Policies

ATTENDANCE

It is expected that students arrive at least 5 minutes prior to the scheduled class start time. Please advise the office (phone or email) of any absences prior to the commencement of class. Make up classes are subject to availability and must be redeemed within the term. If the office is not notified prior to the class, make up classes will not be made available. There will be no refund for missed classes.

CLASS FEES

Term fees are due prior to (or at) the student’s first class of term.

A late fee of $10 per week applies for fees that remain outstanding after Week 1 of Term (or one week after signing up if commencing mid-term). Your cooperation is appreciated.

GOVERNMENT IMPOSED RESTRICTIONS: COVID 19

There will be no refunds for students not attending class due to illness AND/OR if government restrictions require us to stop face-to-face learning.

UNIFORM

Students must be dressed in the correct uniform at all times. New students MUST obtain dancewear as soon as possible (by the third lesson).

Uniforms are an essential part of a student’s training. It encourages good deportment, enables students to be able to dance safely and is essential for teachers to be able to observe correct placement of the body.

It is also expected that:
– Classical ballet, contemporary, acro students wear their hair in a bun.
– Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre and Barre students may wear their hair in a ponytail or bun

If dancers are unable to maintain a bun/ponytail, hair must be off the face (e.g. gel, clips or headband)

PERFORMANCES

All students are offered the opportunity to participate in the Annual Performance. Students wishing to participate must commit to attending additional rehearsals during term 4. All students MUST attend the rehearsals, and be available for all performances. Rehearsal times are subject to change however IWD will provide as much advance notice as possible to students and parents/guardians.

PARENT VIEWING POLICY

We welcome all parents to watch their child/ren’s first class. We believe parents/guardians have to be 100% happy and comfortable with our student/teacher interaction before deciding on whether we are the right dance studio for them. Once your child is happily settled we ask that parents leave the room to allow for the proper running of the class.

It is compulsory for parents or guardians of children in Toddlers (2-3 years old) to stay and actively support their little dancer in class.

If you are in the room with your child in any class, we kindly ask that you remain quiet and do not use mobile phones or other devices. Keeping our students focussed and attentive at all times is our main priority.

OPEN DAYS

Parents, family and friends are invited to watch classes generally once per term (except for Term 4). Dates will be set by the Directors and a notice will be sent out accordingly.

STUDENT CLASS PLACEMENT

The correct placement of students in classes at an appropriate level is very important. It is crucial to the proper development and safety of the student. The final class placement of any student is at the discretion of the Directors of IWD.

EXAMINATIONS

Examinations and assessments are offered for students through Cecchetti Ballet Australia and the Australian Teachers of Dance (ATOD). Examinations and/or assessments are not compulsory but we encourage all students to take part.

IWD LIABILITY

Whilst all reasonable care is taken, to the extent permitted by law Inner West Dance (‘IWD’) is not liable for students outside of scheduled classes or the immediate premises. Parents of pre school and younger middle school students are asked to pick children up from the front door and/or waiting areas inside the studio, rather than asking students to wait unsupervised in the car park.

To the extent permitted by law and without limiting your rights under the Australian Consumer Law, our liability is limited to (at our option):

-the supplying of the service(s) again; or
-the payment of the cost of having the service(s) supplied again.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS

In the event of any failure to comply with any of the terms, conditions, codes or policies referred to on the IWD website, IWD reserves the right to cancel the student’s enrolment and in this situation any fees paid or payable will not be refunded.

We want to provide opportunities for students of all ages and abilities to experience the love of dance and movement in a safe and welcoming environment. We also want to ensure that our students, their families and our staff feel well supported and part of our family.

As a condition of enrolment at Inner West Dance (‘IWD’), students and their parents or guardians agree to abide by all the policies set forth by IWD, its directors, faculty, and staff. IWD reserves the right to terminate any student’s enrolment at any time for misconduct or inappropriate actions by either the student and/or their parent(s)/guardian.

Our Values

IWD operates in line with our core values of: inclusion, family, safety, diversity, fun, friendship, lifelong learning and community.

Students at IWD have the right to:

• a positive educational environment that fosters learning;
• feel safe and secure at all times;
• be treated with dignity and respect regardless of gender, ethnic origin or ability; and
• receive fair and equal treatment.

Our Students

All Students are expected to:

• allow others to learn in a positive environment;
• demonstrate respect for teachers, parents, staff and other students at all times;
• be courteous, co-operative and friendly to all members of the studio community;
• arrive at least five minutes prior to your scheduled class (late students may be refused entry, due to the risk of injury);
• be tidy and well-groomed, dressed in dance uniform with the correct shoes, and hair tied back neatly off the face. Ballet buns are required for all ballet classes;
• be honest;
• attend class regularly unless ill or injured, or in the event of a family emergency;
• have mobile phones switched off and away during class; and
• respect the studio property and environment.

Our Parents (including legal guardians and carers)

At IWD we strongly encourage our parents to be part of their child’s dance education, and abide by the following:

• If children are interested, encourage them to dance. Do not force them;
• Remember, children are dancing for their enjoyment. Help them focus on effort, commitment and performance;
• Help children set realistic goals based on their individual ability and experience;
• Always remember that children learn best by following an example; and
• Applaud good performances by all of the performers and support all efforts to create a welcoming environment for all at IWD.

