COVID19 Safety and safe dance practices
Who can enter the dressing room?
The dressing room is available for access by students ONLY. Please understand that we ask parents to remain outside the dressing room area to protect the safety of your children
Where does my child wait after class?
Students are to remain in the waiting area for collection after class. Students must NOT wait outside for their parents.
What happens if my child misses a class?
Lessons missed due to scheduling of examinations, will be deducted from term fees or credited to the next term. etc can generally be made up at another time in the week. Children who miss class due to family commitment or illness are welcome to attend a make up class at another time if there is a similar one of an appropriate level, however, no refund for classes missed will be offered in these circumstances. Please contact the office, in advance, to discuss unusual circumstances.
What happens if I am delayed in picking up my child from class?
For any student whose class is scheduled last in the timetable, please note that teachers will remain at the studio for 15 minutes after the finish of the class, during which time every effort will be made to contact you via phone. Please ensure that you are prompt in collecting your child. All other students should remain in the building until collected by designated adults
Should I stay during Class?
If you would like to remain on the premises during the class, there are waiting facilities, however these are limited at certain times. We recommend that you drop your child off and collect from the front door where possible.
Should I contact the studio if my child will be absent?
Please ensure that staff members are aware of absence from class by leaving a message on the answering machine at the studio. Whilst attendance rolls are taken each day, it is necessary for fire and evacuation purposes to be able to account for all students on the premises
Does the studio participate in eisteddfodau?
Performance is the life blood of dancing’ however we do not consider ourselves a big “Eisteddfod studio”. Interested students can be entered in the Toowoomba, Millmerran, Kingaroy, Ipswich and Gatton Eisteddfoddau with possibilities of entering competitions further afield. It is the parents’ responsibility to enter their own child in these events but we are happy to guide you in the right direction.
Please contact the office early if you would like your child to compete in any of these. Ideally mid to late in the year for the next year. We have a number of wonderful teachers and choreographers who can put together learning and rehearsal packages. Lessons will be scheduled at a mutually agreeable time during school holidays, lunchtimes, free periods/sport options, and some weekends.
Do you have a Code of Conduct?
Dance Central has developed a code of conduct to create a safe, positive and supportive studio environment in which each student can enjoy their opportunities, and achieve their greatest potential educationally. In developing and implementing the Student Code of Conduct we aim to foster high standards of behaviour based on co-operation, mutual responsibility, self-discipline and the promotion of positive, non-discriminatory relationships among students.
Do the teachers hold a Blue Card?
It is part of our risk management policy that all teachers hold a current blue card
Does my child have to do exams?
Examinations are not compulsory at Dance Central – merely encouraged. Examinations are offered in R.A.D (Royal Academy of Dance) for Ballet, S.F.D. (Southern Federation of Dance) for Jazz and Tap and Rambert Grades for Contemporary. Examinations are a valuable measuring stick for your child’s progress, and give your child a goal to strive towards. The examination is graded and marks are awarded to the student.
Ballet examinations can also take the format of assessment (a non-graded presentation class/class award or mock exam for the Pre Primary and Primary students). Examinations will be held at Dance Central Toowoomba studio. Ballet exams are generally late July – early August, and Jazz and Tap exams in September before the school holidays. Vocational Ballet Exams from Intermediate to Advanced 2 with be held in Brisbane in May and August. It will be necessary, depending on your child’s grade, to attend extra classes in the terms prior to examinations. It is recommended but not compulsory for students from Grade 1 Ballet upwards to attend 2 classes per week to consolidate work and to be considered for an exam or class award. It is COMPULSORY for students from Grade 2 Ballet upwards to attend 2 classes per week IF they want to be considered for an exam or class award. Private lessons can be arranged in addition to normal classes.
It is strongly advised that students aim to attend at least 80% of classes to ensure that they are dancing safely by progressing at a steady pace and avoiding injury. Parents and students are welcome to discuss plans and goals with me and we will guide with our professional experience and in the best interests of the student. We want to encourage all students to be the best that they can be. Please respect our decisions.
Any fees due for examinations will be added to your term fees. These fees must be prior to exam entry.
Do you offer family discount?
Family discount is offered to families with two or more children attending the studio.
2.5% for second child
2.5% for third child
2.5% for fourth child
How can I contact my child’s class teacher?
