Whitgift Life Michaelmas 2023

LIFE

Science and beyond

Whitgift celebrates 10 years since Founder's House opened its doors

The Senior Rugby team enjoys an 8-match tour to South Africa Several Old Whitgiftians serving at the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III Junior and Middle Years’ production, Feathers In the Snow , captivating the audience with its enchanting tale of magic and migration and more inside...

MICHAELMAS

DRAMA

A CAPTIVATING PRODUCTION - ‘REMOTE’

The captivating Fourth and Fifth Form production of ‘Remote,’ held in the Performing Arts Centre, ran for three days in March 2023.

The plot addressed the poignant issue of a young individual battling feelings of despair, protest, and friendship. The talented cast of 13 students explored how teenagers can find their voice by connecting with their peers and the strength that comes from talking and listening to one another.

Miss Jacob (Graduate Drama Assistant 2021-2022) was thrilled to return to Whitgift to direct the play. She expressed her gratitude and admiration for the students, explaining “Re-immersing myself in the Drama department has reminded me of the students' curiosity, passion and dedication when they are focused on a shared goal of storytelling.”

Although the performance was short, lasting just over an hour, it had a deep impact on the audience. The set design was simple yet meaningful, featuring a real fallen tree (reclaimed from Storm Eunice) that became a visual representation of the cast’s support network and sense of community.

The themes of ‘Remote’ were reinforced by the comments of the actors themselves. Kobi (Fifth Form) who played Finn, shared how much he enjoyed the rehearsals, describing the experience as “being able to spend time with friends and having fun whilst also getting a lot of work done.” The pupils handled the play with maturity, assisting each other in growing as performers.

Thanks go to the AV team for managing the staging, lighting, and special effects, and to Miss Jacob and Miss Saer (Teacher of

Classics) for putting on such a memorable production. The cast was remarkable and portrayed the story with confidence and skill, and the performance captivated and inspired while giving an insight into the life of a teenager today.

The students handled the play with maturity, assisting each other in growing as performers

SPORT

TITLE

SIX NATIONAL HOCKEY TITLES

ith sheer dedication and a commitment to excellence, Whitgift Hockey teams achieved a potential record by reaching all nine National School Boy Finals in one season (seven Outdoor, two Indoor).

Whitgift has constructed two hybrid pitches to provide resilient and hardwearing winter games pitches and improve the student’s access to sporting activities, no matter what the weather.

With an increased level of participation from the School’s 1500 students, the new pitches on Big Side and Puntabout will benefit both Junior and Senior pupils and guarantee increased playing time and performance.

The School’s Hockey programme under the leadership of Dr Stagno (Director of Hockey) has been incredibly successful, securing 43 National titles in the past 15 years. This season, they won six National titles, finishing 2nd and 3rd in three other competitions, and became Indoor and Outdoor Tier 1 Double National Champions at the 1st team and U16 level. They also claimed victory in the U13 England Hockey and Independent Schools National tournaments.

The Whitgift Grounds team, under the direction of Mr Ratling, has managed these high-end winter sports surfaces and along with an exceptional standard of summer sport provision. This is contributed to them being announced as Independent Grounds Team of the Year at the Grounds Management Association national industry awards 2022. The award was won by Whitgift in 2015, and the School was a finalist again in 2019. All of this demonstrates a level a level of consistency in excellence of Grounds Management recognised at a national level.

The pitches are built with a specified rootzone (sand/soil) overlying drainage, and the rootzone is stitched with millions of fibres that act to reinforce the playing surface. Whitgift is the first independent school in the UK to install a GrassMaster hybrid turf pitch, installed by White Horse Contractors. Pupils and visiting schools will be playing on the same elite surface used by many modern professional football and rugby stadiums around the world.

In January 2023, their fantastic work was also recognised with an article and front cover feature in Magazine . Congratulations and huge thanks go to the entire team.

The Quote

team includes three England U18 internationals and four England U16 internationals. Additionally, two current pupils are part of the England Elite Development Programme, with three alumni aiming for the Paris ‘24 Olympics in the Great Britain squad. All age groups, regardless of winning National titles, had a fantastic season. The U14s lost in the National Final on strokes after a dominant display in the final with the winning goal eluding them during normal playing time. The U15s and U19s lost in the semi-final of the Independent Schools National Competition on penalty flicks, with both teams being unbeaten during the competition in normal playing time. The teams went on to win bronze medals in the 3rd and 4th match.

The next challenge is to continue building on this success and providing opportunities for all.

All age groups, regardless of winning National titles, had a fantastic season

WORLD BOOK DAY

World Book Day was marked this year with an appearance from celebrated author Colin Parsons, who shared his latest work with pupils.

The engaging talk aimed at Third Form students provided insights into the author’s writing process and the inspiration behind his books. Following the talk, students in the Junior Years had an opportunity to meet Colin and attend a book signing. Students were keen to get their copy of Colin’s trilogy ‘Wizards Kingdom’ which takes readers on a mystical adventure. ‘The Curious World’ exploring a parallel universe, and ‘The Crank Series’ which is brimming with sci-fi tales were also hugely popular.

The celebration of World Book Day continued with classroom names replaced with locations from famous books. Students were tasked with finding Wally, the beloved character from the ‘Where’s Wally?’ series, who was hidden somewhere in the Junior Building.

EDINBURGH FRINGE PREVIEWS

Whitgift returned to the world’s biggest arts festival in August 2023 for a week of performing and absorbing the multifaceted drama performances.

When it Rains by Natasha Brotherdale Smith was commissioned especially for Whitgift pupils to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. It humorously explored 21st Century masculinity and the fast-paced vision of a world where the youth are losing hope.

Natasha commented “I’m very proud of this cast [for] their openness to share with me in our workshops, answering my many questions about what it’s like to be

a teenager in 2023 and trusting me to tell a story reflective of them.”

Prior to their trip, the company of Sixth Formers performed their show at Whitgift, in two previews that took place in July 2023. The razor-sharp dialogue, memorable characters and bold physicality enticed the audience to listen to the voice that echoed through the performance.

Thanks go to Mr Hammond (Director of Drama) for working tirelessly with the cast to bring the performance of When it Rains to life, to the AV team for assisting the cast with all the audio-visual elements whilst at the Fringe, and of course to the performers for dedicating their time to make the show possible.

First Form students participated in an interactive workshop with Colin, learning about his writing process and how he weaves characters into dialogue. His creative writing sessions encouraged students to express themselves and develop their own writing skills. The workshop culminated in the challenge of writing a short story in 40 minutes.

Mrs Bauer (Head Librarian)

commented “Colin Parson’s visit on World Book Day was a real success! It’s always great to have authors visit us to share their experiences and inspire young readers and writers. The students were engaged and interested in learning about his journey to becoming a writer, as well as his books… my hope is that the experience will inspire them perhaps even to pursue their own writing careers in the future.”

SPORT

2023 SENIOR RUGBY TOUR TO SOUTH AFRICA

After a 4-year break from touring, a squad of 51 pupils departed for South Africa to take part in an 8-match tour, taking on the might of the southern hemisphere across the country.

The teams were hugely successful; the 1st XV playing in some tough matches winning 2 out of 4 whilst the 2nd XV remained unbeaten in all 4 matches – the highlight being a last-minute try against Paarl Boys to win the match 15-10. With so many players developing both on and off the pitch, the bonding between the year groups has also meant many have become friends for life.

In addition to playing rugby, there were many other highlights; a visit to the Langa Township, where the students, after receiving a song from the nursery children, subsequently all pulled out a match shirt and presented it to each child. There was also a humbling visit to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated. Whilst swimming at Jefferey’s Bay in one of the warm down sessions, a pod of dolphins swam by. From surfing in the rain to zip wiring in the jungle, one of the most memorable moments was undoubtably the final squad rendition of Stand By Me , linked arm in arm with the opposition, who all joined in along with the numerous parents round a campfire.

These tours certainly wouldn’t be possible without the support of the whole Whitgift community and thanks go to the Headmaster, parents and families, staff and of course the players themselves.

