Message from the Headmaster
What are schools for? General
Sir Peter Wall, Old Whitgiftian, made me think about this when he spoke so powerfully in Big School recently. He touched on many things, but in passing he reflected on the way it was his membership of the school CCF and especially his love of sport at Whitgift that ultimately led him to become the British Army’s Chief of General Staff. This reminded me how often enthusiasms discovered at school shape the rest of our lives in ways we can never predict.
At the end of last term, a pupil of mine from forty years ago came back to visit. He loved Whitgift today for everything he remembered about it from so long ago – but he was proud to see the changes, too. As we discussed his life since I had last seen him, he told me of the impact on business of AI and suggested it might well prove the single biggest change in our lifetimes. We are constantly refining our school’s response to what is both a challenge and an opportunity, but we also need to remember why we do some things the way we have always done them.
Good schools have always prepared for jobs that don’t yet exist, not by trying to read the future, but by finding a thousand doorways into the same brain. Some doors open, and some don’t. A boy who learns Latin or Japanese vocabulary is not just learning words he may never speak again; he is stimulating his mind, his capacity for memory, thought and pattern. He is facing a difficulty and
overcoming it. He is also learning something about culture and the nuances of different worlds from his own. He is learning about humanity, and so he is learning about himself.
Lessons that are invisible or unheard happen all the time, as they always have at Whitgift. Working out the day-to-day challenges of friendship, fall-outs and reconciliations; learning how to be a compassionate member of a big community; learning the self-discipline of homework; understanding that the more we put into something, the more we get out of it… Sport, music and drama; CCF, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and outdoor pursuits; friendship and assemblies; trips and school lunch; conversation and debate: these things “form” the boys in our care just as much as maths and history lessons. We are not just teaching children; we are helping to shape their lives.
The Whitgift ship sails on, now well into the fifth century of its great voyage, with its infinitely precious cargo of boys all looking over the bow and beginning to imagine their own destination.
I mentioned in the last newsletter that we were due to have an ISI Inspection, which has finally happened and made for an exciting final week of last term with 11 inspectors visiting to find out more about what makes Whitgift special. We won’t know the formal outcome for some time, although the conversations were very encouraging. The boys and
staff managed to find improbable energy and good nature given we were at the end of what had begun to seem an infinitely extending term!
Thank you, to all Old Whitgiftians, for continuing to make me feel welcome. I have been really struck by how determined the Whitgift family is to pull together, to look after each other, and to make the whole place work as well as it can, and your support in this has been invaluable.
I am seeing the sun shining on the Andrew Quadrangle as I type, with polite boys gently fending off ill-bred peacocks who are trying to steal their sandwiches. Not for the first time, I realise how much I will miss this place next year!
Andrew Halls Headmaster (Academic year 2024-25)
WHITGIFT FOR ALL NEWS
Andy Marlow Assistant Head (Partnerships and Development)
My highlight of the Lent Term was spending an afternoon touring the School with General Sir Peter Wall (OW 1965-1973) during which he had many conversations with current Whitgiftians. I won’t forget the instance in which an impertinent First Former asked the former Chief of General Staff if he had fought in the Second World War or Sir Peter’s immediate response of ‘How many press ups can you do?!’
It has been a pleasure to host so many OWs back at Haling Park either for events or for individual visits, and we are always delighted to have OWs back to visit. Please email alumni@whitgift.co.uk to arrange a time to come back if you would like to. It was also great to see so many familiar faces at our second annual Under 30s drinks at London Bridge. This continues to be a well-attended event, and it is lovely to hear the stories of life since leaving Whitgift.
Thank you to those of you who have signed up for Whitgift Connect, our platform which allows you to connect with other OWs as well as mentor current Sixth Form students. Many of our students have reached out to OWs to ask for career guidance and we very much appreciate the time you invest in supporting them.
Our fundraising efforts for Whitgift For All continue with this year’s Whitgift Giving Day on 25 and 26 June. The aim of this 36-hour fundraising marathon is
to make a significant difference in allowing more deserving boys to attend the School. We really hope you will consider supporting this initiative. Every donation really does count, and we look forward to sharing more information as we approach the event.
Some Old Whitgiftians ask us about the need to fundraise for bursaries given the apparent wealth of the John Whitgift Foundation (JWF). In answer, JWF are indeed wealthy in terms of assets, much of which is in the form of property in Croydon, but the return on their investments has been static at best for some time, which has led to the grants available to fund bursaries at Whitgift being frozen. This means that in real terms, as fees increase with inflationary (and other government imposed!) pressures, we are simply able to offer fewer bursaries each year. This is the main reason that Whitgift For All was set up as a separate charity to fundraise and ensure that bursary provision is secured for future generations.
Despite these challenges, we are grateful to JWF for supporting our partnership work with local primary schools, which was at risk of closure given the budgetary cuts we have had to make in response to VAT, Business Rates and National Insurance changes. JWF have committed to underwriting the costs of these for the foreseeable future, meaning that thousands of boys and girls from primary schools can benefit from a small experience of Whitgift each year and that Whitgift For All can focus on supporting bursary places.
We remain grateful for any support you can give, whether that is by meeting and inspiring our students, or donating so that others can receive a Whitgift educational experience. Thank you also to those who have responded to our legacy campaign to indicate that they would like to leave a gift in their will to Whitgift For All, which is a great (and tax efficient) way of supporting boys in years to come. The good news is that the Whitgift For All endowment is now funding a First Former on a full bursary and will continue to do so through his Whitgift career. He is doing very well indeed, both academically and in his co-curricular contributions, and we hope that with your generosity we will be able to recruit more talented and deserving boys like him.
I look forward to seeing many of you at some of our summer events and reunions.
25-26 June 2025
WEST END STAR INSPIRES STUDENTS
Emily Spedding Head of Academic Drama
We were thrilled to welcome Geddy Stringer back to School in March. Geddy generously delivered a transformative workshop to the lead roles cast in our upcoming production, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical .
His expert guidance in acting through song significantly boosted the participants' confidence and brought a remarkable believability to their performances. It was an inspiring experience that left
FOUNDER'S DAY SERVICE
FRIDAY 21 MARCH 2024
The annual Founder's Day service once again honoured the legacy of the School’s Founder, Archbishop John Whitgift.
To mark the occasion, staff and Sixth Formers wore a white flower, a tradition linked to Queen Elizabeth I’s nickname for Whitgift, "White Gift." Shakespeare, whose official Censor was Whitgift, is also said to have used this nickname.
The day began with a service at Whitgift Chapel, led by The Revd Canon Dr. Andrew Bishop. Following this, the Lower Sixth Formers and staff gathered at Croydon Minster for the annual Founder’s Day service. They were joined by staff from across the John Whitgift Foundation and welcomed by the distinguished presence of Whitgift’s Corps of Drums.
everyone feeling empowered and ready to shine on stage.
Geddy is currently in the World Tour of Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular which arrives in Australia in late April before heading to Japan in June.
For the third consecutive year, the School’s Corps of Drums invited the Old Whitgiftian Corps of Drums to join them in the parade. Dressed in their traditional scarlet attire, now proudly adorned with the Fusiliers badge, the School paraded alongside the Old Whitgiftians who wore their timeless Queen’s Regiment blazers
paired with their old school Corps of Drums ties, a tribute to their enduring connection with Whitgift.
