As the only member school in South Carolina, Hammond has been invited to join the Mastery Transcript Consortium.  The consortium, comprised of member schools and other stakeholders from across the nation, is working to codesign a new digital transcript that reflects the unique skills, strengths and interests of individual students. 

 

The MTC model is substantively different from the traditional model of crediting and transcript design, which is typically organized around content-oriented courses, Carnegie units for credit and grades. The Mastery Transcript model is organized around performance areas (rather than academic departments), mastery standards and micro-credits (rather than grades). Each micro-credit applied to a transcript signifies complete mastery of a specific skill, knowledge block or habit of mind as defined by the crediting high school.

 

MTC schools are supported by a technology platform that allows the complete record of a student’s credits and submitted evidence to be submitted to college admission offices and professional organizations for evaluation. This electronic Mastery Transcript allows college admission officers to dive deep within a transcript to see the specific credits of the sending high school and actual evidence of student work and mastery, thus giving depth and transparency to the student’s work record. With a Mastery Transcript, public and private high schools alike will be better equipped to prepare students for college, their careers and life.

 

“We were honored to be asked to join the list of Mastery Transcript schools,” said Chris Angel, headmaster of Hammond School. “Hammond’s goal has long been to prepare students in many walks of life and stay on the forefront of best new practices for education, and the Mastery Transcript better reflects a student’s knowledge of a particular subject and gives college admissions offices a broader picture of a student’s body of work and strengths.”

For 29 years, Hammond’s Country of Study program has added a global emphasis to the school’s curriculum for students in grades Pre-kindergarten through 12.  The typical Hammond student will have been exposed to at least 14 countries by and several languages by graduation.

 

Annually, the school sends three faculty members, one from each Division, to visit the chosen country of study for that year.  While abroad, faculty members immerse themselves in the culture, history, language, and cuisine of the country–always mindful of ways to incorporate its unique aspects into the curriculum.  

 

The Parents Association’s Country of Study Day in the Lower School helps bring the chosen country to life. Classrooms are transformed and students are transported to a different culture through a variety of activities and learning opportunities. Games, trivia, and authentic cuisine make the experience complete. 

 

This year’s selected country is Morocco, and Country of Study Day was Friday, February 22.  The opening ceremony began at the start of school with a Moroccan market scene complete with belly dancers, live snakes, and tea making.  Throughout the day, students rotated through stations that included making leather bracelets, soap, gift bags for Moroccan school children, and blue city artwork, fossil digging with imprinting, and sintir instrument building.

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We were delighted to welcome to campus Terrance Henderson, renowned for his work as an actor, singer, dancer, director, and choreographer. Students explored movement and imagination with Henderson and assistant Jonathan Smith.  Terrance was recipient of the 2016 Steve G. Morrison Visionary Award, which honors someone in our community who exhibits the best combination of vision and leadership, applied to arts and history and the entire cultural foundation of the City, and the value they bring to Columbia.

 

The Christopher Gadsden Wells Endowment for the Arts made this unique opportunity for Hammond students possible. Established in 2013 in honor and memory of Christopher Wells (’11), the Endowment brings gifted and talented artists from around the world to help nurture and inspire artistic talent.  A son of Muffie Wells (‘77) and Jack Wells (‘78), Christopher found his heart in theater and music at Hammond. 

 

 

Two Hammond math teams participated in the 2019 SCISA High School Math Meet, with the winning team earning 206 points, over 30 points ahead of the next competitor. The winning team was led by Tobi Ogunfowora, who placed 1st individually with a perfect score.  Karl Cao earned 5th place overall, and Vicki Li earned 3rd place overall in her first math contest. Dami Olatosi and Elsa Saine rounded out the team with impressive scores. 

 

Hammond's second team placed 6th overall, the highest placement for any second team from a SCISA school. Team members were Amelia Gandhi, Doga Ozmen, Randy Chen, Yuhan Huang, and Karry Zheng. High scorer was Randy Chen, who earned a medal for having the highest score on this team.

CONGRATULATIONS to these State Championship Skyhawk Mathletes!

Hammond welcomed Margaret Clay '06 back to campus as keynote speaker for the 2018 Cum Laude Society induction of seven Upper School students. The Herbert Barks Chapter of The Cum Laude Society is one of only five such chapters in South Carolina, and the second chapter chartered in the State.  Considered a Phi Beta Kappa equivalent in secondary education, Cum Laude recognizes academic achievement, honor, and integrity. 

Margaret shared stories with Upper School students about her years at Hammond, the value of hard work and perseverance, and discovering one’s academic passion in the process.  Students inducted included Morgan Aitchison, Ryan Asbill, Lake Barrett, George Mitchell, Justice Myers, Owen Ramsby, and Logan Shepherd.

A graduate of Wake Forest University, Margaret majored in English, and is quick to credit the influence of Hammond faculty members Dr. Ragan, Mr. Purday, Mr. Fowler, Dr. Matthusen, Mrs. Dunne, and Mr. Neal.  She works as editor and associate publisher of Columbia Metropolitan Magazine, a company owned by her family.  

The group began their journey in Krakow, visiting the hallowed grounds of Auschwitz.  Leaving Poland, the group moved to Europe's Golden City, the City of 100 Spires, Prague, where their music delighted audiences from all over the world.  From the foot of the Charles Bridge to towns like Kutna Hora and Brno, the choir shared their talent through multiple impromptu and formal performances.