WFA News Michaelmas 2023

W H I T G I F T F O R A L L N E W S L E T TW E RH I T G I F T F O R A L L N E W S L E T T E R | M I C H A E L M A S 2 0 2 3

WFANEWS

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Message from the Headmaster Welcome to the latest Trinityedition Term of WFA News, which I hope edition of the Whitgift Foryou Allwill enjoy reading.

Newsletter, which I hope you continue to enjoy. I hope all We havehave now enjoyed been back a readers anfor Easter couple of weeks andthe theTrinity new break. Predictably, Term has has started startedwell. in weather Term I write which notof quite summery, on the is back the latest whole though those in public exams School photograph, the first since may prefer weather later in 2015!

I also hot enjoyed meeting the year! a number of OWs at the latest reunion which we held in the staff However, of theOWs joys of theleft dining hall one for those who termSchool is already play.

On the the in a in year ending in a second Monday afternoon back three. These will become annualI watched a super events and I look season-opener forward to being for our 1st XI against Epsom able to welcome you back to on a beautifulwhen afternoon: North Whitgift the time for Field your at its best.

And despite the reunion comes along. As yourain may falling as I write, last Saturday’s also know, we had a one-day ISI fixtures were a joy, the day’s inspection last week, and although games in anot way still for the finalunfolding report will beI out find irresistible – cricket uniquely a couple of weeks, I can say that allowing spectating, chatting it went well, and thank you toand the appreciating our good fortune.

I boys and staff who were involved. say that because in having superb grounds, great coaches andofboys A huge amount happened enthusiastic to play the game, course over the holidays here we are, as parents often remark, in school. On the Estates side,very lucky. Sowork let’s hope for the a long and grounds included enjoyable season. installation of floodlights on Big Side, the resurfacing of the main

Rehearsal images from the Summer Arts Festival When it Rains

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At the end of the last much-delayed Term we entrance and re-instigated a Founder’s Day completion of the car park; full tradition of of giving boys and renovation Big School andstaff a white labs flower the day and further andwith classrooms, culminating giving the opening in upDavid of theJames ‘fourth an inspiring address to staff on entrance’ on to the Centre Quad, memorable moments. which is very much theWell, heartthis of term will also have plenty of the School and now much easier chance to experience memorable to circulate in and through. moments, much missed during Covid. half term we have A huge Before programme of summer the Summer Arts Festival. events also took place: the After internal exams, and ‘hand back International Summer School week’, there will be opportunities was back up to full capacity, the for something a bit different for Community Summer School was each year group, ranging from bigger than ever and a great a matinée performance of the the success, the production at school play to an Entrepreneurship Edinburgh Fringe (When It Rains), Week for theprivileged 2nd Formtorun which I was seeby the Economics Department.

We are in Edinburgh, and which rightly received excellent reviews, and a series of trips: two German Exchanges, the CCF Camp, Duke of Edinburgh trip to Corsica, a watersports trip in Greece and of course a rugby tour to South Africa.

Then, too, there were sports camps and pre-season training before term started, as well as induction courses for new pupils. Thank you for all your support of these events.

Ialso am delighted to announce some see the return good from the International of thenews History Festival in the office: of work, secondafter half aofgreat term,deal before we we have now a partnership celebrate withsigned the Upper Sixth agreement to co-open school at their Graduation anda Leavers’ in Hyderabad, Central India.

Ball.

Somethingincompletely new is Philanthropy Week.

The concept We have excellent commercial of philanthropy weekwe is simple: partners, with whom have we talk about the importance established very good relations, of Whitgiftians giving in us to and this agreement willback, enable whatever ways they can, and continue to build our international we have made massive progressa credentials, as well as providing in this.

This will culminate in a good income stream to support Whitgift Gives, the School’s our bursaries ambitions.

You first can ever giving day where we bring read more about this development all members the as Whitgift on page 19 asofwell hear more Community – OWs, current in my start-of-term Whitgift pupils, current parents,podcast former here: parents, Conversations current and former staff – together https://www.whitgift.co.uk/ to support important community news-events/podcasts/whitgiftprojects. More information about conversations. this will follow.

We were extremely pleased with our In the exam meantime, forward public results,I look in a year which to meeting many of you at the was widely publicised as a ‘return various coming to 2019’.events In fact,we ourhave results this up, not to mention the Gala Golf year were ahead of 2019’s results Day laterlevel: in the month.88.5% of at every at GCSE, grades were 7-9 and 38.5% at level Chris Ramsey 9.

Fifteen boys scored straight 9 Headmaster grades, and fifty only 8s and 9s.

At A Level, similarly, 11 students gained straight A* grades and 42 all A* and A grades, with 22.8% of grades at A* and 59% at A* or A. International Baccalaureate results earlier in the summer saw us again the top UK boys’ school with 38.6 as our average Diploma score. Our academic culture is now being overseen by our new Academic Deputy whom we welcomed this September, Mrs Rachel Attenborough.

Meanwhile, I look forward to seeing you at an OW event during the year.

Chris Ramsey Headmaster

EVENTS News WHITGIFT GIVES AT CORPS OF DRUMS Julia Robak DAY FOUNDER’S Development Officer Dr Richard Bateman (OW, 67-74, Drum Major 1973-4) In June 2023, we held our first ever Giving the School.

For the firstDay timeatever, the School Corps of Drums invited thefirst Old This event was part of the Whitgiftian Association Corps of Whitgift Philanthropy Week and Drums to join them on parade. lasted 36 hours to account for time zone differences within our A combined rehearsal at the community.

O.W. Clubhouse made sure that we were all in tune andwe wesaw were Throughout the week fortunate enough from to enjoy great enthusiasm our dry weather on the big day.

The students in the Lower School School in their traditional as they paraded participated in various scarlets, now badged to the the fun activities, learning about Fusiliers, whilst the O.W.s importance of giving back.wore their traditional Queen’s Regiment blazers our oldGives schoolwas Corps The aimwith of Whitgift to of Drums ties.

Some were a little reach 250 donations by the end thethe worse forevent wear at after 50 years! of online 9.00pm on Thursday 15 June and to raise With Old Whitgiftian awareness of Whitgift Bandmaster For All Andrew Robertson being a the projects. Many members of valuable community link between Whitgift gotthe involved School and the Old Boys, we are optimistic of continuing this relationship into the future.

Particular thanks go to Doug Scott who has worked hard on

in the initiative, including staff members, Old Whitgiftians, parents and friends of Whitgift.

In total, 354 donors gave during the event raising over £64,000 in support of the Bursary Fund, Community Summer School, and the Class of 2023 Gift. Over 260 of those donations, making up over £45,000 of the total, came from our parent and staff community, for which we are very grateful.

After the success of our first parental telephone campaign in April 2023 and the contributions made to Whitgift Gives in June 2023, we are delighted to see the growing support of WFA amongst our parents. Between the two events, over 320 parents donated to WFA raising over £90,000. These results are a true testament to the making this symbiosis strength of our parentalsuccessful. community Hopefully the schoolboys benefit and their dedication to helping the from the huge experience School achieve its vision. of the O.Ws and we benefit from potential future recruits. We have recently supported the School Corps with a donation of twenty bugles and a dozen flutes.

TELEPHONE CAMPAIGN 12-25 APRIL 2023 From 12-25 April, four recent leavers took part in Whitgift’s first telephone campaign to help the School re-connect with the parent community and to seek support for Whitgift For All. Across the two weeks, our callers spoke to parents from all of the UK as well as those living abroad, the conversations ranged from their favourite aspects of Whitgift right through to career advice the

1596 SOCIETY Named after the School’s founding year, the 1596 Society recognises our donors who give over £1,596 a year. To find out more, please contact alumni@whitgift.co.uk or call 020 8633 9922.

DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI OFFICE STAFF UPDATE Emma Helbert has recently Subsequently, wefull-time have been joined the team as delighted that a few of the Alumni Relations Officer. schoolboys have joined us playing with the localfirst Warlingham Flute Emma is the point of contact Band which has enjoyed close for OWs wishing to connect with ties with the School over many the School regarding events, years, originally sharing the same Whitgift Connect, mentoring Bandmaster, George Etches. or any other OW matters. Also, if you would like to contribute to the next issue of WFA News parentsget could give the please in touch at: young OWs and school and exam advice our e.helbert@whitgift.co.uk callers could give the parents. We are delighted to have raised over £50,000 across the two weeks, with more pledges being fulfilled, a true testament to the strength of the parent community and their dedication to helping the School achieve its vision in what are difficult times for many.

To find out more about Whitgift For All, visit www.whitgiftforall.co.uk

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News WHITGIFT CLASS OF ’78, 45TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION. CAMBRIDGE, JULY 15-16, 2023 Francis Charig Given the success of the Oxford reunion in 2018, it was incumbent upon me to follow this up with a 45th anniversary reunion in July 2023. For this we gathered in Cambridge at the university, first at Christ’s College for the opening day, where most of us stayed overnight in the students’ rooms, and then at the adjacent GROUNDSCollege & ESTATE Emmanuel on Day Two. DEPARTMENT More than sixty made the trip, Team News including a dozen former members The School Grounds won of staff. Of ‘the boys’ Team (we still refer Independent School to them as ‘boys’ evenGrounds though Teamwere of the Year in November they born between 1959 2022 at thethe Grounds and 1960), furthestManagement travelled Association Industry Awards. This was Tony Virtue (1970-1976) was aSydney, team award highlighting from Australia.

Tony had excellence in the presentation moved north with his parents atof sports and green the endsurfaces of Fifth Form (Yearspace 11) so management at an independent we hadn’t seen him for 47 years. school. a rigorous We had Following others who had come assessment Whitgift School were across significant tracts of water, victors off stiff competition from theseeing European Space Agency from the prestigious Eton College at in Cologne (Chris Scott, 1971the awards ceremony by in the 1978), the Max Planckhosted Institute Grounds Management Association Mainz (Steve Galer, 1971-1978), a Awardsbanker at Birmingham NEC. This retired from Milan (Alistair is the second time the team have Newell, 1971-1978) and, from the wonofthis award success Isle Arran, theafter author of thein 2015 and runners up in 2019. forthcoming Arran Almanac, Tony Burrin (1971-1978). Neil Lindblom The department intobeen the in the (1969-1977), whoishad 7th year academic of its successful previous year, was a very apprenticeship programme.

We all welcome addition, having played have of his apprentices sport in the undertaking Class of ’78 first level 2 and 3 Sports and teams because of his Turf youth. level 2 Horticulture (Gardening) apprenticeships.

The School is also Of the former Masters, all were in supporting other staff tremendous form.existing Andy Archibald with furthering their ownO’Dell studies (Staff, 1974-1977), David in their1972-1976), areas of expertise.