To celebrate 120 Years of the Corps of Drums there will be a special concert at Whitgift on Saturday 7 June 2025 featuring past and present members followed by lunch.
GENERAL SIR PETER WALL DELIVERS HIGHLY TOPICAL SPRING LECTURE
This year’s Whitgift For All Spring Lecture brought General Sir Peter Wall (OW 1965-73) back to School.
Sir Peter generously spent time with students during the day, sharing his wealth of knowledge and experiences before delivering a highly topical and thoughtprovoking talk titled ‘Geo-politics in a Fast-Moving World: Is the Global Order Crumbling?’
Drawing on his extensive experience at the top of the British Army, Sir Peter offered a fascinating perspective on current political issues around the world and their implications for the UK.
WHITGIFT STAFF AND UNDER 30S REUNITE AT THE HORNIMAN AT HAYS
On Wednesday 12 February, Whitgift staff were thrilled to welcome around 100 OWs under the age 30 to The Horniman at Hays pub in London Bridge for a really fun reunion.
There was a great show from staff members, including Adrian ‘Noggy’ Norris, ‘Wardy’, ‘Webby’, Simon Beck, Andy Hunt, Aly Osborne, Kate Goldberg, Andy Marlow, and Ross Munro to name but a few. They were delighted to reconnect with leavers from the past decade and hear about their journeys since leaving Whitgift.
His talk captivated the audience, explaining complex global geopolitics but delivered with humour and personality.
Sir Peter willingly answered audience questions, creating a lively and interactive discussion
It was a great atmosphere with lots of laughter and nostalgia as OWs shared stories of their time at Whitgift and gave updates on
that enriched the event for everyone.
The event raised £4,000 in support of the Whitgift For All Bursary Fund, with a donation also going to Sir Peter’s charity, The Kojak School in Nepal.
their current endeavours. It was a heartwarming experience for both staff and alumni, reinforcing the strong bonds and sense of community that Whitgift fosters.
We look forward seeing everyone again next year for another wonderful evening of connection and celebration. Until then, stay in touch and remember you are always welcome back to school for a visit.
BAKARI AT THE BRIT AWARDS
Bakari Leon (OW 2017-24) enjoyed a night to remember when he was asked to perform at the BRIT Awards this March.
He was approached about a ‘top secret TV gig’ by a youth music organisation called Kinetika Bloco. He had taken part in their summer school back in 2022 and as a result performed with them at several events at the Southbank Centre and the Notting Hill Carnival. Thinking the proposition sounded exciting he agreed, but only later did he discover he would be performing on stage with the Ezra Collective, live at the BRIT Awards at the O2 Arena. Bakari commented ‘Honestly, it
OW KIT CONNOR IN NEW FILM RELEASE
Kit Connor (OW 2015-22) continues his incredible ascent of both stage and screen as he plays Tommy in the major new war film Warfare which opened last month. Directed by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza, the story is adapted from Mendoza's own memories of his time serving in the Iraq invasion.
Warfare tells the story of a platoon of American Navy SEALs in the home of an Iraqi family, overwatching the movement of US forces through insurgent territory. Described by the makers as ‘A visceral, boots-on-the-ground story of modern warfare, told like never before: in real time and based on the memory of the people who lived it.’ The film has received widespread critical
was so much fun, the amount of joy emanating from the stage and the audience was just amazing. I loved every second of it and would do it again at the drop of a hat.’
As the first-ever jazz group to perform at the BRIT Awards in its 45-year history, Ezra Collective delivered an electrifying set with Jorja Smith, bringing their signature fusion of jazz, Afrobeat, and London’s vibrant musical cultures to a national stage. The landmark performance had the entire O2 Arena on its feet, a fitting celebration for a band redefining what jazz can be.
To top off the night the London based jazz quintet won the BRIT Awards Best Group of the Year.
acclaim with the Daily Telegraph calling it ‘the most harrowing and honest depiction of modern combat ever made’.
Kit Connor shared in a recent interview that the film had
stretched him as an actor commenting ‘I'd never been on a project where so much was expected of us, and we expected so much of ourselves." Warfare is showing in cinemas nationwide.
ADAM FIELD
ABBEY APPOINTMENT
Adam Field (OW 2018-20) has been appointed as the new SubOrganist and Assistant Director of Music at Bath Abbey.
Adam who was an organ scholar at Whitgift, is currently the organ scholar at Exeter Cathedral, where he is a member of the musical team who prepare and
deliver seven choral services per week, which includes playing the organ and the training of the 40 cathedral choristers.
SPORTING LEGENDS BACK AT SCHOOL
It was wonderful to see a wealth of OW sporting talent return to School in recent weeks.
As part of a generous auction prize for the Senior Rugby Tour to Canada this summer, Conor Slevin, Jake Murray, George Hammond, and Sean Kerr from Harlequins graciously led a superb training session for the U13 and U15 teams. The boys were thrilled to receive professional guidance from the OWs, who also began their rugby journey on Big Side.
Just a week later, a wave of basketball talent returned to School for the All Stars vs. Whitgift game. The OWs included Adam Green, Bradley Cebreiro,
Adam is a recent graduate of Selwyn College, Cambridge, where he held the Percy Young Senior Organ Scholarship and read Music, graduating with a double First. During his time at Cambridge, he played in concerts and services across the country and internationally, including live on BBC Radio 3 and on Radio 4. He also played the organ and piano for four professional recordings and in his third year at Cambridge, he combined his
At Bath Adam will play the magnificent Klais organ for all services accompanying the Abbey choirs and he will be directing the Melody Makers, a choir of children aged 6-11, and the adult Chamber Choir. We hope any OWs visiting Bath get an opportunity to hear Adam play and we wish him well for this exciting new chapter.
Segun Oyebanjo, William Henderson, Azariah Kazibwe, Shanthan Sivshankar, R'Mello Hamilton, and Matheus Nudelman. Staff member and OW David Powell, along with Sports Centre Deputy Manager Rolandas Rimsa also joined the team. In a nailbiting match, the Whitgift team claimed a narrow victory with a final score of 62-61.
If other sporting OWs would like to return to School to coach, play, or simply say hello to staff, please get in touch at alumni@whitgift.co.uk duties at Selwyn with the organ scholarship for King’s Voices, King’s College’s mixed-voice choir, for whom he played Evensong once a week in its iconic chapel. As well as playing the organ, he has recently had his first composition published and tutors on singing courses with The Rodolfus Foundation and The Oxford and Cambridge Singing School.
WHITGIFT ADMISSIONS
BUCK THE TREND POST
VAT INCREASE
Simon Beck Registrar
The imposition of VAT on school fees has led to one of the toughest periods in the history of UK independent school admissions. Despite this, Whitgift has not only met but exceeded its target numbers at all entry points for September 2025. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the hard work of the Whitgift Admissions team.
This success is particularly noteworthy given that many schools have seen a significant drop in applications this year, as families struggle with increased fees. The Labour Government's new policy on taxing private education, a move not mirrored anywhere else in the world, has forced some independent schools to close and left many unable to meet their new student targets. This is likely to put additional pressure on the state school system, with rising student
numbers but no corresponding increase in budget for staffing, facilities, or new schools, potentially leading to larger class sizes in some areas.
