Firstly, it’s important to us here at Belmont Dance Centre that all members of our team share our vision, our purpose and the philosophy that encompasses everything we do both in and outside of our classes. This is a vision that is shared and demonstrated by the Director, Teachers and Staff Members at our studio and it is the driving force behind every interaction with our students and their families.

Belmont Dance Centre Ethos

Here at Belmont Dance Centre we provide a special place where students feel safe and supported, allowing them to spark a passion and build lifelong memories. We do this by creating an inclusive, encouraging environment where students can explore their creativity and potential as well as build self confidence through dance.

Before pulling on those dance shoes, it’s important that all families – whether returning or new complete their enrolment so we can ensure we have the most up-to-date contact details for you and have you review the terms and conditions of enrolment. This information includes you and your child's details, any medical conditions, our waivers, insurances and your payment details.

Enrolments are completed online through our Parent Portal. The annual registration fee covers your personal liability insurance with Dancesurance as well as music licensing fees.

We encourage all of our students to try a variety of dance styles and we are more than happy to accommodate trial classes for existing students who are wanting to try something a bit different. Please contact our admin team if you would like to try a new class and we will happily schedule you in for a trial (provided the class has not reached capacity).

We understand wholeheartedly how busy the lives and schedules of families can get as the year rolls on, so we try to get all of our important dates organised and ready for you so you can plan other commitments. Here we have listed some of our most important “Save the Dates” and more details will be released as we get closer to the events. If you know ahead of time that your family will be unable to attend these events due to planned holidays or existing commitments, please let our admin team know at your earliest convenience.

* Please note these dates may be subject to change.

By now you have probably noticed that we are BIG on communication here at Belmont Dance Centre. Our friendly admin team can be contacted on 02 49548788 during class time but for convenience, our primary means of communication is via email.

You will receive regular newsletters and important information via email so please ensure you have provided the studio with an up-to-date email address that is regularly checked. We are of course happy to include multiple email addresses per family if you would like your correspondence sent to numerous recipients. Don’t forget to add our email address belmontdancecentre.enrollioapp.com to your contacts so we don’t end up in the dreaded Spam folder!

We are always happy to chat in more detail about communications you may receive from the studio, so if you need any clarification please don’t hesitate to give us a call or see one of our helpful team members at the Studio. You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram.

Please note: We discourage parents/students from becoming ‘friends’ or ‘followers’ on Social Media with teachers or staff unless there is an existing relationship. We consider all studio members to be family and as such feel the obligation to respect and monitor personal boundaries. We request that you do not make personal contact regarding anything studio related. If you require to speak with your child's teacher please contact our studio and one of our Admin Team can assist you.

Fun for the kids - Easy for the parents!

There's a dance class for everyone. We take pride in creating confident kids whilst ensuring that EVERY CHILD is made to feel equal, special and important! Our staff are well trained professionals who provide safe dance training in a caring and nurturing, family environment. Our classes are much more than just learning to dance – we teach confidence, social skills and for our little ones we get them school ready!

We offer 9 main streams of classes. Please feel free to chat to our team about our class streams and if you would like your child to try a class from an alternate stream.

"MUMMY & ME" (from the age of 18 months)

This beautiful Class is highly interactive, incorporating fun activities and imagery that will keep your little one engaged and excited throughout the class. We take immense pleasure in teaching this class as we love to see the connection between the mummies (or daddies) and their darlings. This class is a wonderful opportunity for you and your child to create beautiful memories!

"LITTLE DANCERS" Pre School Program (from 3 yrs)

We are particularly excited about our Pre School "Little Dancer's" program. This program is perfect for young children and includes Ballet, Jazz and "TumbleTown" which is an acro program specially for pre schoolers! This program promotes happy and confident kids who have great social skills and are ready for school!

KINDERGARTEN School Readiness Program (Kindergarten at School)

In our very popular "Kindergarten" program the children learn a combination of Ballet, Jazz and Acro. We find that these 3 styles go hand in hand to promote confidence and social skills, healthy bodies and minds, co-ordination and dance principal skills. We take pride in creating confident kids whilst ensuring that EVERY CHILD is made to feel equal, special and important.

PRE JUNIOR (Year 1 & 2 at School)

Our Pre Junior dancers thrive in their classes! Our wonderful staff and programs result in growing friendships and confidence week after week!We currently offer Ballet, jazz, Modern, Tap, Musical Theatre and Acrobatics to our Pre Juniors!There is no dance experience required for these classes, we have beginners and kids who have been dancing for a number of years. We also offer Performance Troupe for those students wanting to do a little bit more!

