Policies & Procedures

Updated December 2023

TRIAL CLASS

Trial lessons must be booked through out online trial booking system.
Please view the timetable on our website in advance and select a class that you would like to trial.
If you trial a class and continue for the remainder of the term, you will be invoiced for the term fee pro-rata from your first class. If you decide not to continue after your trial class, there is no charge.
One trial lesson is permitted per style.
Following your trial lesson you will receive an automated follow up email. Please feel free to contact our office if you have any questions before enrolling for the rest of term.
N.B. Trial classes cannot be scheduled in the lead up to a concert, usually during Term 4.

ENROLMENT

An online enrolment form or trial booking form must be completed prior to attending a class.
Enrolment is confirmed upon payment of term fees, which must be finalised prior to attending classes.
Enrolment is per term and will roll-over to the next term within the calendar year.
Toward the end of a term during the year, we will assume you are continuing for the next term unless advised otherwise by you.
To maintain your place in the class for the next term you must confirm your enrolment by finalising the term fees. Fees for the next term are due by the last day of the current term.
All students must re-enrol for Term 1 of the new year via the online enrolment system. Instructions for this are provided during Term 4.

FEES

Term fees are on a per-term basis (not per-class).
Invoices for the next term are sent three weeks before the end of the current term. Fees for the next term are due by the last day of the current term.
If a student enrols or begins a class mid-term, only remaining lessons will be invoiced.
Classes are always held on Public Holidays that fall within each term, except for the morning of ANZAC Day.
GST is applicable on all invoices and will be detailed specifically.
A $40 Administration Fee is applicable for invoices paid after the due date. The Administration Fee will be applied to any invoices still outstanding after the due date unless a payment plan has been pre-arranged.
Term fees are not discounted due to absence under any circumstances, however two make-up lessons in another timeslot are permitted per term.
In the case of extended absences of 2 or more consecutive weeks due to injury/illness or travel, parents are asked to contact the admin staff or Principal via email.

ATTENDANCE

If your child is going to be absent from their class, please notify our administration office by emailing staff@thepremierdance.com or phoning 3369 1133 to leave a message or speak with our staff.
If your child is absent for two weeks in a row and your fees are outstanding, their enrolment will be cancelled.
Students under 12 years of age must wait on premises, inside the studio until they are picked up after class.
Please be on time to pick up your child and avoid dropping off too early, where possible. We are unable to take responsibility for students before or after their scheduled classes and it is the responsibility of the parent to ensure their child is picked up and dropped off on time.
In the case of an emergency or unavoidable delay, please contact our office to inform us of the situation. If your child is not collected at the end of their class, they will be sitting inside the classroom until a parent arrives to collect them. In this instance, please quietly open the door of the studio and your child may leave with you.

MAKE-UP LESSONS

Unlimited make up lessons may be taken in a term in any genre (age eligibility applicable) where vacancies are available.
Make-up lessons must taken within the same term as the missed class.
Make-up lessons are not transferable to other students.
Preferably, a student should attend make-up lesson in the same style and age/level as their missed class.
Make-up Lessons cannot be scheduled in the lead up to a concert (usually Term 4).
All make-up lesson must be pre-arranged with our administration office by emailing staff@thepremierdance.com or phoning 3369 1133

CHANGE & CANCELLATION/WITHDRAWAL

The Premier Dance Academy reserves the right to change teachers or timetabling when necessary at any time throughout the year.

In the unlikely event that a Premier Dance Academy class is cancelled, a make up lesson may be arranged, or students will have the lesson credited to their account.
If a student decides to withdraw from a class or from The Premier Dance Academy entirely, written notice is required via email.
There will be no refunds or credits for withdrawal from classes once fees are paid except in the event of extenuating circumstances – please email staff@thepremierdance.com

UNIFORM

Toddler, Creative & Prep Dance - Uniform is not compulsory for this age group. You may purchase a Premier Dance uniform or a similar ballet ensemble or comfortable clothing of your choice. Ballet shoes or bare feet are accepted.
Ballet Students - Each ballet grade has their own colour lycra leotard with Premier Dance Academy logo. Pink/flesh colour socks or ballet tights. Flesh pink leather or canvas ballet shoes with elastic only. Matching sheer chiffon skirts to match are available but are optional for all levels except Pre-Primary and Primary, as they require them for their exams. Ballet tights are compulsory from Grade 2 ballet upwards. Boys should wear a white/black fitted t-shirt or male black/white leotard/unitard with black or navy bike pants or long tights. Black or white leather or white ballet shoes with white socks. Grade 1 – Grade 5 students will require black character skirt (girls only) and shoes.
Jazz, Tap & Musical Theatre - Uniform is not compulsory for these styles in 2020 however they will be compulsory form 2021. Optional Premier Dance uniform consists of Navy & Red shorts or pants and singlet tops with logo. For girls, tan coloured jazz or tap shoes with socks. For boys, black coloured tap or jazz shoes.
Hip Hop - Regular comfortable clothing or active wear may be worn with sneakers or runners. E.g. Bike pants, leggings, singlet tops, t-shirts. Sneakers or runners. No denim shorts or skirts of any kind.
For all students, hair is required to be worn off the face and in a bun for all ballet students (where possible) with the exception of 3:30pm weekday classes as we acknowledge that this can be a rush from school.
Most of the requirements are available through our Uniform Shop at Milton.
Students must wear the correct footwear for each class/style.
Trial students are permitted to wear comfortable clothing and bare feet.

ASSESSMENT

Yearly assessments are available to students in Ballet from Pre-Primary & Up, Jazz & Tap.
All assessments at The Premier Dance Academy are OPTIONAL.
The choice of assessment offered to each student is at the discretion of their teachers.