Whitgift’s success can be attributed to several factors, including outstanding leadership and the excitement surrounding the arrival of new Head Toby Seth in September. The Times ' league tables have reinforced the school’s strong academic reputation, while the six major national sporting titles won this year and the high calibre of recent drama and music performances have showcased the breadth of Whitgift’s offering, further attracting new families. Additionally, Whitgift has worked diligently to ensure that the full 20% VAT charge has not been passed on to parents, keeping fees as competitive as possible.
The quality of the new intake for September remains as high as ever, promising continued success for the School.
Vincit Qui Patitur!
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.
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 out more, please contact alumni@whitgift.co.uk or call 020 8633 9922
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR OWS IN 2025
AN EVENING OF CRICKET AT THE KIA OVAL
Friday 20 June 2025 at 6pm
Simon Beck and the Whitgift Cricket Department are delighted to be hosting our second Evening of Cricket on Friday 20 June 2025 at The Kia Oval in support of the Whitgift For All Bursary Fund.
Last year’s inaugural event was a fantastic occasion, and we look forward to bringing together cricket enthusiasts from the entire Whitgift community once more for a relaxed, social evening in aid of a good cause.
This year’s event will be the Surrey v Middlesex T20 match on Friday 20 June 2025. We have
TONY PERCY TALK – ‘THE CAMBRIDGE FIVE AND THE WHITGIFT CONNECTION’
Friday 12 September 2025 at 6pm Raeburn Library, Whitgift School
Sixty years after the Soviet spy Kim Philby defected to Moscow, the activities of him and his four treacherous colleagues continue to hold a fascination over the British public.
How he managed to stay unprosecuted for so long has been a constant mystery.
Another untold story is the connection of several Whitgiftians – including one schoolmaster –with his antics and those of his cohorts. Dr Antony Percy has performed some ground-breaking
exclusive use of the John Major Room and Terrace giving an ideal position to watch the cricket and there will almost certainly be OWs playing on the night, as the
research into the processes by which Philby, Burgess, Maclean, Blunt and Cairncross were protected or allowed to stay employed by British intelligence. He reveals the cover-ups and delusions that characterized the whole sorry tale and weaves it together by showing what the Whitgift contribution to the saga was. We are delighted that OW Dr Percy will be returning to the School to share this intriguing story. All proceeds to Whitgift For All Bursary Fund.
TICKETS: £15
BOOK TICKETS HERE
current Surrey squad includes five old boys!
TICKETS: £59
BOOK TICKETS HERE
OW ANNUAL DINNER
Friday 10 October 2025 at 7pm Royal Airforce Club, Piccadilly
The highlight of the OW calendar – Thanks to OW Graham Leeke, this year’s dinner will take place in the glorious surroundings of the RAF Club.
The evening will include a drinks reception and a three-course dinner with wine and coffee.
This will be a fantastic opportunity to catch up with fellow OWs and also meet our new Headmaster Toby Seth. Why not get a table to together from your year group?
TICKETS: £100
BOOK TICKETS HERE
INTERVIEW WITH ARMINDER
DHILLON (OW 2014-19)
Interview by Oscar and Rami, Lower Sixth Form
Arminder Dhillon’s entrepreneurial flair was obvious at a very young age, but after securing Dragon Den’s investment at just 15 years old his Boot Buddy business has become a global success. Sixth Formers Oscar and Rami caught up with Arminder when he recently visited Whitgift to find out more about his extraordinary story.
When did you first come up with the idea of the Boot Buddy and how has it evolved?
Boot Buddy was first born when I was about 11 years old. I used to play a lot of football, training three times a week, with a game on a Sunday as well. I never liked cleaning my shoes and my football boots. I'd always have running water from a tap or outdoor hose pipe and a brush to scrub off the main bits of mud and muck, and then a plastic knife just to get in between the studs and grooves of my boots, trainers or cricket spikes. So, trying to find a better solution I taped a dishwashing brush to the cap end of a 500 ml water bottle. On the other end I taped a plastic knife. I would quickly scramble to open the lid, throw out the water and scrub it. Close the lid and then scrape with the knife. It was all a bit awkward, but it got me thinking how I could
make it into a functioning product. So, I took it to my parents. They kind of laughed it off and said, ‘Nah, this is not a real idea’. About two or three years later my brother and I did a Dragon’s Den type pitch to my parents. My parents’ background is fish and chips, so manufacturing, production, e-commerce wasn’t their area, but they said, ‘look, if you're serious about starting this as a business, we will offer you a loan’. The initial loan was £10,000. As time went by the figure was more like £250,000 because as we grew, we needed more capital, and they were our Angel Investors. So, when there was a new expense, we'd have to justify it and once they were satisfied, then like a true investor, they would release funds. We went through the manufacturing process starting in the UK, moving across to Europe and then eventually ending up in China. The original Boot Buddy still goes strong, but the biggest issue with our product is it's really reliable and durable. So, once people buy it, they don't come back for another five years. To tackle this, we’ve developed other products. We have a new product called the 3.0 which cleans multiple types of shoes and materials. The heads are detachable and replaceable so that is bringing people back to purchase more heads. We also have the Paw Buddy, which is for dogs and cats which incorporates a fur combing tool to clean between long and short fur.
Lastly, we have the Sizzle Buddy, which was born out of my mum and dad's fish and chip shop as a solution for removing the charred bits of chicken and lamb from the grill. We put stainless-steel
bristle on the front and a metal scraper on the back. But having gone through different markets, it transpired that US customers don't like stainless steel bristles because they are concerned that if any stainless-steel wire comes off, they may risk consuming it. So, we changed to nylon bristles, which work just as well, although it required extensive testing to find nylon that doesn't mesh under heat, but now we've perfected it.
What made you choose to take your idea to Dragon’s Den? If you had to go back, would you do the same again?
We applied as a bit of a joke. I know that sounds ridiculous to say, but my family and I weren't really that keen on going on television, but a lot of people had commented that the Boot Budd y was something you'd see on Dragons De n. We thought there was no harm in applying and if we got rejected it really didn’t matter. 6 or 7 months went by when we got a call from a lady called Natalie at the BBC asking us to come to the old BBC building in Shepherds Bush. So, my mum brother and I went along and were asked to pitch to a small camera, as if we were in the real Dragon’s Den. We waited another 3-4 months, and got a call to say the producers of the show really liked our story. They liked the product, and one of them was already a customer of ours, so I think that helped us across the line. They needed to do background checks to ensure we weren’t criminals and that our business was legitimate, as at the end of the day, it is a real investment. Whilst there is a drama aspect for TV, there is a real amount
of money that gets put into the company for a real amount of equity. When it came to filming, I was super nervous. I remember I had my Whitgift sports bag with me containing all our products for the pitch. Natalie, our contact at the BBC, noticed the logo on the bag and revealed her husband was an OW. It really relaxed me as we started talking about School and his time there too. It was great having that conversation before going in. Then of course the show happened, and we got the deal. It was a case of throwing our hat out there and seeing if it worked. We didn't have our hearts set on being on the show, but luck brought it to us.
