The Whitgiftian (Student Edition) | 2025

STUDENT EDITION | 2025

Editorial Welcome to the first issue of The Whitgiftian (Student Edition)

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elcome to The Whitgiftian (Student Edition)! Many staff and alumni will remember The Whitgiftian, which was discontinued in 2017 following 511 issues. For over a century and a half, this publication sought to highlight the best of Whitgift, and the very first edition was entirely created by students. And so it is fitting that this revived form of The Whitgiftian is also entirely student-led. I must thank the over 40 students involved in creating this magazine, including the writers, editors and designers. My heartfelt thanks go to Cyrus Fong, Max Woodley and Freddie Cary for their extensive work in the design and administrative process. I am also grateful for the support from the Marketing Department, the Senior Deputy and the Headmaster in the creation of this publication. Over the course of this year, one of my overarching aims has been to ensure that we celebrate the many successes within our community. The Whitgiftian was central to this vision - particularly by demonstrating the power of student initiative within the school. Both student voice and initiative have grown considerably this year, with many students launching their own societies, competitions, or helping within the Student Council and Student Culture and Diversity Board - many of which are highlighted in this publication. I am incredibly proud of the Captain team’s work this year. This included introducing a full calendar of cultural lunches, overseeing the most competitive and engaged Student Council in recent history, and ensuring a greater variety of assemblies – with the majority of Middle Years assemblies being student-led this year. We have also sought to restore valued traditions such as Carmen (the school song) and music performances at the start of assemblies to showcase our talented musicians. Key events like International Women’s Day, Culture Day, the 1596 Challenge, and the Charity Concert, as well as initiatives such as the Whitgift 9 programme for Third Formers, mentoring for new pupils, the Lower Sixth Captaincy Award, and the expansion of Junior Prefects’ roles, have all aimed to make the school more inclusive, vibrant, and led by student initiative. From fostering closer links with partner schools like Trinity to encouraging community spirit and attendance at rugby fixtures and occasions such as the Sixth Form Christmas Jumper Day, we have seen a real cultural shift towards a more close-knit Whitgift community. My eight years at Whitgift have been truly transformative, and I am so thankful to all the staff who have helped to create an exciting and unforgettable Whitgift experience. While the faces around the school will not always be the same, I am certain that the Whitgiftian spirit of vitality, humility and an eagerness to embrace opportunity will continue to persevere as it has done for centuries. This is a magazine created by Whitgiftians, for Whitgiftians.. I leave it with future Whitgiftians to create further issues of this publication and I very much look forward to reading them! Vatsa Dubey School Captain (2024-2025)

CONTENTS WHO AM I? - GUESS THE MEMBER OF STAFF.......................................................................6 WHITGIFT LANGUAGES - AN INTERVIEW WITH MR HUNT...................................8 A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO TIES AT WHITGIFT.......................................................10 OW STAFF MEMBERS..........................................................................................................................................12 STUDENT FUTURES...............................................................................................................................................14 SPORTING SUCCESS............................................................................................................................................16 AN INSIGHT INTO WHITGIFT MUSIC..............................................................................................20 ANOTHER SUPERB YEAR OF WHITGIFT DRAMA.............................................................22 CORPS OF DRUMS 120TH ANNIVERSARY....................................................................................24 A SUCCESSFUL YEAR FOR THE CCF...............................................................................................26 A FAREWELL TO MR ROBERT DINNAGE..................................................................................30 THE COLOURS COMMITTEE.....................................................................................................................32 ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.............................................................................................................................34 HOUSE UPDATES & HISTORY...................................................................................................................36 BOARDING LIFE.......................................................................................................................................................40 I AM WHITGIFT...........................................................................................................................................................42 CULTURE AND DIVERSITY BOARD....................................................................................................44 STUDENT COUNCIL.............................................................................................................................................45 WHITGIFTIAN SPOTLIGHTS........................................................................................................................47 A TRIBUTE TO HEADMASTER, MR ANDREW HALLS...................................................48 THE MR BECK QUIZ............................................................................................................................................50 ANSWERS PAGE........................................................................................................................................................53 front cover illustration Niki Druzhinin, Lower Sixth Former

words Gowrthan Pirahalathan (Fifth Form)

WHO AM I? WHO AM I? Can you guess the members of staff by their descriptions? Turn to page 53 to find out their true identities...

1. The Traveller This person had visited twenty-seven countries before the age of 21 mainly comprising of Europe, Southeast Asia and Southern Africa. However, the story that stands out the most to them involves a faithful road trip through the Botswanan Okavango Delta. The Delta is teeming with Africa’s most dangerous and feared animals: Lions, Cheetahs, Leopards, Rhino’s, Wild Dogs and Hyenas just to name a few. Whilst road tripping with his father through the world-famous Delta, they found themselves in a precarious position after their vehicle broke down due to the infamously sandy and rough roads. A particularly nasty pothole in the road had caused the bottom of, the apparently reliable land cruiser, to smack the ground so hard that the car would no longer drive. With neither of them being much in the way of a mechanic and no phone service to be found they surveyed their limited options. They decided to go for the tried and tested “just keep trying to turn the car on and hope by magic it starts working again” method and to their surprise they found the car would drive! But only in reverse…. With one of them stationed flat on the roof relaying directions through the sunroof and the other driving they made their way painstakingly slowly through the rough and hard to navigate bush roads for four hours. With the sun setting and still several hours to civilization the pair fortunately came across a lone Botswanan Police officer out on his evening rounds. The police man gave them a lift to the local town of Maun, and they got to safety. I must say they were very lucky to make it out!

2. The Knight This person has the skill set of a medieval knight. They have exceptional horsemanship, riding horses through the Australian rainforest and through ‘some of the scariest spider webs I’ve ever seen in the Southern US’. They also competed for the Cambridge University Bowmen, which was the archery society. Aside from that, they also have an interest in martial arts. They have competed in Taekwondo, and has also recently taken up Jiu-Jitsu. And to top it all off, they have completed several Spartan races, which is a physically demanding competition consisting of several obstacle courses such as climbing walls and carrying heavy objects.

Did you know?

3. The Queen’s Subject This teacher used to attend the school as a pupil. When he was in the U6th, Queen Elizabeth II paid them the honour of visiting to celebrate the four hundredth anniversary of the Whitgift Foundation. Having earned his First XV colours for rugby, he was fortunate enough to be part of the blazer-wearing guard of honour lined up on either side of the entrance to the Andrew Quadrangle through which the Queen was to pass when she arrived at the school. Even though they had been briefed on royal etiquette – only speak if spoken to; follow up whatever you say first with ‘Your Majesty’ and from then one with ‘Ma’am’ to rhyme with ham – his mind went blank when she actually did come over to speak to him… ‘Queen Elizabeth II: “That’s a nice blazer: what did you get it for?” Me: “It’s for my First XV rugby colours.” Queen Elizabeth II: “Oh, rugby! Where do you play?” Me: “I’m a hooker.” Queen Elizabeth II: “That’s nice.” And that was it! My opportunity to talk to one England’s greatest ever monarchs and I forget protocol and said I’m a hooker! At least I got a nice photo out of it. The Croydon Advertiser photographer got a nice snap which ended up on the front page of the newspaper and on the table in my living room at home, as he kindly gave me a copy of it.’ When he was ushered into the waiting room behind the porter’s desk in North Entrance for his teaching interview, plastered across the wall opposite the door was huge picture of him, resplendent in his Whitgift Colours blazer, greeting her majesty, the Queen. ‘Some might say it was fate and here I am 25 years later still at Whitgift. Maybe it’s time I dusted my Colours Blazer off and give it an outing?’

4. The lucky soldier This teacher used to be in the Greek military, as a pilot officer. One of his most memorable stories is just before he came to England. He had just received an offer from Imperial College London. However, he needed an SELT (Secure English Language Test). And so, he asked his Air Commodore to bring his laptop to the military base to practice whilst on a mission there, because normally they were not allowed to bring personal devices to the base. Because he had good relations with the Air Commodore, he allowed him to bring his laptop. This person was one of the people guarding the military base, working with other people to facilitate the entrance and exit of people and other equipment. Whilst studying, one of his friends who was also guarding the base asked him to use his laptop for the same reason, to study for his SELT. Being a good friend, our teacher lent him the laptop, but this soon turned out to be a mistake… It was night-time, and the pilot officers had to take a gruelling night shift from 2 am. The teacher’s friend was using the laptop, watching a movie (he was not supposed to) in the security box. This proved to be his unlucky day, as that night just so had to be the night which inspectors drove around the camp in a jeep to make sure everything was in order, including making sure the pilot officers were doing their job correctly. And, as you guessed it, as they drove up to the entrance where the teacher was working, they saw that no one was in the security box. Upon a closer inspection, they saw his friend, asleep, in front of the laptop, still playing a movie! This came as a shock to the inspectors, and of course our teacher and his friend were both reported. Luckily enough, because the teacher was not involved in it, he was let off scotfree! On the other hand, his friend was suspended for 10 days and was not allowed to leave the base to go see his family as punishment. I must say our teacher dodged a bullet!

words Max Woodley (Lower Sixth Form)

WHITGIFT LANGUAGES: AN INTERVIEW WITH MR HUNT

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ach private school conjures up particular associations; when people hear the word “Whitgift” four core things are likely to spring to mind – sport, peacocks, generous bursaries and languages.