In addition to playing rugby, there were many other highlights including a visit to the Langa Township

SPORT

SUCCESS ON THE CRICKET FIELD FOR U13S

Whitgift U13s won the English Schools Cricket Association (ESCA) David English Bunbury Cup in July 2023 in a very exciting and very high-class final at Oakham School against The Manchester Grammar School (MGS).

MGS batted first on a good wicket and despite some very tight bowling from the Whitgift attack, brilliantly led by Captain Jack Reid, the Lancashire and North Champions set a very competitive total of 153 for 7 off their 35 overs. The pick of the bowler was James Millard who bowled with pace and accuracy to limit Manchester’s talented batting lineup.

Whitgift’s top order batted with great style, unselfishness and positivity, but apart from Francesco Bibby the opposition attack prevented Whitgift from getting on top. With 10 overs remaining and Whitgift needing 80 more runs, James and fellow quick bowler Ollie Mortlock came together at the crease. They batted with great maturity to gradually dominate MGS and with just under 3 overs remaining Mortlock smashed the winning runs with a huge 6 to the delight of the ever-supportive Whitgift parents.

The presentation was a moving occasion especially as the competition’s sponsor for many years, David English passed away this year. David was an ex-cricketer and founder of the Bunbury Cricket Club, amongst a plethora of other accomplishments. His son and ESCA Secretary Ken Lake gave some very moving anecdotes of David’s life and immense support and passion for English Youth cricket.

Jack raised the trophy for Whitgift – this was the 11th time Whitgift has done so in the competition’s 25 years. James won the Player of the Match Award for his all-round batting and bowling performance.

Huge credit must go to the whole U13 squad as well as Mr Ward (Head of Cricket) and Mr Jackson (Cricket Academy Head Coach), who, along with Mr Beck (Registrar), had the pleasure of taking this talented team on this two-year 12-match, unbeaten run to become National Champions.

They batted with great maturity

STAFF V STUDENTS DODGEBALL MATCH

Mr Cresswell (Senior Deputy) and an enthusiastic team of staff members challenged Whitgift’s Prefect team to a friendly game of dodgeball in March 2023.

Mr Cresswell explained “I was delighted that Harvey Rendall (School Captain 2022/23) accepted the challenge of taking on the Senior Deputy’s dodgeball team. As one can imagine, my team had experience on our side (but perhaps not dodgeball experience per se), but we were

pleased to take the spoils in the competitive game. Our team strategy – the 5 D’s of Dodgeball “Dodge, Dip, Duck, Dive and… Dodge” (taken from the 2004 movie Dodgeball ) served us well. Worryingly, none of our opponents were even born in 2004, which did make us feel old! In all seriousness, it was great fun and I hope to continue the tradition of challenging next year’s School Captain.”

Harvey commented “It was great to play dodgeball against the teachers.

Events like this really bring colour to the student experience and add another dimension to the studentteacher relationship, having a positive impact inside and outside of the classroom. Although most significantly it was just really good fun!”

Joe Reynolds (Vice School Captain) also shared his experiences “‘I felt a great sense of community and belonging; I could tell that everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves, despite the landslide victory for the staff!”

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF BOARDING

During the Trinity Term, Whitgift celebrated 10 years since Founder’s House opened its doors to welcome the first cohort of boarding students.

This milestone anniversary was marked with several events including a barbeque in June 2023 which reunited current residents and staff with several Founder’s House Alumni.

In the past 10 years the boarding community has thrived, with a range of pupils locally and internationally benefiting from the weekly or fulltime boarding provision.

Events like this really bring colour to the student experience

2023 EXAM RESULTS

Congratulations to all of Whitgift’s exam students who achieved a fantastic set of results this year.

GCSE

This year 88% of results were are at 9/8/7, (equivalent to the old A/A*), with significant numbers of pupils receiving the Top 9 grade in Biology, Chemistry, English and Maths. Mr Munro (Director of Middle Years) said, “I am personally proud of every one of our pupils and would also like to thank the many members of staff who have supported them in their efforts to achieve the excellent results we have seen today.”

A LEVEL

This year 58% of results were at A* or A. Mrs Carter (Director of Sixth Form) commented “The hard work and motivation of our students have truly ensured that the outcomes today are a real personal credit to each one of them, especially in this, their first set of externally assessed examinations. We wish them every success as they prepare for the next chapter in their lives .”

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB)

With one of the largest cohorts to date, this year's average remained high, with an average of 39 points

out of 45. This again places Whitgift as the top-performing boys’ school in the UK for IB. Mr White (Director of International Baccalaureate) said “The students this year have shown exceptional dedication to the demands of studying for the IB – everyone has worked extremely hard, balancing academic rigour and focus with a broad range of impressive personal achievements. I am delighted we have continued with our 100% pass rate and to share that 21 of the cohort achieved 40+ points, with three achieving a near-perfect 44/45 points.”

BTEC students in Sports also achieved excellent results, with the vast majority achieving Distinction grades and all candidates set to continue to top universities.

Whitgift pupils will be heading to onward destinations including Oxford and Cambridge plus several London and Russell Group Universities, as well as prestigious establishments in the US. The School wishes them every success as they move forward and join many other successful Old Whitgiftians.

THE JOURNAL OF EMERGING INVESTIGATORS

Congratulations to Artyom Boyarov (Upper Sixth Form) who in January 2023, had an article published in The Journal of Emerging Investigators . Artyom’s research focused on comparing the performance of lateral control algorithms on long rigid vehicles in urban environments.

Whilst in the Lower Sixth Form, Artyom searched for a senior mentor to supervise his research and found Mr Shannon (Head of Computer Science). His research involved investigating the effectiveness of various control algorithms for long vehicles like buses or trucks. To conduct his research, he wrote a simulation in Python which measured the steering angle and distance from the trajectory every 0.1 seconds while simulating a vehicle using a kinematic model. He then used the data he collected during the simulation to write the article that was published.

Artyom commented “I was eager to conduct research in robotics to learn more about one of my favourite fields of Computer Science and to experience planning and carrying out scientific research, which I hope to do more of at university and beyond.”

Throughout his research, he enjoyed learning beyond the School curriculum and applying his knowledge of

mathematics and physics to his investigations. He also appreciated the social impact of his research as he had to discuss the real-world applications of his research topic in his article.

He said of the achievement “I was incredibly proud when my research was published, as this represented multiple months’ work which involved planning my research, writing code and developing a simulation, writing my research article and responding to edits to improve my article’s quality.”

Mr Shannon commented “Artyom has done a tremendous job, particularly as he has been juggling the demands of IB, and the whole process involved numerous iterations and development tweaking.”

Artyom's full article can be found here: https://emerginginvestigators. org/articles/comparing-theperformance-of-lateral-controlalgorithms-on-long-rigid-vehicles-inurban-environments

Artyom enjoyed learning beyond the School curriculum and applying his knowledge of mathematics and physics to his investigations

A CELEBRATION OF WHITGIFT LIFE

The Sports Hall was transformed at the end of the Trinity Term for the annual Celebration of Whitgift Life (CoWL) event with students, staff, parents and guardians in attendance for the final event of the School year.

CoWL is an occasion for the School community to reflect on all that has been achieved over the course of the academic year, whether in academic achievements, co-curricular activities, on trips, in sports, or simply in pursuit of a passion.

Once gathered in the Sports Hall, Whitgift’s Trumpet Ensemble performed Overture – Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg by Richard Wagner, arranged by Claire Duncan, followed by a welcome from the Headmaster and Mr Nick Edwards, Chairman of Governors. The Headmaster, during his opening words took a moment to reflect on members of the School community sadly lost during the past year.

Then followed the many prizes, awarded for academic attainment and progress as well as the Headmaster’s award for contribution to the School, House and co-curricular awards.

In between prizes, the audience was then treated to a variety of musical interludes, including the chorister’s rendition of This Old Man and the Jazz Band’s performance of Caravan by Duke Ellington and Juan Tizol; both of which were performed at Whitgift’s Summer Arts Festival in May 2023. The Corps of Drums also took to the stage with their mesmerising performance.

