TERMS & CONDITIONS 2024
Our 2024 Terms and Conditions consist of our Terms and Conditions as well as our Fee Policy. Please read all Terms and Conditions and Fee Policy information carefully. By enrolling at Ecole Ballet and Dance Theatre (“Ecole”) for 2024, it is assumed you have read, understood and agreed to the following Terms and Conditions and Fee Policy.
POLICIES & GUIDELINES
1. Classes and Enrolments
Classes at Ecole fill up quickly. All class enrolments require the online form to be completed. To best guarantee a place in your chosen classes, prompt enrolment is recommended. Class sizes are kept small enough to afford individual attention and one or even two assistant teachers (in the younger classes) often augment classes.
Students new to Ecole will be offered a trial class to ensure that they are enrolled in the appropriate level. If your child decides they do not wish to continue, we do not charge you for that class. However, if they do decide to continue, you will be charged for the trial lesson and normal term fees will apply.
All students, new and current are required to register for classes for the new dance year (2024). You are only required to register once for 2024. Once registered and processed, you will receive a confirmation email of your child’s classes. Your child’s enrolment in these classes will continue throughout the year unless you advise us your child will not be continuing. For withdrawal and changes to classes, please email us at info@ecole.com.au. Please refer to our Fees Policy for full details regarding withdrawal from classes.
2. Examinations/Assessments – Classical Ballet
Ecole follows the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Classical Ballet syllabus and Senior Level 6 students study the Preparatory Level of the Classical Dance Australia (CDA) syllabus founded by Mr John Byrne. RAD Exams are not compulsory but are recommended. Examinations/Assessments are held at Ecole’s Studios (and/or at RAD Headquarters for Vocational Exams) and entry for examinations is at the discretion of the Principal. The Spring Holiday Exam Schools (8-13 October 2024), held over one week, are compulsory for any student taking part in an examination, assessment or award. Selected SL8 students will attend their Holiday Exam School in the April school holidays, 15-19 April, 2024.
Pre-Primary & Primary
To be eligible for the Pre-Primary Class Award, students must attend one classical ballet class per week, as well as the compulsory Spring School holiday classes at the end of Term 3. To be eligible for the Primary Exam, students must attend two classical ballet classes per week, as well as the compulsory Spring School holiday classes at the end of Term 3. Enrolment in both the weekday Primary class (Tuesday or Thursday) and the Saturday Primary Exam class continues after the Exams for the duration of Term 4.
Grades 1-5
To be eligible for Grades 1-5 Exams/Assessments, students must attend two classical ballet classes per week, as well as the compulsory Spring School holiday classes at the end of Term 3, if invited to participate in the RAD Examination/Assessment.
Senior Level 6 (CDA)
Students must attend two classical ballet classes per week and an in-house assessment (optional) will be held later in Term 3 or during Term 4.
Senior Levels 7, 8, 9 & 10 (RAD)
Students in Senior Levels 7 and 8 must attend at least two classical ballet classes AND one pointe class per week. Students in Senior Level 9 and 10 must attend at three classical ballet classes AND one pointe class per week. All Senior Level 7, 8 and 9 students must attend the compulsory holiday classes scheduled before their examination session. ie If May/June examination session the holiday classes will be during the Easter April school holidays. If October/November examination session the holiday classes will be the Spring September/October school holidays.
3. Private Lessons
Please enquire for more detail if interested via email: info@ecole.com.au. Please note, 24 hours notice must be given if your child is unable to attend their private lesson, otherwise the full fee will be charged.
4. Punctuality and Absences
Please be punctual as late arrivals can be disruptive. If you know in advance that your child will be absent from class for any reason, please let us know by email, info@ecole.com.au or phone, 0433 832 653.
5. Make-up Classes
All students are entitled to two make-up classes per class per Term for any classes missed due to illness, travel or unforeseen circumstances. The request for a make-up class/es must be advised in advance of the class that will be missed. The make-up class must be used within the same Term of the original absence. If you need to re-schedule your make-up class, this must be advised in advance of the make-up date. If you do not advise that the make-up class needs to be re-scheduled, the make-up will be forfeited.
Classes do not run on days declared as Public Holidays in NSW. Students (by request, via email) are entitled to book a make-up class. Make-up classes for Public Holidays are not counted in the two classes above. Please contact info@ecole.com.au to arrange all make-up classes or visit the website, www.ecole.com.au/makeup-class.
