Welcome from Candy & Emmy
The college breaks for half term today, with students returning to lessons or exams on Monday 1st June. The weather looks to be wonderful, and we hope everyone gets a good dose of vitamin D either relaxing or doing final revision. We wish everyone a lovely break.
This week’s Enrichment Talk
On Tuesday, Paul de Zylva, senior analyst and campaigner with Friends of the Earth, spoke about the urgent need for biodiversity to preserve our 270 species of bees as pollinators for our food supply. Without them, he revealed, we will be eating a very dull diet of oats and rice. He also pointed out the paradox that sees our governments of all stripes subsidising the airline industry with £15 billion a year, while it also accounts for significant amounts of damaging emissions. A fascinating and informative talk that encouraged us all to get involved in nature, renewables and recyclables, in even the smallest ways.
English and Drama Trip to Regent’s Park Theatre
Last night, the Year 12 Drama and English students attended a performance of Sherlock Holmes at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.
“The experience was particularly special because it took place outdoors. Initially, we were a bit anxious about the weather forecast, but fortunately the sky remained clear throughout the play. The open-air setting immersed us in the story’s environment and really enhanced the atmosphere. Intense surround sound filled the theatre and combined with the trees and darkness and subtle lighting, it created an uneasy mood that suited Holmes perfectly. Each actor delivered a strong performance, showcasing a wide range of physical and vocal skills. As a drama student, I especially appreciated the creative use of staging and physical theatre. The actors made imaginative use of the space and kept the audience engaged from start to finish. There was a central piece of set on the revolving stage, which was a scaffolding-like structure, that was used cleverly to depict different stories happening at once, and to serve as a prop to help enhance their physical theatre. The actor playing Holmes brought the character’s intelligence and eccentricity to life, while the fast-paced dialogue and dramatic lighting effectively built tension. Overall, the production was entertaining, visually impressive, and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone, ending with a well-deserved standing ovation.” – Olivia
Trip to Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize 2026 at Photographers’ Gallery
The exhibition showcases works by four shortlisted artists, the winner will be announced on 14 May 2026.
“Jane Evelyn Atwood documents incarcerated women across forty prisons, revealing systemic neglect in stark black and white. Weronika Gęśicka’s Encyclopaedia blurs real and AI-generated images, embracing uncertainty in an age of misinformation. Amak Mahmoodian collaborates with exiles to reconstruct dreams as a borderless world of care and collective memory. Rene Matić works across media – diary photographs, layered sounds, protest chants – to explore identity and belonging, treating vulnerability and relationships as acts of resistance. Together, the shortlisted artists examine power, displacement, truth and survival, each offering a distinct vision of contemporary photography’s capacity for social critique and imaginative connection.
I was most struck by Jane’s work, which documents the harsh realities faced by many female prisoners and their children. Ironically, the black-and-white images made their expressions even more vivid, prompting deep reflection.” – Emma
Dukes Academic Scholars Symposium Trip
On Tuesday 2nd June, four of our students will travel to Switzerland to take part in the Dukes Academic Scholars Symposium at Verbier International School. The programme will bring together students from across Dukes Education network for workshops, leadership activities and mountain challenges focused on collaboration, resilience and cultural learning, offering an exciting opportunity for both academic and personal growth.
Sustainability Futures Engineering Workshop
On Wednesday 3rd June, Year 9 and Year 10 students will be attending a Sustainability Futures Engineering Workshop, exploring how to address environmental challenges and create a more sustainable future. The workshop will introduce students to innovative technologies, problem-solving skills and potential career pathways within the rapidly growing field of sustainable engineering.
Day Trip to Go Ape, Alexandra Palace
On Thursday 4th June, Year 9 and Year 10 students will enjoy a day trip to Go Ape at Alexandra Palace. The visit will provide an exciting opportunity for students to challenge themselves through a range of high-rope activities while developing confidence, teamwork and resilience in an outdoor setting.
Day Trip to Cambridge
On Thursday 4th June, the Fine Art and History of Art departments will be visiting Cambridge, with a trip to the Fitzwilliam Museum, a tour of the University’s colleges, having lunch and seeing the 20th and 21st century works at Kettle’s Yard gallery.
Alumnus, Aston McAuley
We are delighted to highlight alumnus Aston McAuley, who studied his A-Levels at Hampstead Fine Arts between 2015 and 2017 and is continuing to build an exciting acting career. Aston recently appeared in the Netflix psychological drama Unchosen, starring alongside Asa Butterfield and Christopher Eccleston, playing the role of Isaac in the internationally released series. His growing list of screen credits marks an exciting rise for this talented young actor.
