YOUR SHOUTS Voices of Roedean
BOUDICCA BULLETIN
The BIG Question With Victoria Woo
“What hard-hitting imaginary news story has made you smile today?” The world is not always a happy place, and with disaster, disease and depression constantly surrounding us, it seems as there's no escape. So here, laugh a little for there's always time and space for that.
ARMY VEHICLE DISAPPEARS An Australian Army vehicle worth $74,000 has gone missing after being painted with camouflage.
-Camilla Gibson
Blind Woman gets new kidney from dad she hasn’t seen in years.
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Roedean School Newspaper
THE BOUDICCA BULLETIN “Honour the wordy”
The Play’s the Thing By Sharon Jacobs There’s always one thing that keeps us on our toes instead of by the radiator in the coming of a bleak winter: the Team Play Festival, the pandemonium that we have all come to love like the troublesome family Labrador. This year, a slight change in the programme presents us with the challenge of directing our own Shakespearean sketch for the Shakespeare Schools Festival. And of course, returning home to find that your loveable dog has been exchanged for an arcane boxed creature is never comforting. But what we will release this September will undoubtedly intrigue as well as test each of us, however dramatically inclined or not. It’s not the first time the Roedean community has participated in the event. Two years ago, the current Upper Fives toiled hard for their productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Macbeth. As with any production, there were highs and lows. We were keen to immerse ourselves into our roles, even reciting parts (“thou painted maypole!”) as we passed each other in the hall, rehearsals carried on for a good half year and even with such a generous period, time was still scarce. This will be our main concern. Surely if we only just manage to pull it off every year with our own scripts, what would happen with preset Shakespearean ones? Also, if the joy of the Team Play Festival is to see your own brainchild come to life, wouldn’t having a script thrust into your hands to merely direct be only half the fun and satisfaction? There’s no argument about that, but there comes a point where “the lady doth protest too much” and it’s time just to seize whatever we’ve been given, and what we have been given is linguistic bliss. There’s always room for deviation, so stick with it just this once. Besides that Labrador will be back, just when we think we’ve got time for rest and quiet.
Volume 1, Issue 3
SATs, A-Levels or IB’s? By Joy Ip Different education systems suit different circumstances, goals and needs. We as students normally simply follow the education system that the government offers. A-Levels are taken in the last two years of secondary school and require only the minimum of 3 subjects taken. It is a standard qualification for admission to UK universities and the British A-Levels are taken all around the world; many international schools choose this system as it is widely recognized. However, A-Levels tend to shut out opportunities for students because they have limited choices, therefore students are strained to make up their mind about their career at the age of 16 in order to choose the right subjects. The IB diploma tends to take full advantage of every aspect of a student’s abilities. Parents would be quite keen to have their children take IB as they
want a more all-rounded education for them. Students are given coursework throughout the two years and a final exam in the final year. Their curriculum hopes to achieve the three core requirements: extended essay; theory of knowledge; creativity, action, service. There are now 2617 schools in 135 countries following the IB curriculum. IB students claim that to achieve this diploma requires a lot of time and commitment, and in addition, some universities tend to prefer students that have taken the IB curriculum. Some schools, such as Sevenoaks School, Rugby School, and King’s College School in the UK, have dropped A-Levels and switched to IB. Tony Evans, headmaster of King’s College School, said, “The significance of what is happening is that schools are trying to escape a defective national system. Schools and universities have lost confidence in A-levels.” In Germany, universities even refuse to take students with an A-level qualification. Yet, students complain that there is intense workload and students sometimes feel stressed and pressured.
MINERS REFUSE TO WORK AFTER DEATH -Joyce Day-Hall
Something went wrong in jet crash, experts say. -Sinead O’Dwyer
By Serena Esiri-Bloom We welcome new members to join our Flock But say farewell to some of our Herd
-Caitlin Boyland
Last Thought: People used to fight to be footloose. It’s time to forget what shoes you wear and supertramp it a little just to see who you really are.
PAGE 12 YOUR SHOUTS
More on page 4 News...
Let’s Go Clubbing
-Jodie Gough
FOUR BATTERED IN FISH AND CHIPS SHOP
June 2009
Roedean School, Roedean Way, Brighton, BN2 5RQ
TheIn theRecession and Roedean midst of these harsh economic times, everyone is a victim. Does this include our school? By Yinxi (Rachel) Liu Since the collapse of Lehman Brothers in September 2008, a series of crisis in the global financial system has swept the world, hitting then UK hardest as the financial sector accounts for a much bigger part of the UK economy. The UK has officially entered recession at the end of 2008 after two consecutive quarters of real GDP contraction. However that was far from the bottom, as UK unemployment raises by 244,000 to 2.22 million in the first three months of 2009, or 7.1% of the workforce. The Bank of England has just predicted a slow and protracted economic recovery in its latest inflation report. As a student at Roedean, you might ask: In this recession, what are the implications for Roedean? In the last recession in 1991, the number of pupils in private schools fell by 1200 within a year followed by a further 9300 over the next six years. More on page 4 News...
By Olivia Burke Roedean prides itself on not just on its academic excellence but, also its range of extracurricular activities available to students outside lessons. Every student seems to be involved in at least one of the various clubs around school. One of the newest of these is the ‘Environmental Society’, working to make the school a greener place. It is thanks to them that a motion sensor has been installed to operate the ceiling lights in study passage of Tanner 6th form, conserving energy and saving Tanner girls from that commonlyoverlooked task of switching off the lights. Many of us are looking forward to the establishment of Esme Brand’s ‘Film Club’, starting up after exams. “People can do whatever they want,” said Esme, “editors, script writers, cameramen...” The first short film that she has planned will be called ‘A Day in the Life of a Roedean Student,’ so look out for the first meeting. For those athletes and sports enthusiasts amongst us, the various sporting clubs in school such as Badminton or Trampolining Club will fill up empty time in the evenings and provide a reprieve from prep and revision. Amongst some of the more prominent clubs and associations in School Choir, Orchestra and Jazz Band take a front seat. Putting that homework to one side and going down to the chapel to have a little singsong definitely lifts one’s spirits. Georgina Wheatley, a member of all three music groups, says, “I have enjoyed my musical life at Roedean so much that I have been inspired to study music at university.” Not only do clubs and activities taken outside lessons provide a break from school work and a few extra skills, but students with a wide variety of hobbies are valued by Universities. Badminton Club, Jazz Band, and Film Club are sprinkles of gold dust on your CV or personal statement. Joining a club in school is also a brilliant way to bond with other girls. There seems to be a club for everyone but, if none of them take your fancy, then start your own!