During the Lent term, Mr Hunt, who has been Head of Languages here for almost fifteen years, kindly gave me some of his time to discuss his personal journey with languages, his vision for the department, and his thoughts on the future of language learning. I’ve had the privilege of being taught by Mr Hunt for three years, and it was thanks to his encouragement that I chose to study Japanese in the Sixth Form, something I might not have considered otherwise. What is your journey with languages? Mr Hunt’s journey began with a passion for languages during his own school days, which he puts down largely to a Mrs Scott, his Head of Languages at the local grammar school he attended. He studied French, German, and History at A-Level, and importantly participated in a German exchange with a small town called Minden when he was thirteen, a connection that had a lasting impact. He remains close friends with his exchange partner, Tim (35 years later….!), even acting as best man at his wedding and becoming godfather to his children. In fact, since the passing of his own parents, Mr Hunt describes Tim’s parents as “adoptive parents” and feels very much a part of the German family. He went on to study French and German at Oxford (St. Anne’s college), spending his year abroad as an English assistant at a grammar school in Germany and graduating with a First. He was awarded a scholarship by St. Anne’s to study Japanese in Japan at the Daiichi University of Economics in Fukuoka, thoroughly relishing the opportunity to learn a non-European language and immerse himself in such a fascinating culture. After university, Mr Hunt initially worked in finance but

Mr Hunt at his exchange partner’s wedding found it unfulfilling. He then returned to academia, undertaking a Masters in European Literature at Cambridge, specialising in Austrian women’s writing. A teaching placement at Whitgift followed and he’s been here ever since. Today, Mr Hunt speaks eight languages – four fluently: English, German, Japanese and French with another four he has picked up to varying degrees since - Finnish, Polish, Chinese, and Hindi. “Nine if you count Brainrot,” he jokes. What has your journey at the Whitgift Languages Department been like? After joining Whitgift in 2005, Mr Hunt quickly rose through the ranks, first becoming Head of Japanese, then Head of Oriental Languages, and finally Head of Languages in 2011. At that time, the school had been experiencing relatively poor language results at GCSE and A-Level, something Mr Hunt was determined to change. He introduced a new structure: three languages taught in the First Form and a Language Awareness programme in the Lower First. This initiative has since

Did you know? Perhaps what Mr Hunt values most, however, are the traditional reciprocal exchange programmes like the one he took part in as a teenager. Fewer and fewer schools in the UK are offering them, and he calls them “ a potentially life-changing experience, not to mention one of the most affordable ways to immerse oneself in a language and culture and a great way to make life-long friends abroad”.

become a unique selling point for the school. He also streamlined and modernised the curriculum to make it more efficient, academically challenging and engaging. Mr Hunt’s educational mottos, “Positivity, Flexibility, Kindness” and “As many languages as possible for as long as possible”, reflect both his philosophy and his mission for the department. He firmly believes that learning languages is essential in today’s increasingly polarised world, saying, “it’s about bringing the world together and opening hearts and minds.” Under his leadership, more Whitgift students have gone on to study languages at top universities, a fact of which he is “very proud.” What makes the Whitgift Languages Department special? According to Mr Hunt, Whitgift’s Languages Department is one of the largest and most vibrant in the UK. The options framework in the First Form is unique and has a logic to it which few schools can rival – pupils studying three different types of language in order to maximise the cognitive benefits and build the strongest foundation for learning any further languages after Whitgift. He is passionate about making sure pupils can pursue their languages to the very end of their time at Whitgift and he is also committed to supporting heritage-speakers in the best way possible, things many schools simply do not have the resources to make a reality. He credits the success of the department to the passion and ambition of its staff, the balance of native and nonnative speakers, and to the presence of ten dedicated language assistants. These assistants create unique opportunities for pupils to develop their language skills beyond the classroom.

What is the future of language learning, in your view? Mr Hunt is candid about the challenges ahead. “Ever since Brexit, the landscape for languages in the UK has been pretty bleak,” he says. However, he sees Whitgift as “a beacon of light and hope in the wilderness.” He is confident that the financial pressures forcing some schools to close smaller languages will be weathered by Whitgift and that the languages department here will continue to offer exciting breadth and depth in its provision. He also sees AI as a useful language-learning tool rather than an alternative to the language-learning process – “it’s not as if calculators have replaced Maths lessons”, he chuckles. Though he was personally saddened by the school’s decision to stop offering the International Baccalaureate, he is actively working to expand and enhance language offerings in the Sixth Form, making them even more vibrant and varied. Final Thoughts With a wry smile, Mr Hunt notes that it is easy for pupils to not fully appreciate the language opportunities available at Whitgift, but he often finds that OWs reach out to thank the department once they realise how rare and valuable those experiences were. He reflects that when adults speak about regrets from their school days, they pretty much only mention not learning a musical instrument or not learning a language properly. It’s clear from speaking to Mr Hunt that his life in languages has been deeply personal and profoundly transformative. His story, from a school exchange in Minden to leading one of the most ambitious language departments in the UK, is a testament to the lifelong power of language learning. And for current Whitgiftians, it’s a reminder that the effort we put in now will stay with us for a lifetime.

words Olaf Baranski-Furdal (Lower Sixth Form)

A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO TIES AT WHITGIFT At Whitgift, ties are an integral part of the school uniform, and, in some cases, the only official piece of uniform worn by a pupil. Each tie tells a story—not just through its pattern or design but also through its wear and condition. A neatly knotted tie, free of stains and frays, might symbolize a student who takes pride in their education and school life. Conversely, a scruffy tie, tied carelessly with the narrow end longer than the wide one, might suggest a more relaxed attitude. There are around 20+ different tie designs currently ‘in circulation’ at the school (not counting all the different house colours) – some rarer and more prominent than others. However, they all have pretty much 1 thing in common - the school colours, navy and gold. You can already begin to see the similarity between ties and real-world currency beginning to form; in some ways ties are a currency at Whitgift. For example, a Sixth Form tie gives you access to the Sixth Form centre, a Founder’s House tie means you don’t look out of place in the boarding house and a Prefect tie gives you the ability to issue duty slips. Each tie has its own function it fulfils within the school ecosystem. Junior Tie When students join the school in the Lower First or First Form, they receive a Junior Tie. This design features a single Whitgift crest flanked by two thin gold diagonal stripes on a navy-blue base. Its simplicity is well-suited for younger pupils, many of whom are wearing a tie for the first time. The smaller size of this tie ensures it looks proportional on younger students.

House Ties The tie you wear for most of your Whitgift career, the house tie, comes in 8 different colours depending on which house you have been placed in. These are as follows:

They all consist of alternating diagonal stripes in house colours, with large Whitgift crests between the stripes. Sixth Form Ties These ties are worn by most Sixth Formers. They consist of small Whitgift crests in diagonal lines down the tie with spaces of around 3cm between the lines. Although they might be boring to some, I quite like the simplicity of the tie, and it goes well with a variety of different coloured suits – something that is very prevalent in the Sixth Form. House Prefect Ties The house prefect tie is awarded to Sixth Formers who take have contributed significantly to their House, and is appointed by their Housemaster. The ties themselves are like house ties, and they are the only other tie to feature the house colours. They consist of 1cm thick stripes of house colour, which has a thin white outline above and below the stripe, and small (smaller than on the house ties) Whitgift crests between the stripes.

Did you know? Prefect Tie The Prefect tie is given to students in the Sixth Form who are successfully appointed as Prefects. The Prefects are the role models of the school, and are meant to maintain order in the corridors and around the school. They are present at all major school events in their distinctive purple gowns – which are the same colour as the stripes on their ties. The tie itself is made up of stripes that are Andrew’s purple in the middle surrounded by white, and alternated with the old crest of the school, which was also the symbol of John Whitgift, when he was Archbishop of Canterbury. Junior Prefect Tie This tie is given to Third Formers who become Junior Prefects. There are around 25 prefects every year who help with open events and help maintain order in the lower school. The tie itself is very similar to the Sixth Form tie, but with the same crest as on the Senior Prefect tie, albeit in a smaller size. It is not the most elaborate tie, and I think it is a bit underwhelming for what it represents. However, it is quite different from the normal house tie, so it is always easy to spot a Junior Prefect. Boarding Tie The Founder’s House tie is given to students who board. The tie consists of a light gold base, with a 10mm thick stripe divided in 2 – black on top and white on the bottom. At the bottom of the tie on the right-hand sides there is the logo of John Whitgift when he was Archbishop of Canterbury, this one being gold, yellow and white as opposed to the normal blue, black and red. Overall, it is one of the more unique ties at Whitgift, as it does not feature the Whitgift navy blue and it is only 1 of 2 ties that have words as part of their design. Co-curricular Ties CCF tie – Alternating Whitgift cross and crown diagonally in stripes down the tie. Student Council tie – Alternating small Whitgift logo and ‘SC’ in small gold letters. I quite like this one as the blue of the logo contrasts nicely with the black and gold on the rest of the tie.

