The Helen O'Grady students from Lebone Land proudly wearing their t-shirts.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Not your everyday frustrations....
Frustrating news for Friday studio at Die Kuierhoekie! I have just been informed we will NOT be able to use the hall on the 4th June....OUR PARENT DAY PRESENTATIONS date! They have hired it out for a function!
I will try to find an alternative. Schools are writing exams and usually will not hire the hall out for the duration so it probably won't be at a school. Will keep you posted though.
It's been a bit of a crazy week all round! (See previous posting too!) One of our Youth accidentaly broke a chair on Tuesday at our studio there. All she did was SIT in it and the back legs buckled in, and she fell backwards flat onto her coccyx! Fortunately it does not seem she was injured!
The management of the church hall I hire were not in the least 'understanding'. They were immediately hostile about the incident and did not even enquire whether my student was injured or not. Their only concern seemed to be that a chair had been broken, a chair they insist was in good repair and could not have broken by simply being sat upon, and that someone needs to pay for it. I could not understand their hostile attitude as in the 9 years I have been using the hall, there has never once been any incident to cause them concern! I have always been meticulous in following their rules and instructions, and in leaving the hall as I find it each week. Strange. And really so unfair.
But as soon as I told them, smilingly, that I would happily pay for the chair even though it was an accident and how fortunate that it was a resilient teenager who sat in the chair, and not one of their aged congregation members, their attitude changed, and they became friendlier in return.
So I await the 'bill' for the replacement or repair of the chair. Anything for peace....and to keep the hall. It's not easy to find halls to hire on a regular basis in Bloemfontein!
*sigh*
I will try to find an alternative. Schools are writing exams and usually will not hire the hall out for the duration so it probably won't be at a school. Will keep you posted though.
It's been a bit of a crazy week all round! (See previous posting too!) One of our Youth accidentaly broke a chair on Tuesday at our studio there. All she did was SIT in it and the back legs buckled in, and she fell backwards flat onto her coccyx! Fortunately it does not seem she was injured!
The management of the church hall I hire were not in the least 'understanding'. They were immediately hostile about the incident and did not even enquire whether my student was injured or not. Their only concern seemed to be that a chair had been broken, a chair they insist was in good repair and could not have broken by simply being sat upon, and that someone needs to pay for it. I could not understand their hostile attitude as in the 9 years I have been using the hall, there has never once been any incident to cause them concern! I have always been meticulous in following their rules and instructions, and in leaving the hall as I find it each week. Strange. And really so unfair.
But as soon as I told them, smilingly, that I would happily pay for the chair even though it was an accident and how fortunate that it was a resilient teenager who sat in the chair, and not one of their aged congregation members, their attitude changed, and they became friendlier in return.
So I await the 'bill' for the replacement or repair of the chair. Anything for peace....and to keep the hall. It's not easy to find halls to hire on a regular basis in Bloemfontein!
*sigh*
Thursday, May 20, 2010
This Fascinating Planet Bloemfontein
Added to the usual disruptions of second term, school test weeks, and this year's World Cup disruptions, the Bloemfontein church community has, at this time of every year, what they call "Pinkster". It takes up a couple of weeks each year.
Most of my classes are run from church halls, so during this period, in the middle of rehearsing for Parent Day Presentations, I usually find myself having to find an alternate venue for each class, or moving into a small Sunday School classroom for the duration. But the show must go on, so we eat chocolate and rehearse away in the smaller rooms! Here is Wednesday studio doing just that! (Though I don't think I got a photo of the chocolate eating! :)
Sunday, May 16, 2010
The Dreaded Lurgy and Build up to Parent Day Presentations!
Been plagued for two weeks by a cold that just won't go away! Everyone giving advice, nothing much helps, but it helps to know I'm not alone...the 'sniffly' season is definitely upon us and kids are dropping like flies under the runny noses, heavy coughs, and aching bodies.
This hasn't dampened our enthusiasm though. Everyone wants the Parent Day Presentations to be perfect!
Friday Studio rehearsing...
Tuesday Studio Rehearsing....
...and Lebone rehearsing!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
More disruptions in the term, but its all good.
Brebner Primary school is putting on a "Revue" this weekend at our Sand du Plessis Theater. I've seen some of the rehearsal's and its going to be fantastic! Their music teacher, Margy Anderson, has produced a wonderful fun program, and I think parents and friends are going to really enjoy it!
