To start us off, it’s important to us here at Katapult Performing Arts 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.

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.

Enrolments are completed online through our Parent Portal. At the time of your registration, you will be charged a registration fee of $25 that is a one off payment for the year 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 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.

By now you have probably noticed that we are BIG on communication here at Katapult Performing Arts. Our friendly admin team can be contacted on 0493637420 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 [email protected] 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 - Our preschool program for the youngest dancers.

Recreational - Our most popular classes and for anyone who loves to dance!

Performance Group - Our Performance group classes are purposefully designed so that students receive well rounded technique training, learn award winning routines and take class from teachers who know and care for them personally as well as guest teachers from the industry. These classes are for the dancers who want to extend themselves and their training. Acceptance is via audition.

We offer so many styles of dance. Please feel free to chat to our team about our class styles and if you would like your child to try another class style.

Royal Academy Of Dance (RAD) Ballet - Ballet is an important base for a dancer's technique and helps to promote correct posture and improve flexibility and athleticism. Students participate in Ballet Exams from Grade 1 level at the teachers discretion.

Lyrical - Lyrical builds on a strong centre and combine movement and fluidity with classical ballet foundations. Soft and flowing movement, use of emotion and floor work, flexibility training.

Jazz - Jazz is a fun, energetic popular form of dance and it is a great way to keep fit while dancing to the latest music. These classes also focus on stability, musicality, strength and flexibility in a fun and friendly atmosphere. High energy & upbeat - kicks, turns, jumps. Rhythm & Co-ordination.

Hip Hop - Street style dance which is free, funky, soulful and a trendy expression of movement to the latest music. Attitude & Sass, Rhythm & Co-ordination.

Contemporary - Contemporary builds on a strong centre and combine movement and fluidity with classical ballet foundations. Both sharp and smooth movement. Dramatic and dynamic choreography.

Musical Theatre - Musical Theatre classes incorporate singing, dancing and dramatic skills from musicals. Students will develop all aspects of performance and musical theatre.

Tap - Tap is a fast, fun form of dance. It's a combination of old and modern freestyle tap dancing, from Fred Astaire to Tap Dogs.

Acrobatics - Acrobatics classes aim to include coaching on balancing, tumbling, flexibility and strengthening. Students progress at their own pace and ability.

Lil Groovers - Our revolutionary preschool program that boasts 7 styles for our youngest dancers. Lil Ballet, Lil Jazz, Lil Hip Hop, Lil Tap, Lil Cheer, Lil Ninja, Lil Acro

At Katapult Performing Arts 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:

• Encourage discipline

• 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

  Uniforms can be purchased year-round from the studio subject to availabilities.

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

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Our Fees are outlined on our 2024 Fee Schedule that was provided to you at time of enrolment. If you require another copy please see our admin team.

WEEKLY DIRECT DEBIT FOR ALL FAMILIES

Fees are required to be paid by Weekly Direct Debit for ALL families. Debits can be processed from your:

• Bank Account (Zero fee)

• Credit Card (4.75% surcharge).

  If you wish to pay for the term upfront you can make an upfront payment on your Parent Portal BY THE FIRST MONDAY OF EACH TERM. To calculate the Term Fees, simply multiply your weekly amount by 11. Weekly Fees are added to your Family Account each Monday, with Debits being processed each Thursday. Full Terms and Conditions can be found in your Parent Portal Agreements or as outlined on the Fee Schedule.

  ACTIVE & CREATIVE KIDS VOUCHERS

  Katapult Performing Arts is an approved provider for Active and Creative Kids Vouchers and you could save up to $100 off your fees if eligible. Please submit vouchers via the links below:

ACTIVE KIDS

CREATIVE KIDS

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: [email protected]

To withdraw from a class, one (1) 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 week of withdrawal as normal class fees will be charged if notice given is less than one 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.

Katapult Performing Arts 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 class uniform.

• END OF YEAR CONCERT - A professional display of dance enhanced by amazing costumes, special effects and lighting that is held at Glen St Theatre. 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

Recreational Classes - 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. Katapult Performing Arts has an extensive costume library, which we add to each year with new custom-made costumes. We transport the costumes to and from the concert and rehearsal and also clean, repair and alter all the 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 $45 per costume for each class.

Performance Group Classes - As per performance group information, students are required to purchase their costumes for these routines.

Your child’s attendance in class is very important to their peers and our teaching staff. As a member of ourKatapult Performing Arts 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. Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate make-up sessions for students who miss classes and refunds will not be issued for any missed classes.

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: [email protected].

To withdraw from a class, one (1) 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 week of withdrawal as normal class fees will be charged if notice given is less than one week. Refunds will not be issued for any missed classes and makeup classes are available where possible.

With the safety of our families our number one priority, Katapult Performing Arts 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:

[EDIT AS REQUIRED TO SUIT YOUR STUDIO]

• 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 Katapult Performing Arts 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.

• Katapult Performing Arts 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 Katapult Performing Arts 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 Katapult Performing Arts 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.

Katapult Performing Arts 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 Katapult Performing Arts 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 admin team and 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 Katapult Performing Arts and an enjoyable experience for all, find below our code of conduct.

• Katapult Performing Arts 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 costume 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.

• Katapult Performing Arts 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.

• Katapult Performing Arts 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 Katapult Performing Arts 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 2024! 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 unique performers.