GRADY BEAR MOVES FROM LONDON TO CHESHIRE

On Saturday, dozens of Helen O'Grady Principals and teachers gathered in a hotel in gatwick to prepare themselves for the summer term in the Academy, when students in all classes start work on a short scripted production to perform for parents and friends at the end of term.

More on that later, but another important event at these Seminars is the welfare of Grady Bear. Grady has spent the last three months with Principal, Melanie Moore and her partner, Sam Rossiter, in South London. They have, of course, taken great care of Grady but he is now ready for his next big adventure.

He is venturing north, to Cheshire, with Principal, Brian Ormrod. After a usccessful visit to Sheffield last year, the Bear tells us he is ready to travel again and relax after the hustle and bustle of London. During his visit, Brian will fill his scrap book with photographic evidence of Grady's exploits to be shared again with everyone at the next Seminar.

Saturday was a busy day - check back here later for pictures and stories about this year's plays!

THE BIG DAY!

Today is the day Children In Need takes over the airwaves. You will see and hear Pudsey on almost every programme through the BBC today and, of course, the big show is on tonight.

A team from Head Office will be there to present the big cheque for £50,000. Principals around the country and their students have worked extremely hard towards the target and the Academy is proud to be representing them tonight. See us on the show in the 'late' spot, from 10.30 to 2am.

A big, big thank you to everyone who has been involved including our printers, Franchise-Connect and a special vote of thanks to The Waldegrave Arms in Chewton Mendip, Somerset, who have taken National Talking Day! to their heart. Tonight their barmaids will be dressed in our special edition tee shirts requesting donations from every customer who speaks in the pub!

It's not too late to be involved. Visit our website to download a sponsor form or send a donation to the address on this blog. We will happily link to your website if you provide details.

SIDETRACK TO GUILDFORD ON WAY HOME TO PORTSMOUTH

As the ambulance arrived back in Portsmouth, the Lord Mayor. Cllr Paula Riches, asked for a special stop. She is always keen on fundraising for African causes as she was born in Nairobi. She met with Portsmouth Principal, Andrea Ward, and her sister Caroline Johnston, who is director of the charity Village Africa. Naturally, Oscar was there too!

Before this the team sidetracked to Guildofr to visit Ravenscote Junior School, where Andrea runs drama classes and were invited to conduct an assembly to tell the school about their journey and the cause.

A couple of students helped Oscar check out the ambulance to make sure it was safe for the final leg of the journey. The ambulance arrives back in Portsmouth today after nearly 2000 miles and some 20 stops. Helen O'Grady National Director, Nigel Le Page, will be there with other dignitaries to welcome the team back after their adventures.

A final total of funds raised will be announced soon. It's not too late to help - go to http://www.villageafrica.org.uk/ to donate or visit the group's page on Facebook.

HELEN O'GRADY WITH VILLAGE AFRICA FINDS AN AMBULANCE!

The founder of the charity, Village Africa, Caroline Johnston, is seen here with Jon McGuigan of the Southern Ambulance Preservation Society after taking delivery of the ambulance which has been kindly donated for the charity drive in conjunction with the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy. Caroline, and her sister Andrea (below) who is Principal of the Academy in Portsmouth, are delighted and more than a little relieved to have secured their transport and have thanked the organisation for their kindness and generosity.

The drive is to be launched at Queens Inclosure Primary School in Cowplain, Hampshire and will finish at Mill Rythe Junior School in Hayling Island. The Academy runs drama clubs at both these schools. If you wish to donate to the charity, click here.

VYAADAHIKANA - it is possible

Portsmouth Principal, Andrea Ward, is playing a big part in organising an ambulance drive around the UK to raise funds for The Village Africa Appeal. http://www.villageafrica.org.uk/ Andrea is seen above signing the Portsmouth Football Club bus! The Pompeys are supporting the appeal.

Village Africa is a small but very active, UK based registered charity set up by Andrea's sister, Caroline Johnston, four years ago in the remote area of Yamba in Tanzania. It's aim is to alleviate poverty through health, education and building projects.

The ambulance route, which starts and finishes in Portsmouth, will visit dozens of the UK's Drama Academies, covering over 1000 miles in total. The drive takes place between 11th and 27th June 2010.

