dd's are already in pointe shoes I shouldn't think it will be a problem ... Becky has lots of styles / sizes ... my dd gets hers during her lunch break .. the girls generally know what is right for them ... I haven't had any input for a long time ....
Snape Posted June 29, 2016 Posted June 29, 2016 Yes I am not happy. For most things I do use stardust but they don't stock my DDs type of shoe. So not sure what I will do about that? And also some things are very expensive, while other things are ok. I saved money by shopping in the sale/shopping round. Also DD has funny feet and I like to have a certain fitter for her and keep an eye on her while I am there. I live so far away that would not be possible. 1
Peanut68 Posted June 29, 2016 Posted June 29, 2016 Dare I say it, this is only an issue for things you are getting free so be grateful for that!! 1
hoglett Posted June 29, 2016 Posted June 29, 2016 Becky at Stardust is brilliant. I'm sure she would get in whatever you need. She keeps up to date with what the manufacturers recommend ...you're in very safe hands. Was very impressed for my DC. 1
pas de chat Posted June 29, 2016 Posted June 29, 2016 Becky is very nice and always goes out of her way to help. I think you also get a discount if you are at the Hammond for those not on MDS.
Snape Posted June 29, 2016 Posted June 29, 2016 Yes she is very good and really helpful and nice but she can't get the shoes we need. She told me herself to buy them somewhere else and send in my receipts to school. And yes it is great to have the mds money towards ballet things but some of the families near the bottom of the scale need that money to go as far as possible.
Karen Posted June 29, 2016 Posted June 29, 2016 Becky at Stardust is so helpful and kind and will always go the extra mile. Discounts are offered for school students and I find prices to be reasonable. However, I'm quite perplexed that school feel entitled to make.this decision without any explanation of the reasons behind it. It's bound to affect some people, particularly relating to pointe shoes as mentioned above. I wonder if they are allowed to decree this under the rules of the scheme? Worth challenging perhaps? 2
Dancing2003 Posted June 29, 2016 Posted June 29, 2016 I will be emailing the school tomorrow, I have spoken to Becky at Stardust and the accounts team this afternoon - my main concern is pointe shoes, shoes come in different Makes,models, widths etc and I wouldn't certainly don't expect Becky to stock all of them. I have no problems with Becky she provides a fantastic service always very helpful. peanut68 I do take offence to your comment!!! It it still a lot of money for families to find each term for their child to attend a vocational school even with an MDS every little helps. 2
HAIRBELLES Posted June 30, 2016 Posted June 30, 2016 I echo everything said about Becky , she is very helpful. DD has never had a pointe shoe fitting with her but she comes highly recommended by my friends who have used her. I would imagine it is hard work keeping on top of everyone's accounts and they maybe have done this to streamline things, especially if like myself you are sending in receipts and then your child is picking things up from the shop . I have had to ring up a few times to see where I'm up to with the balance . Unless your dds go through pointe shoes very quickly , you would be hard pressed to spend £650 a year even if you bought everything from Stardust. If you do find you have a credit near the end of the year you can always stock up for the year ahead . 2
Anna C Posted June 30, 2016 Posted June 30, 2016 An interesting question. What would happen if a student had custom made shoes by Freed or Bob Martin at Bloch? Couldn't you then buy everything else at the specified supplier and then either send the receipts in for pointe shoes or - dare I say it - pay for just pointe shoes yourself in order to get the right shoes for your dd? I mean no offence by suggesting the above, by the way. Just wondering if you could challenge the school on the issue of pointe shoes given that there are SO many variations and some students do only suit custom shoes.
Peanut68 Posted June 30, 2016 Posted June 30, 2016 Dancing 2003, I meant no offence to anyone so please accept this as a personal apology to you. 1
sarahw Posted June 30, 2016 Author Posted June 30, 2016 I have no knowledge about Becky so this is not a comment on her service but when you have spent a long time finding a fitter who works for you on difficult feet it is a big concern - especially if you cannot 'drop in' to school on a Monday morning to be present for the fitting!! 2
HAIRBELLES Posted June 30, 2016 Posted June 30, 2016 Only an assumption but I'm sure they will be understanding about your dd's pointe shoes . 1
BalletAims Posted July 7, 2016 Posted July 7, 2016 Hello everyone I'm having issues about the school bag and dance bag can you please help has it got to be black. Plus what kind of dance bag. Thank you
Beautifulballerina Posted July 7, 2016 Posted July 7, 2016 (edited) My DD has had a range of different bags although I did prefer the rucksack type for academic work ..... dance bags are generally OK as long as they don't have wheels on hope that helps ... Edited to add no not all bags are black ... DD has had different colours and nothing has ever been said ... Edited July 7, 2016 by Beautifulballerina 2
Picturesinthefirelight Posted July 7, 2016 Posted July 7, 2016 Dd used a bog standard Nike backpack from sports direct as her school bag. She changed to a slightly larger slazenger one as the Nike one didn't hold A4 folders very well For her dance bag in the first year her ex dance teacher gave her a huge black bloch zip updance bags its separate show sections etc. However it was too big & unwieldy so now she has a smaller capezio one. Both are available from dance direct. As a day student sometimes she has more to carry than the boarders eg she takes a laptop sometimes to do homework on the long journey home. 1
Dancing unicorn Posted July 7, 2016 Posted July 7, 2016 Quick question. Do you mean A4 envelope folders or A4 ring binders - sorry!! Thanks - we also not sure on bags.
