The Duchess of Sussex celebrates International Women’s Day at Robert Clack School!
“Oh my god, that’s Meghan! I’m actually going to meet Meghan!” This was one student’s reaction as the Duchess of Sussex surprised students at Robert Clack’s upper site on Friday 6th March ahead of International Women’s Day.
Excitement filled the air as Meghan got out of her car and was greeted by Ian Pittaway - Deputy Lieutenant for Barking and Dagenham and Co-chair of the Robert Clack Alumni Association. Many of the children were speechless, while others gasped as they set eyes on the Duchess who was stood before them. A few weeks earlier Ian had received an email asking if any local schools would like a visit from the Duchess. The theme of the event was International Women’s Day and, with Dagenham holding such an important place in the history of women’s rights following the Ford sewing machinists strike which was instrumental in passing the 1970 Equal Pay Act, Robert Clack were particularly keen to welcome such a special guest.
We were honoured to be selected and set about making plans for the day with the Duchess’s staff and security services. After being introduced to Head Teacher Russell Taylor and Senior Deputy Head Teacher Steve O’Brien, Meghan smiled broadly as she was presented with a bouquet of flowers by Year 7 students, Fiona A and Harvi S.
Meghan was then invited to the Information Centre where she was welcomed by Assistant Head Izzy Eames and her Year 9 students who were working on a project about female poets. The students had researched a variety of female poets, studied an unseen poem, and were busy creating their own poems using their research as inspiration. The Duchess was very interested in their work and offered encouraging words when students shared their poems with her and the group.
Meghan then met Assistant Head Emily Valentine and the Year 12 Debating Society. Robert Clack Debaters have rubbed shoulders with stars and politicians over the years - but never royalty! Miss Valentine shared her experiences of the day. She praised them for how articulate they were and that it was clear that the moral compasses they hold will enable them to become world leaders when they complete their education. A particular highlight of our time with the Duchess was when she was made an honourary member of the Debate Society and students Lily and Yesha presented her with her own debate jacket, she said that 'her husband would be very jealous'. It was an absolute honour for some of our Debate Society to meet such a warm, modern and personable member of the Royal Family. It was a day that we will never forget!”
“When Mr Taylor told me about the Royal Visit from the Duchess of Sussex there was no question about ensuring that our wonderful debaters got an opportunity to show off their skills, especially as the issues that the Duchess holds close to her heart are the same as those involved in the Debate Society. What struck me about the Duchess was that she was incredibly down to earth and keen to hear the views and aspirations of those taking part in the session. She remarked on the fact that they were able to discuss their future careers. One example was embarking on work in Gynaecology in the developing world, and how student Aeesha was able link science and debate effortlessly.
She recognised that our students have the ability to change the world using their voices and encouraged them to continue to have their voices heard. Debater, Aeesah A added, “The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, is an inspirational person not just to young people from ethnic minorities and females, but to the general population. I believe she has this influence because she has already accomplished so many great achievements in her life whilst overcoming many difficulties thrown her way. To have her join our Debate Society has made all of us more proud of being part of the Robert Clack Debate Society. Meeting the Duchess of Sussex has given me personally more confidence and assurance that my ability to speak out can make positive changes and help improve the lives of people for the better. Her joining of our Debate Society has helped solidify the fact that young people can make a change in the world that we live in and that the steps that we are taking to do this are being noticed by many people from all around the world.”
The Duchess made her final stop of the visit at the assembly hall where she was keen to take part in the Year 11 assembly which was themed around International Women’s Day. She was introduced to former student Miss Hasika Bhudia, teacher of mathematics and Head of Year 11, along with another honoured guest - former student Geraldine Dear, a retired Ford Machinist, who took part in the Equal Pay Strike. Students Rhyanna W and Renee P-D kick started the assembly by speaking eloquently about the global impact the female Dagenham Ford workers made on women’s rights. The first strike in 1968 was a trigger in passing the Equal Pay Act 1970. Geraldine was one of the ’13 rebels’ who took part in a further strike in 1984, in protest against the system that graded women as unskilled workers. Geraldine and her machinist colleagues went on strike for six weeks before Ford eventually agreed to their terms and they returned to work on an equal footing to the male skilled workers.
