Highland & Irish Dancers are Reel Dancers

CAIRNS SCOTTISH & IRISH DANCE ACADEMY ABN: 92 590 634 532 STUDIO 44 Lazarus Street, Bungalow Cairns Qld 4870 Principal Mrs Jacqueline Wilson NDAA Adv. Teaching Cert ABHDI Reg. Adjudicator SOBHD Judges Panel Assoc.Teacher Irish Commission Dublin Postal Address 3 Gardiner Close Brinsmead Valley, Cairns Qld 4870 Phone: 07 4034 1805 Mobile: 0419 785 817 Web: www.cairnshighlandandirishdance.com.au Email: jacqueline.wilson3@bigpond.com Teachers Mrs Alison Gaustad NDAA Adv. Teaching Cert Highland & Irish Dancers are Reel Dancers

The Cairns Scottish and Irish Dance Academy offers professional and experienced tuition in Highland and Irish Dancing for Lassies and Lads. The Academy prides itself in providing professional tuition to students in developing correct technique, discipline and performance in a caring learning environment where each student s abilities and strengths are developed individually. Students are prepared annually for Highland Examinations conducted through the National Dancing Association of Australia. The NDA Examination syllabus follows the technique set down by the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing (SOBHD). Irish Examinations are conducted through An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha (Irish Commission Dublin) annually. FEES ½ & ¾ Hour Lesson $12.00 1 Hour Lesson $14.00 Private Lessons $33.75 for ¾ Lesson Single Student $16.50 for ¾ Lesson 2 Students In special circumstances where special displays have to be prepared and extra classes are necessary, each class will be charged for at the regular class rate of $14.00 per hour. It is not compulsory for students to participate at these special displays. Parents will be asked to complete a consent form prior to displays committing students to full participation in classes. Fee Payment Policy ALL FEES ARE PAYABLE IN ADVANCE Tuition is given on a Term basis and Fees must be paid one term in advance 14 days of the accounts being issued. One term s notice is required for termination of lessons. Lessons missed through pupil s NON-ATTENDANCE will be charged for and must be paid. Credits will not be permitted. Fees are to be paid in full and deductions are not to be made for classes missed. Lessons cancelled by the Principal will be made up or carried forward. If there are special circumstances and fees cannot be paid in full by the due date, please make special arrangements for payment with the Principal, however there must be a very good reason.

Fee Payment Fees can be paid directly into the Bank Account please note the Bank Account Details on the Invoice. Fees may be sent with students in a clearly marked envelope (not loose cash) accompanied by accounts or in the mail Please Note: - The Academy is separate from the City of Cairns Festival of Highland and Irish Dancing Association Inc. Payment for Tuition Fees/Registration/Competition Entry Fees must be kept separate to Association Membership. PARENT DAYS, PARENTAL ENQUIRIES AND NOTICES PARENTS ARE NOT TO SIT IN THE STUDIO WHILE CLASSES ARE IN PROGRESS. A PARENT WAITING AREA IS PROVIDED PLEASE COOPERATE AS A REQUEST TO LEAVE MAY OFFEND No regular Parent Days will be held. It is desirable that parents drop their children off and come back for them however a parent waiting area is provided. Students and parents are asked to check for emails/web Site for any new notices regarding the activities of the Academy and the Association. Parents are asked to check children s bags to ensure that all notices sent home are received. Parents are asked to make contact either by phone/text/email if children cannot attend classes. Newsletters will be issued regularly to inform families of what is happening. An email will be forwarded to inform you when the Newsletter has been posted on the Academy Website. Please check the website www.cairnshighlandandirishdance.com.au regularly. Competition Schedules will also be posted on the website. Communication It is important to us that we communicate freely and easily with our parents. We ask that enrolment forms are completed annually to ensure that our records are up to date. If contact details change throughout the year, please be sure to inform us so that our details are correct. If there are extenuating family circumstances/health issues etc, it is helpful for us to be aware of these so that we can support our students in the best possible way. Students and Classes Students are expected to be punctual and on time for classes. It is desirable for students to arrive at least 10 minutes prior to their scheduled class time and warm up thoroughly. Students should be ready to commence their classes on time. The Principal expects to be addressed as Mrs Wilson by all students. Students are expected to be on their best behavior at all times. Students are to attend to their own work and picking on other students will not be tolerated. When representing the Academy at Displays, Competitions etc there is to be no displays of temper or any other forms of misconduct from students or parents and if this occurs the student involved will not be permitted to dance in any future displays. Students must remain inside the reception area until their transport has arrived. Students MUST NOT wait outside and parents are asked to escort their children to and from the front door.