(Staff, Adrian Garne

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(Staff, 1976-1983), Peter Gibson (Staff, 1965-2003), Dick GlynneJones (Staff, 1955-1995), Brian Griffiths (Staff, 1969-2006), Philip Hines (Staff, 1971-1974), John Kelsall (Staff, 1968-1978), Frank Pattison (Staff: 1973-1987), Dick Shelley (Staff, 1962-2002), Chris Shorter (Staff, 1969-1978), Peter Sutherland (Staff 1975-2006).

Ten of us had dined at a Cambridge restaurant on the Friday night. The conviviality at The Oak Bistro gave us more than an inkling of what was in store for us all.

Development Whitgift became the kicked first school The reunion officially off in the UK (possibly world) to with first events at noon on the install hybrid games Saturday.

I hadwinter organised a lunch pitches on two pitches, Bigside for the Masters in the OCR at and Puntabout. hybrid Christ’s College, Aand whilepitch theyis awere mixture of 97% natural grass having some time away from with 3% artificial fibres their former charges, thestitched boys into a freely draining growing met for several hours for a few medium to create hardwearing pints at the Fort StaGeorge pub on and resilient playing surface. the river.

These pitches facilitate play in most at weather Back Christ’sconditions College in and allow for significantly increased mid-afternoon, Professor hours of use (ca. +300% usage David Norman, an acclaimed in 2022/23 winter The palaeontologist whoseason). had been system installed at the School supervised for his Ph.D. by my is thefather sameback as that used at own in the 1970s, Wembley Stadium, Twickenham kindly gave us an enthusiastic, Stadium andand many other high-end educational interesting sports facilities. presentation on Charles Darwin and Darwin’s time in Cambridge, The artificial pitch was speaking fromhockey the very rooms re-surfaced the during floodlights occupied by and Darwin his converted to LED. LED improves years as a student at Christ’s, both the lighting and those rooms now performance lovingly restored. reduces energy consumption.

Demand for the tour was high and space was so limited that The School invested into deliver Professor Norman had reconditioning his presentationthe to existing differentcricket groups artificial net block and purchasing on four separate occasions. an additional 5-lanes of cricket nets to improve boys’we access to From late afternoon gathered cricket training for a soirée withprovision. the talented

classical guitarist, Maryna A new playground with polymeric Vosmirova. had was managed rubber play She surface built to escape Ukraine at thecentre height of alongside the sports the war, having in one swimming pool. been Primarily forof the most of use, the country.

Lowerravaged School parts boys to it Maryna awarded is home had to a been hugely populara place basketball hoop. at the Royal Academy of Music Everyone wore a badge with their The Modern shooting name, but thePentathlon OWs all displayed rangephoto has been relocated to their taken by the school in Southfield to make use of the area the Fourth or Fifth forms to make for running events recognition easier. and provides an improved facility.

Several areas,we including the At the soirée drank Prosecco Puntabout below the and had an slope array (just of canapés Puntabout hybrid pitch), have followed by a splendid fourbeen transitioned to ‘natural course meal accompanied by areas’.

This is to encourage a wines selected by John Kelsall. diverse ecosystem to emerge by supporting small insects, Dinner was followed by a series invertebrates, mammals and birds. of speeches, dominated by lives The long grass offers a safe haven remembered. Various members forthe those creaturesthrong to thrive, of assembled spoke whilst also providing a source about seven former masters -of food Schad and shelter. flowering Bob (staff, The 1950-1998), plants attract pollinators, making it Keith Harlow (staff, 1961-1994), a vital Kennedy-Cooke habitat. By retaining these Julian (staff, beautiful areas, alongside our 1953-1989), Ray Fooks (staff, more formal planting, students are 1965-1972), Kenour Nicholas (staff, able to learn and appreciate the 1956-1991), Norman West (Staff, importance of preserving natural 1967-1998) and Bob Brown (Staff, habitats and the role they play in 1960-1990). Initially, David Grant sustaining ourwas environment.

(1970-1978) going to give the eulogy to the Headmaster, David The Gardens have Guest installed Raeburn whoteam had been aof‘Dry Garden’ alongside the Honour at the 2018 Reunion Concert in OxfordHall. andCarefully who hadselected died in plants surrounded by a gravel 2021. Sadly, David Grant was mulch unwell, has meant watering taken so Ithat readno out David’s has been undertaken for two speech and commended and years and the area has been expressed gratitude toimproved. the current Headmaster, Christopher Ramsey Onehis ofgreat the small quads for workcentral in making sure has been improved to provide that David Raeburn is properlya calm seating area for use by staff remembered. and boys.

Two much-loved Old Whitgiftians 200+had trees have been planted who sadly died in the last in andDavid around the Whitgift site, year, Bottoms (1970-1978)

and David Murch (1971-1978) received appropriate and moving send-offs from Andy Pike (19701978) and Ian Martin (1971-1978) respectively. Daniel Emkes (19701978), former School Captain, read out a well-received message from the current Headmaster, and then had us all raise a toast to Floreat Domus. Tony Burrin, the Deputy School Captain in 19771978, delivered the nostalgia with an excellent speech without notes for which I seemed to be the butt of his humour. We talked long into the night, the last of us finally leaving the dining hall at just before 3am.

On Sunday, after an excellent Christ’s College breakfast, our resident polymath, Professor Julian Gunn (1970-1978), a renowned Professor of Interventional Cardiology, but

also an outstanding Organist, delivered a fabulous recital in the Emmanuel chapel. There was then a raucous rendition of the school song, Carmen. Simon Hill (19731978), who had been unable to attend the day before because of attendance at a wedding in London, announced himself to his fellow Class of ‘78ers by running in and spectacularly tripping over a step, flying across the Chapel, thus giving everyone else added enjoyment, caught on my video for posterity; he may have even performed a Triple Salkow. The recital was completed with John Kelsall, a fellow Emma alumnus, having ‘Happy Birthday’ sung to him in his own college chapel in recognition of him recently becoming an octogenarian. John, a truly outstanding teacher and Head of Geography at Whitgift who went on to become a

successful Headmaster, was probably more touched by the effort of us all rather than the quality of our singing.

After a marvellous buffet lunch people began to leave, and one-by-one they asked if I were readying myself for 2028 and our Golden Anniversary. I can’t let them down.

Reunions can lead to a sense of ‘trepidation’. but the feedback for this event was universally positive. One OW described it as a “Simply sensational weekend.

This should go in the Guinness Book of Records. I cannot think of anything that could have been better.” To see further comments and the wonderful photographs of this event, please visit: https://whitgiftconnect.co.uk/ photos-albums/albums/80009.

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News AUDIO VISUAL AND PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT David Jenkinson Head of Audio Visual and Production The work of the audio-visual and production department is interesting and varied. From technically supporting a wide range of events to set building and lighting design, no day is the same. Day to day we provide AV support for lessons and lectures and often live stream or record events and assemblies. During GROUNDS & ESTATE the school breaks we make sure DEPARTMENT that classroom and site AV is up to date and we continuously roll Team News out and install new technology The School Team won for teachingGrounds and event spaces.

Independent School Grounds Team ofproductions the Year in November Recent have been 2022wide-ranging. at the Grounds very WeManagement always Association Industry Awards. enjoy a challenge and are usedThis to was a team awardfrom highlighting unusual requests directors. excellence the presentation We are alsoinkeen that no two of sports surfaces productions lookand thegreen same space and management at an independent as a result of this we usually school.

Following rigorous build bespoke setsa and utilise assessment Whitgift School venues with multiple stagingwere and victors seeing off stiff competition audience configurations.

One from prestigious Eton College at of ourthe biggest challenges was the awards ceremony hosted vision by the realising James Hammond’s Grounds Management Association for the Tennessee Williams play Awards at Birmingham NEC. ‘Not About Nightingales’.

Set This in is the second time the team have a filthy prison with the warden’s won this award after office overlooking thesuccess cells wein 2015 and runners up in 2019. mixed up 2000 litres of ‘gunge’ for the prisoners to live in. Usually The department into the only seen on TV is games shows in a 7th year its successful studio theofgunge presented many apprenticeship programme.

We tricky challenges.

Carpets, walls havetechnical apprentices undertaking and equipment had to level 2 and 3 Sports Turf and be protected as well as backstage level 2used Horticulture (Gardening) areas by the cast and apprenticeships.

The School walkways had to be mopped isinalso supporting other existing staff every interval to avoid slips.

The with furthering their own studies production also featured constant in their areas of expertise. immersive surround sound and

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A new playground with polymeric rubber play surface was built alongside the sports centre swimming pool. Primarily for Lower School boys to use, it is home to a hugely popular basketball hoop.

The Modern Pentathlon shooting range has been relocated to Southfield to make use of the area for running events and provides an improved facility.

Development Whitgift became the first school in the UK (possibly world) to install hybrid winter games pitches on two pitches, Bigside and Puntabout. A hybrid pitch is a mixture of 97% natural grass with 3% artificial fibres stitched into a freely draining growing medium to create a hardwearing and resilient playing surface.

These pitches facilitate play in most weather conditions and ‘Not About Nightingales’ set design and result allow for significantly increased hours of use (ca. +300% usage in 2022/23 winter season). rear video projection on the The system installed at the warden’s office window.School Other is the same as that used at of productions include ‘Chariots Wembley Stadium, Twickenham Fire’ which included a running Stadium and many other high-end track around the perimeter of the sports facilities. audience, ‘Caucasian Chalk Circle’ which featured a raised rock band The aartificial pitch (two was and double hockey ring revolve re-surfaced and the floodlights independent rotating stages one converted to LED. LED improves inside the other) and ‘Remote’ in both the performance which ourlighting grounds departmentand reducesusenergy helped sourceconsumption. a fallen tree to go on stage in the Performing The School Arts Centre.invested in reconditioning the existing cricket artificial net and purchasing As well as allblock the drama an additionalwe 5-lanes of cricket productions are also involved nets to improve boys’ access to in the many concerts and music cricket that training events takeprovision. place throughout

Several areas, including the Puntabout slope (just below the Puntabout hybrid pitch), have been transitioned to ‘natural areas’. This is to encourage a diverse ecosystem to emerge by supporting small insects, invertebrates, mammals and birds.

The long grass offers a safe haven for those creatures to thrive, whilst also providing a source of food and shelter. The flowering plants attract pollinators, making it a vital habitat. By retaining these beautiful areas, alongside our more formal planting, our students are able to learn and appreciate the importance ofamount preserving natural the year. The of technical habitats and the role they in support can vary betweenplay events, sustaining ourand environment. from filming providing basic stage lighting to mixing large The Gardens team have installed ensembles and building tiered astaging ‘Dry Garden’ alongside the This structures for choirs.