Corps of Drums tie – The Corps of Drums crest, which consists of the Whitgift ‘W’ with 2 drumsticks crossed through it in gold. There is also a double gold stripe that alternates with the Corps of Drums crest going diagonally down the tie. Choristers tie – This tie features thin gold stripes going down the tie diagonally, with an alternating motif of treble clefs and a cross which is alike the one found on the CCF tie. Shooting tie – The tie pattern consists of two 3mm white stripes with a 2mm gold stripe in the middle, with two crossed shooting rifles as the motif. This is alternating going diagonally downwards across the tie. Nationals tie - According to Mr Litchfield, “the tie is for individuals or teams who have won a national title or gained international representation in an accepted sporting event.” The tie has an interesting design timeline, as there used to be individual ties created for every sporting event. One can already see how expensive and time consuming this must have been, so the school switched to a single design which changes each year. The current tie has gold, white and navy stripes going down the tie in varying thicknesses. The bottom left of the tie has the words “National Honours” or “National Champions” which is printed in gold going up the tie diagonally. Half Colours tie - This tie is given out to Sixth Formers (and occasionally Fifth Formers) who contribute to the school in important ways, such as through significant sporting achievements, achieving high ranks in the CCF, or excelling in various co-curricular fields. It features a repeating motif of an ornate bishop’s mitre in yellow and red, going down diagonally downwards in both directions down the tie. At the centre near the knot there is the same symbol as on the Senior prefect tie – John Whitgift’s crest as the Archbishop of Canterbury. This time it has the same bishops mitre at the top and the logo is mainly orange, yellow and blue. This all sits on the same navy-blue base that most school ties use. Ultimately, there are a huge variety of different ties at Whitgift, something that I believe makes the school more unique, and gives each pupil a touch of individuality.

Current Old Whitgiftian staff (Left to right): Front: Sami Michael, Ross Munro, Oliver Brown, Andrew Seal, Bobby Benton, Dominic Edwards, Alexander Lau, Shantha Ratnayake Rear: Dudley Tredger, Thomas Nicholls, James Stremes, David Powell, Will Dickins, Niyaz Haji, Sam Morley, Not pictured: Glenn Hogben, Jonty Griffiths

words Kate Goldberg (Assistant Head - Student Futures)

Did you know?

TRANSFORMING CAREER EDUCATION FOR TOMORROW’S LEADERS Have you ever wondered how the subjects you study could shape your future? In his novel Hard Times, Charles Dickens satirises the Victorian education system that prioritises facts over creativity and imagination. The rigid headmaster Mr Gradgrind enforces his worldview in the famous lines: “Teach these boys and girls nothing but facts. Facts alone are wanted in life.” His narrow view stems from his perception that the fundamental purpose of education is about productivity, reflecting the preoccupations of the industrial era. But perhaps reflecting the preoccupations of our age too. The government drive to embed career education into every year at secondary school is about creating jobs and skills the economy needs, especially in STEM subjects. So where does that leave imagination, creativity and the humanities? Two years ago I was asked to introduce ‘Student Futures’ to Whitgift, which includes a career programme embedded into the curriculum from Lower First to Upper Sixth. Partly this is needed so we can meet the ‘Gatsby Benchmarks’, a framework of statutory guidance for schools about the delivery of world class career education. I was also asked to take up this new post because I had already introduced some new subjects into the Junior Years curriculum: Global Citizenship, Digital Literacy, and Ignite, all designed to respond to the changing world in which we live. Our aim at Whitgift is to go beyond the government expectations: we are not simply producing workers to serve economic need; we want you all to fulfil your potential and make a valuable contribution to the world in which we hope you will one day be leaders. From Dickensian Discipline to Digital Dreaming Instead of churning out workers for factory floors or slotting students into predefined roles, education must empower students to navigate – and shape – a complex world. We want you to develop creativity, critical thinking and self-awareness,

skills that will allow you to make informed decisions about your future. In addition to drop-down days exploring a range of creative careers, this year, students from Third Form to Fifth Form benefitted from one-to-one ‘career coaching’ from their tutors to ensure they had thought through GCSE and Sixth Form options. My vision is about equipping you with tools to explore who you are, what you value, and how to use digital tools such as Unifrog to match strengths to possible career pathways. These tools – which you can continue to use after you leave school – give you the autonomy to explore your potential and empower you to make decisions – not just about jobs, but ultimately about the world you want to build. By the end of Hard Times, Mr Gradgrind realises the importance of imagination and human connection – a lesson our education system must embrace too. Education should be more than preparation for a career; it should be a journey of self-discovery. If the Industrial Revolution reshaped education for its time, then the AI Revolution challenges us to prepare students not just for work, but for the lives they want to lead – filled with imagination and human connection. A selection of events that underpin Student Futures at Whitgift: Lower First – Film in a Day, Philanthropy Week First Form – Humanutopia, Literary Festival Second Form – The National Career Challenge around Enterprise Third Form – Stocks and Shares challenge, Introduction to Unifrog Fourth Form – Technology Unpicked, Sixth Form taster day Fifth Form – Career Convention, Career Coaching Lower Sixth – Career Café, After Whitgift, Career Guidance Upper Sixth – UCAS/university applications. Preparing for Independent Living

words Whitgift, Vatsa Dubey, Zyrus Kotaka, Oliver Shuttleworth (Upper Sixth Formers)

AN OVERVIEW OF WHITGIFT SPORTING SUCCESS Whitgift sport is renowned for its breadth of opportunity, incredible coaching staff, and notable sporting alumni. The school offers 40 different sports, and Whitgift athletes have won over 300 national titles over the past decade. Of these achievements, many present athletes are crucial to Whitgift’s sporting prowess. Rugby – The U16s and U14s both reached the National Cup Semi-Finals after strong performances, with the U14s going on the claim the Championships with a nail-biting 15-14 victory. The U15 7s team claimed the John Fisher Founder’s Day tournament. After losing to Brighton in the group stage, the team bounced back to face them again in the Final, overcoming a 12-0 deficit at half-time. The 1st XV narrowly missed out on a semi-final spot in the Continental Tyres School Cup, drawing to Harrow 10-10 at home. Fencing – Alex N (Fifth Form) has been selected to represent GB at the U17 European Championships for Epee, having won the British U17 Championships and finishing 3rd in the U20 British Championships. 65 students competed at the Public Schools Championships where Whitgift finished overall top boys school for the 4th year in succession. Of particular mention were our medallists Austin Y(1st U14 Sabre and 1st U14 Epee), Ethan L (2nd U14 Foil and 3rd U14 Epee) and Jack M (3rd U18 Foil). Speaking of Austin’s accomplishment, Mr Williams (Head of Fencing) said, “to win the Public Schools Championships at one weapon is brilliant, but to win in two different weapons is an exceptional achievement.” In addition, 12 fencers qualified for the British Youth Championship finals in Sheffield. Football – The U13 Football team delivered an exceptional performance to win the PlayStation Elite School Cup. Meanwhile, the U12s reached the last 16 of the ESFA competition.. Thank you to Mr J Phillips (Football Development Officer) - who is leaving in July 2025, for his service to Whitgift football.

Aquatics – This year the Aquatics teams made every national final across Swimming and Water Polo. Alex C (Upper Sixth) and Jeremiah C (Fifth Form) both competed in the British Championships and Jeremiah is currently ranked No.1 in the country for the 100m Breaststroke. Across the year, 19 school records were broken and 9 golds were achieved at the World School Swimming Championships. Thank you to Mr R Smith who is leaving Whitgift at the end of this academic year. He has been instrumental in Whitgift’s aquatic success in recent years. Squash – The KS3 and the KS5 teams advanced to the National Finals for the Plate competition. Table Tennis – Justin K (Second Form) qualified for the U13 National Individual Finals. Athletics – Tommy C (Fourth Form) won silver in the U15 300m, while Freddie H (Lower Sixth) finished 6th in the U20 400m Indoor National Championships. Cycling – Jacob D (First Form) won his first national championship in the cyclo-cross division with his team from VC Londres, after fighting back from a crash at the start of the season.

Cricket – OWs in Whitgift Cricket have had a successful year, Vansh Jani has signed his first professional contract with Warwickshire County Cricket Club; Jamie Smith has been named one of Wisden’s Cricketers of the year in 2025, following a number of incredibly successful performances for England. The U13s won the County Cup - superbly led by captain Robbie E (Second Form). Padel – Whitgift won the inaugural UK Padel Championships in September, and in October the U15 team claimed the inaugural title at the U15 UK Padel Championships - making Whitgift the first ever national champions in this growing sport. Powerlifting – Joseph G (Upper Sixth) won the European Powerlifting Championships in Salo, Finland. He set two new British Records for Bench Press and Deadlift. He later attempted to break the World and European Single Bench Press record - only just narrowly missing it. Modern Pentathlon – Whitgift has always maintained its status as a top performer in Modern Pentathlon. Over the course of its tenure, Whitgift has produced 33 present or Old Whitgiftians who have competed for Great Britain across all age groups. As of this year, two Upper Sixth athletes (Jack M and Oliver S) have been selected for the 2025 U19 European and World Championships, a testament to the quality of Whitgift Pentathletes. The most successful OW pentathlete is Joseph Choong OW winning the Gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Over the course of the last five years (20202025), Whitgift athletes have managed to claim a total of 103 national championships in Modern Petathlon, making it one of the most successful sports in Whitgift history. The Whitgift Modern Pentathlon project is the result of the dedicated and committed efforts of Mr S Sanderson, who is leaving Whitgift in July 2025. The Whitgift community would like to thank Mr Sanderson for his relentless efforts in coaching and developing some of the school’s finest athletes.

90% OF JUNIOR YEARS PUPILS HAVE REPRESENTED THE SCHOOL IN COMPETITIVE FIXTURES THIS YEAR.

