Global Citizenship

Term is well underway now: first weekend matches played, musical rehearsals progressing, learning in full swing – all of the business of school life. My impression is that the boys are overwhelmingly on good form, and showing great enthusiasm; I hope that’s your experience too, whatever your relationship with us, parent, student, staff or friend.

I think most know that one of the major aspects of our vision is to be more outward-looking. This summer, boys were on expeditions and trips to New Zealand, various countries in Europe as well as the UK, and our Summer School welcomed overseas students of dozens of nationalities. As an IB World School, we live out its values of open-mindedness and co-operation, and the new Global Citizenship course in the Lower School is intended to help Whitgiftians think early about their place in the world, as well as their place in South London! Later in the term, one of these younger students will be writing a guest blog to explain a bit about what they have been doing on this course.

And of course we have long-standing partnerships with Japan, through an annual long-term exchange scheme, languages partner schools, and links through our boarding community. This Term, we will also be confirming an exciting partnership with an Indian charity to help in the development of a new school in South West India, a partnership run through our international department (which runs the summer school) and eventually involving pupils and staff as appropriate. I’m looking forward to being able to tell you more about it in due course, and I know already that the boys are excited about the possibilities!