TRAINING SEMINAR - JANUARY 2013

To kick off the new year, Principals and their teachers met in Crawley this weekend for the traditional January Seminar in preparation for the term ahead. More than sixty people attended the day, workshopping curriculum for Term 2 and generally sharing ideas and stories from Term 1.

Principals listen attentively as Mime to Music is explained

Preparing for some very interesting speech work

"Crammed on the bypass .........." Verbal Dynamics

Working together on improvisations .......

....... sometimes with hilarious results!

At the end of the day, Gloucestershire Principal, Rosie Reynolds, passed on Grady Bear to colleague, Gemma Knight, from Northampton. The Bear is visiting Gemma's branch for the term after the team thought the Principal's participation and input during the day warranted some sort of reward. No doubt Grady will many adventures before Easter. You can sign up for a regular newsletter on our website to catch up with all of Grady's antics in our regular newsletter.

L to R - National Director, Nigel Le Page and Principals, Gemma Knight and Rosie Reynolds

NEW BRANCHES & NEW PRINCIPALS THIS TERM

September has seen the opening of several new Helen O'Grady branches, as well as a handful of new Principals taking over existing areas.

In Manila, in the Philippines, Monique and Vince Bunuan have had a great start introducing the unique Helen O'Grady programme to dozens of local children. Here they are above with the magnificent banner they are using to promote their classes. We are very proud of their opening classes and know they will spread the word very quickly.

New mum, Iesher Fitzmaurice Mendez (above), who gave birth to baby Zain at the beginning of August, took over the reins in the Staffordshire area. She has been teaching for the Academy for several years and jumped at the chance of becoming Principal. As well as making a great start with existing students, she has opened three new classes which have all started well.

In South West London, Melanie Moore has opened new studios as well as taking over some existing students. Although drama trained, Melanie was new to the programme and has taken the very structured lessons to heart. She is, as you can see below, very excited to be part of the network. In Northamptonshire, Gemma Knight has succeeded Sarah Moloney as Principal. Sarah was a hard act to follow but Gemma had worked with her for some time before the handover and the students remain in more than capable hands!

In the Herts-Cambs area, retiring Principal, Fiona Taylor, was more than happy to pass the business on to her former teacher, Lucinda Symonds, pictured below. Lucinda will continue to teach and work with her sister, Jessica, who will take most of the responsibility for administration and marketing the business. the Symonds sisters don't believe in doing things by halves! During the first weeks of term they were also planning a wedding. Lucinda married Tim Gray on 1st October. We wish them all the love luck and happiness they deserve.

Last new Principal to launch was Lisa Bennett in Southampton. Lisa, too, has taught for the Academy and is already building the numbers up in her own branch.

All the new Principals have started well and we wish them a long and successful association with the Academy.