Onwards and Upwards
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LIFELENT 2021 Onwards and upwards Whitgift named Independent Boys’ School of the Year 2020Whitgift Choristers live stream a beautiful Carol Service In conjunction with Croydon Council, Whitgift launches The Whitgift Community Summer School OW, George Oyebode meets the Prime Minister Whitgift cricketers play for the first time throughout September Lower First Former, Ishwar Sharma pursues his passion for yoga and more inside... news WHITGIFT – INDEPENDENT BOYS’ SCHOOL OF THE YEAR 2020 Whitgift is delighted to have been named Independent Boys’ School of the Year 2020 at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards. The School qualified as a finalist in early September 2020, after being shortlisted in July. When announcing the award, Headmaster of Daneshill School, Jim Massey said it was “a compelling entry that radiated the school’s inclusive and collaborative values in the context of an all-boys’ school.” Headmaster, Mr Chris Ramsey said, “We are delighted about the award. We were amongst some exceptionally worthy finalists and are very moved that the judging panel selected us. This is a wonderful acknowledgement of the inspiring work of everyone, from the students and staff who make our school what it is, to our hugely supportive parents and alumni.” The awards are run by the Independent School Parent portfolio of magazines and celebrate the success stories of schools and their students across the independent education sector in the UK. The judging panel was chaired by international education adviser and past Vice Chair of the ISC, Dr Helen Wright, supported by a panel of judges that included leading Head Teachers and representatives of several professional associations. ‘This is a wonderful acknowledgement of the inspiring work of everyone’ 2 WHITGIFT LIFE news SUCCESS AT THE EDUCATION A MEETING WITH THE PRIME MINISTER BUSINESS AWARDS Old Whitgiftian and past School young black individuals in the UK Captain, George Oyebode met and to discuss what more can be Whitgift has been awarded feat typically achieved by only the the Prime Minister to discuss done to invest in black talent and the Outstanding Progress – top 10% of students worldwide. solutions to tackle racial overcome racism. The latter half of Independent School Award at The community work that the inequality in the UK. George the discussion gave us the chance this year’s Education Business School helped with during the recently graduated from Oxford to challenge and offer suggestions Awards. initial phase of the Covid-19 crisis University, having studied Classics to the ministers such as the was also part of the consideration and Arabic. He is now on a six importance of better financial The Education Business Awards, for being shortlisted. month placement at the UN investment in black businesses, which are now in their 15th year, World Food Programme (laureate the need for more diverse voices have established a reputation for The awards ceremony, which of the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize) and in policy-making and the demand showcasing success stories and took place online on Thursday co-runs the creative engagement for funds to help Black, Asian and examples of excellence in the UK 26 November at 1pm, was company ‘The Soulstice Collective’ Minority Ethnic (BAME) members Education System. presented by Comedian and with his brother, and another through further education. Impressionists, Darren Altman OW, Jamie Oyebode. Everyone Early in November, EBA and Jess Robinson, both stars of at Whitgift is proud of George’s During this visit, I said to the contacted Whitgift to advise that Britain’s Got Talent. dedication and contribution to this Prime Minister that to address it had been nominated for this important cause. He shared with us racism our society must discuss award after half of the School’s IB Whitgift was among some his thoughts about the experience. its past and act on its current students achieved 40+ points in exceptional finalists and existence without fear but with the International Baccalaureate, a it was an honour to have On Tuesday 27 October 2020, I honesty and perseverance, been selected by was invited with four other young stressing the government’s the judging panel. black students and graduates integral role in doing this. The This achievement to 10 Downing Street for ‘Black conversation was dynamic and is another that History Month: Future Leaders productive, evidence of this being the whole Discussion’ with the Prime both the Prime Minister and community Minister, Boris Johnson and the Minister Zahawi stayed with us should take Parliamentary Under-Secretary for longer than the allocated time. pride in. of State for Covid-19 Vaccine Deployment Nadhim Zahawi MP. When reflecting on the This was the third Downing Street afternoon, I feel honoured to event for Black History Month: represent black voices in the NATIONAL THEATRE the