Concert Carefully selected year wasHall. our second Summer plants surrounded by a Arts Festival. Unlike ourgravel indoor mulch has thatQuad no watering venues themeant Andrew has no has been undertaken for two years technical infrastructure, so the and theof area has been improved. rigging sound and lighting is more complex, with temporary One of the small central scaffold structures on thequads roof has been improved to provide to provide front lighting, and a calm seating area forofuse by staff hundreds of metres temporary and boys. cabling for power, lighting and sound control. Other large-scale 200+ trees have been planted Ball events include the Graduation in and around theofWhitgift and Celebration Whitgiftsite, Life.

The solution was twelve LED wirelessly controlled battery tubes rigged on scaffolding. The sound and lighting was pre-programmed beforehand at Whitgift and played back using specialist theatre software on a Mac. The cast of students rehearsed the set-up of the show and never missed the deadline for each performance.

‘Caucasian Chalk Circle’ lighting

The Sports Hall presents different challenges as it is not usually used as a performance space.

Our department is responsible for rigging 14 temporary chain hoists to support truss for lighting and drapes, and designing the lighting rig that can support both events as there is a very tight turn around.

Celebration of Whitgift Life is a technically complex event with projection and livestreaming of multiple cameras, the programming of a large lighting rig and the construction of multiple stages.

This year Whitgift toured their second show to the Edinburgh Fringe. Due to the nature of Fringe shows each company only has around five minutes to prepare for each show. With this constraint in mind, we had to design a set that could easily be

set up by the cast before each of the shows. The brief given to us by the director (James Hammond) was a 5x5 metre light up cube.

During school holidays the AV and Production team work on upgrading the AV infrastructure in classrooms and venues. Nearly every classroom in the school has a Smartboard which allows for interactive, high-definition video. Our lighting rigs in the PAC and Big School are gradually moving entirely to LED and we have state of the art digital audio and lighting control in Big School.

On Wednesday lunchtimes we have a backstage club where students from any year group can learn about technical theatre and help out in productions, often operating lighting or sound desks or assisting backstage.

AV team on the ‘Not About Nightingales’ set

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News WHITGIFT RETURNS TO THE ASHBURTON Henry Parritt (OW 2009-2016) and Secretary of the Whitgift Veterans Rifle Club

A new playground with polymeric rubber play surface was built alongside the sports centre swimming pool. Primarily for Lower School boys to use, it is home to a hugely popular basketball hoop.

The day started much as any day this summer; wet and windy with a chance of sun somewhere in the distance! With five cadets from Whitgift School CCF huddling under a gazebo waiting their turn.

As message one came, a cacophony of shots sounded as over 70 teams fired their first GROUNDS ESTATE rounds down&at the target. Not DEPARTMENT only did the competitors have to fight against the wind, distance Team News and the technical skills needed The School Grounds Team to score well, they also hadwon to Independent Grounds compete withSchool the dreaded clock.

Team of thewith YearMonty in November We started Arris, 2022 at theCadet Grounds Management the current JUO firing his Association Awards. two sightersIndustry and seven roundsThis to was a team award highlighting count with lightning speed and excellence in the We presentation deadly accuracy. followed of sports surfaces with Cadet RSMand Bengreen Read,space then management at an independent Cadet CWO Archie Adlington and school.Cadet Following rigorous finally WO1aGibran Ahmed, assessment Whitgift School all of whom shot formidably.were After victors seeing off stiff competition their short 45 minutes was up from the prestigious College at Cadet J Gill finished Eton the distance the as awards ceremony hosted by the off the team reserve.

Grounds Management Association Awards at had Birmingham The team begun toNEC. fight This is the second time the team have wind and rain, now they battled wondreaded this award after success the yomp from 300 in 2015 and runners up in 2019. yards to 600 yards with all the kit. However, luckily the school The been department is intoto the had kind enough supply year ofsaving its successful a7th minibus them the worst apprenticeship programme.

We of the journey, have apprentices undertaking and so the saga level 2 and 3 Sports Turf andat continued level 2 Horticulture600 (Gardening) yards. apprenticeships. The School is also supporting other existing staff Following some with furthering their own studies more fantastic in their areas of expertise. scores at 600

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The Modern Pentathlon shooting range has been relocated to Southfield to make use of the area for running events and provides an improved facility.

Development Whitgift became the first school in the UK (possibly world) to installthe hybrid games yards teamwinter moved forward to pitches on two pitches, their final position at 500Bigside yards and Puntabout.

A hybrid pitch where rain and wind started to is afight mixture of 97% natural grass back against our stalwart with 3% artificial shooters.

Despite fibres this westitched finished into a freely draining growing strong with two scores in the medium to create a hardwearing 30s, a fantastic achievement for and resilient playing surface. cadets who had only shot this These pitches facilitate play in rifle twice before the competition! most weather conditions and With the students hard work allowthe fordedication significantly increased and of their staff, hours of use (ca. +300% usage Lt Col Glenn Hogben (OW), Maj in 2022/23 winter James Stremes (OW)season). and SSIThe Gary system installed at the School Doherty the team came a fantastic is the as that used at score 8th in same the lineup with a total Wembley Stadium, Twickenham of 317.10v. We cannot thank Guy Stadium and many high-end Hart enough, whoseother coaching sports facilities. skills helped lead our team to such outstanding scores!

The artificial hockey pitch was re-surfaced andhowever, the floodlights That wasn’t all as then, converted to LED. LED improves only an hour late, the Veterans both the lighting performance began their moments of glory. and reduces energy consumption.

With 15 shooters from around the country, one even from as Theaway School in Whitgift far as invested Jersey, the reconditioning the existing Veterans Rifle Club battled cricket for the artificial net block and purchasing NRA Schools Veterans Cup. The an additional of cricketthe wind and rain5-lanes eased, allowing nets to improve boys’ access to teams to score a strong middle cricket the training provision. across board with the club

Several areas, including the Puntabout slope (just below the Puntabout hybrid pitch), have been transitioned to ‘natural areas’. This is to encourage a diverse 8th ecosystem to emerge coming as a whole in the by supporting small insects, Aggregate and a fantastic 48.4v invertebrates, and birds. from Guy Hartmammals despite having The long grass offers a safe haven coached all day, won the Reed for those to thrive, Cup oncecreatures again! A honourable whilst also providing a source of mention goes to Glenn Hogben food shot and shelter. who for the The first flowering time too plants attract pollinators, in 26 years and scored a making brilliant it a vital habitat. By retaining these 44.3v. beautiful areas, alongside our more formal planting, ourallstudents Eventually though the fun are of able to learn and appreciate the shooting came to an end and importance of preserving natural the joy of good food, good drink habitats and the role they play and good company began within sustaining environment. our annualour dinner at the Artists Rifles Clubhouse with 36 guests The Gardens have installed including the team school boys which aproved ‘Dry Garden’ alongside the to be a wonderful night.

Concert selected The raffleHall. runCarefully

by Nick Hart raised plants surrounded by a gravel over £200 for the club and the mulch has meant that no watering school boys looked forward to has been undertaken for two years competing as OWs in the next and theSchools area has been improved. year’s Veterans Match!

One of theI must small end central With that thisquads long has been improved to provide tale and hope to have another a calm seating area with for use to spin next year justby asstaff and boys. much frivolity and success as this year. Should you wish to join us 200+ trees have been planted please do get in touch with me at in and around the Whitgift site, secretary@wvrc.org.uk.

WHITGIFT PUTTING ON THE JAZZ Simon Beck Registrar On Sunday 17 September 2023 a truly talented collection of Whitgift musicians performed at The Crazy Coqs Cabaret Club in Brasserie Zédel, Soho in aid of the Whitgift For All Bursary Fund.

The fun packed evening saw Whitgift’s own jazz band, Kingham Express, open the show with some top-notch jazz in front of a sold-out intimate audience.

Reuben, Rooney, Lucian and Bakari got the evening off to a fabulous start with three classic numbers, getting the audience in full swing. Whitgift legend, Pip Burley (OW 1955-1962), then took to the stage with three classic jazz songs on the piano. The audience was further treated to the sultry, charismatic voice of renowned singer Katriona Taylor performing

top contemporary jazz musicians, took to the stage fresh from his European tour with unique and breathtaking versions of well-known songs from musicals and his own original songbook including his latest hit Ocean.

This wonderful evening came to fruition thanks to former Whitgift parent, Rob Holland – Wolseley Group Director. Rob attended the Gala Golf and Dinner event in May 2023 and was so impressed with Kingham Express, that he kindly invited them, and ultimately Anthony Strong the other amazing performers on the night, to put on a jazz evening at The Crazy Coqs. This fabulous event included not only the jazz performance, but also a sumptuous three-course meal in Brasserie Zédel’s breathtaking restaurant. The incredible generosity of Brasserie Zédel

and The Crazy Coqs was further supplemented by new Whitgift parents, Matt Williamson and Katy McCann, who sponsored the pre-event drinks, getting the audience off to a fizzing start.

Matt’s company also kindly match

funded their donation boosting the contribution to Whitgift For All. We are keen to host more events for the Whitgift community, so if you have any ideas for future events, we would be pleased to hear from you (alumni@whitgift.co.uk).

Pip, Katriona and Rooney

iconic songs such as A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square, Jeepers Creepers, Crazy He Calls Me and Corcovado (Quiet Nights) ably accompanied by Pip on the piano and Rooney on bass guitar.

Guests chatted excitedly during the interval before Kingham Express swung into action again.

Finally, Anthony Strong (OW 1996-2001), one of the country’s

Kingham Express

W FA N E WS | 9

Spotlight LAURIE EVANS Article by Simon Beck Since leaving Whitgift in 2004 after six very successful years Laurie has had a highly successful cricketing career which has seen him play First Class cricket for Durham UCCE, Surrey CCC, Northampton CCC, Warwickshire CCC and Sussex CCC before returning to The Oval in 2020 to concentrate on White Ball Cricket.

sporting talents. He is a scratch golfer, representing Whitgift in The Halford Hewitt for the past two years and narrowly missing out on qualifying for The British Open Golf Championships at Royal Liverpool this year. However, at school Laurie was also a top rugby player winning two National Rugby Titles and actually entered Whitgift as a tennis player.

Away from the sports field Laurie has been a fabulous ambassador for the school speaking at Bursary Fund Raising events, undertaking cricketing Masterclasses at Feeder Schools and donating items for Auction most recently at the highly successful WFA Bursary Golf and Gala Dinner Day in May.

It is the shorter version of the game that has seen Laurie hit the spotlight for many of the top T20 Franchises around the world including The West Indies, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and most successful The While taking a break from this Australian Big Bash for the 2022 season’s Hundred preparation winners The Perth Scorchers Laurie has kindly spent time giving where he earned the Player of his thoughts to the questions we the Match in the Final scoring have posed to him as this edition’s a scintillating 76 not out off 41 WFA Newsletter Spotlight OW. balls against the Sydney Sixers.

