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Her self-confidence has improved a lot. She has learned to stand up for her rights and this was evident following a bullying incident on the school bus where she quoted a line from one of the Academy’s plays. Although not an extrovert, she is now mixing more readily. On top of everything, she really enjoys herself and is learning a lot of concepts that are useful in everyday life.
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Parent
Attard Primary -
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My husband and I have noticed a marked improvement in how our child speaks – especially the construction of sentences in conversation. She has become very clear and concrete when trying to explain an issue, a topic, anything. She loves her drama lessons and whenever she finishes a lesson, she is in a good mood.
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Parent
Central Academy of Ballet, B’Kara -
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I was very impressed with the way the lesson was conducted, with the children’s participation, and with the enthusiasm generated by the positive experience they were going though.
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Head of Secretariat
Ministry of Education -
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Whilst observing a class, I was able to experience the motivating energy of the activity and the enthusiastic participation of the children, including those who required special attention. I would like to confirm the holistic, therapeutic and educational value of the Helen O’Grady Academy Development through Drama programme. The Academy encourages children to develop clear, articulate speech, a fluent delivery and the ability to converse and discuss in a creative manner that is not covered in regular academic environments.
I would not hesitate to recommend the educational and conversational benefits of the Academy to parents and educators .
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Rachel Xuereb, M.Sc (Lond.)
Speech-Language Pathologist -
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All children, irrespective of academic levels thoroughly enjoy their sessions. It’s amazing how children who have language difficulties, not only manage to overcome them by speaking clearly, but also to integrate with their peers, holding their head up high as equals, sharing weaknesses which in turn become strengths, to the benefit of all.
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Head of School
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The positive and reaffirming approach offered through the Helen O’Grady Programme is of considerable benefit to children. I have no hesitation in recommending this programme, and I fully support the growth and continuation of initiatives such as these in contributing towards the healthy development of children.
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Ms Carmen Zammit
Commissioner for Children -
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I consider the project to be an outstanding success. It succeeded in reaching targets in language mastery as well as personal and social development that would have otherwise been far more difficult to attain in the context of a traditional curriculum.
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Sandro Spiteri,
Director,
Quality and Standards in Education -
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The enthusiasm and dedication that every one gives (at the Helen O’Grady Academy, never ceases to amaze me. Drama is a great way of expressing ones self and can have so many positive impacts on people’s lives.
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Sir Alex Ferguson CBE
Manager, Manchester United Football Club -
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The Helen O’Grady approach based on drama and building-up of self-confidence seems to offer interesting opportunities to help young people to develop their full potential.
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Ján Fidél
Member of European Commission - Education
The HELEN O’GRADY ACADEMY is the only organization of it’s kind with over 65,000 students attending our development programme in over 25 countries. Ms Helen O’Grady, a trained drama teacher, professional actress and producer/presenter of children’s television shows, felt the need for a drama program that would encourage enthusiasm, energy, a positive approach to life and effective social interaction.
The more she worked with children, the more she became aware of the need of a self-development program which would tap into the child’s own creativity and increase their confidence and communication skills in a fun way.
The Academy was born in Perth, Australia in 1979. Its aim? To encourage:
1. Enthusiasm, energy and a positive approach to life.
2. Ongoing confidence.
3. Self esteem.
4. Skill in verbal communication
5. Effective social interaction.
The dynamic programme stimulates and assists students to develop in areas such as speech, movement and posture. Over the years the Academy has experienced that children become very enthusiastic to participate and this increases their confidence whilst improving their articulation.
