Introducing our wonderful new Principal of Helen O'Grady Windhoek
The Helen O'Grady Drama Academy in Windhoek Namibia has had two extremely successful years under the direction of Simonne Oosthuizen. The Academy has grown exponentially under Simonne's leadership to become one of tne the leading Educational drama programmes in the country. Simonne will be moving abroad with her family and has handed the Academy over to Lauren Stainton who will be our new Principal from January 2019.
Lauren was born in South Africa but grew up in the sheltered city of Windhoek, Namibia. She studied for her BA Psychology degree in Cape Town and gained her Post Graduate in Teaching via UNISA.
She is married with two young children, aged 10 and 4 years. She has always wanted to work with young children from an early age. Throughout her adult life she spent her days educating and nurturing children which she finds incredibly fulfilling and worthy. With her psychology background she has been particularly good with special needs children. She taught autistic children in Cape Town for 10 years after which she taught in a Special Needs school in Namibia for 3 years before moving to mainstream teaching.
Lauren says, "When I was approached to take over the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy here in Windhoek, I attended all the classes to gain an understanding of the outlook and concept behind the Academy. It took me three classes to know without a doubt that I needed to be a part of this uplifting programme. Words do not adequately relay how excited I am for the adventure ahead and for being able to positively enhance the lives of our students."
We are so happy to have someone with Lauren's creditentials and calibre to take up the reins of our drama school in Namibia. She will no doubt carry forward Simonne Oosthuizen's incredible legacy in the city.
In this photo you can see Lauren with the Helen O'Grady teachers and Simonne. Lauren is second from the left.
