Education Rules

2024 INFORMATION

EDUCATION

 

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2024 RULES AND CONDITIONS

EDUCATION

1. Dancers/Studios enter and participate in this eisteddfod according to all rules and guidelines listed. Lack of knowledge will not be accepted as a reason for the infringement of any rule. May we bring your attention to rule 4  if this is the first time you have entered this competition.

2. This Eisteddfod is open to amateurs only who have not or are not receiving income is derived from the particular class for which they entered.

3. This is a family-oriented dance eisteddfod; therefore costumes, routines and lyrics must be suitable.

4. HOSIERY
The Sunshine Coast Dance Eisteddfod Committee sees that our most important duty is as guardians of the Competitors who enter this dance competition. We take our job very seriously therefore we adopt the ‘No Tights, No Dance’ policy. We take great pride in providing a venue for all Competitors to develop their craft and performance in dance, in a safe, family orientated environment and we hope you will support our decision as we are sincere in our actions.  To clarify this rule to participate -: the dancer, Female and Male are to wear ‘dance tights’ and should be to the knee (knee length) in all genres of dance. We thank you for your attention and support in this delicate matter. If you need clarification regarding this rule please email info@dancesunshinecoast.com.au. 

5. COPYRIGHT
The Eisteddfod Committee is not responsible for any infringement of copyright or royalty by performers or those associated with the performances. Copied music and choreography is used at their own risk. We assume that all studios/schools hold the relevant licenses.

6. THE ADJUDICATORS DECISION WILL BE FINAL 
No prize will be awarded unless there is sufficient merit.  The Adjudicator has the power to withhold or divide prizes according to merit of performance.  Communication with the Adjudicator either by competitors, teachers or other interested parties during the Eisteddfod is forbidden. All inquiries or requests are to be directed to the Committee or Conductor of session not the Adjudicator.

7. ALTERATIONS; CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM OR ADJUDICATOR 
The Committee reserves the right to make any alterations or additions to the program when they become necessary and to appoint a Substitute Adjudicator at any time without notice.  Competitors dance in all sections AT THEIR OWN RISK & in the ORDER ACCORDING TO THE Program. 

8. NO PUBLIC PROTEST WILL BE PERMITTED AT THE SESSION
Protests must be made in writing and handed to the Secretary within half an hour of the cause of the protest arising, accompanied by a fee of $50.00, which will be forfeited if the protest is considered frivolous. The decision of the Eisteddfod Protest Committee will be final.

9. TIME LIMITS 
Time limits will be strictly adhered to otherwise penalties will apply.   

Maximum Time limits for Education Groups: Up to 5 Minutes
Maximum Time limits for Student Solos: Up to 2 Minutes

10. AGE LIMIT 
Competitors must be prepared to provide Proof of Age/Grade if required.

Please be advised that the section you enter is determined by the oldest Competitor, younger dancers may participate in older sections. e.g. A student in Grade 8 but may compete in Secondary Sections Grade 10 to 12. In dance it is normal to dance-up as long as the total team does not have a dancer who is in a higher school grade than specified.  

11. GROUPS
A maximum of three groups only per School are permitted to enter in any one section.  Group sections are determined by the age of the eldest competitor in the group.  The minimum number in any group is 4 dancers; the maximum number is 50 Dancers. Competitors are permitted to appear in both groups. The Teacher has the responsibility of checking in their groups and seeing they are marshalled ready to dance in turn (in the order of the program).  

There will be no official marshalling and failure to appear will not be the responsibility of the Eisteddfod Committee and you will forfeit your entry.

  Note: NO LIGHTING BLACKOUTS.  

  Note: NO ROSIN ever to be used on the stage.

12. SONG & DANCE SECTIONS  
NO VOCAL BACKING IS ALLOWED WHILST SINGING, however, vocals are allowed whilst dancing. 

13. TAP SHOES 
No pre-recorded tapping during dance sections is permitted.  Tap shoes must not be worn in the auditorium and tap shoes must be removed or covered backstage. Great care is needed on the polished wooden floor, if you are Tapping (Tap Dancing) you must not tap or rehearse on the wooden floors.

14. EXPECTATIONS / BAD SPORTSMANSHIP 
As this is a friendly Eisteddfod that respects all who wish to take part, bad sportsmanship will not be tolerated.  Anyone who distresses a Teacher, Competitor, or a Volunteer will be subject to the Disciplinary Action Schedule. 

A select number of Committee members will be responsible for delivering a Grade of Disciplinary Action should the Sunshine Coast Dance Eisteddfod be compromised in any way. 

The relevant grades for this disciplinary action will be:  

  Grade 6   Verbal warning
  Grade 5   Written warning 
  Grade 4   Loss of points 
  Grade 3   Disqualification  
  Grade 2   12 Month ban
  Grade 1   24 Months ban 

15. PROPS
Props need to be delivered to the designated area PRIOR to the commencement of each day. Further information will be emailed prior to the groups event. Props cannot enter through the front doors once we have opened to the public. Props are to be placed on stage with a time limit of one minute. Competitors must show respect for the stage. Props must never be dragged. NO foreign substance is to be spilt on the stage and NO lit candles or naked flames are permitted. No special effects or rosin ever to be used on the stage. Assistance with props is allowed but only when it is your studio’s item & section and ask for props & these helpers vacate the side of stage area immediately after.

