Spring
Term 1 April 2025
WHITEFIELD NEWS
FUNDRAISERS | TRIPS | UPDATES | RESOURCES
Student Ambassador meets the PM
10 Downing Street - International Women’s Day Reception
WHITEFIELD SCHOOL
We ARE Whitefield Ambition, Respect, Effort
Claveire Ski Trip
Flag Football Takeover!
Headteacher’s Letter
Dear Parents/Carers,
We have had a fantastic Spring term, filled with exciting opportunities and achievements. March, in particular, was a vibrant month, with students actively participating in both British Science Week and Careers Week, engaging in a range of enriching activities.
British Science Week created a real buzz around the school. Students took part in an array of events, including a visit to the Science Museum, a trip to Hertfordshire University, and our very own Science Fair in the Acorn Theatre, brilliantly led by our Sixth Formers and Year 8 students.
It has been truly inspiring to see our students consistently demonstrating our core values— We ARE Whitefield —both in and out of lessons. As a result, staff nominations for student recognition continue to grow each half term.
With exam season fast approaching, I want to extend my best wishes to our Year 11 and Year 13 students. With just a few weeks to go, I encourage them to remain focused and make the most of their revision time. We are here to support them every step of the way and look forward to welcoming them over the Easter break for targeted revision sessions.
In the final week of term, we were honored to host over twenty international teachers from across Asia, providing them with professional development and insights into outstanding lesson planning and delivery. It was a privilege to share our expertise, and we look forward to welcoming more international teachers and students as part of our cultural exchange program in the summer term.
Finally, I would like to wish everyone a joyful and restful Easter break. We look forward to welcoming our students back in April for another exciting term ahead!
Chris Hunt Headteacher
International Women’s Day at 10 Downing Street
We are incredibly proud of Kaitlynn in Year 10, who met with the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for International Women’s Day. She was invited to a reception at 10 Downing Street to recognise her achievements as a student role-model and pioneer for championing girls’ sports. This year Kaitlynn has started her own girls’ sports club, She Can Play, as well as representing the school in local competitions and coaching football outside of school. She is a student who champions ambition and leads by example.
Hosted by the Prime Minister on Tuesday 11 March, the reception included Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Guests included Olympic athlete Dame Kelly Holmes, CEO of the Women’s Super League, Nikki Doucet, actor Anna Maxwell Martin, alongside faith leaders, musicians, lawyers and others. Head to page 14 to learn more about Kaitlynn’s experience and her latest fundraising efforts.
Photography by Jaimi Joy/PA PA Wire - Kaitlynn second from left
Italian Adventure in Claveire
Whitefield Ski Trip 2025 is complete! A massive thank you to all staff who helped to facilitate and Mr Camacho who led the planning. Students had an amazing time out in the Italian mountains.
In the heart of the Milky Way (Via Lattea, in Italian), Claviere links to the 300+ kilometres of pistes that comprise the entire ski area. Here are just some of the spectacular views the group enjoyed.
Clarion Uniform Updates
As part of Clarion’s exciting rebrand, we are introducing an updated school uniform that reflects our high standards and bold new identity.
A detailed letter outlining all uniform requirements, including where to purchase items and when the new uniform will come into effect, will be shared with parents in due course. We thank you for your continued support as we move forward together into this exciting new chapter!
ITV News visits Whitefield School
This term we welcomed ITV News to the school to discuss one of the biggest issues in education today, young people’s use of smartphones in school. They sat down with Headteacher Chris Hunt, students and a parent.
As many in our Whitefield community know, we have been a phone free school for the last three years, as part of our wider policy of disruption free learning. This has brought substantial benefits to our students, both inside and outside the classroom.
This year Barnet Council has become the first London borough to move to becoming phone free in secondary schools from September 2025, this is the first policy of this kind in the UK. So we were happy to share our experience with implementing a phone free policy and all the benefits we have seen implementing it.
To watch the full feature follow the link:
https://www.itv.com/watch/news/council-bans-pupils-using-smartphones-in-allschools/86m9kxc
British Science Week: 2025 Celebration
A Celebration of Competition & Adaptation
This year, our school proudly celebrated British Science Week with a range of exciting activities and competitions, all centered around the theme of “Competition & Adaptation.” From hands-on experiments to creative challenges, students of all year groups enthusiastically embraced the spirit of scientific discovery.
Throughout the week, the school corridors were alive with excitement as students took part in our Butterfly Hunt, searching for 10 carefully camouflaged butterflies hidden around the school by our science team. Meanwhile, our Animal Adaptation Quiz encouraged students to research and uncover fascinating facts about exotic species and their survival strategies. Budding artists also had the chance to showcase their creativity in our Poster Competition, where they designed stunning visuals highlighting competition in the natural world.