Mobile Phones and I-Pods must be switched off while students are attending their classes. If students are found using mobile phone in the breaks during their classes, they will be confiscated. Dancing shoes must be worn to every class. STUDENT DRESS When representing the Academy at Displays and Competitions Academy Polo Shirts (White & Royal Blue) $30 Child $35 Adult Academy Singlet 6Y - L $20 Academy White Blouse 8Y L $20 Royal Blue Basketball Shorts $15 These uniforms may also be worn to classes. Class Dance Wear Singlet Top Children Sizes 4-12 $26 Singlet Top Adult 14/XS M $28 Fitted T-Shirt with Short Sleeve Children 4-12 $31 Fitted T-Shirt with Short Sleeve Adult 14/XS M $33 Kick Shorts with rib Waist band Children Sizes 4-12 $19 Kick Shorts with rib Waist band Adult 14/XS M $21 ¾ Loose Leg Pants Children Sizes 4-12 $30 ¾ Loose Leg Pants Adult Sizes 14/XS M $35 Track Suits Recommended that students wear Track Suits in the cooler months to prevent rapid cool down after a dancing class. Track Suit Jackets 8Y L $50.00 Track Suit Pants 8Y L $30.00 Orders will be taken for the Track Suits Hair Hair must be up off the face in a bun or in a neat and secure pony tail. Fringes need to be pinned back. Students will be requested to tidy their hair if it is scruffy and in a mess or in their eyes. Hair ties pins brushes are kept at the studio students be requested to tidy up their hair. Strapping Tape & Knee Guards Dancers may need to have their feet strapped to support or prevent an injury. Irish students particularly those using Hard Shoes need to have strapping tape and scissors in their dancing bags. If heels need to be strapped to prevent blisters please ensure heels are taped before the class starts. There is no time to waste after a class commences to wait for dancers to strap their heels before they use their hard shoes. If students need to wear knee guards to ease pain from knee injury they must bring them to every class.

Students of any reputable dance studio are expected to comply with dress regulations. Be warned if dancers come to dancing looking scruffy and untidy or not in correct Academy uniform they will be asked to sit out of the class. Costumes New Students unless extremely promising will not be required to purchase their own costumes for at least 12 months. Highland Students Highland Dancing students may hire their outfits from Wiltshire Highland Dress Melbourne. Wiltshire Highland Wear will custom make Highland Dancing Costumes and have a large range of second-hand Highland Dancing outfits listed on their website. If you are searching for Highland Dancing Outfits visit their website www.wiltshirehw.com.au Email address: cossies@wiltshirehw.com.au Highland Dancing students will require correct outfits to sit NDA Examinations. Irish Students Beginner Costume Rule All dancers in the Beginner Grades (Bun Grad) may only wear a team costume or skirt and top/leotard. No wigs permitted in Beginner Grade. Academy Costumes The City of Cairns Festival of Highland and Irish Dancing Association Inc. owns Team Costumes for our Irish Dancing teams. Dancers in Beginner Grade who wish to compete in Competitions hire the Association Team Costumes at a fee of $50.00 per year. Purple/Black Team Dress will be issued at the commencement of the dancing year and must be returned after the last competition of the year. Care Instructions Warm hand wash in mild detergent Do not soak Dry flat in the shade Do not iron Do not hang the dress Store folded in bag preferably an old pillow case ensuring that embroidered panel is kept flat. Pins are not to be used anywhere on the costume. Students are not to eat food whilst wearing these costumes. If there is any damage to any of the costumes charges will be incurred A black long sleeved leotard is required to be worn with the Team Dresses. These must be purchased by the students. Leotard orders will be taken at the commencement of the dancing year. Black stockings nearly black are to be worn. Alternatively white bubble socks to be purchased through the Academy. No wigs are permitted in Beginner Grade

Make Up Make up is not permitted in Beginners and Primary Grade up to and including the age group Under 12. Leg tan is considered make up. Ceili Dancing Team Costumes Dancers who are performing in Ceili Team Competitions are to wear the Team Costumes. All parts of the costume including underpants, brooches and head dress are to be returned when the costumes are returned. Students and parents are expected to take very good care of the costumes and be mindful that the Team Costumes are worth thousands of dollars and they must be treated as if they were their own. Solo Dresses Dancers in Primary/Intermediate and Open Grades will be expected to purchase their own Irish Dancing Costumes. There are a number of suppliers but a good source of second hand costumes are available on the Dance Again Website. Dance Again is a site for Irish dancers and dressmakers all over the world to buy and sell new or used solo dresses. Dance again also features dressmakers and designers, dance suppliers, message boards and more. Dance Again Website www.dance-again.com