OPINIONS & EDITORIALS
BOUDICCA BULLETIN
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THE BOUDICCA BULLETIN EDITORIAL
The Joy of Mix By Grace Allwood Ah, the hallowed Mix CD/Tape, many-a budding relationship has been built up on the music choices upon thee. But is there still a place for your obsessive creation in this age of iPods, playlists and Limewire? “Of Course!”, I hear you cry, “But Grace, how could we let this strange and legally dubious art die?” (On the subject of their legal dubiousness I must, of course, tell you not to share music illegally. Give people CDs so they can sample the music but please go out and buy the records of artists you like, support skint and upcoming musicians y’all.) A mix can be for anything, I find that the satisfaction is in making one that is just perfect for its intended purpose. Don’t know how to tell someone that you really like them? Make a mix! Want someone to hear songs from your new favourite bands? CD-it-up! Just want the perfect mix to wash dishes to? Put one together! The joy of a mix is their versatility. Say, for example, you are making a CD to back a summer barbeque...do you go hyper-literal and follow Ash’s ‘Burn Baby Burn’ with Nelly’s ‘Hot in Here’ and then finish it off with a little ‘Heatwave’ by Martha and the Vandellas? Or do you go more for ambience, and if you do, do you choose popular music or obscure? Maybe just instrumentals? The thing is, no two people will choose exactly the same songs for a situation and you can learn a lot about someone by the way they construct a mix. Is there a time consuming specifically created album art/ tracklisting/ lyrics sheet etc.? Are they trying to impress you? If they follow an Animal Collective B-Side with anything by Captain Beefheart you can definitely say yes to this one. Is it a collection of songs they like or songs you like? A mix for someone else is a difficult beast, as Rob Gordon says in High Fidelity “The making of a good compilation tape is a very subtle art. Many do's and don'ts. First of all you're using someone else's poetry to express how you feel. This is a delicate thing.”. The problem really is trying to say let’s get it on without using ‘Let’s Get it On’ or wanting them to know that baby, you love them
without including ‘Baby, I Love You’. So, yes a very difficult beast indeed. But my two favourite things about mixes I have shamelessly stolen from Rob Sheffield’s book ‘Love is a Mixtape’. In the book he uses tapes he has made as time markers in his relationship with his wife and mixes really do do that, act as totally effective time capsules of whatever time period you made them. What you thought of as a brilliantly cool and eclectic mix five years ago falls apart horribly on a repeat listen but it will inevitably drag you right back into the moment when you listened to those songs obsessively. The other thing he says about mixes that I wholeheartedly agree with is the idea that a mix can set a song free. Lady GaGa’s ‘Just Dance’ becomes a completely different song when sandwiched between, say, ‘The Party’s Crashing Us’ by Montreal and April March’s ‘Chick Habit’. I would rather hear a song from Bright Eye’s ‘Cassadaga’ on a mix than on the album itself. A song takes on its own life when separated from its brothers and sisters, when it is heard in a whole new environment. Really though, the best thing about mixes is their now ubiquitous place in our culture. Sure not that many people make mixes for other people now with the same obsessive fervour as they used to (though you can find good mixtape exchanges at, for example charlotwebster.wordpress.com). But people really make them all the time on their iPods for the gym or for the journey into work or on the computer to listen to whilst writing coursework. iPods and iTunes and playlist have not killed the Mix, not at all, they have just merely helped them evolve. I say let these mixes free! I have tried to, in my own small way, through the ‘Mix Tapes’ in each Boudicca Bulletin issue and I hope that when I leave people will take over that spot and share with the school their own mixes. Music brings people together like no other art form so, please, share around the music you love.
Our Love-Hate Relationship with Facebook By Julia Kisray The student bodies of many schools worldwide are undergoing the epidemic that is: Facebook, a social networking website that is completely free and almost too easy to access. So what exactly is it about this website that has taken the world by storm? Facebook is snazzy, slick, fresh and cool all rolled into one. You connect instantly to people you haven’t seen since you were wearing nappies, smearing your mum’s lipstick all over the kitchen floor; but you don’t have to be prehistoric or technologically inept to see the downsides. The reason why our relationship with Facebook is so volatile is that what starts off as harmless research for a project on Wikipedia and a quick type-up of coursework, turns into a guilt-filled Facebook check. The Telegraph recently posted an article with the title printed in massive bold lettering, “Facebook students underachieve in exams.” Of course, we were all humbled even more. The truth about Facebook is that it begins with a little socialising for ten minutes at the end of the day but by the time you are a regular user, Facebook creeps up with its sly, spongy ways and slowly sucks you up into the dark tornado, hours away from where you really should be, when you could be re-writing an essay that you got a mediocre mark in or revising for a massive Biology exam that you have in a week’s time. By the time you drag yourself off it, you get a text from a friend saying “Hey, where are you? Come on facey b!” So the hard-hitting truth is that Facebook turns us all into sloths. It’s like some crazy drug addiction, but minus the disgusting damage to health. However it must be said that not everybody is fooled. Smart students choose to de-activate their profiles until after exams, but people must remember that in taking this perilous choice. They risk spending a week sobbing pathetically into their pillow, clawing at the walls and tearing things with their teeth to relieve the endless pain of burying your social life for a maximum of two precious months. If there are any parents that are prepared to put themselves in this position, hard hats, football boots and oven mitts are strongly recommended. When you feel the harsh, unpleasant urge to log on, do something else. Even if it’s still procrastinating, do it! Learn to knit, fish for mackerel, befriend the elderly community at ASDA. Just anything to save you from Facebook. Just stay away from the smooth shiny exterior of your laptop, and the enticing, inviting, eclectic, eccentric things that it beholds. Once you’ve opened it, you’re doomed.
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BOUDICCA BULLETIN
Recessionista By Julia Kisray It’s true; the world had already begun its own selfdestruction. The credit crunch has changed the lifestyles of millions of people; whether it is pocket money being reduced or mothers saying no to bunging unnecessary shampoo in the trolley, but there are many things you can do to save up in a savvy yet stylish way. Firstly, where to shop: explore deep into the crevices and hidden realms of your town centre. Find second-hand stores for bargains. Be careful though; don’t be tempted by crazy impulse buys. Sta y away from anything mauve or with tassles; it’s always £2.50 for a reason. Don’t be afraid to customise: transform old jeans into shorts and your dad’s baggy t-shirts into sexy vest tops. Think of Gone with the Wind and the curtain dress. Snazzy or what? Treat yourself to a few key pieces in your wardrobe that you can mix-and-match with whatever else you own. I recommend a straight black skirt of good quality that can be dressed both up and down; but beware of cheap stuff. It promises so much but may as well be made of paper, so lay off the Primarni, girls. Happy budgeting!
In this issue, the fashion section recommends the following fashion, art and design websites:
• http://www.deviantart.com A community for (starving) painters, photographers, models, poets or any kind of artist to submit their latest work. Hidden gems may lurk here! • http://www.etsy.com A place to buy and sell all things hand made! This would be a fabulous place to purchase a unique and fun gift for the next occasion you attend. • http://lastfootware.com Featured as one of the “50 best boutiques in Britain” by the Sunday Telegraph, this site gives you a glimpse of their “beautifully made shoes, hosiery and accessories”. Better yet, the real life shop for this website is just nearby in the South Lanes on 3 Pool Valley Street, Brighton. • http://www.designspotter.com Designspotter is an online blog which publishes young and anonymous artists’ ideas and modern design. Have a look at their inspired work.