This year’s speaker and guest of honour was Lucy Pearson (Former England Women’s Cricketer, HMC Head, ECB Board Director and current Director of Education at the Football Association). As eloquently summed up by Mr Chaloner (Senior Boarding Housemaster) in his end of term bulletin, “Lucy used an excerpt from the James Bond film Skyfall , which references a passage from Lord Tennyson’s poem Ulysses . Building upon the concept of a growth mindset, Lucy urged the audience to embrace what she called an ‘exploration mindset.’ She encouraged the boys to challenge themselves, believe in the possibility of change, and take intelligent risks in order to expand and develop their potential.”

Actors from the Junior and Middle Years also took to the stage to recreate a scene from Feathers In the Snow by Philip Ridley, captivating the audience. Alongside the engaging music and drama pieces the annual sport round-up video reminded everyone about the exciting achievements and activities that took place in the last academic year.

The closing words came from incoming School Captain, Iain Stevenson who congratulated all the prize-winners for their achievements and thanked all the teaching and support staff for their support on behalf of all the students.

In between prizes, the audience was then treated to a variety of musical interludes

WHITGIFT CONVERSATIONS

Season two of ‘Whitgift Conversations’ showcased a range of speakers who provided insightful and engaging discussions.

With the first half of season two covered in the Lent 2023 edition of Whitgift Life , episode nine came from Femi OwoladeCoombes (Lower Sixth Form) who shared his passion for coding, entrepreneurial ventures, and his experiences as a Whitgift student. In episode 10, Miss Mason (Head

successful direction of the Junior play ‘Swallows and Amazons,’ discussing the challenges and memorable moments during the rehearsal process.

Mr Elliott (Former Head of Science) discussed his passion for science and the various science clubs and initiatives available to students. Mr Martin (Director of Football) shed light on the excellent football programme on offer at Whitgift and highlighted the achievements of Old Whitgiftians competing professionally.

and Nile White, shared their experiences and reflections on their time at Whitgift, offering valuable insights into what their roles were within the School.

Mrs Badhan (Lead in Animal Care for Science) spoke on a muchrequested episode about student involvement in the Animal Club with some insightful animal facts. Mr Miller (Director of Choral Music) and Mr Ellson (Graduate Music Assistant 2022/23) covered past and upcoming choral events, emphasising the opportunities for students to engage in choral music. In the penultimate episode, Miss Wood (Graduate Catering Assistant 2022/23) provided an overview of the catering services at Whitgift.

of Junior English) discussed her love for teaching and highlighted exciting events such as the Junior Shakespeare Evening. Headmaster Mr Chris Ramsey’s episode offered valuable advice on choosing the right school for your child.

Next up Mr Mallett (Head Gardener) and Mr Nicholls (Teacher of Biology) shared their insights into Whitgift’s Horticulture Club, encouraging students to participate in this green initiative. Oscar Robinson (Upper Sixth Form) reflected on his

In episode 16, the School Captain Team (2022/23) composed of Harvey Rendall (School Captain) and five Senior Prefects Nifemi Bankole, Miles Coppin, Joe Reynolds, Sebastian Oshisanya,

The final episode of season two featured Whitgift’s Rock Band, comprised of Upper Sixth Formers Gibran Ahmed, Miles Coppin, Samuel Bugg-Burke, Patrick Thompson, Joss Hourigan, and Tanmay Agarwal. They shared their musical journeys, formation of the Rock Band, and performances in school productions and house events. A snippet of their music was also played in the episode making it a must-listen!

We have more exciting episodes coming up in season three, so keep a listen out to hear some more ‘Whitgift Conversations!’

Listen to the current episodes here:

www.whitgift.co.uk/ whitgift-conversations

OLD WHITGIFTIANS SERVING AT THE CORONATION

Several Old Whitgiftians were in service at the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III – a momentous occasion in our nation’s history in May 2023.

Their roles ranged from Guardsmen through to Officers, Security and Police:

> Cap t Sean Marren [2005-2012] Grenadier Guards

> Gdsm James Margetson [2005-2012] Grenadier Guards

> LS gt Mohan Venugopal [2005-2013] HAC

> DM aj Mark Goatcher [2002-2008] HAC

> CS gt Jack Barker [2000-2008] HAC

> G dsm Taino Goveia [2010-2018] Grenadier Guards

> M aj Andy Dickinson [2000-2008] Coldstream Guards

> M aj General Jonathan Swift OBE [1983-1991]

General Officer Commanding Regional Command

> M aj (Retd) James Stremes [1976-1984] Special Police Sergeant

> PC Andrew Robertson [1999-2006] Protection Officer

Mrs Goveia (Development & Stewardship Officer and parent of Grenadier Guard, Taino Goveia) shared her experience of the event:

I arrived at The Mall at around 6pm on Friday 5 May 2023 and we set up our chairs where we would spend the night. The Mall was almost full, and the atmosphere was incredible - people had been camping all week.

Grateful for a dry night, around 5.30am the crowd were woken (as if we had been sleeping!) and encouraged to pack up tents and chairs to allow spectators to move forward – we found ourselves right

at the very front of the barrier with only seven hours to go until we would see the full Coronation Procession making its way back from Westminster to Buckingham Palace.

Then the rain started, but it didn’t matter one bit. The procession was such an amazing sight, as well as King Charles and Queen Camilla. I saw my son and he saw me which made my tired feet disappear. It was a proud memorable day for my family, the Whitgift community and our Country.

A momentous occasion in our nation’s history

SCIENCE AT WHITGIFT

Students make headway in Mycetoma research

activity and toxicity to ensure the desired result has been achieved.

This project presented a challenging and unique opportunity for students to develop skills beyond their level of study, providing them with a head start in cutting-edge research before they reach university.

Whitgift’s Chemistry department has been collaborating with University College London (UCL) and the University of York on a project that aims to discover a cure for Mycetoma, a fatal fungal infection. Students have taken a strong lead in the project that is pioneering frontline drug research to combat this rare and deadly infection.

Mycetoma is commonly found in areas such as paddy fields and can be contracted through an open wound that comes into contact with the fungus, often leading to severe complications and even death.

To work towards a cure, the universities sent instructions on how to build a specific molecule for Whitgift students to produce. Selected Lower Sixth Formers dedicated one afternoon each week to build these molecules as part of the research process. They were then sent to UCL and the University of York for analysis to test its efficacy, examining its

Whitgift is humbled to be the only school currently producing molecules as part of this project, however, it will soon collaborate with other schools to create more molecules for the research.

The research being conducted has the potential to save countless lives and is a testament to the impact that young people can have when given the opportunity to engage in real-world problems.

Biomedical Science Diploma

The Whitgift Diploma for Biomedical Science is a programme offered to Fifth and Lower Sixth Form students at Whitgift and local secondary schools, that aims to expand their knowledge and understanding of Biomedical Science.

Led by Mr Bentt (Teacher of Biology), the course features academic speakers from institutions such as King’s College London, University College London and Whitgift, and covers a wide range of subjects, including neuroscience,

anatomy, pharmacology, and developmental biology. Recent lectures have explored topics such as pain fundamentals, socially used and abused drugs and tissue repair and regeneration. The programme culminates with a two-hour exam that marks the end of the course. This initiative is one of the many ways Whitgift is fostering connections with the local community.

Intermediate Physics Challenge and British Physics Olympiad

This year, over 77 physicists in the Fifth and Sixth Form participated in the British Physics Olympiad and Intermediate Physics Challenge.

The British Physics Olympiad aims to encourage the study of Physics and to recognise young physicists through 12 annual Physics, Astronomy and Astrophysics competitions. The tests are

designed to test understanding and problem-solving skills, and Whitgift was thrilled to see the students rise to the challenge.

Congratulations to all the students who participated. Special recognition goes to Upper Sixth Form students Harvey Rendall and Artyom Boyarov for achieving Gold in the British Physics Olympiad and to the 10 students who achieved Gold awards in the Intermediate Physics Challenge.

TITLE COMMUNITY UPDATE 2023

Working in partnership with the local community forms a strong part of Whitgift’s ethos and alongside projects like the Primary Project that has been running since the year 2000, there are several other areas where students and staff get involved.

