General

• Nicola Wheeler's Dance Academy Limited is also known in its short form as NWDA for the purpose of these 'Terms and Conditions' and all other documentation.
• Your enrolment with NWDA is governed by these Terms and Conditions and any separate Terms and Conditions we may publish from time to time on our website or Notice Board.  By enrolling with NWDA you are confirming that you accept these Terms and Conditions.

Term Fees - Policies and Procedures

• All dance fees are strictly payable on invoice.
• Term fees are due and payable in full prior to the beginning of the new term, unless otherwise arranged.
• All fees are fixed and remain payable in cases of absence.  There are no reductions for sickness or holidays.
• All statutory holidays and school holidays are observed in calculating the fees.  The fees have been calculated over the entire year, also taking into account additional rehearsals for the end of year show.
• Students enrolled in more than 4 weekly classes during a term will not be charged a term fee for the additional classes taken.
• Failure to pay fees may result in the loss of the student's enrolment position.

Refund Policy

• NWDA will refund in full all payments made by the student if the selected class is cancelled by NWDA.
• After commencement of the term, no refunds will be given to students.

Payment Options

• Payment can be made as follows:
  • Cash
  • Cheque - made payable to Nicola Wheeler's Dance Academy Ltd (NWDA)
  • Automatic Payment / Electronic Payment
  • Monthly Installments (by arrangement)
• Payment made in person, by cash or cheque, should be put in a sealed envelope together with the relevant invoice details for which you are enclosing payment.  This should then be left in 'Ralphies' Box' situated at the NWDA premises, upstairs by the office.

Penalty Charge

• A $25 penalty will be charged to any student attending classes without fees having been paid or without a prior payment arrangement being agreed to.

Examination Policy

• All Examination classes, both jazz and hip hop, are taught with the intention that students will sit examinations during term 3 each year.
• All Examination students, both jazz and hip hop, must attend a minimum of two classes per week to gain the necessary experience for examination work.
• Students will be entered into examinations at the discretion of the teacher, students and parents.
• Full NWDA uniform is compulsory for Examinations.
• Examination fees are additional to term fees and will be invoiced separately at the start of term 2.
• All students must attend an additional Examination Rehearsal.  The fee for this is additional to term fees and will be invoiced separately at the start of Term 2.
• Examination entry fees are non-refundable.

Medal Test Policy

• Recreational Students aged 7 to 12 years old (this does not include those students attending Concession Card Classes) may be invited to sit their Medal Test during term 3 of each year.
• Students will be entered at the discretion of the teacher, students and parents.
• Full NWDA uniform is compulsory for Medal Tests.
• Fees for the Medal Test are additional to term fees and will be invoiced separately at the start of term 2.
• All students must attend an additional Medal Test Rehearsal.  The fee for this is additional to term fees and will be invoiced separately at the start of Term 2.
• Medal Test fees are non-refundable.

Competition Troupes

• All Competition students are required to compete in scheduled competitions throughout the year.
• Competition Troupe positions are reviewed annually and are not automatic from year to year.  The Senior Competition Troupe will be personally selected by Nicola Wheeler with all other Competition Troupe auditions being held in term 4 of each year.
• All Jazz Competition students must attend a minimum of three classes per week being: examination class, performance class, and technical class. 
• All Hip Hop Competition students must attend a minimum of two classes per week being: examination class and performance class.
• All Competition students are required to have and wear the NWDA competition uniform to each competition where they are representing NWDA.
• The Competition uniform consists of the NWDA jacket and track pants for which order forms are available in the student lounge or online.
• Each student will be required to purchase, and is responsible for the cost of, a costume for each dance in which they are competing, refer to Performance Costume Policy.
• NWDA reserves the right to withdraw any student from the Competition Troupe if they are not achieving the required standard in dance, commitment or attitude.
• A Competition Fee of $30.00 (including GST) per student will be invoiced together with your Term 1 dance fees.  This will enable you to compete in competitions NWDA enters throughout the year and attend additional prior rehearsal classes.
• The above Competition Entry Fee is non-refundable.

