Dance

The dance coordinator has provided the following message to parents in an email dated Friday 20 March 2020, regarding the COVID-19 situation.

Temporary suspension of co-curricular dance program at Burwood GHS

Dear Parents/Carers,

I hope that you and your families are all healthy and are doing well given the current situation.

As you can appreciate, this has been a rapidly changing situation and we are doing everything we can to make sure we are making the right choices to keep everyone happy and safe.

At this point, it gives me great sadness to announce that we have decided that the best course of action is to place a temporary hold on our co-curricular dance program for the remainder of the term.

While this week we strongly encouraged students and their dance teachers to employ appropriate social distancing and hygiene measures, we have decided that this is not enough. We have decided to stop all unnecessary gatherings of students to minimise the risk of spreading COVID-19 and do our bit to help flatten the curve. This may seem like an overreaction to some, and others may be wondering why we didn't do this sooner. Please know that we are just doing our best in this situation we have not found ourselves in before.

I understand that this may raise a few questions, so I have done my best to address some extra points below:

1. What does this mean in terms of fees?

Many of you have paid your full year of fees already which I thank you for. Please know that I will do my best to ensure you are not paying for a service that you are not receiving. However, at this point, until I know exactly how long classes will be on hold for, I would appreciate your understanding and patience.

2. What does this mean in terms of performances?

As you are already aware, all excursions, assemblies, large gatherings etc have already been cancelled. When dance classes resume, we will continue to work towards showcasing the hard work of the students and teachers in whatever way we can.

3. Can you get the teachers/choreographers to film choreography for the students to learn online from home?

While online is a great tool for keeping people connected and learning in the absence of face-to-face classes, there is the issue of Safe Dance Practices. It is a concern that without face-to-face corrections and instructions, the students are at a higher risk of obtaining an injury due to the environment they are dancing in and/or performing a movement incorrectly. At this stage, this is something that we could consider as a long-term solution, but it will need a lot more thought.

I will be in contact again with any developments on the situation.

If you have any further questions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards, Ana Welsh

End of message

The school's co-curricular dance program is designed to celebrate the talent of our students and encourage those who love dance to develop their skills, confidence and abilities.

The dance program provides students with internal and external performance opportunities, raising the profile of dance within the school and wider community. In recent years, these performances have included:

Our dance program philosophy

Our philosophy at Burwood Girls High School for the co-curricular dance program is to:

• Promote involvement in dance
• Engage students in a fun, encouraging way
• Provide opportunities for performance in dance both within the school and wider community
• Apply the syllabus in the development of dance works that reflect the outcomes of the NSW 7-12 Dance Syllabus
• Develop a willingness to aim for excellence in dance teaching, choreography and performance amongst dance students, teachers and choreographers.

Expectations of students

Successful students will be given a permission note and dance contract, which must be signed by a parent or guardian and returned to the school. The permission note will detail:

• The ensemble the student has gained entry into
• The rehearsal times and venues
• Who will teach the ensemble
• Cost
• Uniform to be worn

External performance commitments

By signing a dance contract, students and their parents are agreeing to the terms and conditions associated with being included in the ensemble. This includes students:

• Accepting entrance to the ensemble for the whole calendar year
• Attending ALL weekly rehearsals. Exceptional circumstances are accompanied with a leave pass approved by HT PDHPE and Dance and where possible in advance.
• Being punctual to rehearsals and performances
• Behaving in an appropriate, respectful manner
• Being professionally presented in the appropriate dance uniform
• Engaging enthusiastically in warm up, skill development, choreographed work rehearsal and cool down
• Borrowing costumes and returning them clean and by the deadline.

Dance ensemble descriptions (PDF 200KB)

Meet the dance teachers 2020 (PDF 227KB)

2020 audition times

Dance Company - Monday - Week 2: 3 February 2020 - 3:30-4:30pm in Movement Studio

Acrobatics Ensemble - Monday - Week 2: 3 February 2020 - 3:30-4:30pm in Fitness Lab

Dance Ensemble - Tuesday - Week 2: 4 February 2020 - 1:10-2:30pm in Movement Studio

Hip Hop Crew - Tuesday - Week 2: 4 February 2020 - 1:00-2:30pm in HALL

Ballet Ensemble - Wednesday - Week 2: 5 February 2020 - 7:30-8:30am in Movement Studio

Tap Ensemble - Wednesday - Week 2: 5 February 2020 - Lunch in HALL

Musical Theatre - Wednesday - Week 2: 5 February 2020 - 3:20-4:20pm in Movement Studio

Jazz Ensemble - Thursday - Week 2: 6 February 2020 - 3:20-4:20pm in Movement Studio

2020 rehearsal times

Dance Company
Rehearsals: Monday, 3:30-4:30pm, Movement Studio
Availability: Years 9-12 elective dance students

Acrobatics Ensemble
Rehearsals: Monday, 3:30-4:30pm, Fitness Lab
Availability: Years 7-12

Hip Hop Crew
Rehearsals: Tuesday, 1:00-2:30pm, Hall
Availability: Years 8-11

Dance Ensemble
Rehearsals: Tuesday, 1:00-2:30pm, Movement Studio
Availability: Years 8-11

Musical Theatre
Rehearsals: Wednesday, 3:20-4:20pm, Movement Studio
Availability: Years 7-12

Year 7 Dance Ensemble (2 groups)
Rehearsals: Wednesday and Thursday
Availability: Year 7 only

Ballet Ensemble

Rehearsals: Wednesday, 7:30-8:30am, Movement Studio
Availability: All students

Tap Ensemble
Rehearsals: Wednesday, 1:10-2:00pm, Hall
Availability: All students

Jazz Ensemble
Rehearsals: Thursday, 3:20-4:20pm, Movement Studio
Availability: All students

Dance notes

• Dance information and permission notes for 2020: Acrobatics (PDF 452KB), Ballet (PDF 422KB), Dance Company (PDF 422KB), Dance Ensemble (PDF 422KB), Hip Hop (PDF 422KB), Jazz (PDF 422KB), Musical Theatre (PDF 422KB), Tap (PDF 422KB), Year 7 Dance Ensemble (PDF 173KB).