What was to follow Laurie in What are your earliest memories 2022 was nothing short of of Whitgift? amazing with a number of further I remember the intro sports day Vitality Big Bash winning innings like it was yesterday. Loads of for Surrey and then Captaining talented kids trying to show off Manchester Originals to The Tarik working with the Jacksonville Orchestra 2022 how good they were at their Hundred Final with the innings of every other part.

Whereas much Christmas and New Year break chosen sports to gain a place at the competition in the Eliminator of the service is exuberant and turned into a flurry of composing the school. I only wish we had the v Ewen Morgan’s London Spirit in grabbed74moments here and celebratory, Agnus facilities theythe have now!Dei comes smashing off just 24 balls to there in order to make the midat a reflective, intimate moment. I chase down 150.

January deadline. wanted to explore influences from my own varied heritages within the This T20 Blast season once again The Laurie Agnus sparkle Dei at the context of the Agnus Dei in the saw withCoronation the bat is clearly an outstanding piece British choral tradition: a unison to be one of the competitions top of musical were melody is slowly fragmented to run scorersgenius, helped what by a fantastic your thoughts and inspiration create myriad timbres, much as hundred in the pool stages behind it? one might hear in some Arab or enabling Surrey to reach to Finals That’s very kind of you to say!

Irish traditional music. This melodic day again.

I immediately knew this section shifting is also reminiscent of of the Coronation Service was ‘phase music’, strongly connected It is not just on the cricket field going to be different to almost with San Francisco, where I wrote Laurie displays his tremendous

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How has the school influenced this work.

Finally, there is an your life? verse anthem structure: alternating Ia think all Orlando you can Gibbons, ask for in who life is nod to opportunity, and Whitgift gives became Organist of Westminster you so exactly much of400 that.years I bet ago. most Abbey of the kids like me, think they are Next major Have you going for oneproject? or two things they got any other exciting plans for the future and what would your next project involve?

Another opera and another ballet are on the horizon (these types of work take many years to compose), but I’d say the biggest project right now is helping look after my two boys (ages one and five)!

Although a Croydon boy from a young age, with parents of international background, you clearly are at ease managing your many facets of life around the world, how would you say living in San Francisco is different to that of South London?

Better weather in San Francisco, for sure, but way worse curries!

More seriously, San Francisco is a truly beautiful citythe in end an might excel at and by even-more-spectacular larger they are excelling at something part of California, however completely different. I went it asisa somewhat monochrome its rugby player and left as a in cricketer. current incarnation which is that it is dominated byearliest the tech industry.

What are your sporting Every icon on your mobile phone memories? exists in some bricks-andFor mehere it would be playing touch mortar sense.

There’s nothing rugby on the beach. Or watching my wrong that per Saturday. se, other Once dad playwith rugby every than that it is to the of at the school, my firstexclusion memory was other areas of life.ofSouth not losing a game rugbyLondon at the was never like that.

That said, school for at least three years! San Francisco was born of the gold rush and of the Who has was beenthe thecenter biggest hippy generation it became influence on yourbefore sporting connected to Silicon Valley.

So I success and what would your stronglybesuspect it will reinvent advice to any budding itself again before long… professional sportstoo person?

I think I have been lucky to have such amazing parents, both sport mad who sacrificed a lot to send me

Laurie Evans

Whitgift School Surrey CCC Manchester Originals Perth Scorchers

to such a great school and drive me all over the country. I picked up fairly early on that if you want to be good at something then you have to work at it. Doesn’t matter how good you think you are, there’s always someone better who works harder.

You have been so successful on the cricket field both individually and for many teams but what would you say is your greatest sporting achievement individually and with a team?

I think any time you win a trophy it will stand out as a great achievement. And luckily for me I have claimed MOM in both finals that we have won! So I think winning both the Big Bash and the Vitality Blast stand out for me.

You were selected a few years ago for the England ODI World Cup training squad. What knowledge and experience did you gain from this and do you think as one of England’s current most successful white ball batters you still have a chance of being selected for your country?

Whilst I was in the training squad, I didn’t actually go on to make the final selection. I think playing for your country is the highest achievement you can ask for but for me I have managed to find extremely proud moments despite that. I can’t control if someone wants to pick me, all I can control is trying to get the best out of myself.

Can you tell us more about your cricketing career and journey after leaving school?

I left Whitgift before Sixth form and went to John Fisher school and then on to Durham university for a year. Once I was offered a full-time contract with Surrey I

joined and fortunately I have had 15 years in the game with a lot of ups and downs!

Who has been the toughest bowler you have played against and why?

There’s not just one! I played in the PSL and found that every team had three 90mph+ bowlers!

What do you see and hope the future will hold for you as a player and then when you retire?

Hopefully the future has more of the same! I haven’t lost the mentality that I had from when I was young. Hard work will get me to where I will want to go. Not sure where that might end up, other than as much golf as possible!

Since speaking to Laurie in August we are delighted to report that he once again played a key role in Manchester Originals reaching another Hundred Final. Laurie was not the only OW to play in The Hundred this year as Jason Roy starred for The Oval Invincibles who beat Manchester in the Final at Lord’s and Jamie Smith showing what a real up and coming talent he is when playing for The Birmingham Phoenix. This has just become more relevant as Jamie made his full England ODI debut on 23 September at Trent Bridge against Ireland.

W FA N E WS | 11

Spotlight OW News OWGS APRIL TO JULY 2023 GOLF NEWS Peter Gale, Hon. Sec.Sec. Peter Gale, Hon. (OW(OW 1963-69) 1963-69)

brought with ourisplaces a member Shirley Park for (last July this There work.

Finally, an left for are still there aitfew (all 73), at and Richard Gibson President’s Day meeting 52 years move down alternating anthem structure: the Galaverse Charity Golf at Day being year’sbefore winner)his (74).

Addington Palace Gibbons, and there was to Canterbury, holding virtually a nod to at Orlando held Croham Hurst onwho Friday abecame decent turnout for this one,by dinner every at the club Dinner at one at offollowed Westminster 26th Organist May 2023 Weoffice held our Annual although still low byyears previous timea or other, andTandridge consequently It seems scarcely possiblewere Abbey exactly 400 in Big School, in aid of ago.

Whigift new venue, GC, on Scratch Cup entrants standards.

All participants awarded of thatscratching the societytheir golf heads seasonwhen is for All, the School’s bursary fund.

Monday 20thlifetime March. Ituse proved theyhe was Next major project?

Have Guests are welcome andyou details becourse an enjoyable evening turned up for this year’s seemed to enjoy themselves, on a the to golf when he left. and nearing completion, but it is. event The got can any be other exciting plans forGale at obtained Peter a successful with 24 at Royal Cinque Ports GC, Deal Robert generally fine day onfrom a fine course, was alsovenue, a long-time following summarises the major the peterbgale@sky.com. future and what your attendees andOWGS, two guests; Neil in early March. temperature with traditionally fastwould and true secretary of the Captain activity taking placeThe up to the next project summarised the current greens, above freezing, the wind and ainvolve? varied background and Kendrick President, and has won endwas of July, with the exception Another opera another ballet state of golf at the school and was hardly blowing, it wasn’t of holes, some and of which wind more ‘open’ meetings than any of the Gala Golf Day on behalf of are onway thethrough horizon narrow (these types Archie Adlington received the raining could this reallyitem). be the other their gaps of player.

He represented Whitgift For–All (see separate work take many years to compose), Cup from our President Pip Scratch Cup? Yes, the first to be the Walker in the trees and others of which society in both the Grafton but in I’dopen say the biggestnearer projectthe Burley (pictured together, in three benign conditions parkland, Morrish and Cyril Gray.

In left) for are We held played ‘open to all’ and right now is helping look after my his achievement in school golf.

The eighteen players competing for palace itself. A good challenge.

It recognition of his efforts and meetings. Early April action two fitting boys (ages one President, and five)! Pip award was particularly poignant was prize; and Captain’s especiallyCup good successes that our on behalf of OWGS tookthe place at The year, was sincepresented Charlie Walker, whoBurley, should himself be amongst to see new candidates in golf,this Robert by meeting at some The Addington, a Although a Croydon boy from donated cup to the an society the designed field – Aidan Millham, Matt President the prize winners, finishing third Pipthe Burley with course in 1913 (the year a young age, with parents of several years ago, sadly passed Spriegel, Owen Richardson, Chris on countback from Peter Kelley ‘outstanding contribution’ award when the OWGS was founded) by international background, you awaycourse, during Robert the yearscored – John Gouldwith and Paul Harrup.

34 points.

Second again On the J.F. Jones Abercromby.

A great deal of clearly are at ease managing spoke eloquently afterwards about was Nigel Huxtable, a memberyour of 32 points and was beaten to the work is being done by the current many facets of lifeNigel around friend many years.who Paul,toinreturn his own ‘only there mainhisprize Addington Palace. maythe have byof Tony Harris, owners thewords course world, how wouldhis you say living to make uplike theitsnumbers’, regretted sharing knowledge to something original caused harvested a commendable 35, in San Francisco different to pairs participated an early stir. An 8-handicapper, heand Six of the course withis playing partner

by Whitgift Nigel Huxtable (33). condition.

Certainly the views that of South London? in the Peter Kenyon Bowl, a left the ninth green announcing over London have been opened Better weather in San Francisco, foursomes competition run by thatmake he was ‘Against up and for2-under. a splendid sight, your for sure, but way worse curries!

FOUNDER’S CIRCLE the Halford Hewitt committee, at handicap?’ came the response. especially when the sun is out.

More seriously, Leaving aSan gift Francisco in your will is Prince’s, Sandwich. Played over tworeflected under par, gross, putting TheNo, scores the problems is a truly beautiful city in an one of the most personal Prince’s Dunes and Himalayas him in the lead at the halfway presented by a difficult course, larger ways of supporting the courses, this was on the day beforeeven-more-spectacular Also at score the ninth, withpoint. the winning beingPaul’s 31 part of California, however it is School.

We will recognise the Hewitt itself got under way. playing partner Ian Hunter holed points, achieved by Alan Scovell, its yourmonochrome generosity byininviting It was very windy, but essentially somewhat 6-ironwho approach for an eagle the his Captain, therefore won current incarnation which is that you to membership of the it dry.

The Whitgift winners on the two.

Sadly, none of those in the his own prize! Alan narrowly by the techTo industry.

Founder’s Circle. find halfway hut were paying defeated a triumvirate on 30 attention, day were David and Peter Hedges, is dominated Tarik working with the Jacksonville Orchestra 2022 Every icon on your mobile phone out more, please contact with 31 points, who picked up the and neither Ian nor Paul saw points, Mike Berners Price, David in some bricks-andevery other part.

