Banks School of Scottish Dancing: Studio Exams

Friday, July 11, 2008

Studio Exams

Today Greer, Courtney-Eilish, Ashley and Kirstin sat their SDAA exams. Greer and Courtney sat Primary, Ashley sat her Bronze (Grade One) and Kirstin sat her Double Gold Bar (Grade six- Student Teachers)

Added to this, it was Greer's 9th birthday today! What a thing to have to do on your birthday! An exam!!

Well - it was a lovely birthday for her. Greer, as well as the other three all achieved HONOURS in their gradings! (Honours is the highest pass). On the teachers report it said "Justine, your students are an absolute pleasure to examine. Not only are they polite, but they know everything - they are a credit to you. Well done!"

I am so proud of them!

These photos are from our freezing cold winters morning this morning. We beat the examiner to the hall (she was running late) and the laneway was a wind tunnel. It was FREEZING!!!

Don't they all look gorgeous in their studio tracksuits!!!!!!!!

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WELCOME TO BANKS SCHOOL OF SCOTTISH DANCING

Please be aware that if you do not wish your child to be involved in photos during class, it will be their responsibility to step out of the frame when the photos are taken. If you could advise your child in this matter, it will save any confusion or misunderstanding when the photo may be published.

GENERAL INFORMATION & CODE OF CONDUCT

1 – ATTITUDE is everything. If you have a good attitude about working hard in class and practice at home, you will be come a better dancer.

a) Come prepared to work;

wear proper clothes

tie hair back AND PIN

go to the bathroom before class

arrive early enough to change and begin warm up

b) Don’t argue with the teacher or each other.

c) Don’t moan and groan about what you have to work on.

2 – TEAM SPIRIT will go a long way to help your fellow classmates. Let your classmates know that you care how they do.

a) Cheer for them at competitions when they win, even if they beat you.

b) Help each other get ready at competitions.

c) Warm up together at competitions

D) Older students should help younger students, but do not BOSS them.

E) Where your studio uniform PROUDLY to all competitions, you are there representing your school.

3 – HAVE RESPECT for yourself and your classmates and your Teacher.

a) Respect the teacher. This includes paying attention, trying your best at all times whether or not you are being watched. When you are corrected do your best to fix the problem. I know problems are not always easy to fix instantly.

b) Do not laugh or tease your classmates because they have trouble with things. Remember that you will have trouble from time to time.

c) Do not speak to another dancer whilst they are dancing. Do not correct them unless you are asked to do so by the teacher.

d) Treat your classmates the way you want to be treated.

e) Keep your brains turned on and only speak after thinking.

f) Do not leave the studio in a mess. If you brought a drink bottle in, take it out with you. If you used tissues in class, put them in the bin.

g) Have respect for other peoples belongings. Do not take what is not yours and if you borrow something return it to the person in the same condition.

4. - SOCIAL GROUPS – It is great that you find dancing lessons so much fun and want to chat to your friends in your groups whilst you aren’t dancing. HOWEVER - DO NOT

a) Make the teacher ask you more than once to get up on the dance floor.

b) Cause fights or hurt by excluding fellow classmates from your conversations.

c) Become loud and raucous whilst lesson is on.

Punctual and consistent attendance is expected of all students in order to maintain our high exam and performance standards.
Student should notify the teacher if they are going to be late or unable to attend.
Parents and friends should not interrupt the class or room whilst class is in progress.
Appropriate class levels and dances for each student will be at the discretion of the teacher. Parents & students will be informed if a change is recommended.
Performance groups and competitions are by selection only.
Students will only be put forward for examinations at the discretion of the teacher.
All competition entries must go through the studio, I need to know what competitions are entered for due to my judging commitments.
The best way to conference me regarding your child, or about ay dancing matter is by email juzzie@mail2dancer.com
Please do not attempt to conference with the teacher during class time.

IF WE ALL STICK TO THIS CODE OF ETHICS THEN OUR LESSONS ARE SURE TO BE FUN AND PRODUCTIVE.

UNIFORM POLICY

BOYS - Bike shorts or small shorts with a t-shirt or singlet.

GIRLS - bike shorts/tights, dance shorts with t-shirt or crop top. Leotard may also be worn, in fact this is much more beneficial for the Childs technique.

Ballet skirts/ dance skirts are not required until the dancer is doing aboyne work; they may then put them on. Dance skirts should be long enough to be held correctly 4 aboyne dances.

Girl’s hair must be neat and off the face in a pony tail, or better yet, a bun.

SHOES please check with the teacher before buying and wearing new shoes. There are specific styles of shoes which are NOT appropriate for competitions, so please don't waste your money on them. For new dancers, you do not have to go out and buy a pair of highland pumps (as they are quite expensive, in excess of $60). If you have jazz shoes or ballets at home, you are more than welcome to wear those to class, or perhaps I have a pair of 2^nd hand shoes that may suffice. I will be ordering in some ‘beginners shoes’ from time to time, so please contact me if needed.

PERFORMANCE GROUPS & COMPETITIONS

Students participating in performances must wear the BANKSIE t-shirt to all performances.

FAQS

Do I have to do competitions, or can I dance just for fun?