FASHION
Project Runway : A New Season By Sheena Cheung As a female who doesn’t look at herself in the mirror before she leaves the house, and could barely care enough to run a brush through her hair most mornings, it is safe to say that I am definitely not one who follows fashion closely. In fact, I am sure that my mother and even my brother far surpass me in their sense of style. However, astonishingly, I have taken a liking to this American design show which has developed into a guilty pleasure. Project Runway is an award-winning show focusing on fashion design, in its sixth season on the Bravo network, hosted by Heidi Klum. Although not as popular in United Kingdom as in America, this is a piece of reality television that has appealed to an international audience. The show, set in New York, USA’s fashion central, eliminates designers from an initial selection of 12 based on the success of their designs. The panel of judges includes supermodel and host Heidi Klum, American designer Michael Kors, Elle editor Nina Garcia, and a guest judge, usually from the fashion, acting or music industry. Fashion mentor Tim Gunn often drops in on the challengers to offer advice and motivational words, often to the amusement of my family and myself when designers respond less-than-gratefully at the honest opinions of this fashion guru. In each of the initial challenges (each lasting one episode), the designers are required to develop one or several pieces of new clothing to be presented on the show’s runway. The designers on the show are expected to be resourceful, able to deal with stress and can be inspired in a split second in order to come up with a creative, original and ingenious design that will wipe the floor with the rest of the contestants (Note: This doesn’t always work). The time allowed for each design to be completed is often harsh, and it is entirely possible that the design you felt was absolutely flawless can seem like a walking disaster when it comes to the final hour. An often overlooked aspect of the show is how each designer chooses a model at the beginning of each episode to strut their design down the catwalk. Although it is not a focus of the show, it turns out that the models themselves are in a competition against each other and can be eliminated as well if the outfit they were sporting ever-so-prettily gets the frown. I find this particularly interesting in Season 5 Episode 2, where the models themselves were given a budget and sent to a fabric store to get the supplies for the challenge instead of the designers themselves. The trust between the designer and the model was especially important at this point, and the fashion sense and fashion commonsense (or surprisingly, mere lack-of) of the models were tested. Imagine my glee at their surprise when they realise that clothing cannot be ‘majicked’ out of yards of shiny velvet with no thread, zipper nor buttons. The previous season brought many frustrations to me as a member of the audience. I must admit, that there were tense moments where I just want to turn off the TV because of a particular arrogant contestant (cough Kenley Collins cough), but I’m glad I watched it till the end. The three finalists of Season Five showed their collections at the New York Fashion Week on February 20th, 2009. Their identities were kept secret to protect the suspense when the season aired on television. Season Five’s winner, Leanne Marshall, a soft spoken young woman from California totally won me over with her modesty and status as an underdog. She is an example of how an ordinary artist can go from selling her product online (she advertised her designs on www.etsy.com – check out the neat stuff on there!), to achieving the status of a recognised designer, winning an international television show. All that being said, I must admit I do have my reservations about the upcoming Sixth Season of Project Runway, airing in August 2009. Will it contribute to the mountain of reality television known for milking-the-cashcow, such as the ‘n’th season of Survivor? And there are only so many episodes of a laughingly-earnest Tyra Banks going ‘I’m sorry but you are out’ we can sit through. Although the world can always use the works of a new fashion designer, I sincerely hope that Project Runway’s new season would take Tim Gunn’s advice of “Make it work” and then know when to quit when it is time.
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SPORT
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BOUDICCA BULLETIN
Sports Day By Anna Augousti “Three, Two, One, bang!”, and the air horn is triggered with a loud blast. This is how every Sports Day event begins. Sports Day is the one sports event that takes place every year, same time, same place, and is shared with Roedean Day on the last weekend of the summer term, a.k.a exam season. Sports Day is not just about competing for the Sports Day cup, but it is also a day for socialising and supporting your fellow students and friends. Every Sports day begins with the same ritual, which is yet another tradition of Roedean School. This is the “Sports Day Parade”. This involves all four teams running around the 400 metre track screaming, shouting and singing chants to warm everyone up for the events that are to take place. Teams line up in order and Sports Day officially commences. The fun of the competition between teams begins and the track and field events are launched. Although all four teams put up a tremendous effort, it was Team Four that managed to claim the ultimate prize of the Sports Day trophy last year. We can only wait and see how the ordeal will play out this year. The scores are combined from both track and field events. The track events consist of: 100m sprint, 200m, 400m and 1500m run. Field events include Long-jump, Javelin, Discus and Shot Putt. Athletes from all years in the school take part in the fun of Sports Day. A few special mentions go the sports scholars at Roedean School: Astrid Ainley of
Six One, Caitlin Boyland of Upper Five, Naomi Falcone of Upper Five, Sophie Cawley of Upper Five and Ope Salau of Lower Five. Sophie Cawley says that she is looking forward mostly to the competition between the teams. Roedean School definitely encourages the determined effort to win each competition from each team. However, it also encourages students to support one another in the friendly Roedean environment. I recently caught up with Astrid Ainley to find out how she planned to prepare for Sports Day. Astrid said, “Well I’m just keeping up with my usual exercise routine, and besides that I’m mostly excited about the Six Two’s famous event, “The Golden Mile”. The “Golden Mile” is another event that is unique to Roedean School Sports Day. It is where the students in Six Two compete against the teachers and staff at Roedean School as a last hurrah. The students must beat the staff and teachers by outrunning them in this race. The team that reaches the finish line first after running one mile around the track wins. In each team there are 16 contestants, and each contestant has to run at least 100 metres. What makes this event most memorable and enjoyable is the friendly taunting and gloating between teams and the humourous efforts the two teams put up against each other for the winning title. Sports Day is a lively, enthusiastic day which everyone enjoys being involved in. It is a day where people are able to forget the worries of exams and begin to enjoy the beginning of summer and it is a great way of emerging into the summer holidays. And remember everyone, “It’s the taking part that counts!”
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BOUDICCA BULLETIN
First Impressions To judge and to be judged is one aspect of life we’re all too keen to evade. By Aviva Lipmanowicz A first impression can be based on a million different things: from how someone walks to how someone holds their knife and fork. But how does one get this ‘feeling’ about a person? An impression can be based on something you can see, a visual aspect of someone like their make-up, fashion sense or their choice of jewellery; some might call it shallow to gain an impression of someone in this manner, whilst others will find it normal and comforting to have a definite image to judge you by. First impressions can also be based on a ‘gut feeling’ that is triggered deep down in the beholder’s body and completely reins control of their actions, whether it be rational or irrational. People can find it hard to know how much they should give away about themselves because we all know that this is, in effect, what you will be judged upon. What impression we give out should be a window to who we are inside; or a small, digestible taster of who we fully are. As we can’t take back a first impression, these first few signs and signals are vital. So what if we were to emit the wrong first impression by accident? We’d expect to be given a chance to redeem ourselves to show who we really are and how we really act. But, unfortunately, this isn’t always the case as people have most probably already categorised you and your personality into little boxes in their mind and stored it away. Perhaps the key is time. Allow time to get another impression of someone to either prove what you originally thought to be true, or use time to aid you in showing that this first impression was in fact misleading and unfair.
