END OF YEAR SEMINAR - THE FUN BITS!

The presentation of Grady Bear has now become a feature of all Seminars. Returning from his adventures in Bromley with, Principal, Helen Walls, Grady prepares for the big trip north. Sheffield Principal, Nick Chadwin, has now taken responsibility for the travelling bear, who will remain at his home and his classes and who knows where else? during the Autumn term. His adventures in Bromley and district were well chronicled in his scrap book and the tradition will be upheld in the coming term. We all wish him an enjoyable stay with Nick!

New Franchisee Of The Year, Wendy Orrell and York Principal, Lindsay Goakes, proved what drama queens they were during a discussion period. Used to telling their students to be larger than life, they are more than happy to practise what they preach.

Below, bemused Principals watch as their contemporaries demonstrate rather physical Youth Theatre games. It is never difficult to find volunteers during the workshopping sections of the Seminar.

After a very busy term, with all Principals presenting their end of year shows, it was good to see everyone relaxed and so receptive at the conference.

END OF YEAR SEMINAR - THE OFFICIAL BITS!

Principals and their partners met for the end of year Seminar in Bristol recently and were joined by Emma Sargent from The Extraordinary Coaching Company who presented two talks entitled "Extraordinary thinking for business success" which were received very well by the delegates attending. One Principal said; "Emma really made us think about things we usually take for granted and made us realise we could all achieve much more."

National Director, Nigel Le Page, with Emma Sargent.

During the day Nigel Le Page presented Becky Crawley, Principal in the North Lakes area, with the National Director's Award to recognise the hard work and determination she had put in to building her branch in the last twelve months. He praised her tenacity and reminded her she had tried 23 different marketing initiatives during the term.

Nigel Le Page with Becky Crawley

The Culmination of the summer Seminar is always the prentation of the Franchisee Of The Year Award and in 2011 it went to Oldham Principal, Wendy Orrell. During the time Wendy has been with the network, she has overcome personal difficulties and always done that little bit extra to ensure her business is a success. She has been supported all along by husband Geoff, who has had his own share of health problems. Presenting the award, Nigel said Wendy had maintained excellent communication with her students, their parents, local schools, local businesses and the press and it was the building of these relationships which would ensure she can be optimistic about the future.

The Head Office team with the 2011 Franchisee Of The Year

l to r - Nigel Le Page, National Director, Alison Mazanec, Executive Principal,

Geoff & Wendy Orrell, Oldham Principal and Margaret Darley, Training Manager