6. Uniform and Grooming
The Ecole uniform is compulsory for students to wear for every class. All students must be in the correct Ecole uniform within two weeks of starting at Ecole. The 2024 Uniform List can be found on the Ecole website.
All students that will be in the Senior EOYP are required to have an Ecole black t-shirt.
Tiny Ballet and Beginners Ballet uniforms (excluding shoes) are purchased from Ecole directly. Please visit our website to order your uniform items.
Jazz, Acro, Musical Theatre, Tap and all other non-Ballet classes uniform items (excluding shoes) are purchased from Ecole directly. Please visit our website to order your uniform items.
Ballet items for students in Pre-Primary and above are purchased from Bloch.
Ballet and Jazz shoes can be purchased from MDM Dancewear (or one of their Stockists) or Bloch. Jazz and Tap shoes can be purchased from Bloch.
We ask that you ensure that your child is neatly groomed, with hair worn in a bun for ballet students or secured away from the face for all other styles. Jewellery must be kept to a minimum and not left on the premises. Ecole does not take responsibility for any valuables brought or left on the premises.
7. Lost Property
Please label all uniform items, shoes and possessions brought to Ecole. The Lost Property Cupboard can be found in the foyer of the building. Any unclaimed items by the end of each term will be placed in the Pre-Loved Clothing Box or donated to charity.
8. Safety and Security
Parents/guardians are expected to physically collect their children from the main entrance, as the foyer can get congested at times. Parents who wait in their cars for their children to come to them are inviting the possibility of an accident. Therefore, please note that we expect children to wait INSIDE the foyer. Should parents be late, the children will be told to return to Studio 1 (Main Studio, ground level). The back lane to Studio 2 is out of bounds to Junior Children.
9. Health of a Student
We accept students on the assumption that they are in good health and fitness and may participate in dance activities at the studio. Tuition in dance entails strenuous physical exertion and that whilst all Ecole staff take every precaution, the risk of injury cannot be eliminated. It is your responsibility to notify staff of any injury, medical condition or allergy suffered by the student that may prevent him/her from engaging in certain physical exercises or routines. Students are permitted to bring water into the studios. In case of an emergency requiring urgent medical attention, the undersigned herby authorises the staff of Ecole to seek medical attention. In such an event, Ecole will make every effort to contact the Parents/Guardians before any action is taken, unless life threatening.
10. Physical Contact in the Performing Arts
Some physical contact may be necessary by a member of the faculty to demonstrate technique or exercise – or if First Aid is to be administered.
11. Personal Contact Details
Please keep us up to date with your correct email address and telephone numbers. You will be able to update your contact details via the Customer Portal. There is a posting box outside the office door for messages. If the Office is unattended, phone messages (0433 832 653) will be dealt with as soon as possible. Please do not expect teachers to answer your queries between classes.
E-mails to: info@ecole.com.au will receive prompt attention
12. Ecole Website, Customer Portal and Notices
The Ecole website has a copy of Ecole’s Terms and Conditions, Code of Conduct, Privacy Policy, Media Release, Fee Structure and Uniform List. The website is regularly updated with news and important information. Website: www.ecole.com.au
The Customer Portal/App will be released in early 2024 which will allow you to manage your account including updating contact details, viewing your child’s enrolment and making payments.
13. Media Release and Permission
You grant to Ecole, the right to take photographs/videos of your child whilst participating in dance classes/activities run by Ecole Ballet and Dance Theatre. You acknowledge that Ecole will use such images/videos for promotional purposes across various media including Ecole’s website, Ecole’s Facebook, Ecole’s Instagram, newsletters, print collateral, etc. You hereby permit Ecole to use images/videos in a lawful manner for the purposes described above. You understand that your consent can be withdrawn at anytime upon written notice and that students private information will not be disclosed.
When you enrol your child at Ecole through the online enrolment form via the Ecole website, there is both a Media Permission acceptance field under the student details section as well a Media Release option at the end of the form. You can either agree or disagree to the Media Permission on the online form. If you agree to the Media Permission, then you grant to Ecole the rights as stated above in the Media Release.
Please note, your child may inadvertently be in a group where a photo is taken, however if you do not agree to the Media Release, the photo will not be published or your child’s face will be obscured in the photo. The exception to this is Ecole’s Open Day and Ecole’s End of Year Performances/Rehearsals. As the photos from these events are of students performing in a group in action, we reserve the right to publish these photos.