Picturesinthefirelight Posted July 7, 2016 Posted July 7, 2016 Both. She used envelope folders for stuff like music/lyrics & loose sheets & now she's in year 9 they use a ring binder for science. In year 7 science worksheets were given in an A4 soft backed display folder thing too
Jan McNulty Posted July 7, 2016 Posted July 7, 2016 A place that may be worth looking for nice backpacks is TX Maxx - my niece got a fabulous one there a while ago for around £10. It was a well-known (if you are young and trendy) make and was retailing for around £50 elsewhere. Unfortunately when I went they had none left. As ever with this type of shop you have to be in the right place at the right time. 2
Peanut68 Posted July 8, 2016 Posted July 8, 2016 Never thought to look there - great tip, thank you! DD carried back breaking loads in cheap flimsy backpack which was in such a ripped & broken zipped state after 2 terms. I have now convinced her to keep a box of academic books etc under her bed & nightly refer to her timetable to unload & reload to take just those needed each day. By doing this she has now persuaded me to get her what to me is really a large handbag from Accessorize/Monsoon.....in the sale I must add! It is far from the dark colour backpack detailed on the uniform list but she insisted that this is more in line with what everyone has (apparently the odd Louis Vuitton may even be used for school books - gulp!!) It pained me to go against the official kit list but DD very happy to feel she 'fits in' with current trends & I did make sure it was roomy enough for A4 clip files to slide in! 1
Peanut68 Posted July 8, 2016 Posted July 8, 2016 Just to add, also got a Capezio dance bag which seems to be holding up very well. Bought online from www.danceandleisurewear.co.uk as cheaper by about 30% at the time! 2
Karen Posted July 8, 2016 Posted July 8, 2016 (edited) Never thought to look there - great tip, thank you! DD carried back breaking loads in cheap flimsy backpack which was in such a ripped & broken zipped state after 2 terms. I have now convinced her to keep a box of academic books etc under her bed & nightly refer to her timetable to unload & reload to take just those needed each day. By doing this she has now persuaded me to get her what to me is really a large handbag from Accessorize/Monsoon.....in the sale I must add! It is far from the dark colour backpack detailed on the uniform list but she insisted that this is more in line with what everyone has (apparently the odd Louis Vuitton may even be used for school books - gulp!!) It pained me to go against the official kit list but DD very happy to feel she 'fits in' with current trends & I did make sure it was roomy enough for A4 clip files to slide in! Large handbag type bags are popular; Dd has a black 'Michael Kors' tote type, but it is a genuine copy from the market in Turkey! It has lasted a school year and I suspect will be replaced with similar version this summer. Edited July 8, 2016 by Karen 2
Peanut68 Posted July 8, 2016 Posted July 8, 2016 :-) I used to work for Gucci years ago & we were drilled on looking out for counterfeits....would never be able to tell these days!!!!
munchkin16 Posted July 8, 2016 Posted July 8, 2016 If you have to take a laptop into school and want a backpack, amazon have some really good ones in lots of colours (including black) with a built in slot for a laptop. I use it for other things but it would make a good school bag and mine was less than £20 too.
Picturesinthefirelight Posted July 8, 2016 Posted July 8, 2016 They don't need laptops in school & they are not encouraged. There is no wifi at all even. It's just dd has an hour journey home so uses it on the journey.
angel Posted July 8, 2016 Posted July 8, 2016 Make sure it's strong though. My DD got through several top shop bags!
Ballet4Boyz Posted July 9, 2016 Posted July 9, 2016 Hi, does anyone know if the students dance in bare feet for any of the classes and if so - do they wear foot thongs / undeez etc . My DS wears them quite a lot, but they aren't mentioned in the dance uniform list. Thanks
sarahw Posted July 9, 2016 Author Posted July 9, 2016 Our list says black modern shoes or foot thongs for jazz/modern.
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