The grand finale of the week was our STEM Fair on Friday, which proved to be a huge success. Our Year 7 students engaged in a variety of scientific experiments, sparking curiosity and deepening their understanding of key scientific principles. A special thank you goes out to our incredible student helpers, who eagerly demonstrated experiments, guided younger students, and ensured the event ran smoothly.
British Science Week was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. A huge well done to all students who took part—we can’t wait to see what next year’s celebrations will bring!
Mr Grigoroudis STEM Lead
British Science Week: Rewards Trip
This term, a group of students across various year groups were awarded an exciting trip to the Science Museum where they had a unique opportunity to enjoy a 3D IMAX documentary in recognition of their outstanding contributions and dedication to British Science Week.
Our top winners for the various BSW competitions as well as helpers were able to explore the wonders of Antarctica through this immersive experience allowing students to virtually journey through the harsh conditions of Earth’s coldest region while gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of adapting to change and harsh conditions.
Congratulations to all the winners and a special thank you to the student helpers!
Mr Grigoroudis STEM Lead
Wellbeing Music
Music is good for the mind body and soul! Take care of yourself and learn to play for free with Luke Whicker (Groove Music).
Every Wednesday we are giving students the opportunity to learn to play an instrument in a band environment with mixed instruments such as: drums, bass, guitars and vocals. Learn from scratch or develop on your instrument by playing pop and rock music together.
There is a session at 1.20pm (FB2) and also an after school session at 3.20pm. All are welcome to try out the session. If you would like to register your interest speak please speak to Mrs Harris ASAP.
Luke Whicker Band Lead
Lionesses Win at Wembley Stadium
On the 26th February, the PE Team took a group of our girls football team to watch the Lionesses in action at Wembley Stadium. In their UEFA Women’s Nations League fixture England won 1-0 against world champions Spain!
This was an amazing experience thank you England Football, our players were inspired by the performance. We hope to inspire our students with more amazing experiences next term!
Flag Football Takeover
Flag football took over at Whitefield last week, with schools from across Barnet taking part in a first of its kind mixed tournament, with support from London based American football team London Blitz and Barnet Sport. Thank you to all staff who helped facilitate from all schools invovled and to our own staff for their leadership and organisation.
Congratulations to our Year 7/8 mixed teams that came 3rd and 4th in the first Barnet Secondary Flag Football Competition. Students really embraced the challenge and developed their play-calling, routes and in-game adjustments.
For those interested in a Flag Football after school club, speak to Ms Reape.
Year 8 YTL and Head Coach
Mr Croucher
Ice Bath Fundraiser
This term saw one of our most anticipated fundraisers take place. Kaitlynn in Year 10 organised her own fundraising challenge, inviting staff to take a cold plunge into an ice bath for two minutes. All contributions will go towards new equipment for Kaitlynn’s girl’s sports club, She Can Play. Staff who supported Kaitlynn with her fundraiser were, Mr Hunt, Mrs Hammond, Ms Arnaoutis, student counsellor Jon and Mr Kohana.
For their efforts, Kaitlynn raised an impressive £157 which will go towards new equipment and resources.
A message of thanks from Kaitlynn:
Thank you to everyone who donated as this will help out so much. I’m also grateful that I had the chance to be nominated for International Women’s Day to meet the Prime Minister and visit 10 Downing Street. I’m especially grateful to meet so many amazing women, such as Nikki Doucet, the CEO of the Women’s Super League, who has set an amazing example for me and other girls.
Adventures in Food
There’s something fishy going on... Students have been treated, not once but twice, to the delights of the sea. Once again, we have been fortunate enough to participate in this year’s Fish Hero programme by the Food Teachers Centre, funded by the Fishmonger’s Company.
We were one of two-hundred schools in England & Wales to receive 8kg of sustainable rope-grown carbon-neutral mussels from Offshore Shellfish and twelve tins of pink Alaskan salmon from Alaska Seafood UK. As part of our Year 9 Enrichment Food Studies programme, students study seasonality and produce dishes depending on what is currently in season. Students had the choice of making classic French moules marinière, Italian angry mussels with chilli, tomato, and garlic, or Thai green mussels, a new experience for many of the Year 9 students. Staff were also invited to cook in class or take some tasty mussels to cook at home.
While Year 11 made mussel chowder with a focus on knife skills, refining the knife cut of brunoise, which is a highlevel skill in their NEA2 practical exam.
With the tinned salmon, Year 9 developed skills in making sushi - maki with the nori on the outside and uramaki with the rice on the outside. As well as sushi, they have also learnt how to make choux paste & turn it into salmon and herb beignet (French doughnuts) with a homemade lemon and chive mayonnaise.
