LIFEMICHAELMAS 2020

Virtual success Whitgift’s very first Virtual Graduation eventAn incredible performance of Fantastic Mr FoxWhitgift Chamber Choir unites community in song A perspective from the NHS Front Line Commemorating 20 years of Primary Project OW and Indy 500 race winner returns to Whitgift and more inside... news news Commemorating 20 years of Whitgift Primary Project Academic Enrichment programme goes virtual

Whitgift Primary Project has Years pupils, who act as fantastic strong relationships with local 30 primary schools in the Whitgift’s Academic Enrichment been running for 20 years, and role models. The main focus of Headteachers who provide us Borough of .” programme continued during in that time over 25,000 pupils the week is on developing skills with insight about how the the lockdown period through an from local primary schools have in Computing, through coding, programme can be adapted to For many pupils, this is one of the exciting series of virtual seminars attended a week of classes at robotics and animation software. best meet their student’s needs.” highlights of their year, and one delivered by teachers on topics the School. The Primary Project In addition pupils receive which is eagerly anticipated by which fascinated them. The series consists of an exciting week of stimulating lessons in Science, He added, “We have reached out pupils and staff alike. had two goals; to enable students lessons and activities, all acting Music, Languages and Sport. to a number of local schools for the to encounter new ideas and to as an opportunity to ignite 2020/21 academic challenge them with those ideas. further passion for learning in Director of Partnerships year. Circumstances the students who attend. The and Community, Mr Marlow permitting, we’re Virtual seminars covered a broad visiting pupils are taught by commented, “We are pleased to hoping to host a range of interesting topics such Whitgift teachers and also have be celebrating 20 years of this further 1,000 Year 5 as The Philosophy of Mathematics, the chance to interact with Junior project and to have developed pupils from around Whitgift Primary Project The Modernist Dilemma, Beginning Arabic and A Practical Introduction to Jazz. ‘An exciting

| ONLINE SEMINAR SERIES week of lessons ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT

We have put together an exciting series of seminars which will be delivered remotely during the school closure. Every session below was and activities’ offered by a teacher based on what ideas fascinate them, and we hope that you too will be fascinated by the seminars you attend.

The series has two goals: we want you to encounter new ideas, and we want to challenge you with those ideas. We will have achieved our aims if you come away from a seminar able to finish the sentence ‘I never realised that…’ Head of Academic Enrichment, Mr The winners were:

To register for a seminar, students should use the online Piggott, also organised numerous form available on Firefly at https://whitgift.fireflycloud. net/academic-enrichment-1. Some are individual lectures while others will be delivered as a series; staff continue to send us new ideas so this programme will enrichment challenges including Riley Thomas (Lower First) – Painting be updated as new seminars are announced. All the sessions will take place at 4 pm using Microsoft Teams.

Mr JWD Piggott the Prism Prize where students Ethan Gilbert (First Form) – Piano Composition Head of Academic Enrichment

Mr D Bregman Assistant Head of Higher Education were tasked with answering the Tom Bennet (Form 2) – Writing question ‘What is hope to you?’ Tom Peterson (Form 3) – Painting in any way that inspires them – in Gilbert Wright (Form 3) – Writing words, in paint, in performance etc. Yasser Hassan (Lower Sixth) – Writing

Shine School Media Awards – Whitonomics

From the start of the academic The magazine was entered into the Mr Al-Hasso year, a team of Lower Sixth Form Shine School Media Awards 2020, summarised, “This is students challenged themselves and their hard work was rewarded truly an outstanding to create a student-led magazine. with the following accolades: achievement from They carried out all the writing, this year’s team of editing, artwork and design Best Magazine Cover – Highly students. Achieving with the guidance of Economic Commended commendations & Business Studies Teacher, Mr and runner-up in Al-Hasso. Best Illustration and Artwork multiple categories is – Runner Up for “Whitonomics incredible, as this year Editor-in-Chief, Ryan Ho Jackpot” by William Hughes the competition was explained, “Putting together this exceptionally intense. year’s edition of Whitonomics Best Stand-Alone Piece – Highly A huge thank you must was a challenging but rewarding Commended for “The end of an go to Ryan Ho for his experience. I had the pleasure era – Does China’s slowdown incredible leadership and of working with a diverse and spell the end of its state-owned to the entire team who creative team, and would like enterprises?” by Ryan Ho contributed. We hope to thank Mr Al-Hasso for his they inspire the next invaluable guidance during the Best Magazine – Highly Whitonomics production process.” Commended team on to great things.”