I am happy that students want to come to lessons to learn our art form, get fit and have some fun. There is no obligation to compete in eisteddfods. If you would like to become a member of the ‘competition team’ then you must attend at least two lessons a week, as the technique required for this level is much higher than for the recreational dancer.

Do I need to buy a kilt?

Short answer – NO!!!

Long answer – if you are asked to dance in a display performance I have a range of outfits available to be borrowed for a ‘one-off event’. If you are competing, doing an exam or performing a few times a year, I have outfits available for hire. They are $50 a year for a full kilt outfit. This by no means covers the full cost of what the outlay of an outfit is.

Why would I want to work towards a dance exam?

Working towards an exam is a way for students to feel they are reaching major goals throughout the year. Being tested on their work gives teacher, student and parents a fair indication of how well the student is progressing. Qualifications are highly recognized in the dance world.

Should I buy dance shoes with growing room?

When buying new dance shoes please resist the temptation to buy them with growing room. This can be very dangerous for your feet and the student will not be able to work to the best of their ability with shoes that do not fit properly (This can be very frustrating for a student) Check with the teacher before buying or wearing new shoes.

What is the best way to contact Justine?

Email is the best way to contact me. If you are unable to come to class on short notice please sms me or leave a message

TIMETABLE & TUITION FEES

ALL STUDENTS SHOULD BRING A SWEAT TOWEL & WATER INTO CLASS.

Monday

4.30 – 6.00 GENERAL CLASS

Wednesday

6.00 – 7.00 CHAMPIONSHIP CLASS

7.00 - 8.00 ADULTS FUN FIT and CHOREOGRAPHY CLASS (Any age or level)

COSTS

$10 per class

$10 per half hour private

PAYMENT TERMS

All classes should be paid for in advance on a term basis (except for the adults class). Fees may be paid for in two installments week 2 and week 6. No refunds or credits will be offered for missed or unattended lessons. Credits toward the following term may be applied if a class is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, or the dancer has a highland competition/exam on the day of dance lessons.

For new enrolments; your first term of dancing is ‘pay as you go’. Once you are confident of continuing with highland, then the term fee rule applies.

Registration Cards

All dancers, aged 4 and above (except for the adults recreation class) should be registered with the NSW State Committee of Highland Dancing. Registration is $25 a year, and 2 passport size photos need to be sent with the application form. This enables the dancer to compete in eisteddfods and covers them for public liability at displays and competitions.

Private Lessons

If anyone would like a private lesson, please see me and we will endeavour to work out a time.

CLOTHES NEEDED FOR COMPETITIONS AND WHAT TO WEAR FOR EACH DANCE!!!

Kilt Dances - Fling, Swords, Seann Truibhas, Reel, Barracks, Laddie, Pas de Basque, Pas de Basque and Highcuts. Aboyne Dances - Lilt, Flora, Blue Bonnets, Village Maid, Earl of Errol, Scotch Measure
WHAT U NEED TO BRING for Kilt Outfit:Kilt Blouse and Vest or Jacket Socks GartersBlack Sports Briefs pumps (polished!) hair equipment - pins, hairspray, bun nets, donut if required REGISTRATION CARD
WHAT U NEED TO BRING for Aboyne Outfit: Aboyne Skirt Petticoat Stockings Black Pumps (same as for kilt outfit) White Sports Briefs Vest and Blouse Plaid Broach Safety Pins REGISTRATION CARD
WHAT U NEED TO BRING for Hornpipe Outfit: Hornpipe Pants Hornpipe Top Socks - White or Navy Blue depending on outfit colour Hornpipe Hat Black Pumps REGISTRATION CARD
WHAT U NEED TO BRING for Jig Outfit: Jig Dress Stockings Petticoat White Sports Briefs Jig Shoes Apron REGISTRATION CARD

Competition Levels & Dances

Primary - for dancers under 7 years of age Dances for Primary are Pas De Basque, Pas De Basque and Highcuts, Fling and Swords
Beginners - for newly registered dancers. Beginners has six squares to be marked, this is done by placing 1st, 2nd or 3rd at six different competitions in any dance. When this is done the dancer moves to Novice.
Novice - Novice has six squares to be marked, this is done by placing 1st, 2nd or 3rd at six different competitions in any dance. The dancer then moves to Intermediate.
Dances in Beginners and Novice are: Fling, Swords, Seann Truibhas, Strathspey and Highland Reel, Reel of Tulloch (rarely), Scottish Lilt and Flora McDonalds Fancy.
Intermediate - The dancer remains in Intermediate for 1 year from the date of the first competition entered in this level. Intermediate dancers can compete in the same dances as for Beginners and Novice plus - Irish Jig, Sailors Hornpipe, Barracks Johnnie, Highland Laddie
Premier - Once out of Intermediate the dancer progresses to Premier. In this level a dancer can compete in Championships. Championships consist of a 6 step Fling, Sword Dance 3 & 1 (or 2 & 2), Sean Truibhas 4 & 2 and a Reel. Other dances a Premier Dancer can do are as for Intermediate plus - Blue Bonnets, Village Maid, Earl of Errol and Scotch Measure

Banks School of Scottish Dancing

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Friday, July 11, 2008

Studio Exams

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