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, debaters from Years 9 to 12 across our three sites had the opportunity to attend the annual Global Classrooms Model United Nations (MUN) conference — a much-anticipated highlight in our debating calendar each year. The two-day event took place at Mulberry School, which hosts the largest MUN programme for state secondary and international schools in the UK. At these professional conferences, students take on the role of ambassadors in simulations of UN committees. This year's theme focused on "Global Strategies for Women and Children," prompting thoughtful debate on some of the most pressing issues facing vulnerable populations around the world. The event promoted cooperation, leadership, public speaking, and global citizenship in a warm and supportive environment. We were proud to represent South Korea and South Sudan this year. Nina, Sabira, and Sydney were awarded ‘Best Position Paper’ for their insightful and well-researched contributions, while Daniel impressed as the youngest delegate in his committee, earning the title of ‘Distinguished Delegate’. This was also a significant occasion for our Year 12 students, as it marked their final MUN conference — a meaningful milestone after years of dedication and growth. A huge well done to everyone who took part. Their professionalism, teamwork, and thoughtful engagement throughout the event were exemplary, and they represented our school with pride.
Just before Half Term (20–23 May 2025), I was lucky enough to head off with four of our English students on a Pen-to-Print writing retreat in Hay-on-Wye, based at Trewern Outdoor Education Centre. We teamed up with three other borough schools (Sydney Russell, Eastbury and Dagenham Park) - sixteen students altogether and from the moment we jumped off the train in Hereford, the week felt like one big adventure. We soaked up the beauty of Bannau Brycheiniog, swapped screens for fresh air and bookshops, and discovered just how much inspiration can hide in a tiny market town. Hay-on-Wye, of course, is famous for its shelves upon shelves of stories, so we completed a treasure-hunt challenge to track down local landmarks, spot references to classic books, and see who could unearth the oldest volume hiding in an honesty stall. A wander through St Mary’s Church in Cusop added an unexpected spark with names on old gravestones that fed straight into character sketches, a bit like the Eleanor Rigby moment for The Beatles. Out in the wild we clambered up waterfalls at Blaen y Glyn, floated down clear pools, and paused on riverbanks to scribble in notebooks. The area, known for its stunning waterfalls and trails, also has an old abandoned railway line that runs alongside the stream. At one point, we made our way through a tunnel on the path with our lights off, in pairs, using sticks to feel our way along the walls in total darkness. Alongside all the writing and walking, there was no shortage of fun. Students played heated games of Mafia, tried their hand at archery, and some even took on the climbing wall. Others made the most of the surroundings, watching sheep wander freely and spotting horses in nearby farmers’ fields and of course, no downtime is complete without a quick kickabout in the grass. Evenings back at Trewern meant hot food and writing workshops with Pen to Print, including one memorable session led by the brilliant Jenny Valentine. During her workshop, students used arty postcards as a springboard for their writing, sparking fresh ideas and creativity. By the final night, everyone had a story or poem inspired by muddy boots, festival buzz (thanks to author events with Anu Adebogun, Alice Roberts and Christopher Edge), and the joy of being surrounded by books. We even bumped into Jenny later on in Hay town, where she kindly signed some of the kids’ books. Pen to Print will be publishing the results later this year, and I couldn’t be prouder of the imagination and bravery our writers showed all week. Miss Fowler
The Maths Department held their second Annual Robert Clack Maths teams Challenge on Wednesday 9 th July. Year 9 set 1 pupils from Lymington, Gosfield and Green Lane went head to head in a heated challenge to determine this years Maths Champions. The teams competed against the clock to complete two rounds of challenges. They had to be strategic and work as a team to solve complex problems. We were amazed by the creativity and enthusiasm of our elite Mathematicians. It gives us great pleasure to announce the victors of this years Maths Challenge to be Team Lymington! Congratulations to Ms Kaur and 9E1 for an outstanding performance, they won with a score of 193 points I would also like to commend all the students in Year 9 students who took part, there was such energy buzzing through the room as the students competed to complete their tasks, and their shouts of triumph at each stage was truly contagious. Below are the results from the whole competition: 1 st Place: Lymington 193 2 nd Place: Gosfield 172 3 rd Place: Green Lane 169 A special mention to our honorary participants from China, who made up their own team and took 1 st place as the overall team winners. It was a privilege to share this experience with our wonderful guests from China. Congratulations to all those who have won awards for the challenge. We look forward to next year to see which site will claim the mantle of Robert Clack Maths Champions! Ms Miah
As a reward for their commitment to Art Club throughout the year, a group of Year 7 students enjoyed a fantastic visit to the Tate Modern. Pupils explored the gallery’s exhibitions with curiosity and creativity, representing the school with exemplary behaviour throughout. It was a wonderful celebration of their enthusiasm and dedication to the arts.