2 WHITGIFT LIFE WHITGIFT LIFE 3 news A CELEBRATION OF WHITGIFT LIFE 2020 news A virtual Celebration of Whitgift Life 2020 Sixth Form Virtual Graduation

The event recognised academic Despite a challenging few achievements over their school attainment and progress of months for the Upper Sixth, journey. The event marked a students in all year groups and (since school closure and the major milestone in their lives – subject areas, including House cancellation of exams) they the passage from school to the Awards and Co-curricular have all displayed incredible outside world, and to all the Achievements. Heads of Year patience and resilience during an challenges and great opportunities Headmaster, Mr Chris Ramsey, rewarded students for all-round exceptionally demanding period that lay beyond Whitgift. opened this unique celebration, engagement and commitment in in their lives. After finishing live from the School site at 3pm their cohort. their respective courses, they Prior to the pre-recorded on 3 July 2020. Almost 700 completed a Pre-University Graduation ceremony, Mr

devices were tuned in during the The celebration of Whitgift Guest of Honour Enrichment programme which Burnside (Head of Sixth Form), 30 minute celebration, the first sporting achievements was Tim Davie CBE provided them with an early Mrs Bedford (Head of Upper Sixth

ever live streamed Celebration a story of two halves: pre Old Whitgiftian, CEO BBC Studios and incoming BBC Director General insight into university study and Form) and Dr Mansfield (Deputy of Whitgift Life in the School’s lockdown Rugby, Football the various requirements of their Head of Upper Sixth Form) history. The students who were on and Hockey match highlights chosen undergraduate degrees. delivered yearbooks and leaver’s site, Lower First Form and some followed by a montage of home hoodies to the local Upper Sixth ‘The event of the Fourth and Lower Sixth videos sent in by students, In July 2020, the School was Formers while others received Formers, all tuned in from their showing back garden skills pleased to offer Sixth Formers theirs by post. Mrs Bedford marked a major venues around the School. practice challenges that kept the opportunity to tune in to commented, “Everyone at students engaged and active Whitgift’s very first Virtual Whitgift wishes this remarkable milestone in Instead of returning to the during over 100+ days of digital Graduation event, celebrating cohort the very best for their School in person as is usual for learning. their individual and collective next steps. Congratulations!” their lives’ the Celebration of Whitgift Life’s Guest of Honour, Tim Davie The adapted Co-curricular CBE - Old Whitgiftian and BBC programme continued once the Director General – prerecorded School community switched to a 10 minute message from remoting teaching and learning Television Centre for this year’s on 23 March. The Whitgift Soul live streamed celebration. Choir’s recording of Lean on me provided an apt soundtrack to Over 500 prizes were allocated, a compilation of memorable and each was a surprise as none moments from ‘School Life in of the prize winners knew about Lockdown’ including highlights choir performances, remote their awards until the live event. from Microsoft Teams lessons, assemblies, mask production for It was a fitting end to a unique student presentations for the NHS, food deliveries to local ‘It was year, and despite it being shorter the EPQ (Extended Project schools and more. than the usual event, it captured Qualification), Academic a fitting as much of the same sense Enrichment online seminars, While much of the occasion of occasion as was possible virtual House competitions in was recorded in advance, end to a remotely. Art, Music and Drama; online the Headmaster was live on YouTube throughout the 30 unique minute event to reflect on the year’ extraordinary year and recognise the exceptional achievements of students.

The celebration traditionally closed with a message from the new School Captain, Gus Bradford and best wishes for a safe and enjoyable summer.

4 WHITGIFT LIFE WHITGIFT LIFE 5 news news Whitgift community – letter from the Headmaster

10 June 2020

Dear students,

Until now I have hesitated to make any public comment in the wake of powerful protests following the appalling death of George Floyd in America. However, there is a strong view that not to express our community opposition to racism at such a time means to ‘turn a blind eye’. Since the Whitgift community is as racially, ethnically, and socially diverse as you can get in an independent school, that would be wrong.

