20th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

It's been a while since we shared news on here; it's been a bit of a whirlwind summer! The Helen O'Grady Drama Academy, UK and Europe is celebrating 20 years of operation this year! The first Academies launched in Croydon and St. Helens/Warrington in September 1994. Both these schools are going strong, along with many more which have started up along the way. 

So much has happened in the time these Academies have been operating. Tens of thousands of children have attended classes, experiencing and benefiting from the amazing self-development programme we offer. 

The classes are full of exciting activities for children. During the autumn and spring terms, they include warm-ups, speech training, mimes to music, whole class improvisations and short scripts. The curriculum is constantly revised and updated to keep it fresh but the aims and objectives remain exactly the same as when Helen O’Grady started the first classes in Perth, Australia in 1979. Every week is different and every child is involved.

A special anniversary Seminar was hosted by Head Office on the beautiful island of Guernsey. Time was spent distributing awards to many Principals who have been with the Academy for up to 20 years.

Long serving Principals with their hand painted awards. 

As usual, at the Summer Seminar, Nigel Le Page presented his National Director's Award and the Head Office team chose this year's Franchisee of the Year.

North Leicestershire Principal, Beth Daniel, receives her award, from the HO team, for Franchisee of the Year, 2014

Neil O'Gorman, SE London, accepts the National Director's Award

Following a very successful Seminar, Head Office hosted a reception at the stunning Castle Cornet on the seafront at St. Peter Port (below), followed by a gala dinner with entertainment at one of Guernsey's top hotels.

Founder of the Academy, Helen O'Grady, was unable to attend the celebrations due to her husband's ill health but sent a congratulatory message including these words:

"For thirty years I was Executive Director of the International Academy Network. I first opened the Academy in Perth, with 100 students, in 1979. Taking it across Australia and, eventually, to the world, required great dedication, persistence, energy and, above all, a genuine love for children and their well being. Sometimes, when the task seemed so immense, I would re-read a favourite quote from George Bernard Shaw:

"Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I've got hold of for a moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations."

I urge you to envisage that splendid torch and pledge to keep a strong hold on it as you guide your students towards a hopeful and fulfilling future!"

And so, all Principals are back in their offices and back in class, passing on amazing skills to even more children. If you want your child to experience that "hopeful and fulfilling future" visit our website www.helenogrady.co.uk to find a class near you.

MORE NEWS FROM THE MANCHESTER SEMINAR

Here are more pictures from the Production Seminar in Manchester at the weekend.

Principals chanting wildly during the rehearsal of Rent A Crowd

More of the right moves from Principals and teachers

Principals taking notes while 'Snake Charmer' is being taught

Imagine That!

As usual, Grady Bear was awarded to a Principal at the end of the Seminar. National Director, Nigel Le Page (below) was happy to award it to York Franchisee, Lindsay Goakes. As well as participating in most of the workshops during the day, Lindsay led one of the Youth Theatre workshops in the afternoon. Nigel praised her preparation, commitment and energy which, he said, was amazing! Grady will spend Production term with Lindsay, her family and her students and return to the next Seminar with a scrap book full of stories and pictures of his adventures. Well done Lindsay!

Grady Bear goes to a new home for the term!

The Helen O'Grady network at the end of a busy day.

SNIOW DAY IN THE SOUTH WEST

Lots of snowy pictures from Helen O'Grady people in the South West of the UK today. Some classes will be cancelled today - please contact your local branch for information.

Lots of our students will have had snow days home from school - look forward to hearing all about them in class next week.

COME AND JOIN US!

This weekend, at the end of the Easter break, Principals and teachers from around the country will be assembling in London to workshop the exciting curriculum for Term 3. After two terms of our developmental programme, the summer term is the culmination! All classes in the Academy start work on a short, scripted production to be performed for an audience of parents and friends at the end of term.
The Easter Seminar is always huge fun, with adults being children and trainers being teachers. It gives everyone the opportunity to see - and take part in - the plays for next term.

Grasshoppers, tortoises, aliens, Egyptian mummies, Mexican villagers, movie starts all have a part to play in one of ten specially written plays for all age groups - 5 - 18 year olds.

And to prospective actors the message is certainly COME AND JOIN US!

Most Academy classes have spaces for new children. No experience is necessary and no audition is required. Check our website www.helenogrady.co.uk for locations and call or email your local branch NOW to secure a place.

And who knows you could be part of 'The Party Of The Year!'

EXCITEMENT AND SENERGY IN TAYFORTH!

Tayforth Principal, Barbara Brett, is very proud of one of her long term students who was chosen to be in an advert for the global energy services company - Senergy

Harry has been attending Helen O'Grady classes for over seven years and has recently joined Aardvark Casting, the company's in-house casting agency.

You can see him in the video here on You Tube

Congratulations Harry!

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!