OPINIONS & EDITORIALS
Volume I Issue III The Boudicca Bulletin; Roedean School Newspaper Roedean School, Roedean Way, Brighton, BN2 5RQ Editor-In-Chief Joy Crane News Editor Megan Matthews Features Editors Anouska Wise & Grace Matthews Opinions & Editorial Editor Victoria Woo Sports Editors Nkem Ike-Nwabuoko & Alex Colombo-Sansom Fashion Editor Hannah Redwood Entertainment Editors Grace Allwood & Felicity Paterson Business & Advertising Manager Natalie Wong Layout Design Sheena Cheung Photography Manager Esme Brand Faculty Advisor Mr. Back Graphics courtesy of Jasmine Gordon-Brown Joy Ip Serena Esiri-Bloom Sheena Cheung Harriet Murray Mrs. Walker Any copyright infringement is not intended
Redefining ‘fit’
Get a Body like Shakira Your hips don’t lie.
By Camilla Gibson “One, two, one, two, come on girls! I know you can do better than this!” A sharp blast of the whistle and everyone comes to a holt immediately, puffing. Rushing up to Mrs. Goulet, I asked whether I could have a quick interview for our hungry readers. Flustered and nervously patting her hair, Mrs. Goulet agreed. Sitting down on the crooked sport benches, I poised my pen over the paper waiting expectantly. I probed into what the sports teachers diet was, perhaps a couple of carrot sticks? Mrs. Goulet looked up in surprise “a couple of carrot sticks!” she says shocked. “I love food, eating is my hobby”. Her favorite make of trainers are Nikes and she most enjoys watching 3 Day Eventing (horse riding). I also discovered her dress sense outside of school. “Out of school I go for the more controversial ‘Goth’ look…..no, no, only kidding — I dress smart and casual.”
By Nneka Mbadugha What time is it? Summer time! That’s right. It's that time of year, yet again, where you can slap on little or no sun screen and lounge all day on the beach. One problem: what if you feel too insecure and aren’t ready for the sudden exposure of flesh? Not to worry all hope is not lost. There is a fast, easy, and fun way to lose weight and keep fit. Drum roll please...dancing! Three of the most intriguing to watch and practice are Salsa, Hip-Hop and Belly Dancing. Many a times I have offered the idea to my friends of taking a group trip to Puerto Rico where I can meet a tanned salsa dancer and dance forevermore. They rejected the idea, not knowing my secret agenda was to keep fit, as we all should. Who says a workout has to be dull and stressful? Dancing is the way forward, for all of you that aren’t prepared to take a chance you stick to cycling on a bike that will never go anywhere. Salsa dancing gives you a variety of workouts. It tones mostly your bottom half which is similar to hip-hop. Hip-hop dancing keeps your heart rate up with the constant jumps, twists and turns, you are sure to have a sweaty workout. No worries, it’ll all be worth it. The final dance on my list is the infamous belly dancing practised by people such as the famous pop singer, Shakira. No need to start comparing yourself to Shakira as she has been perfecting her dancing for nearly all her life, as we have probably seen in her music videos: ‘Hips Don’t Lie’, ‘Whenever Wherever’. Belly dancing tones your stomach and prepares your body for a hot two piece. In order to have the perfect beach body you might consider taking some time out of your daily routine for these dances. Who knows ,you might soon be prepared for summer.
Left photo: Mrs. Goulet promoting a healthy social life through dancing.
PAGE 10 SPORT
External Statistics: Football League
Internal Statistics
Team
Points
Manchester United
90
Liverpool
86
Chelsea
83
Arsenal
72
Everton
63
Aston Villa
62
Fulham
53
Rounders: U15 won 100% of their matches played U12 won 50% of their matches Athletics: Sussex Schools U3/L4: 6th out of 12 U4/L5: 4th out of 12 Brighton Schools U4: 3rd out of 12 Combined throwing U4/L5: 3rd
THE BOUDICCA BULLETIN EDITORIAL
Are you Man or Superman? By Victoria Woo So what do The Man of Steel and Hitler have in common? They are both amongst the most recognisable and iconic figures from the last century, on the same rank as our comic friend Mickey Mouse even; but as we know, what they both stand for are the closest examples of the contrast between ultimate good and evil that we can muster. Then why is it so difficult to comprehend that their origins are both rooted by the same idea? Friedrich Nietzsche, a nineteenth century German philosopher, created much controversy with the publication of Thus Spoke Zarathustra which introduced the concept of Übermensch (translated as overman or superman). He expressed that Übermensch was a goal man was to aim for, for humanity to turn away from discontent of life (which would cause man to create another world to turn to) and create morals by which one should rightly live by. “All beings so far have created something beyond themselves; and do you want to be the ebb of this great flood and even go back to the beasts rather than overcome man? What is the ape to man? A laughing stock or a painful embarrassment. And man shall be just that for the overman: a laughing stock or a painful embarrassment…” He himself drew no precise conclusion, leaving for an open interpretation (apes are certainly no embarrassment and are truly insightful creatures, and sadly are endangered). But mostly, people have associated his writings with the ‘death of God’. But how is it that over two centuries later, religion still stands strong and firm? This is because we as humans make judgements and interpretations that we think may lead to whatever is best for us and those around us everyday of our lives. That is the essential basis of the Übermensch, and so, leaving room for religion and our own moral codes. It is up to us to say then, what is good? The rise of Nazism, however repugnant, was what Hitler thought was good for the German people. His interpretation took on a rather more literal approach towards eugenics and the creation of the ‘modern man’. And even though Nietzsche was strongly opposed to anti-Semitism, this did not hinder Hitler’s plans, simply omitting what he thought was irrelevant. Just as I have omitted
that Nietzsche vehemently disagreed with any humanitarian interpretation of the Übermensch; because to me, that made any understanding of this concept irrelevant to the good of humanity. I made the same call as Hitler, but leagues of relative importance and thought separate our views.
“For this shows hope and to some degree, evidence that we are all striving to be our own Superman, Übermensch or whatever title you might prefer.” And then there is the comic book hero, Superman, the quintessential figure of selflessness and good created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. But what is often forgotten or unknown is that he was originally created as Super-Man, a villain based on the Übermensch who uses his superhuman abilities for evil and conquest. For what reason was the character was so drastically remodelled to what it stands for today? The easiest explanation is money. A humble man in a cape who inspires hope within everyday people seems a sure-fire way to get published, and it was. Certainly, it is far from the inspirational and altruistic moral high-code that is Superman; but this brings great solace within me that people wanted to read about him more than the possible alternative which also included drama, destruction and general mayhem. For this shows hope and to some degree, evidence that we are all striving to be our own Superman, Übermensch or whatever title you might prefer. The infamous passage may have spurred deeds of unimaginable horror, but also hope. During the course of our lives, we are going to make judgements that may affect people in more ways than one, and when that time comes, you must ask yourself: are you man or superman?