RIGHT NOW THE CHARITY IS STILL LOOKING FOR AN AMBULANCE! Having contacted PCTs, St. Johns and the Red Cross, Andrea and Caroline are still looking for their ambulance! If any of our readers can help, please contact portsmouth@helenogrady.co.uk or info@villageafrica.org.uk

Check back here for pictures of the trip over the next couple of months and, if you would like to become involved, contact Andrea or Caroline on the emails addresses above.

CELEBS COME OUT IN SUPPORT OF DRAMA ACADEMY!

Principals around the country have been contacting local peoplein their areas and have received nothing but support for their business. Here are a selection of messsages they have received.

"To all the pupils and staff at the Academy,

I have recently received a letter from Claire Hollis [South Manchester] who told me about the Academy.

It is always good to hear about clubs and groups and it never ceases to amaze me the enthusiasm and dedication everyone gives ............ most importantly giving their time.

Drama is a great way of expressing oneself and can have so many positive impacts on people's lives. May I take this opportunity of wishing everyone connected with the Academy the best of luck in the future and, on a personal note, thank you all for your support of our club."

Sir Alex Ferguson CBE

Manager

"The Princess Royal has asked me to thank you for your recent letter concerning the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy in Cheltenham. Her Royal Highness was pleased to read of your work in developing children's self confidence and communication skills through drama, not least for those with special educational needs.

The Princess congratulates you on your work and sends you her best wishes for your continued success."

Nick Wright

Captain Nick Wright, LVO. Royal Navy,
Private Secretary to

HRH Princess Royal

"Miss Hurley would be delighted to lend support to development through drama and has asked me to forward the following quote:

'There is not a chance in the world that I would be where I am today had it not been for after school drama classes. They are brilliant for kids, regardless of whether they want to enter the acting profession.'

We hope your Drama Academy continues to thrive and help lots more children."

Claire Perry - Personal Assistant to Elizabeth Hurley

OVERWORKED TOUR GUIDES AND IDYLLIC ISLANDS IN CYPRUS!

In the UK, the summer term is production term for Helen O'Grady classes around the country. In Cyprus, because the school term finishes much earlier, and because the hot weather in June and July can make rehearsing uncomfortable, students in and around Nicosia have presented their end of year shows this week! Principal, Anna Pelekanos, directed the three plays including 'Jetlag Tours' (above) with Upper Primary and 'Paradesia' with the younger Lower Primary.

Anna said: "For some of these children, it was the first time they had performed in front of an audience and the atmosphere was electric! Parents were delighted with the results." Anna also directed her first Youth Theatre production, 'Slice Of Life' which gave her students the opportunity to develop some very interesting characters.

All lessons are taught in English and classes are held in several schools in the area. Visit our website http://www.helenogrady.co.uk/ for more information.

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS FOR LONDON PRINCIPAL

This week, Academy Principal, Emma Steel, had a wonderful white wedding in the snow! Emma, who is Principal in North West London, married Andrew Butler, an actor, who is also actively involved in running the branch. The couple met at drama school and when Emma decided she wanted to use her acting skills to inspire children and help them develop confidence and self esteem, Andrew remembered his own time as a student with the Academy and contacted Head Office. Emma has never looked back, now running classes for almost 250 students in her area. Their wedding took place on a farm in Cheshire, and, as the pictures show, it truly was a white wedding! Everyone at the Academy wishes them all the love and luck in the world for a happy marriage and a successful future.

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.

BBC CHILDREN IN NEED

On Friday 13th November, NATIONAL TALKING DAY!, Principals around the UK invited children to speak on a given subject, related to the charity, to raise money for BBC Children In Need. Everyone was invited to dress up for the fun lesson and above, Croydon students have a great time with their teacher (dressed as Buzz Lightyear!) before speaking for their allotted time. The talking continues right through this week until Friday which is the 'official' BBC Children IN Need Day.


And it's not just talking! There have been supermarket bag packs, sponsored walks, bad hair days and, in the Tayforth branch, parents were invited to join their childrens' lessons and paid good money for the privilege.

NEW PRINCIPALS TRAINED AND READY TO GO!

Another successful training week was carried out in Bristol last week. Among the Principals training, were Catherine Prout and Abbe Martin, recent winners of the Remote Employment Awards, in which they were awarded their very own Academy. Sarah Walton, runner up in the same awards, trained with them, together with a group from Madrid, who will open the first Academy in that area of Spain in January.