Belinda delivered a Confidence and
Communication workshop to pupils at Bloxham School prior to a dinner
students attended.
The money debate: Is it ever okay to ask for cash? Belinda featured in an article for Wedding Ideas magazine about the etiquette of money at weddings.
Belinda featured in an article in Living North Magazine.
The culmination of 3 evening workshops in February, attended by Governors and Guests.
"Over the past 3 weeks, some of the Lower Sixth have had the opportunity to take
part in a Communication Skills and Etiquette course. Despite being apprehensive at
first, we found it very rewarding by the end.
Before half term we had lessons from Belinda Alexander, who runs social courses for
Sixth Formers across the region. The first session involved learning about a variety
of key skills such as communication skills, body language and eye contact. We also
learned how to sit, stand, and enter a room correctly which will be incredibly useful
when making the right first impression for in an interview.
The second session involved etiquette and manners at a dinner and how to eat
unusual foods in the correct way. It also expanded on conversational techniques and
some of us had to deliver a small presentation on the spot. Again, these skills are
becoming analysed more thoroughly for companies, so this part of the course was
again incredibly beneficial.
We also practised introductions and interview techniques.
The final session was a brief reminder of how to act at a dinner, before taking part in
a dinner party put on by the school. We were responsible for greeting guests,
pouring and topping up drinks and handing out canapés and making conversation
with governors and other guests. Once in the Dining Hall, we were all seated next to
a different guest for each course and put the skills we had learnt in place to make
polite conversation. The food was excellent and a huge thank you must go to the
catering staff. It was a fun evening and despite some being nervous beforehand,
everyone enjoyed the event."
Belinda featured in an episode of Educating Essex, working with Joey on the social skills needed if he met the Queen before her 90th birthday. He was really kind, fun and thoughtful.
Teaching Joey about 'Meeting and Greeting'
Belinda featured in an article in the Express.
Belinda with Headteacher Mr Leyland and pupils at Kirkby High School. Headteacher Bill Leyland is on a mission to broaden horizons amongst his students and called in to see students responding well in workshops on Social Skills and Communication.
Girls and Boys at the two workshops with Belinda Alexander -topics included Interview Technique and Confidence and Social Skills.
Belinda with some of the V1th form pupils at Barnard Castle who attended 3 workshops on Interview Technique and Social Skills culminating with a candlelit dinner to enable pupils to show off their conversational & communication skills to parents and Heads from both the prep and main School. This has become an annual event with names down for Feb 2016.
Dear Belinda
Thanks for your the enclosed letter and all the 3 sessions. I have learnt so much and I am sure that it will be useful for me in future.
Best wishes
Wilhelm
Article from the Northern Echo, May 2013, Mentor of Modern Manners
View pictures of the models, courtesy of Calico Images
It was great to be back again this year at Downe House who book me for much of the weekend to deliver courses to girls from each of the houses.
May I take this opportunity to say how impressed I was with all the thank you letters I received from Tedworth, AGN to mention a few!
It really was rewarding for me and I do appreciate it. As I said in my talks, it is important to thank or respond to people, and Good Manners cost little!
I am due back to Eggleston Hall; they hold daily or weekly courses for mature students, school leavers, and job returners, or simply people who feel they need to learn more about social skills. This could be 'What to expect at Interview' or at a banquet with Royalty. With the help of Jill Harbord, its cosy and informal - if you wish to know more please email me.
I have been asked to train girls to model in the 'Pageant of Dress' at The Bowes Museum; this has provided girls with an opportunity to be closely involved with textiles, art and design and to show garments throughout the ages.
Some will 'model' the clothes, some will dress, and others will help with collating a running order, from 18th century through to Laura Ashley's first dress! I have 15 girls from Barnard Castle School who are so enthusiastic about their role in this exciting event, I am sure their posture will improve without having to mention 'shoulders back' or 'keep your head up and look people in the eye'!
I am delivering a series of sessions on etiquette to St Mary's Calne School, including material on conversation, interview technique, grooming, personal health, courtesy and good manners.
A recent assignment involved travelling to Wales to advise debutantes on curtseying and deportment during the filming of 'Upstairs Downstairs'.
Dear Belinda,
With your knowledge of deportment, please would you be able to come
to Wales and advise the debutantes on Upstairs Downstairs?
Best wishes
Sam
Sam Baker
Production Manager
BBC - Upstairs Downstairs