Sports Basketball - Whitgift’s U12 won the Jn. NBA SouthEast Championships, and the U13's finished as runnerups. Meanwhile, the U16s won the LISBA league, and the U15s collected 2nd place in the LISBA Cup. The school also held the highly anticipated All-Star Game in June, with pupils facing a team of staff and OWs. Tennis - The U16 team brought home the gold medal after a thrilling tie-break victory at the Surrey Tennis Festival. Badminton - The Whitgift A Team won the U19 Badminton Tournament hosted at Dulwich College in May. Jacky L (Upper Sixth) represented England at the Badminton World Junior Championships in China. Golf - Whitgift’s U13 golf duo, Gary M and Charlie M achieved a 3rd place finish at the Independent Schools Golf Association Junior League Fianls. The duo then also won 1st place at the Junior Open. The strength of Whitgift’s Golf programme has been further highlighted with the recent success of Riccardo Fantinelli OW, who reached the semi-finals of The 130th Amateur Championship, becoming the first Whitgiftian to reach the semi-finals since Peter Hedges OW in 1982.

vincit qui patitur.

WHITGIFT HOCKEY

The success of Whitgift’s hockey department is truly unparalleled. Over the past three years, the U18s have won the indoor and outdoor national titles. Moreover, the departing class of 2025 have won nine national titles over their time at the school, and are unbeaten ever since being First Formers in 2018. Success in the hockey programme has been seen at numerous other levels too, with the U16s winning the indoor and outdoor national titles too. Meanwhile, OWs Zach Wallace and Jack Waller both competed for Great Britain in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

“I have had the pleasure of playing hockey at Whitgift since the start of my time at the school in the Lower First. Hockey has allowed me to experience the perfect balance between hard work and thorough enjoyment, creating lifelong friendships, accompanied by a few national titles along the way. I cannot thank the coaching staff at Whitgift enough for everything they have done for my teammates and I during our time at the school.” Tom Mead - Upper Sixth Form

THE TREBLE DOUBLE.

(Indoor and outdoor champions for three years in a row)

MUSIC MUSIC The Whitgift A Cappella group meets every Wednesday morning from 8:15 – 8:50. We prepared ‘Time in a Bottle’ by Jim Croce for the Fairfield Halls concert with the theme of time! We’ve sung pieces of all sorts of genres: Spiritual (Battle of Jericho), Christmas Carols (Carol of the Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas – which we sang at the Christmas concert earlier in the school year), and perhaps most typical of an a cappella group, Barbershop (Is You is and Short People). As for our next piece(s), we put in suggestions for what we’d like to sing, which are then selected and arranged for a cappella!

The Trumpet Ensemble is a brass group that only consists of trumpet players. We meet every Friday in the morning to practice and rehearse our piece; recently we just finished performing Can't Take My Eyes Off You by Gaudio & Crewe, and which was arranged by our lovely conductor Ms Duncan. One very special thing about this piece is the inclusion of the Bass Trumpet played by Ms Temple, the Head of Brass. It is special as it is an octave lower than normal trumpets and gives a nice strong base for us to build onto. We are also looking forward to play even more exciting pieces in future concerts.

Louis Boon (Fifth Form) Shun Yu Chan (Lower Sixth Form)

Whitgift Ten is formed by 10 of the school’s older, most experienced brass players – four trumpets, four trombones, a French Horn and a tuba. This gives us a chance to tackle more challenging music while working on both our technique and expression to produce the best sound possible. Recently, we had an exhilarating performance of Chris Hazell’s Kraken in the Strictly Come Brassing concert. As the Horn player, I am looking forward to us revisiting some of our previous pieces, such as Hazell’s Mr Jums – a beautiful composition which allows us to show off all that our instruments can do. Alex Blonski-Rulach (Upper Sixth Form)

Co-curricular There are many different groups within the Brass Section, the most notable of these being the Main Brass Ensemble and the Whitgift Ten, which meet respectively at 13:00 on a Friday and 8:15 on a Tuesday. The advantage of there being so many groups that operate independently of each other is that it gives everyone ample opportunity to be involved within the section. The larger Brass Ensemble prepared ‘Nine to Five’ for the Fairfield Halls concert. The Brass section is very versatile with a large catalogue of varying pieces such as Boogie Wonderland, Summer Nights, The Lion King and many more. New pieces are brought forward and arranged by the amazing Brass teachers who take into consideration the level of all of the players and always manage to bring forward an incredible arrangement that is then played to the highest of standards by all of the Brass players! Kola Oyewole (Fifth Form)

The Whitgift Magnificent 8 meets every Friday morning at 8:15 to 8:45 and aims to allow less experienced brass players to play in a smaller group in concerts. We’ve played all sorts of challenging but fun songs such as Super Trooper (ABBA-1980). In the most recent brass concert Strictly Come Brassing we played the Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde (George Fame-1967), a fan favourite! I am working towards Grade 4 French Horn and found the Magnificent 8 an excellent way to build confidence when playing in a smaller group, meanwhile ensuring every piece is as entertaining as possible. Archie Cornelis-Taylor (Fourth Form)

WHITGIFT DRAMA.

Co-curricular

A

programme of unforgettable drama productions has once again amazed Whitgift audiences. In December, the Drama department brought Bedford Falls to life in a unique, semi-immersive production of It’s A Wonderful Life in the Performing Arts Centre. Adapted by Mary Elliott Nelson from the beloved film, this performance combined traditional theatre with real-time projections and live cinematography for a magical and memorable experience. Nearly 50 students from Whitgift, Old Palace, and WAVPA contributed to the cast, showcasing collaboration and creativity. Of course, the highly anticipated House Drama competition returned in October 2024. After a series of impressive acts, Smith’s House took 1st place for their engaging portrayals of A Christmas Carol and Dracula. In addition, two new awards were introduced this year: Marcos Byrne (Brodie’s, Fifth Form) won Best Leadership and Direction for his role in Hello, my name is..., while Nicholas Seal (Cross’s, Upper Sixth Form) earned Best Solo Performance for his compelling portrayal of the title role in Ivanov. Now in its second year, the First Form Play Series has continued to grow. As part of the ‘Whitgift 7’ programme, this gives the opportunity for all First Formers to perform on the Whitgift stage, in a specially created 30-minute performance. This year’s plays incorporate the innovative use of AI - with each play featuring three short plays centred around different themes. There is no doubt that we will have seen several future stars of Whitgift drama in these performances. This year’s Junior production of The Odyssey: It’s a really, really, really long journey by Nina Segal was brought to life this February by a cast of young actors. Set against

the backdrop of the aftermath of the Trojan War, the play masterfully combined deep emotion with light-hearted humour. Directed by Joel Gulliford (Upper Sixth Form), many of the cast were performing for the first time in a major production at Whitgift. Their dedication and enthusiasm, along with the creative use of stage design and lighting, made the story of Telemachus and his quest truly entertaining for the audience. The excellence continued with the thought-provoking and dynamic production of Love and Information. This play brought a fresh, contemporary edge to the school’s evergrowing drama repertoire. The company of 14 embraced the challenge of portraying a wide range of characters, seamlessly transitioning between moments of humour, tension, and deep emotion. This was a debut for Mr Hodge (Teacher of English) as a Whitgift Director, and the set selected was minimalist yet striking, allowing the audience to focus on the raw intensity of the performances. The final production of the year, Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, did not fail to impress. With electifying music, captivating choreography, and heartfelt performances, the young cast delivered an unforgettable experience for the audience. Whitgift continues to cultivate a vibrant theatrical culture, one which has captivated our audiences for decades. We must thank Mr Hammond (Director of Drama), who is leaving Whitgift in July - he has overseen a fantastic range of exciting and professional productions, which makes Whitgift Drama so special. And of course, our fantastic AV team also deserve immense credit for their creativity and technical expertise in crafting such professional sets.

words Archie Bradbury, Drum Major (Lower Sixth Form)

Co-curricular

CORPS OF DRUMS

T

he Corps of Drums is the oldest fully student-led organisation at Whitgift School and has outlasted 8 headmasters, 73 Drum Majors and the original school site.

As this incredible organisation approaches its 120th anniversary it is a perfect time to look back at the Corps of Drums through the years and its immense success. The Corps of Drums, then known as ‘The Drums’, was founded in 1905, 58 years after the formation of the Whitgift Cadet Corps in 1874. As a result of the strong ties between the Whitgift Cadet Corps and the 2/4th Battalion of the Queen’s, a talented musician by the name of George Etches was placed in charge, leading the public debut on the 16th of November 1905. George Etches led the Corps of Drums as Drum Major and Bandmaster for 39 years, during which he led the Corps of Drums to an era of dominance - excelling in competitions and winning the annual summer camp 3 years in a row. Following Etches' departure in 1946, many would have assumed it was a role impossible to follow up yet the new Bandmaster, J Cousins took to the role like a fish to water, continuing and building upon Etches' success.

Whilst many things regarding the Corps of Drums have changed through its 120-year history, the premise of its student-led nature has remained steadfast nearly throughout. As you progress through the Corps of Drums you can learn multiple different types of instruments; from the side drum to flutes and bugles; all of which are taught by students who were in the same position years prior. This results in skills being passed down between generations of students and is a key reason for the Corps’ continued success and existence today. These experiences for students within the Corps of Drums help to build and shape people's lives long after they leave not only the Corps but also Whitgift through the lessons that they have learned and the skills they have gained.

