Whitgift Conversations

S2 E12 - Welcome back to Whitgift Conversations. This is the podcast where we talk to staff and pupils about topics that are relevant to you.

In this episode we’re talking all about gardening and the horticulture club. Now whether or not you might be into gardening and horticulture it matters not, because we have two guests with us for this episode and they’re both deeply passionate about this topic. Tom Nicholls is a biology teacher and he runs the horticulture club, he’s joined by James Mallett, Head Gardener at the school. Together, we explore what’s being done for the pupils at Whitgift, what the benefits are for some of the more traditional subjects when pupils enjoy the horticulture club, and we find out what the future is for the club.

That is exactly what’s in store for us today so come with me as we meet Tom Nicholls and James Mallett.

Whitgift School online

Website: www.whitgift.co.uk

Whitgift Global: https://www.whitgift.co.uk/global

Twitter: @WhitgiftSchool1

Facebook: WhitgiftSchool

LinkedIn: whitgift-school 

S2:E11 - Welcome back to Whitgift Conversations. This is the podcast where we talk to staff and pupils about topics that are relevant to you.

Now this episode is all about the admissions process so it’s especially important if you’re thinking about which school is going to be right for your child in the future. Chris Ramsey is the Headmaster and he’s with us today for a very frank and honest conversation. Importantly this isn’t an advert for why Whitgift is right for your child; instead Chris talks about what parents should be thinking about when considering all schools, we talk about to what extent you should involve your child in the decision making process, whether single-sex education is right for all families, whether it’s important to live close to school, then interestingly what it feels like to be a Whitgift student.

That’s coming up in this episode so come with me as we step into the Headmaster’s office and speak to Chris Ramsey.

Whitgift School online

Website: www.whitgift.co.uk

Whitgift Global: https://www.whitgift.co.uk/global

Twitter: @WhitgiftSchool1

Facebook: WhitgiftSchool

LinkedIn: whitgift-school 

S2:E10 - Welcome back to Whitgift Conversations. This is the podcast where we talk to staff and pupils about topics that are relevant to you.

In this episode we’re stepping into English because we have with us today Kerry Mason. Kerry is the Head of Junior English & Deputy Head of First Form, that’s year 7, and she’s about to tell us what exciting events the Junior English department gets involved in, what her favourite thing is about teaching English and what the Junior Shakespeare evening is all about.

This is a lovely episode so come with me now as we step into the wonderful world of English at school with Kerry Mason.

Whitgift School online

Website: www.whitgift.co.uk

Whitgift Global: https://www.whitgift.co.uk/global

Twitter: @WhitgiftSchool1

Facebook: WhitgiftSchool

LinkedIn: whitgift-school 

S2:E9 - Welcome back to Whitgift Conversations. This is the podcast where we talk to staff and pupils about topics that are relevant to you and I am super-excited for this episode because we’re talking to Femi Owolade-Coombes in Y12. And if you don’t know Femi then I really think you need to. I’m not exaggerating when I say this is one of the most inspirational episodes we’ve recorded on the podcast and I can’t wait for you to hear it.

Femi is is a Design, Technology and engineering scholar at Whitgift. His passion for coding led him to set up a business called South London Raspberry Jam which shares his skills and knowledge with other young people.

But don’t be fooled into thinking this episode is just about coding, not that there’s anything wrong with that. Instead it’s about so much more, about carving your space in life, about taking the initiative, about the positive impact parents can have on their children and about striving ahead in life despite obstacles and challenges.

Now, true story, we recorded this episode online and when we finished instead of continuing with my day I went straight back to listen to it again. So if you want to feel inspired, motivated, dare I say challenged, then this is a podcast for you.

That’s coming up right now so come with me as we step into school and speak to Y12 student Femi Owolade-Coombes.

Whitgift School online

Website: www.whitgift.co.uk

Whitgift Global: https://www.whitgift.co.uk/global

Twitter: @WhitgiftSchool1

Facebook: WhitgiftSchool

LinkedIn: whitgift-school 

S2:E8 - Welcome back to Whitgift Conversations. This is the podcast where we talk to staff, parents and pupils about topics that are relevant to you. Now we have two people on this episode which means we’re doubling down on what you’re about to hear.

Alby Elsom is the Director of Music at school and he’s joined by Scott Morrison, Assistant Director of Music. Together they unpack the Music department to us which means we get to find out what some of their favourite events have been so far, what’s happening right now and what we can expect in 2023.

That all makes for a great episode which means it’s time for us to hear from the guests themselves, it’s Alby Elsom and Scott Morrison.