Whitgift is proud to witness the impact of community-focused initiatives particularly in respect of the value gained by the student volunteers.

Sixth Form volunteering

Last year, over 70 Sixth Formers were involved in working with five local primary schools on a weekly basis throughout the academic year, acting as teaching assistants. They worked with pupils through playground and dining hall supervision and offered English and Maths support through the form of one-to-ones or with groups of students. Many more Sixth Formers have also helped with the Whitgift Community Summer School and the Saturday Masterclasses.

Music visits to Whitgift House

Music echoed through the walls of Whitgift House as residents were treated to multiple musical performances over the course of the academic year, with visits from Whitgift’s acapella group ‘Wacapella’, the Corps of Drums and the choristers.

Croquet match against Whitgift House

In June 2023 the combined staff and prefect croquet team battled to a thrilling draw in the annual fixture against the residents of Whitgift House. Special mention goes to Mr Dinnage (Teacher of Mathematics) and Iain Stevenson (School Captain 2023/24) who won their match, securing a draw against a very experienced opposition. Plans for the re-match are already under way!

SPORT

ACE Collaboration

The Whitgift Cricket department, in collaboration with The African Caribbean Engagement Programme Charity (ACE) and the Whitgift Primary School Cricket Project, hosted a soft ball tournament on Friday 30 June 2023. The event took place on North Field and saw the participation of Year 5 pupils from Heavers Farm Primary School and Selsdon Primary School, who enjoyed a morning filled with fun and cricket.

During the event, Whitgift’s U11C team and the visiting schools engaged in friendly rounds of cricket, bringing excitement and sportsmanship to the occasion. The event saw the involvement of nearly 100 students and was enjoyed by all.

Mr Jackson (Whitgift Cricket Academy Head Coach) commented “Whitgift is pleased to further our partnership with ACE through their expanded junior cricket initiative. A weekly introductory coaching programme was hosted onsite in the buildup to the tournament, and it was great to welcome the parents, staff & students of the visiting schools to sunny and beautiful North Field.”

Whitgift is proud to witness the impact of community-focused initiatives

JAPANESE EXCHANGE WITH STUDENTS FROM URAWA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

Whitgift has had a long-established connection with Urawa International School and had the pleasure of hosting 20 Japanese exchange students in March 2023. Fourth to Sixth Form students from both schools engaged in an exciting week-long language immersion experience, exchanging their native languages and honing their linguistic skills.

During their stay, the Urawa students took part in various popular Whitgift activities, including fencing and took part in lessons alongside their host students. They spent the weekend exploring London with their Whitgift exchange partners. One of the highlights of their visit was a trip to the University of Cambridge where they met Makoto Ueki a former Urawa student, who studied at Whitgift.

A conversation carousel was organised with Fifth Formers to help the students to get to know each other better. This also provided an excellent opportunity for them to practice their English and Japanese with native speakers in advance of their oral examinations.

PRIVATE VIEW ART EXHIBITION

Whitgift welcomed students, parents and staff to a captivating Private View Art Exhibition in June 2023 which showcased work from the talented 2022/23 GCSE and A Level fine artists and graphic designers.

Visitors were treated to an impressive display ranging from drawings to vibrant paintings and even innovative printmaking pieces. From traditional approaches to contemporary interpretations, the students demonstrated a skilful command over their chosen mediums.

Ms Johnson (Head of Art) commented “The evening of the exhibition was wonderful, a celebration of all the hard work of the students and staff alike. It was great to see it so well attended and a fabulous inspiration for the younger boys to see what they can achieve.”

The exhibits demonstrated Whitgift’s commitment to supporting students as they foster their artistic expression and in nurturing the next generation of creative thinkers.

Whitgift students are excitedly anticipating their trip to Urawa International School in October 2023. The exchange programme not only enhances language skills but also promotes cultural exchange and broadens the students’ horizons.

SECOND FORM BIOLOGY DAY

Second Form students embarked on an action-packed Biology Day in June 2023, immersing themselves in a series of enthralling activities designed to ignite their passion for Biology.

The day started with the Anatomy Lab where students learned about the main anatomical structures of mammals. They gained a unique understanding of how these complex systems function and interact, enhancing their knowledge of the biological wonders that lie within living organisms.

In the Sports and Exercise Science Lab, students had the opportunity to undergo blood lactate sampling as a chance to understand the science behind athletic performance and the physiological responses to exercise.

Students then heard from Kaushik Subramaniam (Old Whitgiftian, Wildlife Conservation Biologist and filmmaker) who shared his vast knowledge and experiences in the field of wildlife conservation. He spoke about his remarkable journey and students gained valuable insights into the critical work being done to protect and preserve our planet’s rich biodiversity.

Crime-solving enthusiasts found themselves in their element at the Cold Case Investigation Lab where they explored the science of DNA within the context of crime scenes. Through interactive activities hosted by current police officers, they looked at the intricacies of DNA analysis and its pivotal role in forensic investigations.

To finish the day, an animal show took place where students had the opportunity to encounter some of the animals they had studied throughout the academic year. From furry mammals to slithering reptiles, students got up close and personal and even had the chance to handle a 15ft python!

Biology Day at Whitgift proved to be a stimulating mix of exploration, experimentation and discovery.

MUSIC

WHITGIFT’S RISE HEART ORCHESTRAL CONCERT

Whitgift’s Rise Heart Orchestral Concert featured performances from the Senior Strings, Chamber Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, and Chamber Choir.

The audience was treated to a collaboration with baritone Dominic Sedgwick, an accomplished opera singer who graduated from The Royal Opera’s Jette Parker Young Artist Programme.

The night opened with a beautiful rendition of Overture to Der Freishütz (The Marksman) by the Symphony Orchestra. The work portrayed nature and the eventual triumph of love over evil. This was followed by Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs with the String Quartet, Chamber Choir, piano and baritone soloist, Dominic performing. Each song explored different aspects of the spiritual journey, culminating in the rousing finale, Let all the world in every corner sing

The Senior Strings then performed a slow and wistful melody based on a dance from Latin America, which shifted the tone of the evening. After a brief interval, the Chamber Orchestra and Chamber Choir performed a graceful piece by Mozart, Ave Verum Corpus , followed by an impressive solo by Bryan Wong (Upper Sixth Form), who played Violin Concerto K216

The final performance of the night was by the Chamber Orchestra and Chamber Choir, who closed the evening with a joyful rendition

of Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy .

Mr Lane (Head of Keyboard) did a fantastic job playing the heroic solo portions and accompanying the Upper Sixth Form soloists William Brotherhood and Ben Duffy, as well as staff soloists Ms Cronin, Ms Garbisu, and Mr Ellson.

Congratulations to all the students and staff for an outstanding evening of music. A special mention must go to Mr Miller (Director of Choral Music) and Mr Winter (Director of Orchestral Music) for their excellent conducting of the performances.

A BUSY TERM FOR THE COMBINED CADET FORCE

Annual General Inspection

On Friday 28 April 2023, the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) of Whitgift and Old Palace of John Whitgift School participated in the Annual General Inspection (AGI), an event in which a Senior Officer inspects and observes the different activities the cadets have been involved in over the course of the year.

Whitgift was delighted to welcome Brigadier Matt Birch (Old Whitgiftian and Head of Joint Fires and Influence at NATO Allied Rapid Reaction Force) as the Inspecting Officer for the day. The day began with the Guard of Honour and the Corps of Drums, during which the students patiently awaited inspection while Officer Birch 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 tasks.

The day ended with the Corps of Drums beating the retreat, providing a fitting end to an eventful afternoon.

Officer Birch commented “As an old boy, it was absolutely wonderful to come back [to see] all the training going on.” He emphasised the valuable benefits that the students gain through their participation in the CCF, regardless of their chosen service. These benefits include acquiring lifelong skills such as leadership, first aid, and the ability to train their peers. He expressed his gratitude to all the trainers involved.

Both Whitgift and Old Palaces’ CCF can take pride in their accomplishments in passing yet another CCF Annual General Inspection.