JUNIOR (Year 3 & 4 at School)

We love all of our Unique and Happy Juniors that walk through our Studio Doors every week! All of their different personalities and ability levels shine in every class.We currently offer Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Hip Hop, Tap, Musical Theatre and Acro for our Juniors! We also offer Performance Troupe for those students wanting to do a little bit more!

INTERMEDIATE ( Year 5 & 6 at School)

We create a lively and inclusive environment where our Preteen Dancers can shine and experience the Joy of Dance! Our Preteen classes are filled with joy, friendship, and most importantly, dancing that caters for every level!!We currently offer Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Hip Hop, Tap, Musical Theatre and Acro for our Intermediates! We also offer Performance Troupe for those students wanting to do a little bit more!

SENIORS (High School)

We absolutely love our Teens! Our teen classes offer the perfect balance of being challenging yet welcoming to suit every kind of dancer, from absolute beginners to experienced dancers!It is never too late to experience the Joy of Dance. We currently offer Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Hip Hop, Tap, Musical Theatre and Acro for our Seniors! We also offer an Extension Program (replacing school sport) for those students wishing to take their dancing to another level!

PRIVATE LESSONS

Upon request, we are pleased to offer private lessons tailored to meet our students' specific needs. Whether you are preparing for a competition or an exam, our experienced instructors will provide focused instruction to help you achieve your goals. Our private lessons are designed to provide personalized attention, allowing students to work at their own pace and receive feedback tailored to their individual progress. With a strong commitment to excellence, our professional educators will guide you every step of the way, ensuring that you are fully prepared for success in your chosen endeavor. Contact us today to arrange your private lessons and embark on a journey towards reaching your full potential.

Around the world, RAD exams are recognised for their quality, and each year, nearly a quarter of a million candidates across the globe choose to take their dance exams with the RAD.

The RAD offers a portfolio of examinations and assessments designed to encourage, motivate and reward students of all ages and abilities, outlining a progressive structure for learning and achievement. All students receive a report, certificate and medal. In addition to this, our teachers and staff pride ourselves on ensuring that the actual exam day is a very positive and enjoyable experience.

The Newcastle Session commences on the 17th July and depending on the number of entries will run anywhere between 4 - 6 weeks. It is up to the Royal Academy of Dance as to when our exams will be scheduled. Unfortunately we have no say in the date and are often during school time.

Examinations and Class Awards are by no means compulsory, however we do believe it is an integral part of the students progression and development. In place of the normal compulsory 3 day Winter School for all students entering their examinations, we will be having 2 weekend workshops prior to our exams (nb these dates are unable to be confirmed until we receive our exam dates from the Royal Academy of Dance). These workshops enable all of our students to enter their exam with the utmost of confidence.

As grooming is an essential element of the examination the students will require brand new ballet tights, brand new or “as new” ballet shoes and in Grades 2 and 3 character shoes are required. For your convenience, all ribboned character skirts, exam leotards and hair ribbons are hired from the studio.

The costs involved are the examination fee set by the Royal Academy of Dance and the compulsary weekend workshop fee.

At Belmont Dance Centre we believe that wearing studio uniforms give students a sense of belonging to our family as well as creating an identity for our studio in the greater community. Our uniforms also:

• Encourage discipline and unity

• Help students resist peer pressure to buy stylish clothes for class

• Help identify non-students in the studio

• Diminish economic and social barriers between students

• Increase a sense of belonging and school pride

• Improve attendance

  Uniforms can be purchased year-round from the studio subject to availabilities.

  Note: Please ensure all parts of your child’s uniform are clearly labelled!

Our Fees are outlined on our 2024 Fee Schedule that was provided to you at time of enrolment. If you require another copy please see our admin team.

PAYMENT OPTIONS FOR ALL FAMILIES

Our payment options are:

• Pay in full by end of week 2 of the term. Late fees of $20 per week will apply from week 3.

• Direct Debit. This can be organised on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis. If you would like to set up a direct debit please contact our admin team so that we can put this in place.

  Please note that all enrolments are considered by the term and all fees must be paid in full by the conclusion of week 10.

  ACTIVE & CREATIVE KIDS VOUCHERS

  Belmont Dance Centre is an approved provider for Active and Creative Kids Vouchers and you could save up to $50 off your fees if eligible. Please submit vouchers via the links below:

ACTIVE KIDS

CREATIVE KIDS

WITHDRAWALS

Enrolment is presumed for the year and re-enrolment term to term automatically rolls over from term to term unless we are are notified of withdrawal. If you decide to withdraw from classes mid-term for any reason, you will continue being charged until the end of the term and we will need to be formally notified at: belmontdancecentre.enrollioapp.com

Refunds will not be issued for any missed classes and makeup classes are not available.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL CLASSES AND PRIVATE LESSONS ARE TO BE PAID FOR WHETHER UNLESS CANCELLED BY BELMONT DANCE CENTRE. In the rare occasion that a class is cancelled by the studio, a makeup class will be offered.