Whereas much Christmas and New Year break alumni@whitgift.co.uk or Thompson Tankards – the society’sexists here it go inand either.

Eventually Paul Absalom, Adrian McMillan. mortar sense.

There’s nothing of the service is exuberant and turned into a flurry of composing call 020 8633 9922 only foursomes trophy. suggested looking in the hole ‘for Rather than try to separate them wrong with that per se, other in grabbed here and celebratory, the Agnus Dei comes comedymoments value’! on countback, the Captain decided than that it is to the exclusion of there in order to make the midat a reflective, intimate moment.

I A promising performance in that they should all be presented other areas of life. South London January deadline. to explore influences from the Halford Hewitt is reported The inward half at Deal isprizes, always wanted with magnificent runners-up was never like that. That said, San my own varied heritages within the separately below. the true test, although that is in the form of Fortnum & Mason Francisco was born of the gold Thenormally Agnus Dei at the because prevailing context of the Agnus Dei in the biscuits!

A tasteful endofCoronation tothe a very rush and was the center of the is clearly an outstanding piece British choral tradition: a unison The Captain’s Cup meeting was wind, which wasn’t prevailing this enjoyable day. hippy generation before it became of musical genius, whatRichardson were melody slowly heldisthis year fragmented on a Sunday,toto time around.

Owen connected to Silicon Valley. So I your thoughts and inspiration create myriad timbres, much as attract golfers who might not (pictured with Dudley Thompson) Our second meeting was behind it? bestCup, might hearbeinable some orour strongly suspect it will reinvent to Arab play in coped overall, and got back tooneotherwise the Veterans’ played That’s very kind of you to say!

Irish traditional music.

This melodic events.

The date was April 30th, itself again before too long… the clubhouse with a gross 70 (two at a parched Shirley Park in I immediately thisthe section also reminiscent and is the venue was TheofAddington, under par),knew winning cup temperatures approaching 30 in frontshifting of the Coronation Service was ‘phase music’, strongly ranked 58th in the connected Top 100 English of Aidan Millham (72), Toby Kemp, degrees. One of our number going to beHollins different almost Sancourses.

Francisco, where I wrote Stuart andto Matt Spriegel withgolf was Robert Hollidge, who was Whitgift l to r:; Haswell, Scovell, Mason, Chatham, Hayes, Sage

0 | W FA N E WS 12

W FA N E WS | 11

Mark Chatham, who pipped him to the President’s prize with 37 points; apparently the lead changed hands only on the 16th hole, where Nigel found a bunker and looked likely to stay there for the duration.

The summer was a mixed one for our elite players contesting the scratch competitions. A generally young and able Whitgift team – Nic Gates/Laurie Evans; Oscar Bailey/Harrison Sellers; Owen Richardson/Toby Kemp – competed in the Grafton Morrish against 12 other schools in scratch foursomes for the six qualifying places available for the Autumn finals, but failed to make the cut.

However there was distinctly better news for Nic Gates and Laurie Evans in the prestigious Alba Trophy, where the pair, representing Whitgift, came third out of 42 pairs at the scratch medal foursomes event, held on a Woking course in great condition and with very fast greens.

Better news still came in the Cyril Gray, a scratch foursomes competition for those over 50 years of age, contested by the same 32 Hewitt schools each year at Worplesdon, near Woking. Whitgift has won the competition twice, in 1974 and 1999. The quest for a third title began against King Edward’s, Birmingham, the only side whom Whitgift had never faced in the main competition. Tony Mason’s side were soon ahead and in truth it was never a close contest, ending in a 3-0 win.

The second round opponents were Blundells, who had won the competition the previous year and

Hayes plays Worplesdon’s iconic 10th hole

whom Whitgift had never beaten: they therefore represented stiffer competition. However, Tony had a secret weapon up his sleeve, with Neill Williams, newly over 50 and a +4 golfer, brought into the top pair for the Thursday. Partnering Martin Hayes in the top pair, Neill made a winning start to what will hopefully become a successful experience in the Cyril Gray, and Mason & Chatham also won in the third pair, giving Whitgift a 2-1 win in the morning. Similar success followed for Williams & Hayes in the afternoon’s third round, this time against familiar foes Watson’s, and this time it was the second pair of Haswell & Scovell who gave Whitgift the vital second point, with Mason & Chatham able to claim a half in the unfinished third match.

Sadly, Neill could not play in the semi-final on the Friday and Whitgift struggled against a Rossall side who have strength in depth and who have reached the final five times in the last nine years (losing each one, as it happens). Nonetheless a good week, and one that shows the potential for Whitgift to record another win in the near future, with other former Hewitt players joining Neill Williams in the over50s category.

We traditionally hold four matches during this part of the season.

Unfortunately the match against the School had to be abandoned at an early stage due to lightning and the resultant downpour.

However the Trinity match was held at Betchworth Park GC, which is a new venue for this fixture and it proved a good one for Whitgift, who prevailed 3-2 in the ‘Croydon derby’.

The match against KCS was cancelled due to a lack of numbers on the KCS side. Numbers are rarely a problem at Tandridge for the match versus Old Alleynians, provided there are enough Tandridge members in the mix to act as hosts for the day, and so it proved again on a glorious day, on a course that is in firstrate condition and on greens that were lightning-fast. Match captain Jeremy Stanyard flew into Heathrow in the morning and prevailed heroically alongside Ian Chicken in a match that went all the way to the 18th green; their point proved to be the deciding feature in a narrow 4½ - 3½ win for Whitgift. An unusually healthy meal followed the golf, but the arrival of potatoes appeared to save the day for some.

W FA N E WS | 13

OW News REUNION LUNCH 10 September 2023 Emma Helbert We were delighted to welcome back seventy OWs to a reunion lunch for alumni who left Whitgift in years ending with 3.

We had a good turn out from every decade from 1963 through

to 2013 with guests enjoying a drinks reception followed by roast lunch and a walk around the School grounds. The Class of 1963 were in particularly good voice leading a rousing rendition of Carmen. We will be hosting lunches for other year groups and look forward to sharing details in due course.

CHESS George is now an ambassador Nigel Callow and (OWis1983-91) for Childline a recipient of Screen International Star On Friday 8 September of Tomorrow Award. All 2023, very Whitgift hosted the OWs in who the is impressive for a young man 30th Annual Chess match. still just 22 years old.

We all alook forward to following It was 6-board match across 2 George’s further achievements rounds. on stage, TV and films. A very exciting1:future in Whitgift store for2.this Round OWs is 4– extremely talented man.3.5 Round 2: OWs 2.5 –young Whitgift

So, a very close match which finished: OWs 6.5 – Whitgift 5.5 Martin Jarvis (OW 1953-60)

George Jacques (OW 2011-18)

Actor, producer and director Martin Jarvis OBE (Just William, The Forsyte Saga, Eastenders, Guests from the Class of 83 Doctor Who) has won the BBC Audio Drama Award for Lifetime Achievement, presented at a ceremony on Sunday March 2 OW KIT CONNOR IN19 SEASON 2023 at NETFLIX the BBC Radio Theatre.

OF HIT SERIES Emma Helbert His work includes muchlovedhotly BBCanticipated audio dramas and The second audiobooks, such as his popular season of Heartstopper has been readings of the Just William well reviewed after its August books. He is also an accomplished release. director, with credits including nine BBCcoming-of-age audio adaptations of the Netflix’s romance James Bond novels.

The award between Nick Nelson (Kit Connor, was presented himCharlie by actor OW 2015-2022)toand Toby Stephens, who played the Spring (Joe Locke) returned after eponymous spyaway. in all Kit nine titles just over a year was just on air.

18 years old when the first series of Heartstopper aired. Despite a promising career in acting starting at a young age, Kit was keen to complete his A Levels in Drama, History, and English Literature insisting that he saw it as important to be able to balance his school life and career.

Whitgiftian George Jaques is going from strength to strength building up an impressive cv as an actor, director, producer and writer.

Fromperformance his debut productions Dilate Kit’s in series one and Breathe GeorgeLead was just won him the when Outstanding 17 where he caught the attention Performance category at the of key creatives from Sky, he inaugural Children’s and Family has gone on to appear on screen Emmy Awards, and Leading Actor in the many roles includingSociety being at Royal Television opposite Jude Law in The Third Programme Awards.

Day: Autumn.

Since then, George has directed a number of short films, gaining support from Warner Bros and BAFTA winning creatives.

Following on he has just completed directing his debut film Black Dog which he co-wrote at 18 with Avatar 2’s Jamie Flatters. This follows recent leading roles in The Serpent Queen and most recently the highly acclaimed A Town Called Malice.

Kit Connor

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We are proud that we have played this match every year since we started it in 1994. Thanks to Vimal Gopee for hosting us. We have been invited back in 2024 for the next match. Date TBC.

FOUNDER’S CIRCLE Leaving a gift in your will is one of the most personal ways of supporting the School. We will recognise your generosity by inviting you to membership of the Founder’s Circle. To find 1596 SOCIETY out more, please contact Named after the School’s alumni@whitgift.co.uk or founding year, 9922 the 1596 call 020 8633 Society recognises our donors who give over £1,596 a year. To find out more, please contact alumni@whitgift.co.uk or call 020 8633 9922.

GALA CHARITY GOLF DAY Over 80 people – OWs, parents, staff and guests – attended either the golf or the dinner, or both, at the Society’s Charity Gala Day on behalf of Whitgift For All. In total, £20,000 was raised for the School’s bursary fund, enough to fund one boy for one school year, ample reward for a day when members and guests enjoyed fabulous weather for golf at Croham Hurst and then again, during the early evening, when everyone mingled together in the School Quadrangle for drinks prior to dinner in Big School.

Croham Hurst was in first-class order as players went out in four balls to compete for both individual and team prizes as well as for nearest the pin and

longest drive. There was some encouragement for participants with Laura Bonar, a member of her County women’s elite team, stationed on the difficult long par 3 16th, gifting her tee shot for the team to choose before putting out. Always provided the team had contributed towards charity funds first! The prize-giving followed the golf with the team prize won by Andy Marshall, Phil Marshall, Ed Parsons and Malcolm McKinlay (88 points), who pipped the runners-up Peter Gale, Jonathan Gale, John Gould and Harry Sellers (87 points). Second prize in the individual competition was won by guest Tricia Topping (37 points) with best individual Ed Parsons taking the Whitgift Golf Charity Cup with a gross 68, scoring 40 stableford points off a handicap of 2.

Many golfers (but not all) then changed into black tie and made their way to the School where they joined Headmaster Chris Ramsey and other guests for the dinner. Following a welcome by the Headmaster, who explained the objectives of WFA, Sarah Harvey and chef Leszek Karpinski, laid on a magnificent three-course meal which was greatly enjoyed.

