To start us off, it’s important to us here at Perth Circus & Dance Academy that all members of our team share our vision, our purpose and the philosophy that encompasses everything we do both in and outside of our classes. This is a vision that is shared and demonstrated by the Directors, Teachers and Staff Members at our studio and it is the driving force behind every interaction with our students and their families.

At PCDA, we create confident kids! Our students are encouraged and supported to achieve their full potential. We believe that all children have talent and can unlock this if given the opportunity to be inspired to set goals and learn in a positive, fun and encouraging environment. At PCDA, every child matters.

Key promises:

• Age appropriate costuming & choreography

• A positive learning space where every child is encouraged, supported and celebrated

• A growth mindset approach that encourages students to set challenging but achievable goals. With the support of our nurturing and experienced staff, children are inspired to keep working towards their goals.

• Safe and effective training backed by Physiotherapists.

Key Goals:

GOAL 1: Every student encouraged and celebrated every class.

GOAL 2: Students are excited to come to class and are driven to achieve their goals.

GOAL 3: Staff are committed to upskilling to provide high quality classes and ensure safe and effective training.

GOAL 4: Parents are involved in their child's dance journey through regular communication updates (BAND posts, check ins with teachers, phone calls and emails)

Before pulling on those dance shoes, it’s important that all families – whether returning or new complete their enrolment so we can ensure we have the most up-to-date contact details for you and have you review the terms and conditions of enrolment. This information includes you and your child's details, any medical conditions, our waivers, insurances and your payment details. To update your details at any time, please head to our parent portal here: https://dancestudio-pro.com/online/pcda

Enrolments are completed online through our Parent Portal. With our all inclusive fee schedule your registration fee is included and covers your personal liability insurance with Dancesurance as well as music licensing fees.

We encourage all of our students and families to try a variety of dance styles and we are more than happy to accommodate trial classes for existing students who are wanting to try something a bit different. Please contact our admin team if you would like to try a new class and we will happily schedule you in for a trial (provided the class has not reached capacity).

We understand wholeheartedly how busy the lives and schedules of families can get as the year rolls on, so we try to get all of our important dates organised and ready for you so you can plan other commitments. Here we have listed some of our most important “Save the Dates” and more details will be released as we get closer to the events. If you know ahead of time that your family will be unable to attend these events due to planned holidays or existing commitments, please let our admin team know at your earliest convenience.

* Please note these dates may be subject to change.

🗓️ MID-YEAR CONCERT: Saturday 28th June, 2025

🗓️ OPEN WEEK: 30th June - 5th July 2025

🗓️ END OF YEAR CONCERT: Saturday 29th November 2025

🗓️ VIP ENROLMENT DAY: TBC

By now you have probably noticed that we are BIG on communication here at Perth Circus & Dance Academy. Our friendly admin team can be contacted on 0483 944 665 during class time but for convenience, our primary means of communication is via email or BAND app.

You will receive regular newsletters and important information via email and BAND app so please ensure you have provided the studio with an up-to-date email address that is regularly checked and have downloaded the BAND app. We are of course happy to include multiple email addresses per family if you would like your correspondence sent to numerous recipients. Don’t forget to add our email address admin@mail.perthcircusdanceacademy.com.au to your contacts so we don’t end up in the dreaded Spam folder! All information on what BAND APP is and how to gain access and join your child's classes can be found by clicking here.

We are always happy to chat in more detail about communications you may receive from the studio, so if you need any clarification please don’t hesitate to give us a call or see one of our helpful team members at the Studio. We are also on Social Media and use these to often communicate also. You can find us on Facebook and Instagram.

Please note: We discourage parents/students from becoming ‘friends’ or ‘followers’ on Social Media with teachers or staff unless there is an existing relationship. We consider all studio members to be family and as such feel the obligation to respect and monitor personal boundaries. We request that you do not make personal contact regarding anything studio related. If you require to speak with your child's teacher please contact our studio and one of our Admin Team can assist you.

We offer 3 main streams of classes. Please feel free to chat to our team about our class streams and if you would like your child to try a class from an alternate stream.