Would I change it? No. It really sharpened me up. Firstly, the contract. You have someone saying, ‘right, you need to sign away X amount of your business. Go through the contract. Let us know if you're happy with it’. I had to learn and grow quickly. For example, we had a ‘bad leavers’ clause removed from the contract. It was a hard negotiation, but worth it, as that could have left us really exposed five years down the line. It would have been easy to think at 15/16 years of age, these guys are amazing entrepreneurs, they wouldn't do anything to harm my business or my interests, but you must be mindful that it is a cutthroat world. The Dragons are excellent people, and we still have an amazing relationship with Peter, Deborah and Touker, but I am glad we didn’t blindly assume everyone had our best interests at heart.
Being so young, how did you have the skills to deal with the legal side of things?
Google was the biggest friend I had. AI now makes it a lot easier, but at the time it was a case of Googling different firms, speaking with people and just being honest and saying, ‘I'm not a big business tycoon, I can't afford £800 for an hour of your time, but here's my position and if you could spare any sort of advice, I'd really appreciate it’. There was one firm who agreed to help, and I was surprised because they were based in the City of London, and they were not cheap. The guy who headed it up was called Jonathan and mainly dealt with IP law. Because the product was completely brand new, we had to get a lot of copyrights done in different territories. He gave me an invaluable piece of advice to shade in the drawing of the Boot Buddy. If we hadn’t, someone could have released our product in red and there's nothing we could
have done about it. I'm so grateful that I found the right people.
Did you ever feel like out of place having such big aspirations, when all your other friends were going through the usual motions at School?
There were times where I definitely felt out of place, although I am lucky because I had a good group of friends at Whitgift, many of whom were at my wedding recently. It was like a Whitgift reunion! Naturally there was curiosity from other students about my story and my experiences. Sometimes positive, sometimes maybe not so, but overall, I think I was fine at School. I felt lucky I’d been given the opportunity to be at Whitgift and just wanted to get on and educate myself to a high standard. However, in boardrooms, I felt really out of place. I had meetings
Pictured: Oscar, Arminder Dhillon and Rami
at KPMG with big execs who were clearly thinking ‘this is just a child’. Talking to buyers from Asda, Tesco, Sports Direct was daunting. I think the biggest wakeup call I had was Sports Direct. My brother and I were summoned to their Boardroom above Flannels on Oxford Street. Their buyer was talking about how we needed to push the unit value up for the order. He was suggesting they could make the same product using their Chinese factories for considerably less and was questioning why they should even buy from us. We felt completely out of our depth, we were both really young, but by that time we had sunk a lot of investment into intellectual property. So, we said to him very bravely ‘if you like, try it, but we'll see you in court’. The guy laughed but was quite shocked we’d retaliated.
What was it like balancing schoolwork and business success?
It wasn't easy. School is challenging at the best of times, but it really helped that my teachers were supportive of my project and appreciated that I would need to spend a lot of time outside of School to develop the business and push it further, but they were there to ensure my grades weren't slipping and that I was still fully part of life at Whitgift. I think Whitgift developed me as a young man during that time and instilled the work ethic that I have today - my determination that no matter how big a challenge or task is, I think ‘no, you can do it, just push ahead’.
Balancing DT GCSE coursework with actual professional product design outside of School was hard. I tried a bit of a cop out
and said, ‘can I just use Boot Buddy?’ However, there was no 3D printing in the department at the time, so that wasn’t going to work, and I had to come up with a new product. It was actually great because it just got my creative juices flowing again and took me down different avenues that I hadn’t thought of.
Do you have any particularly fond memories of Whitgift?
I have many fond memories of unofficial football games on Puntabout. Also, going to play fixtures at different schools with my mates. I had a friend called Rushil that I’d known since Year 3 at Newton Prep, and we would always be jumping on the train or bus to go to hockey fixtures. And it was nice to have that release from all the academic work and business work to just switch off, play a game and have a bit of a laugh.
What made you decide to go to university after finishing sixth form?
There are two reasons why I went to uni. The first was a safety net. If the business were to fold in that early stage, I'd need to get a job somewhere. Although not every employer looks for a degree, it demonstrates your discipline and your ability to further your knowledge in that field. The second reason, which perhaps people don't expect me to say, is my parents. They started from nothing, and it was always their aspiration to send their three children to the best schools and make sure they all had a uni degree behind them. When my dad came over from India, he left his dad, who was
running a trucking business, and he started from zero. My parents had a very humble background from sleeping on the floor in someone else's house, before finding jobs and then starting up their fish and chip shop. It was always their aspiration that my brother, sister and I would go to university and achieve that level of higher education. So, I felt like it was my duty to give them that nod of thanks for their incredible support.
If you had to give one piece of advice to anyone considering starting a business, what would it be?
Distinguish whether it's an idea that you think that could work or if it's a real passion. I have always loved football. Even to this day my Whitgift friends Daniel, Zafir, Jamie, Dara and I still love to have a kick around. For us football's a passion. So that's why Boot Buddy was a no brainer because I knew that I loved sport and everything about the industry. Watches are another passion of mine, so, I looked at launching a watch business. If it's something you're passionate about, then I would say pursue it. If it's something that feels like a flash in the pan, then I would really consider how much effort you put behind it, because to grow a business you have to breathe the business. You have to love it. If you don't love it, the growth will never come. That would be my advice.
Arminder has kindly offered his support to other budding entrepreneurs in the Whitgift community. If you’d like to get in touch with him, please email alumni@whitgift.co.uk
SCHOOL News
NEWS FROM THE SCHOOL –LENT TERM 2025
Dominic Edwards (OW 1988-96) Teacher and Housemaster (Mason’s)
As I sit down to write this column, I cannot help but think of the highly acclaimed Netflix drama, Adolescence, which I have just finished watching.
For those unfamiliar with it, it is the harrowing tale of the brutal murder of a young girl which explores the reasons why adolescent boys in the modern world might be driven to committing such a heinous act. The main culprit would appear to be the radicalising effect of social media on impressionable young minds, but in the second episode, it highlights the role that schools play in the shaping of these minds, with a bleak depiction of a comprehensive school in which classrooms are described as pens where teachers keep disaffected children occupied by showing them videos non-stop and sports facilities lie in disrepair, only seeming to be used for line-ups during fire alarms as children are too busy staring at their phones during their non-lesson time to be bothered about playing sport themselves. Why do I feel the urge to write all this? Well, it’s because for the past 10 years, I’ve had the privilege to write this column commenting on the dayto-day life at Whitgift, focussing predominantly on the cocurricular activities in the School. I’ve witnessed the benefits these can provide to boys as a pupil myself, a long-standing teacher, and for the past few years as a parent, with my son currently in his third year at the School. It
simply cannot be overstated how important schools like Whitgift are in the shaping of our society. Just recently, I was reading through the weekly co-curricular update email sent to staff when I read this opening paragraph:
Congratulations to Adrian and the U14 rugby team on a thrilling victory in yesterday’s rugby national final. For those who have not yet seen the social media post about Wednesday's sports fixtures, it was quite a day. We had the rugby final, the U15s playing in the water polo National Final at the Olympic Park, our fencing teams were performing incredibly well at the Public School Championships, the U16 basketball team had a national semi-final, our U11 hockey team played in the County Finals, the annual track cycling championships were taking place, our 1st VII were competing in the Surrey 7s, and after school, we had a friendly badminton fixture against Dulwich College – thank you to everyone involved and I hope to report on the results in next week’s email.’
