JULY SEMINAR - A HOT DAY IN BRISTOL!

With the all-important tambourine ready and waiting, another Helen O'Grady Seminar comes and goes.

"The Tambourine of Power"

At the end of this year's very busy production term, when Principals and teachers have been presenting their end of year productions to parents, relations and friends of their students, everyone was still happy to attend the end of term Seminar.

In a temperature of almost 30 degrees C (thank goodness for air conditioning!) Principals from around the UK and Europe met to cover business matters and workshop as much curriculum as they could in one hot day.

A favourite part of the day was workshopping the new Mime to Music: 'The Lazy Worms', creatively taught by South Wales Principal, Becky Goodfield. It certainly was the right sort of day for the worms to move languidly round the garden! But watch out for those pesky blackbirds!

Excited 'students' decide whether it would be best to be a worm or a blackbird.

St. Helens Principal, Andrea Williams, makes a convincing case for being a worm.  Susannah Gill, Training Supervisor, is really not sure!

North Leics Principal, Beth Daniel, takes on the role of the gardener.

Everyone has to be on the look out for the blackbirds, always hovering in the background.

Neil O'Gorman, (L) Principal, South London and Derbyshire Principal, Tom Cheshire make very threatening blackbirds!

There were more serious sides to the day. A great deal of business was also covered, with guest speakers from The Online Marketing Group and Trinity Guildhall.

Several awards were presented: National Director's Award, chosen solely by Nigel Le Page, went to Liverpool Principal, Tracy Shirley. Nigel said Tracy always put the children first and her passion for the programme ensured she had an excellent reputation in her area. Tracy was delighted - if slightly overwhelmed - to accept the award.

National Director, Nigel Le Page, presents Liverpool Principal, Tracy Shirley, with her award.

At each Seminar, as regular readers of this blog will know, the management team chooses a worthy recipient of Grady Bear, a delightful Guernsey Bear who will spend a term with a Franchisee, having all sorts of adventures.  Last term, Lindsay Goakes, York, took him home but she was more than happy to pass the Bear on to Andrea Williams, St. Helens and Warrington. Nigel said "Andrea has proved during the day she gives 100% to all she does. Her portrayal of a lazy worm was spectacular!"

L to R, Lindsay Goakes, Andrea with Grady Bear and National Director, Nigel Le Page

At the end of the day, the annual award was made to the Franchisee of the Year. This year, sisters Lucinda and Jessica Symonds from Cambridge and Herts took the prestigious award. Lucinda has taught with the Academy for many years and she and Jessica took over as Principals two years ago. Nigel praised their dedication and determination to continue to go from strength to strength, In an emotional speech, Lucinda said she couldn't run such a good branch without Jessica and they both agreed their teachers helped to make up an excellent team! Very worthy winners indeed.

The girls were presented with their trophy at an evening celebration on board the SS Great Britain. More news about that evening later this week.

The Management team: Nigel Le Page, Executive Principal, Alison Mazanec and Training Manager, Margaret Darley, stand back as Lucinda (L) and Jessica Symonds share the limelight with their award.

TRAINING WEEK IN BRISTOL

This month, another successful training week for new Franchisees was held in Bristol. Lucie Sherwood, who will be taking over from SW London Principal, Melanie Moore, was among those trained. Also there were Jane and Aidan Kielty, who, along with their son, Andy, will now be running South Manchester. Jane said: "It was such a great week. Not only did we learn a lot but we had a great time doing so. I can't wait to implement all I have been told in the coming term."

Sercin Duran, from Istanbul, was the thirdFranchisee. Not only did Sercin have to learn lots of new curriculum, she had to learn it in English! She will be using the lessons as a tool to improves children's English in her native Turkey.

Sercin, from Turkey, learns how to use that all-important 'Tambourine of Power'!

Aidan joins in a mini-script with a Youth Theatre student at our Downend class.

 

 

 

 

Following a busy week, the Principals enjoyed a meal out in Bristol. As is traditional each was presented with a token to celebrate their achievement.

Sercin had talked a great deal about taking Lego home for her children, as it is difficult to come by in Istanbul. We thought it appropriate to reward her with some!

Jane was presented with two elaborate pens to use in class and in the office. The feathers on them were so beautiful she chose to wear them in her hair.

Aidan's present will, hopefully, make him smile as he works on the South Manchester website.

This month saw the launch of the Gromit Trail in Bristol and all delegates took advantage of the good weather to discover as many as they could!

Sercin poses with National Director, Nigel Le Page, with a Gromit on the waterfront.

We, at Head Office, wish the new Principals all the luck in the world as they embark on their new venture.

If you would like to know more about becoming a Franchisee in our network, visit our website: http://www.helenogrady.org.uk for full details.

FROM SOUTHAMPTON, BERMUDA TO NEWPORT, SOUTH WALES AND BEYOND!

"The Sword In The Stone" is a new production this year and has been beautifully performed all around the world. Here are some pictures from a Composite class in Bermuda - we are told they executed their lines with beautiful English accents! Well done to all of them, this was their very first Helen O'Grady production.

"Whoever pulls the sword from the stone shall be the rightful king of England."

Will anyone be strong enough?

Surely someone will be able to do it?

"All Hail King Arthur!"

Earlier in the play, the knights all attend the Grand Tournament. Everyone is very excited about the jousting and two girls have been practising. Here is the South Wales version of how that jousting practice concludes.

 

We are so proud our programme is touching so many people's lives around the world. Helen O'Grady teachers the world over are following the same curriculum and parents the world over are seeing the same results. 

Congratulations to students everywhere who have performed already or are still to perform. We are immensely proud of you all!

PRODUCTIONS IN IRELAND & SCOTLAND

End of year productions are over in some parts of the country this week, and so far have been a resounding start to the performance season. In north west Ireland, the students acted their hearts out! Here are some pictures from 'The Snake Charmer' - a Lower Primary production for children up to the age of 9.

The Sultan and his daughter Princess Yasmin

A similar production of the play was staged in the Glasgow area.

In Ireland, again, the children produced their version of 'The Sword In The Stone'

Will that sword come out of that stone?

This one obviously won't!

And these knights are most annoyed because they couldn't extract the sword!

In Scotland, too, the end of term has arrived. These pictures are from Glasgow Principal Jackie Andrew:

The Snake Charmer

Pirates on the open seas! The Bold Buccaneers.

Also in Scotland, Tayforth Principal, Barbara Brett, finished her shows last weekend - to great acclaim!

Youth Theatre production - Blood On Their Hands?

Youth Theatre production - Soap Suds

This week, Principals in England have started their productions so be sure to check back for more pictures during the next couple of weeks.

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