Theme Supreme

They say, “Art imitates Life” and so we like to incorporate ‘real-life’ themes into our Kindy classes. This way these young ones are not onlyl learning and enjoying performance skills but also interacting with real-world concepts in a fun and energetic way.

The last few weeks our classes exploded into the SPORT theme. How fitting for such a sport-mad country.

During the lessons teachers and students discuss the theme and share what they know and experience around the themes. Various activities then focus in on a number of skills. For example, during Movement we focus on balancing – students balance carefully while walking across a line like gymnasts; they even have to carry something on their heads for an extra challenge.

We also read and perform scenes from books. For this particular theme we use “The Sports Day” by Nick Butterworth & Mick Inkpen. Students live out the characters and scenarios from the story and bring the words and pictures to life in their unique way.

Rainbow Montessori's Kindy students just LOVED this theme

We also had great fun playing “Balloon Sports”. Using balloons allow the students to simulate ball sports without risking injury –or damage in the classroom J So much fun had by boys and girls alike!

Term Two = Parent Day!

We love the second term!

As the leaves turn orange, brown and crunchy our students become more accustomed to the Helen O’ Grady methods and activities and classmates are more comfortable working together. And mostly, second term means PARENT DAY!

Parent Day is a highlight on the drama class calendar as our students get to invite their parents for a presentation and a mini-showcase of their skills. The Parent Day is a great opportunity for parents, friends and family to be part of a drama class. 

They get to see and be part of the action, a behind the scenes look into the magic that takes place every time they drop off their children at a drama class.

Teacher, Inandi Vosloo and her charges at the Paarl Studio start their preparation...

We hope all of our students will have someone in the audience to smile at from the stage when they present what they’ve already started preparing for this term’s Parent Days.

Hope to see you there!

Great start for Bellville

The week got off to a brilliant start as our Bellville school and studio students met their new teacher,  Ansuné van der Merwe.

Ansuné has always been passionate about all performing arts. 

So much so she started ballet at the age of 4! She went on to train in modern, Spanish and tap dancing.

She also loves singing and playing piano – we can’t wait to see her in action with the students at the year-end productions.

She had Drama as a school subject and was involved in various 

productions during her high school career. After graduating with a B.A. in Media & Writing and Law, Ansuné decided to follow her heart and pursue a career in the performing arts. She trained at the Waterfront Theatre School where she gained invaluable experience on stage.

She is currently working as a freelance actress and dancer while reading towards her ATCL Teaching Diploma in Speech and Drama through Trinity College.

While she enjoys performing, Ansuné is most excited to share her love for drama with others as a teacher. She believes drama is a powerful tool which allows students to find their voices, feel safe and loved, express their creativity and develop into confident individuals. It was a great start at Bellville yesterday and we can’t wait to see her and the students grow!

LIGHTS. CAMERA. TEACH

Not only has it been an exciting week for new and returning students, it’s also been a memorable one for us. We are so excited to tell you about our two new wonderful teachers on staff! 

With great pleasure we would like to introduce Anna Greenfield and Inandi Vosloo. 

They are well qualified, energetic and full of charisma. They both completed a BA and honours degree in Drama and Theatre Arts. 

Anna Greenfield enjoying the enthusiasm of the group at Bellville Christian Academy

As with all of our teachers, they completed specialist training in the Helen O’Grady Drama System and will continue to receive ongoing training and supervision.  Our principal, Mari Crafford, visited their first classes this week and so far has shared her immense confidence in their abilities and dedication to excellence. 

Helen O’ Grady teachers from around the region getting practical during the first term training

They’ve already enjoyed a great start to this new chapter and we are so excited to see them and the students soar to new heights.

You will, of course, read all about that and more right here on our blog so keep your eyes on this page!

Don't Miss Helen O' Grady 2017

They say time flies when you’re having fun but boy, where did 2016 go?! 

What a great year it was filled with highlights and memories and it isn’t over yet. But we do have to start thinking and planning ahead. 2017 is around the corner and we need to ensure all our current students are given an opportunity to sign up for drama next year. We don’t want you to miss out!

This week all our teachers will be giving re-enrolment forms to all of our students.

Attached is all the information you need for next year.

 

And of course, if you bring back your forms next week – you stand in line to win amazing prizes so be sure to bring back those form as sooooooooooon as possible.

If 2016 is anything to go by you definitely don’t want to miss out on 2017 where it all gets bigger and better. While staying in line with our globally renowned curriculum we bring our students more skills and techniques in the form of high energy lessons.

Production Term Is Here!

Term Four started with a flourish as teachers and students hit the ground running preparing for a whirlwind term. This is of course all because Term four is Production Term!

Every year ends in spectacular fashion where all classes take to the stage and present a scripted production they’ve worked towards. This is a time where students showcase the performance skills they’ve learnt throughout their time with Helen O’ Grady. The plays are fabulous in showing off the students’ strengths while giving each individual time to shine as well as dazzle together as a cast.

A real theatre, a real stage, costume, sound, lighting and an audience that’s lined up and paid to see them!

All of the excitement culminates on the following days:

Durbanville and Bellville Studios, Rainbow Montessori, De Tyger Primary and Bellville Christian Academy take centerstage on Saturday 19 November at the Collective Arts Theatre in Bellville.

The Old Mill Theatre hosts the Paarl studio group on Tuesday 22^nd of November.

And we return to the Collective Arts Theatre on Saturday 26 November to be entertained by the Kenridge, Stellenbosch and Kuils River Studios along with Hebron Christian Academy.

Keep your eyes glued to our Facebook page for ongoing updates and further details around these unmissable productions.

A little Hebron in our Hearts

It’s amazing how teaching children can pull on every heart string. And not because we’re being dramatic, us, never. We simply cannot walk away from a class without leaving a bit of ourselves behind.

The principal of Helen O’ Grady Northern Suburbs and Winelands also teaches. Every Thursday afternoon for the last few years sees Mari drive through the gates of Hebron Christian Academy where she is met with enthusiastic, energetic, animated and lively students ready to end their school day on a dramatic high.

Despite the class growing in numbers each term and each year Mari has kept the class personal and each interaction special backed up by world-renowned teaching methods and a stellar curriculum. 

We believe the relationship between Helen O’ Grady and Hebron Christian School will continue to grow from strength to strength.