Banks School of Scottish Dancing

Congratulations to Madie, Brodie, Lynsey and Cailin for their great results last weekend! Madie won 3rd in the Pas de Basques and Highcuts and 4th in Pas de Basques. This was her very first competition, so especially well done!! Brodie won 3rd in Flora and 6th overall in Beginners Premiership. Lynsey won many prizes in the section dances and 5th overall in the Beginners Premiership. Cailin won 3rd overall in the Intermediate Premiership. This was Cailin's last Intermediate competition. She is a Premier girl now!!!

OZSCOT WORKSHOP BATHURST - AUSTRALIA DAY LONG WEEKEND In class a few weeks ago I got the dancers to write in their journals their memories of the workshop in January. I thought it would be a good idea to focus on what they could remember - a few months down the track. Ceilidh wasn't in the class, so I just copied verbatium from her dance journal when the event actually occurred as I feel she has put some interesting points down.. Enjoy!!! Cailin - 9 years I enjoyed having Grant Davis come and speak to us I enjoyed doing the choreography with Natasha I enjoyed the food I enjoyed meeting new friends I enjoyed having the lessons I enjoyed the learning I enjoyed the accomodation I enjoyed the great teachers! I enjoyed the YES YES YES!!! Greer - 8 years I learnt alot from Ozscot. It was a great excerience for all of us. I loved the choreography that I got to do with Lisa. Grant Davis was a good inspiration too. Ceilidh 8 years - copied out from her Dance Journal First we had Mr Grant. I...

The New South Wales Committee of Highland Dancing will be holding their annual fundraising concert on Sunday 15th June at St Marys Band Club, St Marys, Sydney. This is a really wonderful day. Studios from all over NSW and ACT participate in this event. They do studio items as well as massed traditional dances (like the Fling and Swords) The kids really enjoy it. My dancers have a wonderful time and I love choreographing for the event. I always have a dance that has the "Banksie Babes" in it. Last year we had Darcy and Noah as our two littliest babes - Noah was still only 1 and Dee was 2. It was very very very cute! The audience just LOVE seeing the tiny ones up there on the stage!!! This year I am doing a dance that is inspired by a childrens book by Pamela Allen called 'If I had a Pirate Suit'. The entire studio will be involved in this dance. Added to that, my more senior dancers will do a broadswords. So - if you're not busy and would like a wonderful afternoo...

Dancers from my studio took part in the Scottish Act of Rememberence on Anzac Day. It was very lovely and special.

On the Easter Weekend 8 dancers from my studio travelled to Newcastle for Champ of Champs. It was a wonderful weekend and I am VERY VERY VERY proud of the girls and boys!!! I will update with a full list of results later, but here are some photos of the kids.

Congratulations to the Murray Girls on their awesome results at Newcastle Competition a few weekends ago. Both girls are coming back from injury - Well done - Im proud of you!! Courtney's results - sat 1st march 2008 1st Fling 4th swords 2 ST 3&2 3rd Flora Kirstin on Saturday - 1st Fling 1st Lilt this = 1st in the Title 2nd in the Lilt 4th in the S/T 5th B/J So all = 4th in the Title 4th Fling 3rd Swords 2nd ROT 1st HL 1st Flora Kirstin got on the sun 2nd March 2008 3rd in the Lilt

Here are 2 of my Tartan Totts!! Arent they cute! I had to snap them when they were standing in their 'champion pose!'

Ashley, Aidan and Cailin competed at the Central Coast Titles today Ashley won the Novice Title and came 2nd in the Lilt, section dance. Cailin came 3rd in the Intermediate Title and won 2nd in Seann Triubhas, Lilt, Flora & Jig. Well done Dancers!

We were so lucky to have a beautiful venue and gorgeous day for this event. It was our first competition of the year and wow - did the kids do well! Firstly - Cailin - Intermediate all ages (so up with 17 year olds as well) won 2nd-Fling, & Jig 3rd -Seann Triubhas & lilt- Brodie - In her very first Beginners competition, the youngest in the section won - The TROPHY DANCE Fling, 1st in the section Fling and 2nd in the Swords Ashley - Novice 10 & Over - won 4th in Flora & Seann Truibhas Ceilidh - 2nd in every dance but one in her Novice section Connor - 2nd in very first competitive Fling he has danced and Merit in Pdbs

Sarah, Ashley, Cailin and Greer (and Ceilidh) went up to Bathurst for the Long Weekend to do a 3 day workshop. I am very proud of them all. They worked very hard and were fantastic ambassadors for the studio. Sarah and Ceilidh won the awards in their groups for encouragement and promise. Well done to all the girls! I hope you had fun and learnt lots!

I hope that everyone has had a wonderful refreshing break! A break from work, a break from school, a break from routines and a break from dancing!! Happy New Year!! As we start 2008 we would like to invite all students, to take part in the Summer Classes. Kick start your year, get back into condition and bond as a team. Competitive students please make sure you are attending Summer Classes to make sure you get a competitive edge for our first competitions in 2008. The first one is only 6 weeks away. And C of C is only 11 weeks away!!!! I am holding 3 summer classes during January. This is to let the dancers revive their bodies and minds (and pointy toes) and also so they can catch up with each other, I know that they miss their friends. Classes will be held Wednesday 9th and 16th January from 9.30-11 and Monday 21st January 9.30 - 11. I have made them nice and early so that they are out of the way before the heat of the day. These lessons will be $10 each. If you have any friend...

Sam won the award at his gym presentation last week. It was for: attendance and dedication to gymanastics!! Clever Boy Sam! ~ I am very proud of you too!!!~

Quite a few of the Banksies did some Highland in their end of year school talent quests! Congratulations to them all. I have a few results (haven't seen them all yet) Ceilidh and Lauren got 2nd with the Marching Song Swords. Connor won the same contest with "funky music", his jazz