Our Staff and Volunteers

All staff and volunteers at IWD must not:

• develop relationships with children that could be seen as favouritism (for example, the offering of gifts or special treatment for specific children);
• exhibit behaviours with children which may be construed as unnecessarily physical (for example inappropriate sitting on laps);
• put children at risk of abuse (for example, by locking doors);
• do things of a personal nature that a child can do for themselves, such as toileting or changing clothes;
• engage in open discussions of a mature or adult nature in the presence of children (for example, personal social activities);
• use inappropriate language in the presence of children;
• express personal views on cultures, race or sexuality in the presence of children;
• discriminate against any child, including because of culture, race, ethnicity or disability;
• have contact with a child or their family outside of our organisation without IWD knowledge and/or consent (for example, no babysitting). Accidental contact is unavoidable; and
• have any online contact with a child or their family outside of normal administrative practices required for the good order of the studio.

In addition, all staff and volunteers at IWD are expected to:

• ensure apparent maltreatment or abuse by any person is reported in a timely manner;
• identify, challenge and report any behaviour deemed inappropriate by any person with involvement at IWD; and
• provide a positive example at all times.

The staff at IWD reserve the right at all times to provide reasonable and appropriate feedback to students whilst in the care of the studio. IWD staff agree to ensure that feedback is provided in a calm and respectful manner and with the needs of the student foremost.

IWD management undertake to immediately address and rectify any undisciplined behaviour by staff or volunteers towards students.

IWD staff and management accept that physical discipline of any type, towards any person, is unacceptable and prohibited.

Child Safe Standards

Inner West Dance (‘IWD’) subscribes to compulsory minimum standards for organisations that provide services for children to help protect children from abuse, set out by the government of Victoria (Child Safety and Wellbeing Act, 2005).  The Child Safety Standards form part of the Victorian Government’s response to the Betrayal of Trust Inquiry (2013).

Our Commitment to Child Safety

IWD is committed to the safety, participation and empowerment of all children and young people.  IWD enforces zero tolerance of child abuse and will treat all allegations and safety concerns in line with our child safety reporting process.

​IWD has a legal and moral obligation to contact authorities when we have concern for a child’s safety.

IWD is committed to preventing child abuse by actively identifying risks and reporting on same where appropriate and in line with government and community expectations.

IWD is committed to providing awareness for our staff and volunteers on child abuse risks.

IWD supports and respects all children.  We are committed to the cultural safety of Indigenous children, the safety of children from a CALD background, and to providing a safe environment for children with disabilities.

Child Safety Code of Conduct

At IWD we expect staff and volunteers to proactively ensure the safety of children at all times and to take immediate and appropriate action if there are concerns about the safety of any child.

This document outlines and recognises the critical role that staff and volunteers play in protecting the students in our care; and establishes clear expectations of staff and volunteers in order to safeguard all persons against abuse and or neglect.

Valuing diversity

We value diversity and do not tolerate discrimination.

To achieve this, we:

• support the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of Indigenous children and their families
• support the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of children from a CALD background and their families
• welcome children with disability and their families and actively promote and encourage their participation
• welcome GLBTIQ+ students and their families
• commit to ensuring our facilities are suitable for and promote the inclusion of students of all abilities.

Child Safety Officer

Megan Conkey – Director and Co-Founder

Medical Treatment Permission

Dance is a physical activity and whilst all reasonable care is taken, to the extent permitted by law Inner West Dance (‘IWD’) is not liable for injuries sustained during classes, instruction, performance activities or otherwise.

In the case of an injury or health concern in respect of your child, all reasonable efforts will be made to contact you promptly. But, in the case of an emergency, or in the event that you cannot be reached, IWD will to seek medical attention for the student. This may involve IWD rendering first aid to the student or calling an ambulance for the student. You agree to indemnify IWD for any costs incurred in obtaining such emergency medical attention, for example ambulance fees.

Images

From time to time images from school performances, class photos and various events will be used to promote the activities of Inner West Dance (‘IWD’). For example in newsletters, on the IWD website, through social media, noticeboards, brochures (not an exhaustive list).  Parents, guardians and staff consent to the use of images, and waive all rights in respect of such images. IWD will not sell the images to third parties.

At declared open days parents are permitted to attend class and use video/still image capturing devices in classes in which their children are directly participating. Consent for children of other parents/guardians to appear in images is therefore implied. IWD does not accept responsibility or liability in relation to the use of images (appropriate or otherwise) by parents or guardians.

Social Media

IWD encourages active, respectful and responsible participation by parents, guardians, staff and students on social media. All posts and comments must be respectful, polite, inoffensive and appropriate. IWD is not responsible for continuous monitoring and moderation of social media. Libel, slander or offense to any party or identity via social media is prohibited.

Please bring any inappropriate use of social media to the attention of IWD staff as soon as possible, in person. IWD does not take responsibility for the use of social media (appropriate or otherwise) by persons other than those in the direct employ of IWD.

Should you NOT wish to accept this policy, please contact the office on admin@innerwestdance.com.au