Whitefield Newsletter - May Half Term 2025 by Whitefield School

Spring

Term 2 May 2025

WHITEFIELD NEWS

FUNDRAISERS | TRIPS | UPDATES | RESOURCES

TES Headteacher of the Year Finalist

Mr Hunt is shortlisted for Headteacher of the Year!

International Culture Day 2025

We ARE Whitefield Ambition, Respect, Effort

Mr Hunt TES finalist for headteacher of the year!

We are delighted to share some exciting news with you: Chris Hunt has been shortlisted for the prestigious 2025 TES Award for Headteacher of the Year. This story has also been featured in the Barnet Times, shown above.

Being shortlisted is an incredible honour. Mr Hunt is one of only eight headteachers nationwide to be selected for the shortlist, a testament to his exceptional leadership, commitment, and the positive impact he has had on our school community.

As you will be aware, under Mr. Hunt’s guidance, we have achieved outstanding success, including our best-ever GCSE results, placing our school in the top 9% of schools nationally. His dedication extends well beyond academic achievement.

We wish him the best of luck at the TES Awards later this year.

Mrs Hammond Assistant Headteacher

Image: 1314FamilyStyle

International Culture Day 2025 Celebration

On Wednesday 21st May we celebrated our annual International Culture Day, one of the most special days in our school calendar. This is a day to celebrate our own and others’ cultures within the Whitefield community, students are invited to wear traditional clothes or displays flags of their heritage.

The entire school is filled with colour and an amazing energy, this is a day for students and staff to learn more about the different cultures within our community. The marquee event this year was a runway event in the Acorn Theatre, where students could share and celebrate each others cultural dress and music. A massive thank you to all staff and students who helped to put together the runway and facilitate over the day, making this a very special event. Turn over for more highlights from the day.

International Culture Day 2025

As part of our annual International Culture Day celebrations, this year we hosted a special runway event. This was a platform for students and staff to come together and celebrate and share our flags, traditional attire and also music.

There was an amazing atmosphere in the room as students enjoyed the global music and cheered each other on.

As well as our showcase runway event, there was also a catering session where students took part in making Japanese inspired summer rolls. Thank you to Mrs James for preparing an amazing session!

Clarion is coming: Join Us for Our 70-Year Celebration and Launch Party in the Park!

With less than seven weeks to go until our official launch party on 11 July, we’re beyond excited to unveil our new school name and brand: Clarion.

This isn’t just a name change - it’s a bold step forward, marking the start of a new era rooted in our core values of ambition, respect, and effort. At the same time, we’ll be celebrating an incredible milestone: 70 years of Whitefield School, with our community by our side.

From Whitefield to Clarion: A Collaborative Journey

Over the past year, we’ve been on a journey of reflection, creativity, and consultation - one that brought together students, families, staff, local primary schools, and the wider community. With the expert support of top branding agency DNCO - known for their work on the Brent Cross Town regeneration project with Related Argent - we developed a new identity that honours our location and looks ahead with confidence.

The name Clarion, inspired by the Latin ‘Clare’ (meaning light and bright), also nods to Claremont Road, tying our name to the heart of our school’s surroundings. It represents energy, clarity, and a call to action - perfect for a school that believes in igniting potential and leading with purpose to develop pupils with great grades and great character.

Scan the QR code to learn more

Clarion is coming: A Community Celebration

A True Community Celebration – 11 July at Claremont Park

Our Clarion Launch Party will be held on Friday 11 July at Claremont Park, and we’re inviting everyone to join us - including our partners at Claremont and Childs Hill Primary Schools and Related Argent.

The day will include:

• Brand-new uniforms for sale - Be the first to purchase the stunning new Clarion uniform.

• Family-friendly entertainment - Music, games, student performances, creative activities and more.

• Delicious food & drink - Available at discounted rates, with something for all tastes.

• A celebration of legacy and change - Honouring 70 years of Whitefield while stepping into the future as Clarion.

This will be a joyful, vibrant, and inclusive event - one that reflects everything Clarion stands for: community, celebration, and vision.

Why Clarion? Why Now?

Clarion symbolises a school with ambition in its stride, respect in its culture, and effort at its core. It’s a fresh identity built on strong foundations, and it speaks to who we are today - and who we’re becoming.

Working alongside our pupils and partners, we’ve created a brand that reflects the bright, thriving, and purposeful school we are proud to be.

So save the date and get ready to be part of something unforgettable.

Thursday 11 July. Claremont Park.

Clarion is coming - and so is the future. We can’t wait to celebrate with you.

London Calling 2025! Oxford Nanopore Conference

This May our Sixth Form scientists visited Old Billingsgate for the Oxford Nanopore London Calling 2025 conference! This was a multi-day genetics and genomics conference, featuring thought-provoking keynotes and interactive discussions with researchers from across the world.

London Calling was an opportunity for our students to learn more about cutting edge technology and the latest advancements in genetics research. For a number of years now the Whitefield Science Team has been taking students to this conference to give students an understanding of real world science applications.

