BBC CHILDREN IN NEED 2011

Once again, this year, the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy is fundraising for BBC Children In Need. Wednesday 9th November sees the start of NATIONAL TALKING WEEK! across the UK, when students will be talking, in their classes, on a given topic, for an allocated amount of time.

Last year, through the sponsored talking, we raised more than £30,000 for the charity and were lucky enough to present a cheque, live on air, to Sir Terry Wogan.

Schools are getting involved too, with drama teachers running special classes to hear the children talk. The Academy's aim is to develop children's confidence and skill in verbal communication so what better way than talking to raise money for other children less fortunate than themselves?

For full information download a leaflet here and print a sponsor form to start raising money now. Full details are on the literature, with instructions of what to do with the money when you have raised it.

Thank you - on behalf of the Academy - for your help and an even bigger THANK YOU on behalf of BBC Children In need.

NEW PRINCIPALS IN ACTION

New Principals threw themselves into the action during training last week in Bristol. Executive Principal, Alison Mazanec and Training Manager, Margaret Darley taught the group a specially extended lesson so they could experience as much of the curriculum as possible.

The group found their big voices for the speech work and used their exaggerated drama actions!

There was no language barrier as the English principals worked with their Spanish counterparts to develop a 'snippet' at the end of the week.

In Spain, the Helen O'Grady lessons will be taught in both Spanish and in English to help the students with their communication skills in both languages.

For more information on the Academy in Spain visit http://www.helenogrady.es/