The opportunity to perform in a concert is an exciting, empowering and confidence-building part of the training process. This is where we love to watch our students learn about the theatre, rehearsals and teamwork while they enjoy the opportunity to showcase their skills in a professionally run production. Concerts are a wonderful way for students to showcase the results of their hard work and for family and friends to join in the pride of their achievement. We love giving all students the chance to perform for their family and friends in this supportive and fun environment and encourage even our youngest and newest performers to be involved.

Belmont Dance Centre holds two shows per year:

• MID-YEAR SHOWCASE - An informal relaxed chance for parents, family and friends to see what the students have achieved in Terms 1 and 2. Costuming is not required for this performance as students wear their class uniform.

• END OF YEAR CONCERT - A professional display of dance enhanced by amazing costumes, special effects and lighting that is held at St Philip's Christian College. Detailed concert information is sent out throughout the year detailing everything you need to know. A Concert Performer Fee is charged in the lead up to the End of Year Concert and this is outlined in the Concert Information later in the year. Each class will begin learning their End of Year concert routine at the beginning of Term 3. The students work on this each week in class, developing their skills in the process and learning the importance of rehearsal, commitment, performance techniques and teamwork.

COSTUMES

At Belmont Dance Centre, we take pride in our commitment to sourcing well-priced and affordable costumes for our end-of-year performance. We understand that providing high-quality and visually stunning costumes is an integral part of creating a memorable experience for our performers and their families.

Our dedicated team works diligently to find the best deals and options without compromising on the quality or aesthetics of the costumes. We believe that every dancer deserves the opportunity to showcase their talent without financial constraints, which is why affordability is a top priority for us.

By carefully selecting suppliers we ensure that our costume collection meets the highest standards while remaining within a reasonable budget. We understand that costuming can be a significant expense, and our goal is to alleviate that burden while still providing exceptional attire for our performers.

We take into consideration the various styles, themes, and age groups of our dancers, providing a diverse range of affordable costume options. Whether it's classical ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, or any other dance genre, we strive to offer a wide selection that meets the specific requirements of each routine.

At Belmont Dance Centre, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to shine on stage, regardless of financial limitations. We are dedicated to making our end-of-year performance a truly unforgettable event for our talented dancers, their families, and the entire community.

CONCERT LEVY FEE

We’re excited to share details about our 2024 concert season at Belmont Dance Centre!

To make this year’s performance truly special, we’ve introduced a concert levy that covers all the wonderful extras we have planned. For Mummy and Me, Little Dancers, and Kindergarten classes, the levy is just $45. For Pre-Junior and Junior classes, it’s $65, and for our Inter and Senior classes, it’s $85.

This fee not only ensures that your child has access to any additional rehearsals and stage rehearsal time but also includes a commemorative concert t-shirt and a beautiful medal to celebrate their achievements this year.

We believe these little touches will make the experience even more magical for our students and create memories they’ll cherish forever!

This levy will be added onto your Term 4 invoice.

Your child’s attendance in class is very important to their peers and our teaching staff. As a member of our Belmont Dance Centre Family, it is a commitment for you to ensure your child attends their classes on time each week and attends all lessons planned for them. Not only do absences impact the concert routines we create, it also impacts the social and confidence-building principals we work hard to foster in each age group.

If you know ahead of time that your child will be absent due to holidays/vacations, commitments or school trips, please let us know ahead of time so the class impact is minimal. Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate make-up sessions for students who miss classes and refunds will not be issued for any missed classes.

WITHDRAWALS

Enrolment is presumed for the year and re-enrolment term to term automatically rolls over from term to term unless we are are notified of withdrawal. If you decide to withdraw from classes mid-term for any reason, you will continue being charged until the end of the term and we are to be formally notified at: belmontdancecentre.enrollioapp.com.

Refunds will not be issued for any missed classes and makeup classes are not available.

With the safety of our families our number one priority, Belmont Dance Centre is very serious about upholding Child Protection laws and policies within the studio as well as at public performances and in the online arena (website and social media). We ensure child safety through a range of different methods:

• All of our teachers and staff members have undergone official Working with Children checks allowing them to work with children.

• The Staff and Directors of Belmont Dance Centre strive to ensure that all music and costumes are age appropriate.

• Our staff members have been trained in first aid and we enforce a nut-free policy at the studio to ensure the safety of any students or parents with allergies to nuts or nut products.

