REMOTE EMPLOYMENT WINNER OPENS FIRST CLASSES

Last week saw the launch of the Harrow and Uxbridge branch of the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy. New Principal, Janine van den Berg, entered a competition with Remote Employment last year and won her very own branch of the Academy. She will be operating classes in Northwood, Ruislip, Kenton, Stanmore, Pinner and Harrow.

Training Manager, Margaret Darley, spent time with Janine in class last week and said: "Janine has been a delight to work with. She is so receptive and eager to learn and started with some really exciting classes. She is all set to have a very successful branch in her area. We are thrilled she entered the competition and know she will be an asset to the Academy." Janine is seen below with some of the students in her Stanmore class.

Janine was attracted to the business for many reasons, including the flexible working hours it affords, meaning she can spend time with her lovely daughter, Dea.

As Dea is not quite two years old, she is not eligible to join classes yet but that does not mean she isn't supporting her mum! During training she was happy to join in speech exercises and movement was her speciality! She thoroughly deserved the polo shirt she was awarded!

KINDY DRAMA IN MALTA

New Kindy Drama, for children aged three and four, has really taken off in our Malta branch. Principal, Alan Montanaro, has recently appointed three new teachers to manage the classes, as numbers have soared in the last two terms. Training Manager, Margaret Darley, recently visited to help train the new teachers, Holly, Alison and Coryse, alongside existing teachers, Izzy and Katherine.
Margaret was also lucky enough to attend (and join in!) a Kindy class. Teacher - Miss Holly as the Maltese children call her - did a great job of enthusing her students in what, for some, was their very first Kindy lesson. The two boys below were entranced with her sheer energy and enthusiasm.

Most training took place at the Principal's house and, during a short break in the sunshine, there was time for a picture. Alan (pictured right) and Margaret (centre) are here with teachers (l to r) Alison, Izzy, Katherine, Holly and Coryse.

Margaret said "We at Head Office are delighted the response to Kindy Drama in Malta has been so positive. Alan Montanaro has been running excellent Primary and Youth Theatre classes for several years. We are not surprised his newest classes have proved so popular. It was a delight to work with such committed and receptive teachers and wonderful to see a class in action. They are a great team in Malta and I am certain the new teachers will build and maintain great classes!"

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!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE HELEN O'GRADY DRAMA ACADEMY

With much of the country covered in snow, many children will be wondering if Father Christmas is already on his way - as the sleigh, pulled by the trusty reindeer, is one of the more reliable forms of transport right now.

To all Principals, teachers, students, parents and friends of the

Helen O'Grady Drama Academy, we at Head Office extend a wish for a very Happy Festive Season, hopefully spent with family and friends. May the weather be kind to you and allow you to visit where you will and when the New Year comes, may it bring peace, health, happiness and continued success to you all.

SNOW CONTINUES TO AFFECT CLASSES - BUT NOT MORALE!

Bolton Principal, Karen Ryder, may have been kept away from lessons by the snow, but she is not one to miss a marketing opportunity! She just saw the snow as another chance to let everyone know about her wonderful classes!

Scotland has been one of the worst hit areas and Tayforth Principal, Barbara Brett, has faced a week of challenges. But, when you live in such a beautiful part of the UK, you can take a little time out to enjoy the views!

Most classes should be back to normal this week but the weather forecasters are not optimistic! There could well be more snow on the way.

GRADY BEAR'S ADVENTURES

Over the last twelve months, many branches have introduced the students in their younger classes to their very own 'Grady Bear'. A child is chosen each week to take home the bear and record his adventures in a scrap book which will be kept in class. Bolton Principal, Karen Ryder, decided to take her Grady on his own adventure. He is here in the snow with Karen.

Then (below) she took him to Blackpool, here is he is in front of the famous Black pool Tower and then ................. ............................................they went ice skating together.

The North West of England has not had as much snow as some parts of the country but Grady certainly had lots of fun in the cold wind and on the ice.

HELEN O'GRADY IN THE SNOW!

Like many others around the country, Leicester Principal, Beth Daniel, has been unable to run all her classes this week because of the heavy snow. Above is the view from her office window and below the fields nearby.

South London have a particularly bad few days with many classes cancelled.Croydon Principal, Ian Brown, dressed for the weather, did find some time to play in the snow.