On a gorgeous day in March, HEATS students temporarily became official Mudlarkers, hunting for treasures on the foreshores of the Thames in Greenwich. Through an organisation called the Thames Explorer Trust, we spent the morning sifting through this unique archaeological site, as the exposed riverbed at low tide revealed a wealth of historical objects.  Mudlarking is a practice that has grown from a means of survival in the 18th and 19th centuries to a popular hobby today – but you can’t get involved without a permit! With the help of our registered guide, students uncovered Tudor pottery, shards of 17th century beer jugs, countless Victorian pipe stems, and some very impressive animal bones! One student found a strip of leather which had been preserved in the Thames since before the Industrial Revolution. Afterwards, our guide gave us an archeological workshop. Our students sorted through various objects and learned about their provenance, how to identify them, and how they worked together to tell us the story of the layers of London’s rich history. The students did us proud, as always. Our guide commented on how bright and engaged they were and said they were one of the best groups he’d taught. It was so wonderful to see them enjoying their city from a whole new angle. Thank you, as always, to the staff at Clack who supported this trip, whether it was with cover, or finance, or uploading pictures – we couldn’t do it without you!

As part of the Into Film Spring Film Festival we took our keen and loyal Robert Clack Film Clubbers to see a film adaptation of Harold and the Purple Crayon (2024) at the Vue in Dagenham. Harold and the Purple Crayon was originally a children’s book written by Crockett Johnson in the 1960s. It’s a hugely popular book for younger readers and has even influenced many popular authors producing titles for young people today! Did you know Dav Pilkey named a character called Harold Hutchins from his Captain Underpants book after his love of Harold and his purple pencil! Students had lots of fun experiencing everything that comes with going to the cinema, including a healthy dose of popcorn! We look forward to the next Film Club cinema trip later in the year!

On Tuesday 25th March, our students had the privilege of welcoming back a former pupil who has forged an exciting career in aviation engineering. Callum Kelly shared his journey from GCSE studies at Robert Clack to his current role as an engineer, offering valuable insights and inspiration to the students. During his presentation, Callum covered a range of topics, including safety in aviation, quality checks in the industry, and the realities of working with clients. He also shed light on the educational pathways available, discussing the differences between university and apprenticeships, as well as the importance of core subjects such as Maths, English, and Science in forming the fundamentals of engineering. One of the highlights of the visit was a lively Q&A session where students eagerly asked about the mechanics of flight, how weight reduction affects aircraft performance, and even the potential future of aviation. The discussion also touched on the financial rewards of an engineering career and the skills required to succeed in the industry. Students particularly appreciated hearing first-hand accounts of the interviewing process and what it takes to become an aviation engineer. The visit not only provided practical knowledge but also served as a source of motivation for those considering a future in engineering. It was a truly inspiring session, and we are grateful to Callum for taking the time to return and share his experiences. We look forward to seeing more of our alumni return to inspire and guide the next generation of professionals.

I am pleased to share that last week, Daniel (Lymington Fields) and Toluwani (Gosfield Road) represented our school with great pride at the borough-wide Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge finals, held at Eastbrook School. Mr Morrison and I had the privilege of attending to support the boys and they were a credit to both their families and our school community. Performing a speech on a topic of their choice in front of a panel of seven judges, including representatives from the council, Jack Petchey, Universities, national charities and an audience, takes immense courage. Daniel's speech was titled "Time to Step Out of the Box" and Toluwani's was called "Turning Failure into Success." The winner of the competition was from Sydney Russell and it was a well-deserved victory. However, I must admit, in my (perhaps slightly biased) opinion, Daniel’s use of vocabulary surpassed that of the other competitors. It was one of those evenings that truly reminded me why we do what we do in this profession—to give students the confidence and the voice to succeed! From every Form Time activity to English lessons to conversations in the playground, teachers and support staff make a difference. The event provided Daniel and Toluwani with a fantastic opportunity to develop their public speaking skills, and I'm confident that they will continue to shine.  The future is bright in the borough! Mr Carter