Mrs James Director of Learning for Catering and Technology
Fish Heroes
Congratulations to Mr Hunt who was a runner up in the Fish Heroes head of fish competition. Head teachers were encouraged to cook their favourite fish dish to a class of students. Mr Hunt, demonstrated how to make Thai salmon fish cakes with cabbage slaw to 8J. Fish cakes are one of his favourite dishes as they are quick to prepare for a busy headteacher, who is also currently in training for the Hackney half marathon! A great food packed with Omega 3 that helps to maintain, repair and build muscle.
This means that Mrs James will receive £100 of fresh fish from Wings of St. Mawes, The Cornish Fishmonger, to use with students in practical lessons.
Sports Updates
Whitefield Basketball
Amazing news for the Year 8/9 Team, who are in a finalist position within Barnet due to winning all their games this season. Additionally our Year 10/11 team have had several wins with strong performances from key players such as Kai (Y11) and Noah (Y9). With a number of students now playing at local/national league level at Whitefield, team performances have excelled; displaying strong cohesion, focus and strategic plays that are having an impact.
We look forward to taking part in the London Junior NBA 3 v 3 Summer Tournament, more details to come following the Easter Break.
Trampolining
Well done to our KS3/4 teams that won a number of team/ individual bronze and silver medals at a recent Barnet Trampolining Competition!
It was a delight to see the determination, control and focus of students in completing their compulsory and voluntary routines with precision and skill. Keep up the good work!
Mr Croucher Year 8 YTL and Head Coach
Trips and Enrichment
As you will already be aware, we place a great emphasis on our students experiencing a rich cultural capital, which means we plan very carefully experiences and trips beyond the classroom. This year (from September 2024) we have already spent £15,000 on providing every child with these opportunities and as could can imagine, this is not sustainable with such a tight school budget.
Most schools ask parents to cover the whole cost of trips but I am writing to let you know well in advance about the minimum contribution of £10 per child per trip.
We will follow up with a further letter giving details of the July trips and the two ways you can pay on:
Parent Pay
Just Giving Page
Ms Dervis Director of Operations
Chess Tournament Updates
The Draw for the Quarter final has been made, again this will be a knockout game, winner takes all.
However…
The Semi Finals, if you progress that far, will be the BEST OF THREE matches. and the final will be a marathon, to be champion of Whitefield, will be a BEST OF FIVE series. Please contact your opponent soon and to organise your match.
Participants are: Nikola Y12, Etienne Y7, Abdelkarim Y10, Hussyn Y10, Kashif Y12, Micah Y12, Mohammed A Y12 and Yassin Y13. Good luck to all participants!
Mr Walker Pastoral Support
Year 7 has had a productive and positive last half of the Spring term. Buzzing off the winning of the detention challenge and securing a bonus non-uniform day, the students have continued to take responsibility for themselves and look on track to have low numbers again in the Summer term!
Parents will have received a letter via email regarding the upcoming Year 7 Progress Evening on Thursday 24th April from 4:30-7pm . These evenings are a great opportunity to meet with your child’s teachers to discuss their progress over Year 7 so far. Please use My Child at School to book appointments with staff, particularly with subjects like Humanities, Arts and Languages, to ensure you secure an allocated time.
We have been focusing this half-term on positive behaviour and will be continuing to carry that forward over the next half term. Our drive as a year group is the idea of ‘doing the right things for the right reasons’. Many students have been becoming highly competitive with collecting positive behaviour logs and we’ve had quite a few students join the ‘ARE’ clubwhere students have managed to collect the set of Ambition, Respect and Effort house points in a single week. These students will be entered into a draw for a prize at the end of the term. I look forward to seeing who wins!
Have an enjoyable Easter break Year 7.
Year 7 Updates Year 8 Updates
Ms Ott
Year 7 Team Leader
Our Year 8 cohort have been shining in their scheduled support roles as Student Helpers. Many teachers have been left smiling and complimenting students for their extremely helpful and valuable daily role in supporting the staff body. From sending a message to teaching staff to collecting resources, their value and impact displays maturity and growth. 8A are currently in the lead for having the best overall ranking.
As we approach our GCSE option pathways going into Year 9, it is pleasing to see how so many students are taking this seriously. Home Learning task completion competitions raise students’ attention to detail and an attitude of accountability. We are currently the best year group in the school for Home Learning; students have made significant growth in this area.
Going into the summer term, students will be preparing to attend Reading University to explore career options available via further education and to make connections to their desired option choices. Each form class will also be presenting to the year group body on their research findings around career pathways. Finally, a select number of students will be undertaking lead Helper roles at an in-house Primary Sports Day. I am delighted to see students take positive and productive steps towards a successful future.
Keep up the good work Year 8!
Mr Croucher
Year 8 Team Leader
Year 9 Updates
Year 9 Vision in Action: Making the Right Choices
This half term, Year 9 students have taken incredible strides in aligning with our Year 9 Vision: Making the Right Choices . This vision is an integral part of our school’s commitment to developing well-rounded pupils who achieve great grades and have great character.