• Belmont Dance Centre has been approved as a COVID-SAFE business. We have strict policies and procedures in place to ensure continual up-to-date compliance with Government guidance.

• Our staff members have an internal communication system to ensure studio and child safety at all times during studio operating hours.

• All students at Belmont Dance Centre are covered by accident insurance as well under the studio’s public liability insurance. For more information on the individual accident cover please see our admin team.

We respect your privacy and we will never sell or pass on any of your information to third parties unless required by Government Authorities or in the event of debt recovery. Any information passed on will be done so with appropriate privacy and confidentiality protection.

As part of your registration, you will have read and signed a media waiver allowing us to proudly use images and video footage of your student for advertising and promotional purposes. Photographs and Videos are generally taken at our Mid Year, End of Year Concerts and other Belmont Dance Centre events. Additionally, footage of children may also be taken in the studios for the benefit of sharing this with parents where required or with our internal team for training and development purposes. Should you have any concerns whatsoever with signing this declaration, please see our admin team. We respect your decision.

Belmont Dance Centre Social Media Policy refers to all social networking sites, video/photo sharing sites, blogs, micro-blogs, wikis, podcasts, forums, instant messaging and geo-spatial tagging (for example, Facebook check-ins). Please see below for our regulations regarding Social Media and feel free to contact our admin team if you have any questions.

• Please remember that your anonymity on Social Media is never guaranteed and to exercise particular caution when posts, images or videos identify children in your care.

• Remain mindful that your behaviour on Social Media remains in keeping with Belmont Dance Centre code of conduct as outlined in this handbook.

• Intellectual property laws (for example, costume design and choreography) must be observed by all studio patrons when posting online regarding studio matters.

• All matters pertaining directly to the studio - whether it be fees, scheduling, placements or performance opportunities - we ask to not be communicated via social media.

• We have an open door policy and encourage all communication, complaints and feedback to be communicated to the admin team and Director directly.

• We discourage parents/students from becoming ‘friends’ or ‘followers’ on Social Media with teachers unless there is an existing relationship. We consider all studio members to be family and as such feel the obligation to respect and monitor personal boundaries.

To ensure the smooth, safe running of Belmont Dance Centre and an enjoyable experience for all, find below our code of conduct.

• Belmont Dance Centre is a studio where all students are free to express themselves. Bullying in any of its forms will not be accepted.

• Families who do not comply with their fee or costume payment obligations may be charged a late fee, and/or excluded from performances. External debt collection may occur when fees remain overdue and this will be at the expense of the client.

• We are unable to take responsibility for our students before or after their scheduled classes and it is the responsibility of the parent to ensure their child is picked up and dropped off on time. In the case of an emergency or unavoidable delay, please contact the studio immediately to inform us of the situation so we can keep your child calm and safe until they can be collected.

• Any questions or feedback must go through our admin team – we ask that parents and students do not contact teachers via phone, email or social media with studio issues. We ask that you respect our staff members privacy and work hours by not contacting them personally. Personal meetings with Teachers or our Studio Director can happily be arranged via reception and our admin team is available during all timetabled classes.

• Belmont Dance Centre takes no responsibility for any stolen or misplaced property on the studio premises and we encourage our families to avoid bringing valuable items into the studio where possible.

• Belmont Dance Centre Management reserves the right to change teachers or timetabling when necessary at any time throughout the year. Where significant or permanent changes occur families will be notified in advance.

• Choreography, costuming and studio policies remain the intellectual property of Belmont Dance Centre and may not be reproduced or sold by any students, parents or staff without permission of the Director. On the event that a student leaves Belmont Dance Centre, they will not be allowed to perform any of the choreography learnt whilst at Belmont Dance Centre.

Finally, it’s our pleasure to introduce our hand-picked faculty for 2024! Our enthusiastic, passionate and dedicated team are thrilled to be a part of your family’s dance journey this year. We are truly looking forward to growing together to mould this generation of skilled, confident, genuine and unique performers.

Trudy Skippen - Director

Olivia Skippen - Office Manager

Kelly Parkinson - Head Ballet Teacher

Abbey Fuge - Inter Extension Class Teacher, Senior Jazz, Senior Contemporary and Senior Musical Theatre

Jessica Parrott - Inter Jazz, Inter Contemporary, Senior Hip Hop, Tap and Acro Teacher

Molly Watsford - Pre School, Kindergarten and Pre Junior Teacher

Sacchi Nicol - Pre School Teacher

Talia Davis - Pre School and Pre Junior Teacher

Madeleine Skippen - International Guest Teacher