THE HOGI STORY

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Helen O’Grady International is the world’s largest after-school developmental drama programme. Over one million children are enrolled in this programme globally. In India alone, the programme has won the prestigious Best Innovative After-School Programme Award by the Indian Education Congress for three consecutive Years (2014, 2015 and 2016).


It all began in Australia in 1979, when Helen O'Grady, a trained drama teacher and actress, hired a hall and commenced affordable after school drama classes for students from 3 to 18 years of age.


Her aim was to provide a self-development drama programme that would help develop:



Enthusiasm and Optimism
Ongoing Confidence
Self-Esteem
Verbal Communication Skills
Effective Social Interaction
Personality Development



Today, Helen O’ Grady International is the largest worldwide academy of its kind; with a uniquely extensive curriculum, dynamic teachers and easily accessible venues. It is an innovative educational programme with a strong emphasis on the care of all its students.


All teachers are certified as trainers after an intensive training programme. They ensure that the highest standards of our curriculum are maintained in all classes. Students attend structured classes for one hour a week, which are divided by age group. Parent Days and annual productions allow parents and guardians to witness the students' progress first hand.


In India, Helen O' Grady International has partnered exclusively with Govind Knowledge Ventures since 2003 to promote and propagate this noble undertaking. Together, we are committed to the emotional and intellectual development of students through innovative programmes that can be delivered both as in-school and after-school classes.





MANAGEMENT

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Mrs. Arpita Mittal



Versatile Educationist and change agent, Mrs. Arpita Mittal, CEO, Helen O’Grady International, India, believes education in India needs convergence of all those great ideas, which keep the child in the centre of all education related planning and policies.

A perfect people’s person, Arpita Mittal, lives by the belief that, ‘Every child deserves an environment which will help him/her to develop a joy of learning and it is our responsibility to do everything in our power to create that environment.’
Credited with a gold medal in English literature, Arpita has a rich background of teaching English in Government degree colleges at Bhopal besides colleges in Mumbai, such as Bhavan’s, NM and Rizvi College.

This was followed by stints at Swedish Embassy and the Indo-Canadian office, New Delhi at their language development departments.

Post that, she worked as Walt Disney’s ‘Disney Character Voices International’ as a language production Manager for four years in Mumbai, followed by working with Shepperton Studios, UK, on the Paramount Pictures projects as their Project Consultant.

Authored a book Several years of research, teaching and working across geographies in the field inspired Arpita to author a book on ‘American English Grammar’ for adult students working in IELTS fields and presented many papers on ‘Excellence in Education’ at various seminars and conferences. Research in language Development Primarily, the teacher in her always wanted to contribute towards improving learning systems, paving the way for creative and modern systems, which would be easy to integrate into our existing education system. A detailed research in Language development enlightened her about the use of Developmental Drama pedagogy as a medium to learn a foreign language, which is widely used across the developed world and as a result of this study, she launched a well acclaimed Speech and Drama programme in the Indian schools across the country.

She has been serving as its CEO for India and Middle East since last ten years and has played a key role in offering speech and drama programme to more than 50,000 students in 400 schools and private studios through the organisation’s network of 75 franchisees across India.

A natural extension of the passion into innovative learning propelled her to launch Pre-schools, ECCE teacher training course; teacher enrichment courses; corporate programmes; Youth theatre programmes and commercial theatre shows under the Helen O’ Grady International banner.

She says, “Indians have to rekindle their faith in those innovative and creative learning systems, which have always been a part of our subconscious. There is a need to bring a convergence of thoughts, ideas and theories of our great thinkers and educationists like Gijubhai Bedheka, J Krishnamurthi, Aurobindo; Nai Talim of Gandhi; Tagore’s revolutionary ideas, Tarabai Modak and many others and combine these with the best from the western thought, whether of Montessori, Waldorf or Reggio Emelia and many others and use them to develop love of learning, critical thinking, freedom, love, humanism, curiosity, creativity, imagination, self- esteem and self- awareness among our children.”

She also hopes that educators will collaborate and share all that they know so that the change would reach each and every child of the country.



Mr. Harsh Seksaria



Mr. Harsh Seksaria started his academic experience from his formative schooling years at Cathedral and John Connon School, Mumbai. A graduate of the Sydenham College, Mumbai, he was fascinated by the energy of Helen O' Grady Drama classes while on a visit to New Zealand and decided to bring the programme to India. Over the last several years, he has put in considerable effort to build a capable team that will deliver the objectives of the Drama Academy and enable its expansion throughout India.

Helen O'Grady International

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