CCF Dinner

On the evening of the Annual General Inspection, Whitgift’s cadets and Inspecting Officer, Brigadier Matt Birch were invited to the dining hall for the annual CCF Dinner. This occasion serves as a valuable opportunity for the cadets to acquire knowledge about proper decorum and behaviour at formal dinners.

However, the main purpose of the evening is to express gratitude towards Whitgift’s non-commissioned officers (NCO) for their dedication and contributions to the CCF throughout the academic year. Additionally, it is a moment to bestow well-deserved recognition upon exceptional cadets.

This year, Monty Arris (Upper Sixth Form) received the Keith Smith Memorial award as the Senior Cadet involved in the AGI Parade.

In recognition of his outstanding leadership and performance as an NCO, Gibran Ahmed (Upper Sixth Form) was awarded with the Hunter Trophy.

Congratulations to all the cadets who have demonstrated commitment to the CCF during this academic year.

Whitgift House Visit

In March 2023, music echoed through the halls of Whitgift House as the Whitgift Corps of Drums brought joy to the residents with an impressive and polished performance.

The day began with the Guard of Honour and the Corps of Drums

DOWNLOAD WHITGIFT HUB – OUR NEW APP

Whitgift Hub is a new communication and information app that will deliver all of the School’s social media content to you in one simple feed without any unwanted advertisements!

Regardless of whether you have any social media accounts or none at all, with one simple download, in minutes you can catch up on the latest news and see exactly what has been happening. When you first download it, you can configure the app to identify your news preferences (editing them if you need to). The app also keeps you in touch with areas of our website such as the Headmaster’s blogs, Whitgift Conversations – our school podcast, as well as publications and other helpful quick links.

The app is available and free to download on both Apple’s App Store and the Google Play Store – so please do add it today.

IB GROUP 4 SCIENCE

June 2023 marked the return of the IB Group 4 Science Project with a captivating theme: ‘Destination Mars’. Lower Sixth Form IB students embarked on a fascinating exploration of the scientific aspects of Elon Musk’s visionary plan to establish a presence on Mars by 2050.

At the beginning of the week, students formed groups to brainstorm ideas for investigation. They were then given 36 hours to conduct laboratory experiments, gather data, and prepare their presentations. The groups delved into a range of topics including enhancing soil fertility, generating artificial gravity, transportation systems, extracting oxygen from Martian rocks, utilising UV light and developing fuels.

The culmination of the week was a presentation by each of the groups, where Labs 14 and 16 were transformed into Martian landscapes by Whitgift’s Science Technicians. Pupils, parents, and staff were invited to attend and had the opportunity to vote for their favourite groups based on scientific content, presentation quality, and creativity.

Claiming 3rd place was group A, led by Andreas Buira Spatharos and comprised of Rory Trimboli, Cameron Kerr, and Jens Wagstaff. 2nd place went to group E, led by Femi Owolade-Coombes and including Rafi Davis, Nemo Al-Qaq, and Shuhei Negishi.

However, the undeniable champions, scoring 52 more points than group E with an impressive 1091 points, were the members of group K. Their project focused on modulating laser beams to transmit messages through the vortex of Martian storms.

Congratulations to the group lead Ting Wen and team members Lucian

Ng, Oliver Wong, and Ben Lewis for their outstanding achievement. As a reward, the group were honoured with the prestigious ‘Darth Tator’ trophy and received a chocolate prize to savour.

Well done to all the students who participated in this year’s project.

CELEBRATING BRITISH SCIENCE WEEK

Whitgift went all out for British Science Week with a host of activities and experiments from hovercraft bowling to ice cream making. With the theme of ‘connections,’ the School marked the global 10-day event in March 2023.

During lunch breaks, every year group was given the chance to experience a range of activities.

The week began with hovercraft bowling for the Lower First Form where students could be seen whizzing down the chemistry corridor (wearing safety equipment of course) aiming to knock down the pins at the end of the hallway. The hovercraft was created using a leaf blower which was channelled under a large wooden platform that created a blanket of air for the craft to sit on.

First Form pupils got to make ice cream with plenty of mixing and shaking involved to get the perfect consistency. The joy on the students’ faces was infectious as they tucked into their sweet treats.

Things got more explosive for the Third Form, with the ‘bung rockets’ experiment. This worked by producing gas in a closed environment which was put into a test tube with a bung on top. Students would then adapt the amount of gas they made to enable them to hit the bullseye at a faster rate.

Lower First to Fifth Formers were invited to a special Animal Club session, where they got to meet the

School’s resident animals. ‘Mystery boxes’ were also set up which contained various animal materials for students to guess what animal was being described. A photobooth allowed them to have their photograph taken with some of the animals.

To round off the exciting week of events, students were given the chance to watch the ‘blast zone,’ a series of controlled explosions using different objects.

Mr Fennelly (Second in Animal Care in Science) commented “This

was the first time that Whitgift has participated in British Science Week, and it went very smoothly! The theme was connections and I feel that we certainly connected with all of the pupils.”

A huge thank you to the Science department at Whitgift for organising this exhilarating week. Not only did the students have a lot of fun, but they also learned about the science behind everything they were doing or watching.

To view the highlights of the week, visit: Whitgift Science Week 2023?

A photobooth allowed students to have their photograph taken with some of the animals

MUSIC

THE LENT COLLECTION CONCERT 2023

Whitgift’s annual Lent Collection Concert took place on Thursday 2 March 2023 in Big School showcasing a range of musical performances.

The concert included works from two Upper Sixth Form IB students; Oscar Gloux and William Brotherhood. The IB higher level requires students to create a project around ‘real-life practices of music making’ with a focus on collaboration. These students were therefore commissioned to compose music for the concert.

The evening began with a bang as the Jazz Band took to the stage and delivered classic hits including Milestones by Miles Davis and Oye Cómo Va by Tito Puente. This arrangement was prepared by Rooney Ng (Lower Sixth Form).

The Soul Choir gave an inspiring performance of Found/Tonight by Miranda, Pasek, and Paul. A fantastic mash-up of two hit songs from the musicals ‘Hamilton’ and ‘Dear Evan Hansen’. The Flute Choir followed with their enchanting rendition of Viva La Vida by Coldplay. The String Sinfonia then took to the stage delivering a performance of Fiddlin’ Fun by arr. Jim Higgin and the Alchemy Saxophone Ensemble performed Bill Bailey by Hughie Cannon.

Whitgift’s A Capella group was next in line, wowing the audience with two exciting staples of the repertoire: a barbershop classic, Darkness on the Delta by Symes, Newbury, and Levinson, as well as Arthur Sullivan’s The Long Day Closes . The Concert Band then took over playing The Incredibles by Michael Giacchino and Resilience by Michael Oare, before the audience was drawn away for a short interval.

After the interval, the Symphony Orchestra performed Night on the Bare Mountain by Modest Mussorgsky followed by the second IB interlude.

The Lower First Form Choir closed the night with a fantastic selection of songs chosen by Mr Miller (Director of Choral Music). The selection included music from composers Russell Hepplewhite, Grayston Ives and Nico Muhly. The choir finished their set with the lively song Rice and Beans – and Plantain Too! by Errollyn Wallen.

Mr Morrison (Acting Director of Music) commented “I was very impressed with the high standard of music making in the Lent Collection. It showcased several of our smaller ensembles including the Saxophone Ensemble and Flute Choir. It was also a chance for the School community to hear the newly formed Concert Band. The First Form Choir was a chance for pupils new to the School to perform for a large audience on the concert stage in Big School. It was a huge success, and I am grateful to all those who made the evening possible.”

The evening began with a bang as the Jazz Band took to the stage

MUSIC

SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL

The Summer Arts Festival returned to Whitgift in May 2023 to a sold-out audience. The event ran for two days on a specially constructed stage in the Andrew Quadrangle displaying the talents of Whitgift’s artists, musicians and actors and providing a picturesque setting for an evening under the stars.

Directed by Mr Alcock (Director of Higher Education & Teacher of English) and with the theme of ‘growing up,’ the performances featured a carefully curated combination of extracts, poetry, and musical ensembles, accompanied by original narration from Ethan Hamilton (Lower Sixth Form).

