Hi Everyone!

Firstly, I would just like to start off by saying a huge THANK YOU to each and every one of you for all your support this last year whilst I have been on maternity leave and becoming a first time mum! It has been a juggle keeping SLH Dance Academy running and ensuring I don’t miss out on that precious time with Florence but this has been made so much easier by having all your wonderful support! A massive thank you must also go to my fantastic team of teachers who have kept our dancers busy with some brilliant classes whilst I have been off. Everyone has made brilliant progress and I am sure have been inspired by their teachers!

Florence has just turned 1 and I am delighted to say that I will be returning to teaching on a Monday and Tuesday in September! I will also be back regularly in the office answering emails and most importantly making preparations for lots of exciting events! There is lots for our dancers to look forward to including holiday workshops, a choreographic competition, exams and our big 2024 SHOW!

Please read below lots of important information regarding the new term!

Teachers

From September the SLH team of teachers will include Ellie, Star, Katie, Holly, Lottie & myself. All of who your children will have met last term!

We say a fond farewell and thank you to the lovely Miss Charlotte who covered my Tuesday classes for the last year whilst I was on maternity leave. We were extremely lucky to have her over this period and I am so thankful for her in providing some of our pupils which such wonderful ballet and tap classes on a Tuesday evening!

It is a little late but I would officially like to welcome Holly and Lottie to the team. They have done a brilliant job the last couple of terms in getting to know pupils and everyone has loved their classes so far with them! They are a great inspiration to our pupils and I know they are going to be much loved members of SLH!

Holly will be taking our new tap and modern classes on a Wednesday evening and Lottie will be taking over my Saturday morning classes @ Malling Community Centre. I look forward to popping in regularly to these classes and co teaching with the girls at times!

If you would like to read more about them please visit our staff section here.

Term Dates

Monday 11th September – Monday 11th December

NO classes w/c 23rd October due to half term

NO Musical Theatre classes Monday 25th September due to Star being involved in Matilda with LOS.

**Please note all Sophie’s Monday and Tuesday classes don’t start back till 18th/19th September and will finish on 11th/12th December to ensure a 12 week term.**

New Classes

We are thrilled to be adding a new day of classes to the timetable on a Wednesday evening @ South Malling Primary School.

Infants modern and Tap combo class for receptions – year 2’s

Grade 2 Modern for Years 3/4

Modern for Years 5/6

Drop Sophie a message to book a taster!

Does your child fancy trying a new style?

September is the perfect time to try a new class as many classes are starting new grades and routines! Don’t forget we have Musical Theatre, Ballet, Tap, Modern, Lyrical for all ages/abilities. All current pupils are invited to a free taster session in a new class of their choice! Just drop us a message to discuss suitable options!

Uniform

September is also a great time to ensure your child has the correct uniform for their class. Click here to check what they need for their grade and information on where to purchase it from. Don’t forget you can sell any old uniform on our second-hand Facebook page too if you wish so get ahead of the game now in preparation for the new term. We have lots of new pupils joining us so it is a great time to pop your preloved items on there. Visit Second Hand selling page here!

Please remember uniform is a must for all classes for health and safety reasons and also to ensure our pupils look professional and feel the part!

Dates for diary

More information will be sent out in due course regarding the below events but for now pop these dates in your diary so you are available!

October Half term Workshop- Monday 23rd October or Tuesday 24th October TBC

Ballet Exam Day- Sunday 10th December

Christmas Dance Workshop- Monday 18th December

Choreographic Competition-TBC

2024 SHOW Weekend- Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th July 2024 @ The New Bury Theatre, Hurstpierpoint College

Exams

We would like to congratulate the following pupils who all took ISTD exams last term and achieved outstanding results! We had a 100% pass rate with some exceptional marks! A real testament to their hard work and commitment!

Primary Ballet- Orla and Hope– DISTINCTIONS

Grade 4 Modern- Amelia-92/100 and Camille 88/100

Grade 5 Modern- Amelie

We have a big ballet session planned for early December and will be in contact soon to those pupils who we feel are ready to take an exam.

Other Successes

We also have a handful of pupils who have taken on extra opportunities in the last few months and we want to congratulate them on their success and for representing SLH so brilliantly!

Well done to…

Amelia.C who has participated in numerous festivals over Sussex with her first lyrical solo! You have performed with such confidence and grace well done!

She also successfully auditioned for South Coast Ballet production of “Nutcracker”. She will be performing at the Congress Theatre Eastbourne on Saturday 25th November. We are so proud of you and know you will shine! It would be lovely to have lots of her dance friends and fellow SLH pupils to go and watch so do buy your tickets here…. https://www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk/events/southcoastballetnutcracker

Camille, Anouk and Evie who have also participated in festivals over Sussex with their lyrical trio. They placed 1st at Crawley which is a huge achievement, well done girls!

Spencer, Lola, Georgie, Gabriella, Olive, Evie & Jessica who all successfully auditioned for LOS production of “Matilda” running 26th-30th September. We are SO excited to watch you and are very proud! It’s set to be a fantastic show directed and choreographed by our very own Star , so get your tickets now to see them perform here: https://www.losmusicaltheatre.org.uk/tickets/

Recommendations

Finally I would just like to say thank you for all your wonderful recommendations so far this year it is greatly appreciated! A huge number of our new pupils come from word of mouth so please help us spread the word about our classes in September by sharing our timetable with friends who may be interested in getting their child involved in dance! Your help in making our return to classes next term a success is as always much appreciated!

Here’s to a brilliant, fun filled term of dance!

Best Wishes,

Sophie and team SLH Dance Academy x