START OF TERM 2

Last weekend, almost a hundred Principals and teachers from the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy met in Manchester to workshop the exciting new curriculum for the coming term. Covering material for all ages - from Kindy Drama for 3 year olds to Adult Drama - the practitioners participated in the sessions as they would expect their own classes to do!

What attentive listeners these students are!

The gurgling coffee machine .......

No-one understands me .......

'Youth Theatre' students working on their own creative improvisations.

Many teachers from around the country were attending a Seminar for the first time and it was wonderful to see how they integrated and worked together with people they had never met before.

Term starts this week; check the website www.helenogrady.co.uk for details of local classes.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR READERS!

It looks like 2012 will be an exciting and challenging year for young Stroud mum, Rosie Reynolds, as she takes over as new Principal of the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy in Gloucestershire, just months after her first baby, Barney, was born.

24 year old Rosie studied drama at Coventry University where her speciality was the use of drama as an educational tool, perfectly equipping her for her new role as Principal!

Rosie, who taught with the Academy while ex-Principal Nikki Flack was in charge, sais: "I am very proud and excited to be taking over in Gloucestershire. The exciting after school and Saturday classes are great fun! I totally believe in the programme and the benefits it has for children of all ages.

Rosie, who starts classes on Tuesday 1oth January, can be contacted on 01453 756039 or email glos@helenogrady.co.uk We wish her the best of luck!

MEXICANS AND GRUBBY GERMS - THEN CHRISTMAS COMES TO THE ACADEMY!

Imagination is running high at the Academy. In Norwich, students enjoyed their Mime to Music "The Grubby Germs" and really took on their characters thanks to some stunning masks provided by Principal, Gill Prins.

Previously the children had put together a play called "Go Easy On The Chilli" and Mexican costumes were all the rage!

With Christmas looming, Bournemouth Principal, Susana Ayala, took her students to join the Christmas Parade. Here they are, with Susana (r), all dressed as snowmen, ready to perform.


Back in Norwich, the children had another Mime to Music called "The Christmas Decorations" when, with the help of some props, they became a stunning Christmas tree!

And then (almost all) the lights went out ........

NATIONAL TALKING WEEK IN NORTH LEICESTERSHIRE

Principal of North Leicestershire branch, Beth Daniel, had lots of exciting activities going on during the recent National Talking Week for BBC Children In Need.

Many of her students were proud to sport the special edition T-shirts which were available.
They wore them proudly!
Parents came along to hear their children do their National Talking! They were expected to join in with the drama activities too, of course!
The children had been encouraged to write a story about their adventures with Pudsey Bear, so they could read it for National Talking Week!

MEETING PUDSEY BEAR!

A team from Head Office took a very large cheque to the live BBC Children In Need show on Friday night. But it wasn't as smooth as it should have been. A big accident on the M4 meant the team were delayed at the service station en route but the intrepid Goodfields managed to pick up speed eventually and arrive with enough time to put baby Morgan down for the night!

Here he is keeping an eye on the cheque!
And here are the girls sharing the moment with the intrepid Pudsey Bear.

Sir Terry Wogan spotted the cheque during the evening and the Academy had their mention on air. Well done to all those concerned, they all had a fabulous time. Sadly, Morgan wasn't allowed to attend!

NATIONAL TALKING WEEK IN OLDHAM

There was definitely a spotty theme going on in Helen O'Grady classes in Oldham last week! Principal, Wendy Orrell, and her team made a huge effort to raise lots of money during National Talking Week!

There was a lot of baking going on and parents paid - sometimes well over the odds! - for her very delicious cakes.

Everyone was encouraged to wear spots.

And parents were more than happy to join in with the talking.

It was all very exciting!

As well as the cakes and the talking, there was also a competition to guess the number of sweeties in the jar.

Everyone shared in the spirit of Pudsey!

As always, parents in the area were very generous with their cash, as Wendy and her staff were with their time and effort. They hope to raise close to £2,000 towards the final total.

Congratulations to them all!

CHILDREN IN NEED IN BRISTOL CLASSES

In Bristol, parents were invited to attend classes during National Talking Week! They joined in with the lessons, they listened to their children talk and they donated a lot of money!

Proud parents bought special edition T-shirts for their children. All proceeds donated to the charity.

Teacher, Kathryn Gregory, puts both children and parents through their paces!

Children found lots to talk about!

Executive Principal, Alison Mazanec said: "We were very proud of all of students for taking part. The atmosphere in class was very exciting and some of the talks were very moving."

The Bristol branch of the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy raised almost £2,000 towards the final total. Congratulations to them all!