Introducing our energetic and extremely talented Director of Performing Arts, Haylee Sommer. Haylee began her Hume Anglican Grammar journey in 2016 as Primary Performing Arts Coordinator. She would then go on to become our Head of Learning – The Arts (Primary) in 2017 before stepping into the newly created role of Director of Performing Arts in 2019.

What Do you Like Most About Working at Hume Anglican Grammar?
For me, Hume Anglican Grammar is a place of opportunity. Being part of a school that is constantly growing means that there are always new ways to expand my professional practice and to create new experiences for our students. It gives me immense satisfaction to build something amazing from the ground up and that’s what I’m able to do here at Hume.

Can You Tell Us About a Project You Are Currently Working On?
As Director of Performing Arts, my major project each year is the Production. This year is a Primary Production year, and we are working on ‘Disney’s The Lion King JR’. There are so many elements that go into a Production and many talented and dedicated staff and students who contribute to the process. There’s the acting work we do with the lead cast, rehearsing the Performance Choir, teaching choreography to all classes at each of our three campuses from Prep – Year 6, creating costumes, building sets, making props and preparing to make our brand-new Sports Centre into an amazing theatre.

This year we are involving the students as much as possible in creating costumes during Visual Arts lessons. The design of the Year 5/6 item is now part of their Performing Arts curriculum, with input from students in terms of vision, choreography, lighting and stage mapping. It’s a really exciting time.

Who or What Has Had the Biggest Impact on Your Career and Why?
Working at Hume Anglican Grammar has definitely had the biggest and most positive impact on my career. I have been able to take my skills and ideas and develop them into programs and opportunities for our students which has been a dream come true! I feel very lucky that I’m able to do what I do every day.

Fast Four

If Your Friends Could Describe You in One Word, What Would it Be?
Creative

If You Could Have Dinner with Anyone, Dead or Alive, Who Would It Be?
David Bowie

Favourite Travel Spot?
Hanoi, Vietnam

What is One Thing Most People Don’t Know About You?
I can speak Italian, which I learnt when we lived in Italy during my maternity leave.

Cara Valentine - Coordinator of Community Engagment