END OF TERM AT THE ACADEMY

With the end of term already here, in some areas, the children in our classes have been showing off their new skills in their parent day presentations. The circus play was a popular theme for these shows this term!

Very colourful outfits for parent days!

The children love their classes and parents love the results! Principals received excellent feedback. Our Norwich Principal received the following in an email:

"We would like to thank you so much for all you have done for Max over the past couple of years. I have to tell you about his school Christmas play! Max only had a couple of solo lines but he didn't just say the punchline; he delivered it; he ACTED it. 

Max completely took to you and your methods of teaching and we believe what he has learnt from you has helped in so many ways. I know he will carry many pleasant memories and experiences forward with him, not least the desire to perform. With the confidence he now has, getting up in front of a crowd is something he will never struggle with again. Thanks for everything!"

GRADY BEAR IN GUERNSEY

This Grady Bear, who really lives in Bristol, made a surprise visit to Helen O'Grady Head Office in Guernsey this week. He felt he needed to know a little more about the workings of the company so he could spread the word!

National Director, Nigel Le Page, explained something about his job as Grady inspected emails.

Unfortunately, he was none to keen on the rain in Guernsey so will be back in Bristol by the weekend.

Grady in the rain

AN EARLY CHRISTMAS PRESENT

We recently ran the first of many competitions through our UK & Europe Facebook page. The competition has now closed and we'd like to congratulate our winner.

Rachel Conti from Exeter has won £100 worth of Theatre Tokens to be redeemed at a theatre of her choice. Here she is at class yesterday with her daughters Maia and Sasha, who attend drama classes in Exeter.

Exeter Principal, Abbe Martin, with Maia andSasha

 Perhaps Maia and Sacha will join mum to see a pantomime or a play in the Christmas holidays!

There will be more competitions with fabulous prizes, so do visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/helenogradydrama to join in the fun!

SHOW YOUR SPOTS - LET'S RAISE LOTS!

All around the country, our students have been joining in National Talking Week! to raise money for BBC Children In Need.

Spotty children raise money for BBC Children In Need

 New Principal in St. Helens and Warrington, Andrea Williams, emailed HO at the weekend:

"I would just like to tell you about my week. This week children have taken part in National Talking Week! Their subject was: 'If you found a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, who would you give it to?'  One child came up with a fantastic idea of creating a Children in Need Wishing Well; I think we should have one in every city!  The whole lesson was really fun. Students made up their own plays about Children In Need and one group performed it to the parents. As you can see in the picture, we made them all spotty with face paint. Parents were thrilled with our performance and very supportive of our fundraising."
Congratulations to Andrea on a great week. So far, she and her students have raised a massive £255 with sponsorship still coming in.

NATIONAL TALKING WEEK 2012!

Once again the Academy is raising funds, through National Talking Week!, for BBC Children In Need. Around the country, children, their parents and friends and their teachers are 'putting their money where their mouth is' and talking up a storm!

In Somerset, children as young as three joined in the fun during their Kindy classes. Their current topic is 'The Jungle' and, with the help of finger puppets, the students talked about Pudsey Bear for two whole minutes!

Kindy students talk with their animals and sea creatures to help raise money.

The panda has a great conversation with the crab!

The fish were all talking in big, fat full sentences!

All of the children took home a special Pudsey Bear certificate so parents could see they had mastered the challenge and now the sponsor money will be collected!

Well done to all those Kindy children!

BBC CHILDREN IN NEED 2012

It's that time of year again! Tomorrow sees the start of  NATIONAL TALKING WEEK! in the UK, leading up to the big BBC Children In Need show next Friday, 16th November.

Over the past five years, Academy Principals, teachers and students around the country have raised approximately £85,000 in various ways. Last year, 'Guess the UFOs in the jar', cake sales and special edition T-shirts helped the money roll in.

How many UFOs?

Yummy spotty cakes for sale

'Designer' T-shirts all the rage!

Parents joined in the fun

It was very challenging!

Someone even baked a Pudsey cake!

There will be lots of this going on - and more - and we hope to add to our grand total by the end of November.

Principals at the 2011 show with Pudsey

Watch out for people in spotty Helen O'Grady T-shirts on the late edition of the show on November 16th. If you want to be involved with the Academy fundraising, please contact your local branch or email info@helenogrady.co.uk

HELEN O'GRADY LAUNCHES IN BATH

With the new term now well underway, a new branch of the Academy is up and running in Bath and the surrounding areas. Principals, Kathryn and Chris Gregory, trained with other new Franchisees in Bristol in July.

Christopher and Kathryn in training.

Kathryn taught with the Bristol branch of the Academy for almost four years, where she was trained by Executive Principal, Alison Mazanec. She and Chris then took some time out to go travelling in America and Australia before they made the decision to set up a branch of their own.