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NEWS
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The Recession and Roedean — continued from front page... Currently there are more than half a million children, that is 7% of the total, attending private schools in Britain. With thousands of job losses in the financial sector, private schools will have to acknowledge the fact that fewer parents can now afford to send their children to those privileged schools and consequently more pupils will switch from private to state education. Revenues may fall and the schools need to maintain a strong financial position with sufficient cash reserves to avoid closure. In Britain, twelve independent schools have already been forced to shut down in the last twelve months.
“It is unlikely that the current recession will result in significant damage to Roedean, provided that it maintains a high standard of education.” Although the priority of Roedean is to provide the best environment and facilities possible for the pupils, the school should also make an effort to keep its costs under control. This may be achieved through various ways; one could make use of the Old Lawrence House again as an extra storage room or refurbish it so that it could be used for physical activities purposes which are currently conducted outside school. Furthermore, the merger with St. Mary’s Hall gives Roedean a valuable asset, the St. Mary’s Hall site, which has the potential to earn income if it is let to, say, language schools or offices for hospitals. The fact that overseas girls are a large proportion of the Roedean student body, in fact should be a bonus. After months of the UK exchange rate falling, the sterling pound has depreciated even further against the Euro, the RMB, and the Dollar following the slash in base rate to 0.5% by Bank of England in April 2009. With the devaluation in sterling pound, British school fees should have fallen by at least 20% for Hong Kong and Mainland China students and by a substantial degree for other foreign students. Although economic growth has slowed down considerably (from over 10% to 8%) in China, it is far from entering a recession. Given these factors, Roedean should be more immune to the recession than other independent schools. So should there be any difficulties in recruitment, these could hardly be blamed primarily on the recession. It is unlikely that the current recession will result in significant damage to Roedean, provided that it maintains a high standard of education. Together with its significant overseas intake, a weak pound should even give Roedean a temporary comparative advantage. However, in the long term, Roedean will need to pursue alternative strategies such as a discount for pupils transferring from the new primary school if it seeks to increase its local intake.
Congratulations to the following girls on their Roedean School prefect positions for 2009-2010. Head of School Georgina Wheatley Second Head of School Annabel MaCleod Games Captain Astrid Ainley Deputy Games Captain Claire Stokes Senior Prefect for Sixth Form Chioma Ike-Nwabuoku Senior Prefect for Middle School Olivia Burke Senior Prefect for Foundation Years Sung Jung Kim
Chapel Prefects Charity Prefects
Oluwafunmbi Adeagbo Oti Tongo Anna Augousti Alexandra Williams Natalie Chan
Library Prefect Form Prefects Leona Adesanya, Anna Augousti, Jasperina Baharie, Natalie Chan, Jane Chu, Iris Law, Tianyi Li, Elizabeth Lo, Alice McGilligan, Claire Stokes, Lally Wiffen, Alexandra Williams, Anouska Wise, Hin Hin Wong
SATs, A-Levels, or IBs? — continued from front page... SATs are the basic qualification for US college admissions. They believe that SATs can determine whether a student is ready for college. SATs tend to access how well students analyze and solve problems. Test takers cannot prepare for any specific topics or predict any content in the test. SATs are not necessary unless you are intending to attend an American University. SATs are very different compared to A-Levels and IBs. Exams can be taken whenever the candidate feels prepared and can be retaken as many as he/she wishes, whereas A-Level candidates only get to sit their exam once a year. Students now have score choices, this means they get to choose which SAT scores to submit to universities. However, top universities such as Cornell ask applicants to send all their test scores. Similarly, the A-Level system allows you to sit your examination twice, but they choose the better score and omit
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News in Brief 22nd April: Upper Four Geography trip to ‘The Natural History Museum’ in London. 22nd April: Lower Five – Six Two theatre trip to ‘Brief Encounter’. 25th – 27th April: Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award training expedition. 29th April: Junior Maths Challenge within the maths lesson for Upper Threes and Lower Fours.
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Brighton Fringe Festival By Julia Kisray For some of us, May is the most depressing time of year: exams starting, the sun coming out only on the days when we’ve stayed in to revise, not cold enough to wear a coat but not hot enough to wear just a cardigan. There may be a handful of bad things, but it is also the time of instant buzz in Brighton. Between 2nd and 25th the city is jam-packed with endless events happening in over a hundred venues, including the streets around Brighton and Hove. These events consist of live music, cabarets, comedy shows, musicals, plays, dance shows, physical theatre, art exhibitions, tours around Brighton attractions, arts and crafts workshops, cinema evenings and outdoor activities for kids. These events roll together to make the largest annual arts festival in England, the
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Brighton Festival Fringe, which gets better by year. This year, it was fresher than apples. Roedean was in no way left out from the hubbub; in fact they were part of it all. We were the lucky Fringe venue 175, hosting the classical concert which included Karl Jenkins’ the Armed Man. And boy, we did much more than just host it. As usual, Mrs. Fewkes, Mrs. Whitestone and Miss Bartlette rounded up the musical troops and churned out another majestic spectacle, this being a very emotional moment for some of the girls, seeing as it will be their last Roedean concert ever. Luckily not for us all though, we still have a few wholesome years to carelessly warble away with whoever risks their life to sit nearby. If there is anything holding people back from visiting Brighton, I could not imagine what. If you are unsure when to come and what there would be to do, I hope you have quickly snapped out of the delusion.
2nd May: Upper Three and Lower Four Children’s Parade. 2nd May: Brighton Festival Fringe Concert 5th May: Upper Four Classics trip to Fishbourne Roman Palace. 11th May and 12th May: The official AS/A2 and GCSE exam period began, much to the stomach- retching delight of the Upper Fives and Sixth Formers. 22nd May to 31st May: Half term week of the Summer term. 1st June: Various year groups begin summer exams.
ROEDEAN SCHOOL CHARITY AUCTION 27th June,12pm The Theatre In aid of Cancer Research UK and The Chestnut Tree House Children's Hospice
the other. SAT tests consist of only multiple-choice questions and negative marking is used to discourage guessing, unlike A-Level examinations, which are in question and answer format. IB and A-level require coursework to allow students the opportunity to present their knowledge and understanding in a less stressful environment whereas SATs are a 4 hour long test where each section is timed. The International Baccalaureate claims to help students to prepare for university. It encourages students to develop their identity and realize their strengths and weaknesses. Contrasting to A-level, it is difficult for the student to realize what area of study they work best at. It’s natural to believe that the grass is greener on the other side, but it’s important for students to put aside their cynical bias and truly weight their choices in higher education.
