The best in Africa

Gerine (WE) Hoff
Yolanda Nel - What began as an inquiry for drama classes for her son, turned into an academy that develops children's personalities, whether they are introverts or extroverts.

Simonne Oosthuizen of the Helen O'Grady edu-drama academy, loves watching her teachers and students grow. “This developmental program is the most rewarding thing I have experienced in my life,” she says. “Listening to a shy child speak confidently or watching an extrovert show empathy towards their peers, is what inspires me.”

The academy is an international program that is taught in more than 30 countries globally. The curriculum has been in use for 40 years and is focused on developing a positive self-esteem and great confidence in the communication skills of students.

“Our curriculum is all-inclusive and is geared to developing both extrovert and introvert personality types, as well as children with emotional or physical challenges,” she explains.

Over all, the group experiences the results of this program in every class they teach. “Our fully-vetted teachers are trained to provide daily updates on all our students' development within the classroom,” Simonne says.

They teach children aged 3-18 years. Students older than 19 are part of the adult classes.

Working with children is an amazing experience for her and she enjoys what she does. “Not only do I experience the development and growth in other people's children, but I have two of my own children in the program and the changes have been monumental,” she says.

The team is honoured to be able to present this program in Namibia. “We feel so lucky!”

It was the teams' professionalism and marketing that recently bagged them the award for best franchise of the year in Africa for 2018. “We are very proud and honoured to have received this kind of recognition within our first year of operation,” Simonne says.

The award was handed over to them during a training seminar. “Every year all the directors, teachers and principals come together to share their experiences and knowledge,” she says. During this time they also focus on the curriculum and make sure that everyone is up to date and motivated to continue to be the best Helen O'Grady developers that they can be.

“I believe that we received this award for a few reasons. We taught our first class on 29 May 2017 and have over 220 students currently enrolled. McBreaton Pieters is my head teacher and trainer; my right hand. The success of the academy has so much to do with his incredible passion for developing children, coupled with his incredible natural ability to teach effectively and compassionately,” Simonne said.

They also recently welcomed Elzaan de Wee to the team. “She is a local actress and has incredible energy and theatre skills that she brings to our academy.”

Simonne thanks not only all her teachers, but also all the students and their parents for their support over the past 12 months. “Our success is a result of our incredible students too. We are lucky to be on this journey together. We are all very excited about sharing this phenomenal program with the people of Namibia.”