Year 13 student Olivia C then made a heartfelt speech about her own experiences as a woman and reflected on where she thought life would take her. Olivia said, “This visit is certainly one I will remember, as the crucial celebration of women and female empowerment was recognised by a leading female figure in public British consciousness. As I am from a borough with issues surrounding gender equality and the empowerment of young people, I think that Meghan Markle recognising our area and our school as an important centre of change for gender in our society and the role and status of women is incredibly powerful.”
The ‘Citizen of The Week’ award was then presented to student Charlotte Fleisher by Meghan. A very excited Charlotte said, “It was amazing to see Meghan in school. I couldn’t believe it when she congratulated me for receiving my award and shook my hand. This memory will stay with me forever!” The Duchess then addressed the assembly, urging the boys in particular, to value and appreciate the women in their lives whilst setting an example to other men who may not see things in the same way. “You have mothers, sisters, girlfriends, and friends in your lives. Protect them, make sure they are feeling valued and safe. Let’s just rally together to make sure International Women’s Day is something that is not just for one day but frankly feels like every day of the year.”
She then went ‘off the cuff’ and asked for a male volunteer from the audience.Aker O was the lucky student to be chosen! Aker approached the stage to rapturous applause and cheers from his peers and, shaking Meghan’s hand, he said the words, “She really is beautiful innit!” which has become his tag line and gone viral on social media! Aker received a big hug from the giggling Duchess who was clearly amused by his reaction before speaking with confidence about his views on women’s rights. A very proud Miss Bhudia said “All in all, the speeches from our pupils filled us with nothing but pride on this special day. The voice from today’s women of Dagenham was held strong and we have every faith in them to keep the fight for equality alive through the generations to come. Well done to everyone who was involved and I am sure this will be a day nobody will forget!"
This was certainly a day that will be etched in the minds of all staff and students at Robert Clack for many years to come. The atmosphere around the school was electric. Here are a few quotes from some of the students: “I never expected to have such an honour of meeting a royal, but there I was at Robert Clack School meeting one of the most special and important people today” Fabio Petraru “We were all waiting at our tables and then we saw Meghan Markle through a window the teachers forgot to cover! I was honestly so excited because I was getting this once in a lifetime opportunity” Ula Lapinskaite “It was amazing. We were all screaming and crying in excitement. Seeing Meghan Markle inspired me to try harder and be the best me I can be” Popina Brennan
Head Teacher Russell Taylor reflected on the day saying, “The visit of The Duchess of Sussex was a truly great moment in the history of Robert Clack School. As I listened to the wonderful speeches given by Renee, Rhyanna, and Olivia during the assembly, I found myself feeling overcome with emotion. All I could think was: this is what Robert Clack School is about. This visit wasn’t about one individual; it was about us, all of us, working together as one for the benefit of all. I’m sure you have seen the media coverage of Meghan’s visit and I’m sure, like me, you cannot fail to have noticed the look of shock, exuberance, and unadulterated joy on our pupils’ faces. Meghan told our pupils - girls and boys - that they matter, that they have a voice and that they should use it. What a powerful message!
And the response on social media has been nothing short of extraordinary, with so many people from all over the world commenting on our “amazing” pupils. I feel exceptionally proud and privileged to be a part of our community; I hope they all do too.”
A huge thank you to everyone involved in the visit, especially our staff and wonderful students. Special mentions to our VIPs, Ian Pittaway, Geraldine Dear, the Mayor of Barking and Dagenham, Peter Chand and his wife Ginger, Chief Executive of LBBD, Chris Naylor, and Leader of the Council, Darren Rodwell. It was certainly a memorable day for us all!