This was followed by reminders about the upcoming play performances and the fact that all First Form boys were going to be missing afternoon lessons the next day to rehearse in Fairfield Halls for the upcoming Spring Concert! At Whitgift (and all other private schools like it), we obviously recognize the dangers of the modern digital world and teach lessons / run assemblies to address it, but we also believe that if you challenge a boy physically and mentally, keep him busy with an extensive choice of stimulating activities, he is less likely to get lost in the maze of online temptations. Yes, I highlight the elite in these pages – the national cup winners, the stars of the show, the successful Oxbridge candidates (more on all of these later!) – but hopefully I also convey just how much happens day-to-day for all Whitgift pupils: the multitude of clubs running every lunchtime; the hundreds of boys playing sports every weekend in teams that run down to F level; the First Form plays and Second Form Shakespeare
U14 rugby team
SCHOOL News
evening in which every boy gets to act; the comprehensive CCF programme… Adolescence is certainly a tricky period for a boy to navigate, but at Whitgift the challenges it provides are met head on with a plethora of activities to keep the boys active, engaged and rooted in the real world.
And so onto the actual activities. Whitgift hockey has yet again scaled incredible heights to reach the pinnacle of school sport and cement their reputation as the undisputed best hockey school in the country. Following on from the huge success in the indoor season last term (reported in my last column), the outdoor teams did not disappoint and continued the hockey hegemony that has been such a theme in these pages during recent years. The U13 side became the Independent School
National Champions (ISHC) at their first attempt and have also made it to the England In2Hockey National Finals in early May.
The U15s lost their ISHC final on penalty flicks to finish in the second place. The U16s have reached their ISHC final which is later in April. Saving the best for last, The First XI finished the Lent term by beating Repton in a tense final to retain their ISHC trophy. This means they have won the indoor and outdoor double three
years on the trot, which is an unprecedented and, indeed, quite extraordinary achievement.
Other sports have enjoyed their fair share of success too. The U14 rugby team finished off a magnificent season with a tense 15-14 victory over St Peter’s York to be crowned national champions of their year group; the U16’s didn’t quite make it to their final, losing to eventual winners, Stowe, in the semi-final. In football, the U11, 12 and 13 sides have all qualified for their respective national finals in May, so there is much to look forward to there. The players will surely be hoping to follow in the footsteps of old boys Jamal Musiala, who recently made his 200th appearance for German giants, Bayern Munich, at just 22 years of age, and Mika Biereth, who after his €15 million move from Sturm Graz to AS Monaco has scored 10 goals in his first 10 games and just recently gained his first two international caps for Denmark. In the Public Schools Fencing Championships, Whitgift secured the top boys’ school title for the fourth consecutive year, setting a new school record. And last but not least, the school’s U15 Padel team secured top honours at the inaugural UK Padel U15 Schools Championships. As hinted at earlier, however, incredible success at national level is
arguably not the greatest indicator of the school’s accomplishments in sport: I would say a true barometer of our achievements is that we get up to 600 boys engaged in competitive fixtures at one level or other over the course of an average week. Surely that’s something to be proud of?
One of the things that boys missed out most on during the bleak Covid years was the opportunity to go on school trips, but I am pleased to say
that those days are now long gone. From the snowy slopes of Italy to the vibrant cityscape of Dubai, Whitgift students embraced adventure, competition, and cultural discovery during February Half Term. Starting off with golf, twelve Whitgiftians competed in the 3-day Desert Springs European Schools golf Championships in Spain, going head-to-head with teams from Millfield, Loretto, and Reeds. Held at a prestigious course that hosts the DP World Tour Qualifying School, the tournament provided a challenging yet rewarding experience. The final day’s individual competition saw Sasti d’Anna (Fourth Form) secure second place on countback after an excellent round of 39 points, rounding off a successful trip. Moving onto rugby, the U13s tour to Dubai was a huge success, filled
Students at Desert Springs
First XI Hockey Champions
Padel Champions
with competitive matches and unforgettable experiences. The pupils trained at the stadium that hosts the Dubai Sevens, competed against strong teams from Dubai College and Dubai Sharks, and balanced sport with cultural and leisure activities. From desert safaris and waterparks to visits to the Dubai Mall and Jumeirah Beach Residence, the tour offered a perfect mix of rugby, team bonding, and sightseeing – creating lifelong memories. Whitgift boys also got the opportunity to hit the ski slopes during the half term break, with 40 students from First to Third Form enjoying an exciting ski trip to Folgarida in the Italian Dolomites and 40 more from Fourth to Lower Sixth Form embarking on an unforgettable ski trip to La Thuile, also in Italy. And finally, to prove we’re not all sport, sport, sport, 35 Fourth and Fifth Form students explored Rome’s rich religious and philosophical heritage, on a Theology and Philosophy trip. Highlights included visits to St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the catacombs, where students gained insight into early Christian worship. Walking through the Colosseum and Roman Forum brought discussions about early Christianity and Roman
philosophy to life. Between exploring iconic landmarks like the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps and indulging in authentic Italian cuisine, students
experienced the perfect blend of education and cultural immersion.
The music department has also kept the boys busy with a variety of events throughout the term. Things got going early in March, with Strictly Come Brassing providing a night to remember in the Concert Hall. This spectacular event brought together over 60 talented students from the school community to perform a diverse programme in front of a packed audience of family and friends. What added even more to the occasion was the return of former Head of Music, Ms Rosie Whitfield (now Head of Junior Guildhall), as special guest adjudicator. Later on in March saw the return of the House Music Competition in Big School. Another former music teacher (and Dodd’s Housemaster), Mr James Griffith (now Head of Music at Old Palace) had the difficult task of ranking the top four Houses. Cross’s claimed First place, followed by Mason’s in second, Ellis’s in third, and Smith’s in fourth. Mr Griffith praised all the performers for a truly wonderful evening, offering the highest praise to Cross’s for their exceptional performances. No lingering House loyalty there, then! The term finished off with two wonderful musical
occasions: the Chamber Choir performing Handel’s Messiah with the Oxford Bach Soloists at the Croydon Minster and the epic Spring Concert in Fairfield Halls, involving yet another varied programme including the entirety of the Lower First and First forms singing as a massed choir. What a harmonious end to term!
The Drama Department put on three hugely contrasting productions during the term. The Junior School got the chance to shine before half-term with the Second Form Shakespeare Evening and the epic play The Odyssey: It's a really, really, really long journey. The former is now nearly into its fortieth year; indeed, having trod the boards myself as Midsummer Night’s Dream fairy king, Oberon, back in 1990, it was a somewhat emotional moment for me to watch my son play Macbeth in the Scottish play! As ever, it was a quite magnificent evening with over two hundred boys donning armour, crowns and dresses to act out the Bard’s most famous moments in front of two packed audiences in Big School and the Concert Hall. “All the world’s a stage!” Only one week later, the Junior production of Nina Segal’s modern take on Homer’s epic tale hit the stage. Directed by Lower Sixth Former, Joel Gulliford, the performance by Junior Years' students blended ancient traditions and contemporary innovation to bring the classic tale to life with modern flair. Creative use of stage design and lighting added a dynamic visual element, enhancing the audience’s immersion into the mythical world. The costumes, a mix of
Theology and Philosophy trip to Rome
modern styles, worked alongside the traditional marble-effect stage (complete with marble columns), all acted to enhance the timeless nature of the story. Finally, the term ended with the Senior production – Caryl Churchill’s Love and Information. The play is a series of quick-fire vignettes that explore the ways humans connect (or indeed, fail to connect) in a technologically transformed world. The three-night run in the Performing Arts Centre saw a small cast of Fifth and Sixth formers give some remarkably mature and nuanced performances. Firsttime director, Mr James Hodge, was particularly impressed by the quality on show: “In the case of Love and Information, we have had less a cast than a company of dynamic performers whose creativity, boldness, risk-taking and playful natures have led to scenes swiftly developed through their own imaginativeness. They have been truly extraordinary.”
