HELEN O'GRADY OLYMPICS!

After the Seminar last month, Franchisees and their partners retired to the Avon Gorge Hotel in Clifton, Bristol, to relax after a very busy term. The theme of the evening was the Olympics (of course!) and Principals never miss a chance to dress up.

Several games had been arranged and everyone joined in very enthusiastically. It was a beautiful evening; the hotel overlooks the famous Suspension Bridge and they provided an excellent barbecue and lots of space outside for the Helen O'Grady Olympics!

Prizes were awarded for the best costumes and, although none were presented, several gold medals were well deserved.

Mel Moore (SWLondon) and partner, Sam

L to R:Beth Daniel (NLeics), Lucy O'Gorman (husband Neil is Principal, S London) and Helen Walls (Bromley)

Franchisee Of The Year, Susana Ayala (Bournemouth) and Susannah Gill (Training Supervisor)

Nigel's PA, Katey De Menezez (R) supervises the games

Lucinda & Jessica Symonds (Cambs-Herts) with Mel Moore

Angela Gallagher (NW Ireland) with Barbara Brett (Tayforth) and husband, Tim

Usain Bolt popped in (or is it Neil O'Gorman, S London?)

Stuart Goakes (with Lindsay, York Principal) - believed to be the oldest Olympian attending!

Susana Ayala with Rosie Reynolds (Glos)

 

 

 

 

Best male costume went to Brian Ormrod (Cheshire) for the Hammer thrower - gone slightly wrong!

Best female costume was that of "Horsewoman", Jane Evans (W.Midlands)

It was a wonderful way to end a busy term. We, at Head Office, wish everyone in the network a sunny and restful summer ...... and ...... come on Team GB!!!

FRANCHISEE TRAINING 2012

Last month, induction training for new Franchisees took place at the Mercure Hotel in Bristol. National Director, Nigel Le Page, and Trainers, Margaret Darley and Alison Mazanec, welcomed new Principals from around the world!

New Franchisees from L to R: Chris and Kathryn Gregory (Bath), Andrea Williams (St Helens), Katy Markey (West Sussex) and Tenie Sangma (Tokyo).

 

 

 As well as workshopping a great deal of curriculum and visiting both regular classes and end of year shows, the team covered all necessary administration, marketing and business topic.s

Alison (far L) explains the enrolment procedure

Andrea plays the part of a concerned mother, while Chris and Kathryn deal with the enrolment.

Although the week is packed with learning, it is also a lot of fun. The trainees were fortunate to be in Bristol during the annual Harbour Festival which, this year, enjoyed record crowds, mostly due to the beautiful sunshine. To conclude the proceedings the Class of 2012 enjoyed a meal together at a popular Bristol restaurant.

Tenie (L) and Katy

Christopher, Kathryn and Andrea

Training manager, Margaret Darley (L) and Executive Principal, Alison Mazanec

National Director, Nigel Le Page, with his special award at the end of the training week!

The group, after an excellent evening at Byzantium, Bristol

All new Principals are currently organising themselves for a big launch in September. We wish them all the best of luck!

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.

NIM NAM, NIM NAM........

In the last few exciting weeks up to the end of the Academy term, final dress rehearsals continue and performances take place. Here are some pictures of the Lower Primary production: "The Grasshopper And The Ants".

Tayforth ants with the lazy Grasshopper practicing their 'nim-nam' ant language.

Bristol Grasshopper with ants hiding behind the flowers!

Very happy Bristol ants!

Good luck to all students and teachers who are presenting their shows this week and next! We are very proud of you all!

PORTISHEAD SUMMER FAIR

In the middle of this very busy production term, Bristol teacher, Abi Hutchinson, took some of her students along to the summer fair at the school where her classes are held. Portishead students talked to parents and children and performed some spontaneous mini-scripts.

All Bristol classes will be presenting their end of year plays at the Olympus Theatre, on WISE Campus, Stoke Gifford, next week.

Enrolments for September are now being taken for classes in Keynsham, Frampton Cotterell, Bishopston, Almondsbury, Westbury on Trym, Redland and Downend as well as the very popular studio in Portishead.

Call 0117 900 1602 or email bristol@helenogrady.co.uk for further details.

OOH LA LA!!

"Tray Chic" has proved a very popular production with teachers and children alike this year. Set in a top class French restaurant, with cranky Chef Pierre, it has been a real test for French accents! Students from Tayforth have performed this week. What fantastic props and costumes they had!

 In Malta, students recreated the whole French restaurant effect and there were shouts of "Yes, Chef!" resounding everywhere.

The play was originally written by our colleagues at Helen O'Grady Africa and we were delighted to adapt it for children in the UK and Europe.

In England and Wales, productions are starting later in July, whereas classes in Scotland, Ireland (and Malta!) finish their term much earlier.

We are proud of all our students and look forward to sharing lots more production photographs! For details of all locations visit www.helenogrady.co.uk