P: 0423 067 786 | E: ENQUIRIES@BALLERINAWHISPERS.COM.AU

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Ballerina Whispers 2018 HANDBOOK

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Welcome to Ballerina Whispers! For your convenience this handbook contains all necessary information about

Ballerina Whispers including term dates, timetable, uniform requirements and class fees.

If you have any further questions on how Ballerina Whispers is run, please do not hesitate to contact Miss

Jasmine on 0423 067 786 or email enquiries@ballerinawhispers.com.au

CONTENTS

Contact Information page 3

Term Dates page 3

Timetable page 4

What you can expect from Ballerina Whispers page 5

Core Values

Class Aims

2017 Fee Structure & Payment page 6

Uniform and Grooming page 7

Uniform

Footwear

Hair

Jewellery

Dancewear Suppliers page 8

Baby Ballerinas Parent/Carer Participation page 9

Class Structure page 10

Class Procedure page 10

Communication page 10

Watching Class page 10

Open Week page 11

Punctuality page 11

Lost/Stolen Property page 11

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CONTACT INFORMATION Principal: Jasmine Stefanovic – Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance), Grad Dip Ed., Mat Pilates Instructor

Phone: 0423 067 786

Email: enquiries@ballerinawhispers.com.au

Website: www.ballerinawhispers.com.au

Studio Address: ST ANNE’S CATHOLIC CHURCH (Weekday Classes)

127 Nelson Street, Wooloowin 4030

Classes are conducted in the hall situated directly behind St Anne’s Catholic Church.

ST MARK’S ANGLICAN CHURCH HALL (Saturday Classes)

103 Bonney Avenue, Clayfield 4011

Located on the corner of Bonney Ave and Bellevue Terrace. Best access to the hall is

via Bellevue Terrace.

Social Media: Connect with Ballerina Whispers on social media -

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ballerinawhispers

Instagram: @ballerinawhispers

2018 TERM DATES

TERM START DATE FINISH DATE LENGTH

TERM 1 Monday 22nd January Thursday 29th March 10 weeks

TERM 2 Monday 16th April Saturday 23rd June 10 weeks

TERM 3 Monday 16th July Saturday 22nd September 10 weeks

TERM 4 Monday 8th October Saturday 15th December 10 weeks

HOLIDAYS: Our classes run in 10 week blocks, aligning closely with QLD school terms. All classes pause during

the school holiday period.

Term 1 finishes on Thursday 29th March this year due to the Easter long weekend. All students in our Saturday

classes will have a 9 week term, while all other classes run for 10 weeks.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: Classes are not conducted on Public Holidays.

PUPIL FREE DAYS: Classes run as per usual on Pupil Free Days.

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2018 PROPOSED TIMETABLE

Please Note: The timetable may be subject to change due to hall availability and enrolments.

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WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM BALLERINA WHISPERS

CORE VALUES

Our core values form the crux of our business and guides every decision and interaction that takes place at

Ballerina Whispers.

o Professional Development – “Even the wisest mind has something yet to learn.” At Ballerina

Whispers we are committed to furthering our own learning and skill development to provide the

highest quality experiences for your child. We achieve this by dedicating time to engage in

professional development to ensure we remain experts in our field.

o Reflect and Evaluate – At Ballerina Whispers we prioritise excellence; therefore are continually

looking for ways to improve both ourselves and our systems and practices. By taking the time to

reflect and evaluate ensures we can continue to accurately meet and exceed the expectations of our

valued students and parents.

o Relationships – Without the ongoing support of our beautiful dance families we cease to exist. We

value each of our customers and prioritise building nurturing relationships with all students and parents. Those who walk through our door should feel welcomed, supported and made part of the Ballerina Whispers community.

o Communication – We believe communication is essential to maintaining positive relationships with our students and parents. We seek to provide only relevant and informative information and be open and honest in all interactions.

CLASS AIMS

Within each and every class we endeavour to:

o Teach with enthusiasm, passion and energy

o Be a role model, mentor

o Foster a low pressure, safe and nurturing environment where each child has the potential to flourish

and grow

o Ensure each child receives individualised attention

o Nurture a child’s natural progression to achieve milestones at their own pace

o Celebrate achievements no matter how big or small (watching a child learn to skip for the first time

makes our heart sing!)

o Indulge in curriculum that challenges technical and creative skills

o Incorporate good quality resources and props to aid in the learning experience

o Ignite imaginations and spur creativity to generate magical moments through dance

At Ballerina Whispers we pride ourselves on our personal yet professional relationship with all of our dance

families. If in any way you are not satisfied with the service we provide please email or discuss the issue with

Miss Jasmine directly. We are always looking for ways to improve your experience and value your feedback

immensely.

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2018 FEE STRUCTURE

*Please note a non-refundable enrolment fee of $20- is charged annually for each student (or $30- per family).

The enrolment fee is added to your first invoice for the year.