The audience was treated to several musical performances curated by Mr Morrison (Acting Director of Music). Titles covered included Caravan by Duke Ellington and Juan Tizol and Anthem from the musical Chess , as well as some more traditional pieces such as the Chorister’s rendition of This Old Man and Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3 in G Major , performed by the Chamber Orchestra with Lower Sixth Form soloists Joshua Park and Lucian Ng.

Those in attendance were also able to watch a variety of drama pieces performed by Whitgift actors. The opening performance was an adapted extract by Mr Alcock from Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray

The dark and intriguing story of Dorian Gray and his deteriorating portrait was brought to life on stage by Fourth Formers, Rafael Cianfarani as Dorian, Archie Trimboli as Lord Henry, and Solomon Marks as Basil.

Throughout the evening, the audience enjoyed three compelling monologues; Fern Hill performed by Bakari Leon (Lower Sixth Form,) an extract from Tom Stoppard’s play The Invention of Love performed by Otto Monge (Fourth Form) and a reading from

James Joyce’s A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man performed by Ethan Hamilton.

Shakespeare’s timeless plays Henry IV, Part I and Henry IV, Part 2 were brought to life through an extract performed by Luke Ward (Lower Sixth Form) as Prince Henry, Rourke Mooney (Fourth Form) as Poins, Musa Naeem (Fourth Form) as Pistol, Otto Monge (Fourth Form) as Shallow and Mr Hunt (Head of Languages) as the unforgettable Sir John Falstaff.

After a short break for ice cream, Lower Sixth Formers Bakari Leon and Rafi Davis performed an extract from Anton Chekhov’s play The Seagull . Lower Sixth Formers, Milo Moffit, Alex Braglewicz, Luke Ward and Matthew Lee then provided a humorous performance from Mikhail and Vyacheslav Durnenkov’s play, The Drunks .

The festival culminated in a grand finale featuring the choristers, Chamber Orchestra and Jazz Band delivering a rousing rendition of When I Grow Up from Matilda The Musical by Tim Minchin. The performance was filled with infectious energy and optimism, encapsulating the dreams and aspirations of childhood.

Whitgift’s Summer Arts Festival showcased the incredible talent and artistic diversity within the School community. Thank you to everyone involved in making this event a success, from the students to the directors and conductors, with special recognition to those working behind the scenes, including the backstage support, AV team, and the Catering team who prepared the delicious street food for guests to enjoy before the performances.

Whitgift’s Summer Arts Festival showcased the incredible talent and artistic diversity within the School community

GOLDEN VANITY PERFORMANCE

Saturday 1 July 2023 saw the Whitgift choristers, Croydon Minster choristers and talented singers from local primary schools come together for an afternoon of storytelling through song at the ‘Ship Ahoy!’ concert.

The Croydon Minster was transformed with two floating ships on stage for the performances of Benjamin Britten’s The Golden Vanity and the timeless classic of Captain Noah and His Floating Zoo by Michael Flanders and Joseph Horovitz.

Whitgift choristers, led by Mr Miller (Director of Choral Music) opened the concert with an impressive semi-staged performance of The Golden Vanity . The English ballad tells the story of a sea battle with Turkish pirates, how a humble cabin boy saves the day and a sea-captain who refuses to keep a promise. The students showed immense dedication, memorising the lyrics of this nearly 20-minute ballad and impressively embracing their roles, skilfully combining acting and singing.

Mr Miller commented “The performance of The Golden Vanity was a wonderful opportunity for the choristers to step out from behind the choir stalls and into the spotlight, showcasing their hidden dramatic talents alongside their vocal capabilities. Learning and memorising the work was no easy feat, but the boys enjoyed every minute of the preparation and performance.”

Mr Miller, who also works as the Director of Choral Music at Croydon Minster has been working with local primary schools as part of the ‘Croydon Sings!’ project over the academic year. This initiative aims to offer enhanced singing support to Primary School pupils in Croydon who may have little or no access to music. The enthusiastic pupils from Aerodrome Primary Academy, Heathfield Academy and The Minster Junior School joined the Croydon Minster choristers and Whitgift choristers to bring a lively performance of Captain Noah and His Floating Zoo

The ‘Ship Ahoy!’ concert was met with great enthusiasm and joy from everyone present, serving as a memorable finale to the music performances of the 2022/23 academic year.

This was a wonderful opportunity for the choristers to step out from behind the choir stalls and into the spotlight

BRASS CONCERT

Whitgift’s annual Strictly Come Brassing Concert and Brass Competition took place on Friday 10 March 2023 in the Concert Hall.

Throughout the Trinity Term, Brass performers took part in a series of competition rounds before the finalists were selected to perform at the Brass Concert. The Competition was divided into four: Grade 1-2, Grade 3-4, Grade 5-6, and Grades 7-8. Three pupils competed in each round to win the cup for each respective category. The adjudicator for the competition was Paul Wilson (Staff 1996-2022), who had the difficult task of placing the students.

The winners of each class were as follows:

> Jack Vaughan – First Form (Grade 1-2)

> Kolawole Oyewole – Third Form (Grade 3-4)

> Ed Crossland – Upper Sixth Form (Grade 5-6)

> Edward Bowley – Upper Sixth Form (Grade 7-8)

The second half of the evening was filled with multiple performances from a range of ensembles, including the Trombone Quartet, Brass Sinfonietta, Trumpet

MUSIC

Ensemble, and the Brass Quintet. The audience was treated to some classic pieces, such as Dancing Queen by Abba and 633 Squadron by Ron Goodwin arr. Claire Duncan. Congratulations to the winners of each category and a big thank you to every pupil who participated in the concert. With thanks to Mr Lane (Head of Keyboard) and Mr Winter (Head of Orchestral Studies) for their accompaniment during the evening, and finally to Ms Temple (Head of Brass) for organising such a successful evening.

END OF TERM ACTIVITIES

June 2023 was an actionpacked month at Whitgift, and students had the opportunity to take part in several events.

Lower First Form sustainability workshop

The Geography department organised an exciting enrichment day for all Lower First Form pupils on Monday 19 June 2023.

Whitgift was pleased to welcome a group of PGCE students from the University of York to run a variety of sessions based around the theme of ‘sustainability’. While exploring economic, social, and environmental sustainability, pupils enhanced their understanding to give them the necessary skills to form a sustainable community. At the end of the day,

prizes were awarded to the most innovative creations.

Mr Sharp (Teacher of Geography) explained “The boys dived headfirst into an array of sustainability focused workshops aimed at increasing their knowledge on how to create a holistic yet functioning town for today, but also the future. Their ideas were wild yet wonderful and I hope that one day, in the not-so-distant future, we will look to them for the next wave of sustainable cities!”

Fifth Form Activity Day

Whitgift's Fifth Form marked the end of their GCSEs with a range of activities on Big Side. These included inflatable games and obstacle

courses, go-karting, tug of war and sumo wrestling.

Mr Munro (Head of Fifth Form) commented “It was fantastic to see that the students were able to have a really fun day after what was such a long and busy year, working towards their GCSEs. Everyone got involved in the activities that were out on Edridge, from bungy races to the human table-football!”

Culture Day – Lower First/ First Form

On Friday 23 June 2023, the Lower First and First Form participated in the inaugural Culture Day at Whitgift. Students brought in traditional costumes to wear as an opportunity to celebrate the diverse

communities and backgrounds represented within the School. Thank you to the Senior Prefect Team for the initial idea and for helping to organise the event.

‘End of blue shirt’ event

Third Form students bid a fond farewell to their blue shirts (from Fourth Form they wear white shirts) by participating in a range of activities on Little Side on Friday 23 June 2023. Students took part in team-building exercises and obstacle courses as a way of marking the exciting transition to the Middle Years.

Mr Brown (Head of Third Form) commented “The ‘end of blue shirt’ event was the perfect way for

students and staff alike to celebrate an important milestone in the Third Formers’ Whitgift journey. The winning formula of teamwork, fun and inclusivity means this was an event genuinely enjoyed by every single Third Former.”

