TERM 1 NEWSLETTER 2009

WELCOME TO OUR SCHOOL!!

We would like to extend a warm welcome to all of our new students and parents for 2009, and a huge welcome back to our existing customers! Thank you for allowing us the privilege of teaching your children this year! All students are settling into their classes really well and we are looking forward to sharing many more week’s worth of interesting, challenging and fun lessons!
The response from both schools has been amazing!!

TIMETABLE CHANGES

Now that enrolments have settled and students have been assessed on their skill level, some changes to our timetables will occur. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Please trust that we do have your child’s best interests at heart and want for them to experience the most appropriate and rewarding learning experience for them.

ACADEMY PERFORMANCE

We have been invited to march in the Thirlmere Festival of Steam parade again this year. We would love for as many students to join in as possible – to make it even bigger and better than last year!!

The Steam Festival is on Sunday 1st March. The parade starts at 1pm and our school will meet at 12.15pm outside the front gates of Thirlmere Public School.
All your child needs to wear is something purple, green or both!!! Bring a bottle of water and don’t forget the sunblock! Children under 8 years old must march with an accompanying adult (parent/guardian). We hope you can join us – please fill in the form at the back of this newsletter if you/your child will be attending and hand in to the office/counter by Saturday 28th Feb.

Please look out for our BBQ Fundraising Stall too around lunchtime!! Lots of helpful mums and dads will be cooking up a storm to help raise money for costumes – Thanks Guys!!

Guide for New Students – Please ensure that Pre-School, Beginner and Primary students have been to the toilet before their class begins. Teachers do not like to let children leave the classroom without supervision.

All Ballet, Tap and Jazz students from Pre-Primary and up need to have their hair in a tight bun for classes. Please see Karen or Georgina if you are unsure of how to do buns. They are only too happy to show new mums and dads how to do them!!

OUR REWARD SYSTEM
We believe that rewarding children for accomplishments during class is one way to motivate children to learn. Ways we reward children at our school include:
• The use of Praise
• Stickers / Stamps
P.B’s – Personal Best Certificates – Students collect 5 P.B’s and then hand them in to the office or (counter at Goulburn) where they will receive a Merit Award. When students hand in 5 merit awards they will receive a Principal Award. Collect 3 Principal Awards to receive a TROPHY!!

PARENT VIEWING DAYS
Parent Viewing Days are held in the last week of each school term. Students love being able to show parents and friends what they have been learning over the term and many parents are pleasantly surprised by how much their children have learnt compared to the first day of classes!

Parent Viewing week for term 1 begins on Friday 3rd April and continues up to and including:
• Thursday 9th April.
• Holidays begin on Friday 10th April (Good Friday).
• Both studios are closed for the school holidays.
• Term 2 starts on Tuesday 28th April.

ACADEMY TEACHERS AND TEACHER’S AIDES

Desiree’s Dance Academy has built a reputation for outstanding teacher quality. This is because the academy does not employ any teacher who is under the age of 20yrs. This ensures that our teachers have the maturity, responsibility and experience necessary to teach children.

We welcome to our teaching staff this year two highly experienced and qualified teachers; each experts in their field.

Melanie Malcolm is an experienced and highly qualified FATD Tap and Jazz teacher who is currently working with the Gold Star students. It is a very demanding grade and expectations are high. Having worked with examiner Mandy Noble at the Noble Dance Centre Melanie has valuable insights into what examiners are looking for in this grade and we thank her for bringing her expertise to Picton.

Danielle Bopping is a qualified Kindermusik educator who also holds an Associate Diploma in Community Services (Child Care). She has taught Kindermusik for many years at Mt Sinai College in Sydney and has worked in Childcare Centres and as a Nanny for over 10 years. We welcome Danielle to our Kindermusik classes in Goulburn.

Thankyou also to Miss Natasha and Mrs Bonner, who are with us again this year. Your passion, expertise and enthusiasm are invigorating and we all really value your experience and knowledge!

Teacher’s Aides
Senior students who show an interest in teaching but are under the age of 20 are classed as Volunteer Teacher’s Aides. Their role is to assist teachers in the studio. In 2009 our Teacher’s Aides are:
• Amy Scambary
• Rebecca Stockwell
• Naomi Touzel
• Jessica Van Luenen

Teachers Aides must have a minimum of 10 years dance experience, and have completed the course called Beginning Coaching General Principles run by the Australian Sports Commission and the Australian Institute of Sport. This course provides basic skills in planning, safety, communication, and managing groups. It is the first stepping stone to teacher qualifications for this school.

Our Teacher’s Aides have the following responsibilities:
• Line students up in the waiting room
• Assist parents to put student’s hair in buns if needed
• Mark the roll
• Get music, as well as any other resources ready when needed by the teacher.
• Play the music when advised
• Contribute to the smooth running of classes – for eg putting children into groups if needed, surpervising any groupwork undertaken, demonstrating a skill if required to by the teacher.
• Reminding students of the school rules
• Handing out the awards at the end of the class

This is a great way for senior students to learn more about teaching (in a supervised environment) as well as providing a positive model for younger students to aspire to.

WE STILL HAVE VACANCIES FOR OUR MUMS AND DADS PILATES CLASSES IN GOULBURN!! Tone Up meet some new friends and have a laugh!!
10.30am Thursdays
Sorry our Picton class is full

We ARE NOW SELLING NEW DANCE SHOES FROM OUR PICTON STUDIO!!
SEE GEORGINA OR KAREN FOR DETAILS

Just a reminder that all Term 1 fees must be paid in full before 9th April to avoid late fees.

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