At no time do we use student’s first name and last name with their photo. The exception to this is our Ecole Awards page on our website (first name and last name). Our website Eisteddfod Results page and Open Day winners page has the first name and first initial of the surname. Our social media (Facebook and Instagram) will contain the student’s first name of any student that is featured for their Eisteddfod results.
14. Photography and Video
Parents may photograph or video their child during Parents’ Week on the condition that all photos and videos are for private use only. No photographs or videos are to be uploaded on to the Internet. Please ensure you request permission from the parent/guardian of any child whose image you would like to video or photograph. Please note that during the end of year performances there is strictly no photography or video recording permitted.
15. Parent Watching Weeks
At the end of Term 1 we have Parent Watching Weeks, where we encourage parents, relatives, and friends to watch classes to see the students’ progress. Parent Watching Week is a very special time for all our students. The children love the attention of a quiet and appreciative audience – no talking please and switch off mobile phones. Parent Watching Week is currently planned for Tuesday 2 April to Saturday 6 April and Monday 8 April to Saturday 13 April, 2024.
Open Day replaces Parent Watching in Term 2, and in Term 3 and 4 there will be no parent watching classes, due to ballet exams and end of year performance rehearsals.
16. Open Days – Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 June, 2024
Our Open Days allow parents, relatives and friends the opportunity to enjoy the students' progress in a series of in-house demonstrations in Ecole’s Main Studio. In 2024, our Open Days will be held over one jam-packed weekend, full of fun and activities – Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 June, 2024. Performances include: Classical Ballet, Demi-Character, Lyrical/Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Musical Theatre and Acro, as well as Solo and Eisteddfod Group performances. All Ecole students (from 3 years through to Seniors) are involved in this exciting day.
17. End of Year Performances 2024
All students have the opportunity to perform in Ecole’s Annual End of Year Performances (EOYP). Please note that the performances are divided into specific age groups. Participation in the EOYP is dependent on being enrolled for Term 4 and all Term 4 fees paid.
Junior & Middle School EOYP
Performance – Saturday 2 November
Rehearsal dates to be advised
Senior School EOYP
Performances – Friday 22 November (evening)
Rehearsal dates to be advised
18. COVID-19 Information
Managing Close and Casual COVID Contacts
We expect over the next little while that there will still be COVID contacts in our community. We have processes in place to manage the situation when it arises and ask for your partnership in helping us with this matter.
We are committed to keeping Ecole COVID Safe and as per NSW Government regulations; we have a COVID-19 Safety. Ecole is registered as a COVID Safe Business.
Protocols
Our website contains a COVID-19 page which outlines our basic protocols and has a link to our COVID Protocols. Please take a moment to read these, so you are familiar with them. We ask that students sanitise their hands before entering and upon leaving the studios.
FEES POLICY 2024
1. Invoices for fees are emailed to parents/guardians prior to the start of each term. All Term Fees must be paid within the first two weeks of term. Invoice reminders will be sent out the Monday of Week 3. If fees continue to remain outstanding by the Monday of Week 4, a late fee of $10 per week will be automatically added to your account until it is settled. Unpaid and overdue accounts may be forwarded to a debt collector’s agency for recovery of all debt plus agency collection costs.
If you wish to pay your Term Fees via instalments, you will be required to sign up for a payment plan, via our payment processing provider, Payrix. You can determine how often you would like to make these payments over the course of the Term’s Invoice for which you are utilising this service.
Payrix Direct Debit Payment Plan: You may establish or modify an on-going or one-off Direct Debit Request/Authority from a nominated bank account or credit card (see charges below applies).
Whilst Ecole does not provide a credit facility, if you choose to use the Payrix Direct Debit Payment Plan, an extension of time in regards to the normal payment due date is granted on the basis that periodic instalments during the current Term will be made, so that the full invoiced amount will settled by the end of the Term in which you have requested to use the Payrix system.
The fees for the use of this system are charged and taken by Payrix at the time of the direct debit. The fees are a payer fee and are as follows:
Set up Fee – a one off set up fee/data storage and compliance of $2.20. This is for either bank account direct debit or credit card payment plans.
Credit Card Payments – Every instalment payment via mastercard/visa is $0.33 plus 1.87% of the instalment. Every instalment payment via American Express is $0.33 plus 3.5% of the instalment.
Direct Debit (from Bank account) - $0.88 transaction fee for each instalment payment.