16. MUSIC (EDUCATION GROUPS)
Music must be submitted prior to the event through Music Uploads. Information will be released once the program is finalised.

17. BACKSTAGE SUPPORT
We ask you to be respectful of the amount of people backstage acting as support – 1 or 2 Teachers maximum per group. Backstage management has the right to remove anyone at any time and we ask that you always follow the directions of the Stage Manager or face penalties. Assistance with props is allowed but only when it is your studio’s item & section and ask for props & these helpers vacate the side of stage area immediately after. No backstage support is allowed for solos.

18. PHOTOGRAPHY OR VIDEOGRAPHY
The taking of photographs by cameras, video cameras or mobile phone cameras of any performance is strictly forbidden. This is a rule of the Child Protection Act. Professional services are provided in both photography and videography and is to be arranged with the consent of the Parent/Teacher prior to the performance. Should this rule not be adhered to then this may result in disqualification. Any device with a screen is strictly forbidden to be used by audience members during any performance and includes videos taken side of stage from the wings. All dressing rooms have a strict NO PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEOGRAPHY rule. There are plenty of open spaces at the venue you can utilise for your personal photography. Please ensure all dancers/dressing room helpers are aware of this rule.

19. DRESSING ROOMS & CARE OF THE EVENTS CENTRE CALOUNDRA
Competitors must not rehearse on stage OR on the polished floor in the Glasshouse dressing room. In shared dressing rooms, all competitors and associated parties are expected to demonstrate respect for the space, costumes and belongings of others at all times. Each Dancer will be responsible for keeping their dressing space clean and tidy. The toilets/bathrooms cannot be used as change rooms or for hair and make-up. A $200 cleaning fee will be charged to the school in question if any school leave their area unclean/untidy. It is best to bring many rugs to cover the floor area of your allocated dressing room as this helps  to avoid problems with make-up and any spills. Please also refer to rule 18 regarding photography/videography in dressing room areas.

20. AWARDS/REPORTS
Groups: A Trophy is awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd. Ribbon Awards for 4th, 5th, VHC and HC. Solos: Medals are awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, VHC and HC Reports are given for ALL dances. It is the schools’ responsibility to collect their written reports/awards from the administration table before leaving the premises. ONLY Teachers may collect schools awards/ribbons/report sheets.

21. THEATRE ETIQUETTE
No person will be permitted to leave/enter the auditorium whilst any item is in progress or whilst adjudications are being given. Please advise students and supporters that yelling from the audience or side-of-stage is not correct theatre etiquette, we realize that it is meant as encouragement but should be discouraged as sometimes it can actually be distracting and dangerous during lifts, acrobatic skills etc when it is important for the performer to concentrate.

22. PROMPTING
Prompting during performances of any item is strictly prohibited. Assistance in singing and any form of vocalizing by teachers and non-competitors side stage is prohibited.

23. REFUNDS & CHANGES TO YOUR INVOICE
No refunds will be given unless the Sunshine Coast Dance Committee cancels the event/section. In the case of cancellation ALL refunds will be minus the Comps-On-Line fee of $4.50 and the SCDE administration fee.
Changes to your entry due to honest mistakes will happily be rectified up to 7 days after your invoice is generated, please email with your request to info@scde.com.au including all the relevant information, section numbers etc. Changes after 7 days will incur a $20 fee per dance, so please enter carefully.

24. INJURY AND ILLNESS RESCUE RULE
On the day of the Eisteddfod if you have the unfortunate situation where a student/s have covid or any other transmissable illness OR have been injured in the preceeding few days and are unable to dance this rule will apply: All Teams will be allowed a dancer substitution of 10% of their team by a dancer who is up to and no more than 1 year older. (cut-off date is by 31st Dec)
 
Team Sizes
Up to 14 dancers                 1 dancer substitution
15 & up to 24 dancers         2 dancer substitutions 
25 & up to 34 dancers         3 dancer substitutions
35 & up to 44 dancers         4 dancer substitutions 
45 & up to 50 dancers         5 dancer substitutions
Again, any replacement dancer can be no more than 1 year older by the 31st Dec.

You can substitute an many dancers you like who are of the correct age for the particular section but by allowing a percentage of dancers (1) year older it will make the process easier and less stressful for the dancers and the teachers we hope.
 
This way we feel you may have reserves who have done a dance in a previous year ready, rehearsed and are able to step in should this unfortunately occur during these uncertain times. Should you have a ‘Rescue Dancer’ in the team on the day you must follow the following protocol:
The substitute dancer/s, along with a teacher MUST register and hand in the attached form (we will have spare copies on the day) at the administration desk prior to the section commencing. We must be notified of these substitutions and when they occur to avoid any issues. Failure to do this may result in disqualification from the section.

GENERAL INFORMATION
The doors will open 1 hour before the session starts. It is advisable that all Schools are on the premises 1 hour before the start of the Session. 

Food will be available for purchase at the Events Centre. Please discourage eating in the dressing rooms.

IMPORTANT!
EVERY school needs to report to the administration table prior to leaving The Events Centre to collect all reports, ribbons, music. The SCDE Committee will not post out anything after the day of the event.