LIL GROOVERS - Suitable for children aged 2-6 years

This stream is our pre-school department where our little ones are introduced to the wonderful world of dance! Within this program, students have the option of 8 different styles including:

Lil Jazz

Lil Tap

Lil Acro

Lil Cheer

Lil Hip Hop

Lil Ballet

Lil Ninja's

Lil Cirque

ACADEMY - Suitable for students 6 years and above

This stream includes our recreational classes across all genres including:

Jazz

Tap

Ballet

Hip Hop

Lyrical / Contemporary

Acrobatics

Aerials

COMPETITION - Perfect for students wanting to be part of a team and receive higher level training to achieve their goals. This is great for students who would like to perform more regularly throughout the year.

All students are invited to join our competition team! There are no auditions, all that is required is a positive attitude and commitment to your goals.

Available to students 3 years and above

At Perth Circus & Dance Academy we believe that wearing studio uniforms give students a sense of belonging to our family as well as creating an identity for our studio in the greater community. Our uniforms also:

• Help students resist peer pressure to buy stylish clothes for class

• Help identify non-students in the studio

• Diminish economic and social barriers between students

• Increase a sense of belonging and school pride

• Improve attendance

• Encourage discipline

  Uniforms can be purchased year-round from the studio subject to availabilities and online. Link to online store: shop.perthcircusdanceacademy.com.au

  Note: Please ensure all parts of your child’s uniform are clearly labelled!

LIL GROOVERS:

• Lil Groovers Unitard OR Lil Groovers Singlet & Shorts OR PCDA Baby Leo

• Lil Groovers Educational Socks (Jazz / Ballet)

• OPTIONAL: Lil Groovers Rainbow Skirt

DANCE CLASSES:

• Any of our PCDA Uniform items are suitable including PCDA Concert T-Shirts, PCDA Crop Tops, PCDA Singlets, PCDA Leotards, PCDA Shorts, PCDA Leggings, PCDA Unitard

• Ballet students require a PCDA Leotard, ballet stockings and ballet shoes

• Jazz: Tan Jazz Shoe

• Tap: Tan Tap Shoe

• Hip Hop: Favourite Sneakers

• Lyrical / Contemporary: Lyrical Half Shoe

ACROBATICS CLASSES:

• Any of our PCDA Uniform range. The PCDA Unitard is perfect!

• It is recommended that students wear a crop top underneath loose T-Shirts for when they are upside down

• Students must wear Tan Acro Shoes. These have acrobatic grip to prevent students from slipping during their tumbling skills. These are available to purchase via the PCDA Uniform Store.

CIRQUE & AERIALS CLASSES:

• Any of our PCDA Uniform range.

• It is recommended that students wear long leggings or stockings to protect their legs on the silks & lyra

• No shoes required

Our Fees are outlined on our 2025 Fee Schedule that was provided to you at time of enrolment. If you require another copy please see our admin team.

FORTNIGHTLY DIRECT DEBIT FOR ALL FAMILIES

Fees are required to be paid by Fortnightly Direct Debit for ALL families. Debits can be processed from your Credit Card (merchant fees apply).

If you wish to pay for the term upfront you can make an upfront payment on your Parent Portal. To calculate the Term Fees, simply multiply your weekly amount by 10. Fees are added to your Family Account each fortnight on a Monday, with Debits being processed on the same day. Full Terms and Conditions can be found in your Parent Portal Agreements or as outlined on the Fee Schedule.

Here is a tutorial on how to navigate the parent portal and to understand our billing process: https://www.loom.com/share/8ded75f623b849408aba707929980701?sid=24fb666d-34b8-49f0-9f2b-fd925d56ae61

WITHDRAWALS

Enrolment is presumed for the year and re-enrolment term to term automatically rolls over from term to term unless we are are notified of withdrawal. If you decide to withdraw from classes mid-term for any reason, you will continue being charged until we are formally notified at: admin@mail.perthcircusdanceacademy.com.au

To withdraw from a class, two (2) weeks notice from the scheduled class day must be provided in writing to the above email address. You will be charged for up to and including the end of the notice period. Normal class fees will be charged if notice given is less than two week. Refunds will not be issued for any missed classes and makeup classes are not available.

