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!

BAG PACK FOR BBC CHILDREN IN NEED

As part of fundraising for BBC Children In Need, South Wales students, their parents, teachers and numerous friends and family, spent most of their Sunday packing bags in ASDA and collecting funds for BBC Children In Need to add to the sponsorship raised through NATIONAL TALKING DAY! and various other activities.

Principal, Becky Goodfield, said she was very proud of her students: "42 young people came from lots of different classes, in different areas of South Wales. At the start of the day they barely knew any other students but by the end they had all made lots of new friends. They develop excellent communication skills in class and they certainly put them to good use on Sunday."

Deputy Principal, Helen Ward, who is on maternity leave right now, brought new baby Liam along to help. Unfortunately
the Academy didn't have t-shirts in his size!

Fundraising continues throughout this week and we thank everyone for their amazing efforts!

FRIDAY 13TH NOVEMBER .................................. IS NATIONAL TALKING DAY!

PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS!

This is the message going out around the country on Friday 13th November
Children in Helen O'Grady Drama classes all around the country are raising tens of thousands of pounds in sponsorship as they talk to their parents and teachers about BBC Children In Need.

Schools are also joining in and this week the challenge has been laid down to the business community, entertainers, entrepreneurs to gain sponsorship for telephone calls, lectures and even chats around the photocopier.

Last year the Academy presented the charity with a cheque for £20,000. This year the target is £50,000 and counting.

For full details and to download a sponsor form, please visit our website: http://www.helenogrady.co.uk/

And please, put your money where your mouth is ..................................

Thank you