I was glad to be present, alongside around 80 students and staff, at a (virtual) meeting of the Whitgift Afro Caribbean Society yesterday. The meeting discussed recent events in the light of what race means to those present. I want to commend Mr Powell, Miss Williams and Whitgift students and staff demonstrate their community-mindedness those Whitgiftians who spoke at the meeting for what was a measured, deeply felt and courteous discussion. I want to highlight one contributor Whitgift’s ‘think global, act local’ Third Former Louis Hammond and delivered locally to hospitals volunteers, delivered meals to local especially, who asked ‘what can regular people like us do to prevent philosophy encourages students completed a 10 km run in just and GP practices. “Over 3,000 schools, distributed supplies from that kind of thing happening again?’ to explore and support causes 51 minutes. Many students also had been produced by mid-April”, food banks to vulnerable residents that are personally meaningful to wrote thoughtful letters to care stated Mr Marlow, Whitgift’s and provided transport to and from There are many possible answers to that question, including some of them and over the past year they home residents which were very Director of Partnerships and care homes for key workers.” the ideas suggested by black students in recent letters to the press,

have dedicated over 3,500 hours gratefully received. Community. “The School’s fleet *Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards, volunteer service and petitions to schools and governments. We need to listen to, and to volunteering*. of minibuses, driven also by staff participants 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020. consider these, and I undertake to do so. That will take time, but while After goggles and equipment we do so, I publicly repeat what all leaders of organisations should, that As the Covid-19 pandemic were donated to the NHS, every student and member of staff at Whitgift should be respected for began impacting the local the School’s 3D printers were who they are, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender or community, Whitgift students used to make the parts for background, and that we will not tolerate open or covert discrimination. and staff embraced this ethos visors, following a design by Mr and volunteered in large Wendes (Design, Technology & For us to look deeper in to creating a culture where we celebrate our numbers to support the NHS Engineering), which were then differences and tackle unconscious bias, everyone has a role to play in and organisations in Croydon assembled by staff volunteers sharing their experiences, good or not so good. If you have anything and the surrounding areas, using you wish to share or discuss concerning the matters above, your Tutor their skills and time to make a or Year Group Team are always available. Myself and members of the difference. Senior Management Team are also here, so please do approach us.

Many students used their talents Together we can make our school the very best it can be, for you as to fundraise: School Captain Zain current students, and for the generations of Whitgiftians that will follow. Peerbhoy became a vegan for a month and cycled the equivalent My best wishes to you all. distance of Whitgift to Paris while Fifth Former Myles Alcindor set up the 2.6 Basketball challenge – to get 26 balls made from socks into a basket from 2.6 metres! First Former Hugo Ong-Seng and his younger brother joined Headmaster an initiative in Wimbledon, baking and delivering muffins to keyworkers in the area and ‘Many students used their talents to fundraise’

6 WHITGIFT LIFE WHITGIFT LIFE 7 news news Home Learning Initiatives Senior House activities in Lockdown

HomeHack course leads to Group coaching with students Whitgift’s students enjoyed a Other achievements from > Senior sculpture winner for > Tate’s House won the Third innovative ideas from Second from New York packed programme of House the competitions include the Smith’s House was Fifth Form sculpture competition Formers activities throughout the Trinity following: Former Tom Saba with an > Andrew’s House won the At the beginning of Trinity Term, Term, while most continued impressive sculpture of an owl > Fourth Former Fraser Murray Third Form photography In June, the whole of the Second Whitgift started a coaching remote learning. made from cardboard boxes. (Dodd’s) achieved first place competition. Form participated in a three-day partnership with Riverdale for his excellent rendition of > Third Former Reuben Karas virtual entrepreneurship course, Country School, a co-ed private Over six weeks, students from Cassius’ speech persuading won House Drama for Mason’s Homehack. The course is part of school in the Bronx, New York. Second Form to Upper Sixth 1 Brutus to join the conspirators with his drumming solo. IGNITE, the Independent Research Weekly group coaching sessions Form took part in competitions against Caesar. module, and was delivered by an were held between students from made up of Art, Photography, > Fifth Former Cameron Still external company called 7 Billion both schools to allow for more Sculpture, Creative Writing, > Second Former Quentin won House Art for Cross’s. Ideas. The organisation provides meaningful interactions beyond Drama and Music. Sauve won the photography > Creative Writing winner for students with the opportunity Whitgift. The sessions were competition for Brodie’s with Ellis’ House was Third Former to turn a homegrown idea into a tailored around topics chosen by “I have been very impressed with his montage of rainbows in Bakari Leon world changing product. the students, including discussions the quality of the compositions windows thanking the NHS. on the Covid-19 lockdown and performances that have situation affecting both sides of been submitted for House 2 the Atlantic. Music,” said Mr Motley, Head of Music. “From Beethoven Students were given the to Van Halen, there has been opportunity to connect with other an astonishing range of talent pupils in a completely different displayed. A special mention country going through similar goes to Smith’s House for their experiences. moving group performance of Bridge Over Troubled Water, with parts recorded individually by Reflections from the NHS Front Line students in their own homes, and then arranged and produced Dr Barke, OW, school doctor and His biggest takeaway has by Lower Sixth Former Daniel Orthopaedic Surgeon, reflects been the potential of what Munks. “It’s fantastic to see on the Covid-19 crisis from the can be achieved when ‘needs our brilliant Whitgift musicians front line as he is redeployed to must’. New working practises continuing to compose and Intensive Care. have been developed and perform at home,” he added. implemented across all NHS Initially asked to work at NHS hospitals. In a situation of 4 Nightingale North West in uncertainty, healthcare workers Manchester, he was pleased to are having to adapt quickly and receive fewer patients than are required by necessity to work Nightingale had prepared for. out of their comfort zones.