And finally, a reminder that we do actually do some work at
Whitgift too! Early on in the term, we were extremely pleased to find out that eleven of our students received offers from the prestigious universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Their accomplishments highlight the dedication and hard work of both the students and the staff who have supported them throughout their academic journey. Hoping to follow in their footsteps are three Lower Sixth formers, Joe Fitzgerald, Nicolas Miles Roman and Wing Chan, who all won top awards in the 2025 UK Linguistics Olympiad (UKLO). The UKLO is a linguistics competition for primary and secondary school students in the United Kingdom. The competition is divided into four levels: Breakthrough, Foundation, Intermediate, and Advanced, collectively known as ‘Round 1’. Participants solve language puzzles based on data from various languages, which helps develop their analytical and problem-solving skills. Last, but not least, the School celebrated British Science Week in March
with a packed schedule of interactive events and inspiring talks. The week kicked off with a bang on Monday with an explosive Blast Zone featuring giant hydrogen balloon explosions and smoke cannons. The rest of the week was a mixture of, amongst other things, Chaos Theory, Dyson Spheres and hovercraft bowling! Things wrapped up on Friday with Toryn Whitehead (OW and PhD candidate at KCL) delivering a fascinating talk on “Guerilla Rewilding” — exploring how beavers are making a comeback and whether wolves could be next.
And so, I come full circle back to my opening point: boys growing up in a modern world which includes a bombardment of online pressure, increasingly polarised views on masculinity and the limiting of opportunities to just get outside and experience the real world have got it tough. And that is why independent schools like Whitgift are so important. Despite the massive financial burdens placed on us by the current government’s fiscal strategy, we are still doing everything in our power to stretch the boys physically and mentally, and that makes me immensely proud to be part of the Whitgift community. It is also why I enjoy writing these pages so much. Who knows what the summer term has in store for us? All that is certain is that whatever the School gets up to next, I’ll be here to tell you about it!
Vincit Qui Patitur!
Love and Information
SPORTS NEWS
OWGS NEWS
Peter Gale, Hon. Sec. (OW 1963-1969)
A ‘near miss’ in the Halford Hewitt.
Flushed with the success of the over-50s team in the 2024 Cyril Gray, Whitgift (photo) started the 2025 Halford Hewitt in fine fettle, with a 3 1/2 - 1 1/2 win over Radley in the first round of this year’s competition, played at Royal St George’s, Sandwich in early April. There were wins for Richard Gibson and Neill Williams, and for Laurie Evans and Jack Raison, both by 3 and 2, offset by defeat for Toby Kemp and Nic Gates, and as the match neared
its conclusion, Whitgift needed one point from either Stuart Hollins and Tom Bloxsome or Matt Webster and Max Stanley, to secure the three points needed for an overall victory. Hollins/ Bloxsome had a real battle on their hands, with their opponents’ birdie 2 on the 12th cutting their lead to one hole. Radley continued to secure pars over the next few holes, matched by Whitgift with some good putting, and the match reached the 18th still with Whitgift’s nose in front. Both sides reached the green in regulation, although Whitgift had the trickier position, having just rolled off the back into the rough. A fine chip by Hollins, followed by Radley missing their birdie
putt, left Bloxsome needing to hole from six feet to secure a par, which he duly did, to earn the win. Webster/Stanley were level after 17 holes and, with the overall match decided, agreed a half.
The second round, the following day, was against Bradfield, a good side who had narrowly prevailed when the two sides met in the 2024 Plate competition. Bradfield’s side boasts some famous golfing names; the sons or nephews of Messrs Gallacher, Torrance and Rafferty play for them. And the early signs were a little ominous, exemplified by Whitgift’s struggles at the third hole, a par 3 with the flag positioned at the rear of the
The Whitgift Team
green, on the top tier. Bradfield reached the top tier with their tee shot in each of the five matches; Whitgift did not reach it once, and lost the hole in four of the five matches. There were errors on both sides, but Whitgift recovered as the tie progressed. Gibson/ Williams showed their enduring class and moved comfortably ahead, eventually winning on the 15th, but Kemp/Spriegel (Matt Spriegel had replaced Nic Gates in the line-up) and Hollins/Bloxsome struggled to keep pace with their opponents, both pairs losing at a similar stage. So, it became apparent that Whitgift would need to win both matches at the rear of the field if they were to progress. With Evans driving the green on the 361-yard 12th hole, Whitgift nudged ahead in that match, and Webster/Stanley, despite some surprising lapses (the dreaded shank appeared), were hanging on to their match with Torrance/ Rafferty (how many people can boast that?). At the 16th, already one down, Stanley played a great recovery from just behind ‘Bjorn’s bunker’ (where Thomas Bjorn infamously took three to get out in the 2003 Open) and Webster holed from 15 feet to rescue a half. At the 17th, Stanley repeated the heroics, chipping from 30 feet beyond the green to a pin on a severe downhill slope, leaving the ball only three feet away, a tap-in for Webster. Bradfield threeputted and Whitgift, somehow, had levelled the match. Evans/ Raison were in the process of closing out a 2 and 1 win, so the deciding match moved to an 18th hole finale.
Unfortunately, it was Bradfield who rose to the occasion this
time, scoring a wonderful birdie 3 whilst Whitgift took four just to reach the green. Somewhat of an anti-climax, at least from a Whitgift perspective, and yet another narrow defeat (the recent record is littered with 3-2 defeats!) brought the campaign to a premature end.
And on a weekend when Rory McIlroy won his first Masters, Bradfield went on to win their first Halford Hewitt, defeating Wellington, Cranleigh and Harrow en route to the final, where they beat Winchester. Their 3-2 win over Whitgift was their closest tie of the entire tournament. And to emphasise how near Whitgift might be to building a winning side, Radley, vanquished in the first round, won the Plate competition!
In other events, the society’s AGM was held at Tandridge, where Mark Chatham was elected Captain for
the next two years, and Martin Hayes and Alan Scovell (photo) won the Thompson Tankards, a foursomes competition held at Prince’s during Hewitt week. They scored an impressive 35 points, in difficult conditions.
For any potential new members, regular updates on society golf, and the 2025 fixture list, can be found at oldwhitsgolf.com.
