FINDING THE PERFECT 10

Andy North, 10th Head of School

Last summer, we bid a fond farewell to former Head of School Chris Angel and warmly welcomed our 10th head of school, Andy North. Having served as head of middle school since 2019, he was no stranger to the Hammond family and had developed a rapport with faculty, parents, and students alike. A native of Florence, South Carolina, he is a product of independent education and established himself as a thought leader in the industry, after successfully serving in numerous administrative roles at Episcopal School of Acadiana in Louisiana.

Andy’s appointment, and the start of the 2021-2022 school year, figuratively signaled a turn of the tassel for Hammond–the beginning of a new journey and the start of a fresh chapter waiting to be penned.

Throughout the course of the year, Andy proved himself a thoughtful decision maker whose focus is always on the student’s best interest, while his early years as an English teacher naturally make him a fervent champion of teachers. He has brought a gracious humility to the job, leading by example and with a fiercely competitive nature. For all his grit and determination, however, what has most endeared him to faculty and students alike is his genuine care and concern for this school community.

In looking back over the past year, it was one marked by change, challenge, and celebration…all in equal measure. Starting the school year behind the backdrop of a pandemic was challenging at best, but chief among Andy’s priorities was the slow unfolding of as much of the Hammond experience as possible…those unique programs and opportunities that were sidelined over the course of the past 18 months.

We saw the return of Fridays Together in the lower school fitness center, welcomed parent volunteers back to campus, returned to the theatre to applaud arts performances and share assemblies, we packed the stands and bleachers, and began to travel once again– experiential education returned. We re-discovered the power of being together and recognized our new normal was actually our old normal. We celebrated.

If difficult times don’t create character, but instead reveal character, we learned much about the character of Andy in the wake of the lower school fire. His confidence and calm demeanor served to right the ship, steady the course, and focus our thoughts on the future. He united the school community, and out of this most challenging of times, we witnessed the beauty and magic of the Hammond family. Andy was the touchstone by which we measured our success and our progress. He rallied alongside the lower school faculty and staff, through whose hard work and dedication, the youngest of our students missed only one day of school before returning to a warm welcome from the entire Skyhawk family.

By comparison, one of the most humorous challenges we faced this year was the potential for snowfall that found schools and businesses across Columbia preemptively closing for what promised to be significant accumulations. A staunch proponent of classroom time, cancelling school was one of the more difficult decisions Andy had to make. Snow eventually fell, but on a Friday evening, with Andy vowing, “Never again.” We all knew we had seen our last snow day.

In reflecting on 2021-2022, we have been remarkably enriched by the North family. The servant’s heart from which Andy leads has bode well for this school community. He has embraced the Hammond experience with designs on an even greater future. His wife, Becca, has endeared herself to everyone she meets, and although her frequent presence on campus would beg one to differ, she is a full-time credit officer who works remotely and views her supporting role as one of involvement. Miller (3rd) and

Dansby North (7th) have likewise found a home at Hammond and are lifelong Skyhawks already.

“I am humbled and honored to be head of school at a place as special has Hammond. The hallmark of a great school is one that continuously strives to provide an unmatched educational experience and one that fosters world class academic, athletics, and arts programs, while developing students who will make a difference in their communities and world.” – Andy North, Head of School

As we look forward with anticipation and back with pride, the future looks exceedingly bright. Hammond is indeed fortunate to have found the perfect 10 in Andy North. From the entire Hammond family ... thank you.