Entertainment was provided by the four-piece jazz group, Kingham Express, comprising four current pupils; Reuben, Lucien, Roony and Bakari. Dinner was followed by an auction entertainingly conducted

by Simon Beck and Pip Burley in which the generously donated items were soon snapped up by the assembled company.

See what happened next for Kingham Express in The Crazy Coqs article!

Sellers teeing off from the 1st W FA N E WS | 15

SCHOOL FROM THENews ARCHIVES NEWS FROM THE SCHOOL – TRINITY TERM 2023 Dominic Edwards (OW 1988-96) Teacher and Housemaster (Mason’s)

play like Swallows and Amazons is incredibly necessary at a place like Whitgift, as in an ever-changing modern, screen-dependent world it is important for us as students to remember and reflect upon childhood and the adventure of it.” Three packed out audiences in the Performing Arts Centre were certainly in agreement!

In one of the features from last term’s WFA News, OW, Tariq O’Regan, was interviewed to offer his thoughts on, amongst other things, the composition he wrote for King Charles III’s Coronation and his experiences whilst being a pupil at Whitgift.

Tariq and I were actually in the same year whilst at the school and we became friends during our time playing in the fabulous Dance Band. Indeed, look closely at the picture in the feature of us playing a summer gig in the Andrew Quadrangle and you just might be able to make out yours truly playing the saxophone behind Tarik’s cymbal! Why do I mention this? Well, it is because it made me think about all the times I either performed or have been entertained myself in the Andrew Quadrangle – or just Quad, as it is more affectionately known. We are extremely fortunate to have Swallows and Amazons such a picturesque, traditional With Michaelmas term culminating space in the middle of our school. with the Sixth Form play, The One might expect to see elegant Caucasian Chalk Circle (commented country landscapes with ornate upon in the previous edition), floral designs in the middle of an Lent term College saw theor younger Oxbridge traditional thespians take their turn with the boarding school, but it comes Junior School play,something Swallows and as a shock to find Amazons, and the annual Second so aesthetically pleasing in the Form Shakespeare evening. middle of a day school in Croydon! was very a charming IThe am,former therefore, pleased that andhave nostalgic lookback at childhood we brought over the adventures that evoked past couple of years the fond tradition memories forvenue students, staff, and of using the for summer parents alike. AThis largeterm castitranging performances. was fromturn Lower FirstSummer to ThirdArts Form the of The played out the action involving Festival, which saw two evenings pirates, treasure, sophisticated sailing and of high-cultured,

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Summer Gig in the Andrew Quadrangle

merriment play out under the stars. Based on the theme of ‘growing up’, the performances featured a carefully curated combination of dramatic extracts (including scenes from Stoppard, Shakespeare and Chekhov), literary readings (ranging from Joyce to Wilde) and musical ensembles (a bit of Mozart here, Duke Ellington there and a sprinkling of Benny and Bjorn on top!) accompanied throughout by original narration from Lower Sixth former, Ethan Hamilton. camping.

What set this play apart The festival culminated in a grand from others which had gone finale featuring the Choristers, before, though, was and the fact Chamber Orchestra Jazz itBand was directed not by a member delivering a rousing rendition ofof staff, but by aUp Sixth Form student, When I Grow from Matilda by Oscar Robinson.

Directing a junior Tim Minchin. The performance cast filled is a hard proposition was withenough infectious energy for an experienced member and optimism, encapsulating of staff,dreams let alone Sixth Former the anda aspirations of preparing for his A-Level mocks, childhood. but Oscar took the challenge on withrecent aplomb.

He commented Other dramatic “When I saw the opportunity to performances of note have been direct a Junior Years production, Remote and Feathers in the Snow.

I seized it immediately.

I knew The former saw a talented cast Iofwas never going to get an fourth and fifth form boys opportunity like this Arts ever Centre again. A take the Performing

February also saw the long standing (I played a mean Oberon myself back in 1990!) Second Form Shakespeare Evening go ahead. Every Second Form English class put on a 20-minute production of a Shakespeare play, meaning every boy in stage for threethat nights in March theperform year gota the to to playopportunity which rather experience the bard not as a text aptly focusses upon a group of in a classroom, a living, teenagers tryingbut to as find their voice breathing dramatic production. in the modern world. Although The performance performanceswas were a and the short resounding success, with sharp, lasting just over an parents hour, it remarking the aexceptional was able toonhave deep impact on quality and funThe they the audience. setwitnessed. design was One parent said, “It wasfeaturing such a simple yet meaningful, treat to see them having a fallen tree that became such a visual fun – and my son talked nonrepresentation of the cast’s stop on the way home – which support network and sense of was so much fun.” Another community. parent was thoroughly impressed by the students, commenting, The latter was the big, end-of“Congratulations on a fantastic year production in Big School. was impressed Iperformance...I say big, but that is actually an with the boys of all the classes understatement: Feathers in the on andis off Very Snow an the epicstage. tale spanning professionally done.”

Tragedy, 500 years and involving 119 comedy… this is an evening that characters, including a sea witch, has it all and an event that is increasingly becoming intertwined with Whitgift’s history!

Not to be outdone, the Music Department also put the boys through their paces in a series of concerts and competitions. To give you an insight into just how much the music staff do with the

a greedy king, a magical bird and a devious dolphin, to name a few! Drama teacher, Miss Emily Spedding, took on the unenviable task of directing a cast of 53 boys, ranging from ten to fifteenyear-olds, many of whom had to multitask by playing up to four different parts! Also, being a musical, the performance required songs and complex choreography to be learned. And to top things off, in order to bring the host of magical creatures to life, puppetry was required, including 16 boys wielding the 8 twenty-foot arms of a gargantuan octopus! As you can imagine, this was no mean undertaking, and it took a monumental team effort to bring it to Big School. In addition to Emily’s directing, no fewer than 20 members of staff gave up their time and expertise to make this event happen. In the end, all the effort was worthwhile with three utterly compelling performances at the end of June. Lead actors, Rahul Chakravarty and Marcos Byrne, gave riveting performances and were superbly backed up by the rest of the ginormous cast. It was a truly magical way to bring in the end of the school year.

On Friday 28 April, the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) of Whitgift

and Old Palace participated in the Annual General Inspection (AGI), an event in which a Senior Officer inspected and observed the different activities the cadets had been involved in over the course of the year. I always look on with envy when this event occurs as my experience of the CCF was brought to an abrupt, early end by a broken wrist sustained whilst playing rugby.

I only got to participate in the wonderful array of activities for a few weeks before getting injured, but I believe that during that time, I did manage to achieve the record of failing my rifle test… without ever actually touching the rifle! As was custom at the time, we did the test in pairs and when my partner walked in, he absent-mindedly picked up the rifle without realising that it was pointed directly at the head of the CO administering the test! I won’t repeat the words uttered whilst

we were both rapidly ushered out of the room, but suffice to say, I didn’t progress any further in the test! In direct contrast to this, the expertise and proficiency on show at this year’s AGI was most impressive. The school was delighted to welcome back Brigadier Matt Birch (OW 19871992 and Head of Joint Fires and Influence at NATO Allied Rapid Reaction Force) as the Inspecting Officer for the day. The inspection began with the Guard of Honour and the Corps of Drums, during which the students patiently awaited inspection while Matt spoke to each student individually.

The performance was executed flawlessly, setting the tone for the rest of the day’s activities.

Throughout the afternoon, the cadets participated in various activities such as survival skills, a flight simulator, Royal Navy signalling and knots, as well as Royal Air Force first aid. The excitement continued with a tug of war and obstacle course set up on Big Side, followed by the highly anticipated Platoon attack, which concluded the fast-paced activities. The day ended with the Corps of Drums beating retreat, providing a fitting end to an eventful afternoon.

In my last column, I reported on the incredible success of Whitgift’s hockey programme. At that stage, we had already been crowned national champions in: 1st XI Indoor and Outdoor; U16 Indoor and Outdoor; U13 Indoor.

The U13 side were the only team left to play their Outdoor final and, as they say, all good things come to those who wait. The final statistics of their season were quite staggering: played 32, won

W FA N E WS | 17

SCHOOL FROM THENews ARCHIVES 30, drawn 1, lost 1, goals for 174, goals against 35. Their only loss was in an early season friendly to St George’s Weybridge, but I am glad to say that this was avenged in (where else?) the National Cup Final, played at Nottingham University, where St George’s were once again the opponents.

The match was a classic and the boys were ecstatic to finish their

XI winning the Elgin League and, most impressively, the U14’s winning the ESFA Elite Schools’ Cup in May, comprehensively beating St Bede’s RC School, Durham, 7-3 in a pulsating final played at West Bromwich Albion’s ground, The Hawthorns.

epic season with a 5-4 victory Swallows and Amazons against another outstanding With Michaelmas schoolboy side. term culminating with the Sixth Form play, The Caucasian Chalkalso Circle (commented The footballers enjoyed an upon in the previous edition), extremely successful year. The Lent term saw the youngersince sport has grown massively thespians take their turn with the a small group of Sixth Formers Junior Schooltoplay, Swallows and got together arrange a oneAmazons, and the annual Second off fixture against John Fisher Form Shakespeare evening. in 1995.

There are now nearly The former was a charming 500 boys playing regularly and and nostalgic lookhave at childhood Saturday fixtures become a adventures that evoked fond core component of the school’s memoriesprogramme. for students, staff, sporting Over theand parents alike.

A large cast ranging course of the year, 28 teams have from Lower First to Third Form played 380 fixtures.

Highlights played out the action involving include the U11’s, 13’s and 15’s pirates, treasure, sailing winning the Surrey Cup, and the 2nd

finale with the Celebration of Whitgift Life in the Sports and camping. What set this playlast apart Conference Centre on the from others which had gone day of term. Guest speaker, Lucy before, though, the fact it Pearson, gave anwas inspirational was directed not by a and thought-provokingmember speech,of staff, buton byall a Sixth Form student, drawing the knowledge and Oscar Robinson.

Directing a junior experience she castgained is a hard enough proposition has over for an experienced member of the years as a staff, letEngland alone a Sixth Former former preparing Women’s for his A-Level mocks, but Oscar HMC took the challenge Cricketer, on with aplomb.

He commented Head, ECB “WhenDirector I saw the opportunity to Board direct a Junior Years production, and current I seized itofimmediately. I knew Director I was neveratgoing to get an Education opportunity the Football like this ever again. A

6 | W FA N E WS 18

As has become the custom, the year was brought to a rousing

Association.