Dancers Requirements Highland Dancing Pumps are required for Highland Dancing Gathered or Circular Practice Skirts are required for Highland Dancing Irish Dancing Soft Shoes Irish Dancing Hard Shoes are required for Irish Dancing Hard Shoe work. Suppliers: Highland Dancing Pumps, Costume Accessories and CD s Celtic Connections Mrs Cheryl Medley P.O. Box 586 AYR Q 4807 Phone: 07 4783 2979 Fax: 07 4783 3440 Mobile: 0418 984 363 celticconn@bigpond.com Irish Dance Diva Donna 0434 813 283 www.irishdancediva.com

DANCER REGISTRATION All students enrolled in the Cairns Scottish and Irish Dance Academy must be registered. This enables our students to compete at the various competitions throughout the World should they so desire, but it also has an Insurance component built into the Registration Fee. If dancers are injured at class, competition or displays they can claim through their Registration should their injuries require constant medical attention. Highland Registration All students learning Highland Dancing are registered with the Far North Queensland Regional Committee of Highland Dancing. The Far North Queensland Regional Committee of Highland Dancing Inc is an affiliated member of the Australian Board of Highland Dancing Inc. (ABHDI). The ABHDI is the body responsible for the administration of Highland Dancing technique as set down by the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing within Australia. Existing Students Registration of dancers is due on 1 st January each year. Students already registered must forward their Registration Card, together with $40. Dancers are not permitted to register until the age of four years. Pre-Premier Registration Scheme The Registration Scheme currently operating for dancers from Primary standard through to Intermediate standard, which is the grading which immediately precedes Premier standard, allows children newly started dancing to monitor their own progress by means of a personal achievement card (Registration Card) which, in respect of Beginner and Novice categories, is stamped at every competition where they win a first, second or third prize. The scheme has been implemented to ensure that every dancer has the opportunity to compete with other dancers of comparative ability, whether they be Primary, Beginners, Novice or Intermediate standard. INTERMEDIATE This status is held until the competitor either a)gains a first, second or third prize in SIX separate Intermediate competitions, or b) until twelve months following the first intermediate stamp which ever a or b is the later, after which that competitor is classified as a Premier dancer and is not eligible to enter an Intermediate event. The Registration Card must be carried to all competitions and checked prior to the competition commencing. Any competitor unable to show a registration card will forfeit the prize until such time as it is produced. The Registration Card will be stamped only once during the course of any one competition and it will cover all prizes awarded at that competition. New Registrations Registration is due on 1 st January annually New Students must forward: Copy of Birth Certificate $40 Registration Fee Signed Pre-Premier Registration Acknowledgement Form

Irish Registration All students learning Irish Dancing are registered with the Australian Irish Dancing Association Queensland Branch - North Queensland Sub Committee. Rules pertaining to Irish Dancing Student Registration (a) All dancers wishing to enter competitions must: 1. Be registered each year by way of pupil registration form, submitted by the due date to the Registrar and signed by the teacher. 2. Have paid the annual competition levy (registration fee) as set out by the A.I.D.A. North Queensland Sub Committee each year by the due date. 3. Supply a copy of a document providing the date of birth of the pupil. This can be in the form of a birth or baptismal certificate, a letter from a school principal, a letter from a JP provided that the JP supplying this letter is not the pupil s teacher, a drivers license or any other official document that shows the correct date of birth. N.B. Documentation must be supplied for all new registrations to the AIDA North Queensland Sub Committee and dancers that have not been registered for over two years (i.e. inactive birth certificate will be held for a period of two years). (b) (c) (d) Once the above has been fully completed a registration number will be issued to the dancer, which must be listed on all entry forms (responsibility of Teacher when entering students in competitions). Failure to do so will result in the competition entry not being accepted. Pupils entering the Queensland State Championships and Premiership must have abided by the rules re competition eligibility as set out by the A.I.D.A. each year. Registered Irish Dancers will be issued with the National Registration Card in 2010. This will be an ID Card with the dancers photograph on it. Retraining of Pupil Rules (a) For reference purposes the title of the Rule is Retraining of Pupils Rules. (b) 1. In the Rules Registered Teacher means a person currently registered with the A.I.D.A. as a Teacher. 2. A pupil is someone where the period between her first lesson with any registered Teacher and her latest lesson with that registered Teacher exceeds three (3) months. (c) (d) (e) When a new pupil joins a registered teacher s class and he or she has been the pupil of another registered teacher within the previous two years, the Secretary must be informed by the new teacher in writing. Where a pupil, formerly the pupil of a registered Teacher joins the class of another registered Teacher, the new registered Teacher must not enter that pupil in any registered competition for six (6) calendar months, from the date on which notification from the new registered Teacher, of the pupil joining the new class is received in writing by the AIDA North Queensland Sub Committee Secretary or the State Secretary. A pupil shall not be withheld from competition where a change occurs because of: 1 Retirement of former Teacher 2 Death of former Teacher 3 Failure of former Teacher to re-register with the Irish Dancing Commission within three (3) months of registration closing date. 4 Significant change of place of normal residence of the pupil. 5 Closure of the teacher s class normally attended by the pupil and where that teacher has not another class within a reasonable distance of the pupil s home.