Martin Hayes, Mark Chatham and Alan Scovell
OW SPORT NEWS
Simon Beck
Registrar
ELLIOT DALY ON TOP FORM
The recent 2025 Guiness M6 Nations Rugby saw Elliot Daly recalled to the senior England squad. He was named on the bench for the second-round fixture against France, his first involvement with the national side since featuring in the 2024 tournament. Having entered the match with his team behind on the scoreboard, Daly scored the decisive match winning try in the 78th minute, which led to a 26–25 victory for England. Elliot also played a key role off the bench in the following win over Scotland and then started in both England’s emphatic victories against Italy, where he was joined by fellow OW Matt Gallagher who played for the Azzurri team, and Wales. Daly was back to his very best form which gained him five appearances for The British and Irish Lions in 2017 and 2021 and now selection for 2025.
ENGLAND HOCKEY CALL UP FOR OW
Jonny Sturch-Hibbitt became the fifth Old Whitgiftian to represent
the Senior England Hockey team in the last 5 years when he was selected to join the squad for the recent FIH Hockey Pro League in India. Jonny adds his name to recent England and GB players, Zach Wallace, Jack Waller, Luke Taylor and Rhys Smith who have also played keys roles in the National and Olympic Teams.
THE ’GIFT FAB FIVE
The 2024/25 Harlequins Senior Men’s squad has five OW’s this season. George Hammond, Seb Driscoll, Connor Slevin, Jake Murray and Sean Kerr. The latter three all making their first
team debuts recently in The Premiership Rugby Cup. Earlier in the season George Captained Quins in the PRC victory over London Scottish.
Jonny Sturch-Hibbitt
Connor Slevin
Elliot Daly
Sean Kerr
Jake Murray
Whitgift Golf provides members of the Whitgift Family with the opportunity to play golf whilst enjoying each other’s company in a friendly, sociable environment. We play at a variety of local courses as well as entering teams for the Halford Hewitt and other public school competitions. Membership is available at an annual subscription of £35. For further details, please contact Peter Gale via honsec@oldwhitsgolf.com or go to our website: oldwhitsgolf.com
Old Whitgiftians Cricket Club
Old Whitgiftians Cricket Club is a historic, community-focused club in South Croydon with a proud tradition dating back to 1878. We offer cricket for all ages and abilities, from our thriving junior section to competitive adult teams. With a welcoming atmosphere, quality coaching, and a packed social calendar, OWCC is the perfect place to enjoy the game.
New Members Welcome
Whether you're an experienced player or new to the game, join our friendly and inclusive club.
Regular Social Events
A vibrant community with events throughout the year for players, families, and friends.
Colts Training (Ages 5–16)
Sundays: 10:00–12:00 (U5–U9) | 27 April – 27 July 2025
Wednesdays: 18:00–20:00 (U10–U16) | 30 April – 30 July 2025
Adult Training
Outdoor sessions weekly from early spring – all abilities welcome.
Croham Manor Rd, South Croydon, Surrey, CR2 7BG www.owcricket.com nikhil@owcricket.com
Come and be part of something special.
From The Archives
A GLIMPSE OF VICTORIAN WHITGIFT
Nigel Platts (OW 1955-64)
Who were the boys who went to Whitgift 150 years ago?
Many were local and were able to walk to the new school in North End but quite a substantial minority lived far away both in England and abroad and boarded either with masters at the school or with family members living locally. Good examples of local boys who can be traced are the Marks brothers, five brothers who all attended the school in the 1870s and 80s. They were the sons of Mr and Mrs J G Marks of Boswell House in South End, Croydon. It was an artistic and literary familyJohn Marks wrote a well-regarded biography of his cousin, the artist Frederic Walker, ARA, published in 1896. Another uncle was the painter Henry Marks, RA.
All five of the boys were in the cricket XI and the rugby XV at school and two went on to play a little first class cricket. The second son Henry went on to Keble College, Oxford and subsequently became an Anglican priest – in the 1890s he was curate in charge of the Good Shepherd Mission Chapel attached to Leeds Parish Church. Although there is no further information about his subsequent life it is interesting to note that the Chapel was demolished in the 1930s as part of the development of what was then the largest social housing development in the country. The youngest of the brothers, John, left school to become a tea planter in Ceylon and in the 1890s was living with his brother Oliver in what is now Malaysia.
Oliver, the fourth son, went to Ceylon as a tea planter. While in Ceylon he played representative cricket for the island. He moved on to Malaya where he joined the administration of the Federated Malay States. His varied career included a period as British Resident in Negeri Sembilan, Perak and finally Selangor. He was awarded a CMG in the New Year’s Honours list of 1922.
Geoffrey, third of the boys, trained as an actuary with what became the National Mutual Insurance Society becoming for many years its Chief Officer as well as President of the Institute of Actuaries between 1918 and 1920 where he presided over the first admission of women to that profession. He served with distinction on Government committees and Royal Commissions including that on the proposed decimalisation of the currency (some fifty years before it actually occurred). In his career he held every position of significance within the world of insurance including Chairmanship of the Life Offices’ Association and the British Insurance Association. He was awarded the CBE for non-combatant services during the First World War. In his youth, Geoffrey played cricket for Middlesex – he was a wicket keeper and through his life his gnarled hands bore testament to the injuries received in that role. He also played rugby for Surrey and as an OW presided more than once over the annual OW Dinner.
In many ways the most remarkable of this talented family was Gilbert, the eldest brother, who left Whitgift in 1878 having
been Captain of the 1st XI. He joined the firm of Johnson, Walker & Tolhurst where he trained as a silversmith and in him can be seen the artistic talents of the family. He became among the finest of arts and crafts silversmiths. His work can be seen in the collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths and the Smithsonian in Washington. Many of his pieces are decorated with fruit, flowers and leaves and, on occasion semiprecious stones. Clients included King Edward VII, for whom he made cups and bowls, Croydon Council (the ceremonial mace) and the school with cups for inter house rugby and other sports. In his obituary, Gilbert was described as “an artist of delicate grace and charm, whose name will probably take high rank in the estimation of the collector and connoisseur”. His work comes to the market from time to time and commands high prices.
Gilbert Marks
FROM THE ARCHIVES
The brothers Marks, with their diverse and successful careers, may not be entirely typical of Whitgiftians of the late 19th century, there were good numbers of boys of remarkable talent coming through the school, including two Cambridge Senior Wranglers, a future President of the Royal Society of Medicine and the man whose work in determining the distance between the Sun and the Earth brought him the Gold medal of the Royal Astronomical Society.
MEMORIES FROM WHITGIFT
David Talbot (OW 1949-54)
I joined Whitgift from a prep school. Erroneously, I had been told I was off to Whitgift Grammar School (which of course it had once been) but sounded a little less prestigious compared to some of my contemporaries who were off to boarding schools such as Stowe and Harrow.
Joining with me was Lawrence Felce from Banstead. We were both initially placed in Form RB1, however, after one term Lawrence and I were promoted together with two other boys to RA2. We received a less than warm welcome from the Form Master, Bert Parsons (with whom we were in much awe) who told
us in no uncertain terms that he didn’t want us to be promoted and lose four of his backmarkers as a result!