Success all kinds is play like Swallows andofAmazons was celebrated with a at huge number incredibly necessary a place like of prizes awarded, but the main Whitgift, as in an ever-changing focus wasscreen-dependent on academia, and Iworld am modern, pleased to report with regards it is important forthat us as students to public examand results, it was remember reflect upon childhood and year the adventure of another stellar for the school. it.” Three packed out just audiences The IB results landed as termin the Performing Arts Centre wereto was finishing and brought a smile certainly agreement! the face ofinall those involved. The school enjoyed a 100% Diploma February also an saw the long pass rate with average of 38.9 standing (I played a mean points per boy, which once Oberon again myself us back in 1990!) as Second places comfortably the topForm Shakespeare Evening performing boys’ school in the UK. go ahead.

Every19Second Form On top of that, boys scored English class put on a 20-minute 40 points or higher. On August production Shakespeare 17th, it was of thea turn of the A-Level play, meaning that every boy in students to look pleased on hearing year got opportunity to the news thatthe all their hard work experience the bard not as a text had paid off. Despite the wellin a classroom, but as a living, publicised drop in results nationally breathing dramatic production. to bring them back in line with The performances a class pre-Covid levels, thewere Whitgift resounding success, with parents of 2023 still achieved outstanding remarking on88.7% the exceptional grades, with of results at quality and fun they witnessed.

A*-B level and 59.1% at A* or A; 50 One parent said,gained “It wasallsuch boys out of 140 A* ora treat to see them having such A grades. And finally the GCSEs. fun – and son talked nonAgain, the my national press coverage stop on the way home – which portended doom and gloom, but was so much Anotherin the again this was fun.” not reflected parent of was thoroughly results Whitgift boys, impressed with 88.5% by results the students, commenting, of at 9-7 and 67.6% at 9-8.

“Congratulations on a fantastic The school is extremely proud of all performance...I impressed its exam cohorts:was vincit qui patitur! with the boys of all the classes on and off the Exam stage.

Very figures correct as of 27.9.23 professionally done.” Tragedy, comedy… this is an evening that has it all and an event that is increasingly becoming intertwined with Whitgift’s history!

Not to be outdone, the Music Department also put the boys through their paces in a series of concerts and competitions. To give you an insight into just how much the music staff do with the

India as well as some wonderful opportunities for staff skill transfer and collaboration.”

Whitgift will not be responsible for the day-to-day running of the school but will provide quality assurance to the project and will be acting as a curriculum advisor alongside supporting with school systems and processes and providing guidance on extracurricular activities.

NEW SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP IN INDIA Whitgift has recently entered a partnership with Symbiquest, a highly regarded school operator in India to support the opening of a new international school.

Sagebrook school will be in the west of Hyderabad and will offer the International Baccalaureate curriculum framework to up to 2500 students from India and around the world, which is due to open in August 2025.

“We are excited to enter this partnership to support the opening of our first co-branded international school in India,” said Mr Ramsey, Headmaster of Whitgift. “India is a vibrant and growing economy, and we know that there is a strong demand for a high-quality education here. Our new partnership will see Whitgift in India and will most certainly result in reciprocal benefits for both students in the UK and

With further schools in India expected to follow, this partnership also provides a great benefit to Whitgift’s UK bursary programme through its significant contribution to Whitgift For All. Updates on this project will be posted on the school website.

David Bates, Director of International welcomed on a recent visit to Suchitra Academy, one of the leading educational institutes in Hyderabad, also operated by new partner Symbiquest.

Director of International, Mr David Bates commented “As with Whitgift in the UK, students will have the opportunity to achieve beyond what they thought possible academically and participate in sports, music, drama, and other clubs and societies. The school will also have a strong focus on internationalism, and the opportunity to learn about different cultures and languages – something of immense importance our increasingly global market.”

W FA N E WS | 19

SCHOOL FROM THENews ARCHIVES COMMUNITY SUMMER SCHOOL Kerry Mason Course Director For two weeks in July Whitgift opened its doors to a record number of Year 5 pupils from the borough of Croydon for our 4th annual Community Summer School.

Over two one-week programmes, pupils got the opportunity to participate in lots of curricular and extra-curricular activities designed to challenge their innate curiosity, get them thinking critically, find new passions, and build confidence.

From a core offering of English, Maths and Science, to Art,

It has been a genuine pleasure getting to know so many enthusiastic and lively children from our local area, and to see their confidence and skills blossom over the week. We already can’t wait for next year and look forward to seeing some of these pupils at future community events and programmes.

Feedback from parents included:

Business, Mandarin, Philosophy, Fencing, Dance and more, pupils Swallows and Amazons had an action-packed timetable and With Michaelmas culminating thoroughly enjoyedterm themselves. with the Sixth Form play, The At the end of each week, we Caucasian Chalk Circle (commented celebrated with an afternoon of upon in the previous edition), problem solving and team building Lent an term saw the younger with external provider. thespians take their turn with the Juniorthan School and More 30 play, staff Swallows and 20 Sixth Amazons, and the annual Second Form volunteers came together Form evening. to runShakespeare the programme, working The former was a charming with over 220 students from 31 and nostalgic look at childhood local primary schools across the adventures that evoked fond feat two weeks. It was a fantastic memories for students, staff, and of enthusiasm, fun and adventure parents alike.

A large cast ranging in which everyone felt they were from Lower First to Third Form making a really positive difference played out the actionand involving to so many children their pirates, treasure, sailing and families in the local community.

10 6 | W FA N E WS 2

> My daughter had an absolutely fantastic time and learnt things she would never otherwise had the opportunity to, such as fencing, camping. set this play apart which she What thoroughly enjoyed.

She from others which had gone also made some new friends which before, though, was the fact it was directed not by a member of staff, but by a Sixth Form student, Oscar Robinson. Directing a junior cast is a hard enough proposition for an experienced member of staff, let alone a Sixth Former preparing for his A-Level mocks, but Oscar took the challenge on with aplomb. He commented “When I saw the opportunity to direct a Junior Years production, I seized it immediately. I knew I was never going to get an opportunity like this ever again. A

play like Swallows and Amazons is incredibly necessary at a place like Whitgift, as in an ever-changing modern, screen-dependent world it is important for us as students to remember and reflect upon childhood and the adventure of it.” Three packed out audiences in the Performing was a bonus. All Arts in all,Centre a greatwere certainly inand agreement! experience she even wanted to attend the second week!

February also saw the long standing (I played mean Oberon > Henry was a littlea nervous about myself back 1990!) school Secondand attending theinsummer Form Shakespeare thought it would be Evening just like going go “school” ahead. Every Form to for theSecond week. However English class put on a 20-minute after his first day, he changed his production a Shakespeare mind!

He hasofhad a really enjoyable play, meaning that every experience and made lots boy of in the year got He thehas opportunity to new friends. enjoyed the experience the bard not as a text fantastic learning whilst also having in a with classroom, but aswere a living, fun it. The staff very breathing dramatic production. welcoming and the whole week was The performances were this a is a so well organised. I think resounding success, with parents brilliant opportunity for any child remarking on the be exceptional and will definitely interested in quality and they witnessed. enrolling myfun daughter when she is One parent in Year 5. said, “It was such a treat to see them having such fun andenjoyed my son summer talked non> My– son school. stop on the way home – which He was able to meet the teachers, was so much fun.”

Another new friends and imagine himself as parent was thoroughly impressed a future Whitgiftian. He said lunch by the students, commenting, was great and lessons were good “Congratulations on a fantastic with lots of teacher support. performance...I was impressed with the boys of all the classes on and off the stage. Very professionally done.” Tragedy, comedy… this is an evening that has it all and an event that is increasingly becoming intertwined with Whitgift’s history!

Not to be outdone, the Music Department also put the boys through their paces in a series of concerts and competitions. To give you an insight into just how much the music staff do with the

WHITGIFT INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL John Chisholm Short Courses Marketing Manager Whitgift International Summer School ran for a total of six weeks this summer and was a roaring success. With 239 international students attending from a total of 26 countries including Japan, China, France, Germany, Turkey, Italy, Spain Hong Kong, Switzerland and Latvia. With 80 students from Whitgift and Old Palace also taking part, the student body was as wonderfully diverse as ever.

Students took part in either our Intensive General English Course or our Pre-IB Programme. The visiting international students had subject specific lessons in the morning followed by afternoon project-based lessons with

Whitgift boys and Old Palace girls. In the project-based lessons, students worked in groups before presenting their work in front of the school on Friday afternoon.

This part of the summer school was a fantastic opportunity for Whitgift and Old Palace pupils to meet students from around the world and learn about one another’s culture and backgrounds and develop their ‘soft’ or ‘human’ skills at the same time.

Once lessons were over, the students took part in a busy cocurricular programme from 16:30 – 21:30, with breaks of course, including dinner!

On Wednesday afternoons and Saturdays, the international students visited famous sights and cities in the south of England.

Some of the trip highlights this year included: Brighton & the i360 tower, Canterbury and its Cathedral, Thorpe Park, Buckingham Palace, London Eye, Harry Potter World, and Oxford, which featured punting and a visit to Christchurch College.

For Whitgift families interested in hosting a student, information will be circulated just before the Easter holidays.

W FA N E WS | 21

SCHOOL FROM THENews ARCHIVES RISE OF BADMINTON Peter Power Over the last five years Badminton has grown from strength to strength, achieving great things and building year on year. Badminton was new to the Whitgift rackets programme in 2018, it has evolved from having no team or fixtures to having 11 teams, with 16 fixtures since the beginning of this school year.

Since the start of the school term, we have seen over 200 pupils attending badminton sessions, all of these have improved their skills and techniques, expressing an interest in competing and improving. I have seen all these pupils grow in confidence and develop a passion for Badminton since joining the programme.

In 2019/2020 we entered two teams into the National Badminton Schools’ Competition, where we saw the Whitgift teams play some

fantastic Badminton, making it to the finals in the local round where we lost by only a few points.

Nationals have not been able to run since, so this year we entered four teams into a new tournament, The London and South East Badminton Cup. The Under 14 teams reached the last 16, gaining great experience at competing in a competitive tournament and are excited to go further and enter new tournaments in the future.

The Under 16 A’s have reached the final, winning 5 rounds and displayed some top-quality Badminton on route to the final. The B team, reached the quarter finals, winning 3 rounds and showed they have great determination and are eager to make it to the finals next time. All teams played exceptionally well and should be extremely proud of themselves.

An Under 19 Badminton League was also newly formed this year,

FROM THE ARCHIVES With Michaelmas term culminating camping. What set this play apart Swallows and Amazons

with the Sixth Form play, The Caucasian Chalk SIGNALLING TOCircle ALL (commented VISITORS BEARING GIFTS… upon in the previous edition), Lent morning term sawatthe One theyounger beginning Occasionally, a telephone thespians take their with the of May, we had two turn students, call is received which makes Junior School play, and Swallows and Thomas Lofthouse Henry an archivist’s job even more Amazons, and the annual Second Brown, both in the CCF – satisfying than it already is. One Form Shakespeare Thomas, the Drum evening.