Currently working in the Intensive Dr Barke summarised, “I have felt seeing them take joy in eating and Dr Barke awaits the phone Care Unit (ICU), Dr Barke reached great pride in seeing my junior for the first time in months and call that will enable him to out to his colleagues to find colleagues, many who are only a clapping as they are discharged return to orthopaedics. Although out how their working lives year or two out of medical school, from ICU. Admitting that most of the temptation to return to had changed as a result of the take on responsibilities that are his work has been upsetting, he ‘normality’ as quickly as possible coronavirus. Responses including usually reserved for far more felt fortunate to have been able will remain, he suggests taking 1 Cameron Still, Fifth Form, longer hours, higher stress experienced doctors and doing so to care for the dying; passing on a moment to reflect on the Cross’s levels, and disruption of normal with great professionalism.” messages to loved ones, holding positives that have been seen routine were counterbalanced hands in final moments and being during this crisis, taking the 2 Smith’s House with positives; more efficient He also felt privileged to watch there to say goodbye. opportunity to implement 3 Quentin Sauve, Second Form, processing, camaraderie in the patients reconnect with their change that is long overdue and Brodie’s workforce and appreciation from families (via FaceTime) after In time, non-emergency ensuring it remains. 4 Tom Saba, Fifth Form, Smith’s the general public. weeks of being on a ventilator, healthcare services will resume,

3

8 WHITGIFT LIFE WHITGIFT LIFE 9 performing arts performing arts

Mr Fox? Fantastic!

As the first half of Lent Term In doing so he destroys the drew to an end, the Lower First countryside and launches a war and First Form took Roald Dahl’s against nature. tale of Fantastic Mr Fox to the Whitgift stage. The set and staging were like a layered woodland cake; cleverly Before opening night, 120 pupils placing the animals in their from local primary schools subterranean burrows while filled the PAC for the first of at the same time showing the the three performances and the farmers in action above ground. 45-minute show was packed with entertainment. The projected animations, courtesy of the Whitgift Audio Long before the students had Visual Department, tied together taken on the personas of foxes, the digging and tunnelling with badgers, moles and weasels, the world above perfectly. the Creatives were hard at work producing a mechanical digger, Sixth Former and co-director matching anything you would Sam Kelly worked tirelessly with see in the West End, and giving the young cast – some of whom the show a real WOW moment had never appeared on stage as it appeared from the side of before – who loved having an the stage! older student to learn from.

The cast did a great job of making Director of Drama and English every character distinctive. The Teacher, Mr Pirrie commented, audience watched apple cider- “These young actors, the swigging Farmer Bean become youngest in our school, have increasingly deranged as he worked incredibly hard for each led Farmer Bunce (reknowned other, and Miss Seal (Head of for his goose liver donuts!) and Lower First Form) and I are Farmer Boggis (who smells of incredibly proud of them all.” chickens) in his plan to stop Mr Fox stealing their ducks, chickens Thank you to all those who and turkeys once and for all! contributed to the success of this production.

‘The cast did a great job of making every character distinctive’

10 WHITGIFT LIFE WHITGIFT LIFE 11 news news Black. Lives. Matter.

The conversation is not a new a diverse and inclusive school one. It had its humble beginnings environment. From INSET days, in the whispered debates held in guest speakers to activities the cotton fields and plantations throughout the School year, it of old. Slaves would debate is our desire to reinforce the their worth and value beyond value and worth that our Afro- the chains which had enabled Caribbean community carries, the development of the modern building a more harmonious world to be financed. learning environment for all.