©
Regina Spektor, the Best Thing From Russia Since Vodka By Joy Crane On the quirky scale, Regina Spektor, anti-folk singer, songwriter, and stickhitting genius makes Kate Nash sound like Anna Nalick. Russian-born and Bronx-bred Spektor has been described "a quasi punk-classical collection of captivating grace and doomed beauty," and she has been likened to everyone from Bjork to Joni Mitchell. After being mentored by The Strokes, she became the darling of what remains of New York's bohemian cafe-society. Part Tori Amos, part Fiona Apple, part Ani DiFranco and part something wholly original, Spektor as of 2006 had established a mainstream record deal, a cult following, and a place on Billboard’s Top 20 with her bitter-sweet pop album ‘Begin To Hope’. Tired of toiling in the downtown NYC scene for the first half of the decade, Spektor took a dive into the mainstream music realm with this surprisingly conventional album. Die-heart fans were sent in search of their own ‘carbon monoxide’ in order to relieve her on-the-surface betrayal of all those who sport skinny jeans and grey cardies. Ditching her very dry vocal production and little added reverb or delay, Spektor’s last album put more of an emphasis on traditional pop and rock instruments, emphasizing ordinary song-production. “Fidelity” and “Better” certainly paved the necessary tributaries into the mainstream, but in the eyes of many of her faithful following, she lost some of her iconic ‘flow’. Desperate not to witness a literal creation of the “ghost of corporate future” Spektor fans have their fingers crossed about her upcoming album “Far”, set to be released June 23rd. For Far, the singer enlisted a quartet of hit-making producers: Begin to Hope's David Kahne, Mike Elizondo (Fiona Apple, Maroon 5), Garret "Jacknife" Lee (U2, R.E.M.), and-- most surprisingly-- ELO frontman/Paul McCartney and George Harrison collaborator/Traveling Wilburys member/overall rock'n'roll institution Jeff Lynne. Early listens to “Laughing With” and “Blue Lips” (both available on Spektor’s MySpace page) ring loyalties closer to ‘Soviet Kitsch’, her 2003 album, to the relief of many fans. The songs prove to be more developed and tamed than her earlier stream-of-consciousness melodies which birthed her cult-following, but less controlled and conventional than “Begin to Hope”. On the surface, Spektor’s cover for the film Prince Caspian, “The Call” seems to undermine the very essence of the singer’s rather malleable genre, having sold her anti-folk soul to the Disney Label. But, summoning all Indie die-hards to push aside their side fringes and to un-furrow their brows, this song intertwines Spektor’s earlier slow, soulful melodies with the musical maturity of her more poppy bites. Spektor fans have ‘no need to say good-bye’ to the Regina they fell in love with years ago, but in anticipation of the 23rd should face the music: Regina’s style has matured. But don’t let your skinny jeans cut off the circulation to your brain in pointless indie loyalty, it’s still great music.
Summer Music Festival By Aviva Lipmanowicz 100,000 sweaty people confined in a small muddy area for 3 days straight, without any signs of sanity (both cleanliness and mentally) all sharing one passion. Music. So how do you know which ones will be worth going to and which ones to bother attempting to get tickets for? The idea of sitting next to 5 computers and 4 phones, trying desperately to get a Reading ticket is not particularly appealing. But with new festivals cropping up every year, all over the world, there may be a solution to the festival blues. The beginning of the summer starts with the infamous Glastonbury festival which is said to cater to every ones taste, this year line up includes Bruce Springsteen, Maximo Park and The Streets just to name a few. We then roll into July where it all kicks off with the likes of the O2 Wireless festival in central Hyde Park for all the Londoners that don’t do camping. The fresh line up includes Kanye West and Basement Jaxx. Closely followed after is a nice clump of festivals including T- In the Park, Latitude, and Camp Bestival to wrap up July. We then enter August with a gush of underage madness at the Underage festival in Hackney which is strictly for 14 to 17 years old only, and then on into the much awaited and probably overrated Reading & Leeds festivals which has a stonking line up this year including Kings Of Leon, Artic Monkeys and Bloc party (Shame it’s sold out…) So lets all hope that we go to these much talked about festivals and come out of the other side full glad we spent our precious money on unforgettable memories, insane gig experiences and perhaps, just perhaps, a boyfriend.
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Team Music
That Geography Trip was Trippin’
By Harriet Kember Every two years Teams One, Two, Three and Four dust off their instruments for the bi-annual Team Music Competition. Each team has to perform a set song (which this year is Amazing Grace) and three other songs of their choice. Those in Upper Four and above might remember the fun that was Team Music two years ago, but for many this will be a new team experience. For me personally the highlight has to be the whole team song. Watching unwilling members of teams sing even though they have a ‘sore throat’ or ‘can’t sing’ and at the other end of the spectrum; those who give it their all and sing their heart out to try and win. However I do think, to steal the words of many of those over 50, “it is the taking part that counts” winning isn’t everything especially in this completion. It is a chance for the teams to show their musical talent, to have fun and most of all to enjoy an evening of music to nurture our young minds. Baby experts do say that music makes us smarter, with perhaps the exception of heavy metal, I fail to see how burst ear drums are beneficial to one’s health. I am sure there will be no burst ear drums in this case though because Roedean is bursting with talent; Team One have Naomi who is a fantastic violinist, Team Two have Ali who frankly is a brilliant trumpeter, Team Three has Olivia who has a beautiful voice and Team Four has George who is a musical genius, only to name a few of those who will be participating in the event. Each Team is lead by two Six Ones who decide which songs their Team will perform, organise rehearsals and conduct the musicians on the actual day. Although a stressful job it provides excellent merit when the head of each Team gets to hear the arrangements they have put together. Team Music is set to be a highlight this year along with many of the brilliant concerts and of course Team Plays. The only thing left to do now is to speculate who is to win, and with no bias of my own I say 'GO TEAM ONE!'
