November 2009

Exams

Radio Stars

We had a very weird evening last Tuesday when we were visited by Yorkshire Radio.  Darren Harper and two of his colleagues.  They were with us to learn how to moonwalk, as like many media organisations are hosting a Michael Jackson themed week.  Becky, assisted by Jemma and Beth, also taught them how to do Thriller.  I was interviewed, bizarrely, and it was aired on the 23rd. It can be heard here.

Sickness

Can you please ensure that if you are ill you DON’T come to class.  There are several bugs doing the rounds at the moment – swine flu and a tummy bug being two of them.  Please adhere to general guidelines and stay at home if you feel ill.

Move it Like Michael

The BBC are putting on a program about Michael Jackson, it is meant to be an X Factor type competition. Details can be found here.  Jemma Appleson and Becky Bonthron put together a routine and sent it in, so we will see what happens there.  If you want to know what they did – I am trying to upload the link on YouTube and will let you have that when I figure what to do!!!!!

Home School Agreements

Thank you everybody for embracing this idea.  Most people have now signed and returned these, and I am in the process of getting your copies back to you.  If you have not signed one, then please ask your teacher or download one from the website here.  So, time for a little review as to how we are doing

• Lateness - So far so good, I have received various texts/phone calls from parents and students who are going to be late – this is fantastic, thank you.

• Sign in/out sheet - Has been very informal, but all handovers seem to have gone smoothly without the need for a formal sign in/out sheet.  Again, it is crucial that children are dropped off and picked up promptly for their own safety.  If you are going to be late picking up your child then please speak to the teacher to make arrangements.

• “See me” stickers - I have been using this a lot and it has worked a treat.  I will continue to use it in my classes.  Let me have your comments on how you have found it.

• New Health & Safety policy - Thankfully we have not had too many H&S instances.  Jenny has had one, and did phone the parent concerned, only to find that they were not in!!!!  This policy is for everyone’s protection, please therefore make sure that you leave a number where you can be contacted at all times.

• Uniform - It’s getting there.  The ballet/tap uniforms are coming into line.  The branded goods are proving slightly problematic, we have had a delivery of the DCSD items and the Street Level ones should be with us during half term, so should be available for delivery to you after half term.

• General Behaviour - The “clicks” in the older classes still exist.  Please be aware of how destructive these can be.  They are very intimidating – not only to outsiders visiting your class, but also to existing pupils and staff.  Pack it in……please.  Make an effort to work with a different person each week please, this is the only way we will be able to combat this problem.

New Classes

Reports back on the new classes :-

• Alwoodley
  
  
• Keep Fit Class, Tuesday 6.30pm.  We had a late start here due to the hall problems at AMC, but they have now started and are going great.  It would seem, however, that the adults have much more stamina than the kids………

• Musical Theatre/Cheer Dance, Saturday 2.30pm.  Again, going brilliantly – see the Cheer mention further down the newsletter.

• Toddler Dance Class, Saturday 9.30am.  We need more babies.  If you go to playgroups etc, please take some flyers.  We have been told that our classes are much more relaxed and fun than other comparable classes in the area.  The children have a ball playing with feathers, ribbons and some can’t stay out of the musical instrument box!!!  Great fun, come along.

• Drighlington

• Street Level 1 class, Wednesday 4.30pm.  Open to children aged between 5-7.  This is growing.  Publicity has been sent to local schools, but again if you know of anywhere where we should deposit some publicity let us know.

• Morley
  
  
• All classes now at St Peters Church Hall, Churwell Hill, Morley (opp Nelson pub).  The new hall is working well.
  

• New cheer dance class, 6pm.  Open to students from SL2/3/4.

• East Ardsley
  
  
• Toddler Dance Class, Saturday 9.30am.  Suitable for babies and toddlers from 1 yr.  Same comments as per the AMC reference above.

Competitions/Festivals

The next set take place this half term at Sherburn in Elmet High School.  Heather, Caitlin, Becky, Jessica and Emily will be performing.  If you want to support them let us know and we will tell you when to turn up.

The next set of competitions are in November and I have the entry forms now – all must be completed and sent in by 28th October.  Johanna Bullamore-Brown and Samantha Taylor will be making their competition debut here.

Fees

There are still some fees outstanding.  Please can these be paid before half term.  Pupils whose fees which are not paid after this time will NOT be permitted in class.

Rewards

In line with our new policies we are looking at an awards scheme.  This is yet to be finalised but will take the effect of a prize giving day where we award students with trophies/medals for various things such as :-

• Most improved student
• Student achieving highest mark in IDTA/RAD exams
• Student finishing rosette/stardances first
• Best attendee

We are currently looking at more categories, so let us know if you have any suggestions.

10 year Celebrations

As previously reported, we will be 10 years old in January.  As such we want a full program of events to celebrate this.  One of the things we will be doing is a big show – this will not be a “story” show, but will revisit and revamp dances we have done before, as well as some new ones.  We want EVERYONE to get involved.  Your teachers will be working with you on this.  We need this to be very well rehearsed, as it will hopefully be put on it a theatre.  Extra rehearsals will be needed, so watch this space.

Committee

We need you………………… We have had informal committees in the past and they worked very well.  So, we are looking to do it again – PROPERLY.  We are looking for representatives from each Centre to join the committee.  Your involvement can be as much or as little as you want.  It is hoped that the Committee will do things such as help put on shows, fund raising, parties, school fair performances, help at Centres, whatever you feel we need to be doing.  We want parents to feel more involved in the School and help us achieve all the things we want to.  Some parents do a lot of this already and their help is invaluable, but we always need more support.  If you want to become part of the committee please get in touch.  As this is a new venture we are unsure how it will operate, but think initially that it will take the form of small meetings at each Centre, then representatives from each Centre meeting up to discuss issues and then take it back to each Centre, I am sure it will evolve.  We would like to get this off the ground as soon as possible so could you please get back to me before we return after Half Term.

Cheerleading

We have done our first cheerleading gig!!!!!!!!  Jenny was approached by Morley Rugby Club (under 13s) and got a group of students together (some at very short notice) and put on a fine display on a very rainy Friday evening.  It went brilliantly.  I have some fab photos which I will try and put on the website, but will also do a separate report to send out.  Well done to everyone who went, there were students from Drighlington, Morley, East Ardsley and Alwoodley performing on the night, and it was lovely to see you all mixing and getting along.   Jenny has been asked to do a few more performances at Morley Rugby Club so get along to one of her cheerleading classes to make sure you get asked to join in.

Halloween

We have a party at East Ardsley on Saturday 24th October 2.30pm - 4.30pm.  This is open to EVERYBODY from all Centres.  Please come along.  Fancy dress please.  If you want to bring, food, decorations or a game please let me know, otherwise bring a small financial donation.  There will be plenty of spooky games, and fancy dress competitions.

All classes will be running at East Ardsley on that day with the exception of the Grade 1 / 2 tap class and the Grade 1 Ballet class.  These should come to the appropriate midweek class – please speak to me.

All classes will be running as normal on Saturday at Alwoodley – Jenny has said that you can come in fancy dress if you want to – anything goes.

Half Term

26th October to 1st November. Details of the school year can be found here.

Happy Halloween

Deborah, Jenny, Sophie & Jemma