Student Feedback: Asra - 12B Science Interests: Genetics

“It has changed my perspective about biology, I loved learning about real life applications”

BYTF Student Drama Workshops

Student Led Drama Workshops

This term Skyjae in Year 12 has been leading her own drama workshops for students at Claremont Primary School, to build connections and develop theatre skills with our neighbour school.

We spoke with Skyjae before half-term to ask her about her experience

Could you summarise the work you’ve been doing with Claremont Primary?

We’ve been making a script workshop for the enrichment of Clamont Primary students. The goal of the workshop is to get students to embrace their creativity, to let them explore what path they might go down in the future. We experimented with techniques they would learn at secondary school and passing on our experiences with drama.

What drew you to start working on this project?

I wanted to use my talent and skills in drama, and this opportunity was offered to me, it was unexpected but I would do it again.

How was it working with a primary school?

You don’t expect them to act how they usually are, because they are excited, they surprised me with how they could really switch on and focus in a task.

What are your take aways from the workshops?

It’s nice to work with people who aren’t your age, working with older and younger, definitely learnt to practice patience and organisation skills. Communicating ideas

Is this something you would do again?

I would do it again and be more organised! One thing I learned was that not every idea I have they will want to do!

These workshops are a part of the Barnet Youth Theatre Festival, which is a range of theatre and drama workshops leading up to a showcase event with school from across Barnet on Thursday June 19th.

Tickets are available for BYTF via Eventbrite, click this link for the full information.

Mental Health Awareness Week

We participated in Mental Health Awareness Week Monday 12th to Friday 16th May with a theme of ‘Community’. On Thursday 15th May all staff wore something green in support of this and to let our school community know that the mental wellbeing of our staff, students and parents matter to us. Here are some photos taken to mark the day.

At Whitefield we believe in the strength of community in supporting mental health and wellbeing. This is one way to support conversations around mental health and show we’re stronger connected together.

Ms Stephenson Assistant Headteacher

Support a community day to remember!

Support Our Clarion Celebration – A Community Day to Remember

This summer, we’re not just marking the 70th anniversary of Whitefield School - we’re also proudly soft-launching our new identity as Clarion.

On Friday 11 July, we’re hosting a free community celebration in Claremont Park, and we need your support to make it unforgettable for every child, family, and neighbour.

The day will include:

Choir performances from our students and special guests, DJ, games, sports, and inflatables, Circus acts, face painting, henna, caricatures, and food stalls, a quiet hour for our SEN students, the official birthday cake cutting and opening speech. And a shared sense of joy that unites us all!

Why we’re fundraising: Clarion represents more than a new name - it’s a renewed commitment to excellence, inclusion, and community. We want to create a day where no child is left out, regardless of background or ability.

Your donation will help us:

- Cover the costs of inclusive entertainment and accessible facilities,

- Ensure all food and activities remain free or low-cost for families

- Celebrate our transformation into Clarion in a way that truly honours the people we serve. This is more than a party. It’s a statement of who we are becoming - together.

Please support however you can. Every donation, no matter the size, helps us bring this vision to life.

Thank you for believing in Clarion. Thank you for being part of our story.

Whitefield Lighthouse ARP

We are excited to share some wonderful initiatives happening within our ARP (Autism Resource Provision) that are not only enhancing our students learning experiences but also promoting important social and emotional skills. Here’s a look at three recent events that embody the spirit of community, cooperation, and wellbeing.

1. Morning Breakfast: Starting the Day with Positivity

In an effort to foster a positive start to the school day, our ARP students have initiated a morning breakfast program. Every day, students gather to prepare a healthy meal together. This collaborative effort not only ensures that everyone starts the day with a nutritious breakfast but also provides invaluable practice in teamwork.

Students work together to set the table, serve the food, and clean up afterward, giving them a sense of responsibility and accomplishment. The laughter and camaraderie shared during these mornings set a wonderful tone for the rest of the day!

2. Wellbeing Moments: Cultivating Life through Gardening

As part of our commitment to enhancing wellbeing, the ARP students have embarked on an exciting gardening program. Under the guidance of our dedicated staff, students are discovering the importance of taking care of plants and understanding their vital role in our environment and wellbeing. This hands-on experience allows students to connect with nature, learn about different plant species, and appreciate the joy of nurturing living things.

3. Friendship Program: Building Bridges with Other Schools

Fostering connections and friendships is at the heart of our ARP Friendship Program. Recently, our students had the opportunity to meet their peers from neighbouring schools at a local park. This initiative is designed to facilitate interactions and help students make new friends. Together, they participated in fun games, enjoyed shared snacks, and engaged in conversations, creating a supportive environment for social development. These interactions are vital for enhancing their confidence and social skills!

Mrs

Figueiredo ARP / ASC Lead Teacher

Year 7 Updates

The first 5 weeks of the summer term have absolutely flown by - helped obviously by several bank holidays - and Year 7 have continued to make good progress at school.

