NATIONAL DRAMA WEEK - 28th September - 4th October

As part of our 30th Anniversary celebrations, Helen O'Grady branches around the country are this week celebrating National Drama Week. Thousands of invitations have been distributed via existing classes and schools to children who may want to come along and try one of our exciting drama lessons. Principals and teachers around the country are presenting special school workshops to demonstrate the fun elements of a lesson to the students and the benefits of the structured and progressive programme to the teachers.

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HELEN O'GRADY CLASSES IN ACTION

ACADEMY OPENS NEW BRANCH IN WESTERN ISLES, FURTHEST NORTH LOCATION IN THE WORLD!

A very excited group of children from Tong Primary School on the Isle of Lewis following their first drama lesson.

New Principal, Isabelle Maciver (R) with Head of Tong School, Dorothy Kennedy

National Training Manager, Margaret Darley, demonstrating pre-school drama with nursery children in Tong.

This week has seen the opening of the Academy's latest branch in the Western Isles. The Isle of Lewis, where classes are commencing, is the largest and most populous of the Outer Hebridean Islands. The main town, Stornoway, has just over 6,000 residents.

New Principal, Isabelle McIver, has worked with children on the island for many years
and is well known and respected by Head Teachers. She will deliver the curriculum, in after school classes, initially to children from age 5 to 11. Margaret Darley, Training Manager for the Academy, spent the week with her, introducing the programme to schools in the area. Margaret also demonstrated the Academy's new 'Kindy Drama', which will be on offer on Lewis in the new year.

Margaret said: "This is something completely new to the island. Children and parents alike were thrilled with the lessons. Isabelle is an excellent teacher and we know she will offer exciting and fun lessons to all age groups. The school staff I met were impressed with the comprehensive curriculum and the high standard of delivery and are more than happy to recommend the programme to their students."

For more information locally Isabelle can be contacted on 07548 200312.

LIFE CHANGING AWARDS

The Helen O'Grady Drama Academy donated fabulous prizes in the recent Remote Worker Awards. In an exciting ceremony this week, at the beautiful Clivedon House in Berkshire, National Director, Nigel Le Page presented Abbe Martin and Catherine Prout (left and centre in picture) with a fantastic business opportunity. In a very closely fought competition, their entries were both deemed most deserving of the Special Award. Each was presented with a Helen O'Grady Franchise in their area. Runner up, Louise Snell (R) will benefit from a special introductory package as she too starts her own drama business in January 2010.

Abbe's branch will be based in Exeter and Catherine's in Warwick. Louise will be working in the Dorset area. All three girls are over the moon and will be training for their new role in October. Nigel Le Page said, " We worked out a short list of eight candidates, spoke with all of them and studied their applications very carefully. The calibre was so high, we decided to award two first prizes - and we were happy to give Louise a head start too! We are convinced all three ladies will be an asset to the Academy".

NEW PRE-SCHOOL 'KINDY DRAMA'

This week Principals and teachers from the Academy gathered in Manchester and London to train for the exciting new pre-school Kindy Drama Programme, being launched nationally this term. They were required to sing 'The Goodbye Song' (pictured) at the end of their training session as the pre-schoolers will do at the end of their drama lesson! The classes have already been trialled successfully in four areas of the UK and will be available nationwide over the next few months.

The aim of the programme is to give 3 and 4 year olds confidence, self esteem and a good grounding in basic conversational skills. This is done through very busy lessons - which include story, dressing up, some fun speech work and lots of songs and poems. The Academy has already developed these skills for tens of thousands of older children for the last fifteen years.

Training was great fun, Principals loved playing the part of 3 year olds! - and everyone is very excited about their new classes.