SPECIAL CHRISTMAS FOR LONDON PRINCIPAL

This week, Academy Principal, Emma Steel, had a wonderful white wedding in the snow! Emma, who is Principal in North West London, married Andrew Butler, an actor, who is also actively involved in running the branch. The couple met at drama school and when Emma decided she wanted to use her acting skills to inspire children and help them develop confidence and self esteem, Andrew remembered his own time as a student with the Academy and contacted Head Office. Emma has never looked back, now running classes for almost 250 students in her area. Their wedding took place on a farm in Cheshire, and, as the pictures show, it truly was a white wedding! Everyone at the Academy wishes them all the love and luck in the world for a happy marriage and a successful future.

NEW PRINCIPALS RARING TO GO

From left to right, Catherine Prout, Warwick, Sarah Walton, Blackpool and Abbe Martin, Exeter, are the three new Principals who were chosen from hundreds who entered the Remote Employment Awards this year and are now preparing to start their own Academy in January 2010. After training in October, they were sent away with a list of tasks to work on to have the best possible start in the New Year. All three are very excited. Sarah said: "It was amazing to see my name in the listing on the website http://www.helenogrady.co.uk/ It makes it all real and I can't wait to start classes."

In Spain, it is the same story - Jose Miguel Cubillo (L) and Luis Valenzuela (R), seen here with National Director, Nigel Le Page - are working closely with schools in Madrid to confirm classes for 2010. We wish them all the best of luck in the New Year.

PUDSEY SAYS THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!

Principals at the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy are still collecting sponsor money and donations following the very successful NATIONAL TALKING DAY! this month.

Some branches have collected thousands of pounds, helping the Academy as a whole edge nearer to their target of £50,000. In South Wales we are grateful to

The Big Yellow Self Storage Company

Dalton Printers

for their kind donations.

It's still not too late to become involved. Details can be downloaded from our website http://www.helenogrady.co.uk/

Thank you to everyone. You have helped make a huge difference to the lives of so many children.

BBC CHILDREN IN NEED UPDATE

On Friday 20th November, a team from the Academy had a great time at the BBC Children In Need Show in London. Fundraising continues and will do until the end of the year. Schools and companies are invited to participate in NATIONAL TALKING DAY! activities. We are grateful for the support of:

AON Insurance Managers, Guernsey

Powell's Primary School, Cirencester

For full details of how to become involved, please visit http://www.helenogrady.co.uk/

PUDSEY ROCKS!

A team from the Academy joined the audience at BBC Television Centre on Friday 20th November to present a cheque to Sir Terry Wogan in favour of BBC Children In Need.

National Director, Nigel Le Page, spoke to Sir Terry live on air, and enjoyed a fantastic, star studded, evening of entertainment which was interspersed with accounts of the children helped by the charity.

The Academy is proud to be a corporate partner of BBC Children In Need. It is, indeed, a fitting charity, enabling children to support other children less fortunate than themselves. Fundraising continues to meet the target of £50,000. It's not too late to donate, please see http://www.helenogrady.co.uk/ for full details.

TALKING FOR PUDSEY!

Lower Primary children in Chewton Mendip, Somerset, celebrated their National Talking Day! this week by inviting parents to attend class to listen to their prepared two minute speeches. The teacher offered the children the opportunity to speak in front of everyone and 5 year old Amy took on the challenge. She was speaking about why she liked being a child in her family. Amy only joined the Academy this term and mum was delighted she had the confidence to commit her talk to film!

The class was a great success, and parents were very generous with their sponsor money, raising more than £250 in total, which will go towards the national target of £50,000.

BAG PACKS FOR PUDSEY

Another successful supermarket bag pack took place this weekend by students from the York Academy. Some 50 students and parents, staff, friends and family were all there and Pudsey himself lent a hand.

York Principal, Lindsay Goakes, said "There was a wonderful team spirit and great fun was had by all. I was so proud of our students. They were amazing! Two wee lads, without parents there, packed bags for three hours non-stop with no complaints. All the parents were hugely supportive and felt it was an excellent opportunity for children to give something back.

We had many members of the public and members of staff comment on the excellent behaviour of our children as well as their excellent verbal skills and their confidence."

In all the day raised well over £1,000 towards the Academy's target.