I am sitting in my office with my team feverishly preparing for our Fair Banding tests for the Year 7 applications. Quite a feat of planning where paper letters and phone calls of confirmation meet the most enormous Excel spreadsheet. We anticipate with excitement the attendance of the students tomorrow and next week. It is strange leading a school without completed buildings or students.
The 6th Form Open evening at SPGS was a triumph. Lots of students from local school and others from out of borough braved the freezing temperatures to come and listen to what we have to offer. Students travelled through our ’Market Place’ with exhibitors from academic institutions like Westminster University and The Brit School. Also, music and media organisations like Music Tech, Red Bee and Escape Studios. These young people were armed with career and qualification type questions, used with laser like intensity, targeting them towards Hammersmith Academy staff and other professionals. We are looking to hold more specific course type open evenings in the New Year in different venues like The Lyric or Riverside Studios. Watch this space!
The first showing of our radio advert and viral video showed what students of a sixth form age can produce. Some students who registered won iPod shuffles and one lucky year 11 walked away with an iPad. I will not forget the look of surprise and joy on her face. I hope the iPad is used in the production of material for our future competitions, and to support her success in her GCSEs this year so she can get onto the right course at Hammersmith Academy. You never know when luck is going to smile on you. We want to see the talent of all those students in West London and we will be offering more digital equipment as prizes for posting to competitions through our website. Keep your eyes peeled.
Zoe Thompson, deputy head, is crunching all the data and we will be interviewing all applicants in the New Year. Another enormous spreadsheet is growing. Get those applications in!
This Academy team, though small, is fantastic, rising to every challenge that I set. I have not been disappointed yet due to their absolute energy and professionalism. The culture of success is infectious. The small team is growing with job adverts going to press and online. Just today I finished the lengthy job description for our IT Systems Manager and Director of Finance and Resources. What key roles they will have to lead this state-of-the art building with some of the most advanced ICT and equipment.
Meeting the students makes me realise why we are on this journey. I am inspired by my colleagues and the plethora of supporters that are giving their time freely to support the academy’s development. So much assistance with our artwork, graphics, press and marketing, writing of policies, all working to our vision of creativity and excellence. This makes long building committee meetings all the worthwhile. Ensuring we stay on track for building completion by 1st June 2011. I have been agreeing the fixtures, furniture and fittings for the entire building. I am still looking for the perfect classroom and dining rooms chairs. I know they are out there. I will not compromise on quality and comfort, as well as style. Hammersmith Academy students deserve the best.
Christmas is fast approaching. It is a busy time for all. I am astounded by the amount of kind messages we are receiving form all sections of the community for this amazing project. Good luck to all year 11 students who are currently revising for their upcoming mock exams. There are no substitutes for hard work.
