FEES & PAYMENT:

• All invoices & statements will be e-mailed, please ensure a valid e-mail address is included on registration
• Fees are payable on the 1st of each month.
• Additional expenses such as costume hire for exams, shows & competitions as well as entry fees for such will be communicated to parents in advance. It is the responsibility of the parent to notify Louise-Rose in writing, by the given date, and have such communication acknowledged should you not wish for your child to participate and incur extra expenses. Failure to do such will result in parents being held liable for any extra charges relating to costume and/or competition and exam fees.
• Fees are payable directly to Louise-Rose Retief Baard either via EFT or cash.

• Cash payments must please be handed to the dance teacher in a SEALED ENVELOPE SHOWING THE PUPILS NAME, SURNAME, SCHOOL GRADE & DANCE SUBJECT PLEASE!

• We regret - NO CASH DEPOSITS PLEASE as these incur significant bank charges.

•  Annual registration R220
  

• EFT Payments please use your DAUGHTER'S NAME & SURNAME as reference on payments.

• Banking details: Designed to Dance Studio, Standard Bank, Account number: 401468909, Westgate Branch: 016641

PUPILS OF ST CATHERINE’S CONVENT – Please do not pay dance fees into the same account as school fees! The studio operates independently from St Catherine’s and parents will be liable for fees being transferred into incorrect accounts.

• Late payment penalty R330 per month outstanding & should accounts need to be handed over for collection, the outstanding account holder will be liable for the expense incurred for this service.
• Please ensure that you receive all invoices outlining costs per month as well as all statements which will reflect all payments received and can be retained as proof of payment.
• Pupils will not be allowed to return to dancing should monthly fees not be paid punctually and in full by the necessary deadlines.

REGISTRATION  & CANCELLATION:

• Pupils are invited to participate in one free trial class per subject before enrolling permanently.
  
• Thereafter, pupils will not be permitted to dance until an indemnity & registration form is completed & class enrollment has been confirmed by Louise-Rose.
  
• An annual registration fee of R220 is payable via EFT when registering, together with the first month’s fees please.
  
• One months notification and payment must be given if a pupil wishes to discontinue classes either permanently or temporarily. Intention to stop dancing must be given in writing and Louise-Rose must confirm with you, in writing, that she received your notice.

STUDIO TERMS & CLASS SCHEDULING/TIMETABLES:

• The studio operates on 4 terms for the year & for convenience sake, follows the dates determined by St Catherine’s Convent.
• First term timetables, proposed at the beginning of each year, may be subject to change if certain classes have no participants enrolled, but any changes will be communicated to parents.
• Termly timetables are also subject to change, as we work to co-ordinate classes around various extra-mural activities offered by schools (swimming galas, netball matches etc.) and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. Parents are encouraged to communicate with Louise-Rose Retief Baard should there be specific days or times that pupils are unable to make dance classes and every effort will be made to accommodate these requests where possible but please keep in mind that this is a courtesy and regrettably the studio cannot schedule lessons to accommodate one child if many others will be inconvenienced as a result.
• Holiday and weekend classes will only become necessary if extra practice is required for exam/competition preparation and these extra classes will be scheduled and communicated well in advance.
• Unless specifically communicated, the studio is closed during public holidays, school holidays and weekends.
• In the unlikely event that a teacher cannot make a class and class needs to be cancelled, parents will be notified and the class will be rescheduled for a time best suited to the teacher and majority of pupils involved.

COMMUNICATION & SOCIAL MEDIA:

• COMMUNICATION WITH THE STUDIO IS VITAL! Please ensure you have given the correct e-mail and cell phone information to ensure you receive e-mail and whatsapp notifications. Studio information and updates will also be available on our BAND app. This application can be downloaded onto your phone and once invited to the group by Designed to Dance, all notifications can be viewed here
  
• Please communicate all matters of importance via e-mail directly with Louise-Rose Retief Baard or follow up telephonic conversations with an e-mail.
  
• It is the responsibility of parents and older pupils to ensure that all studio communication is received via e-mail and that schedule changes and exam and competition information is noted and understood.
  

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• Although parents are welcome to sms/whatsapp or chat to any of the teachers working with Designed to Dance studio, please refrain from communicating any matters of importance directly with these representatives and any queries or complaints are to please be brought to the attention of Louise-Rose Retief Baard Should parents wish to communicate with Louise-Rose Retief Baard or any other teacher in person, please make an appointment for such discussions as there is limited time in-between classes and teachers cannot leave pupils unattended.
  

