We are every pleased to announce the arrival of Deepa Thakrar, who is the new Organiser for examinations in Italy. Deepa will be arranging examinations in Modern, Tap, Imperial Ballet and Cecchetti.

As I am sure you all realise, by reading the International pages in the Winter edition, the Centenary year of the ISTD has brought many changes. There is the Candidate Registration process for all teachers who are considering entering candidates for examinations this year. There are new timetables, timings for examinations, changes of name for some examinations, and some Faculties have introduced new Grades syllabi. Therefore there will be new syllabi or simply additional exercises to learn. We understand that you need to start teaching these new Grades as quickly as possible. Please rest assured that we will be arranging courses for teachers to attend to learn these new syllabi and as soon as we have more details we will let you know.

Claire Skelton
Head of International Examinations

Theatre Faculties only

I would like to try and answer some of the frequently asked questions received over the past few weeks since the new procedures have been operational.

Do I still have to complete the Candidate Registration Booklet if
my candidates have been issued PIN numbers following a previous examination?
Yes, we require that you register all your candidates once, ensuring that you provide their first names, last name, name to be displayed on their certificate, their date of birth, sex and ethnic origin.

Some parents do not wish to provide details of ethnic origin. What should I do?
If parents decline to give this information or if it is illegal in some countries to request this information, please simply write 98 in the ethnic origin category.

I have a candidate who I enter for Imperial Ballet examinations but she goes to another school for her Tap examinations. Do both teachers need to enter the candidate on their Candidate Registration Booklet?
Every candidate will receive a unique PIN number that will be used for any examination offered by the ISTD. If two teachers submit details regarding the same candidate, we will provide both teachers with the same PIN number to use when entering this candidate in the future.

My exams are scheduled for June. When should I send my Candidate Registration Booklet to ISTD HQ?
The earlier the better is the answer. Every teacher around the world will be following this process. I would advise that teachers submit their details as quickly as possible. The PIN numbers would be returned to the teachers and they can utilise them when completing their timetables.

I have read in DANCE that I can no longer enter my candidates for Grade 4 Modern? Is this true?
As from 1st January 2004 the whole world adopted the new changes issued by all ISTD Theatre faculties and therefore the Grade 4 Modern can no longer be examined. The Grade 4 work has been split to form the basis of the new Grade 5 and the new Grade 6. Therefore no candidates will be able to take this examination until they have learnt the additional exercises.
n Will some countries be given time to adjust to the new grades work?
No, all countries have changed at the same time and therefore everyone is
in the same position. Consequently, we are endeavouring to provide teachers with access to the new work as quickly as possible.

I have some report forms left over from examinations in 2003. Can I present them to the examiner when she comes over this summer?
No, all report forms have changed.
Any forms remaining from 2003 must be disposed of carefully and new report forms will be sent to you directly or via your Organiser.

Why have the report forms changed?
They have changed for a number of reasons. Some of the syllabi have
altered and therefore new forms are required. A new grading system has come into effect on 1st January 2004 where candidates will be graded on an ABC N scale.

I am still waiting on some certificates from my examination session in 2003? Why have I not received them?
There are a number of certificates withheld at ISTD Headquarters as several teachers have not yet paid their membership subscription for 2003. To avoid this happening teachers must have paid up subscriptions before any arrangements can be made for their examination session.

I have my examination session confirmed and am planning on sending the examination fees following the examinations. Is this ok?
No, all teachers must submit their examination fees to their Organiser
or Headquarters prior to the examinations. ISTD reserve the right to cancel examinations if examination fees are not submitted in time.

I live in Europe and am hoping to take Associates examinations in Imperial Ballet, Modern and Tap before they finish in August 2004. Can I use a CD instead of a pianist?
Pianists are preferred for all Associate exams but CD is acceptable for Modern and Tap. A pianist must be used for Imperial Ballet and Cecchetti.

I live in New Zealand and have read that the Associate and Associate Diploma are finishing in August. Is this correct and do I have to start learning the new Foundation in Dance Instruction and the Certificate in Dance Education?
No, this is not correct. The Associate and Associate Diploma are only
finishing in EUROPE on 31st August 2004. The rest of the world will continue to have the Associate and Associate Diploma for the time being. The Qualifications will change, however, with such a large project we need to roll this out gradually.

Do I need to complete an APL form if I am no longer entering candidates for examinations?
No, only teachers in Europe who are planning on entering candidates for examinations will need to complete the booklet and return it to the Education and Training department.