On Tuesday, 30 select members of the school council of the entirety of Robert Clack School were invited to The Houses of Parliament by our own MP Margaret Mullane after a request sent by Mrs Monk which was finally accepted after numerous rejections. Because of this, this may increase the likelihood of this opportunity opening again. The way that we got accepted for this trip is based on behavior, engagement with the school council and having an interest in politics. We left Gosfield Road at about 9:30, took the bus to Dagenham Heathway and took the District Line straight to Westminster. As soon as we arrived at the grand Palace of Westminster, and after a few scans of our items, we were shown around the ancient Westminster Hall, saw the New Dawn, which is an artistic masterpiece, lit up and controlled by the tide of the River Thames. This was made as a monument to the Women’s Suffrage Movement. Past that, we explored the Central Lobby, even seeing various news reporters practicing their reports. Later, we were split into two groups and were able to see a debate in the House of Commons between two politicians. Even if you weren’t interested in what they were discussing, you had to be in awe of the entire hall, being shown on TV countless times and finally seeing it in person. And finally before eating our lunch and heading home, we all got a group picture with our MP, Margaret Mullane, to wrap up the whole day. Brendan, Year 9
Our GCSE Geography students have just returned from an excellent trip to Walton-on-the-Naze. The purpose of the trip was to investigate whether the sea defences at Walton were effective at preventing erosion and flooding. Although we had some problems with being able to complete all our fieldwork with high tides most days, the students were still able to collect enough data. The weather was glorious and we certainly made the most of the heatwave. Whilst battling through the traffic, with Gallows Corner being closed, we were able to belt out some songs on the minibuses and arrive in good time. The students' behaviour was excellent throughout the trips. They listened well and followed instructions carefully and were a credit to the school. I look forward to taking them all to Stratford in September for their Human Geography fieldwork.
Congratulations to Maisy Kohl in year 9! This half term she won a regional Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competition. This was all the more impressive as she stepped up 3 divisions to do so and fought a girl 15kg heavier than herself. She won in an incredible 4 seconds, forcing her opponent to tap out from an arm bar. Well done Maisy, we are all very proud of you!
On Saturday 15 th June 2025, Mr Vinda and Mr Goyette lead the Barking and Dagenham district team to compete in the County Championships at Melbourne park in Chelmsford. With Robert Clack winning so many events at the Barking and Dagenham Championships 2 weeks before, it was no surprise that Robert Clack athletes made up the majority of the team. There were over 20 athletes from Robert Clack between year 7-10 competing. All of our athletes showed a high level of skill, physical fitness and outstanding behaviour. They represented themselves and the school with honour. Special congratulations must go to the following athletes for excelling in their individual events and bring back a county medal. Joshua - Gold - Discus Keziah - Bronze - Hurdles Denzel - Silver - 200m Dre - Silver - Hurdles Well done to all who participated.
Essex selection for National championships. Track and field athlete Josh B (year 9), has had the summer of his life with individual achievements and he's not finished yet. This year Josh was our highest point scorer in the English Schools athletics competitions, but his success does not stop there. Barking and Dagenham championships 100m - Gold Discus - Gold Relay - Gold Essex Championships Discus Gold Selection for Essex multi events team, competing in the national championships in Northampton in the following events; Hurdles, Long jump, high jump, shot-put, 800m. Reached national standard in both hurdles and long jump. Will represent Essex in the hurdles for Essex in the National individual championships. Josh thoroughly deserves the plaudits he is receiving as he works so hard. In the gym before school, not missing a club after school and working hard at his club outside of school. Well done Josh! We are all very proud of you.
It has been our pleasure and privilege to have been part of your child’s journey in Year One! We are so proud of their achievements and we have thoroughly enjoyed watching them grow into budding readers, writers, mathematicians, artists, scientists, explorers, athletes and so much more! Every day the children have amazed us with their determination to learn and grow and we have all been thoroughly charmed by each and every one of their unique personalities. As always, this term has been really busy with lots of fun learning. We started off our ‘Wild World’ topic with an exciting visit to Sea Life Aquarium! The children were fascinated learning about all the magnificent creatures that live in the ocean and how we can protect their natural habitat. In DT, we had lots of fun chopping fruit and making our very own fruit cocktail! In other news, it was amazing to see so many parents come to watch and cheer along in our school’s Sports Day. Your children certainly enjoyed taking part, showing great sportsmanship and teach spirit! Well done Year One!