However with rehearsals at the "Sand" for the next few days, Brebner studio will miss out on drama classes. No worries though, you kids are so 'on the ball' that missing this week's class is no biggie. ENJOY doing your Revue!!! See you next week!
The UOFS is performing "The Crucible" next week, and I urge ALL my Youth Theater kids to go see it. Matrics, its your set-work anyway. It's is probably my all time favourite play!
However with rehearsals at the "Sand" for the next few days, Brebner studio will miss out on drama classes. No worries though, you kids are so 'on the ball' that missing this week's class is no biggie. ENJOY doing your Revue!!! See you next week!
The UOFS is performing "The Crucible" next week, and I urge ALL my Youth Theater kids to go see it. Matrics, its your set-work anyway. It's is probably my all time favourite play!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
At LAST - photo uploads working again.
Tuesday Youth having fun with costume props!
Lebone Drama kids. :)
Wednesday is ALWAYS Whacky! :D
Have been very pleased with attendance this term DESPITE the disruptions! Keep it up! Parent Presentations are around the corner!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Friday Youth Theater Mime's
Friday Youth....here's your mime's from this week's class!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caQx2usMgho
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEvmtRJoULc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caQx2usMgho
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEvmtRJoULc
'Crazy' time is over at last!
Well, with those first disjointed weeks of term done (and my three weekends away), I'm looking forward to settling in to regular classes for the rest of the term. Although this one is so short we are almost half way through already! Preparations are well under way for a Parent Day Presentation at the end of this term, and everyone us excited about the items we are preparing for performance!
I have been trying this whole term to upload some photos but I keep getting a 'server error' message every time! MOST frustrating! Now that most of the 'busy-ness' of the past few weeks is over, I shall get someone to look into it for me.
Friday Youth....will get your vid clips up on Youtube and post the URL when it's all done. :)
All for now.
I have been trying this whole term to upload some photos but I keep getting a 'server error' message every time! MOST frustrating! Now that most of the 'busy-ness' of the past few weeks is over, I shall get someone to look into it for me.
Friday Youth....will get your vid clips up on Youtube and post the URL when it's all done. :)
All for now.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Where did the last three weeks go??
I'm sure everyone is feeling the time-pinch this term, and I've had a rediculously busy time, without weekends to use for catching up! Have tried to post updates each week before the weekend but seem to be having some problems with the blog. Can't get the latest photos etc up - for some reason when I try my page just bombs out! Very frustrating as I then lose a good hour's work! However, when I can catch my breath I'll look into it.
In the meantime, hope Friday studio had a great time with Roxy, and I hope you Monday and Tuesday studio's enjoyed your long weekend BUT really missed drama! :)
I have no out-of-town commitments this weekend (Yay!!) so will be sorting out all these blog problems!
Till then....
In the meantime, hope Friday studio had a great time with Roxy, and I hope you Monday and Tuesday studio's enjoyed your long weekend BUT really missed drama! :)
I have no out-of-town commitments this weekend (Yay!!) so will be sorting out all these blog problems!
Till then....
Friday, April 16, 2010
Week one - countdown!
With week one of term well under way, it really is hitting home how much there is to do in so short a term!
Thanks studios so far, for you enthusiasm as we start Parent Day rehearsals! I can see you all LOVE our verbal dynamics for this term - and believe me, more fun is to come!
Tuesday, what stars you were with the mix up at our Tuesday venue (the church didn't realize it was the start of term and I'd be back teaching, and double booked the hall!) a bit different doing activities out on the grass, and working in the nursery school dining room, ey? And thanks Youth for putting the nursery school tables and chairs back so quickly! (If I knew how, I would insert a "star" here!)
FRIDAY studio missed out on a Whacky Week last term, so we are having it on the 23rd April...notices will go out today.
ALSO Friday...you will be excited to hear you have your old teacher back for the classes of the 23rd!! I have a wedding to go to down in Port Edward so ROXY will be teaching all the Friday classes for me! Since it will be Whacky Week for you guys I'll tell her to wear her fairy wings :)
Will take photos from next week onwards, so there will be pics up here then!
Have a careful weekend all!
Thanks studios so far, for you enthusiasm as we start Parent Day rehearsals! I can see you all LOVE our verbal dynamics for this term - and believe me, more fun is to come!
