🎭 HPA 2024/25: A Year of Process, Pride & Progress 🎉

An end-of-year reflection from Principal Marco Calleja

As we close the chapter on another unforgettable year at Hoi Polloi Academy, I want to take a moment to reflect and share with you just how much we’ve achieved—onstage, in class, and behind the scenes.

At HPA, we are proud to be a process-driven school—our focus is always on the journey. This year, that journey led to some incredible moments of growth, artistry, and community spirit.

Whether your child was working toward a Trinity exam, rehearsing for Shrek Jr., or attending weekly classes for the joy of it, we saw the same spark across every corner of the Academy. And that spark paid off.

🎓 Academic & Artistic Milestones

• Distinctions and Merits were awarded across the board in our Trinity Musical Theatre, Acting, Individual and Group exams—a reflection of our students’ dedication and our team’s unwavering commitment to individual growth.

• Our production of Shrek Jr. brought together multiple classes and disciplines, and was a testament to ensemble spirit, creative storytelling, and joyful performance.

• In May, our 26-student delegation represented HPA at the Junior Theatre Festival Europe in Birmingham, where we proudly received the Achievement in Dance Award and were recognised for our ensemble work, discipline, and strong mentorship culture.

• In April, we were honoured to perform at the President’s Palace—an unforgettable moment of national pride where our students represented HPA with grace, professionalism, and presence.

  
  

  

  The HPA Delegation for JTF 2025, Birmingham.

What made this even more remarkable was what was happening behind the scenes. At the same time, many of our students were preparing for Shrek Jr., learning new material for their Trinity Exams, and—in the case of our senior students—rehearsing for JTF. They rose to the challenge with focus, discipline, and adaptability. It was a true masterclass in time management and artistic commitment, and a reminder that young people, when trusted and supported, are capable of greatness.

Even more exciting, three of our students—Emily, Erika, and Laura—were selected by JTF International to represent Malta at the 2026 international programme in New York City, taking our ethos and artistry across the Atlantic. 🌍✨

🔧 System Growth: Behind the Scenes

This year wasn’t just about what happened on stage—it was about streamlining how we operate.

We introduced Pembee, our new booking and payment platform, which has made registrations and class planning smoother and more accessible for families. This, combined with our use of Google Classrooms and Google Chat, means our students and parents now benefit from a fully integrated educational experience—where creativity meets structure and learning is clearly supported, every step of the way.

💫 Community & Culture

One of the most powerful shifts this year wasn’t in our timetables or productions—it was in our ethos. The HPA spirit—rooted in respect, trust, leadership and consistency—has started to shine even outside our studio walls. People are noticing. Our older students naturally stepped into mentorship roles, lifting others up and embodying the culture we’ve worked so hard to build over the years. And the best part? It didn’t happen by chance—it happened through hard work, consistency, and belief in the process.

And speaking of consistency—our class attendance across the board once again averaged around 90%, a statistic that speaks volumes. This level of commitment, sustained week after week, is no accident. It’s the result of years of nurturing expectations, setting standards, and building a space students want to be in. And it’s yielding not only artistic results, but also resilience, discipline, and strong personal skills that will carry our students far beyond the stage.

As we wrap up this year, I want to thank every student, parent, and educator who contributed to the HPA journey.Whether you were in the audience on Awards Night or reading this from afar, know that you are part of something meaningful.

Here’s to rest, reflection, and a brand new season ahead.Onward to 2025/26. The work continues, and so does the wonder.

With pride and gratitude, Marco Calleja Principal, Hoi Polloi Academy #HPA2024 #HoiPolloiAcademy #CreativeGrowth #ProcessDriven #ShrekJr #JTFEurope #PresidentsPalacePerformance #TrinityExams #EthosInAction #MentorshipMatters #AttendanceMatters #ArtsEducation #SystemThatWorks #TogetherWeRise

The Hoi Polloi Academy 2024/25