120 YEARS.

words CSM Freddie Lynch (Lower Sixth Form)

CCF Army Section The army section hit the ground running with a threeday field exercise in September, challenging the physical and mental skills learnt by cadets throughout their training and working cohesively as a platoon. Shortly after, the new year 9 cadets began their training on Tuesday evenings learning a wealth of skills from day and night navigation, weapon handling, fieldcraft and tactics through to leadership, drill and first aid delivered to them by both staff and senior cadets. Over the winter months there were opportunities for cadets to progress their knowledge and leadership on Junior and Senior Cadet Instructional Courses. These courses enabled cadets to promote through the ranks and take on even bigger responsibilities, as well as teaching and leadership roles within the CCF. On a cold day at Pirbright ranges in February we were firing the GP rifle all day at 25 metres through to 100 metres, practising our marksmanship, accuracy and effectiveness with the rifle. The year of training for the Third Formers culminated at Longmoor Camp, as Easter Camp presented an opportunity to put into practice a year of training. Shortly after this, cadets prepared for our Annual General Inspection - which was once again a spectacular event. In July 2024, the Whitgift School Shooting Team took to the plains of Bisley for a historic moment, competing for the first time since 1996 in the Ashburton VIII. Whitgift founded the national competition in 1861, and competing this year is a testament to the history of the CCF and Shooting Team. Not only that but we also won the Grenadier Guards Cup on our first try, awarded to the highest scoring school in London district.

Co-curricular

AGI 2025

words Sgt George Cox (Fifth Form), FS Max Edwards (Fifth Form), L/Cpl Magnus Tibbalds (Fourth Form)

RAF SECTION Over the last year our new RAF Cadets have been hard at work completing a variety of activities, including learning aviation skills on the flight simulators, rifle drill, first aid and radio communication. Furthermore, we have been incredibly lucky to have had three flying slots at RAF Benson and one gliding slot this year, allowing all of our senior cadets, along with two Third Formers, to gain their wings. Our Fourth Form Junior NCOs have been working to gain their blue leadership qualifications, after a successful JNCO Cadre in January. The RAF has experienced a fantastic year! On Sunday 9th February 2025, Whitgift sent a squad to the Royal Air Squadron Trophy - a prestigious competition against other CCF RAF sections. Being a competition where experience is key, our squad achieved an incredible 6th place (in only our second appearance in the last 20 years)! The competition tests space knowledge, execution of a command task, drill, uniform standards, first aid, cyber and aircraft recognition, and air rifle shooting. The squad started training once per week at lunch time for the sectional activities, along with some after school drill sessions. A selection day was held on the first day of the Christmas holidays, where our 12 cadets were chosen for the team.

In the month preceding the competition, the squad began training twice a day (before school and at lunch). On the day, we unloaded all of our kit and did some final preparations. At the end of the day, the results were announced, and we were pleased to recieve a 2nd place in Space Knowledge, and 3rd place in Air Rifle Shooting. Thank you all the staff who facilitated our training, and to SNCOs CWO Vatsa Dubey, FS Leo Evans, and FS Max Edwards for co-ordinating training for this difficult competition. We now look forward to next year, for which we have already begun preparations and hope improve on our 2025 result!

words LH Hunter Kelly (Fourth Form)

Co-curricular

ROYAL NAVY SECTION The Navy section has been busy over the last few months with a multitude of trips. Last September, senior cadets took part in sea training in Portsmouth where they learnt how to sail a yacht and drive a motorboat across to the Isle of White. Later on in November, the cadets participated in naval firefighting, which involved learning how to fight fires, and controlling flooding. In March, Third Form cadets embarked on the annual Easter Camp, where our cadets participated in the annual Army vs. Navy bucket ball competition, alongside laser shooting, and an expedition.

Valete

A FAREWELL TO MR ROBERT DINNAGE Mr Robert Dinnage has tirelessly served Whitgift for 45 years. On behalf of all current and past students, we thank him for his dedication and commitment to Whitgift. Lower Sixth Student Max McInnes interviews Mr Dinnage about his reflections on his time here.

How has Whitgift changed over the past 45 years, and which changes have had the greatest impact on you personally? The number of students has expanded dramatically, from below 900, to where it is today. Sports teams were generally managed by interested teachers: for 20 years I organised the senior cricket 3rd team: in my mind the most privileged role in the sport. Football was not played at Whitgift! The teaching staff was almost exclusively male; although I replaced a female Mathematics teacher, I seem to recall that there was only one other, part time, female teacher at the school at that time. It seemed to me that there was a large central core of teachers who had taught at the school for many years, all very formidable. I sensed that there was, perhaps, less pressure on the students. At my previous school, Kingston Grammar School, I had introduced the first computer: a Commodore PET, complete with a self-contained cassette recorder for storing and loading programs. Whitgift already had a history of computers, largely thanks to Mr Boyd, one of the Mathematics teachers, and incidentally an O.W. The previous computer, given to the School by the BBC, had just been replaced by a Texas Instruments 990 mini computer which, complete with its 14 terminals, occupied all of A11. It is interesting to note that a small select group of Sixth Formers took on much of the responsibility for keeping this computer running. With my previous interest in electronics, I automatically found myself involved and have never looked back! Can you describe a particularly memorable experience or moment that stands out to you during your time here? There have been so many. Going back to cricket, the time that I took the 3rd XI back to K.G.S. to find that our

opposition was largely made up of students who had been in my side a couple of years previously will always stick in my mind. Also my wife and I spent much of the Christmas holiday one year in the vehicle workshop (yes, we had one then) finishing the restoration of her classic car ready for us to take it up to display at the Racing Car Show at Earl’s Court. Academically, the two Mathematics trips abroad, to Megève and Lake Garda, which involved a mixture of different year groups. It was then when the more senior pupils realised

how good the younger ones were at solving problems. Also, several trips to Bletchley Park with pupils who had gained awards in the Southampton University Cipher Challenge. It is so good to see that Whitgift has been acknowledged as being a long-term supporter of this most prestigious competition. How have the subjects of Mathematics and Computing changed over your 45-year tenure at Whitgift? Back in 1980, with our newly acquired TI-990 computer, the only actual lessons given were teaching BASIC programming to Y10 students during a single lesson a week donated by the Maths Department. Pupils initially created a program to solve quadratic equations, supporting one of the topics in that year’s curriculum. Apart from that, the computer room was often full outside lesson times with pupils exploring the capabilities of the language. Each pupil was given a mighty 4KB of storage, which, for most, was easily sufficient! Is there a favourite topic or area within Mathematics or Computing that you've especially enjoyed teaching, and why? I do enjoy problem solving, whether it be in Mathematics or Computing. In Maths the various challenges and Olympiads can always be relied upon to give something new to exercise your ‘brain-cells’. The Robotics Group was started so that pupils could solve practical problems using programming. The computer-controlled train set is the most popular example of this. Within 20 minutes junior pupils succeed in programming complicated routines moving trains in and out of the various sidings. Then there is the Cipher Challenge, combining Mathematical ideas with programming. This can be quite addictive: the first few rounds being very straightforward, progressing to the devilishly difficult last challenges. What advice would you give to students pursuing further studies or careers in Mathematics or Computing? It is interesting to see the number of students who in the past might have taken a Mathematics degree now decide to study Computer Science: as I have often said ‘attracted by the dark side’! This is understandable; this choice would appear to give more obvious career potential. Many students become highly competent in Mathematics through endless rehearsal of the type of questions that they would meet in their exams. It is my feeling that to be a ‘real’

Mathematician one needs to show some creativity and invention in one’s approach to problem solving. When meeting something new is your response “please sir, you haven’t shown us how to do this question” or “that’s different, I wonder how I need to tackle it”? Are there traditions or values at Whitgift that you hope will continue for generations to come? Certainly the width of different activities set the school apart from many others. My wife and I have always tried to support the Music and Drama presentations. Our daughter, who plays the flute and piccolo, was a member of the Whitgift Chamber Orchestra for several years. We have continued to enjoy the shows and concerts and hope to do so in the future.

Did you know?

words Ryan Chiu (Lower Sixth Form)

COLOURS COMMITTEE What are Colours? At Whitgift, Colours have traditionally been given out as recognition for the amazing co-curricular achievements students have accomplished, celebrating their efforts and journey to success. Traditionally, Colours were only awarded for sports, music and drama. However, over the last decade, the CCF, and other community programmes have been included within the Colours remit. Colours are also given to members of the School Captain team who demonstrate significant service to the school.

Distinction between Half and Full Colours A student who is awarded Half Colours is presented with a tie, whereas a student who is awarded Full Colours recieves the traditional gold-trimmed blazer. To quote Mr Osborne, “Half Colours are given out to those who have shown a high level of commitment and obtained high levels of attainment; Full Colours are given out to those who have showcased outstanding performance in their individual areas, whilst also maintaining integrity and embodying the core values of Whitgift”.

Colours are typically presented to students in the Fifth and Sixth Forms. and every year, the number of Colours awarded varies, but what remains the same is the sense of pride students feel when such an honour is bestowed upon them.

Significance for the school community Colours are, without a doubt, an important part of Whitgift. They celebrate the breadth of co-curricular activities Whitgift offers, they represent the exciting and dynamic life that students lead, and they define what it takes and what it means to be a Whitgiftian. It requires a substantial amount of effort to be nominated for Half or Full Colours, so congratulations to all those who have been awarded Colours during their Whitgift career.

