About us

St Andrew's School (SAS, like sass) was formed in December 2004, following the retirement of one of Balmoral studio principals, Jeanne ROBINSON. Balmoral itself came into being in 1969, a partnership between Jeanne and Sandra SUPRANOWICZ serving Brisbane's southside, and concluded in mid-2007.

Brisbane is the capital of the State of Queensland, within the Commonwealth of Australia -- part of the world's largest island. SAS itself is situated in the suburb of Moorooka, fifteen minutes south of the centre of Brisbane.

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The teachers

All teachers are:

recognised to teach highland dancing through certifying bodies, such as the South Queensland Regional Committee of Highland Dancing Inc. (SQRCHDI);
experienced in competing at premier level and at championships; and
holders of Working with Children Check cards.

Memberships may also be held with auxiliary and umbrella dancing organisations. Several dancers also hold current first aid certificates ensuring other participants' well-being.

Alannah DOMINY has a double-bachelors in education, and is a registered teacher. Dancing since six years of age, her mother has also been involved in the highland scene since she herself was a child. Other activities include playing cricket and debating adjudication.

Relief teacher, Jeanne ROBINSON, has been involved in Scottish highland dancing for decades, as well as running Touch of Tartan as a Scottish-qualified official kilt maker. Jeanne was the principal of Balmoral studio.

We also have some talented and experienced dancers.

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Opportunities

Examinations: Examinations are conducted under the rules of the Queensland Scottish Dancing Association.

Activities: The school participates in many activities, including competitions and school fetes. Each student has different needs -- find the activity that drives you! Choose more than one!

We are also available for ceilidhs and demonstrations.

Students: Regardless of your ability, we accept men, women, girls and boys, of all ages and backgrounds (you don't have to be Scottish to enjoy this sport). Come in and find out.

Registration: Students who seek to compete and push their abilities through competition will be registered as a dancer of the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing.

Marshalling and scrutineering: At competitions, marshalling is ensuring dancers are correctly lined up before going onto stage to compete. Scrutineering (after passing the approved course) is transposing the judges' scores into results. Dancers 18 or over who are not competing (and hold a Working with Children card), or parents whose dancers are not competing on that day, may assist with these tasks. Marshalling provides a service, whilst having the advantage of being close to admire dancing styles.

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Available for hire

A wedding in the wings and want to walk through a guard of honour, or have dancers at the reception? Have a ceilidh calling and want to add spice and tradition to the night?

Is it one dancer for a Fling or five dancers for the Swords? One dance, or two fifteen-minute segments? Contact us and let us know your needs, and we'll let you know the price.

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Brisbane -- http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/ ; December 2007
Queensland -- http://www.qld.gov.au/ ; December 2007
Australia -- http://www.gov.au/ ; December 2007
Google maps -- http://maps.google.com/ ; December 2007
SQRCHDI -- http://www.sqrchdi.com/ ; December 2007
CCYPCG -- http://www.childcomm.qld.gov.au/ ; December 2007