THE ADVENTURES OF IGOR THE ORANGUTAN

Principal in North Leicestershire, Beth Daniel, told us the story of Igor the orangutan, the treasured pet of one of her students, Gene. Gene left his pet behind after class so Beth took him home and put him to work! Here he is preparing to send some very important emails.

In North Leics., Grady Giraffe and a Grady Monkey often visit class and spend weekends away with students. Igor had a great time with them while he was in the office. Here they are, resting after a hard day.
After all the excitement, we are sure Igor was very glad to go home and be reunited with Gene, especially as he is now sporting a very smart Helen O'Grady T-shirt!

AMBULANCE - LIVERPOOL

Liverpool Principal, Tracy Shirley, and her husband, Steve, put the 'fun' into fundraising yesterday when they hosted a barbecue for Helen O' Grady students as the Village Africa ambulance stopped by!

The ambulance has now raised over £4,000, and still has lots of stops to make! Please visit http://www.villageafrica.org.uk/ for more information and to donate.

AMBULANCE STOP 9

The ambulance stop in Manchester saw a friendly ambush by students of the Academy. Principal, Gill Hollis, had no chance to drive the vehicle as it seems to have been taken over by Oscar the dog!

So far over £3000 has been raised on the journey and still the fun continues!

You can donate at www.villageafrica.org and you can follow progress of the charity's group on Facebook and Twitter.

Photos back to normal size today after a little hiccup with yesterdays pics!

AMBULANCE STOPS 7 & 8

At Leamington Spa, the ambulance met with Thare Machi, a Village Africa Partner. Thare Machi sends health DVDs to Village Africa and the charity sends them Kiswahili translations.



L to R in picture - Tina Freeman, a past volunteer and 'knitting queen' of Yamba, Caroline Johnston, Liz Collyer, Bev Pettle from Thare Machi.


Stop 8 was a visit to the Helen O'Grady branch in West Midlands. Principal, Jane Evans, arranged an African themed lessons with her class. We love the rabbits ears!

http://www.villageafrica.org.uk/

AN ODE TO HELEN O'GRADY

Katie Spence, a student at Stratton Upper School and the Helen O'Grady Youth Theatre class in Cambourne was moved to write this poem about her time with the Academy.

I started at Helen O'Grady
When I was a youthful Year 9,
Little did I know
That I'd have such an awesome time.

I remember the first time
We played 'Survival Word Tennis',
The fierce competition
Is something that I'll miss.

Many costumes have I worn
Throughout my months spent here,
From disastrously scary,
To some just downright queer.

The production in 2008
Was about film stars and scandals,
I worked with their excited fans,
And made banners with wobbly handles.

The summer production last July
Was the definition of a 'laugh',
A Greek tragedy by teenagers,
I was the stressed-out member of staff!

We've done many wacky warm-ups
At the start of our weekly dramas,
From chewing hums and chanting
To impersonating llamas.

When the outside world was crazy
And school was such a 'mare',
I'd know that on a Friday
My friends at drama would be there.

From Rachel's insane outfits
To Navina's rise to fame,
Life after Helen O'Grady
Will not be quite the same!

Well done Katie!

If any other students, past or present, would like to submit poems for publication, we will happily consider your offerings. Just email margaret@helenogrady.co.uk and you could be on the blog!

TRAINING SEMINAR

Over the weekend, Principals and teachers from around the UK and Europe met to workshop forthcoming productions. Approximately one hundred 'dramaqueens' attended the Seminar and joined in with great enthusiasm as members of the training team presented parts of the new productions being put on next term. Above, Angela Gallagher, Principal in North West Ireland, is behind the tiger mask, rehearsing 'How The Lion Got His Roar' which is a new play for the Lower Primary age group, telling an old African folk tale.

Below, Principals workshop the Upper Primary play, set on a spaceship, 'Maximum Speed 50 Croaders'.

No-one is quite sure where this 'bag of bones' came from but he was eager to take part in the Youth Theatre play 'The League Of Freaky Creatures'!

NEW ADULT CLASSES!

In the last twelve months, The Helen O'Grady Drama Academy has extended the availability of its renowned self development through drama classes to adults of any age.

Already known for running an excellent programme for primary and secondary age children, the same principles are applied to the lessons delivered to adults.

Tayforth Principal, Barbara Brett, has been one of the first to offer classes to the whole age range. She has had a particularly good response to the adult classes. Barbara says:" No matter how confident we may feel in a small group, there are always occasions when we, as adults, are thrust outside our comfort zone. For some this can induce crippling nerves: others panic: many of us freeze in fright! This course addresses many of these problems and gives advice on breathing control, effective delivery, eye contact and confidence. Week by week, we examine the tricks of the trade to counter the qualms we all experience when asked to address an audience."

Classes do not teach acting skills, nor do they culminate in productions. They are designed to help adults in everyday situations which can cause concern and distress - from complaining effectively to offering advice.

To find out if these classes are available in your area, visit out website and check out the location of your nearest Helen O'Grady branch.