It rumbled on into the 20th It may not have been a new century where it raised its tone conversation. But it was needed. to be heard in the corridors Here at Whitgift, we welcome of power as old empires tried the opportunity to learn and to resolve issues of bias and grow together. prejudice long engrained. Written by Head of Fifth Form, One can only hope that the Old Whitgiftian and founder of the events of 2020 were the final Whitgift Afro-Caribbean Society Exam Results 2020 crescendo. That the conversation (WACS), Mr Powell. will now subside into determined Congratulations to all the A summary of the 2020 results: Over half of students achieved Eight students completed the action and change. Whitgift students and the staff 40+ points, a feat typically Extended Diploma in Business. who supported them for their A LEVEL achieved by only the top 10% of All grades awarded were again D The Whitgift Afro-Caribbean excellent achievements, hard 98% of all grades awarded students worldwide. This year, or D* and five pupils gained the Society was a part of the work and commitment during were A*-B (or Pre-U equivalent) one student achieved the top maximum D*D*D*. conversation. Students and staff this exceptional year. and nearly a third of all grades score of 45 points. gathered (virtually) to discuss were A*. GCSE matters of race that affect our In 2020, A Level and GCSE grades Whitgift is in the Top two UK’s 88% of all grades awarded were own society. Students bravely were awarded by the School 10 A Level students gained all A* boys school for IB. at 7/8/9 and 37% were awarded told stories of racial profiling, following a lengthy and rigorous grades and a further 53 achieved the top grade of 9. harrowing thoughts and the process. Heads of Department all A or A* grades. discomfort at feeling like they collated all relevant data for each BTEC 14 students achieved 9s in all straddle two worlds. student and consulted with class IB Nine students completed the their entries and a further 33 teachers before deciding on the International Baccalaureate (IB) Level 3 Extended Diploma in achieved all 8 or 9 grades. This has led to a series of actions most likely final grade. Senior staff students achieved an average Sport and Exercise Science. All being taken to further develop moderated each Department’s score of 39 points out of 45; grades awarded were D or D* 45 pupils completed the projections, cross-referencing matching the same average including five pupils gaining the challenging Additional against the progress of previous achieved over the last 3 years. maximum D*D*D*. Mathematics qualification, with School Captain Team and New Prefects cohorts of Whitgift students. As 29 obtaining the top grade. a check, members of the Year Whitgift is pleased to introduce Group Team who knew each of the 2020/21 School Captain the students well, went through Team: Gus (School Captain), the list student by student to look Arjun (School Vice-Captain), for anomalies or inconsistencies. Connor and James (Deputy Vice- The grades awarded were in line Captains). The School Captain, with those achieved by previous aided by a team of Senior cohorts of Whitgift students. Prefects, organises the Prefect body for the fulfilment of their various duties. This includes conducting visitors around the School and issuing duty slips to students for minor instances of poor behaviour or untidy appearance around the School. We wish them the best of luck for this academic year.

12 WHITGIFT LIFE WHITGIFT LIFE 13 performing arts performing arts

Challenges that include savvy and and would-be novelist Alan ambitious young women. conceals his emotions under a layer of cynicism. The production is another of Whitgift’s great collaborations Director and English Teacher, between teachers and students, Mr Alcock commented, “Our with Mr Hunt, (Head of Modern cast more than rose to the Languages & Head of Oriental challenge of this play, proving Languages) taking on the part of Rattigan a firm advocate of Professor Maingot, the irascible the necessity of comedy French teacher and father of and the virtue of civility.” He Jacqueline. added, “Nearly 80 years ago when the play premiered it All actors delivered believable was immediately heralded as and authentic characters. a “masterpiece of frivolity”. There is, however, a texture In mid-March, a cast of 10 young men, hoping for careers in Brian with his terribly bad, but underneath the façade of this performed the Sixth Form the Diplomatic Service, struggle very assured mastication of play which I enjoyed discovering production 2020 over three to learn French. French, an obvious distain for his during the rehearsal process.” nights in Whitgift’s Performing study of the language, and his Arts Centre. As they fall in (and out of) constant pursuit of ‘the green Students from Old Palace of love, the play looks at society’s light’ from willing females as he joined the cast French Without Tears is a expectations of men and in this parties through life. for the roles of Diana and charming comedy from the unusual setting, follows their Jacqueline. Thank you to all 1930s set in a ‘crammer’ in the struggles and childlike solutions to Naval officer Rogers is a splendid cast and crew who made the South of France where five the problems they are faced with. personification of British dignity production possible. French Without Tears