By Harriet Murray A three hour journey by coach and everyone found themselves on Knoll beach on the Dorset coastline – this is to be the first tour and a much needed lunch stop. Moving swiftly owing to rain, everyone arrived at the famous ‘Old Harry’s Rock’ and proceeded to make rough sketches and take advantage of the photo opportunities. Then it was back on the coach and off to the hostel accommodation where the group would spend the weekend. All of Lower Five was in agreement that it was certainly better than expected! Everyone settled in quickly and did not hesitate to rate each other’s rooms. The group was then called to a brief classroom session before dinner which consisted of … fish and chips of course! Everyone made the best they could of the trickle of icy water which classified itself as a shower and then it was lights out for a good night’s sleep. On Saturday, everyone was put into small groups and sent into the town of Swanage to question the local people about tourism and the effects it has on the area. The group then visited Chesil Beach, about 45 minutes’ drive away. It was extremely windy- hair flying everywhere, jackets dancing and folders difficult to control! Everyone took a lot of photographs of both the beach and their wind-blown friends! On the Saturday night everyone was given permission to get glammed up and go out into the local town until 10pm. Girls shot off in all directions; some ate Chinese takeaways on the beach, some swam fully clothed in the sea with an audience. Others, however, opted for a quiet night in. However, the “lets stay up all night” idea did not quite work. As an
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Nights of the Living Dead - Tilly & The Wall These Days - Nico Memory Lane - Elliott Smith Sweet Pea - Amos Lee My Back Pages - The Byrds Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying - Belle & Sebastian Homesick - Kings of Convenience Me and My Friend - Julie Doiron Wild West - Gregory & the Hawk West Coast - Coconut Records Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) - Arcade Fire My Backwards Walk - Frightened Rabbit Forever Young - Youth Group Our Last Days as Children - Explosions in the Sky We'll Meet Again - Vera Lynn
unfortunate result, Sunday breakfast was ugly, and everyone looked like the walking dead - smudged make up, slippers, eyes only half open! Thankfully, people found the warm, fully-pressurised showers downstairs! They seemed to wake the majority of the group up nicely and everyone was now ready for our brief visit to Lulworth Cove. Lulworth Cove was very beautiful although freezing cold! Thus everyone was pleased to get back onto the warm coach for the journey back to Brighton. Smiles all round; Lower Five have enjoyed a really pleasurable weekend away.
Edward Cullen vs Harry Potter
Lower Four Trip to Derbyshire
Boys Boys Boys
By Camilla Gibson All around the country darkness is rising, a thick mist of despair descended on the Harry Potter fans, the release of the film has been pushed back 8 months! So will it be worth the wait? Who knows? But what we do know is that Twilight has definitely stolen the lime light. Reviews on the back of the books are saying ‘step aside Harry Potter‘. Is this fair? Should we so easily be swept off our feet by the elusive Edward Cullen? Most of us have grown up with Harry, going through our teenage years with him and all his fellow companions. The Yule ball for instance, we have all been there, the worry of trying to find a partner for the school dance. He is our classic which we hand down to our children, saying “this was my favourite book when I was young.” Turning 11 was a very exciting point in my life. I remember clearly waiting by the letter box by the front door, waiting expectantly for my acceptance letter to Hogwarts school, delivered by owl. I was so disappointed when I realised I would not have the chance to visit Diagon Alley to purchase my very own wand. 3,923,270 viewings of the Harry Potter trailer have occurred on Youtube. Harry finds the way of love in this film and fans are excited to see how he follows through with Cho Chang. Although there are some doubts to the film for instance where Harry and Ginny single-handedly fought off the Dark Lord’s minions whilst the Burrow (the Weasley’s home) burns in the background. Fans are worried that the next film will not follow closely to the thrilling, Muggleinspiring novel written by J.K Rowling. None the less, Harry Potter will always remain in our hearts even though we may have been swept off our feet by a hunky vampire. Let’s not forget the small bespeckled boy who we have grown up with. Left photo: Harry Potter weeping over lost popularity?
By Georgia Rice On the morning of the 4th of May a large group of girls wearing loud ‘wellies’ and balancing huge suitcases gathered in the dining room car park. The girls, having waited for ages, were thrilled at the prospect of missing school for a few days to journey deep into the heart of Derbyshire. After our arrival at Hartington Hall (the four- starred youth hostel) everyone was told that they would be going for a ‘little’ walk. However, it turned out that this ‘little’ walk was four miles long in the rain and wind, yet somehow everyone managed to put smiles on their faces and almost (shock, horror!) enjoy it. Then, waking up the next morning, to our dismay, it was raining once again. However, everyone still went to ‘Eyam’ which shocked many as it was a quaint sweet village, not like the ghostly deserted village most had expected. After this was ‘Poole’s Cavern’, a huge underground cave filled with amazing rock forms. When asked about Poole’s Cavern Bell Wangmontri replied “ Poole’s Cavern was a once in a lifetime experience and I really want to do it again!” That same afternoon everyone explored Buxton, went swimming and gathered water straight from the Buxton spring. After a tiring, exciting day we tumbled into our beds and fell fast asleep. On Wednesday (raining once again) some of us travelled to Mrs Wilkinson’s sister’s school. The school was very different to Roedean as they only had one classroom. At Hartington Hall Berlie Doherty (the world famous author) came to visit. Doherty was very interesting and told us a great deal about her books. That afternoon everyone roamed the grounds, went pond- dipping and went on another walk. Sadly, Thursday came too soon. With heavy hearts (do not even get me started on the suitcases) everyone said their farewells and left Derbyshire. Despite the immense amount of rain everyone had an extremely fun time, and we would like to thank everyone involved in making it possible.
By Serena Esri-Bloom “Under no circumstances are you to accompany a boy to the dorms, outside, under a bush, in a corner, under a table or behind a door!” These were the words of warning that flitted through the Lower Fives’ minds as they turned their attention not to working studiously in the library or labouring over essays, but to the weekend and the forthcoming social. Maybe it was the wow! factor of actually having heard of the boys school, Harrow, or just the idea of being in the presence of the opposite sex for longer than a few minutes. Whatever it was, it pushed work straight out of the Lower Fives’ minds. Instead they were thinking of what to wear. The trouble was a certain Harrow boy had politely written Mrs. King a letter saying that the year 10’s were free on the 25th of April for a social. However, the boy had failed to check this with his Housemaster. On that same weekend there was a cricket match. Therefore half as many boys would be able to attend. This began the rumour that there would be more girls than boys! The
… a rather wet trip.
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only hope of the match being cancelled was if it rained, thus with some checking the weather forecast daily and others thinking seriously of performing a rain dance, things did not look hopeful for the coming Saturday. However, on the evening everything seemed to fall into place. The girls got ready in a state of anticipation and proceeded to the studios. Avoiding the food and surreptitiously popping chewing gum into their mouths, they waited for the sound of the Harrow bus. When the boys did arrive everyone did their best to start conversations and get the night going. It was a successful and for some, dare I say, a fantastic session of tonsil tennis and dancing.
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Ch-Ch-Changes By Jazz Baharie It’s that time of year again when the stress is such that it makes one wonder whether we would not be better suited to a career path as a hobo. Exams, GCSEs, and A-levels seem to remind us how uncertain and prone to change our future is. We begin to crave monotony and think that perhaps the interminable daily grind of school routine is in fact underrated. We can count on the queue for dinner to be exactly 25 minutes long, for the weather to be windy, and for the eminent summer holidays to be far too brief. However, in spite of these monotonous comforts, a blustering wind, far different from our normal sea breeze, is at large: for better or worse, Roedean is changing. The changes started at the top, with Mrs King taking over headship late last school year. With hearty goodbyes to our previous headmistress, Mrs. Shaw, such a monumental change was sure to have a domino effect through-out the school. Through an avalanche effect starting from the top, Mrs. King sought to redeem “the good old days”, a time when the phrase “I go to Roedean” could once summon the impressed raising-of-the-eyebrows. Focus shifted to improving the school for the future through a series of groundbreaking changes which would take shape in the year to come. I will start with the change that currently influences our lives the most: ‘The Great Tray Debate’. For weeks the intellectual argument has raged, indeed such outrage has not been seen since the ‘Running Out of the Sweet Chilli Sauce Disaster’ of April ’09. Are they annoying obstacles that restrict the number who can be seated at a table to just eight? Or are they useful implements that allow one to carry all one’s food to the table at the same time? Which side are you on? On the whole, the consensus seems to be generally positive, aside from some frantic budging up and plate juggling in o r d e r t o accommodate that just one extra person at lunch. They are generally useful for carrying one’s plate
“(the trays) , are a handy weapon for use against the more persistent variety of queue-jumpers.”