Our curriculum took an unexpected turn due to a shortlived government ruling that prevented us from sitting GCE O Levels until we were 15. This meant Lawrence and I had to dive into A Level work without completing the basic exams. Balancing both O Level and A Level studies was tough, and we had to drop some subjects, including German. This decision came back to haunt me when we participated in the first-ever post-war student exchange with a school in Hamburg, where their English far outshone our German. During this time, I did have two exchanges with a French pupil who lived near the Eiffel Tower in Paris and whose family also had a country house near Angouleme. By then I was in the proper Sixth Form and had to study just two subjects at Advanced LevelEnglish and History, having nearly given up on French, although I had gained some fluency by then!
Most of our Sixth Form lessons were held in the delightful surroundings of what had once been the previous Headmaster's House. History classes with Bill Edge, a former Chindit in Burma, and Douglas Hussey were particularly enjoyable. However, my time in the Combined Cadet Forces was less pleasant. It was compulsory unless you were in the School Scout Troop. I became an NCO but decided I had better things to do with my Tuesday afternoons, (like visiting the
Classic Cinema down the road!).
The Headmaster, Mr. Marlar, threatened to stop me from going to university if I left the CCF. I wondered if he was bluffing or still dazed from an accident where he was knocked semi-conscious by a large branch on Big Side during a rugby match. Eventually, he relented, and I left the CCF, (and sometimes snuck off to the cinema instead).
I had been quite a good rugby player at my prep school, but my loyalty to the House System and Freddie Percy who ran Cross’s began to wane and instead I enjoyed pursuits such as chess. I was a reserve in the Debating Society and my most vivid memory was a trip in a full coach to a debate at Harrow School. No one greeted us, so, rather rudely we made up a verse of the Eton Boating Song!
I was also a member of the newly formed Bernadotte Society. Initially formed by our German master John Chester, this was a branch of the Council for Education in World Citizenship and was named after the UN Security Council mediator in the Arab-Israeli conflict of 194748 who was assassinated in Jerusalem by the Zionist Group, Lehi. We enjoyed debates and meetings with other local schools, broadening our horizons.
Despite Mr. Marlar's threats, I am pleased to say I did go on to university and attended Trinity College, Cambridge, after National Service, along with Roddy Adams and School Head Prefect, Peter Bradshaw.
A standing cup and cover (1900–01) by Gilbert Marks, now in the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
In Memoriam
A TRIBUTE TO DANIEL MORGAN-BLAKE
Simon Beck Registrar
It was with profound sadness that we learned over the Easter break of the tragic passing of Daniel Morgan-Blake (OW 1998-2001) at the young age of 40.
Daniel was a well-liked and admired young man, cherished not only by his loving family but also by a close-knit group of friends, teachers, and coaches. His friend Lewis Brown commented; ‘It’s very hard to put into words the influence he had. Principled and unflappable at School in the playground and in the sports arena. I'm very lucky to have shared common ground with Daniel - we're from the same area, played high level (very high in Daniels case!) sport, both coaching and both in education. We discussed and debated them all. Daniel stayed out of the sillier antics of the group but was always present. That presence will be missed’. Another close friend Charlie Lamb added,’ There are no words to describe the huge loss we feel losing our Daniel. A loyal friend like no other. His positive, strong and uplifting attitude to everything he touched will be unmatched,’
During his time at Whitgift, Daniel's happy and bubbly nature endeared him to many. Under the expert guidance of School Master and Head of Fencing, Keith Smith, Daniel discovered his exceptional talent for fencing. He quickly rose
to become one of the country's top young fencers, winning national titles and representing both England and Great Britain.
After leaving Whitgift, Daniel frequently returned to Haling Park to support the development of Whitgiftians as a fencing coach and mentor to the boys at the School.
Daniel will be greatly missed by his family and the wider Whitgift community. He will be remembered and highly respected for his remarkable sporting talents and charismatic personality. His friend James Hirst speaks for us all in remarking ‘Daniel put 100% of passion and energy into everything he did, whether it be his love of football, time with his friends, or his community work. He brought life to everything and achieved so much. He will be missed by us all.’
WITH SADNESS WE REPORT THE PASSING OF THE FOLLOWING OLD WHITGIFTIANS
JANUARY 2025
Michael D Smith (OW 1955-1963) Died 3 January, Aged 80
Paul G Marsden (OW 1949-1955) Died 14 January, Aged 86
Anthony S Hamilton (Tony) (OW 1963-1969)
Died 27 January, Aged 74
FEBRUARY 2025
Peter G Sparks (OW1940-1945)
Died 6 February, Aged 97
Brian W Lay (OW 1944-1951) Died 6 February, Aged 91
David J Harle (Staff 1967-1990) Died 11 February, Aged 95
MARCH 2025
Ian Todd (OW 1947-1954) Died 19 March, Aged 89
APRIL 2025
Daniel Morgan-Blake (OW 1998-2001)
Died 5 April, Aged 40
Neil Goodall (OW 1947-1951) Died 11 April, Aged 90
Forthcoming Events
What’s on 2024/25 for the OW Community:
DATE AND TIME
Friday 11 October 2024
VENUE
RSVP
OW Annual Dinner at The Queen’s Club, Barons Court, London W14
120 Years of the Corps of Drums Concert and Lunch
Monday 21 October 2024
Whitgift School
OW Parents’ Drinks Reception at Harbour Plaza Metropolis, Hong Kong
Saturday 7 June 2025
Tuesday 22 October 2024
Lunch ticket sales are now closed. Email sgms190@yahoo.com for details of the concert
OW Drinks Reception Hong Kong at The Hong Kong Club
Evening of Cricket
Monday 11 November 2024
The Oval
Remembrance Service at Whitgift School
T20 Surrey v Middlesex
Friday 20 June 2025
Sunday 24 November 2024
Whitgift Winter Fair at Whitgift School
Tony Percy Talk – ‘The Cambridge Five and the Whitgift Connection’
Whitgift School
Wednesday 4th – Friday 6th December 2024: ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ School Production
Wednesday 5th February
Friday 12 September 2025
Under 30s Drinks London Bridge. Exact venue TBC
OW Annual Dinner
Friday 7th March 2025
Friday 10 October 2025
FOUNDER’S CIRCLE
For further details visit: www.whitgift.co.uk/my-whitgift/alumni/events
For further details visit: www.whitgift.co.uk/my-whitgift/alumni/events
The WFA Spring Lecture with Andrew Halls
Sunday 18 May 2025
OW Hong Kong Drinks October 2025. Exact date TBC
Royal Airforce Club, Piccadilly
For further details visit: www.whitgift.co.uk/my-whitgift/alumni/events
OW Reunion Lunch open to all OWs who left in a year ending 5 from 1945 to 2015
Saturday 14 June 2025
The Hong Kong Club
Details coming soon
Founder’s Circle and 1596 Society Garden Party (by invitation only)
Founder’s Circle and 1596 Society Event
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 out more, please contact alumni@whitgift.co.uk or call 020 8633 9922
Whitgift School
By Invitation
For details of these events and more keep an eye on www.whitgift.co.uk/alumni or drop us a line alumni@whitgift. co.uk
Saturday 15 November 2025
WFA News is published termly by the Alumni and Development Office. If you would like to contribute, please contact the Editor Emma Helbert at: alumni@whitgift.co.uk
Whitgift School
Haling Park South Croydon
CR2 6YT
United Kingdom
020 8633 9922
alumni@whitgift.co.uk
www.whitgift.co.uk/alumni
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Registered Charity Number: 312612-1