How does the Colours Committee work? The Colours Committee is chaired by Mr Alistair Osborne, alongside members that oversee different student bodies, namely Mrs Rachel Attenborough, Mr Adrian Norris, Mr Richard Martin, Mrs Faye Carter, Mr Ross Munro, Mr Stuart Litchfield, and Mr Steven Henderson. Lists of students believed to be worthy of Colours, compiled by teachers who supervise co-curricular activities, are submitted to the committee for revision. If the student’s accomplishments in their individual area are deemed significant enough for honours, they will be presented with either Half or Full Colours. The committee’s role is essential, in striking a balance between the number of Colours given out and the value that they hold.

Number of Full Colours Awarded by activity in the 2024-25 year Badminton - 1 Basketball - 1 CCF - 4 Corps of Drums - 3 Cricket - 3 Drama - 4 Football - 4

Hockey - 9 Modern Pentathlon - 3 Music - 7 Powerlifting - 1 Rowing - 1 Rugby - 6 Swimming - 1

Artwork by Theo Chandler, Lower Sixth Former

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Whitgift’s academic enrichment programme continues to grow, with students getting involved in the various societies and opportunities within the school, along with exceptional success in national competitions. SUCCESS IN COMPETITIONS This academic year, students have continued to excel in a variety of Olympiads and academic competitions. Here are some of the highlights: Four Lower Sixth students, Shun Yu Chan, Alex Denman, Ethan Gilbert and Fergus Manz, were awarded Arkwright Scholarships. Scofield Chan (Upper Sixth Form) won Gold in the Biology Olympiad. 18 Sixth Formers achieved Silver in the Royal Society of Chemistry Olympiad. Joe Fitzgerald won Silver and Wing Hei Chun and Nicolas Miles Roman (Lower Sixth Formers) won Bronze in the notoriously difficult UK Linguistics Olympiad. Matteo Antonelli and Yinchen Zhao (Lower Sixth Form) were semi-finalists in the Joutes Oratoires National Debating Competition. Sebastian Pabst and Max Woodley (Lower Sixth Form) achieved 1st place in the Japanese Language Championship (Speech Category). Sasha Dobrovolskii (Fourth Form) won a Distinction with a Silver Medal in the Intermediate Maths Olympiad. Jason Chung, Sam Kendal and Richie Zimmern won Gold in the British Physics Olympiad. Commendations for Louis Johnson (Upper Sixth Form) and Kayden Lee (Fifth Form) in the Stephen Spender Translation Prize. 10 Gold awards in the British Biology Challenge (Fourth Form) 14 Gold awards in the BPhO Senior Physics Challenge (Sixth Form)

STEM AT WHITGIFT The Whitgift Biomedical Diploma once again had a successful year, with Lower Sixth students from Whitgift and other local schools having the opportunity to study an introductory interdisciplinary course covering Anatomy and Physiology, Pharmacology, Developmental Biology and Neuroscience. Students attended weekly lectures given by academics from King’s College London, UCL and Whitgift staff, culminating in a challenging final examination. Whitgift’s STEM magazine, SPECTRA, has seen an incredible surge of enthusiasm from students in the Fifth Form and above. The students put together a great mix of engaging and thoughtful articles, covering all sorts of STEM topics - from maths and physics to chemistry, psychology, and computer science. The magazine is a testament to how Whitgift students go beyond the curriculum, showcasing a true passion for their fields. Students also played a key role in this year’s British Science Week, particularly through the student-led talks held in Big School throughout the week. Topics such as machine learning, chaos theory, and the plausibility of a Dyson Sphere, were some of the topics discussed. This year, Max McInnes (Lower Sixth Form) founded LECTRA, a society where students can deliver their STEM interests in a lecture format. Students have given talks on all sorts of topics, including brain injury in sports, facial reconstructive surgery and the usage of nerve agent. Furthermore, Lachlan Myers (Lower Sixth Form) has created the Whitgift STEM Challenge. Each term, a new theme has been the centre of the competition, with students working in groups to produce creative solutions to issues such as Living on Mars. Congratulations to the nine students who have won the challenge this academic year! Whitgift entered three teams in the CANSAT competition, which provides students with the opportunity to have practical experience working on a small-scale space project. With continual improvement to the project, the team hope to reach the finals of the competition in the coming years! The Whitgift Greenpower car project excelled in 2024 at the first race of the Greenpower season at Goodwood Motor Circuit. Students secured 1st in the F24 (11-16) kit car category and 2nd and 3rd in F24+ (16-25) category. Congratulations to all participating pupils!

Whitgift earned a silver medal at the National Cipher Challenge. Run by the University of Southampton, the challenge involves solving two ciphers every week from September to December. Saud Ali and Max McInnes (Lower Sixth Form) were the team to win the silver medal, and were invited for a day at Bletchley Park. Whitgift has donated various pieces of historical networking equipment to the National Museum of Computing (located near to Bletchley Park) and the school has a long-standing tradition of participating in the challenge, under the guidance of Mr Dinnage. NEW STUDENT-LED INITIATIVES The Politics Outlook - Now in its second year, The Politics Outlook has worked to educate students about the importance of engaging in current affairs, and about the dangers of misinformation and echo chambers. The Politics Outlook has focused on three main areas to spread these ideas: podcasts, an article competition, and workshops. The podcast series, organised by Oliver McGuinness (Fifth Form), has covered a range of issues, including the 2024 UK riots, the US election debate and an interview with Sarah Jones MP. The essay competition was a huge success, with the Headmaster ultimately selecting Danbe Luk’s (Third Form) expertly written article on ‘India’s Geopolitical Dilemma’. Meanwhile, the workshops delivered exclusively to the Third Form were a great success, with the students engaging positively in these sessions and demonstrating an already impressive amount of knowledge. Business Society - Founded by Adham Ali and Usman Tariq (Lower Sixth Form), the society covers topical business themes, such as the financial structure of the NHS and President Trump’s tariffs.

HOUSE HOUSE This has been another busy year in the House calendar, with all Houses competing to lift the highly-anticipated House trophy at the Celebration of Whitgift Life at the end of the year. In October, all Houses participated in House Drama with energy and creativity, delivering performances that highlighted the students’ talents both individually and collectively. Smith’s House particularly impressed, and took 1st place. In March, Cross’s claimed the House Music trophy - another significant event in the House calendar. Congratulations to Cross’s House, their Housemaster, Mr Benjamin Morris, and their House Captain, Nick Seal, for winning the overall House competition for this academic year! Each House Captain has kindly given us an overview of their House’s achievements this year. Andrew’s It has been an encouraging and action-packed time for Andrew's house this year, with many boys showing excellent levels of skill and dedication. As House Captain, it has been a pleasure to oversee the work every Andrew's house member has put in since the beginning of Michaelmas term. I would like to give a special mention to Adham Ali and Kosta Filipovic who have been consistently enthusiastic contributors to the house, and to all those who participated in a closely fought House Water Polo competition, where we finished in an impressive 2nd place. Dan Dench, Andrew’s House Captain Brodie’s This year has been quite a successful one for Brodie’s, marked by some great achievements across various events. It began with House Drama, where the group,

led by Marcos Byrne, delivered a stellar performance, securing a top-four finish. More recently, our house demonstrated its musical talents in House Music under the leadership of Tom Bennett. His dedication and passion inspired the group to perform at their best, reinforcing Brodie’s reputation for creativity, talent, and teamwork. Other standout students who have shown exceptional dedication to the house include Noah Williams, Eder Zagd-Ochir, Jonathan Brennan, and George Purves, whose commitment and contributions haven't gone unnoticed. Richie Zimmern, Brodie’s House Captain Cross’s It has been a fantastic year for Cross’s - culminating in winning the House trophy! Every year group has been committed to their House activities, and we achieved a 2nd place in House Drama and 1st in House Music. This is the third time we have won in the last five years, cementing Cross’s position in the table of winning the most House trophies since 1996. I thank every boy who gave it their all and made our House proud! Nicholas Seal, Cross’s House Captain Dodd’s Dodd’s House is generally considered to be the underdog in the Whitgift House Competition. While it is the only House to have never won since the modern competition's inception in 1996, we have been progressing up the ranks since the appointment of the new Housemaster, Mr Richards, in 2022. This momentum should not be attributed to any sole student - rather, the fervent participation of many Dodd’s pupils has been key to this success. We placed 1st and 3rd respectively in last year and this year’s