If you would prefer to pay for individual classes attended, this is possible, however no discounts are provided for this option. For parents who choose to pay per class, payments are due at the beginning of each lesson and will not be invoiced.

PAYMENT To pay for term fees an invoice will be issued to you via email at the beginning of each new term. Invoices are due in full within three weeks of being received and can be paid online by following the link in the email or via bank transfer.

BANK TRANSFER

To pay via bank transfer please use the following details:

Commonwealth Bank

Account Name: BALLERINA WHISPERS

BSB: 06 2692

Account No: 2788 0614

BALLERINA WHISPERS FEE STRUCTURE

CLASS TERM PAYMENT CASUAL PAYMENT CLASS DURATION

BABY BALLERINAS (22m - 2.5yrs)

$130 ($13/CLASS) $15/CLASS 30mins

LITTLE TUTUS VIOLET

(2.5yrs – 3.5yrs) $130 ($13/CLASS) $15/CLASS 30mins

LITTLE TUTUS SAPPHIRE

(3.5yrs – 4.5yrs) $150 ($15/CLASS) $17/CLASS 45mins

LITTLE TUTUS ROSE

(4.5yrs – 5.5yrs) $150 ($15/CLASS) $17/CLASS 45mins

ROMANTIC TUTUS

(5.5yrs – 7yrs) $150 ($15/CLASS) $17/CLASS 45mins

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UNIFORM AND GROOMING

SUGGESTED DANCEWEAR FOR GIRLS:

Our classes do not have a set uniform as we want each child to feel happy and comfortable in what they wear. In saying this, please avoid overly long or restrictive outfits as this will inhibit movement and make it difficult to dance in. Dress your little ballerina in attire that is comfortable and allows ease of movement – any style leotard and skirt combination (preferably no longer than knee length), soft tutu or ballet dress are considered appropriate options. Leotards and ballet skirts/tutus can be purchased from any dancewear supplier or for a more cost effective option, Kmart and Target stock an affordable range of dancewear items. Winter Attire: A cross-over and ballet stockings or leggings are great options for the cooler months as they can be layered over your little ones ballet outfit. SUGGESTED DANCEWEAR FOR BOYS:

Black Shorts, leggings or bike shorts (avoid bulky or restrictive pants)

White T-Shirt

FOR THE PARTICIPATING PARENT/CARER (Baby Ballerinas Only):

It is best to wear clothing that is non-restrictive, comfortable and easy to move/dance in. In terms of footwear,

bare feet or socks are welcome, otherwise runners or closed in shoes are a good option (Please no high

heels!).

FOOTWEAR Correct footwear is essential and important that it fits properly. A correctly fitted ballet shoe should be snug fitting in order to provide the foot with the appropriate support. When purchasing ballet shoes it can be tempting to buy second hand or a larger size to allow for ‘growing room’, however where possible, we strongly encourage ballet shoes to be fitted and purchased from a dancewear supplier. For children in our Little Tutus or Romantic Tutus classes, it is requested a full sole leather ballet shoe is worn,

recommended brands include Bloch, Capezio or Energetiks. Jiffies and ballet flats are not suitable as they can

be very slippery to dance in.

*It is not essential for Baby Ballerinas (22months – 2years) to wear ballet shoes, bare feet are perfectly

acceptable for this class.

FOR GIRLS:

Pink leather full sole ballet shoes (with elastic) worn with ballet socks or stockings

FOR BOYS:

White leather full sole ballet shoes (with elastic) worn with white socks

Please Note: Ballet shoes should not be worn outside as they will get dirty and wear out quickly and will also make the studio floors dirty and slippery.

HAIR Hair can be pulled neatly back off the face and tied in style of choice. Fringes or very short hair can be secured

off the face with a headband or hair clips.

JEWELLERY As a safety precaution it is asked that no excess jewellery is worn in class including tiaras, crowns, necklaces

and bracelets – stud earrings are acceptable. All crowns and props will be provided in class.

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DANCEWEAR SUPPLIERS Ballet shoes and other dancewear items can be purchased from the following suppliers: Bloch www.bloch.com.au Shop 23, The Emporium, 1000 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006 Phone: (07) 3852 1855 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am - 5.30pm Saturday: 9.00am - 5.00pm Sunday: 11.00am - 4.00pm Dance and Play www.danceandplay.com.au 6/23 Discovery Drive, North Lakes QLD, 4509 Phone: 1300 729 984 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm Saturday 9:00am – 2:00pm Sue's Shop www.suesshop.com.au 871 Old Cleveland Road, Carina QLD 4152 Phone: (07) 3398 5106 Email: info@suesshop.com.au Opening Hours: Monday to Wednesday 8:30am – 5:30pm Thursday 8:30am – 7:00pm Friday 8:30am – 5:30pm Saturday 8:30am – 4:00pm

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BABY BALLERINAS PARENT/CARER PARTICIPATION

To create an environment that best supports this young age group, we require full participation from a parent or carer and your support in following the class procedure below.

