Ballet in the Secondary School

All Ballet students are required to participate in the annual Dance Showcase.

The Vocational Graded Pathway

The College offers Vocational Grades – Intermediate Foundation to Advanced One in 2025. The Vocational Grades are for dedicated, skilled and passionate ballet students. They are beautifully crafted syllabi, incorporating pointe work and challenging exercises to further develop the dancer’s classical technique. The Vocational Grades are by invitation only and to express interest in a Selection Class please contact dance@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au

Students will only complete their examination if they have met all the requirements below and have accomplished the syllabus work. The College will determine each student’s entry for examination on an individual basis and will advise parents accordingly. Students are not guaranteed to complete their examination in the year they commence the grade. In some cases, it may take two years for a student to accomplish all vocational work. The RAD Examinations for Vocational Grades are exceptionally difficult. Students are examined under the expectation of their future as a professional dancer.

The College also offers Pymble Presentation Examinations if students are not able to meet the requirements for a formal Royal Academy of Dance Examination.

All students wishing to be considered for the RAD Vocational Examinations must:

1. Commit to attending the compulsory scheduled weekly classes all year as per the table below. 

2. Have passed the Pre-Pointe Assessment with a Dance Physiotherapist.

3. Commit to at least five private lessons a year.

4. Register and agree to all CCSA requirements online, including the registration and examination fees.

5. Commit to attending a Mock Examination.

6. Commit to attending at least one Holiday Workshop. 

7. Uphold the College values while participating in the Examinations.

8. Communicate with the Head of Dance about any issues that may arise during the year.

9. To ensure safe dance practice, candidates must have reached the minimum age of 11 by September 1 (for exam sessions taking place between September and December).

NEW in 2025

Open Ballet will not be compulsory in 2025 but the students will be required to pick a compulsory additional class from the below choices. 

Additional Options:

Open Ballet

Open Ballet is for students who have previous experience in ballet and want to keep up their ballet training with no exam expectations. The benefits of an open ballet class gives students the opportunity to freely explore and develop their classical technique, whilst having the space to move and express themselves creatively. 

Open Ballet 2 - Year 7 to 9 - Students must have at least 2 + years experience in Ballet

Open Ballet 3 - Year 10 to 12 - Students must have at least 4 + years experience in Ballet

Dance Conditioning

Dance Conditioning is a specialised technique class designed for Secondary Ballet and Eisteddfod students. This class aims to enhance flexibility, muscle strength, endurance, and overall muscle memory, for overall improvement for specific dance technique and steps. The exercises incorporate Pilates principles alongside general dance techniques. Dance Conditioning is essential for all dance styles, fostering overall strength in dancers. As students build strength and gain confidence in controlling their bodies, they also improve their dance technique.

Dance Pilates 

Dance Pilates is a specialised class that focuses on core strength, flexibility, and alignment to enhance a dancer’s performance and technique. It combines traditional Pilates exercises with targeted movements designed to support dance-specific needs, improving body awareness, balance, and muscle control.

* Students must select one of the optional classes to suit their schedule. No exemptions will be granted. 

• Due to the high level required for Intermediate to Advanced 2 Pointe Work in 2025 students will now be required to do an additional 30 minute pointe class on top of their required 2 syllabus classes and supplement class. Intermediate Foundation will do their pointe lesson in their syllabus class time.

Discount Scheme for Vocational Ballet - Side stage class discount **NEW in 2025

All students in Vocational Ballet will be eligible to receive the following discounts on one Side stage class. Vocational RAD Ballet are classified as selective classes in Secondary School.

Average full cost of one Side stage Class is $860.00

Students in 3 Selective Groups - 50% off one Side stage Class
Students in 2 Selective Groups - 40% off one Side stage Class
Students in 1 Selective Group - 30% off one Side stage Class
Performance Stream students in Year 12 HSC Dance - one Complimentary Side stage Class 

Year 7 to Year 12 Private Lessons

Terms and Conditions:

• Private Ballet Lessons are only available to students who intend to complete an RAD Class Award or Examination this year (Grade 2 to Advanced One).

• Lessons cancelled due to events/appointments will be charged in full if notification is not received at least 48 hours prior to the lesson time.

• Lessons cancelled due to illness will be charged in full if notification is not received prior to 7.30am on the morning of the lesson.

Pre-Pointe Assessments

All new students enrolled in Intermediate Foundation or above will have an individual Pre-Pointe Assessment with a Dance Physiotherapist. This Pre-Pointe screening is essential to ensure the student is ready to progress to pointe work.

The assessment covers areas such as ankle strength, turnout range and hip mobility as well as core control and body alignment. Following the assessments each student receives a Dance Report which outlines areas to improve via specific exercises given by the Dance Physiotherapist. All students will then have a follow-up appointment to monitor student progress.

Isobel Anderson Awards

Students who achieve a high result in their ballet exams will be invited to participate in the prestigious Royal Academy of Dance, Isobel Anderson Awards. Held at the end of Term 1, the event involves a series of classes and auditions, where dancers compete alongside many other students from across Sydney. This offers dancers a fantastic opportunity to advance their ballet development, gain valuable performance experience, and build confidence in a supportive environment. Open to students who have completed their Vocational Examination from Intermediate Foundation to Advanced 1, the Awards foster growth through collaboration with peers and guest teachers, helping dancers refine their artistry and technique while preparing them for future opportunities, including international competitions.