‘All actors delivered believable and authentic characters’

14 WHITGIFT LIFE WHITGIFT LIFE 15 performing arts sport Whitgift Chamber Choir unites communityChoral Review in song – 2019 Table Tennis

In March 2020, Kai Sun You since starting the campaign last The lockdown has been and collated by Dr Krippner (First Form), Jacky Lee (Second term. Winning 15 team matches, particularly difficult for choirs and Mr Connery (Graduate Form), Ollie Maric-Murray (Fifth they became the first Whitgift

around the globe, as singers Music Assistant and Choral Form), Thomas Sullivan-Ferrarin side to win this prestigious and The Minster Choral2019 -20 Foundation rely so much on hearing each Scholar). Whilst some were (First Form) and David Aboagye highly competitive National U13

other during rehearsals and recordings of choral pieces (such (Second Form) became the U13 Title. They follow in the footsteps performances. So what to do as the famous Ubi Caritas by Table Tennis ETTA Schools’ of seven other Whitgift sides to when meeting up is no longer Maurice Duruflé), the choir also National Champions 2019/20. win a National Table Tennis Team an option? Adamant not to be performed hymns to be used in The students worked tremendously Title since 1991. Congratulations beaten by Covid-19, Director of services at and hard and have been undefeated to all! Choral Music, Dr Krippner came the wider Croydon community, up with a new singing scheme allowing congregations which allowed our choristers everywhere to sing along. The Pass it on and choral scholars to continue joy of traditional hymns with online rehearsals – and sung across the aether was During lockdown, Whitgift focusing on Sport to developing knowledge, skills, movement positively impact their lifestyle, even online performances. evident, giving particularly continued to support students the holistic student. We want competencies and desire to sport and most importantly, their Sixth Form student and Minster elderly members in Croydon at home by holding weekly well- to ensure pupils have the make responsible choices that wellbeing beyond Whitgift.” Choral Scholar, Xabi Geering (and further afield) a sense of being webinars which students commented, “Rehearsing and normality during such uncertain accessed via Microsoft Teams.

recording during lockdown was times. Whitgift Minster There was also some fun to be a challenge, but it always Chorister, Hugo Gupta-Wright had through a series of ‘Pass brought a smile to my face. (First Form) summarised, “I think it on’ and skills challenges Seeing my choir mates (albeit on that the digital choir was a great which helped pupils to stay ‘Rehearsing and recording a computer screen) and working experience for me especially as it active and connected. Head of together as a group was great was very fun and allowed me to Physical Education, Mr McCann during lockdown was a fun and made lockdown that continue to improve my singing. commented, “Physical Education little bit easier.” It is exciting to know singing at Whitgift has evolved from challenge, but it always in the Minster is not far away All in all, the Whitgift Chamber from now and we know that if brought a smile to my face’ Choir recorded ten virtual anything like this happens again, Welcome back choir performances, arranged WE CAN DO IT!” On Saturday 12 September 2020, the School welcomed just under 1000 pupils across all year groups to play six different sports. Well done to all those who participated and to the staff facilitating and managing additional Covid-19 secure measures to ensure safety.

