About Whitgift: Parents' Association
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 Parents Association (WSPA)
The School's formal relationship with staff and parents is through the WSPA. As a registered charity, the WSPA 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 WSPA President. All current staff and parents are automatically members. There is no membership fee.
WSPA newsletters and announcements are sent by the School with its half term and end of term mailings. The WSPA 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 Ceilidh, a new Parents' Reception and Quiz Evening and a Summer Ball. In addition, the WSPA 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 WSPA 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 WSPA then please contact wspa@whitgift.co.uk, or the Acting Chair, Mr Peter Ellis on pje@whitgift.co.uk.
Whitgift-Minster Choral Society
The Whitgift-Minster Choral Society is a massed choir made up of parents, staff, and singers from Whitgift School, as well as the Croydon Minster community, who work towards high-quality performances of large choral works, with orchestra, on a project basis. It is great fun, and we always welcome new members. No audition is necessary, although some choral experience is desirable.
The choir is directed by Ronny Krippner (Organist & Director of Choral Music) and, when embarking on a special concert projects, rehearsals take place on Tuesday evenings between 7.00 and 8.30pm, in the Concert Hall.
For further information regarding the Choral Society, please contact the Music Administrator on
020 8688 9222.
Sports for Parents at Whitgift
Parents are also very welcome to attend key sports fixtures outside their son's year group such as the NatWest rugby fixtures 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. Please click here for more information about the sports club facilities.
Whitgift School Careers Department
Whitgift parents and Old Whitgiftians assist the Careers Department in a number of ways including help with practice interviews for Sixth Formers in preparation for university applications and employment, and running lunch time and after school careers presentations. They also 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 the Careers Team, at careers@whitgift.co.uk or by telephone on the Careers Department direct line - 020 8633 9914
Whitgift School Secondhand 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 Secondhand 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.