What happens once I have submitted my APL form?
A Faculty based Committee will assess every candidates’ booklet and will determine what units, if any, the candidate needs to complete of the new teaching qualifications.

I have been told by the Education and Training department which units of the Foundation in Dance Instruction I need to take. Can I still enter candidates for examinations or do I need to wait until I achieve my units?
Following instruction from the Education and Training department, teachers have until September 2006 to achieve the units for the FDI or CDE. Teachers, with fully paid up membership, can continue to enter candidates for examinations until this time.

I have my Associate and have submitted my APL form. I am hoping to pursue a dance career now and therefore will not be taking the FDI units for a possible 5 years. Will I lose my Associate status? Can I take the FDI units following my dance career?
You will not lose your Associate status. In 5 years time, when you return to teaching and wish to start entering pupils for examinations you will need to take the FDI units.

I hope I have managed to answer some of your questions. If your require further explanations regarding anything administrative regarding the candidate pin process, timetables, dates of exams, request for an examination session or request for courses please contact either your organiser or ISTD Headquarters.

If you have questions which are of an artistic nature regarding the content of the syllabi and the steps to be performed, please contact the relevant faculty secretary. The faculty secretary will not be able to provide you with details of the examiner who is coming to cover your examinations or to provide you with an examiner who can conduct a course.

Calling all teachers in Ireland
A course has been arranged to teach the new Primary, Grade 5 and Grade
6 Modern (minus the amalgamations) and it is scheduled for Sunday 30th
May 2004.

The location is to be confirmed, however if you are interested in attending please contact your organiser Tracey Eames at ISTD HQ
(internationalassistant@istd.org) so we can keep you informed as to the arrangements.

Error Statement
The ISTD no longer require teachers to forward their official results sheets from previous sessions.

The ISTD have reviewed its procedures and all candidates will receive a completely new pin number. It will be this pin number that you will need to retain and use every time you enter your candidates for examinations in the future.

Deepa Thakrar

Deepa joined the ISTD as the Italian Organiser in January 2004. She is a European Studies and Italian graduate from the University of Manchester.
As part of her degree she completed an Erasmus year in Bergamo studying and more recently undertook the ‘Leonardo da Vinci’ project working with an events organizer. The position involved assisting the directors to organize medical events held in Italy which was attended by over 400 delegates worldwide.She is keen to develop and maintain her passion for the Italian language and culture.

A word from Deepa to the Italian members…

“Gentili Membri, desiderei esprimerVi il mio più profondo ringraziamento per aver accolto benevolmente il mio incarico. Vi chiedo gentilemente di inoltrarmi tutte le Vostre informazioni (assieme col pagamento) relative entro le date prestabilite, al fine di poter svolgere questi esami con al massima efficienza. Vi ricordo che il versamento della tassa annuale del 2004 adesso doveva essere aggiornato al fine di proseguire con i Vostri esami.

Con riferimento all’annucncio nell’edizione autunnale di ‘Dance’ e nel plico che Vi ho appena spedito è stato necessario fare una revsione per quanto riguarda i codici PIN. Tutti i candidati riceveranno un nuovo numero PIN (anche se l’hanno già ricevuto per l’ esame precendente). Tutti i dati degli esami precendenti veranno conservati alla Sede Centrale, quindi il numero PIN che riceverete ora sarà quello ufficiale per tutti i Vostri esami futuri.
L’ISTD sta lavorando col British Council di Bologna per risolvere tutti i Vostri problemi per quanto riguarda il ritardato nell’arrivo dei Vostri diplomi. Pare che qualche insegnante non ci ha ancora inoltrato le ricevute o le quote d’esame delle seguenti sessioni: novembre - dicembre 2002, aprile-giugno 2003 e novembre - dicembre 2003. Perciò se qualcuno di Voi sta ancora aspettando i Suo diploma, Vi chiedo di contattarmi in modo tale da poter risolvere quanto prima questa situazione.

Inoltre, Vi ricordo che tutti i bonfici dovrebbero indicare il nominativo dell’insegnante perchè abbiamo ricevuto qualche qualche bonifico con semplicemente il nome della scoula oppure il nome del titolare del conto.
Resto a Vostra completa disposizione per qualsiasi informazione e chiaramento, Vi ricordo il mio indirizzo di posta elettronica: organiseritalia@istd.org

Colgo l’occasione per porgerVi i miei più Cordiali saluti.”

The ISTD is delighted that Deepa has taken over the organization of the Italian Theatre examinations and would like to thank all the Italian members for their support and co-operation over this transition period.

More information on International Exams