Major – came such call in November 2022 was The former was a charming struggling through our door with from Claire Hills who asked if nostalgic lookheavy at childhood aand large and quite wooden there was any interest in some adventures that evoked frame; mounted within afond selection items of memorabilia relating to memories students, staff, and of OTC andfor CCF insignia, including her late father, Keith Norman parents alike.

A large cast ranging a delightful large material Johnceline, OW, 1937-43. She from Lower First to Third Form covered shield resplendent with hoped to head down to Croydon played out the action involving a metal cap badge of the 1st from her home in Suffolk to meet pirates, treasure, sailing The and Bttn Volunteer Brigade, up with her sister, Nikki and would be bringing the items with 12 6 | her 2 W F Aso N Ethey W S could drop them off at the School.

from others which had gone before, though, was the fact it was directed not by a member of staff, but by a Sixth Form student, Oscar Robinson. Directing a junior cast is a hard enough proposition for an experienced member of staff, let alone a Sixth Former preparing for his A-Level mocks, but Oscar took the challenge on with aplomb.

He commented Queen’s (The Queen’s Royal “WhenSurrey) I saw the opportunity to (West Regiment) – above direct a Junior Years production, it, a metal circular token with the I seized it immediately.

I knew arms of the Grammar School, Ithen was anever going to get an and red woven ‘Queen’s’ opportunity likeBeneath, this everthe again.

A just below, 1V. word Keith Johnceline in RN uniform c1945-46.

an ‘S’ badge on the arm signifying ‘Supply’; we have his naval cap as seen in the photograph. We also

the team and are Amazons currently is playWhitgift like Swallows unbeaten this league, incredibly in necessary at awith place like more matches to come along with Whitgift, as in an ever-changing future success, I am sure. world modern, screen-dependent it is important for us as students Badminton is and quickly becoming to remember reflect upon childhood and the adventure a popular part of the rackets of it.” Three packed out programme, seeing 54audiences pupils in the Performing Arts Centre were competing in external fixtures certainly agreement! this year. in Along with our Year 6 players forming a team for the February sawinthe long first time, also playing external standing (I played a mean Oberon fixtures, and achieving a win myself back in School.

1990!) Second against Trinity The teams Form Shakespeare Evening and players should be immensely go ahead.

Everythey Second proud of what haveForm achieved English class put on a 20-minute since the start of the Badminton production ofand a Shakespeare programme, we look forward play, meaning that every boy to building on the success wein the year got the opportunity to have already achieved. experience the bard not as a text in a classroom, but as a living, breathing dramatic production.

The performances were a resounding success, with parents remarking on the exceptional quality and fun they witnessed.

One parent said, “It was such a treat to see them having such fun – and my son talked nonstop on the way home – which was so much fun.” Another parent was thoroughly impressed by the students, commenting, “Congratulations on a fantastic performance...I was impressed Bisley and the neatly embroidered more wonderful additions to the with the boys of all the classes arms of Whitgift Grammar School.

Archive including two books on on and the off the stage.

Veryon Below, smaller shield, the History of Whitgift School by professionally done.”

Tragedy, each side are two scrolls with the my predecessor, the late Freddie comedy… this is 1905 an evening that dates 1904 and to match Percy; one published in 1976 and has it all and an event that is those at the top, each to the side the second, and updated edition increasingly becoming intertwined of the red wording – 1901 and in 1990. A well-preserved copy with Whitgift’s history!

1902. Considering its age, it is in of Notes on the Whitgift Hospital, remarkably good condition other 1923 (the edition, 100 years Not to be outdone, the Music than a couple of darker patches old!), Whitgift School and North Department also putlabelling the boys where it is believed may Field, a fine print of a sketch by through their paces in a series of have at one time, been attached. the artist Donald Stephen Odom, concerts and competitions. To OW (1964-68) and of course, the give you an insight just how Other items includeinto shoulder photograph mentioned earlier much the music Bisley staff do with the flashes, another badge/patch of Keith and his fellow cadets of Class 241.

When Claire and Nikki looked through some family photograph

In Memoriam with the same coat of arms as on the shield mentioned earlier, more metal ‘lamb’ badges and a rather nice finial (or cap) that came from a swagger stick – a short cane (often rattan) signifying a badge of office or rank – in use during the early part of the 20th century and topped and tailed with a silver cap; the top usually showing a regimental badge. We are lucky enough to have a separate swagger stick with the same Cadet Corps details including the Grammar School’s coat of arms.

cadets would have done some training at RAF Croydon (otherwise known as Croydon Airport, but in WWII was a satellite of Biggin Hill and Kenley and in use by 72, 92 and 111 Fighter Squadrons amongst others. It was also a base for RAF Transport Command. I have a 1945 photo of a large group of Command personnel standing Another piece of splendid in front of a Dakota aircraft in RN Cadets, Royalis Arthur, ClassAir 241.Ministry Keith seated second row up, second from my own collection – right. there might memorabilia a 1938 issued Aldis lamp, which was even be an OW amongst them.

Note: We are always keen to where he stayed widely issued anduntil usedretirement for photographs OWs beckoned and he was to become signalling, particularly by the RAF Iobtain have yet to find outofmore who were in the the CCF Services in the kindly gentleman loved and Royal Navy, usingwho morse – about when received WWI and WWII – especially village life and was for many it was a very useful method of this particular Aldis lamp. If those wearing military uniform years Wenhaston’s sending messages to(Suffolk) a shoreLocal any OW has a recollection – and those who the History Recorder and keen author station or ship and often safer of its ownership I were wouldinbe Korean War and conflicts – he even contributed to local delighted to hear from you. since.

Please do get touch history websites. How fitting that And if you happen toinhave an withphotograph the Archivist if youaway are he should retire to Suffolk – the old tucked interested gifting such name associated with the Navy in a family in album showing photographs or willing warship he served aboard all it in use (especially if attothe provide high quality those years ago… airport) even better! scanned As it still images (300dpi/600dpi has its original serial number TIFFs or JPGS).

Email:an OW Thank you to Claire and Nikki – 203254 – perhaps whitgiftarchive@whitgift.co.uk for providing some very happy can tell me exactly when it was memories of your late father and issued to the CCF. than by telephone or radio. The for making sureinthat a partwooden of his lamp is housed a sturdy life remains forever, Whitgift. box, felt lined.

The lamp is stillThe Do please look through those donated items are a wonderful used by the Combined Cadet boxes hidden in the loft or reminder of how much he enjoyed Force, most recently at the Annual at the back of a cupboard being at Inspection the School (AGI) but also, of his and see if there is any similar General so may brief Naval career.

Whitgift OTC/CCF memorabilia well be loaned back from time-toready to be unearthed. If your time in the future! family albums happen to have photographs of former Whitgift What is of interest is the RAF issue students and staff wearing label still attached to the box. On Service uniform or even on it, it refers to 1807 Squadron which visits to Croydon Airport, as a I believe was later amalgamated member of the RAF Section or but at the time of issue was 1807 just on a day trip, then I would Squadron (Mitcham) Wing. It is be delighted to hear from you. quite likely that Whitgift’s RAF

WITH SADNESS WE REPORT THE PASSING OF THE FOLLOWING OLD WHITGIFTIANS APRIL 2023 David 2023 V Malempre JUNE (OW 1961-1968) Robert A Brown (Bob) Died 7 April, aged 73 (Staff 1960-1990) Died 1 June Robert A L Phipps (OW 1942-1949) Died 17 April, aged 90 Michael E Absalom (OW 1937-1945) Died 1 June, aged 96 MARCH 2023 John FCTrott David Kirk (OW 1947-1956) Died 11 March, aged 85 (OW 1957-1964) Died 11 June, aged 75 Anthony M Burrage (OW 1946-54) Died 14 March, aged 86 Armand De Mestral (OW 1953-1959) Ian A16 R Galer Died June, (OW aged 1960-1967) 81 Died 24 March, aged 73

AUGUST 2023 FEBRUARY 2023(OW 1962-1970) Travis G McCall John L Lowrie (OW 1961-1965) Died 10 August, aged 71 Died 15 February, aged 75 SEPTEMBER 2023 JANUARY 2023 (Staff 1956-1999) John R Branston Robert P De Mestral Died 11ASeptember, aged 91 (OW 1957-1959) Funeral to be held at Croydon Died 2 January, aged 76 Crematorium Mitcham Road Croydon CR9 3AT. East Chapel.

Nigel H 9 Cudlipp 1967-1971) Monday October(OW 2023.

2.15pm Died 4 January, aged 69 Mike Callow (Staff 1990-2008) Keith15 B Harlow (Staff 1961-1994) Died September, aged 69 Died January, aged 88 Stuart D Thomas (Denis) (OW 1948-1956) Died 25 January, aged 84

DECEMBER 2022 Alan P Perry (OW 1943-1948) Died 12 December, aged 91

19 W FA N E WS | 2 3

Forthcoming Events DATE AND TIME

VENUE

RSVP

Founder’s Circle and 1596 Visiting speaker Society Garden Party The Hon. Dr Stuart Lawrence Saturday1317October June 2023 6-7pm, 2023

Whitgift Hall School Concert

By invitation Awaiting final details

Founder’sAlumni House Reunion Whitgift Drinks 10 years Saturday 24 JuneKong 2023 Reception Hong 12 October Noon – 3pm 17 2023

Whitgift The HongSchool Kong Club

Annual Reunion forService the Classes Remembrance Day of 2013, 2003,2023 1993, 1983, 10 November 1973, 1963, 1953, 1943 SundayAutumn 10 September 2023 Music Collection Concert Oxbridge Dinner 29 November 2002 Saturday 30 September 2023 School Play – ‘Twelfth Night’ 6, 7 and 8 December 2023

Whitgift School

Corpus Christi College, Oxford Big School

FOUNDER’S CIRCLE Leaving a gift in your By invitation For details and RSVP information visit will is one of the most https://www.whitgift.co.uk/my-whitgift/alumni/ personal ways of events/hong-kong-drinks-reception supporting the School. will 10.15am. recognise your Wefrom By invitation Tea and Coffee served in Big School by inviting generosity Service 11am. you to membership of the Founder’s Circle.

More information to follow To find out more, please contact alumni@whitgift.co.uk alumni@whitgift.co.uk call 020 8633 9922 ordetails Visit www.whigift.co.uk for further

Carol Service 14 December 2023

Croydon Minster

Visit www.whigift.co.uk for further details

Fairfield Halls

WFA News is published termly by the Development Office. If you would like to contribute to a future edition, please email the alumni team at: alumni@whitgift.co.uk Whitgift School Haling Park South Croydon CR2 6YT United Kingdom

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