This summer, some of the Year 10 Sociology pupils across the three sites were able to attend the Youth Conference hosted at King’s College London. The event brought together students from a range of schools to take part in inspiring workshops and discussions on activism, sustainability, and social justice. Our pupils collaborated with others to design and decorate tote bags with messages of change, reflect on what activism means to them, and explore how young people can make a difference in their communities. They also had the chance to hear from a brilliant line-up of speakers. Mandu Reid shared her experiences in leadership and advocacy, encouraging students to think boldly about social change. Mya-Rose Craig, also known as Birdgirl, spoke about her environmental activism and her incredible achievement of holding a Guinness World Record for being the youngest person to see half of the world’s bird species. Other speakers included researchers, legal experts, and campaigners working on climate action, public health, and youth rights—each offering fresh perspectives and motivation for the next generation. A big thank you to the organisers, especially Mary Davies, a Global Classrooms leader, for making this valuable and empowering day possible. Sociology Department
As a reward for their outstanding effort and achievement throughout the year, a group of Year 9 GCSE Religious Education pupils were selected by the RE department for a special trip to St Paul’s Cathedral. This enriching visit not only celebrated their hard work but also provided valuable insight into topics linked to their GCSE curriculum. The day began with a guided tour of the magnificent cathedral, where pupils were introduced to stunning mosaics, artwork, and historical sculptures. They had the opportunity to ask thought-provoking questions, try on traditional garments worn by bishops and priests, and explore various areas within the cathedral that highlighted Christian worship, beliefs, and historical context. A moment of reflection followed as students were invited to light candles if they wished, offering them a peaceful chance to pause and contemplate. Lunch provided a wonderful opportunity for pupils from all three school sites to connect, socialise, and enjoy their time together. Some students even ventured into the gift shop, where they got their first taste of London prices — a real eye-opener for many!
As a reward for their dedication and hard work this year, our Year 9 GCSE RE pupils enjoyed a special trip to the London Central Mosque. It was a brilliant day that combined learning, relaxation, and a chance to connect with others. The day began with a picnic in the park, where pupils enjoyed their lunch in the sunshine and treated themselves to some well-earned ice cream. The weather couldn’t have been better, creating a perfect atmosphere for students to relax and socialise with peers from other sites. Following the picnic, pupils took part in a guided tour of the London Central Mosque. They explored the building’s stunning architecture and learned more about Islamic practices and beliefs. The visit offered a valuable opportunity to engage in thoughtful discussion and deepen their understanding of the subject. Mais was lucky enough to answer a question on the podium and the boys and girls went against one another during an Islam facts quiz. A big thank you to Ms Simpson for organising such a rewarding trip, and huge credit goes to the pupils for their outstanding behaviour throughout the day. They were curious, respectful, and represented the school with pride. Well done to all involved!
This summer term, the Robert Clack Junior Debate Team took part in a murder mystery mock trial with pupils from Seven Kings High. Students were immersed in a fictional case, where they had to argue whether or not the suspect was guilty. They were split into two teams – prosecution and defence. Each team had a mixture of Robert Clack and Seven Kings pupils, so they had to debate with each other, rather than against each other. They were given evidence bags and speaker roles, which they had to investigate before presenting. Olivia and Alfie, our more senior debaters in Year 10,with Nifemi in our 6 th form, judged the trial and gave individual feedback. In the end, the prosecution won the case. It was a fantastic event, which allowed pupils to build on their speaking and teamwork skills. Well done to all pupils involved from both schools, and thank you to the teachers at Seven Kings for visiting. Mrs Aktar Al Hossain & Mr Saito
On Tuesday 20 th May 11 Year 9 pupils attended the Booby Moore Sports Hub for a Football tournament run by the Barking and Dagenham Community Safe Partnership, Barking and Dagenham Council and the West Ham United Foundation. The boys played well throughout the tournament especially as the rest of the teams were all Year 10 teams. They made it through their group after wins against Sydney Russell and Greatfields earning them a semi final spot against a very strong Riverside team. This proved a task too far and they bowed out to the team who were the eventual winners. Alongside the tournament, students heard from a range of inspiring guest speakers including guest speakers including Stephen Addison, Founder of Box Up Crime, Patrick Green, CEO of Ben Kinsella Trust, Inspector Carroll Weeden, Arran Johny (West Ham United Foundation), Nana Aggrey and Lauric Diakiesse, manager director of the PAT project and Ethan Bell, Director of Be Heard as One. Which provided a powerful insight into making good choices and the power of sport to help giver clear goals and a discipline to help guide young people. The boys were a credit to the school throughout the day and earning plaudits from the vast array of dignitaries there with their efforts on the pitch and their conduct off it. Special mention to Archie H who was named Robert Clack player of the tournament. Squad: Freddie C, Adeseye O, Teddy P, Gifton C, Archie H, Levii A, Elijah G, Taylor G, Kylan O-W, Daniel M, Tyler W-F