Teachers generally do not have time to talk to you between classes as classes are scheduled back to back. If you have anything that you would like to discuss with any of the teaching staff, please email or call the studio (leave a voice message so that we can return your call). We do not wish to lose touch with anyone, so please let us know if you need to discuss anything.
Do you sell second hand clothing?
No – we do however have a second hand board that parents post their items for sale.
When is the end of year performance?
The end of year performance for 2024 is “Alice in Wonderland ” for the Senior School, which will be performed at the Empire Theatre on Saturday 7 December at 6pm.
The Junior School performance will be held on the Saturday 2 November at 10am and 1pm. This show will have two casts which will be confirmed in Term 3. This year’s Junior School performance will be “Around the World” which will also be performed at the Empire Theatre.
All students are encouraged to participate in the performances. Please come along and experience your children’s’ marvellous achievements this year. Tickets will be available from the 16 September at the Empire Theatre. Please note that all students in the junior performance will receive a free child’s ticket to the senior school performance of Alice in Wonderland.
How long are the classes?
Classes vary in length according to age/experience. Please see the timetable tab to view our 2024 Timetable or send us an email via michelle@dancecentral.net.au
How long are the school terms?
We operate normal state school terms with classes being held on pupil free days. Classes are not held on public holidays and fees are adjusted accordingly.
Do I need to re-enrol every year?
Yes you do need to reenrol every year and the earlier you do so, the more likely you are to be able to get into the class that you would like. Reenrolments for the next year commence at the beginning of Term 4 Classes are closed when they reach maximum numbers.
What age do you take students from?
Classes start for little people at just under 1.5 years/walking age for our Ready Set Move class.
What happens with end of year costumes? Do I have to sew?
Costumes are now hired to the students – no making of costumes is required.
Do you have an end of year performance?
We hold a performance at the end of every year at the Empire Theatre for both our Junior and Senior School.
Do you have Adult Classes?
Classes are offered for adults in Ballet and Contemporary and Tap and are generally at a fairly basic/beginner – intermediate level depending on the abilities of the students at the time. For adults with more experience, they are welcome to join our Repertoire and/or vocational ballet classes and Open Contemporary classes. We also have a Silver Swans Class for ladies and gents who are more mature and prefer something low impact and at a steadier pace.
Where do I get the uniform?
A full uniform list is available through our information booklet, which can be downloaded from the Thinking of enrolling? section or you can send your enquiry via michelle@dancecentral.net.au
What are the fees?
Prices are varied according to age and length of class. More information is available from the Thinking of enrolling? section or you can send your enquiry via michelle@dancecentral.net.au
What classes do you have and how do I enrol?
A full timetable is available via our Timetable under the ‘Classes’ tab. More information is available from the Thinking of enrolling? section or you can send your enquiry via michelle@dancecentral.net.au
Can parents watch classes?
Parents are not permitted to watch classes on a regular basis. Open Week is the final week of Terms 1, 2 & 3 and parents are welcome to watch at this time. With younger students if you feel that staying for the first couple of classes will help them settle in, the of course you are more than welcome!
Where do I park?
Car Parking is available in the vicinity of the studio on Mill Street and Taylor Street. Very limited parking is available on site in Beech Lane. The following procedures have been put in place to protect the safety of your children. Please read them carefully
Please do not block Beech Lane at any time whilst dropping your child in the Dance Central car park. As Beech Lane is a public thoroughfare ensure that you pull off the road completely into our premises.
Please do not under any circumstances use the car park next door as a drop off area for your children nor to park. This belongs to another business.
Please instruct your child (as we do here) that they must wait in the foyer area of the building for collection. It is not acceptable for students to be waiting in the car park area or in the street for collection. Please make sure that someone comes into the building to collect students.
At busy times of the day, it is more important for students to arrive to class in one piece, than on time. Whilst we recognize that collecting children from school and getting them to class on time can sometimes be difficult, we do not want any accidents to occur. Please be assured that the safety of our students is of utmost importance to us.
DO NOT PARK ON THE CORNER OF BEECH LANE AND TAYLOR STREET. THIS IS NOT A CAR PARK AND WHEN BLOCKED, MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR CARS COMING OUT OF BEECH LANE TO SEE ONCOMING TRAFFIC.
Where are you located?
We are located at 3 Taylor Street, which is just around the corner from Betros Brothers and the Railway Station at the City end of Taylor Street.