Dear Mums, Dads and Students,

OPEN WEEK will be held next week from 19^th September.  So bring your camera and fans to watch, just please do remember to try to keep the noise levels down so as not to disrupt the class!   I suggest that siblings who can not sit quietly are encouraged to play outside.   I trust everyone has been really happy with classes - please remember that your feedback is important to me, and if you have any comments about how we can improve our service to you in any way, I'd love to hear it!  Many of the changes at the school over the years have been implemented as a direct result of feedback given by parents and students.

LAST TERM IN REVIEW

It has been a hugely productive and rewarding term.   Students have been working well and huge improvements have been shown throughout the school.  In particular, those students involved with the ballet exams did a great job with results coming in last week.  Our Eisteddfod group has also been going really well and the students have been having a great time representing the school at various Eisteddfods all over Sydney.  They have been getting really high marks and have been only a few points off actually getting a place.  Congratulations to them for a huge effort and improvement. 

Research has shown that by stimulating the areas of the brain that are involved in dance, we can help to have a positive impact on academic studies.  This is one of the reasons that dance is such an important part of the school curriculum, as well as the added bonus that we are giving our children a tool to help keep them fit and healthy.  So thank you and congratulations to all the parents at our school who make the effort to get their kids to our classes. 

Teachers and students have been really pleased to be dancing in the new studio downstairs.  It feels more open and being able to use the space has meant that ballet exams classes could be held at more reasonable times and that we can offer more classes that compliment each other to the convenience of parents and students.

ASSESSMENTS

            I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the students who participated in their ballet assessments.  They all worked very hard and have shown huge improvements.  Well done! .  Most students were awarded Honours and Highly Commended from a very strict assessor.   I would also like to thank those parents who were so very helpful with clearing the hall, helping with morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea, and helping with packing up.  I could not continue my work without the support of our fabulous parents and assistant teachers Nicola Smart.  As I am required to lead the students in their assessments everyone’s help was truly invaluable.  This year many of our students achieved their Certificates I - IV in Dance Performance Studies.  This is a qualification which will be recognized within the Australian Qualifications Framework and something that our students can be very proud of achieving.  Also, we now have several more students who have taken the big step of starting to learn to dance on Pointe.  Congratulations to all.

PLEASE CHECK LOST PROPERTY AS WE HAVE A GROWING PILE OF THINGS THAT HAVE LOST THEIR OWNERS!

            Due to an increase in costs I will need to increase the fees for term 4 by $10.  This will only mean an extra $1 per week per student and will still keep us priced very competatively in the market.  Thanks to everyone who paid they're fees so promptly this last term.  It made  my job much easier.    Please note that no invoice is issued for term fees AND that to get the early bird fees you need to pay PRIOR to commencement of term.  A reminder, to assist in the easy flow of classes, your fees must be placed in an envelope with your name, class, time, and day clearly marked and please specify what the money is for i.e. tickets, costumes, assessments etc.  

            If you do decide that you want to pay electronically, we appreciate it if you could print out and hand your receipt to your teacher.  Your co-operation would be greatly appreciated.

            Also, if you would like to receive emails from me but are still not receiving them, please email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and I will add your contact to our database.  I have many emails that bounce back and I can only assume I have incorrectly entered the data. 

EISTEDDFOD GROUP            Now is a great time to join our Eisteddfod group.  They have had a great time going to Eisteddfods and being inspired by the wonderful dancers.  We are looking for expressions of interest from students who are 10 to 13 years of age.  We will be conducting auditions in term 4.   Please contact Lisa if you are interested. 

MACKELLAR SELECTIVE DANCE            If your daughter is interested in getting into the selective dance program at Mackellar, don’t wait until the last minute to prepare a solo for the audition.  Please contact Lisa now to organize some time to start preparing for the event.  Students in the past have needed 2 solos and these can be prepared in a fun and relaxed manner if we start now.  The competition is huge, so preparation is the key.

WHATS AHEAD

5^th, 6^th, 7^th OCTOBER

SCHOOL HOLIDAY WORKSHOP

            Back by popular demand we will be holding another one of our fun, action packed and informative workshops to be held on the last 3 days of the school holidays from 9.00am to 3.00pm.  It will be $210 for 3 days and $80 per day.  Activities include a sessions with Kathryn Orford,The Confidence Coach, Speaker, Author, Peak Performance Coach, Trainer who will work with students in a workshop to help set themselves up for success, tumbling with AAGI, nutritional advice, make up tips, preparing special parts for the concert and heaps of dance.  Bookings are essential and can be done by going online and completing our online enrolment form.  Fees can be paid as for normal term fees –1. Cheque 2. Cash PLEASE PLACE MONEY IN AN ENVELOPE WITH STUDENTS NAME AND CLASS CLEARLY MARKED and hand to your class teacher.  3. Electronic Transfer Account Name: L PERESAN

