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

PRODUCTION PICTURES FROM OLDHAM

Upper Primary - PIED PIPER

Upper Primary - CIRCUS CAPERS

Youth Theatre - THE TRIUMPH OF TREVOR TRUELOVE

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR STUDENTS

This is the last week of term for most Helen O'Grady students in England and Wales. In Ireland & Scotland, the end of the term is a distant memory! End of year productions have been a great success and, over the next few days, we will post as many pictures as we can on the blog. All students have been presented with Achievement awards, in some areas marking up to 15 years attendance! Whether this is the first term or the end of that 15 years, congratulations to all our students!

PIRATE JOE - Lower Primary: "Let's get rid of the captain!"

Lower Primary: "Put him in a lifeboat and let him drift!"

CIRCUS CAPERS - Upper Primary: "Come to our circus, come to our show!"

Upper Primary: "What's the matter with Bobo the Clown?"

THE PIED PIPER - Upper Primary: "Rats in the kitchen, rats in the hall ...."

MURDER AT MORNINGTON MANOR

Youth Theatre: "You slimy little slug! I've a good mind to teach you a lesson!"

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!

REHEARSALS IN ROCHDALE

Year 3 children work hard for 'Pirate Joe'

Rehearsals for year end productions are happening all around the country and the children in Alice Ingham RC Primary School in Rochdale are well on their way to two great shows! Oldham Principal, Wendy Orrell, teaches a Year 3 and Year 4 class in the school each week. As well as the children acting their hearts out, their teachers and assistants are a big part of the drama process. One teaching assistant was desperate to play the part of Charlie in 'Circus Capers'.

Year 4 children warm up their acts in 'Circus Capers'

Because the children are so far ahead with their rehearsals, they are already singing the songs with gusto. Watch this space to see Year 4 students belting out the final number for 'Circus Capers'

KINDY DRAMA IN BERMUDA

Training Manager, Margaret Darley, this month visited Chatterbox preschool in Southampton, Bermuda, to carry out some Kindy Drama training and launch the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy on the island.





After two full days of training, the teachers were happy to introduce the lessons into the preschool, using the techniques they had learned and practised. The children were very excited to be at a 'cricket practise' and to have fun at a 'sleepover'.




The Helen O'Grady Drama Academy has a wonderful future in Bermuda and maybe in other parts of the Caribbean and we are very proud of everyone taking part.