Ways in which you can support your child throughout the lesson include: o Actively participating o Demonstrating or modelling the activity (as opposed to telling) o Physically manoeuvring o Redirecting or chasing after your child o Assisting your child through an activity o Holding your child’s hand or carrying them

Please do not compare your situation to anybody else in the class, as every child is different and will require a

different level of involvement on the parent or caregivers behalf. It is asked that you focus on your own child

and adjust the level of support you provide based on what your child needs on that day.

Most importantly encourage and support your child, this should be an exciting and memorable experience. Regardless of the extent of your child’s participation, giving positive comments throughout the class may boost their confidence and lead to further involvement and enjoyment. Please never threaten to leave if your child does not want to participate, it is okay for them to sit and watch. This does not mean your child is not ready or that they don’t enjoy the class, they are simply observing their environment and will dance when they feel comfortable. You can be sure they are learning and absorbing what they see, even if they watch the entire class.

BABY BALLERINAS CLASS PROCEDURE

o As the participating parent you are required to actively participate and support your child throughout

the length of the class.

o For the 30min lesson it is asked that you disconnect from technology and keep chatting with other

parents to a minimum, as to not disrupt the learning process.

o If you have a newborn and no alternate care can be made it is recommended that the baby is placed

in a carrier, wrap or sling, leaving your hands free to assist your dancing child. For older siblings it is

preferred that alternate care be made, however if this is not possible, it is asked that they sit quietly

to the side of the room. If they become restless or distract the class you will be asked to remove them

from the studio.

o Please check with the teacher prior to bringing visitors to watch the class. Having new or additional

people in the room can be very distracting for the other baby ballerinas. At the end of every term an

opportunity is available for grandparents, friends or other family members to come along and watch.

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CLASS STRUCTURE

o A familiar routine is established within each class to create a sense of certainty and security for each child. While the content will vary from class to class, the structure remains much the same.

o Classes are streamed by age to accurately meet the developmental abilities of that age group and cultivate individual learning and growth.

LITTLE TUTUS & ROMANTIC TUTUS CLASS PROCEDURE

o It is requested that all children are taken to the toilet prior to their class commencing to minimise

interruptions during the lesson. (Trips to the toilet seem to be ‘contagious’ among young children,

once one child goes they all want to go!)

o Student supervision prior to and succeeding designated class times is the responsibility of the

parent/guardian.

o Unfortunately, Ballerina Whispers is unable to accommodate non-enrolled siblings to watch or join in

with classes, it is asked that all siblings remain outside in the care of their parents.

o Ballerina Whispers holds the right to exclude students and parents from the class whose behaviour is

disruptive, inappropriate or abusive and distracts from the learning process. This includes watching

parents who talk continuously throughout the lesson.

COMMUNICATION

Families are asked to provide a current email address on enrolment as this is Ballerina Whispers main means of communication to deliver important information. Please add enquiries@ballerinawhispers.com.au to your safe senders list or address book and check your email regularly to ensure you receive information in a timely manner. Please inform Ballerina Whispers of any changes to your email address. Newsletters are sent out to parents/caregivers each month. We understand your time is valuable therefore endeavour to only deliver relevant and informative information to your inbox.

WATCHING CLASS We love that parents take a genuine, enthusiastic and positive interest in their child’s dance lessons, however

to ensure a controlled environment is maintained and to maximise student participation it is requested that all

family members remain outside during class time. Having extra people and noise in the studio is a distraction

to both child and teacher and disrupts the natural flow of the lesson.

From experience we have also found if parents/caregivers sit in on class each week it only makes it harder to

leave in the weeks to follow, as your child has learnt that you stay in class with them.

We greatly appreciate your support with this request.

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OPEN WEEK

‘Open Week’ is an opportunity for parents and caregivers to share in your child’s progress and achievements.

Parents will be notified of the date (generally the last week of each term) where you are welcome and

encouraged to come and view your child’s regular ballet lesson.

Please Note: When watching classes ALL recording from mobile or multimedia devices is strictly prohibited.

We believe it is important to respect the privacy of the other children, parents and teachers in the class.

PUNCTUALITY

Arriving to class early and allowing time to settle your child into the starting circle can be the difference

between a good and a great class. Running late is sometimes unavoidable, however for some children it can be

very overwhelming to enter a class that has already commenced, and ultimately affect the remainder of their

lesson. Where possible please ensure punctual arrival to class (5mins prior to class start time); this will also

assist in keeping class times running to schedule.

LOST/STOLEN PROPERTY Ballerina Whispers takes no responsibility for any loss or damage to personal property. To assist in minimising lost property please ensure your child’s name is clearly written on all of their belongings. As the studio location is a shared space any items left behind after classes will be collected and placed in Ballerina Whispers lost property box.