On the 23rd April students Aila and Shashi competed in the national final of the Imperial’s Science & Innovation competition, a competition that inspires students to use STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) to think of new and exciting ways to deal with one or a number of the UN’s goals. The girls team name was Operation I.A.S, looking to address three of the UN’s goals (zero hunger, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy). They created an exciting and innovative device called the Hydro bloomer, looking to utilise food waste as a fuel and clean water to make it potable in countries that require it. The girls sadly did not win the competition, but did amazingly well to get to the final stage, particularly as there were hundreds of applicants. Despite not winning, their curiosity and drive to benefit science and the world at large continues to impress me. I am proud of the girls and their commitment to this competition, the world of science and innovation. Well done girls, keep on creating, inspiring and innovating. Mr Dada'
In year 2 this term we have been learning about data handling and solving word problems in Maths. We have developed our knowledge and understanding of character descriptions in core texts as well as using our imaginations to create characters of our own and use exciting vocabulary to describe them. We have thoroughly enjoyed Science in which we learnt about how human beings keep our bodies healthy and how keeping our bodies active help us. Year two have enjoyed expressing the creativity in drawing and collaging to make 3D maps of their journeys to school. Miss Sobia Javid
Twenty-five excited students recently embarked on a residential adventure to the stunning grounds of PGL Bawdsey Manor – a trip packed with thrill, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Upon arrival we went straight to the beach, where students dipped their feet in the water, tried skipping pebbles and took in the views. Throughout the weekend, students had the chance to try their hand at a range of exciting activities including archery tag, rifle shooting, Jacob’s Ladder, and the zip wire. Each activity encouraged students to push their boundaries, support one another, and build confidence. One of the highlights was canoeing — not just for the paddling, but for the unexpected capsizes that left everyone in fits of giggles; especially when Miss Shelley and I fell in! Whether falling in or helping each other back into the boats, students showed great teamwork and resilience. Evenings brought a chance to wind down and celebrate, with the silent disco proving a favourite. Watching everyone dancing with headphones on, completely lost in the music, was a joyful and heartwarming sight and certainly got the PGL staff talking positively the next day! We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our PTA for their generous donations, which helped make this trip possible. Their continued support means so much and plays a vital role in creating enriching experiences like this for our students. The trip was more than just outdoor fun — it was a chance to grow, make new friends, and create memories that will last a lifetime. A huge well done to all the students for their enthusiasm and positive attitude throughout! Miss Robbins
Some of the U15 cricket team travelled to The City of London Sports Ground in Bromley for the Sisters ‘n’ Sport National Cup tournament. Their first game proved challenging and unfortunately saw a loss - Robert Clack 228/5 (8) to City of London 257/3 (8). However, the girls came back fighting and determined and were able to secure a win against Ibstock school; 250/2 (8) to 233/5 (8). A massive congratulations to Zoe who bowled 2 wickets one after the after in her over. Miss Robbins
In Year 1 this half term, we have been learning about the wonderful world of plants! Children have been on a nature walk, observing seasonal changes in nature and learning about the names of different types of trees and common flowers indigenous to the UK. Children have learnt that some trees are 'evergreen' and others are 'deciduous'. We have been developing our observational skills to paint and draw flowers as well as begin to name different parts of a plant. We have also been learning to identify different fruits and vegetables and think whether a plant can be classified as a fruit or vegetable. In other news, to mark the 80 th Anniversary of VE Day, Year 1 children made poppy hats and participated in a range of activities and events to learn about the significance of the day. Children dressed in red, white and blue and had a VE Day celebration tea party.