6 Any other circumstances in which the Association considers it would be unfair or contrary to natural justice to insist that the pupil be withheld from competition. (f) 1 A pupil shall not be withheld from Competition on joining a new class where they have not been a pupil of any registered Teacher during the twelve (12) calendar months prior to the date of receipt of notification. 2 Notification must given by the new Registered Teacher in writing to the A.I.D.A. North Queensland Sub Committee or the A.I.D.A. State Committee within four (4) months of the date on which the pupil commenced classes. (g) Where a pupil leaves the class of a registered Teacher and joins the class of an Irish Dancing Teacher not registered with the Irish Dancing Commission, and later returns to either her former registered Teacher or another Registered Teacher, that pupil must not be entered in any registered competition, until six (6) calendar months have lapsed following the date of receipt of the AIDA North Queensland Sub Committee Secretary or the AIDA State Committee Secretary of notification in writing of her return to (h) the Registered Teacher unless she qualifies for exception under the terms of Section E. In every case it is the State Branch or the AIDA North Queensland Sub Committee that will decide whether a pupil will or will not be obliged to refrain from competitions on change of teacher, i.e. whether or not any of the exceptions provided for in the Rules applies in any particular case. Even where it is fairly clear that a pupil received on transfer qualifies for exception he or she must not be registered for a registered competition until it is confirmed by the AIDA North Queensland Sub Committee or the AIDA State Committee that it is in order to do so. When a teacher accepts a pupil on retraining she must complete a Transfer Form and forward to the State Secretary who will sign and date the transfer and will also note the date competitor may enter competitions. Copies of signed transfer will be forwarded to former and new teachers. Existing Students Registration is due on 1st January annually. Students already registered are to forward $40.00 Registration fee to be forwarded prior to 31 st December the previous year. New Students Registration is due on 1st January. New students must forward copy of Birth Certificate and $40.00 Registration Fee. COMPETITION RULES The following rules should be read in the light of the AIDA Mission Statement, the objective of which is to encourage good sportsmanship in a healthy, positive and fair spirit. This objective should be upheld by ALL teachers, dancers, parents and spectators at all events 1. Competitors must be pupils of registered teachers with An Coimisiun. 2. Entries must be accompanied by the correct fee and submitted on the official entry form, signed by the teacher. Proof of age documentation must have been received by the Registrar to allow registration to occur. 3. No late entries will be accepted and no refunds will be given, except in the event that a section that is offered on the syllabus is not held due to a lack of numbers as in rule No 4. 4. There must be a minimum of three (3) competitors to make up a section. 5. All competitors must be in the marshalling area prior to the commencement of their section otherwise they will be disqualified. 6. The Association reserves the right to amend the order of dances at anytime. 7. In the case of a tie there will be no dance off. Competitors in the next position will move back one place. 8. Competitors will be required to dance to the music supplied by the Association. Teachers are required to supply own music for set dances and own choreography teams. 9. Only the official sound equipment in use at the time may be played whilst a dancer is on the stage. 10. If there is any problem with music, either manual or recorded, the dancer will be permitted to redance. 11. If a dancer loses a heel or a complete shoe he/she may stand back allowing the other dancer to continue dancing uninhibited. Such a dancer will then be allowed to redance.