8 Billion Ideas

Whitgift welcomed ‘8 Billion Ideas’ to host a series of workshops for Second Form students based around entrepreneurship on Tuesday 27 June 2023. Students were tasked with developing a product on the theme of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and to create a business plan with innovative solutions and a marketing strategy. At the end of the week, the students pitched their concepts to a panel of experts and their entire

year group. Topics selected included methods to tackle problems such as plastic waste affecting ecosystems and ways people can save money on energy expenditure.

SPORT

SUMMER SPORTS DAYS

The House structure is a core part of life at Whitgift and offers students in different year groups the opportunity to bond as a team in pursuit of the House Cup.

Junior House Sports Day

The much-anticipated Junior House Sports Day took place in June 2023 on South Field. With the sun shining, and a sense of excitement amongst all, students, families, and staff gathered to cheer on the Houses in the action-packed event lineup.

This annual event is an enjoyable showcase of the School’s youngest members as they put their athleticism and teamwork skills to the test. Events ranged from short and long-distance running, relays and hurdles, to long and high jumps, javelin, discus, and more!

Well done to all the participants, whether on the field or supporting their peers. Congratulations to Beech House, led by Dr Hudson (Teacher of Chemistry), for winning the House Cup.

Second Form Sports Day

Whitgift held the inaugural Second Form Sports Day soon after the Junior House event. With a healthy dose of competition and comradery, alongside sporting effort and talents, each of the students represented their House with great passion.

Congratulations to Cross's House, led by Mr Morris (Teacher of Modern Languages) for winning the House Cup.

Both afternoons were filled with a sense of fulfilment and pride in everything that the School tries to represent – challenge, integrity, support and celebration. Thank you to Mr Webb (Head of Athletics) for organising these events.

Both afternoons were filled with a sense of fulfilment and pride in everything that the School tries to represent

FOOTBALL U14 SUCCESS

The U13 Whitgift team conceded a heart-breaking last-minute goal on Tuesday 24 May 2022 to lose the ESFA National Final to South Hunsley 3-4. Fast forward 366 days to Thursday 25 May 2023 and the now, U14 Whitgift team safely navigated themselves through the previous rounds to reach a second consecutive ESFA National Final against St. Bede's School, keen to make amends for what happened 12 months before!

Whitgift had a fantastic start which saw them race into a 3-0 lead and they then went on to make it 4-0 before half time. The ruthless Aiden Evans scores a first half hat trick alongside a Dante Waite goal.

The second half settles into a more routine game with St. Bede’s trying to salvage something from the half. The second half ends with a final score of 7-3 to Whitgift, an empathic and comprehensive

performance as the score line suggests.

To become National Champions is always a huge success and a very proud achievement but to bounce back from the disappointment of the season before and show the desire and resilience to win made the occasion and the feeling extra special.

Thank you to Mr Martin (Director of Football) for leading this team to success over the last two years.

2023 SIXTH FORM EVENTS

Theory of Knowledge Exhibition

The annual Theory of Knowledge (TOK) Exhibition took place on Tuesday 20 June 2023 in the Sixth Form Centre for all Lower Sixth IB students. The TOK Exhibition is an essential part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme, providing an opportunity for students to reflect on the nature of knowledge, and on how we know what we claim to know. Each student is required to select a prompt to stimulate their selection and curate three objects with knowledge connections.

Lower Sixth Form ‘After Whitgift’ Course

On Wednesday 21 June 2023, all Lower Sixth Formers took part in a day conference of events, taster sessions and workshops to prepare them for university and life ‘After Whitgift’. Following on from a Personal Statements Workshop in the week prior, students also benefitted from a Q&A session with Old Whitgiftians who talked about their careers and university experiences.

Upper Sixth Form Graduation

Upper Sixth Formers marked the end of their time at Whitgift with a Graduation Ceremony on Friday 30 June 2023. This symbolic event offered them a chance to reflect on their achievements, friendships and accomplishments, and to look ahead to the next chapter in their academic careers. The event culminated with the Graduation Ball.

Boarding students also had a lunchtime celebration with the Founder’s House team, to which their families were invited. Mr Challoner (Senior Boarding Housemaster) asked them to “embrace the poignancy of today –and cherish the connections and memories you have formed… [and to] take the time to relish this important day of transition.”

A FULL PROGRAMME OF VISITING SPEAKERS

Whitgift welcomed several speakers for Academic Enrichment, where successful individuals in their fields share valuable knowledge with students. A selection of the speakers are listed:

1. Dr Aoife Hunt (mathematician and leading specialist in people movement and emergency planning) spoke to selected students on careers in Mathematics. (February)

2. Dr Richard Taylor (forensic psychiatrist and author) spoke with Sixth Formers to discuss his journey from medical school into forensic psychiatry. (March)

3. Lower First and First Form were treated to an engaging talk by Tom Bigglestone, ‘The Philosophy Man.’ (March)

4. Alex Bellos (Author and mathematics communicator) gave a captivating talk on mind-bending puzzles and brain-teasing problems. (March)

5. Tarik O’Regan (Composer and Old Whitgiftian) spoke about his recent commission for The Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. (April)

6. Ssegawa Kiwanuka (Old Whitgiftian and former School Captain) visited the Lower First Form to present the Kiwanuka project award. Congratulations to Harry Camp, Max Levin and Daniel Ward who won with their independent research project on ‘The Effect of E-Sports on Modern Childhood’. (June)

7. Professor Josh Cohen (Professor of Modern Literary Theory, Goldsmiths) gave an introductory talk on Modern Literary Theory. (June)

8. Professor Richard Dance

of Early English, Cambridge) spoke on the history of the English language. (June)

9. Professor Brian Cox (British Physicist) discussed the physics of Black holes and the role of quantum computing in current physics research. (June)

(Professor

NEWS

FOUNDER’S DAY

The annual Founder’s Day service took place on 22 March 2023 to pay tribute to the life and work of the School’s Founder, Archbishop John Whitgift.

This year saw the revival of an old tradition whereby members of the Sixth Form, along with all staff, were given a white flower to wear. The day started with a service at Whitgift Chapel, led by the Chaplain Reverend Alan Bayes. Members of the Lower Sixth Form and staff then joined the annual

Founder’s Day service at Croydon Minster. Together with pupils from other Foundation Schools and staff from across the John Whitgift Foundation, they were greeted by a very special assembly of the Whitgift’s Corps of Drums.

For the first time ever, the School’s Corps of Drums invited the Old

Whitgiftian Association Corps of Drums to join them in the parade. The School paraded in their traditional scarlets, now badged to the Fusiliers, whilst the OWs wore their traditional Queen’s Regiment blazers with their old school Corps of Drums ties. Some of these had been worn for over 50 years!

This event marks the importance of the legacy left by John Whitgift and we are continually grateful to those who help build upon this today.

This event marks the importance of the legacy left by John Whitgift

HISTORY FESTIVAL

Whitgift’s History Festival returned at the end of June 2023 after a four-year break, bringing together historians and students for a captivating two-day event.

The festival delved into a range of topics, starting with a presentation from esteemed historian Dominic Sandbrook, renowned for his expertise in 20th century Britain and co-host of The Rest is History podcast. His detailed presentation on the First World War to Third Formers sparked many insightful questions that deepened their understanding of the subject. Meanwhile, Fourth Formers were captivated by Dominic’s talk on Hitler’s rise to power, with Sixth Formers exploring intriguing alternative scenarios in a special session on historical “what ifs”.

In the afternoon, Edward Shawcross joined the lineup to discuss his best-selling book The Last Emperor of Mexico (2022). This gripping tale recounted the journey of Habsburg archduke Maximillian, an admiral of the Austrian navy, who eventually assumed the title of Emperor of Mexico in 1864.

The festival continued with a talk from Professor James Daybell, an eminent figure in Early Modern History, a fellow of the Royal Historical Society,

WHITGIFT’S FIRST PHILANTHROPY WEEK

In June 2023, the School held its first Giving Day, Whitgift Gives, as part of the wider initiative that was Whitgift’s first Philanthropy Week.

The aim of Whitgift Gives was to reach 250 donations by the end of the online 36-hour event and to raise awareness of Whitgift For All projects. Whitgift For All aims to provide financial support as well as enrich local education through philanthropic donations from inside and outside the School community.