Celebrating Our Progress
Our focus on making the right choices has led to tangible improvements across several key areas:
Improved Attendance: Attendance has risen from 92.61% to an impressive 93.15%, demonstrating our students’ growing commitment to their education.
Homework Engagement: There has been a significant reduction in the number of students missing homework deadlines, highlighting the value placed on academic responsibility.
Positive Behavior: Fewer students are being sent to the Reflection Room, a testament to the progress being made in self-discipline and personal accountability.
Accountability in Action: Students are taking responsibility by attending detentions and making meaningful changes to their behavior.
These achievements wouldn’t have been possible without the collaborative efforts of our form tutors, RSHE lead, and our partnership with Football Beyond Borders, all of whom have provided valuable guidance and support to our Year 9 students.
Student Progress Evening – A Key Milestone
A crucial part of making the right choice is selecting the right subjects for GCSEs. To support students in this important decision-making process, we are excited to announce our Student Progress Evening (SPE) on 1st May .
This event, open to both parents and students, will provide essential information about subject options and pathways, helping students make informed decisions about their futures. Attendance at this event is imperative!
Let’s continue to work together as we empower our students to make the right choices, unlocking their potential and paving the way for a bright future.
Mr Tan Year 9 Team Leader
Year 10 Updates
Dream big, even if your goals seem far away.
Every great achievement starts with a single step, and Year 10 is filled with opportunities to take those steps. Whether it’s through excelling academically, trying new extracurricular activities, or simply learning to manage your time better, which most of you need to start exploring. Each effort brings you closer to becoming the best version of yourself.
Remember when things get tough (because they will), that resilience is built through challenges. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, lean on your friends, teachers, and family, and most importantly, believe in your ability to overcome obstacles.
As we are at the midpoint of this year, celebrate the small gains, learn from the losses, and stay focused on your goals. Most importantly, remember that your value isn’t determined solely by grades but by the kindness you show, the effort you put in, and the impact you have on those around you.
You’ve got this. Keep pushing forward, stay curious, and embrace the journey ahead. Our trip to University to Hertfordshire and work experience are going to add to your life experience Wishing you all the best for the half term.
Warmest regards,
Year 11 Updates
Dear Year 11 Students & Parents,
Mr Opoku Year 10 Team Leader
With exams starting in early May, there’s not long to go! Every lesson and revision session counts, so we strongly encourage attendance at any interventions and the Easter holiday sessions available in school. These will provide valuable support to help students feel as prepared as possible.
At home, regular revision is key—but so is maintaining a healthy balance. A good routine, rest, and wellbeing are just as important as hard work. Let’s make these final weeks count!
Thank you for your continued support,
Mr Boyles
Year 11 Team Leader
We are proud to have an experienced counsellor, Jon Thompson, who runs one-to-one support sessions for students identified as needing extra support. Jon works for FYP (Forever Young People) and helps students understand the difficulties they are facing, work through a booklet to help set targets, and learn strategies to cope with problems that may arise in their future. If you would like more information about this, please contact Mrs Hammond or Ms Thomas.
Forever Young People uses thought, emotional intelligence and ethical practices to create an inclusive and meaningful future through our teenage mentoring programs and coaching which engages young people through conversational-based learning. We aim to provide young people, children, and community groups with coaching/ mentoring that will support them with their low emotional well-being.
To learn more visit: www.foreveryoungpeople.com
Counselling Support Sixth Form Updates
This term, many year 12 students took part in the Talent Foundry organised M&G investment banking workshops and trip to the M&G head office in Fenchurch Street. Students met many professionals and experts in the financial sector and developed their CV building and interview skills using the STAR model.
The year group visited Brunel University and started their personal statement writing. Many students took part in a Cambridge University workshop too. We have started our work experience preparation early this year and all Year 12 students are building a portfolio of their experiences in the workplaces through in person and virtual work experience. We look forward to seeing their progress.
Year 13 have been completing official coursework pieces and are well into their exam preparation. We have delivered many assemblies on revision strategies, organisation skills, managing time and the focus has been to develop independent learning skills. Many students have offers from fantastic universities and are striving to meet their goals. We wish our students luck as they enter the exam season.
Have a productive and restful break!
Ms Hodgson Sixth Form Director (Maternity Cover)
Dates for your diary
APRIL
4th April - Last day of term (Early finish 12:30pm)
7th - 21st April - Easter Break
22nd April - INSET Day
23rd April - Students first day back (Week 2)
24th April - Year 7 Student Progress Evening
MAY
1st May - Year 9 Student Progress Evening
5th May - May Bank Holiday
15th May - Year 10 Student Progress Evening
21st May - International Culture Day
26th May - 30th May - Half Term
JUNE
June 19th - Barnet Youth Theatre Festival
JULY
July 11th - Whitefield 70th Celebration