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as well as a cup of water and, if all else fails, are a handy weapon for use against the more persistent variety of queue-jumpers. In the same vain, the school’s n e w l y ‘yellow’ f a ç a d e , though it may not affect our d a y- t o - d a y existence (indeed I make it a point to get as little fresh air as possible and h e n c e s e l d o m actually see the front of the school) nonetheless does without a d oub t affect visitors’ judgment of the school and elicits frequent comments by visiting parents and guests. Some argue that the shade is dangerously close to magnolia, a colour commonly associated with institutions and hospitals. It does, however, lessen the former penitentiary appearance of the school and rids it of its previous distinctly ominous look, especially when viewed while being subjected to ‘Roedean weather” - horizontal rain and overbearing cloud. These changes are the only two that currently affect our lives, and for most of us the greatest changes are out of sight and out of mind. But come September, in spite of the oft-repeated placation that “neither the ethos, uniform, nor the feel of the school will change” we are all in for a big shock. As of September the Roedean Junior School will be in full swing, and aside from the frequent “Roedean boys” jokes, this gives rise to the sobering thought that Roedean has literally changed forever. A school is a “people” business, a rare thing where your character, teacher or pupil, is of real importance. It is a collection of its component parts and by taking some away and adding new ones, although the ultimate end product will be the same, Roedean will still be Roedean, it cannot but be a different school as a consequence. The St. Mary’s girls, having been together for the best part of their education, have a shared history and may not immediately fit seamlessly into the character of Roedean. Additionally, some teachers who have been constants in the lives of the majority of the school will be leaving or retiring at the end of this year, such as Mrs Byron, Mrs Larkin, Mrs Bloorblack, Mr Wells, and Mrs Davis. Even if you have never been taught or had anything to do with the teachers who are leaving, the chances of which are almost impossibly slim, the ground moves under one’s feet as teachers are suddenly leaving, and all that was predictable suddenly isn’t. It is, however, important to remember that SMH was not a “victim” of Roedean. We hardly stampeded down the cliff and took it over, like some sort of educational phagocyte (an analogy which will no doubt produce a hearty and knowing chuckle from GCSE biologists). The only victimising that took place is to be accounted to the global recession, not Roedean. East Sussex has one of the highest concentrations of successful public schools in the country, and Saint Mary’s Hall faced stiff competition from not only Roedean but Brighton College, Worth, Lancing, and St Mary’s Ascot as well as other
“A school is a “people” business, a rare thing where your character, teacher or pupil, is of real importance.”
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schools up and down the country vying for international students when St Mary’s found that it was “no longer able to continue as a school”. The Head of SMH faced an uncomfortable choice: merge with another school or close entirely. Similar choices have faced other Headmasters and Headmistresses and most have arrived at the same decision, to join with another school. The notable exception is the prestigious St. David’s Girls school in Ashford, Middlesex. Older than Roedean and in a prosperous area, the school announced to its pupils and teachers only in mid-April that it would be closing at the end of this term as a direct result of the recession. If such a seemingly secure school could close so suddenly every school should watch its back lest they be left like the parents and teachers at St. Davids, through no fault of their own having to scrabble to find new jobs or schools for their children. While it would be a stretch to portray the takeover as a heroic act of selflessness- Roedean’s own economic position is far more secure as a result of the acquisition- it would be fair to say that the merge prevented at least the junior half of the school from closing, provided jobs for several teachers, allowed SMH girls to carry on their qualifications in their current syllabus, and generally softened what was always going to be a tough time. As Adela Hussein from London said on the Times’ website, “ it is better for the current pupils to be part of a financially stable school than to attend one where cuts in resources/ facilities will occur. The acquisition is a good fit...for both schools.” Any differences between new girls and old will surely be redeemed swiftly, and it is doubtful that it will take more than a month for new and old to become all but indistinguishable.
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With Ms. Walker
“all that was predictable suddenly isn’t. “
“neither the ethos, uniform, nor the feel of the school will change”
By Grace Swann What was your dream career when you were a child? Why? Until I was...hmm...I guess about 15; I wanted to be a doctor. But one day I watched this acupuncture program and I decided I couldn’t stand the site of blood. Interestingly enough there wasn’t actually any blood in the program though! From 15 onwards I was into football. I wanted to be a football PA or something. I watched the Ipswich team. I travelled around watching football matches all the time in my teens. I stalked football. Not because of the footballers themselves I couldn’t care less about them, but I loved the game itself. I even read football magazines! What do you think of the new school cafe? I think it is a really good idea. It should be a nice meeting place and it won’t be house based you know? If it was in one of the houses that house would be the majority of people there. I know the tuck shop has a nice feeling and everything I mean teachers, girls and house staff use it etc. but there is nowhere to sit down!
However, the media coverage both in school and outside as well as the inevitable talk in a place where gossip spreads faster than swine flu, means that there is little, if any, new information to share about the merge. Instead we must look further still into the future. After the boarding inspection it has been promised that the boarding houses will be revitalised over the summer holidays, and hopefully we can all come back, if not to the Hilton, then at least to rooms with paint that stays on the walls. The new atmosphere of change has been perfectly summed up in the new name of the Roedean Café, now called “Horizons”. Although fear of the unknown causes extreme discomfort at the notion of being dragged out of our comfort zone, we must look forward not only out of a desire for progress but now out of economic necessity onto the horizon before us. In the wise words of Robert C Gallagher “change is inevitable- except from a vending machine”
What do you think is a good name for this cafe? Something to do with Dr. Birch. You know she was the last house mistress of Keswick and died recently and everything. It would be nice to remember her and name it after her. Something like “Belinda’s” or “Dr. Birch’s” or even “The doctors” anything like that to remember her so when people ask why it is called that we can explain and remember her. Do you have a favourite chemical experiment? Which one? Why is it your favourite? Now that I have been thinking about! I’m not the Mr. England type. Like explosions, fume cupboards, blow up the lab and the whole school talk about it sort of thing. I quite like the very simple experiments. Like I like watching water boil once you know the whole physics behind it. But I suppose to a load of Lower Fives that must seem the most boring experiment ever! Hmm...I love the hydrogen oxygen experiment! It took me ages to get it perfect and now I can do it just right! I love it when the bottle flies across the room so high and seeing the students faces light up and scream! I love doing the experiment, especially with Lower Four because they get a big surprise!
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