Throughout the week, students showed great enthusiasm as they participated in various activities while learning about the importance of giving back. Lower First Formers enjoyed a sponsored relay on South Field, while First and Second Form students took

author of numerous books on the Tudors and 16th and 17th century historian. Lower First Form students were taken on an interesting exploration of the History of Objects, revealing the fascinating stories behind everyday items. Professor Daybell also spoke to students about his weekly podcast Histories of the Unexpected which provided a fun way to close the talk.

As the History Festival drew to a close, the finale featured a compelling talk to Sixth Formers on the US Civil War by Professor Adam Smith, an esteemed scholar in US Politics and Political History at the University of Oxford.

The History Festival at Whitgift provided an opportunity for students to delve into various chapters of history, igniting their curiosity and encouraging them to explore the vast tapestry of human heritage.

part in bake sales (thank you to the parents that supported this) and five-a-side football tournaments on Big Side.

A group of Sixth Form students also challenged the Headmaster to row 2,000 meters, agreeing to donate £150 to Whitgift Gives should he complete it. Mr Ramsey accepted and successfully completed the challenge.

In total, 359 donors gave during the event raising over £66,000 in support of the Bursary Fund, Community Summer School, and the Class of 2023 Gift to WFA. This is a true testament to the generosity of the Whitgift community and we thank all students, staff, alumni, parents and friends of the School for their support.

MUSIC

A MOVING EVENING AT HOUSE MUSIC

Whitgift’s annual House Music competition took place in March 2023. The guest adjudicator for this year’s competition was Mr Wilson (Staff 1996-2022) who had the difficult task of ranking all the Houses. In his closing remarks, he praised all the performers for a wonderful and moving evening.

All eight Houses participated in the competition, with each led by an accompanied soloist, followed by a large ensemble of younger students. All pupils displayed talent, passion, and drive throughout the evening but at the end of the night Mr Wilson gave the highest praise to Smith’s, with a special mention to Matthew Sayers (Upper Sixth Form), whose rendition of Seigfried by Frank Ocean had a genuine connection with the audience.

However, Matthew’s performance was not the only reason for Smith’s win. The younger students in the large ensemble who performed I’m Still Standing by Elton John also made an impression.

Mr Morris (Senior Housemaster) commented “I would like to thank all those who took part with a particular mention to Mr Wilson, Mr Elsom, and the rest of the Music department.”

The results were as follows:

> 1st p lace: Smith’s

> 2nd p lace: Ellis’s

> 3r d place: Andrew’s and Mason’s

List of winners from Smith’s:

> M atthew Sayers (Upper Sixth Form),

> A nnas Touil (Upper Sixth Form)

> S am Burke (Upper Sixth Form)

> M iles Coppin (Upper Sixth Form)

> A lex Blonski-Rulach (Fifth Form)

> W illiam Burke (Third Form)

> K ayden Lee (Third Form)

> Logan Brunni (Third Form)

> E lliot Schroeder (Second Form)

> X avier Taylor-Smith (Second Form)

All pupils displayed talent, passion, and drive

MUSIC

DRAMA

FEATHERS IN THE SNOW

Whitgift School’s Junior and Middle Years’ production, Feathers In the Snow , took centre stage in June 2023 in Big School captivating the audience with its enchanting tale of magic and migration.

The play delved into the concept of how stories infuse meaning into seemingly random events, while exploring the eternal quest to find a place to call home. As the narrative unfolded, a pivotal decision set in motion a remarkable chain of events, leading to an extraordinary journey. Along the way, the audience encountered a talking leopard, a covetous King, a mystical bird, a colossal tidal wave, a sea witch, a lost soldier, a cunning dolphin, a war, and a trail of feathers scattered in the snow.

To bring this magical world to life, the production incorporated specially crafted puppets, including ‘Blazerbird’ who was masterfully designed by renowned puppet maker Judith Hope and skilfully controlled by Sam Moorhouse (First Form) and Louis Boon (Third Form). Students also had the opportunity to contribute to the creation of props under the guidance of Ms Korksi (German Language Assistant), Mr Kubasiak (Art and Design Technician), and Miss Spedding (Teacher of Drama and Director of Feathers In the Snow ).

With over 50 students involved in the production Feathers In the Snow was one of Whitgift’s biggest performances to date. One of the cast, Krish Patel (First Form) expressed his enthusiasm “It was great interacting with people I haven’t performed with before.” Another young actor in his first performance at Whitgift, Rafa Sharma (Lower First Form) commented “I am glad I had the chance to partake in the production, as it’s created life-long bonds with my fellow peers.”

Miss Spedding shared her pride in the cast saying “I am extremely proud of the cast of Feathers In the Snow . Performing in such a large cast, switching between multiple characters, and bringing this fantastical world to life on stage is no small feat, and they have surpassed themselves.”

The success of the production was further elevated by the efforts of the AV team, who managed the staging, lighting, and special effects, contributing to an overall immersive experience. Special recognition is due to Miss Spedding and Miss Gill (Assistant Director) for their unwavering commitment to bringing this remarkable production to life.

An enchanting tale of magic and migration

DRAMA

TRIPS

GOLD DUKE OF EDINBURGH (DOFE) CORSICA EXPEDITION

Over the course of seven days, the five Gold DofE groups hiked over half of ‘Europe’s toughest long-distance route’: the GR20. Angus Heasman Tree (Upper Sixth Form) writes about the adventure.

Our 95km section started at the southeast of Corsica (Conca) to its centre (Vizzavona). On the first day we hiked our first 2km to Le pont de Purciella, a stunningly clear water body which we spent the remainder of the day swimming in – a refreshing moment we were reminiscent of days later.

As with traditional Gold DofE Expeditions we had previously noted our route on paper maps; though paper maps are effective for distance, nothing put the altitude lines truly into perspective like day three. We woke up knowing we would walk over ‘40 altitude lines’ or, as I didn’t like at the time, ‘the mountain on your left’. This climb started from Refuge d’Asinau (1550m) to Bocca Stazzunara (2025m), and we still had a day of walking after.

Before we left Asinau we took our first enthusiastic group photo on the helipad.

My least favourite part of the day was watching the silhouettes of Mr Sharp, Mr Green, Mr Bassett and Mr Brown jogging their way towards us, seemingly making light work of the mountain we’d just trekked down. In total, we horizontally covered over 93km. But if you include the 5.3km ascent and 4.7km descent you won’t be surprised to learn how much food we munched along the way. In some places, the ascents were so steep it felt less like hiking and more like rock climbing with 15kg packs.

On a serious note though, we all came back shattered but invigorated from this expedition. It has been the toughest and most satisfying physical challenge I’ve ever had and, along with that, the best “type-two fun” we’ve ever shared. Now all we need is to do is the other half.

TRIPS

Here is a selection of the memorable trips Whitgiftians were able to take last term.

1. CCF Central Camp (July)

2. Lower Sixth IB Biology and ESS fieldtrip (May)

3. Sixth Form trip to Geneva (April)

4. Fourth Form BMW-Mini DTE Factory tour (June)

PERFORMING ARTS EVENTS

LENT COLLECTION CONCERT HOUSE DRAMA

Thursday 12 October 7pm, PAC

Free admission (by reserving on WisePay)

AUTUMN COLLECTION CONCERT

Wednesday 29 November 7pm, Fairfield Halls

Free admission (by reserving on WisePay)

TWELFTH NIGHT

Wednesday 6 – Friday 8 December 7pm, Big School

Tickets: £10 and £5 concessions (by reserving on WisePay)

CAROL SERVICE

Thursday 14 December 5pm, Croydon Minster Free admission (by reserving on WisePay)

BOOKING INFORMATION

Please visit www.whitgift.co.uk/events for all our events and information on how to book.

*Concessions: Children 16 and under, Over 60s, Students (17–25 in full-time education)

Photography

Front cover: Alex Hill

Inside: DFPhotography, Fergus Burnett, Mark Hakansson, Alex Hill, David Jenkinson, Stephen J Kennedy Photography, Aga King