PHOTO/VIDEO/MEDIA - FAMILIES

Parents/guardians and students are not permitted to photograph or video children other than their own at any time, unless given permission by the child’s parent/guardian.
You are welcome to take photo/video of your own child before/after class or during class (if you are participating or viewing a lesson) provided no other children are included in your footage at any time.
Taking photos/video through the studio viewing windows is strictly prohibited as it is not possible to take footage of your child from this vantage point without including the rest of the class.
Photos/video must never be taken in bathroom areas.
Photos of other children should never be posted on social media platforms without the permission of their parent/guardian.
Where you are concerned with photos/video being taken by another person please raise this with us immediately. We also reserve the right to inspect, stop or delete any images/video material if we suspect inappropriate photography.
Due to music copyright laws, filming of all Premier Dance theatre performances is strictly prohibited. End of year concerts are professionally filmed and provided to all performers as part of the concert participation inclusions.

PHOTO/VIDEO/MEDIA – PREMIER DANCE

Families are advised that from time to time their child’s image may be captured in photos or videos during classes or concerts by Premier Dance staff. Enrolment at The Premier Dance Academy serves as an acknowledgement of photography consent and the use any images captured for purposes of promotional material, social media, website and advertising.
Parents or guardians who do not wish for images of their child to be published should contact The Premier Dance Academy in writing by emailing staff@thepremierdance.com which will be treated in strict confidence. A note will be made on your teacher's roll and they will ensure your child is not included in any footage.

CCTV

We undertake CCTV recordings within The Premier Dance Academy Milton premises to ensure the safety and security of our staff and families. CCTV cameras are in common areas, studios, and office areas, and not in the bathroom/change room areas. Recordings are secure and accessible by the school principal in the event of an incident only.

CONCERT & COSTUMES

The Premier Dance Academy provides performance opportunities each year to all students from Creative Dance and up.
Concert dates are announced in Term 1 each year.
A Concert Levy is payable for all participating students which includes hire of all costumes, video recording, full supervision at rehearsals & performances and a concert t-shirt.
Tickets are available for purchase online only via Trybooking.
Costumes are owned by The Premier Dance Academy and loaned to students for all performances.
The Premier Dance Academy does not require parents to purchase or make any costumes.

COMMUNICATION

Upon enrolment a valid parent name, email address, home address, phone number and emergency contact number must be provided for each student.

Important information and invoices will be sent to the primary email address provided upon enrolment.
Communication involving all students under the age of 18 will be directed to the primary contact.
All communication must not offend, intimidate, humiliate or bully another person.
Digital communication must not be misleading, false or injure the reputation of another person.
All enquiries, communication of concerns or queries, must be communicated to The Premier Dance Academy by emailing staff@thepremierdance.com or calling 3369 1133
Teachers are not available during or in-between class time to discuss matters or answer enquiries.
Personal matters may be directed to the Principal – Tania Whelan by emailing tania@thepremierdance.com

HEALTH & SAFETY

The studio space, flooring and equipment are set up to promote and maintain safe dance practices.

Appropriate emergency procedures exist and The Premier Dance Academy staff understand the procedures relevant to their location.
The Premier Dance Academy staff have the responsibility and authority to ensure that health and safety objectives are achieved. They will identify and eliminate unsafe acts, procedures, conditions, equipment, and hazards of all kinds.
Behaviour from students, parents or visitors that may cause an unsafe or inharmonious environment, will not be tolerated.
It is the responsibility of the student or parent/guardian to inform The Premier Dance Academy of any prior or current allergies, illnesses or injuries.
All staff members hold a valid First Aid Certificate, CPR training and Bluecard (Working with Children).
Parents/Guardians must be responsible for students before and after class times. The Premier Dance Academy does not provide supervision outside of class time unless prior arrangements have been made.
No student (under 18 years) is to wait outside or leave the premises unaccompanied by a parent or guardian.
An Emergency evacuation map is located on the premises. A fire extinguisher and smoke alarm is located within the premises.
In the event of an injury, Premier Dance staff will administer First Aid treatment and complete an Incident Report.
Where an injury occurs, the students’ parent/guardian will be contacted. If the primary contact cannot be reached, the emergency contact will be called.
Due to the nature of dance classes and technique correction, physical contact with students is often required.

EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURE

In case of an emergency, an evacuation alarm will sound.
Staff will direct and advise all persons to move safely to the nearest exit, following the emergency evacuation plan.
Staff will then direct all persons to the meeting point, in the car park, or an alternative safe area.

FOOD, DRINK, ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

Food and/or drink must only be consumed in the areas at the top of the stairs at both Milton and Clayfield locations and not in the studios or waiting rooms.

The Premier Dance Academy requests that nuts are not brought on the premises however cannot ensure that the premise is 'nut free'.
The possession or consumption of illicit or non-prescribed drugs or alcohol is not acceptable at any time.
Parents, students, teachers and/or employees must not arrive at The Premier Dance Academy or any associated event, impaired by the effects of illicit drugs or alcohol.

BEHAVIOUR & BULLYING

The Premier Dance Academy does not tolerate swearing, indecent or disrespectful language, defamatory comments, or indecent or disrespectful conduct from staff, students, parents/guardians, family members, or visitors.
Appropriate behaviour is expected on the premises and at associated events, as well as online.
Where any person or student feels that they are the victim of bullying, they should notify The Premier Dance Academy Principal Tania Whelan immediately by emailing tania@thepremierdance.com
All incidents brought to the Principal’s attention will be addressed and resolved promptly.
If inappropriate behaviour persists, The Premier Dance Academy reserves the right to terminate enrolment immediately.