The opportunity to perform in a concert is an exciting, empowering and confidence-building part of the training process. This is where we love to watch our students learn about the theatre, rehearsals and teamwork while they enjoy the opportunity to showcase their skills in a professionally run production. Concerts are a wonderful way for students to showcase the results of their hard work and for family and friends to join in the pride of their achievement. We love giving all students the chance to perform for their family and friends in this supportive and fun environment and encourage even our youngest and newest performers to be involved.

Perth Circus & Dance Academy holds two shows per year:

• MID-YEAR SHOWCASE - An informal relaxed chance for parents, family and friends to see what the students have achieved in Terms 1 and 2. Costuming is not required for this performance as students wear their studio uniform.

• END OF YEAR CONCERT - A professional display of dance enhanced by amazing costumes, special effects and lighting that is held at RNDM Performing Arts Theatre, Sacred Heart College. Detailed concert information is sent out throughout the year detailing everything you need to know. A Concert Performer Fee is charged in the lead up to the End of Year Concert and this is outlined in the Concert Information later in the year. Each class will begin learning their End of Year concert routine at the beginning of Term 3. The students work on this each week in class, developing their skills in the process and learning the importance of rehearsal, commitment, performance techniques and teamwork.

COSTUMES

Rather than making parents pay hundreds of dollars buying costumes that their children will only wear once, we use a hire system for our concert costumes. Perth Circus & Dance Academy has an extensive costume library, which we add to each year with new custom-made costumes. This process saves parents from the stress and hassle of having to buy, sew, alter and accessorise their child’s costumes in the busy pre-Christmas season. The costume hire fee is included in your all-inclusive class fees already so there is no further cost for costumes for concert!

Your child’s attendance in class is very important to their peers and our teaching staff. As a member of our PCDA Family, it is a commitment for you to ensure your child attends their classes on time each week and attends all lessons planned for them. Not only do absences impact the concert routines we create, it also impacts the social and confidence-building principals we work hard to foster in each age group.

If you know ahead of time that your child will be absent due to holidays/vacations, commitments or school trips, please let us know ahead of time so the class impact is minimal. You can do this inside your Parent Portal. Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate make-up sessions for students who miss classes and refunds will not be issued for any missed classes.

Please ensure you arrive on time to pick up your dancers; while we love having them at the studio, our teachers are unable to supervise while they are teaching and while sleepovers at the studio are fun, we know your kiddies will be much happier tucked up in their beds at home! Additionally, while we LOVE having a chat with our families, please be considerate of our teachers and the other students in their classes. Please limit your lengthy conversations before and after classes, including at the end of the dancing day. If you wish to chat with a teacher, please pop through an email and we will give you a call at a convenient time.

WITHDRAWALS

Enrolment is presumed for the year and re-enrolment term to term automatically rolls over from term to term unless we are are notified of withdrawal. If you decide to withdraw from classes mid-term for any reason, you will continue being charged until we are formally notified at: admin@mail.perthcircusdanceacademy.com.au

To withdraw from a class, two (2) weeks notice from the scheduled class day must be provided in writing to the above email address. You will be charged for up to and including the end of the notice period. Normal class fees will be charged if notice given is less than two week. Refunds will not be issued for any missed classes and makeup classes are not available.

With the safety of our families our number one priority, PCDA is very serious about upholding Child Protection laws and policies within the studio as well as at public performances and in the online arena (website and social media). We ensure child safety through a range of different methods:

• All of our teachers and staff members have undergone official Working with Children checks allowing them to work with children.

• The Staff and Directors of PCDA strive to ensure that all music and costumes are age appropriate.

• Our staff members have been trained in first aid and we enforce a nut-free policy at the studio to ensure the safety of any students or parents with allergies to nuts or nut products.

• PCDA has been approved as a COVID-SAFE business. We have strict policies and procedures in place to ensure continual up-to-date compliance with Government guidance.

• Our staff members have an internal communication system to ensure studio and child safety at all times during studio operating hours.

