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.

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.

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.

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

GRADY BEAR IN GUERNSEY

This Grady Bear, who really lives in Bristol, made a surprise visit to Helen O'Grady Head Office in Guernsey this week. He felt he needed to know a little more about the workings of the company so he could spread the word!

National Director, Nigel Le Page, explained something about his job as Grady inspected emails.

Unfortunately, he was none to keen on the rain in Guernsey so will be back in Bristol by the weekend.

Grady in the rain

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!

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.

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!

GRADY BEAR ON THE MOVE

Grady Bear was first awarded at the Academy Training Seminar in July 2010. Each term, he is placed in the safe keeping of a Principal who shows themselves worthy and responsible! The Principal then has to document the Bear's visit to their area and return him to the next Seminar with his 'diary'.

Fresh from adventures in South London, where our hero had a close encounter with a cat and ate a lot of pizza, he is now temporarily residing in Bromley with Principal, Helen Walls, who has promised to make sure he has a good time and comes to no harm. Photographic evidence is, of course, required!

The award followed a very successful - if exhausting - training day. More picture stories will follow in due course.

BIG FREEZE AT HEAD OFFICE!

National Director, Nigel Le Page, reported there was two feet of snow in Guernsey this morning. It's certainly unusual for the Channel Islands! Here's his picture.

REMOTE EMPLOYMENT AWARDS 2010

In a lavish ceremony yesterday at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London, National Director, Nigel Le Page, was delighted to present the Helen O'Grady Special Award to Janine Van Den Berg.

Janine was the outright winner from a shortlist of six candidates andwill become Principal of the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy in Harrow, Middlesex. Janine's background in the arts and, in particular, acting and singing, made her an excellent candidate to operate an Academy. Her passions for children and the theatre, along with her business experience, provide her with all the necessary credentials to be a most successful Academy owner. Janine will bring energy, enthusiasm and a positive approach to running her own business.

Janine said: “I have been striving towards this goal for a long time and to have won the Helen O’Grady Special Award and to have been recognised in this way is absolutely wonderful. I am over the moon and very excited to be joining such a well renowned organisation and can’t wait to start teaching the children and look forward to a long and fruitful career. I am deeply thankful to the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy and to Remote Employment for making this possible.”

Earlier in the ceremony, last year's winners spoke about the effect of winning awards. Karen Reyburn, who won last year's Home Worker Award and Polly Marsh who won the Remote Employer Award joined Nigel Le Page to answer questions. Nigel was speaking on behalf of Exeter Principal, Abbe Martin, who won the Helen O'Grady Special Award in 2009 and who was yesterday, with the new term fast approaching, busy with setting up her new classes for 2010 after a successful first year in business.

Before closing the proceedings, Ken Sheridan, co-founder of Remote Employment with Paula Wynne, introduced entrepreneurs Karen Darby (Call Britannia) and Claire Young (former runner up on 'The Apprentice') who were happy to pass on some of their knowledge to the assembled business people.

Janine is now looking forward to training with other new Helen O'Grady Franchisees in Bristol and to starting her very own classes in the New Year. All at Helen O'Grady welcome her to the network and wish her the best of luck!

AMBULANCE - THE 'MISSING STOP'!

Helen O'Grady National Director, Nigel Le Page, was proud to be at the finish line with Portsmouth Principal, Andrea Ward.

And the 'missing stop' was in Sheffield, where Helen O'Grady Principal, Nick Chadwin, welcomed the ambulance at Eccleshall Junior School where he holds drama classes.

There's still time to donate - visit www.villageafrica.org.uk

AMBULANCE AT THE FINISH LINE!

On Friday, the ambulance finally drove across the finish line at Mill Rythe Junior School to be welcomed by the whole shcool with their teachers and Deputy Head, Mr Marshall. Also at the welcome reception were Helen O'Grady National Director, Nigel Le Page and Martin Ebbage from Cartridge World, sho sponsored the drive.

Portsmouth Principal. Andrea Ward, who helped arrange the events, said: "This has been a great team effort. People have pulled together all around the country and as well the donations - now in excess of £10,000 - we feel we have very much raised awareness of the work Village Africa does." Helen O'Grady National Director, Nigel Le Page, has been following the progress daily as the ambulance visited branches of the Academy around the country. He said: "This is the busiest time of the year for UK Helen O'Grady Principals. They are all in the final stages of their year end shows, with some of them missing rehearsals to support Andrea and Caroline and Village Africa. I congratulate them all for their support. For Andrea to make this massive committment when she too is working with her drama classes on productions is highly commendable. I am very proud the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy could help in some way."

In this picture a pupil from Mill Rythe school presents the results of their fundraising to Village Africa Director, Caroline Johnston, - and, of course, Oscar the dog!

Thousands of drama students around the UK now know a little more about a remote part of Africa and what is needed to improve conditions there. Caroline will be heading back there later this week and has the final message for everyone who has supported the fundraising effort: "On behalf of Andrea and myself - and, more importantly, the villagers of Yamba 'asanteni sana!' (Thank you very much)".

If you would like to read more about the trip and make a dontaion, go now to http://www.villageafrica.org.uk/