We are thrilled to announce that Paul Cook, a dedicated member of the Robert Clack community, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for his outstanding contribution to local sports and community engagement. Paul’s remarkable dedication to coaching and mentoring our students has made a lasting impact, and this prestigious recognition is a testament to his hard work and commitment. Paul first joined Robert Clack in 2002, initially taking on part-time coaching roles before becoming a full-time member of staff in 2013. Since then, he has been an integral part of the school’s sporting community, volunteering his time to coach and support students in cricket, rugby, and gym sessions. His passion for sport extends beyond the school gates, as Paul also dedicates his weekends to umpiring, coaching at Dagenham Rugby Club, and organising cricket sessions on Friday evenings. Paul’s tireless efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2016, he received a Chance to Shine special recognition award for his contributions to cricket, and in 2022, he was honoured with the Essex RFU Unsung Hero award. Now, his hard work has been recognized at the highest level with the British Empire Medal. On Friday, 4th April, Paul and his wife Maggie were invited to the Tower of London, where Paul was presented with the British Empire Medal by Dr. Kenneth Olisa OBE, the Lord Lieutenant of London.  The ceremony was a memorable experience, with Paul having the opportunity to speak briefly with Dr Olisa, who shared that he had visited Robert Clack himself. After the ceremony, Paul and Maggie celebrated this significant achievement at the Dickens Inn in St Katharine’s Dock. Paul’s commitment to supporting the students of Robert Clack and his contributions to local sport have made him a true hero in our community. His passion for helping others, whether on the cricket pitch or rugby field, continues to inspire all who know him. Please join us in congratulating Paul on this well-deserved honour!

We were delighted to welcome back two former students of Robert Clack School— Tendayi Hove (Medical student) and Laiba Tanveer (Dentistry student)—who delivered an insightful and engaging session for our Year 12s on applying to Medicine and Dentistry. Tendayi and Laiba began by sharing their personal journeys from Robert Clack to university, providing a relatable and motivational foundation for the session. They gave students an honest and detailed overview of what it's like to apply for Medicine and Dentistry, covering key aspects such as: Preparing for entrance exams (UCAT/BMAT) Navigating the application timeline Succeeding at interviews and assessment days Managing work experience and personal statements Their practical tips and first-hand experiences gave our students clarity and confidence as they consider their future career paths. As strong advocates for widening participation , Tendayi and Laiba spoke passionately about the importance of representation in healthcare and the power of returning to support their former school. It was inspiring to see them give back in such a meaningful way. To close the session, students took part in a hands-on activity, role-playing as doctors and patients in mock consultations. These real-life case studies helped bring medical history-taking and diagnosis skills to life, sparking lively discussion and enthusiastic participation. The workshop was a valuable experience, full of relevant guidance and inspiration. We would like to thank Tendayi and Laiba for their time, generosity, and commitment to supporting the next generation. We look forward to working with them again in the future. 

Yesterday marked the grand finale of our Entrepreneur Academy, and what an incredible experience it was! The energy in the room was electric as our talented students took the stage to present their final ideas. We were thrilled to be joined by an esteemed panel of judges—Jamie Mason, Jordan Smith, Tina Dulieu, and Dean Franklin—who each brought their unique expertise and perspectives to the table. Jamie, Tina and Dean are all ex pupils and alumni members.  As always, our students did not disappoint. The level of creativity and professionalism in the presentations was truly outstanding, leaving everyone in awe. We saw some groundbreaking ideas, and the future of entrepreneurship is certainly in good hands! And the winners are... The winners of the Entrepreneur Academy final were celebrated for their innovative idea of an anti-spiking straw. This concept addresses a significant issue in the hospitality industry and could help protect people from the dangers of drink spiking. It’s an idea that blends practicality with social impact—an impressive achievement from our talented students. Meanwhile, our runners-up presented an exciting app that pairs players with available football pitches. This simple yet powerful idea has the potential to streamline the way people access sports facilities, making it easier for players to find the right venue and play the game they love. A big thank you to our judges A heartfelt thank you to our incredible panel of judges for taking the time to evaluate our students' hard work. Your feedback and guidance were invaluable, and we’re grateful for your support in making this event a success. Shoutout to Dean Franklin! A special mention has to go to Dean Franklin, one of our judges, who reached the final five on last night’s episode of The Apprentice! We couldn’t be more proud of Dean and are all cheering for you as you continue your journey. Your success is an inspiration to us all, and we’re excited to see where your entrepreneurial path leads! To our students, we say... Finally, a massive thank you to all of our students. You were absolutely amazing—your dedication, creativity, and passion for entrepreneurship were evident in every presentation. You’ve all shown incredible potential, and we can’t wait to see what you accomplish in the future. We’re so proud of each and every one of you. Keep dreaming big and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. You are the future of innovation!

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!

Our Year 7 pupils recently had an exciting and rewarding trip to the Kingswood Adventure and Activity Centre. 130 pupils from all three sites, stayed at Kingswood for 2 nights in March, where they participated in a range of challenging activities, including abseiling, rock climbing, fencing and buggy building. Throughout the trip, their behaviour was exceptional, and they truly embodied the values of our school, acting as outstanding ambassadors. Many students faced their fears head-on, especially during the abseiling and rock-climbing sessions, showing incredible bravery and determination. What was even more impressive was the support they showed for one another, cheering each other on and offering encouragement at every step. It was wonderful to see the pupils not only push their own limits but also help their peers succeed. The Kingswood staff were particularly impressed with how maturely the pupils conducted themselves. They remarked that they had never seen such a large group show such excellent behaviour. They were truly a credit to the school and to their parents. This trip was a fantastic opportunity for personal growth and teamwork, and we couldn’t be prouder of the resilience and positivity demonstrated by our Year 7s. They represented the school with pride, and we look forward to seeing how these experiences inspire them in the future. A big thank you to the 12 members of staff that gave up their time for the trip. We look forward to organising more of these opportunities. Miss Fernando

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