BIG SURPRISE FOR GARDENERS IN LEICESTERSHIRE

Despite the wintry weather this week, life has continued in Helen O'Grady classes. This week saw the Mime to Music, The Garden Gnomes, performed in many classes. This is a favourite mime for teachers and children alike. When the gardener despairs about the mess in his garden, the cheeky gnomes all come to life and clear up for him. They just can't let the gardener know they are alive or he may find all sorts of other things for them to do.In North Leicestershire the children had a dress-up day and we think their Santa hats may have come in useful!

Congratulations to all the gnomes - and their parents - on the fabulous costumes. And congratulations to Principal, Beth Daniel, for inspiring them to get into the spirit.

There are still spaces left in classes around the country. Visit our website for details of your nearest classes and you, or someone special to you, could join in the fun!

SNIOW DAY IN THE SOUTH WEST

Lots of snowy pictures from Helen O'Grady people in the South West of the UK today. Some classes will be cancelled today - please contact your local branch for information.

Lots of our students will have had snow days home from school - look forward to hearing all about them in class next week.

TRAINING SEMINAR - JANUARY 2013

To kick off the new year, Principals and their teachers met in Crawley this weekend for the traditional January Seminar in preparation for the term ahead. More than sixty people attended the day, workshopping curriculum for Term 2 and generally sharing ideas and stories from Term 1.

Principals listen attentively as Mime to Music is explained

Preparing for some very interesting speech work

"Crammed on the bypass .........." Verbal Dynamics

Working together on improvisations .......

....... sometimes with hilarious results!

At the end of the day, Gloucestershire Principal, Rosie Reynolds, passed on Grady Bear to colleague, Gemma Knight, from Northampton. The Bear is visiting Gemma's branch for the term after the team thought the Principal's participation and input during the day warranted some sort of reward. No doubt Grady will many adventures before Easter. You can sign up for a regular newsletter on our website to catch up with all of Grady's antics in our regular newsletter.

L to R - National Director, Nigel Le Page and Principals, Gemma Knight and Rosie Reynolds

END OF TERM AT THE ACADEMY

With the end of term already here, in some areas, the children in our classes have been showing off their new skills in their parent day presentations. The circus play was a popular theme for these shows this term!

Very colourful outfits for parent days!

The children love their classes and parents love the results! Principals received excellent feedback. Our Norwich Principal received the following in an email:

"We would like to thank you so much for all you have done for Max over the past couple of years. I have to tell you about his school Christmas play! Max only had a couple of solo lines but he didn't just say the punchline; he delivered it; he ACTED it. 

Max completely took to you and your methods of teaching and we believe what he has learnt from you has helped in so many ways. I know he will carry many pleasant memories and experiences forward with him, not least the desire to perform. With the confidence he now has, getting up in front of a crowd is something he will never struggle with again. Thanks for everything!"

GRADY BEAR IN GUERNSEY

This Grady Bear, who really lives in Bristol, made a surprise visit to Helen O'Grady Head Office in Guernsey this week. He felt he needed to know a little more about the workings of the company so he could spread the word!

National Director, Nigel Le Page, explained something about his job as Grady inspected emails.

Unfortunately, he was none to keen on the rain in Guernsey so will be back in Bristol by the weekend.

Grady in the rain

AN EARLY CHRISTMAS PRESENT

We recently ran the first of many competitions through our UK & Europe Facebook page. The competition has now closed and we'd like to congratulate our winner.

Rachel Conti from Exeter has won £100 worth of Theatre Tokens to be redeemed at a theatre of her choice. Here she is at class yesterday with her daughters Maia and Sasha, who attend drama classes in Exeter.

Exeter Principal, Abbe Martin, with Maia andSasha

 Perhaps Maia and Sacha will join mum to see a pantomime or a play in the Christmas holidays!

There will be more competitions with fabulous prizes, so do visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/helenogradydrama to join in the fun!

SHOW YOUR SPOTS - LET'S RAISE LOTS!

All around the country, our students have been joining in National Talking Week! to raise money for BBC Children In Need.

Spotty children raise money for BBC Children In Need

 New Principal in St. Helens and Warrington, Andrea Williams, emailed HO at the weekend:

"I would just like to tell you about my week. This week children have taken part in National Talking Week! Their subject was: 'If you found a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, who would you give it to?'  One child came up with a fantastic idea of creating a Children in Need Wishing Well; I think we should have one in every city!  The whole lesson was really fun. Students made up their own plays about Children In Need and one group performed it to the parents. As you can see in the picture, we made them all spotty with face paint. Parents were thrilled with our performance and very supportive of our fundraising."
Congratulations to Andrea on a great week. So far, she and her students have raised a massive £255 with sponsorship still coming in.