first was for black healthcare community, privileged to do so in workers and the second for black such a setting, and proud – four PLAYWRITING PROGRAMME military service people. years since leaving – to be an ambassador for Whitgift. In November 2020, Whitgift generate their first drafts by the The purpose of the email event students in Fifth Form to Upper end of February. In the Trinity was to celebrate the success of George Oyebode, OW Sixth Form started taking Term the students will meet with part in the National Theatre Titas again to discuss how their playwrighting programme. work might be developed before final submission. As well as online sessions once a week, the students have “This course helps expand our meetings, via Microsoft Teams, students’ understanding of how with a professional playwright. scripts work”, explained Director Just before the end of the of Drama, Mr Hammond. “This is Michaelmas Term, the students extremely useful for English and attended the first online workshop Drama, but it will also encourage with writer and director Titas them to look at the world and Halder, which covered key write about it, so their interest questions such as “why we could take them anywhere.” write”. Our aspiring playwrights The students will then be able continued to develop their scripts to submit their 30-minute over the Christmas holidays, script to the NT competition, and workshops with staff at the the winner of which gets a start of the Lent Term, on style fully realised production at the and stagecraft are helping them National Theatre. WHITGIFT LIFE 3 news IT ALL ADDS UP FOR THE LOWER FIRST On Wednesday 25 November, came up with an alternative Lower First Formers gathered in format and were delighted to Big School to enjoy an afternoon still be able to host the event so absorbed in Maths. that this year’s cohort wouldn’t miss out. The Lower First Form Maths Afternoon has been an event in Over the course of the the School calendar for many afternoon, students worked years and provides students in small groups on challenges with an opportunity to enjoy created by the United Kingdom some Mathematical challenges Mathematics Trust (UKMT) outside of the curriculum. In the including a competitive past, Sixth Form students ran the logic round, followed by a event, which was hugely popular crossnumber puzzle and with the younger students. While a Countdown style timed circumstances unfortunately challenge, with a much- prevented them from doing that anticipated doughnut break this year, the Maths department in between! 4 WHITGIFT LIFE news TEAMWORK RECOGNISED BY WINGS OF HOPE AWARD… In October 2020, Whitgift as expected are key elements The students had originally Well done to the team from all at celebrated another team of of WOH and this group planned to complete a half Whitgift and we hope the legacy Sixth Form students winning demonstrated their ability to get marathon, followed by an online that began in 2018 will continue The Wings of Hope (WOH) things done when most activities gaming tournament and then a and inspire others to become award. ‘Team Vision’ members that would normally raise money 9-mile hike. involved in this worthy cause in Arjun Gobiraj, Jack Harrison, could not happen. years to come. Max Hughes, Will Hughes and Sixth Former Scott explained, Scott Kendrick overcame many The students, joined by the “The experience that I will take adversities and the challenges of Headmaster, spoke about their away from WOH is that we lockdown to raise a significant initiatives and their journey with had to overcome a number of sum for this superb charity. WOH at a special assembly in Big different situations and still work School which was live streamed together as a team and that Planning, teamwork and to the whole school via their is what I think has led to this coping when things don’t go Tutor Groups. award.” …and a summary of how we achieved it! In September 2019, before everyone their fair chance to Covid-19 separated our year participate. In addition, with the group into different cohorts, a extra Covid-19 safety measures representative from the Wings in place, we collectively decided of Hope charity gave us the rare to switch our attention to a long opportunity to raise money for hike rather than a half marathon. education in India and Malawi. Following social distancing guidelines, we came together As the second generation of once again and walked the many Whitgift WOHAA (Wings of paths of Box Hill. Hope Achievement Awards) students, we had high standards As a group of five, we raised to live up to and this made our £1050 and were presented journey all the more interesting. with the ‘Excellence in Sports’ We wanted to do something big. and plan for the next. It was what we wanted to be doing. It award, to which we proudly Something so large, in fact, that here that we formulated our was these thoughts that helped take away memorabilia of our it would challenge us and push big goal – the half-marathon.