Dear Parents
Firstly I must apologise for the cancelled classes this term. Unfortunately we have had a difficult time, what with the snow, sickness and unavoidable RAD meetings, but we will compensate for any lost lesson by extending those classes to twelve weeks next term.
A timetable is for next term is available here - please check it carefully for your child’s last week of attendance next term, and also for any changes to times, days and venues as we have had to alter some classes because of the high number of examination entrants in the summer.
The summer examinations will take place on 12th and 13th July, with extra rehearsals being held on 9th and 10th July – please put these dates in your diary if your child has been entered for the exams.
I would like to congratulate all our pupils who took their RAD examinations in December. They all did extremely well, gaining either merits or distinctions, and our Grade 4 pupils received over 70%, which is a real achievement in the higher grade exams. We are now awaiting the results for the 32 pupils who took their examinations in March, and we wish them well.
We are currently planning next year’s show - this will hopefully take place in April 2014 at Henry Box School, as we feel that this is a good venue for us, with more seating capacity and changing facilities.
I am currently monitoring a student, Lucy Jefferies, who is doing a teaching course with the Royal Academy of Dance. Lucy is a very pleasant young woman who some of the children have already met. She will be having some teaching practice over all classes during the next 18 months, and I would like to assure parents that I will be supervising her at all times whilst this practice takes place.
If you have not yet paid fees for this term, could you please do so with immediate effect, as we cannot register pupils for the summer term until these have been cleared.
Could I please also ask that, if you are paying fees by cheque or cash, these are paid during the first two weeks of term or, if you have more than one child attending ballet lessons, during the first week of the second half of term for siblings. Carol will be present at lessons at the start of each half-term and every Wednesday at Ceewood Hall to take cash or cheques – it is much easier for Lisa and myself if you can pay these directly to her. If you pay by direct bank transfer you can pay in smaller amounts to suit your own circumstances, for example by four payments, as long as the last payment is made before the last week of term. Also if you are paying by cheque or bank transfer, could you please make sure that the child’s name is on the back of the cheque or on the bank reference, particularly if the surname is different – we spent quite a long time this term trying to match up cheques and bank transfers with our pupils!
We hope you have a happy and restful Easter and look forward to seeing you all next term.
Best wishes
Pat