16 WHITGIFT LIFE WHITGIFT LIFE 17 performing arts news From Beethoven to Oasis: A celebration of EPQ House Music Competition The Extended Project deliver their presentations Qualification (EPQ) is a growing and talk about their projects. In February 2020, the much- In the close-run contest, programme in the Whitgift Sixth Topics varied widely and included anticipated House Music performances of Adele’s Rolling Form, with almost 50 students Minsksy’s Financial Instability Competition took place. House in the Deep by Mason’s, ELO’s Mr submitting their projects in the Hypothesis, the privatisation of Music Adjudicator for the Blue Sky by Brodie’s and the Four Summer Term. This was a huge UK prisons, AI weaponry, using evening, Mr Elsom, who at the Seasons’ Oh What a Night by achievement, as the last few stem cells to treat heart failure time of the Competition was Cross’ House also tried to secure weeks of students’ projects were and creating a short film from an Director of Music at Wilson’s the title and the points. completed during lockdown, original film script. School but has since joined meaning that they had to be truly Whitgift as the newly appointed Sixth Former and Dodd’s House self-sufficient and independent. This event gave the students the Director of Music, commented Captain, Matthew Wilson Students even managed to chance to get involved in some “The boys who did well were commented, “House Music has record their presentations at fascinating discussions prompted the ones who enjoyed it”. This always been my favourite time home and send them to their by the questions from a panel of indeed summed up the spirit of of the School year. Watching my supervisors for marking, making senior staff, and showcased some the night and is what makes the talented peers performing as well excellent use of their developing of the fantastic work that had House Music Competition such a as organising my own House’s IT skills. been produced by all of the EPQ popular event each year. performance is always thrilling, students under very challenging especially when we win!” The EPQ programme culminated circumstances. The School is ‘Students had to be Tate’s performances included A in a Celebration Evening, held as a incredibly proud of every one of Change is Gonna Come by Sam And with a medley of Oasis songs live event on Teams, with dozens them for getting their projects truly self-sufficient Cooke and This is Me from The and a duet of an extract from of students and their families finished and for achieving some Greatest Showman. Pianist Jerry George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in tuning in to watch five students fantastic grades! and independent’ Lin (Upper Sixth Form) played Blue on harmonica and piano, it Sonata in F minor by Beethoven was Dodd’s House who lifted the for Ellis’ House in addition to cup at the end of the night. Theology and Religion Essay Competition 2020 their ensemble’s rendition of Valerie by Mark Ronson and Amy Congratulations to everyone In June, Lower Sixth Former Daniel’s essay explored what this Winehouse. involved. Daniel Munks was awarded notion means for religious and first prize in the Keble College non-religious people, to Theology and Religion Essay see whether there could be any Competition 2020. point of agreement between them. He commented, “My Daniel submitted an essay of Theology and Philosophy teacher up to 1,500 words in which Mr White encouraged me to he discussed the topic: ‘The enter the competition and I was apparent reality of cosmic fine- really surprised and happy when tuning furnishes one of the they emailed me to let me know most powerful and promising I had won.” platforms for a dialogue between theology and physical Keble College ran the essay cosmology’. competition to offer an opportunity for students to Cosmic fine-tuning is the consider in more depth questions observation that things/qualities of contemporary and historical in our world seem tailored to significance. Winners were ‘The boys who facilitate human life (if things chosen based on their essays had been slightly different, the being carefully researched, well- did well were universe wouldn’t be habitable). structured and well-presented, For Christians, this might be seen but which also reflect critical the ones who as evidence of God’s design, awareness and an ability to enjoyed it’ because it seems more than reason through an argument. just a coincidence! Whereas secular physicists might find The School would like to an alternative explanation, not congratulate Daniel on winning agreeing that a God exists. this prestigious essay competition.

18 WHITGIFT LIFE WHITGIFT LIFE 19 news

Winning Race Car Owner returns to Whitgift

Old Whitgiftian and 2013 Indy He expressed, “You must try and 500 winner, Kevin Kalkhoven learn to fail in order to succeed.” visited the School in March 2020, and reflected on the Kevin displayed his two race cars process of prepping the winning at Whitgift for the day and kindly car and wanted to leave the allowed the pupils to sit in them students with the message that and take photographs while he racing is a series of ups and answered their questions about downs. careers in Engineering.

A Whitgift student in 1962 with The retired CEO owns the ‘no idea what I wanted to do with Grand Prix Association of Long my life’, he explained to current Beach, Cosworth Racing and students how his first job out of Cosworth Electronics and kindly school developing computers donated his Indy 500 trophy became a passion, and with to the Headmaster, which will hard work and determination be showcased proudly in the he was able to work his way up School’s Design, Technology & to being a venture capitalist at Engineering Department. Silicon Valley. ‘You must try and learn to fail in order to succeed’

Photography Front cover: Dan Fearon Inside: Bruce Atherton, Dan Fearon, Danny Fitzpatrick, Alex Hill

Whitgift School Find us on Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .ai Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .ai Haling Park Telephone: +44 (0)20 8688 9222 Twitter: @WhitgiftSchool1 Twitter: @WhitgiftSport Email: [email protected] Facebook: Whitgift School, CR2 6YT South Croydon United Kingdom www.whitgift.co.uk YouTube: Whitgift School