PRODUCTION SEMINAR IN MANCHESTER

The summer term is production term in Helen O'Grady classes and this weekend a Training Seminar was hosted, by the management team, in Manchester, to explore the plays and to workshop as many as possible. Proceedings were kicked off by Executive Principal, Alison Mazanec, working on speech, movement and body language to help develop excellent characters. Principals and their teachers became pirates, cowboys, guests at a wedding and knights of the realm among other things, just to interact with each other.

Alison, tambourine at the ready, about to start the workshops.

This year, several Principals from around the country were also asked to lead workshops and the assembled gathering were more than happy to join in.

Edinburgh Principal, Glyn Owen, was happy to deliver his lines with lots of attitude!

Bolton Principal, Karen Ryder, had every reason to smile!

As well as participating, Karen Ryder, above, wrote the Upper Primary play "Imagine That!" and was delighted to see the play finally come to life. Cheshire Principal, Brian Ormrod, and Training Supervisor, Susannah Gill also wrote new works for this cycle and they too were pleased with the results.

 

Everyone went home very excited about the coming term. When teachers can have such a great time presenting the plays, it is easy for them then to inspire the children in their classes. It gives children everywhere the opportunity to be part of something positive and successful. Every child is a star and each will have their moments of glory on stage - whilst also having lots of fun!

For details of classes near you, go to www.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!

SUMMER SEMINAR - AWARDS

During the course of the day, the management team keep an eye out for a worthy Principal to be awarded custody of Grady Bear. This term, the bear went home with new Gloucestershire Principal, Rosie Reynolds. It was really awarded to her husband, Ben, at his first Seminar, for excellent portrayal of a particularly rude child during a morning workshop.

Ben Reynolds recreating his award winning moment!

Rosie & Ben receiving Grady and his scrapbook from previous keeper, Cheshire Principal, Brian Ormrod.
National Director, Nigel Le Page supervises the handover.

Each summer, Nigel Le Page presents his National Director's Award to a deserving colleague. This year, the award went to South Wales Principal and Training Supervisor, Becky Goodfield. On presenting the award, Nigel said: "In an area of the country which is renowned for unemployment and low income levels, this Principal has seen good numbers, built up a formidable team of teachers and shown an exceptionally caring attitude to students, parents, staff - and other Principals. This year, I am presenting the award to someone who has gone beyond the norm of what we reasonably expect, and someone who always maintains a postitive and supportive attitude. All of this after having a baby in the last twelve months!!"

Nigel presents Becky with the national Director's Award

Becky with the management team. L to R - Training manager, Margaret Darley, Executive Principal, Alison Mazanec,
Training Supervisor, Becky Goodfield and Nigel Le Page

The culmination of the day at the summer Seminar is the presentation of the Franchisee Of The Year Award. The Management team draws up a shortlist and this year the recipient was, eventually,  a unanimous decision. The Award was presented to Susana Ayala, Bournemouth Principal.

Dorset Principal, Susana Ayala (second from R) with the management team.

Nigel said: "Deciding who to present this award to has proved very difficult again this year. We have been inundated with various initiatives many Principals have tried this year - some with excellent results. This award, however, is being presented for not only persistence over the last year, but for many years of following the tried and proven methods, introducing her own new ideas and maintaining high standards, always with warmth, a smile and total belief in our programme. Susana is also happy to provide advice and help to others".

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL AWARD WINNERS THIS SUMMER!

NIM NAM, NIM NAM........

In the last few exciting weeks up to the end of the Academy term, final dress rehearsals continue and performances take place. Here are some pictures of the Lower Primary production: "The Grasshopper And The Ants".

Tayforth ants with the lazy Grasshopper practicing their 'nim-nam' ant language.

Bristol Grasshopper with ants hiding behind the flowers!

Very happy Bristol ants!

Good luck to all students and teachers who are presenting their shows this week and next! We are very proud of you all!

HELEN O'GRADY DRAMA ACADEMY - CLASSES AND MORE!

See how a self development programme through fun based drama activities can help children and adults improve their confidence, self esteem, language and communication skills.

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!

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

HELEN O'GRADY CLASSES IN THE PHILIPPINES

The newest Helen O'Grady Principals are Monique and Vince Bunuan, currently living in the United States but relocating to their native Manila in August to open the very first classes in the Philippines. Last week, they trained in Bristol and were delighted when Helen O'Grady herself called in to meet them on Saturday.

L to R: Executive Principal, Alison Mazanec, National Director, Nigel Le Page, Training Manager, Margaret Darley, Helen O'Grady, Monique & Vince Bunuan, Principals, Philippines.

The visit was also exciting for the young students who joined in a demonstration lesson with great energy and enthusiasm. They certainly gave Helen a rousing Bristol welcome!

Monique was able to do some teaching with the class and, being experienced drama students, they involved all the adults in their improvisations!

We, at Head Office, wish Monique and Vince all the very best with their new branch. We are certain their classes will be very popular!