I’m very pleased to mention that once again, Year 7 students have won our termly ‘Least Amount of Missed Detentions’ competition and have secured an additional non-uniform day on the last day of the half-term (23rd May). It is great to see the Year 7s maintaining their commitment to doing the right thing and going to where they need to go every day. The next goal is to ensure that Year 7 has the least amount of centralised detentions in the school - please keep coming to school on time, in perfect uniform and with your home learning completed!

It was lovely to see so many parents on our Progress Evening on 24th April to discuss all the successful things that students have been doing in lessons. Parental support is crucial for helping us maintain our ethos of Ambition, Respect and Effort so we appreciate every one that turned up.

The next half term, which will be the final half-term as Whitefield School, will be a very busy time for the school. As Year 11 finish their exams, we will be beginning to welcome the Year 6 students with transition activities, which the Year 7s will be a huge part of. We also have several trips booked in, as well as workshops. Sports Day and House Drop Down Day. Our end of year trip will be to the London Zoo on the 17th of July. Please check Parent Pay for details and payment information. We look forward to the final, busy, but productive term!

Ms Ott

Year 7 Team Leader

Year 8 Updates

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

This half term has been a particularly busy and exciting one, filled with valuable learning opportunities. From our Science Drop Down Days and assessments to the vibrant celebrations during Cultural Day, students have engaged in a wide range of enriching experiences. However, one of the most significant events was our Student Progress Evening, which saw an impressive 90% parent attendance. This strong turnout reflects our shared commitment to each student’s growth and success.

Student Progress Evening is more than just a routine check-in—it’s a key moment for reflection, ambition, and collaboration. It provides a dedicated space for teachers, parents, and students to discuss achievements, identify areas for improvement, and set meaningful goals. These conversations help students take ownership of their learning and stay motivated to reach their full potential. Thank you to all the families who took the time to attend and support their child’s educational journey; your involvement makes a lasting difference.

Mr Tan Year 9 Team Leader

Football Sessions with Maestro & Hunter

We are delighted to announce that Maestro & Hunter Football Club will be offering football sessions at Whitefield School. Our club is dedicated to transforming the lives of young people through the power of sport, aiming to provide more than just football training. Our mission encompasses:

Tackling Sport Inequalities: We offer free to low-cost club memberships for young people from low-income families, ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder participation.

Holistic Development: Beyond enhancing football skills, we focus on teaching life skills, building confidence, improving health and well-being, and addressing behavioral challenges.

Community Engagement: We value the family unit and understand that people come as a package. As such, we aim to support not only our players but also their families, fostering a strong sense of community.

Our standard membership fees are designed to be affordable, and we are committed to inclusivity. For families facing financial hardship & challenges, we offer free places (upon assessment) to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate. Additionally, our members enjoy benefits such as complimentary tickets to local professional games, including matches featuring QPR Rangers and Barnet FC. Our teams also participate in league matches and local competitions, providing a comprehensive football experience.

We look forward to welcoming your child to our sessions and being part of their football journey.

Year 10 Updates

Dear Year 10,

As the half term comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and recognise just how much you’ve achieved in year 10 so far. This term has been a crucial stepping stone in your journey through Key Stage 4. From tackling challenging new topics in your GCSE subjects to taking on more responsibility in school life, you’ve shown resilience, growth, and real potential. Whether you’ve been revising hard for mock exams, perfecting coursework, or diving into extracurricular activities, every effort has helped shape your progress.

We’ve seen Year 10s rise to the occasion—not just academically, but also in how you’ve supported each other and contributed to the school community. From science and creative writing projects to teamwork on the sports field and participation in school events, your enthusiasm and commitment have been truly encouraging. Enjoy our upcoming event which will be our final big events together on sports day, work experience and end of year trip to Southend.

As we head into the half term break, take some time to rest and recharge. But also keep in mind: the last half term will bring new opportunities and challenges. It’s the time to build on everything you’ve learned so far and continue preparing for the Year 10 mock exam that will begin upon our return.

So, enjoy your well-earned break. Come back refreshed, motivated, and ready to finish the year strong with outstanding mock results.

Wishing you all a restful half term.

Year 11 Updates

Dear Year 11 Students & Parents,

Mr Opoku

Year 10 Team Leader

With exams well underway in May, every lesson and revision session counts, so we strongly encourage attendance at any interventions and revision 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

Counselling Support

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

Sixth Form Updates

The sixth form has had an incredibly busy half term with many fantastic opportunities and events.

Year 13 have been working hard on revising for their exams. Many attended Easter intervention sessions and we are proud of the commitment they are showing to their studies.

We wish you good luck with all your subjects. In addition, many students have received many university exciting offers from universities across the UK.

Year 12 have also been completing coursework submissions and exams as well as having upcoming end of year exams. Year 12 have work experience fast approaching at a range of placements including the NHS, law firms, architecture companies and many more. They also have an exciting trip approaching to UK University Apprenticeship Search Fair at Arsenal FC Emirates Stadium. This is a great opportunity for students to network and beginning their next steps applications.