Tuesday, what stars you were with the mix up at our Tuesday venue (the church didn't realize it was the start of term and I'd be back teaching, and double booked the hall!) a bit different doing activities out on the grass, and working in the nursery school dining room, ey? And thanks Youth for putting the nursery school tables and chairs back so quickly! (If I knew how, I would insert a "star" here!)
FRIDAY studio missed out on a Whacky Week last term, so we are having it on the 23rd April...notices will go out today.
ALSO Friday...you will be excited to hear you have your old teacher back for the classes of the 23rd!! I have a wedding to go to down in Port Edward so ROXY will be teaching all the Friday classes for me! Since it will be Whacky Week for you guys I'll tell her to wear her fairy wings :)
Will take photos from next week onwards, so there will be pics up here then!
Have a careful weekend all!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Welcome back – Term two!
I hope you all had a good holiday (though for me it went WAY too fast!). This term we have to fit a 10 week syllabus into what to all intents and purposes is only a 7 week term! PANIC!
It is therefore important that students miss class as LITTLE AS POSSIBLE! We are rehearsing pieces to do for Parent Day and, as with the Year End plays, if one child is missing, it affects the rehearsal dramatically. Your child is not simply a ‘face in a crowd’ in Helen O’Grady performances, but will always have a role, with lines to speak, and anyone missing at any given time is like a ‘missing link’ and makes it difficult for the rest of the cast to perform.
This term is also peppered with holidays which make ‘long-weekends’ (a teachers nightmare!) so please note the following classes affected:
Brebner Lower Primary / Heuwelkruin Studios / Universitas-Wes Studios:
Monday and Tuesday 26th and 27th April are holidays – we will not be able to have class those days.
While Saturday is a public holiday, I hope that none of the Academy families will be taking that entire week (26 April to 2 May) off! IF you have planned to be away from Bloem that whole week PLEASE, PLEASE let me know. I will be able to make up the Monday class by having Monday’s Parent Day on
MONDAY 7TH MAY.
As school closes on Wednesday 9th, I would need to know if Tuesday’s Parent Day could be on TUESDAY 8TH MAY.
Tuesday parents, let me know pls!
So here's to a great Term Two!
It is therefore important that students miss class as LITTLE AS POSSIBLE! We are rehearsing pieces to do for Parent Day and, as with the Year End plays, if one child is missing, it affects the rehearsal dramatically. Your child is not simply a ‘face in a crowd’ in Helen O’Grady performances, but will always have a role, with lines to speak, and anyone missing at any given time is like a ‘missing link’ and makes it difficult for the rest of the cast to perform.
This term is also peppered with holidays which make ‘long-weekends’ (a teachers nightmare!) so please note the following classes affected:
Brebner Lower Primary / Heuwelkruin Studios / Universitas-Wes Studios:
Monday and Tuesday 26th and 27th April are holidays – we will not be able to have class those days.
While Saturday is a public holiday, I hope that none of the Academy families will be taking that entire week (26 April to 2 May) off! IF you have planned to be away from Bloem that whole week PLEASE, PLEASE let me know. I will be able to make up the Monday class by having Monday’s Parent Day on
MONDAY 7TH MAY.
As school closes on Wednesday 9th, I would need to know if Tuesday’s Parent Day could be on TUESDAY 8TH MAY.
Tuesday parents, let me know pls!
So here's to a great Term Two!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Happy Easter Everyone! (and whacky week photos!)
Had an amazing Whacky Week but the end of term came upon me soooo fast I was not as prepared as I should have been! Sorry Friday studio! Will make it up to you next term. I was on the ball with the public holiday on Monday and made provision for those classes, but Friday just caught me unawares!
Here are some of the Whacky photos! You guys are AMAAAAAAZING!!!!
Here are some of the Whacky photos! You guys are AMAAAAAAZING!!!! Tuesday Combined class! The "mummy" was coming apart at the seams, but it still looked impressive!
Tuesday Youth is just plain "nuts". More of your photos on fb, and your FANTASTIC mime to music clips are on youtube!
Even Lebone got 'Whacky'!
Wednesday Whacky-ness!
So one down (term) three to go! Tuesday Youth go check youtube :
Will also put a few more photos up on fb.
Have a WONDERFUL Easter, drive safe, and see you next term.
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