Co-curricular House Drama competition, and I personally have seen the intensity that our volunteers possess in House Activities. Overall, I believe that if we maintain our level of progression, Dodd’s has the potential to seize their first win in the coming years. Joseph Gill, Dodd’s House Captain Ellis’s Ellis's House is named in honour of Kathleen Ellis, the founder of Croham Hurst School which was later incorporated into the John Whitgift Foundation. The House has always been competitive when fighting for House Championships, both in individual events and the overall house cup. Since 2016, the major successes of Ellis's House involve winning both House Music and House Drama. Instrumental to these wins was former House Captain Bakari Leon, who organised and performed in both. Ellis's House was also responsible for a record 6 consecutive championships between 2002-2007 inclusive, the second most in the modern competition. From 202425, recognition is deserved for Aun Abedi and Patrick Daly who led House Drama and House Music respectively, and a special shout out to the Second Form whose continued achievements are key to this year's campaign. Oliver Shuttleworth, Ellis’s House Captain Mason’s Mason’s House has had a very successful year, finishing in 3rd place. The ongoing enthusiasm and passion from every year group within the House has led to success across a variety of events. The primary example is our 2nd place finish in House Music. Many thanks to Kevin Croos and Louis Boon who have contributed significantly to Mason’s achievements this year. Moreover, a special mention must go to the Third Form, who won eight events for the House over the course of the year, including House Rugby and House Rowing. As we look forward, we are continuing our charge to regaining the House Cup - and surpassing our three year streak of winning from 20132015. Dylan Morris, Mason’s House Captain Smith’s Smith's House was founded in 1909 and is the 5th house that was introduced into the house system. Smith’s are led by Housemaster Mr D.C. Webb, who has run the Smith’s campaign since 2009 and has seen 4 victories. Smith’s are notably the winners of the 2023 and 2024 House Cups,

and in a close 2nd place in this year’s competition. Alumni of Smith’s House are not only greatly successful in house activities but also outside of school. This includes former students such as Stefan Amokwandoh who went on to college in Princeton and won the English schools and NCAA triple jump, two very prestigious competitions. This is in addition to many previous School Captains such as Marcel Headman and George Oyebode. Smith's continue to thrive this year with a convincing win in House Drama and deserved top 4 finish in House Music which were both led by Lower Sixth Form student Otto Monge and supported by Kayden Lee, Logan Brunni and Jack Coppin. Jasper Abington, Smith’s House Captain Tate’s Tate's house is universally considered to be one of the most successful houses in Whitgift history with a massive alumnus of former successful students. In modern history, this includes Premier League footballer, Callum Hudson-Odoi and international superstar - Kit Connor. In recent years, Tate's have thrived in some historic wins, 3 consecutive house football wins, 2 huge rugby wins, and 1 epic cricket final which the Tate's won on the final ball. We don't only perform on the sports pitch but also won 3 successive drama wins with one spectacular selfwritten piece on split-personality disorder by Henry Gillard. Thank you to all members of the House who have contributed to these successes. George Barnes, Tate’s House Captain

HISTORY OF THE HOUSES Prior to Whitgift’s move to the Haling Park site in 1931, the school only had five Houses. First established in 1903 were Cross’s, Dodd’s, Mason’s and Tate’s. Shortly after this in 1909, Smith’s House was created. As the school roll grew, the need for new Houses emerged. Andrew’s House was established in 1950, and Brodie’s and Ellis’s followed in 1963. The modern House competition - consisting of an overall House standing - was established in 1996. Number of Championships won per House Winners of the Modern Competition (by year) 1996 CROSS’S 1997 CROSS’S 1998 CROSS’S 1999 CROSS’S 2000 TATE’S 2001 TATE’S 2002 ELLIS’S 2003 ELLIS’S 2004 ELLIS’S 2005 ELLIS’S 2006 ELLIS’S 2007 ELLIS’S 2008 TATE’S 2009 BRODIE’S 2010 BRODIE’S 2011 SMITH’S

2012 CROSS’S 2013 MASON’S 2014 MASON’S 2015 MASON’S 2016 CROSS’S 2017 MASON'S 2018 ANDREW'S 2019 SMITH'S 2020 BRODIE'S 2021 CROSS’S 2022 CROSS’S 2023 SMITH’S 2024 SMITH’S 2025 CROSS’S

ANDREW’S - 1 BRODIE’S - 3 CROSS’S - 9 DODD’S - 0 ELLIS’S - 6 MASON’S - 4 SMITH’S - 4 TATES’S - 3 Longest winning streak SIX YEARS ELLIS’S 2002 - 2007 Closest ever final standings 2024: 1 point separated Smith’s (the winners) from Mason’s (the runner-ups)

Did you know?

words Ryan Chiu (Lower Sixth Form) & Eldon Tse (Upper Sixth Form)

BOARDING LIFE Founder’s House The Founder's House was built in 2013 and opened on the 16th October, being home to students from the Third Form to the Upper Sixth Form. Over the years, the number of boarders has grown from a small cohort to nearly 100 boys with distinct cultural identities. A widely celebrated quality of Founder’s House is diversity, and it is exactly this multifaceted nature that fosters the caring and inclusive atmosphere in the house. Accommodation and Life in the House The Founder’s House has 57 rooms, each with their own bathroom. The rooms are separated into three types: single rooms for Upper Sixth Prefects; double rooms for Fifth Formers and other Sixth Form boarders; and triple rooms for Third and Fourth Form boarders. Furthermore, there are also various communal areas for boarders to enjoy group activities: two kitchens on each floor with the Common Room and Games Room on the ground floor. If boarders want space for private study or personal reflection away from their rooms, the quiet room is always available for use. Whitgift School is situated 25 minutes from Central London, 30 minutes from Gatwick Airport, and an hour from Heathrow Airport, allowing boarders to travel anywhere, especially back home, conveniently. All boarders are provided with three meals on school days and with brunch and dinner on weekends. In addition, they are entitled to use the wonderful facilities, namely the Sports Hall, Gym, and Music School, here at Whitgift during set times.

My Experience I arrived at Whitgift in the Third Form. When I first set foot in Founder’s House, I was greeted by the boarding house prefects and Mr Chang, after which we participated in a few ice-breaking activities. What stuck out to me was the kindness and activeness of both pupils and teachers to bring me out of my shell. Under the guidance of the staff and prefects, particularly Mr Chaloner (then Senior Boarding Housemaster), Mr Chang, and Mr Sherwin (then Deputy Boarding Housemaster), I overcame my homesickness and started to truly appreciate the Founder’s House community. Through the Middle Years, I realised that I had become more independent, developed leadership and interpersonal skills, learnt to better organise my time and workload, and above all, discovered who I truly am. Nowadays, I can undoubtedly say that Founder’s House is a home to me, and for all others who have left this place. Nearing the end of my Whitgift career in a year’s time, I shall forever be grateful to Founder’s House for the opportunities it has given me and the growth it has enabled me to undergo, and I shall always remember the valuable lessons I have learnt here, in Founder’s House. Outgoing Boarding Captain Team House Captain: Eldon Tse House Vice Captains: Clifford Ho, Hamish Walters Fun Fact Over the past three years, over 50 boarders have been awarded Colours for 15 different activities, including 14 for music, 9 for basketball and 5 for football!

I AM WHITGIFT The Editorial team approached students, staff and alumni to ask what Whitgift means to them.

After having been at the school for eight years, it will be a bittersweet feeling leaving. But having discovered Modern Pentathlon at the School and having access to dedicated coaching staff, I have been able to take my sport to an international level and achieve what I never thought was possible. Through my work as Vice Captain, I have had the opportunity to give back to the school community with mentoring projects and events that have been organised throughout the year.

Oliver Shuttleworth (Vice Captain of the School 2024-25, Upper Sixth Form)

Whitgift to me is like an extended family. From being a parent when my son started in 2010 to becoming a member of staff in 2012 I still feel a strong bond of affection with Whitgift 15 years on. Mrs Alison Goveia (Development and Stewardship Officer)

Whitgift to me means working with great colleagues to give boys the opportunity to play sport, do well in the classroom and develop into young well-rounded men, who can go into the real world well prepared to do well. I also think that boys never leave Whitgift, they just don’t come here as often when they leave! They always remain a Whitgift boy. Mr Chris Wilkins (Director of Rugby)

From my early days playing junior rugby at the clubhouse in the 1980s to serving as Whitgiftian Association President in 2025, Whitgift has given me friendships across generations and the privilege of supporting others in need via the Whitgiftian Benevolent Society. John Whitgift’s extraordinary vision in 1596 still serves Croydon and beyond—uniting Whitgiftians across generations and ensuring our bonds remain as strong as ever. Vincit qui patitur! Nick Somers (OW, President of the Whitgiftian Association)

I have had the pleasure of managing the libraries and archives at Whitgift for 20 years, and I have cherished every moment! What makes Whitgift so special is its vibrant community, including the dedicated support staff, the inspiring teaching staff, and the talented students who never cease to amaze me. My passion for my role remains as strong today as it was when I first started. The joy of helping students and staff with any library-related issue, whether it’s finding the right book to read, assisting with a research topic, or simply helping with the printer, brings me immense satisfaction. Ms Atiya Bauer (Head Librarian)

I have been a member of the Whitgift community for 30 years. It is a community that fosters confidence, provides endless opportunities, and supports each student and teacher in achieving success. It shapes character through challenge and encouragement, building resilience and leadership. Mr Adrian Norris (Assistant Head - Pastoral and Boarding)

I joined Whitgift in Year 7 as a dedicated swimmer and rugby player, determined to pursue a professional sports career, but discovering water polo and MedSoc completely reshaped my aspirations. Now, after winning national titles in water polo and gaining medical experience, I am set on becoming a doctor — proof that Whitgift is a place of opportunity, self-discovery, and transformation.