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• Parents and pupils of St Catherine’s Convent are please to be reminded that the studio operates independently from the school and thus it is not to be assumed that the studio will necessarily be aware of all school events and student obligations throughout the year that might prevent pupils from attending classes. Thus in the event that any school event results in clashes in times with dancing schedules it is the responsibility of the pupil and parent to decide to which activity they have the greatest commitment and advise either the school or studio accordingly.
  
• As all choreography is subject to copy right laws, parents and pupils are not permitted to record or share fully choreographed routines on social media please without the teacher’s written consent.
• It is understood and consented to that Designed to Dance can use images of pupils for use in marketing campaigns and on social media.

• Special Note: social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and even Whatsapp are hugely helpful in keeping studio members up to date on schedules, events etc but can also be harmful to the studio’s image as well as teachers and pupils reputations if used unconsciously. We encourage our parents and students to post about our studio should they so wish but ask that at all times it be kept in mind that we are dealing with young children and thus any inappropriate posts/gestures, undesirable language or bad mouthing of Designed to Dance, it’s teachers or fellow studio members, will result in expulsion from the studio and possible legal action. This also includes any inappropriate/rude/derogatory comments that may be made about another dance studio, teacher, adjudicator or examiner.

ATTENDANCE & ATTITUDE:

• The dance teacher must please be notified if a child is unable to attend a lesson.
• Regrettably parents are not permitted to watch classes during the term – parents will get an opportunity to watch and record their children at mock exams and when they perform at festival or other competitions.
• Pupils need to be ready to start class punctually at the appointed times.
• Pupils need to attend classes regularly and an attendance register will be taken.
• Pupils who do not attend 80% of the scheduled classes will not be eligible to enter exams/festival
• Respect is given to pupils who for religious reasons are unable to attend dancing for certain periods of time but these pupils are then asked to consider limiting their involvement in dance commitments during these times as not to inconvenience and disappoint other members of their dance troupe by being unable to attend the necessary rehearsals.
• Dance is as much a team activity as it is an individual one and thus consistent attendance and participation is essential. Poor attendance will count against pupils when deciding on exam and festival entries.
• Pupils and parents are responsible for ensuring pupils attend dance classes as indicated on the timetables e-mailed and distributed.
• Pupils are to be collected promptly after their classes please. Neither St Catherine’s Convent, nor Louise-Rose or any other members or representatives of Designed to Dance will be liable for pupils left unattended once their lesson is over. Pupils must either be collected promptly after class by a parent or guardian or must be enrolled with St Catherine’s Convent aftercare.
• As teachers and pupils must work closely together it is important that both teacher and pupil treat each other with respect and thus “bad attitudes” and “talking back” will not be tolerated in class situations.
• As the training of a dancer often involves the teacher giving corrections of a pupil’s performance or technique it is important to keep in mind that these are not to be taken personally and that the teacher only wishes to obtain the best from the pupil through their corrections.
• It is taken on good faith that pupils wish to improve their performance with each class and will thus put in the necessary hours of practice to improve their skills and ask the teacher for assistance where needed.

DRESS CODE:

• Dancing is a disciplined art form and the dress code is to be adhered to at all times please.
  
• Pupils who consistently attend classes in the incorrect uniform will not be permitted to participate in the lesson and will be asked to sit
• and observe the class
• Our dress code for each style is available on our website.
  
• Loose hair, make-up, baggy clothes of any description, jeans, jewelry and chewing gum are strictly prohibited during classes.
  

EXAMS & FESTIVALS/COMPETITIONS/SHOWS:

• Children will be entered for applicable dance exams annually, at the teacher’s discretion.
• Pupils will also be given the opportunity to perform group and/or solo items in selected festivals/competitions/studio shows
• Fees for exams, competitions & festivals are all additional and thus parents must please pay careful attention to the costs for these events prior to committing to participation.
• Participation in group items and in particular the selection of solo performers will be at the teacher’s discretion and parents are please asked to respect the teachers professional opinion in this regard
• Parents will be notified if there are any additional competitions/festivals planned for the pupils during the year.
• Pupils will not be allowed to participate in exams/festival if the necessary entry fees and monthly class fees have not been paid in full or a payment plan has not been made directly, in writing to Louise-Rose Retief Baard.
• Regular class schedules will cease during exam and festival/competition times
• In circumstances where one or more than half of individuals participating in a duet, trio or quartet for festival/competition performances are absent or cancel, the class will be cancelled and parents notified. It then becomes the responsibility of the individuals involved to arrange a catch-up class.
• Parents and pupils are to please pay careful attention to the dates and times estimated for exams, shows etc. prior to committing to any involvement
• Participating in these events is not compulsory but is greatly encouraged as goal orientated learning results in improved technique and faster learning and progress.