NEW PRINCIPALS RARING TO GO

From left to right, Catherine Prout, Warwick, Sarah Walton, Blackpool and Abbe Martin, Exeter, are the three new Principals who were chosen from hundreds who entered the Remote Employment Awards this year and are now preparing to start their own Academy in January 2010. After training in October, they were sent away with a list of tasks to work on to have the best possible start in the New Year. All three are very excited. Sarah said: "It was amazing to see my name in the listing on the website http://www.helenogrady.co.uk/ It makes it all real and I can't wait to start classes."

In Spain, it is the same story - Jose Miguel Cubillo (L) and Luis Valenzuela (R), seen here with National Director, Nigel Le Page - are working closely with schools in Madrid to confirm classes for 2010. We wish them all the best of luck in the New Year.

PUDSEY ROCKS!

A team from the Academy joined the audience at BBC Television Centre on Friday 20th November to present a cheque to Sir Terry Wogan in favour of BBC Children In Need.

National Director, Nigel Le Page, spoke to Sir Terry live on air, and enjoyed a fantastic, star studded, evening of entertainment which was interspersed with accounts of the children helped by the charity.

The Academy is proud to be a corporate partner of BBC Children In Need. It is, indeed, a fitting charity, enabling children to support other children less fortunate than themselves. Fundraising continues to meet the target of £50,000. It's not too late to donate, please see http://www.helenogrady.co.uk/ for full details.

TALKING FOR PUDSEY!

Lower Primary children in Chewton Mendip, Somerset, celebrated their National Talking Day! this week by inviting parents to attend class to listen to their prepared two minute speeches. The teacher offered the children the opportunity to speak in front of everyone and 5 year old Amy took on the challenge. She was speaking about why she liked being a child in her family. Amy only joined the Academy this term and mum was delighted she had the confidence to commit her talk to film!

The class was a great success, and parents were very generous with their sponsor money, raising more than £250 in total, which will go towards the national target of £50,000.

BAG PACKS FOR PUDSEY

Another successful supermarket bag pack took place this weekend by students from the York Academy. Some 50 students and parents, staff, friends and family were all there and Pudsey himself lent a hand.

York Principal, Lindsay Goakes, said "There was a wonderful team spirit and great fun was had by all. I was so proud of our students. They were amazing! Two wee lads, without parents there, packed bags for three hours non-stop with no complaints. All the parents were hugely supportive and felt it was an excellent opportunity for children to give something back.

We had many members of the public and members of staff comment on the excellent behaviour of our children as well as their excellent verbal skills and their confidence."

In all the day raised well over £1,000 towards the Academy's target.

NATIONAL TALKING DAY!

Although yesterday, 13th November, was the official NATIONAL TALKING DAY! its not too late to put your money where your mouth is!

For the next six days, in Helen O'Grady Drama classes all around the country children will be talking for Pudsey. They made a great start yesterday and already thousands of pounds have been raised.

Thanks and congratulations go to all of those who have taken part so far.

By next Friday, 20th November, which is BBC Children In Need Day, we are confident we will have reached our target of £50,000 raised.

We have also invited contributions from the business community. Our thanks so far go to:
Franchise Connect
Drawbridge Creative Partners

For full information and to download a sponsor form go to http://www.helenogrady.co.uk/

On behalf of all the children helped by BBC Children In Need, we thank you ...... lots!

NATIONAL DRAMA WEEK

During National Drama Week - 28th September to 4th October - Principals invited special guests to visit their classes. Bolton Principal, Karen Ryder, invited Coronation Street star MAGS GANNON to attend her Prestwich class. She is pictured below with the children. Following the visit Ms Gannon felt inspired to email Helen O'Grady Head Office with her thoughts - see below.

"I have just returned home from a Prestwich class taught by Karen Ryder. I believe it is your "National Drama Week" and because of this (and being a local actress) Karen invited me to my local class. I have to say I have come away most impressed with the way Karen seemlessly covered so much in one hour; it flew by! The rapport between Karen and all the pupils was quite truly astounding - they loved her! I was a little apprehensive wondering what to expect, in fact I was imagining a "bad nativity school play" ... how wrong was I?! Karen did two main parts to the lesson, one was to music about cavemen and the other about an ice cream factory. I don't know who enjoyed it more, me or the children. I am certainly impressed with the Helen O'Grady programme, what you are doing for childrens' self-belief (call it what you wish) is first class; keep up the good work, you have made a 66 year old woman very happy this evening.

Kind regards, Mags Gannon."

NATIONAL DRAMA WEEK - 28th September - 4th October

As part of our 30th Anniversary celebrations, Helen O'Grady branches around the country are this week celebrating National Drama Week. Thousands of invitations have been distributed via existing classes and schools to children who may want to come along and try one of our exciting drama lessons. Principals and teachers around the country are presenting special school workshops to demonstrate the fun elements of a lesson to the students and the benefits of the structured and progressive programme to the teachers.

CLICK HERE TO SEE

HELEN O'GRADY CLASSES IN ACTION