JANUARY 2008

Happy New Year and Welcome Back!

We hope you have all enjoyed the festive season and are looking forward to the new term ahead.

2007 was an extremely busy year for Shows beginning with our usual commitment to the telephone choir at the Churchill Theatre in April. Some of our senior dancers will be appearing in this years Telephone choir Show from 23rd - 25th April again in the Churchill Theatre. In June we had our Senior Show Alice in Wonderland where over 1000 children took part at the Churchill Theatre. In December last year it was the Junior School Christmas Wonderland Show held in a new venue Drumbrae Primary School and we would like to extend our thanks to all parents, pupils and helpers that supported us in both of these major shows. And finally a small number of dancers took part in the children's Classic Concerts in Glasgow and in the St Serfs annual pantomime, well done to all performers.

We are now pleased to announce that the money raised from our School Shows this year will go to the following Charities. Donations from the Galashiels Shows will go to the Gail Wilson Memorial Fund. Donations from the Edinburgh Shows will go to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children.

As many of you will already be aware, Miss Casey gave birth in September to a beautiful baby girl named Erin. Miss Casey would like to extend her thanks for the many kind cards and gifts that were gratefully appreciated. Miss Casey will be returning to work this term but not resuming her full timetable until later in the term.

FEES

We have been pleased to be able to hold class fees at the same level for the past 4 years. However, during that period hall lets have been increasing by the current rates of interest annually, as have salaries. This means that running costs are now up by approximately 12% and so unfortunately it will be necessary to review fees for the incoming academic year starting in August 2008. We will take this opportunity to rationalise all the fees and will offer discounts to pupils who take more than one class, in order to keep this to an operating minimum. Full details of fee increases will appear in the summer newsletter.

OFFICE NEWS

We realise that it is sometimes difficult to contact the office as the opening hours are restricted. We try to adhere to these whenever possible but occasionally this cannot happen as the office manager is required to play at many of the classes. We would like to thank you for your patience in dealing with this and encourage you to use the phone messaging service for urgent enquiries or difficulties and we will respond as soon as possible.

Please do not put our office staff in a difficult situation by requesting help with late entries for any of the deadlines we issue. This has caused an enormous amount of extra work in the past and has put the reputation of the school at risk with professional bodies and suppliers. There will be no late entries accepted under any circumstances: So please ensure that you check with your son/daughter whether or not slips have been issued.

EXAMS 2008

RAD Exams and Presentations Spring Session Feb/March
UKA Jazz and Tap Awards March
RAD Exams and Presentation Summer Session May/June
UKA Ballet Awards June
Classes due for exams will be notified by letter please adhere to the closing dates as No late entries will be accepted under any circumstances.

TERM DATES

Spring Term commences Monday 7th January 2008.
Spring Term finishes week ending Saturday 15th March 2008.

The School will close for 1 week holiday in February from Monday 11th - Saturday 16th February 2008 inclusive.

Summer Term commences Monday 7th April 2008.
Summer Term finishes Saturday 21st June 2008.

CAN WE REMIND ALL STUDENTS/PARENTS TO NOTIFY THE OFFICE IF ANY CHANGE IN PERSONAL DETAILS.