If there are insufficient funds (bank account or credit card) for the instalment to be deducted by Payrix on the instalment plan, a $4.40 charge is deducted by Payrix for the failed transaction.
2. Fees are based on Ecole school terms. There are four terms per year. Should a term be longer or shorter than ten weeks, no additional charge will be required nor will any refund or discount provided. Fees are payable per term and will not be reduced for non-attendance of any proportion of the term. New students commencing after the start of term may receive a discount off the full term’s fees at the sole discretion of Ecole. New students are welcome to trial classes at Ecole. If your child does not continue in the class, no charge applies. However, if your child continues, you will be charged for the trial lesson and normal term fees will apply.
3. Changes to your enrolment or withdrawal from a class/es must be advised in writing to info@ecole.com.au. Cancellation of an enrolment after a term has commenced still incur the full term’s fees. This includes payments being made via direct debit/installments. All fees are non-refundable. If withdrawal from a class/es takes place once the term has commenced, a credit note will be provided. Credit notes are valid for twelve months and can be used by students in the same family.
4. If Government imposed restrictions require us to close our doors, we will revert to immediate online learning platforms. By enrolling for 2024 classes at Ecole, you agree that if classes revert to online, the fee structure remains as it is outlined in our 2024 Fee Policy. There will be no change to the fee structure and no refunds given an enforced lockdown.
5. If your child and/or family are directed by NSW Health to isolate for a period of time, please note that those missed classes are non-refundable and non-transferable. We will be happy to offer a make-up class. Please contact us via info@ecole.com.au if you would like to request a make-up class. We will endeavour to find a suitable class for your child. Please note, however this is not guaranteed as some classes may be at full capacity or do only run once a week. Full details on our make-up class policy, can be found in point 5 in our Terms & Conditions.
6. Any classes missed due to illness, holidays or other commitments are non-refundable and non-transferable. Please contact us via info@ecole.com.au if you would like to request a make-up class. We will endeavour to find a suitable class for your child. Please note, however this is not guaranteed as some classes may be at full capacity or do only run once a week. If your child sustains a serious injury or illness resulting in extended absences from class, please contact us regarding class credits. A medical certificate must be provided. Any credits placed on your account have a twelve month expiry date. Full details on our make-up class policy, can be found in point 5 in our Terms & Conditions.
7. A 10% Sibling Discount is applied to the second and subsequent siblings on their first class only at Ecole. Second and subsequent classes are already discounted. Sibling discounts do not apply to the Capped Packages, as the Capped Packages are already heavily discounted.
8. 24 hours notice must be given if your child is unable to attend their private lesson, otherwise the full amount will be charged.
9. NSW Kids Rebate Vouchers are accepted at Ecole. All vouchers will only be accepted via the website – www.ecole.com.au/submit-vouchers. Voucher details must be submitted to Ecole by specific dates prior to each term beginning. These due dates will be emailed to parents and will be on our website. Any vouchers submitted after the closing date will be redeemed the following term.
10. Additional fees are charged for examinations, assessments, mock exams and holiday exam schools.
11. Additional fees apply for our End of Year Performance and the costumes associated with this. Fees are charged for costume purchase/hire, payable in Term 3 (deposit) and Term 4 (balance). If you advise us less than six weeks prior to the End of Year Performance date that your child is no longer participating in the EOYP, you are still liable to pay the costume purchase/hire payment. If you advise us less than four weeks prior to the EOYP that your child is no longer participating, there will be a penalty withdrawal fee due and payable as well as the final costume purchase/hire payment. A concert participation fee will be charged in Term 3. This will cover the cost of the concert video, program and other concert charges.
12. Payment of Fees can be made via the methods below. Invoices are sent via email to parents prior to the start of each Term. We ask that payment is only made once receiving your invoice. Enquiries regarding billing/charges should be addressed to: accounts@ecole.com.au
a) Direct Deposit
b) Online payment: Credit/Debit Cards – VISA, Mastercard or AMEX
Please note there is a SURCHARGE for online payments:
Visa/Mastercard - 1.87% on transaction value + $0.33 transaction fee
American Express - 3.5 % on transaction value + $0.33 transaction fee
International Cards - an additional 1.1% may apply to credit cards
b) Cash: deposited at the Office
c) Payment Plan via Payrix. Full details are provided in point 1 above. Contact accounts@ecole.com.au for further details