A group of our students had the incredible opportunity to attend a prestigious Masterclass at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) as part of the Institute for Research in Schools' Big Data ATLAS Project. Throughout the day, students were immersed in the world of particle physics. They attended a fascinating lecture on the Standard Model delivered by a postdoc researcher from the University of Oxford, who explained how detectors at RAL work and gave a whirlwind 40-minute introduction to particle physics. One student reflected: "This trip was very fun to go on... This was very insightful because it gave everyone a different point of view on how to approach the data analysis for our project, and we all even learned new things—even Dr Shirazi!" Students also had the chance to work on their IRIS projects with the support of professional physicists, tour the RAL facilities, and participate in a careers panel discussion. They explored how different parts of the collider and its detectors work together, and saw first-hand how particle physics supports other disciplines. Another student commented: "I personally discovered that particle physics is not only linked to physics, but biology too. Particle physics can be used to analyse the structures of organic materials… These methods were even used to help create the vaccine for COVID-19!" The visit was both inspiring and educational, offering a glimpse into how the data gathered from large-scale research facilities like RAL and ISIS can contribute to solving real-world problems. "I really enjoyed the trip as I had the opportunity to explore possible career paths in particle physics and how all the logistics of an operation as big as ISIS can work and benefit future generations," shared another student. We are proud of our students for embracing this opportunity so enthusiastically. They returned full of excitement, new knowledge, and fresh perspectives on science and its future—an experience that will no doubt inspire their continued learning and aspirations in STEM. At the heart of the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source is a powerful particle accelerator, which begins by generating hydrogen ions (H+) and accelerating them through a series of specialized components. First, an injector and linear accelerator boost the ions to 37% of the speed of light. These then enter a circular synchrotron—a 163-metre ring of magnets—where the ions are stripped of their electrons, becoming protons. After nearly 10,000 revolutions, they reach speeds of 84% of the speed of light and are then directed toward the target station (on picture). There, the high-energy protons collide with a tungsten target, releasing neutrons through a process called spallation. These neutrons are slowed and guided to instruments that allow scientists to investigate materials at the atomic level—revealing how atoms are arranged and move, which is essential for developing new, advanced materials used in everything from medicines to electronics. Dr Shirazi

U12 Girls Essex 7s Tournament Some of the u12 rugby girls had the Essex 7s tournament this term, which saw 2 Robert Clack teams versing 6 other schools in the fight to win the Essex 7s title. The B team had a few losses but was able to get 2 wins and a walkover putting them in 5th place. On the flip side, the A team were fantastic, with determination and hard work they won 5 games and drew against Castle View who were their top challengers this year; as a result the A team were overall final winners and are Essex County Schools Seven Aside U12 Winners 2025. To top it off, the weather was shining!

Robert Clack School celebrated British Science Week in early March. Students across all school sites were able to take part in various lunchtime and after school activities including rocket launching, camouflage moths, making slime, tracking mammal footprints, and painting their own plant pots. For a second year in a row we had baby chicks hatching in our science classrooms that students were able to visit. All sessions had a fantastic turn-out, and our young scientists thoroughly enjoyed exploring science beyond the curriculum. Here are some of the pictures from the week.

On Tuesday 18 th March our Jack Petchey recipients were recognised for their outstanding achievements. It was an excellent evening, celebrated with families and colleagues, with truly deserving award winners. The following students received awards Frankie (Year 9) Neriah (Faith) (Year 10) Daniel (Year 9) Jayden (Year 10) Anousha (Year 13) Rayanna (Year 13) Miriam (Year 9) Our Leadership Award recipient Julie Deacon. Julie has worked at Robert Clack for 30 years. She is a highly experienced and respected colleague who is incredibly valued. Julie has a strong affinity with the school and values and was commended for the outstanding leadership she has demonstrated, as well as the exceptional relationships she has fostered. She is an excellent member of staff who models great practice, setting high standards and supporting those around her to achieve excellent outcomes. Well done to all!

Miss Whatmore, Mr Lutes and Mr McBride are excited to share some fantastic news about our Year 9 students who were involved in the JP Morgan final competition that took place Thursday 13 March. Sixteen of our students participated in this prestigious event, competing against 22 other teams from schools across London. The challenge focused on tackling important issues surrounding water, air, or food waste. The competition was scored out of 200 points: 100 for the presentation and 100 for the work done throughout the program, which began in October. Both of our teams performed exceptionally well, and their hard work made us incredibly proud to represent Robert Clack. Team Optimum, consisting of Safa, Milena, Kezia, Zoe, Domas, Roland, Malakia, and Jordan, made it to the top 3 and had the opportunity to present their ideas in front of all the JP Morgan mentors and other participating schools. They finished in second place and were awarded the prize for the best innovative idea. We are so proud of both teams and all their efforts, and they truly embodied the Robert Clack ethos.