It's been busy in drama and dance recently - here is a rundown of the headlines:
Ben Fairley in Year 11 was awarded the NODA Rising Star Award 2019 for his performance as Lewis in Our House with the Youth Connections Theatre Company.
Dan Burlison in Year 7 was awarded the NODA Best Performance Award for his role as Artful Dodger in Oliver.
Ben Fairley, Helen Chong and Holly Alexander all auditioned successfully for British Youth Music Theatre UK this summer and took part in workshops and productions throughout the UK. Ben played the lead role in Peter Pan at the Theatre Royal, Margate in August 2019. Helen was in Alice in Wonderlust, a devised piece at the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield in August 2019. Holly was invited to work with leading industry professionals in London in August 2019.
The music and drama departments are already in rehearsal for the next school production of Hairspray, due to be staged in July 2020. Currently, dance rehearsals are on Mondays, acting rehearsals are Wednesdays and singing rehearsals are Thursdays, all starting at 3pm. Rehearsals are subject to change so performers need to keep a close eye on the drama and music department notice boards.
Tuesday evenings at 6.30pm see a dedicated group of Key Stage 4 students attend extra dance classes to support their work in RSL Level 2 Creative and Performance Arts. These classes are run by Mrs Johnson and former Hermitage Academy student, Jenna Raine and offer classical technique to students who may not be able to attend local dance schools. The students are planning future public performances next year.