Years 0–2 Ballet

Our annual production is held near the end of Term 4 (dates assigned by the school) and all dancers are involved unless they are starting Year 1 in Term 2 or onwards. Production work begins once exams are completed. A small number of additional rehearsals are held in Term 4. It is important that it is clearly understood that all rehearsals must be attended. Detailed performance information is also sent to you via email during the year.

In Terms 1–2, dancers follow our weekly homework programme using our short videos of their ballet exercises for home review. The homework task is simply to practise with the videos, with the goal to learn each exercise and perform the steps correctly. Each student should aim to practice at home for 5-10 minutes, twice a week. This small effort significantly helps student’s ballet progress (further information once classes starts). A small logbook is supplied to each student to record their homework effort and this is expected to be returned to each ballet lesson to show the ballet teacher. A small incentive award is given in Terms 1–2 for the dancer demonstrating the most consistent homework effort.

The ballet uniform is always required for ballet class.

Almost all uniform items are from ‘PW Dancewear’ (corner of Colombo Street and Stanley Street). Please ask their staff to assist you in selecting the correct St Andrew's College regulation items – they have our information on file. Take your child to get the uniform and shoes properly fitted. Some items (such as the tracksuit) may need to be ordered in for you, so please visit the shop early. 

Every item must be named. Add name tags if necessary and write your child's name inside both shoes.

Girls' Uniform (from PW Dancewear)

• navy leotard with attached skirt (style ‘chloe’);
• St Andrew's College Ballet Academy tracksuit (top and pants);
• pink leather ballet shoes with elastics (split sole if available). Note: shoes must be well fitted to show the stretch of the foot properly;
• ballet socks, for dancers in Years 1-2 (ballet tights only needed for end of year performances);
• St Andrew's College Ballet Bag (optional);
• St Andrew's College Ballet Winter Weight Jacket. Available only from the College. You will receive an email in Term 1 to pre-order. Can be purchased direct from Dr Cairns for $70.00;
• St Andrew's College Navy Ballet T-shirt. Available only from the College. Can be purchased direct from Dr Cairns for $30.00.

Second-hand Items

To view our available second-hand stock, please visit the St Andrew's College Second-hand Uniform Shop. The opening hours for the Second-hand Uniform Shop can be found here.

Girls' Hair

A ballet bun is compulsory on ballet lesson days (unless hair is too short). A commitment to ballet is a commitment to correct uniform and hair. Please consider this to be just as necessary as goggles are to swimmers, or boots to a rugby player. Parents/caregivers will be emailed if dancers do not show up ready to dance on time or in correct uniform. We wish our dancers to use their time in class to the maximum. Tutorials of how to make a ballet bun can be found on YouTube and our own one is on our Moodle site. If anyone would like a demonstration on how to make a correct and secure ballet bun, feel free to email our Ballet Academy Artistic Director, Dr Carolyn Cairns at ballet@stac.school.nz to arrange a time.

YouTube links (note: we use ballet hair pins, not bobby pins):

Short Hair Bun Tutorial >
Long Hair Bun Tutorial > 
Ballet Class Bun Tutorial >

What to wear to school on Ballet class day – Girls

On their ballet day, dancers wear either the ballet or school tracksuit to school with the ballet t-shirt*, ballet socks and underwear underneath (not their leotards – it’s too tricky to get in and out of it, for toilet visits). Dancers change into leotards just before ballet class at the Ballet Studio, and back into their t-shirts and tracksuits straight after class (they are assisted with this, if needed). 

Shoes: please send your child to school with non-lace shoes (e.g. velcro or slip-on shoes) if they can’t tie their own laces yet.

Winter ballet jackets: we also have a warm and cosy Ballet Academy jackets, available to pre-order at the end of Term 1 from Dr Cairns (an email will be sent or email CCA@stac.school.nz if your child is joining mid-year).

*a ballet t-shirt can be purchased for $30.00 from Dr Cairns – email ballet@stac.school.nz if interested.

All students should have a small named ballet bag suitable to hold their ballet uniform items. Dance Pacific sells our St Andrew's College Ballet bag, however this is at your option. Whatever bag you decide on, please put only the student's ballet related gear in it (this helps the tutor to speed up changing) and ensure it has a name tag. Please name everything.

Please do not send a draw-string style of bag – the cords often get wrapped around feet, necks, etc.!

Email is used to communicate all information (please be sure the College has your current email). We endeavour to answer emails as quickly as possible but due to full teaching days this may not always be possible – we ask for your understanding if we are delayed. The College expectation is that a teacher responds to emails within 48 hours. Ballet Academy Artistic Director, Dr Carolyn Cairns, can also be contacted via the College telephone system. Please call reception on +64 940 2000 to be put through. 

Ballet tutors private cell phones are not to be used as a means of contact – unless in an emergency, or by prior arrangement.  

Parents and caregivers are very welcome to view their child’s technique class on the last week of Terms 1–2. A reminder email will be sent closer to the time.

Private lessons are available on a limited basis. You may request private lessons, or a tutor may suggest it if a dancer needs some help in their technique. Typically, this is for students in Year 2 and above prior to exams only.

Please email Ballet Academy Artistic Director, Dr Carolyn Cairns, at ballet@stac.school.nz if your child will miss a class for any reason.