A Message from the Principal...

Dear Hammond Community

I hope everyone is well and keeping safe - what a half-term it has been!

Amongst the uncertainty, change and sometimes unsettling news, one thing has remained very clear - The Hammond community is strong, vibrant, and has met the challenge of online learning with such positivity and elan - our young people and staff have spent everyday together, in a different way, ensuring The Hammond spirit and drive lives on.

I am so proud of how everyone has embraced the changes to our daily routines, and appreciate the adjustments and up-skilling that has taken place. Without a doubt my favourite part of the week has to be our Monday assemblies; it is such a joy to see more than 250 smiling faces ready to learn, train and to support each other.

My thanks to all of our parents and carers who have been instrumental in ensuring online learning can take place in a safe and supportive environment; and a huge welcome to parents and siblings who have joined in with classes and workshops - and also a welcome to the pets who have also participated!

A tireless team of people are working around the clock to make sure the pandemic we face does not interrupt our learning and training; my thanks to the performance team who have had to radically change their ways of working to deliver top-quality dance and performance classes. I must pay tribute to the work of Tracy Baxter and team who have supported our graduate students through a turbulent and unsettling period; Ms Baxter cares deeply for the professional careers and for the well being of all our students and will be there to guide and offer support at any time. It is so wonderful to hear news of our graduates on the professional courses, and our graduates on the degree course, picking up agent representation. Furthermore, the performance team have really pulled out the stops by organising some of the most fascinating and exciting workshops and Q and A sessions, designed to give our young people excellent professional advice and also an opportunity to be trained by West End performers. Amongst many we have welcomed Laura Pick (Elphaba, Wicked, West End), Drew McOnie, Nicky Cross (War Horse, The National Theatre), Nahum McLean, Natalie Maloney, James Royden-Liley (Link, Hairspray, West End), Helen Hobson (Come From Away, West End; Mamma Mia, West End). Invaluable and priceless opportunities.

An unsung hero who must receive a mention is Daniel McAllister, our IT saviour and IT helpdesk wizard; Daniel your patience, ingenuity, calmness and sense of humour has made all of the above and more happen; our most sincere and highest thanks are reserved for you.

The future of this academic year is still being decided; as soon as we have firm decisions as regards next steps we will communicate to all affected. Should we be unable to return to school this academic year please be assured that we will find a way to hold our traditional events (such as Prize Giving), albeit in a different way. So much work is going on behind the scenes to ensure we are able to celebrate who we are and what we have achieved.

Please enjoy the articles and images of this newsletter; we hope it has captured the essence of the magic of The Hammond in lockdown, and gives you an idea of how proud we are of all of our young people. As we said in our most recent assembly, thank you - you are awesome - and we can't wait to see you all again.

Wishing you the very best

Jennifer Roscoe