RSCDS NZ Branch - Summer School

Hello All. Here is the web link for information about the 2026/7 New Zealand Summer School:
https://sites.google.com/view/summerschool26-27/

We would love to see you there:)

RSCDS Auckland Summer School Join us at Waipuna Hotel & Conference Centre for a week of dancing, connection and fun.

AND IT'S A WRAP FROM US.

Our committee, pictured here on the final night a week ago, are just tidying up loose ends and looking forward to putting our feet up properly, for a good while at least.

Special thanks to Su Marshall for amazing social media coverage throughout the School, including this image. Likewise to Loralee Hyde and Joy Tracey for their superb coverage and willingly helping with more formal photos. These will be circulated when they have been fully processed.

As organiser of my first Summer School I could not have chosen a better committee, sub-committees, gofors, or requested and gratefully received help from our Region. Support from local dance clubs ensured suppers were generous and well received by dancers tuckered out at the end of the evening, yet looking forward to the next day with enthusiasm. Everyone happily chipped in to make events run smoothly. Our transport team made sure everyone was welcomed on arrival, in the right place at the right time during the School and on their way safely home at the end of the School. After a couple of unfortunately cancelled Schools we were very pleased to be back at College House, enjoying their updated facilities, relaxing spaces, catering and incredibly helpful staff.

A few highlights .... Our afternoon offerings - podiatry session with Georgina, Swing dancing with Carla, a chance to visit The Antarctic Centre, a general class with Linda Henderson, a "little music session" with Ewan Galloway Music and friends, and of course Mock Court were all well received. Fancy Dress Night saw everyone in the '20's spirit. A lucky few took away prizes judged by "The Peaky Highlanders" and kindly sponsored by McPhees Celtic https://mcphees.co.nz/ All our MCs did a great job to make sure everyone had plenty of dancing in the evenings using up any energy left after classes. Hogmanay was our biggest night and who would have thought singing the New Year in to the Proclaimer's "I'm Gonna Be" would be such a hit .... we thought you'd like it.

Initial feedback from our after school survey has been really positive and I cannot be more pleased with how the School ran. There is always room for improvement so we are taking those comments on board to make sure future Schools run smoothly and are enjoyed by everyone.

There is one group of people to thank and they are absolutely key to us all enjoying Summer School. A massive thanks to our teaching and musician staff for being such an amazing team bringing out the best in our dancers and fellow musicians. Rest assured, your feedback has been absolutely phenomenal and we look forward to seeing you all back at a New Zealand Branch Summer School in the future.

Now to pass the baton. Best wishes to Emma Uren (another first time organiser) and her committee for a successful School in Auckland later this year. Yes, it is just 351 days away, so get your registrations in.

For information about our upcoming ceilidh night, 3 Jan, see details on our website.

RSCDS NZ Branch South Island Summer School 2025-2026 - Ceilidh Ceilidh

The fun has started. Thanks for sharing.

This time next week you'll likely be in transit to Summer School and looking forward to a week of classes to improve your skills and evening dances to show them off. Our overseas musicians are in the air flying in early to have a relaxing Christmas in the central South Island and aim to arrive fresh to play for us all on the first night of dancing.
Our committee has a few more tasks to arrange and then we too will have a break with family and enjoy the festivities. We are all set and looking forward to welcoming you to Christchurch and rekindling old friendships, or making new ones.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and safe travels to Summer School.

About this time in a month you may have finished your first morning class, had some lunch and looking forward to getting to the shops to get some new music, books, jewelry, shoes etc. We are very please to announce that we will have both the New Zealand Branch shops https://dancescottish.org.nz/ # and local store Highland Etc https://www.highlandetc.co.nz/ at our school. Do make sure you come and visit them.

Home Kilt Hire & Highland Dancing Supplies Kilt Hire We provide kilt hire for weddings and all other events and celebrations.   Kilt Hire Services

Just 7 weeks to go until Summer School in Christchurch.
One of the first events to happen is the welcome for those attending their first New Zealand Branch Summer School. We are thrilled to have 52 registrants in that category many from overseas taking the opportunity to visit our beautiful land and enjoy some great music and dancing.
Registrations are open for another 10 days so if you want to join in the fun you'd better get in quick. Some spaces still available at College House for residents, but not many.
See you soon

Some of you will have already danced to the magical music that is Ewan Galloway.
And for those of you that haven't, you're in for a real treat when he comes to play at Summer School in just 8 weeks.
In the meantime, back in chilly dark Scotland, his band has been nominated for the MG ALBA Scots Traditional Music Awards, and YOU CAN VOTE! Please do.....
Here's the link. You can just pop your name and email address on the first page, then skip over lots of questions without having to submit an answer until you get to question 16, then choose Ewan Galloway Band. You won't regret it.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/STMAvoting2025

Voting closes 16 November, so don't delay, vote today.
(For those of you that aren't sure, he's the second from the right in the photo).
PS Hazel is so excited he's going to be playing for two of her classes at Summer School. Soooooo excited!!)

Time is flying by. It is hard to believe in a couple of months we will be more than halfway through the School having finished dancing at the Presidents Ball likely followed by a wee party at "The Stagger Inn Down Under".
Keep an eye on our website for full details. All the programmes for the evening dances are there along with links to lists on The Strathspey Server. Time to start practicing. There will be door sales if you happen to be in town and want to join us. For Hogmanay or Presidents Ball we need to know in advance for catering purposes.