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.

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

HELEN O'GRADY LAUNCHES IN BATH

With the new term now well underway, a new branch of the Academy is up and running in Bath and the surrounding areas. Principals, Kathryn and Chris Gregory, trained with other new Franchisees in Bristol in July.

Christopher and Kathryn in training.

Kathryn taught with the Bristol branch of the Academy for almost four years, where she was trained by Executive Principal, Alison Mazanec. She and Chris then took some time out to go travelling in America and Australia before they made the decision to set up a branch of their own.

Kathryn (in blue, left) at a recent Seminar, workshopping curriculum.

Kathryn will be the face of the Academy in class and Chris will be the voice in the office, dealing with enquiries and speaking with parents and schools, as well as taking care of day to day administration and marketing. They have a wonderful space to work in, a purpose built office attached to the new home they moved into during the summer.

The Gregory's lovely office.

Classes started last week in Peasedown St. John, Westbury, Bath and Wells, with another class starting in Trowbridge very soon. More details can be had on phone: 01761 434075 or email: bath@helenogrady.co.uk

Classes filling up fast - book now to avoid disappointment!

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!

SUMMER SEMINAR

Last week saw the annual Principal's Seminar, held in Bristol.

Training Supervisor, Becky Goodfield, kicked off proceedings, workshopping lessons with some less than enthusiastic 'children'!

Naughty 'children' waiting for their favourite teacher!

The day was a mix of business and administration, with some fun bits of curriculum breaking up the day.

New Bath Principal, Kathryn Gregory with Iesher Fitzmaurice (Staffordshire) and her husband, Adam.

PRODUCTION SEMINAR - APRIL 2012

At Saturday's Seminar, teachers and Principals put their all into workshopping the curriculum for Production Term. More than 70 people attended the Seminar and all have gone back to their classes very excited about the coming term. We look forward to posting pictures of the shows they prepared in their own classes.

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.

NEW YEAR - NEW CURRICULUM - JANUARY SEMINAR

This weekend saw the pre-term training Seminar for UK Principals and teachers. The Seminar was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel near Gatwick Airport and no-one could start without the statutory cup of coffee!

During the Seminar, Principals became the classes and workshopped most aspects of the curriculum for the coming term. Below, they are practising a stunning Verbal Dynamics piece.

Youth Theatre curriculum involves brainstorming sessions and our 'students' worked hard to produce some very amusing small group improvisations..........................

.......................which they were happy to perform for everyone else.

Mini-scripts are always lots of fun. There were some very interesting interpretations of the three scripts which will be presented by Upper Primary classes this term.

Helen O'Grady Principals have no problems behaving like 10 year olds!

As usual, it was a great day, lots of hard work but lots of fun!

SUMMER SEMINAR

Principals from the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy met earlier this month on the beautiful island of Guernsey in the Channel Islands for another informative and motivating seminar. Part of the day was spent workshopping the curriculum for the new term and, as always, Principals joined in with gusto!

PRINCIPALS, HELEN WALLS (BROMLEY)

AND BECKY GOODFIELD (SOUTH WALES)

DEBATE A POINT IN A YOUTH THEATRE GAME

NORTH SURREY PRINCIPALS, ANDY BEYNON

AND LISA DAVIDSON ARE VERY GOOD FRIENDS REALLY!

As part of the proceedings at the July Seminar Nigel Le Page presents his National Director's Award to a Principal who has made an outstanding contribution in some way. Portsmouth Principal, Anrea Ward, was delighted to receive the award in recognition of the work she had put in to help her sister, who is Director of the charity Village Africa, organise a national ambulance drive. See earlier blogs for full details.

ANDREA RECEIVES HER AWARD FROM

NATIONAL DIRECTOR, NIGEL LE PAGE

After a busy day, everyone took the boat over to Herm for a barbecue - with tropical island theme dress! It was a beautiful evening and the dress made it very colourful to say the least!

ANA VAZ AND LILIANA BRITES, WHO

RUN A BRANCH OF THE ACADEMY IN PORTUGAL

BETH DANIEL, WHO WILL RUN

THE NORTH LEICESTERSHIRE BRANCH

AND GILL HOLLIS FROM SOUTH MANCHESTER

At these events there is always a prize for the best male and best female fancy dress of the evening. This is always a difficult decision as everyone makes a huge effort.

PRESTON PRICIPAL SARAH IBBOTSON

CERTAINLY LOOKED THE PART!

NOT SO EASY FOR THE MEN ....
'NICKOLA' (NICK) CHADWIN, SHEFFIELD PRINCIPAL,
FOUGHT OFF THE COMPETITION

THE MANAGEMENT TEAM
TRAINING MANAGER - MARGARET DARLEY
NATIONAL DIRECTOR - NIGEL LE PAGE
EXECUTIVE PRINCIPAL - ALISON MAZANEC