12. Should a dancer bump, slip or fall they may redance at the adjudicator s discretion. 13. In graded sections competitors are required to perform correct standard of work as set out in the A.I.D.A. Queensland Competition Rules and Regulations. Competitors will be disqualified by adjudicators if incorrect standard of work is performed. (Graded sections are all levels other than open standard) 14. The decision of the adjudicator is final. Any protests are to be directed in writing to the organisers of the competition, accompanied by a fee of $25 to be forfeited if the objection is over-ruled. 15. Competitors enter at their own risk regarding injury. 16. To receive prizes or awards competitors must be in full dancing costume including shoes. 17. The Association will not enter into any correspondence with parents or nonparents concerning the organisation and procedure at Competitions. 18. Any form of unautorised photography which has the capability to capture a dancer s image whilst in motion, using electronic or manual means, e.g. mobile phone, standard camera, video camcorder, cine recorder, commercial film, with or without flash enhancement, ex expressly forbidden in competition. 19. Failure to comply with any of the foregoing rules shall involve disqualification and the withholding of prizes. The decision of the Association in any question of dispute shall be final. 20. Lodgment of an entry shall be taken to signify that the teacher, parent and pupils concerned accept all these Rules in full and agree to strictly abide by them. GRADING OF DANCERS 1. A section must have a minimum of 2 schools entered for an upgrade to apply. 2. A section must have a minimum of 5 competitors entered for an upgrade to apply. Each state is able to adjust that number up. 3. Dancers in the 6 and under age group will only be graded to Primary unless clause 7 applies 4. If there are 20 or more competitors in any one section that section will be split at discretion of each branch. 5. If the same dancer wins that same section twice he/she will automatically be graded out of that dance/section regardless as to the number of dancers/schools entered in that section. 6. Dancers can compete in sections they are not graded out of. This means a dance can compete in Beginners or Primary even if they are dancing open grade. 7. A Sub Minor State Champion is graded out of the 3 dances of the championship but is eligible to dance in other grades for other dances. Any other winner of any Championship is an Open graded dancer forever. 8. An Open graded dancer who has not won a particular dance for 2 years can apply to go back to Intermediate for that dance. 9. A dancer who competes interstate is subject to the grading rule of region they are competing in and the grade registrar of that region is to notify the registrar of the region the dancer is registered in of any graded result. COSTUME RULES 1 Costumes must consist of a full front and back section i.e. cut away styles are not acceptable. 2. Materials must be of an equivalent weight to that used in the more traditional costumes e.g. dress velvet, trevira, garbedine, wool-mix etc. (The main body of the costume must contain a closed weave fabric e.g. velvet, gaberdine, silk, satin etc). 3. Skirt lengths the minimum skirt length is not more than 4 inches above knee level. It is hoped that the introduction of this rule will prevent the excessively short skirt lengths recently witnessed. 4. Neck lines must be of collar-bone level or above. This does not preclude the use of alternative fabrics e.g. lace or an insert. 5. Where Chiffon or lace material is used as sleeves, the sleeves must start at the shoulder line and end at the cuff. 6. Appropriate underwear must be worn. Where tights are won they must be a denier of not less than 70%.

CITY OF CAIRNS FESTIVAL OF HIGHLAND AND IRISH DANCING ASSOCIATION INC. It is a condition of enrolment in the Cairns Scottish and Irish Dance Academy that all families are paid up members of the Association. Membership of the City of Cairns Festival of Highland and Irish Dancing Association Inc consists of the families of the Academy. The Association s main aim is to promote Highland and Irish Dancing throughout the Cairns region by supporting the Academy in conducting the City of Cairns Festival of Highland and Irish Dancing annually, financially supporting Highland and Irish Dancing workshops for the students of the Academy (subsidized workshop fees are still payable by attending dancers), supporting community displays where students of the Academy perform and providing resources such as Costumes, Props etc for Competitions, Displays and Exhibitions where the students of the Academy perform in Team events. The City of Cairns Festival of Highland and Irish Dancing Association Inc is a financial member of the Far North Queensland Regional Committee of Highland Dancing and delegates represent our Association at the Regional Committee Meetings twice per year. The City of Cairns Festival of Highland and Irish Dancing Association Inc holds Public Risk Indemnity Insurance for all Public Functions where the members are involved. Membership of the Association is $30 per family per year. Patron Mrs Deirdre Ford OAM President Mr Ben Hemphill 0438 495 180 Vice President Mrs Ann Blakeney 0408 981 167 Secretary Mrs Jackie Wilson 0419 785 817 Treasurer Mrs Alison Gaustad 0411 432 577 Assistant Secretary Mrs Caitlin Gillam 0423 511 288