• All students at PCDA are covered by accident insurance as well under the studio’s public liability insurance. For more information on the individual accident cover please see our admin team.

We respect your privacy and we will never sell or pass on any of your information to third parties unless required by Government Authorities or in the event of debt recovery. Any information passed on will be done so with appropriate privacy and confidentiality protection.

As part of your registration, you will have read and signed a media waiver allowing us to proudly use images and video footage of your student for advertising and promotional purposes. Photographs and Videos are generally taken at our Mid Year, End of Year Concerts and other Perth Circus & Dance Academy events. Additionally, footage of children may also be taken in the studios for the benefit of sharing this with parents where required or with our internal team for training and development purposes. Should you have any concerns whatsoever with signing this declaration, please see our admin team.

Perth Circus & Dance Academy Social Media Policy refers to all social networking sites, video/photo sharing sites, blogs, micro-blogs, wikis, podcasts, forums, instant messaging and geo-spatial tagging (for example, Facebook check-ins). Please see below for our regulations regarding Social Media and feel free to contact our admin team if you have any questions.

• Please remember that your anonymity on Social Media is never guaranteed and to exercise particular caution when posts, images or videos identify children in your care.

• Remain mindful that your behaviour on Social Media remains in keeping with Perth Circus & Dance Academy code of conduct as outlined in this handbook.

• Intellectual property laws (for example, costume design and choreography) must be observed by all studio patrons when posting online regarding studio matters.

• All matters pertaining directly to the studio - whether it be fees, scheduling, placements or performance opportunities - we ask to not be communicated via social media.

• We have an open door policy and encourage all communication, complaints and feedback to be communicated to the Director directly.

• We discourage parents/students from becoming ‘friends’ or ‘followers’ on Social Media with teachers unless there is an existing relationship. We consider all studio members to be family and as such feel the obligation to respect and monitor personal boundaries.

To ensure the smooth, safe running of Perth Circus & Dance Academy and an enjoyable experience for all, find below our code of conduct.

• Perth Circus & Dance Academy is a studio where all students are free to express themselves. Bullying in any of its forms will not be accepted.

• Families who do not comply with their fee or payment obligations may be charged a late fee, and/or excluded from performances. External debt collection may occur when fees remain overdue and this will be at the expense of the client.

• We are unable to take responsibility for our 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 the studio immediately to inform us of the situation so we can keep your child calm and safe until they can be collected.

• Any questions or feedback must go through our admin team – we ask that parents and students do not contact teachers via phone, email or social media with studio issues. We ask that you respect our staff members privacy and work hours by not contacting them personally. Personal meetings with Teachers or our Studio Director can happily be arranged via reception and our admin team is available during all timetabled classes.

• Perth Circus & Dance Academy takes no responsibility for any stolen or misplaced property on the studio premises and we encourage our families to avoid bringing valuable items into the studio where possible.

• Perth Circus & Dance Academy Management reserves the right to change teachers or timetabling when necessary at any time throughout the year. Where significant or permanent changes occur families will be notified in advance.

• Choreography, costuming and studio policies remain the intellectual property of Perth Circus & Dance Academy and may not be reproduced or sold by any students, parents or staff without permission of the Director.

Finally, it’s our pleasure to introduce our hand-picked faculty for 2025! Our enthusiastic, passionate and dedicated team are thrilled to be a part of your family’s dance journey this year. We are truly looking forward to growing together to mould this generation of skilled, confident, genuine and happy performers.

MISS JEMMA - CEO / Studio Director

MADDIE - Studio Coordinator & Competition Coordinator

MISS COURTNEY - Head Coach, Student Leadership Coordinator & Aerials Coordinator

MISS STEPH - Teacher - Acro, Jazz & Lyrical

MISS CAITLYN - Teacher - Preschool & Aerials

MISS HANNA - Teacher - Musical Theatre, Ballet & Jazz

MISS SAHARA - Teacher - Acro & Aerials
MISS CHARLIZE - Preschool Coordinator & Teacher - Lil Groovers, Acro & Aerials
MISS MADDY - Teacher - Preschool, Lyrical, Ballet & Jazz