Class Attendance and Behaviour

• Enrolment with NWDA not only teaches dance but also provides a positive lesson in commitment.  Support from both the teachers and the parents / guardians is necessary to assist in developing this commitment.
• Regular class attendance is vital for students to develop and progress with their dance style.
• Students must be punctual to class to ensure they receive a complete warm up.
• NWDA reserves the right to expel any student for bullying, swearing or disrespectful behaviour.
• In the event of an absence, it would be appreciated if parents could email, text or phone NWDA so all students can be accounted for.
• No food is permitted in the dance Studios.  A student lounge has been provided for this purpose.  All students are responsible for disposing of their rubbish.
• Chewing and bubble gum is strictly forbidden.
• Noise outside the dance studios and upstairs in the student lounge / the office area must be kept to a minimum as excess noise can impede both teachers and students' concentration.

Class Uniform Policy

• All students, with the exception of the Beginners Recreational Classes, the Adult Class and the Concession Card Classes must purchase and wear, by the end of their first term, the NWDA regulation uniform to each lesson.
• Order forms for the NWDA uniform are available in the student lounge or online.
• All other students are to be appropriately dressed for class.
• Appropriate footwear must be worn to each lesson.
• All hair must be neatly groomed and secured off the face.
• Any student inappropriately dressed / groomed will not be able to participate in class activities due to Health and Safety Regulations.
• No excess jewellery is to be worn.  This includes dangly earrings and bulky watches.
• Please ensure all student belongings are named.

Annual Performance Policy

• All students enrolled as full members of NWDA are required to dance in the Annual Concert which takes place at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre late November or early December.
• Students attending NWDA by way of Concession Card Classes will not take part in the Annual Concert.
• Each student participating in the concert is required to attend extra rehearsals, a full dress rehearsal and all performances.
• Parents / guardians are responsible for their child / children during the Annual Performance as child minders will not be provided.  Once your child / children have completed their item/s it is the parents / guardians responsibility to ensure the child/children are looked after.
• All recording, (including video, DVD, photographic, sound etc) and photography of the show is prohibited.  However, the Annual Performance is recorded and the Professional Performance DVD and photographs are available for purchase.
• Performance tickets are an additional cost and are available for purchase from the ticketing agent from approximately the end of October each year.  You will be notified when these become available.
• If a student has completed their performance and wishes to view the rest of the Annual Performance, due to the regulations covering the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre, they must have purchased a ticket.

Performance Costume Policy

• Each student will be required to purchase, and is responsible for the cost of, a costume per dance item in which they feature.  This applies to both the Annual Concert and Competitions.
• A non-refundable deposit of $60.00 (GST inclusive), per costume, will be invoiced with your Term 3 dance fees, or as necessary for competitions, and is payable immediately to enable an order to be placed.
• The deposit will be deducted from the final cost of the costume and the balance will be invoiced once the costume is available.
• Payment must be received in full before the costume is released to the student.
• The costume will then become and remain the property of the student.
• Costumes can be very elaborate.  The cost will vary depending on style, detail and size.  In many cases the cost of the costume is not able to be calculated, due to exchange rates, duty etc, until the costumes are landed or made available.  The costumes are very professional in keeping with the image of NWDA and are of a standard required for performance / competitions.

Choreography and Music

• Choreography for classes, examinations and performances remains the sole property of NWDA and / or the syllabus providers.
• Choreography must not be copied or used without prior permission from NWDA.
• NWDA is licensed with APRA for the use of music for teaching and performance purposes.
• Students can obtain a copy of the music used for their class, for the purpose of practicing, by supplying a blank CD to NWDA.

Photography & Videoing of Students

• Photography or videoing of students in class or at competitions is only allowed with the permission of the parent / guardians of the other student's and the approval of NWDA.  However, any photos or video footage taken at NWDA must only be used for dance practice purposes and not be used for public viewing.
• Photography or Videoing of students during the end of year Annual Concert is not permitted.

