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.

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.

NATIONAL TALKING WEEK!

Principals, students, teachers and parents in drama classes around the country are in the middle of NATIONAL TALKING WEEK! aiming to raise tens of thousands of pounds for BBC Children In Need. Special edition T-shirts have been on sale, with all proceeds going to the charity.

In many classes, parents have thrown themselves into the fundraising too. York Principal, Lindsay Goakes, sent us this picture (below) of the cake Mattew's dad made to share with the class in Selby.

Fundraising activities will continue throughout November. This Friday, 18th November, a team from Head Office, led by, Training Supervisor, Becky Goodfield, will be in the audience at BBC Television Centre with a very big cheque!

Thank you to everyone who has taken part. Visit our website www.helenogrady.co.uk for full details.

END OF YEAR SEMINAR - THE FUN BITS!

The presentation of Grady Bear has now become a feature of all Seminars. Returning from his adventures in Bromley with, Principal, Helen Walls, Grady prepares for the big trip north. Sheffield Principal, Nick Chadwin, has now taken responsibility for the travelling bear, who will remain at his home and his classes and who knows where else? during the Autumn term. His adventures in Bromley and district were well chronicled in his scrap book and the tradition will be upheld in the coming term. We all wish him an enjoyable stay with Nick!

New Franchisee Of The Year, Wendy Orrell and York Principal, Lindsay Goakes, proved what drama queens they were during a discussion period. Used to telling their students to be larger than life, they are more than happy to practise what they preach.

Below, bemused Principals watch as their contemporaries demonstrate rather physical Youth Theatre games. It is never difficult to find volunteers during the workshopping sections of the Seminar.

After a very busy term, with all Principals presenting their end of year shows, it was good to see everyone relaxed and so receptive at the conference.