Whitgift School online

Website: www.whitgift.co.uk

Whitgift Global: https://www.whitgift.co.uk/global

Twitter: @WhitgiftSchool1

Facebook: WhitgiftSchool

LinkedIn: whitgift-school 

S2:E7 - Welcome back to Whitgift Conversations. This is the podcast where we talk to staff, parents and pupils about topics that are relevant to you. Now you might be interested in the history of the school, maybe you’re not, but either way I think you’ll be interested in this episode.

I’m talking to Bill Wood, he’s the archivist for Whitgift School and the John Whitgift Foundation. You might be wondering what an archivist is and what they do; well, Bill’s about to explain all that and whole lot more too. I love this episode for two reasons. Firstly you can tell that Bill loves the work that he does, he’s deeply passionate about all things historic in the organisation. But Bill also has a velvet smooth voice and it’s just one of those voices you can listen to and kind of feel instantly relaxed.

But enough from me, instead let’s jump into some Whitgift history as we speak to the amazing archivist, it’s Bill Wood.

Whitgift School online

Website: www.whitgift.co.uk

Whitgift Global: https://www.whitgift.co.uk/global

Twitter: @WhitgiftSchool1

Facebook: WhitgiftSchool

LinkedIn: whitgift-school 

S2:E6 - Welcome back to Whitgift Conversations. This is the podcast where we talk to staff, parents and pupils about topics that are relevant to you.

In this episode we’re speaking to Mr Oz Bhatti, he’s the Head of Ideatum in school. Now you might be wondering what that is, I know I was, so it’s a critical thinking and personal development subject. And if you’re still wondering what that means then stick with me because in this episode I ask Oz to explain what this is, how it actually looks in everyday school life, what that means for the boys there and also how to include this wonderful word, Ideatum, into life at home.

There’s a good chance you’ll learn something on this episode, I know I did, so join me as we step into a conversation with the Head of Ideatum, it’s Oz Bhatti.

Whitgift School online

Website: www.whitgift.co.uk

Whitgift Global: https://www.whitgift.co.uk/global

Twitter: @WhitgiftSchool1

Facebook: WhitgiftSchool

LinkedIn: whitgift-school 

S2:E5 - Welcome back to Whitgift Conversations. This is the podcast where we talk to staff and pupils about topics that are relevant to you. In this episode we’re going all international as we speak to David Bates, Director of International Education.

We’re going to hear about the international summer school and the plans to open something called an environmental school in India. I won’t lie, I’d never heard of an environmental school before this recording so if you’re like me then this is the place to find out.

But we also get to know more about Dave’s music choices because of somewhere he used to work before he worked in education. Stick around to the end for when I quiz him on the last album he played on his phone!

Anyway, enough from me. Let’s step into this conversation as we hear from the school’s Director of International Education, David Bates.

Whitgift School online

Website: www.whitgift.co.uk

Whitgift Global: https://www.whitgift.co.uk/global

Twitter: @WhitgiftSchool1

Facebook: WhitgiftSchool

LinkedIn: whitgift-school 

S2:E4 - Welcome back to Whitgift Conversations, the podcast where we talk to staff and pupils about topics that are relevant to you. In this episode we’re exploring two unconnected subjects that both happen to be areas of expertise for one person at Whitgift.

Marianne Ofner talks to us today about EAL, that’s English as an Additional Language, but she also talks to us about Anger Management and how she works with all the boys across school on that subject.

We find out why Marianne enjoys working in both these areas so much, how it helps the boys at Whitgift and what it also teaches her too.

That’s all coming up in this episode so come with me now as I take you into the world of EAL first, and then Anger Management, with today’s guest, Marianne Ofner.

Whitgift School online

Website: www.whitgift.co.uk

Twitter: @WhitgiftSchool1

Facebook: WhitgiftSchool

LinkedIn: whitgift-school 

S2:E3 - Welcome back to Whitgift Conversations, the podcast where we talk to staff and pupils about topics that are relevant to you. In this episode we’re getting into University life and Rugby life with two boys who left Whitgift back in 2018. Oluwani Akintunde and George Hammond talk about how they met at school, what they did since leaving school and what they plan to do next with their lives.

But then at the back end of this episode we also get to hear from Aristot Benz Salomon, he’s a year older than them both and it’s great to hear from him too!

That’s all coming up in this episode so come with me now as we speak to today’s guests, Oluwani Akintunde, George Hammond and then Aristot Benz Salomon too.

Whitgift School online

Website: www.whitgift.co.uk

Twitter: @WhitgiftSchool1

Facebook: WhitgiftSchool

LinkedIn: whitgift-school