Merchandise

• A limited amount of NWDA merchandise is kept in stock.
• All NWDA merchandise is available for purchase and can be ordered by completing the appropriate order form which is located in the students' lounge or online.
• This form should then be left in 'Ralphies' Box' situated at the NWDA premises, upstairs by the office.

Communication Policy

• It is the responsibility of all parents and students to regularly read the Notice Board which is situated in the student lounge, upstairs at the NWDA premises.
• It is the responsibility of all parents and students to read Newsletters issued.  These will be issued either on paper or via email.
• A copy of the current newsletter will also be available on the NWDA website and on the Notice Board in the student lounge.
• Any changes to personal details should be immediately forwarded to NWDA to ensure our records are kept up to date.
• If you are experiencing difficulties please contact NWDA by phone or email.  It would be appreciated if you did not approach teachers during or between class times as this can be disruptive to other students.

Safety and Injury Policies

• While NWDA takes all reasonable care in the conduct of its classes, it accepts no responsibility for injury or loss caused during class or while students are on or near the NWDA premises.  This applies to any NWDA related company, agent, officer or employee of NWDA.
• Parents / guardians are responsible for ensuring that their child / children are physically and medically fit for the class.
• Nicola Wheeler's Dance Academy Limited aims to provide a safe environment to reduce the risk of injury.  However, dance is not without its risks and it should be recognised by all students, parents/guardians that participating in dance classes may result in personal injury.
• NWDA provides qualified and/or experienced dance teachers, who actively promote safe dance practice.  However, it is the student's responsibility to ensure they follow safe dance practice instruction given by their dance teacher at all times to avoid injury.  At all times during class, you are responsible for your personal safety and must not conduct yourself in such a way as to put others at risk.
• It is the responsibility of the student, parents/guardians to notify the teacher in the event of an injury or medical condition during or prior to class.
• Dance is a physical form of exercise; therefore it may be necessary for the teacher to engage in appropriate physical contact to enable correct posture, body alignment or to administer first aid.
• Students are to bring their drink in a bottle for each class.
• A first aid kit is kept on the premises and is available for any student to use with the permission of the teacher.
• Running on the premises is strictly prohibited.
• Lifting of children or climbing by children on the upper level of the studio for viewing down into the dance space is strictly prohibited.
• Nicola Wheeler's Dance Academy Limited students are under supervision whilst in class time only.  Teachers and staff are not responsible for students outside their allocated class time.
• For safety reasons, students must be collected from inside the building.  It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to ensure their student does not wait outside the building.
• It is the responsibility of all students and parents to familiarize themselves with the Fire Safety Evacuation Procedure.  This procedure is posted on the Notice Board in the student lounge.
• NWDA is a non smoking environment.

Class Viewing Policy

• Classes may be viewed on the TV monitors provided or from the viewing platform upstairs.
• Classes, with the exception of pre-school classes, are not to be viewed within the dance studio space.
• Lifting of children or climbing by children on the upper level of the studio for viewing down into the dance space is strictly prohibited.

Conduct

• NWDA strives to maintain a friendly environment in which to learn.  However, if you have any concerns they should be directed to the office or communicated by way of email to info@nicolawheeler.com.
• Chewing gum / bubble gum is not permitted on the premises.
• During class students are expected to listen and show respect to their follow dancers.  NWDA reserves the right to remove any disruptive student.  

Promotional

• I agree that any photography or video footage of any costumes or dances choreographed within NWDA can be used for promotional or advertising purposes and remains the sole property of NWDA.

Dismissal Policy

• NWDA maintains the right to dismiss any student or parent who breaches any of the stated terms and conditions.

Privacy Act

• To ensure we have all relevant personal details about our students, we will collect and keep information about you from time to time.
• This information includes the information you provide on your enrolment form and updates you may provide us with.
• You need to ensure that the information you give us is true, correct and complete.
• Under the Privacy Act 1993 you are entitled to have access to, and request correction of, this information. 
• This information will be held at Nicola Wheeler's Dance Academy Limited premises at 194 Moore Street, Howick.