DECEMBER 2006

A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTORS

It has been a very busy autumn term at the school and firstly we would like to thank you all for your continued support and enthusiasm. We have encountered a few teething problems in this first term with changes of staff, premises and bringing the office up to date, and would like to acknowledge your help and patience throughout.

In November we entered a large number of pupils for RAD presentations and exams, and in December we have a second exam session for Jazz and Tap with UKA to look forward to.

The Manor School of Ballet has been invited again this year to take part in the Children's Classic Concerts with the Scottish Opera Orchestra conducted by Christopher Bell, held in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth in the run up to Christmas. We hope you were able to look out for our dancers if you have attended any of the concerts this year. They were involved in the ballet La Fille Mal Gardee.

Each Christmas we also provide dancers for a local pantomime in St. Serf's Church Hall, Goldenacre, running from 7th - 9th December. This year the pantomime is The Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe.

We have had a few alterations to our staff in this first term. Unfortunately we have had to say goodbye to Ms Elizabeth Platfoot and Ms Kirstie Coombe and wish them success in their new jobs. However, we are delighted to introduce Mr Peter Twyman, who has been assisting with classes for the last few years onto the teaching staff. Mrs Debra-Ann Waugh and Ms Kirsten McQuillan will be taking over some of these other classes including the Nurseries around the city.

Finally we would like to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and festive break and look forward to seeing you all in the New Year.

OFFICE NEWS

Mr Patterson has been working hard to update all the records but with the number of changes it is proving very time consuming and hopes to have all the correct information up to date very soon. He is however, delighted to introduce his new office assistant Ms Kirsten McQuillan who has joined us to help in the office, and with classes.

The revised office times for the coming term are as follows:
Monday - Thursday 9.30am - 12.30pm.

Outwith these hours there will be a telephone answer service available for you to leave a message and someone will get back to you as soon as possible. For a number of weeks this term we had faults with our phone lines which made calls difficult to hear and we lost messages. We also had a number of days with no service at all. We are pleased to tell you that we have now changed our supplier and hope this will ensure the same problems do not reoccur.

SHOWS 2007

We know you are all eager to know what we have been able to arrange for shows this year and are delighted to announce our -

EDINBURGH SHOW

Senior Show (grade 2 - Advanced level) will be Alice in Wonderland, held in the Churchill Theatre during the week of 3rd - 9th June 2007. Further dates your child will be performing and details will follow in January.

Our Junior Shows (Babies - Grade 1 Level) will take place in the Autumn term of 2007 and more information will be given during the year.

GALASHIELS SHOW

Senior Show (grade 1 - Intermediate level in Ballet & All Jazz & Tap) will be Alice in Wonderland, held in Galashiels Academy during the weekend of 26th-27th May 2007. Further details of when your child will be performing will follow in January.

Our Junior Shows (Babies - Primary 2 Level) will take place in the Autumn term of 2007 and more information will be given during the year.

TERM DATES

EDINBURGH & GALASHIELS

Autumn Term finishes week ending Saturday 16th December 2006.
Spring Term commences Monday 8th January 2007.
Spring Term finishes week ending Saturday 31st March 2007.
The School will close for 1 week holiday in February from Monday 12th - Saturday 17th February 2007 inclusive.

FEES

All Block 2 Fees (20th November - 10th March) must be settled before the end of term to ensure your child's place is held next year.