About Whitgift: Parents Association
Updated: Mon 12 Nov 2012
As the Whitgift School Staff Handbook states, "good relations with parents happily exist at Whitgift". The School is proud of the positive rapport it fosters amongst parents and staff. It welcomes parental support and involvement in its busy Calendar and in the daily life of the School itself.
It is not long before many new parents realise that it is not only their boys who have joined Whitgift. Parents too are an important part of the Whitgift School community and whatever time they have available to contribute to School life is welcome. In its turn, the School provides dedicated resources and activities for parents to enjoy. Some of these are described below to give an indication of what is available.
Whitgift School Association (WSA)
The School's formal relationship with staff and parents is through the WSA. As a registered charity, the WSA undertakes activities which contribute to the School. The Association's Chairman is an ex officio member of the Whitgift School Governors. The School's Headmaster is the WSA President. All current staff and parents are automatically members. There is no membership fee.
WSA newsletters and announcements are sent by the School with its half term and end of term mailings. The WSA organises a number of social events each year designed to encourage parents to meet and enjoy one another's company whilst also raising funds for the School. Regular events include a Burns Supper and Ceiledh, a new Parents' Reception and Quiz Evening and a Summer Ball. In addition, the WSA supports the School by assisting at Open Morning and Open Evening, in the Pound (lost property), organising Second Hand Uniform Sales, providing hospitality to candidates and parents attending Entrance Interviews and at Arts events and helping in the Careers Department.
The WSA has a Working Group Committee which meets regularly to organise events. If you are a Whitgift parent and would like to be involved with the WSA then please contact the School Office or the current Chair, Mrs Tanya Telford on 07789 555788.
Whitgift Choral Society
Staff, parents and friends in the Whitgift Choral Society meet in term time on Tuesday evenings between 7.30 – 9.00pm in the Concert Hall. To join, please contact the Music Administrator on 020 8688 9222 or just turn up. There are no auditions and no previous singing experience is needed, just a love of music and a wish to sing.
Each year the Society sings in the School's Carol Service and performs at a major concert venue with Whitgift School Choirs and choirs from other schools.
Whitgift School Pottery & Ceramics Classes
These year classes are run on Monday and Wednesday evenings during term time for parents wanting to try something new or seeking to develop their skills further.
Sports for Parents at Whitgift
Parents are also very welcome to attend key sports fixtures outside their son's year group such as the RBS / Daily Mail rugby cup matches which draw large crowds.
Whitgift also has an after-hours sports club. Membership is only available to family and friends of the Whitgift Foundation. If you are interested in applying for membership or would like to come and try the facilities for a day then please contact us at healthclub@Whitgift.co.uk, or telephone 0208 633 9945. If you would like more information about the sports club facilities then please visit the website www.whitgifthealthandfitness.co.uk.
Whitgift School Careers Department
Whitgift parents assist on the Careers Advisory Panel, and a team of parent volunteers offer practice interviews to Sixth Formers in preparation for employment and university applications. Other parents and Old Whitgiftians provide work experience placements, offer advice at the annual Conversazione, or facilitate group visits to broaden awareness of career opportunities. If you can help in any capacity please contact Susan Hooker, Head of Careers, at careers@whitgift.co.uk or speak to the careers team on 020 8633 9914.
Whitgift School Second Hand Uniform
Termly sales are held on the first or second Saturday after half term. Only good quality items of uniform, sports kit and CCF boots are accepted. Parents receive a significant part of the sale price (currently 60%), the balance goes to WSA funds. The dates are published in the School Calendar and further details can be obtained by contacting Mrs Kim Baptiste by phone on 07967 326463 or by email at kim@kudos.uk.net.
Other Second Hand Uniform Sales are provided during the School week and on Saturdays. Dates and times are advertised at The Pound.
Consultation about Whitgift School Developments
The School consults parents before completing its Development Plan for each five year period. The Development Plan is available on the School website. To find out more about WSA events and support from parents for the School, please consult the School Calendar, the School Office, the WSA Secretary, or direct to the specific School Departments.
We hope that parents enjoy participating in the Whitgift community and welcome any further ideas of ways to involve parents in School life.