I am particularly happy to be writing this message to all our members on the eve of the ISTD’s Centenary! 2003 has been a very busy year as we prepare for this important milestone in our history. Many events are planned for 2004 and we hope to see as many of our members as possibleat these events throughout the year.

A Centenary Calendar has been produced and we think you will find this extremely attractive with a picture of each of our 12 dance genres illustrating the months from January through to December. Also of great interest is our Centenary Book, which gives a fascinating insight into the ISTD’s past, as well as looking forward to the future in its final chapter. Both these items are available from our Sales Department.

Also to celebrate the Centenary, the Dance Sport Faculties have introduced a Centenary Award medal test. Further details can be obtained from the Examinations Department.

At the beginning of 2003, the ISTD’s new teaching qualifications, the Foundation in Dance Instruction and the Certificate in Dance Education, were submitted to the QCA for accreditation. Further information was sent to the QCA, as a response to their initial feedback, during November.

These new qualifications are being introduced in January 2004 and, after the end of August 2004, the Associate and Associate Diploma will no longer be available in the UK and Europe. By now, all members should have received a form on which to apply for Accredited Prior Learning for transfer to the new system. This is essential if you wish to continue entering candidates for ISTD examinations, so we hope you will contact our Education and Training Department if you have any queries.

During the Summer, our Theatre Faculty Graded Examinations were re-accredited by the QCA until 2009. The Dance Sport Faculties created Graded Examinations for the first time and were proud to have these accredited by the QCA until 2009 as well. The Dance Sport Graded Examinations will not be supplanting the existing Medal Tests, but will be running alongside as an extra option from January 2004.

The re-accreditation of the Theatre Faculty Graded Examinations has meant that changes have been introduced, to come into effect from January 2004, to make the Faculties more consistent. Therefore, teachers will notice that all Theatre Faculties now have Graded Examinations up to Grade 6 and changes in examination timings have been introduced to bring more parity.

Work is continuing on Vocational Graded Examinations for the Theatre Faculties so that these can be re-accredited in 2004. The Dance Sport Faculties are introducing Vocational Graded Examinations in 2004 for the first time and their committees are working closely with Theatre colleagues to assist with this project.

As well as our usual Congresses in London and Worthing, a very successful Congress was held in Falkirk, Scotland in September. The ISTD was thrilled to see so many people on the dance floor at this two-day event, both children and teachers.

Our Head of Education and Training gave a presentation on the new teaching qualifications to the teachers, which was well-received and many queries answered.

To think that the ISTD is still thriving after 100 years gives us all at the ISTD a true sense of pride and achievement. We want to share this very special occasion with you all and to thank particularly those who, in recent years, have made the ISTD’s continuing achievements possible. This includes our Council, our Faculty committees, organisers and examiners as well as the staff and management team at Headquarters – John Drinkwater, Cathy Browne, Jon Singleton, Cynthia Pease, Claire Skelton and Matthew Wilkinson.

I am sure you would want to join me to raise a proverbial ‘toast’ to the pioneers of yesteryear who made all this possible and who are celebrated in the new Centenary Book. A big thank you to them, to all of you and here’s to the next 100 years!

Wishing all our members and colleagues a very happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year.

Michael J Browne
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Chief Executive