BSB: 802 351 Account No.: 35122727                Please type your name, & workshop as reference

12th NOVEMBER, 2011 - BIANNUAL CONCERT

WIZARD OF OZ

11^th November – Tech run at the theatre

6^th November - Photo day at Brookvale

            This year we will be having our main performance at the Seymour Centre on the 12^th November.  This is a huge event in our calendar and your co-operation is assistance is much appreciated.  The students love it, and many wonderful memories will be created, but it can only happen with the assistance of parents and carers.  Most of our classes have already been busily preparing and I hope that all our students will be able to participate so that they can experience the real fun of showing off their skills.  If you already have commitments please let your teachers know as soon as possible.  Please note that this event is not compulsory but it is COMPULSORY TO LET US KNOW IF YOU ARE NOT PLANNING ON PARTICIPATING.  There is quite a huge amount of work that is involved in organising the event and the whole class is confused when people pull out.  It really is a team effort so a commitment is absolutely necessary.    Please mark these dates in your diary and keep them free for us, or let us know immediately if you can't make it. Teachers will be aiming to keep you informed well in advance if there are any special bits that are needed for the performance. 

HELPERS NEEDED As always we will be doing our best to keep costume costs minimal.   Therefore it will be especially appreciated if anyone can offer his or her help.   Please let your teachers know if you are able to help with sewing costumes for you or your child's class.  Also, please let us know if you have any talent or interest with helping to organize the event, painting backdrops, costume design, stage management or anything.   We are always grateful for assistance.  We have always strived to keep dance accessible for our students by keeping costs down and I know that we have always had very cheap tickets compared to other schools.  Your participation in helping out with the Concert will ensure that this tradition will be maintained. 

SCHOLARSHIP the teachers will decide the scholarship this year.  To be eligible for the full scholarship students must be attending ballet or technique work, jazz and tap, but there are also mini-scholarships available, for those students who are not participating in the necessary classes but show they have the talent.   The full scholarship entitles the winner to one free class a week for the year, a personal trophy and their name engraved on the perpetual trophy and a choreographed solo.  Mini scholarship recipients are entitle to one free class a week for 1/2 the year, and a personal trophy.    MORE INFORMATION WILL SENT OUT NEXT TERM WITH SPECIFIC COSTUME REQUIREMENTS AND INFORMATION ABOUT TICKET SALES          

PARTY DAY SATURDAY  10TH DECEMBER, 2011 This day will conclude our activities for  the year and will be run as a party for the different age groups at the Brookvale Studio

Hi,

We welcome 

Sara Spitzer

Advanced Diploma in Marketing

Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Level 1 – YA 350

First Aid Certificate

Sara did her first yoga class about 18 years ago. Since then she has explored many styles of Yoga. During her recent Hatha Yoga Teacher Training she became hooked on Yoga as she learned the vastness of what Yoga has to offer. It dawned on her during her training that its all yoga….. the way you approach the day, the mental road you take, the food you eat, the company you keep, the practice you do to the sleep you get. The world of Yoga is vast!

Hatha Yoga encompasses breathing exercises, postures and meditation. Hatha represents the balancing of opposites, effort and ease, a practice that is calming yet awakening. It’s about balancing minds, bodies and hearts so that we can begin to see our lives more clearly.

Sara will teach and support your practice. Yoga is onging, which is why they call it “practice”.

CLASSES WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY AT THURSDAY MORNING 9.30 AM - $120 for the term commencing 31/1/11

Hello to new and loyal students!  2011 is promising to be a wonderful year at DJAZZEX!  We are introducing new teachers, adding a studio to our home and have added 18 extra classes to our schedule!  There's bound to be something that will suit you regardless of your age or level of ability.  One thing that hasn't changed is our commitment to keep bringing the community quality classes at the best possible prices.  My commitment to keeping our class numbers limited will ensure that no matter how big our school is, you will still feel that intimacy and high level of care that our regulars have grown to love and expect from us.  Thanks to everyone who took the time to complete the survey, where possible I will implement changes requested.  This includes our new Online Enrolment Form for your convenience.  This school is about you, our student, and I see myself as the facilitator, so please continue to tell me if you would like something changed.  If you have a suggestion for a new class, make the suggestion and if we can get the numbers I will include it in our schedule.  If you love our school, please tell others, your referral is the highest compliment.  Looking forward to seeing you all again in 2011 and wishing you all a wonderful holiday period.

P.S.  We still have some classes running TUES 7.00 - 8.00pm pilates matwork,   WED 6.30 - 7.30pm ZUMBA, and from the 17th January, Lisa will be taking appointments for Pilates equipment classes.  Just call 0419 690 609 to book in, or complete the Online Enrolment Form.