Kathryn (in blue, left) at a recent Seminar, workshopping curriculum.

Kathryn will be the face of the Academy in class and Chris will be the voice in the office, dealing with enquiries and speaking with parents and schools, as well as taking care of day to day administration and marketing. They have a wonderful space to work in, a purpose built office attached to the new home they moved into during the summer.

The Gregory's lovely office.

Classes started last week in Peasedown St. John, Westbury, Bath and Wells, with another class starting in Trowbridge very soon. More details can be had on phone: 01761 434075 or email: bath@helenogrady.co.uk

Classes filling up fast - book now to avoid disappointment!

HELEN O'GRADY LAUCHES IN TOKYO

National Director, Nigel Le Page, and Training Manager, Margaret Darley, recently spent a week in Tokyo with new Franchisee Tenie Sangma, pictured below.

Tenie en route to class

 Tenie is opening both Kindy and Primary classes, working very closely with schools around the area.

Margaret encourages pre-school children to 'build a sandcastle' with the help of Lotea's daddy.

'Making a pizza' with the Summerhill class.

Special surprise time.

Lower Primary classes, which start at age 6 in Japan, will be available throughout the area. Tenie's company, Tokyo Bees, will offer the Helen O'Grady programme.

Tenie demonstrates the use of levels with some Lower Primary students.

During a very busy - and very hot! - week, Nigel and Margaret were happy to find some tranquil spots!

Japanese garden at the hotel

Sunrise over the skyscrapers of Tokyo.

 

 

 

 

We wish Tenie and Tokyo Bees much success with the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy.

HELEN O'GRADY OLYMPICS!

After the Seminar last month, Franchisees and their partners retired to the Avon Gorge Hotel in Clifton, Bristol, to relax after a very busy term. The theme of the evening was the Olympics (of course!) and Principals never miss a chance to dress up.

Several games had been arranged and everyone joined in very enthusiastically. It was a beautiful evening; the hotel overlooks the famous Suspension Bridge and they provided an excellent barbecue and lots of space outside for the Helen O'Grady Olympics!

Prizes were awarded for the best costumes and, although none were presented, several gold medals were well deserved.

Mel Moore (SWLondon) and partner, Sam

L to R:Beth Daniel (NLeics), Lucy O'Gorman (husband Neil is Principal, S London) and Helen Walls (Bromley)

Franchisee Of The Year, Susana Ayala (Bournemouth) and Susannah Gill (Training Supervisor)

Nigel's PA, Katey De Menezez (R) supervises the games

Lucinda & Jessica Symonds (Cambs-Herts) with Mel Moore

Angela Gallagher (NW Ireland) with Barbara Brett (Tayforth) and husband, Tim

Usain Bolt popped in (or is it Neil O'Gorman, S London?)

Stuart Goakes (with Lindsay, York Principal) - believed to be the oldest Olympian attending!

Susana Ayala with Rosie Reynolds (Glos)

 

 

 

 

Best male costume went to Brian Ormrod (Cheshire) for the Hammer thrower - gone slightly wrong!

Best female costume was that of "Horsewoman", Jane Evans (W.Midlands)

It was a wonderful way to end a busy term. We, at Head Office, wish everyone in the network a sunny and restful summer ...... and ...... come on Team GB!!!

FRANCHISEE TRAINING 2012

Last month, induction training for new Franchisees took place at the Mercure Hotel in Bristol. National Director, Nigel Le Page, and Trainers, Margaret Darley and Alison Mazanec, welcomed new Principals from around the world!

New Franchisees from L to R: Chris and Kathryn Gregory (Bath), Andrea Williams (St Helens), Katy Markey (West Sussex) and Tenie Sangma (Tokyo).

 

 

 As well as workshopping a great deal of curriculum and visiting both regular classes and end of year shows, the team covered all necessary administration, marketing and business topic.s

Alison (far L) explains the enrolment procedure

Andrea plays the part of a concerned mother, while Chris and Kathryn deal with the enrolment.

Although the week is packed with learning, it is also a lot of fun. The trainees were fortunate to be in Bristol during the annual Harbour Festival which, this year, enjoyed record crowds, mostly due to the beautiful sunshine. To conclude the proceedings the Class of 2012 enjoyed a meal together at a popular Bristol restaurant.

Tenie (L) and Katy

Christopher, Kathryn and Andrea

Training manager, Margaret Darley (L) and Executive Principal, Alison Mazanec

National Director, Nigel Le Page, with his special award at the end of the training week!

The group, after an excellent evening at Byzantium, Bristol

All new Principals are currently organising themselves for a big launch in September. We wish them all the best of luck!