To me Whitgift means a sense of community and camaraderie, a connection deeper than friendship that binds us together, so that regardless of whether someone is your friend or unknown to you, there is still a sense of respect and care between the two of you Oscar Sandham (Third Form)

Matteo Antonelli (Lower Sixth Form) Whitgift is an amazing place to work. Amazing boys, fantastic facilities and a place I enjoy coming to each day. Every day my year group makes me proud as do the classes I teach. I hope the boys realise how great it is too! It feels very special to be part of the Whitgift community, to be able to find your limits, understand and overcome them. It's about trying new things, exploring them with an open mind and be part of a tradition that will stick with you for the rest of your life. Kai Kazemi (Second Form)

Mr Christopher Glover (Head of Third Form)

Whitgift is home. Living with people from around the world, you make friends and see perspectives that encourage you to think differently. It's a place where teachers and students alike are supportive and empathetic, creating experiences which foster a homely and cohesive atmosphere. Eldon Tse (Founder’s House Captain 2024-25, Upper Sixth Form)

words Shiv Prashad (Lower Sixth Form)

CULTURE & DIVERSITY BOARD This year the Culture and Diversity Board has been busy organising events for students to boost cultural awareness and understanding. In October we had Culture Day, a full day off timetable for the Lower First and First Forms. They heard inspiring stories from older students, completed a ‘cultural carousel’ and spent the afternoon playing sports such as Kabaddi and Gaelic football. Another aim for the Board was to continue the cultural lunches which saw huge uptake from the community the year prior. This year Chinese New Year and the Greek pop up came out as favourites. Cultural lunches are something the community cherishes and has been a great and rewarding addition by the Board which will be built upon next year. Finally, the Board has organised several events whether that be assemblies, workshops and posters across the year. This year we hosted celebrations for International Women’s Day, Ramadan and Holi. International Women’s Day was the largest event outside of Culture Day, spanning a whole week of assemblies across the school. These assemblies featured role plays from Junior school students, panel discussions with members of staff and guest speakers, all aimed at shaping a more equitable future for women by raising awareness and fostering greater consciousness among the young men at Whitgift. Ramadan celebrations included the breaking of fast, Iftar, in school and Holi was commemorated with lunch and a visit from a Hindu Priest. Other celebrations included Chinese New Year and LGBT+ History Month. Looking to the future, the Board has started looking at tracking the metrics of the Board through student surveys with the hope to see an increase in student awareness about what we do and how we represent the student body. Furthermore, as we look to the next academic year we want to link with and collaborate with other clubs and societies to boost the positive impact the Board has on the school community. Get in touch: studentcultureanddiversity@whitgift.co.uk

Student Voice

STUDENT COUNCIL This year, the Student Council launched the ‘Student Voice Framework’ - a document highlighting the structure of student voice in the school. This led to the most competitive round of applications for the Council in recent history. The Council has aimed to increase student engagement at school events this year - including the Friday Night Lights rugby fixtures. To do this, the Council are working with the AV Department to put up posters on the screens around the school regarding House events, national fixtures and other important events around the school. We have been in touch with various sports captains across a number of sports and year groups for information about important upcoming fixtures which can then be advertised across the school. Council members and Third Form Prefects have been visiting forms in order to collect feedback on students’ experience. Plenty of items are then passed on in our meetings to Mrs Attenborough (Senior Deputy), who speaks to the relevant members of staff. For instance, student safety around South Croydon was a concern, and the Council spoke to the Pupil Safety Working Group in order to discuss new potential schemes. These have resulted in ‘contact cards’ being issued to all Junior Years’ students, as well as walking buses accompanied by security guards. Looking forward to next year, the Council will be launching surgeries - where any student can raise issues or concerns. Also, we will be reforming the way in which Year Group Committees run, hopefully increasing the effectiveness of all branches of student voice within the school. The Council is always looking to work on new initiatives, and any student is welcome to email studentcouncil@whitgift.co.uk if they have any queries or suggestions.

Applications are open for the 2025-26 Student Council! Refer to the Senior Deputy’s bulletin for information on how to apply, or approach your Form Tutor.

WHITGIFTIAN WHITGIFTIAN SPOTLIGHTS SPOTLIGHTS

Co-curricular

DRAMA - MARCOS BYRNE (FIFTH FORM) “We choose to highlight Marcos Byrne as particularly outstanding this year. He produced a tender and memorable characterisation of Pa Bailey in 'It's A Wonderful Life' before Christmas, performed his own writing at Theatre Peckham in February Half Term, and is soon to play a leading role in 'Love & Information' before Easter.” - The Drama Department

MUSIC - CYRUS FONG (LOWER SIXTH FORM) I’m Cyrus from Lower Sixth, and I’m incredibly honoured to have been nominated by Mr Henderson and Mr Winter for the Whitgiftian Spotlight in Music. At Whitgift, I’ve been fortunate to have a variety of musical opportunities that have helped me grow as both a performer and a leader. One of my most rewarding experiences was organising my first trumpet recital in December, which taught me a lot about planning and presentation. Outside of school, I currently study at the Junior Royal Academy of Music and am a member of Ponte Orchestra and Wind Band, a semi-professional ensemble organised by Hong Kong musicians. More recently, I’ve stepped into a new role as conductor of the school Concert Band, and I’m really keen to lead the team and take it to a higher level.

At the presentation for departing Headmaster Mr Andrew Halls during the Celebration of Whitgift Life 2025

“

It is an immense honour to be here with all of you today as we bid farewell to our Headmaster, Mr Halls, who has served our school with unwavering dedication, passion and commitment.

When I first took on the role of School Captain under a new Headmaster, I imagined that the scope for new ideas and initiatives might be limited. I assumed that a new Head would need time to grapple with the job, especially in a school as complex and dynamic as Whitgift. But this year has proven me completely wrong - and wonderfully so. Mr Halls not only supported our vision; he gave the Captain team the confidence, the freedom, and the trust to lead. Some of our proposals demanded significant resource - yet he engaged with each one. I feel incredibly fortunate to have served as School Captain during his time as Headmaster. Personally, I am especially grateful for his support = whether it was guidance on my university applications or helping me navigate the challenges of Sixth Form. Despite the many engagements that a Headmaster must attend to, he always made time. Mr Halls has nurtured a stronger sense of community - a deeper connection and respect for this remarkable institution. I am certain that this heightened sense of community will continue to endure. Although Mr Halls often referred to himself as “the temporary Headmaster,” his contribution has been anything but temporary. First as a teacher at Whitgift, and then as the Headmaster, he has left an unique mark on generations of Whitgiftians. His presence has been deeply felt, not only in assemblies, but on the sidelines of Big Side, in music concerts, drama productions, and countless other parts of school life. Headmaster, on behalf of all students, staff, and alumni, thank you for your service. It is with great respect and immense gratitude that we declare you an honorary Old Whitgiftian - and present you with the Whitgiftian Association blazer. Speech byVatsa Dubey (outgoing School Captain)

Did you know?

Quiz Quiz

M

r Beck, Whitgift registrar, is known for his deep knowledge about Whitgift history and students. His knowledge outmatches all the students and teachers alike… Only those who can answer the next 20 questions about the school, past and present, can claim to have the same depth of knowledge as Mr Beck... can you answer them all?

The Mr Beck Quiz 1.Who was the first Headmaster of Whitgift? 2.Who is Whitgift’s latest international footballer? 3.What was the original use of The PAC when it was built? 4.How many U13 ESCA titles has Whitgift won since the start of the competition in 1997? 5.What is the name of Front Drive? 6.What schools has current Head Mr Halls also been Headmaster of? 7.Who according to Mr Beck are the greatest English Rugby Team? 8.Who is the Whitgift Sports and Conference Centre now named after? 9.Who officially opened The Water Gardens? 10.In what year was the current Whitgift Chair of Governors School Captain? 11.What is the current Military Rank of the 1990 School Captain? 12.Which famous Whitgiftian devised and wrote The Darling Buds of May in 1986? 13.Which famous Whitgiftian returns to the stage this year, 2025, with his show ‘Only Human’? 14.Which Whitgiftian gained recognition in the Netflix teen series Heartstopper? 15.What pop group is Whitgiftian and Strictly Come Dancing star JB Gill in? 16.Which country did Jamie Smith make his England Cricket debut against in 2023? 17.At which London Cabaret Club in September 2023 did the Whitgift ‘family Community’ of Kingham Express, Pip Burley, Katriona Taylor and Anthony Strong perform in for The WFA ‘Putting on the Jazz’ concert? 18.Where was Sir Arthur ‘Lord’ Tedder, Marshal of the Royal Airforce, born before moving to Banstead and attending Whitgift? 19.Which former Whitgift School Captain was one of the founding members of the pop group Clean Bandit after previously being named Young Businessman of the Year and attending Queens’ College Cambridge? 20.What is Whitgiftian George Jaques’ first feature length film he directed in 2023?

(Answers on Page 53)

Artwork by Stan Rambosson, Lower Sixth Former

Quiz Answers (Page 50): 1. Ambrose Briggs 2. Mika Biereth 3. Swimming Pool 4. 13 5. Brodie Drive 6. Magdalen College Oxford and KCS Wimbledon 7. Leicester Tigers 8. Dr Barnett 9. Sir David Attenborough 10.1992 11.Major General (Jon Swift) 12.Pip Burley 13.Derren Brown 14.Kit Connor 15.JLS 16.Ireland 17.Crazy Coqs in Brasserie Zedel 18.Glengoyne, Scotland 19.Ssegawa Kiwanuka 20.Black Dog

Who Am I? (Page 6): 1. Mr Benji Hartman 2. Mrs Anna Hillier 3. Mr Dominic Edwards 4. Mr Nikolaos Pavelis

front cover illustration Niki Druzhinin, Lower Sixth Former photography

Haling Park South Croydon CR2 6YT United Kingdom

The Editorial team has endeavoured to credit all articles, images and illustrations, wherever possible; if you have been overlooked, apologies are expressed in advance.

DFPhotography Fergus Burnett Alex Hill David Jenkinson Stephen J Kennedy Photography Aga King

THE WHITGIFTIAN - STUDENT EDITION | 2025