1 December 2023 – Issue 11
HEAD’S REVIEW
Great photo taken by Mrs Sharp!
Head’s Introduction
Congratulations to everyone who has been involved in this week’s performances of Jane Eyre – what a remarkable show! The simple staging, understated costumes, and small cast allowed the audience to focus on the beautiful language and acting, as they were led through the heroine’s life. The entire cast did brilliantly, hardly leaving the stage throughout, and Lydia, in the title role, was outstanding. I would like to congratulate everyone involved, the actors, the Theatre team, and, of course, the Directors, Mrs Sellers and Mrs Stephens. Congratulations – it was a triumph! Well done to all those who have represented Roedean on the sports field this last week. Despite the very cold conditions, there have been some great matches, and I am particularly pleased that some teams have played their first competitive fixtures against other schools. I hope that they all enjoyed this opportunity to play for the School. I am also pleased that our Badminton team played so well, and the match allowed these players to step into the spotlight. Well done to everyone who has played for Roedean this term!
In The Spotlight – Dance Showcase
St Ives Trip for Printmakers
Admission £1.00
I am looking forward to tomorrow’s Christmas Fair, which will be a wonderful and festive opportunity for the whole Roedean community to raise funds for our school charities. There will be stalls in Main School and in the Art wing, and I am also grateful to the Parents’ Guild for all the hard work they have put in in preparation for this event. This will definitely be a chance to buy some lovely stocking-filters! I wish you all the best for the last week of term, including the Carol Service on Monday at St Peter's Church – have a lovely weekend!
Christmas Fair
1 December 2023 – Issue 11
HEAD’S REVIEW
English Department's Students of the Month The bar has been raised for the nominees this time round – Roedean students are working exceptionally hard in their study of a range of texts, from Shakespeare's villains to the compelling poetry of Louis MacNiece. Creative talent, discussion of Marxist principles, and keeping up with the demands of GCSEs, have all been fantastic reasons for why these students have been nominated. A big well done to all! Ms Shahab
Saskia (Yr7)
Andrea (Yr8)
Maya and Ishbel (Yr10)
Unsung Staff hero in the spotlight Mrs Andrew – for a fantastic Academic Lecture on ‘Can we Solve the Infinite Monkey’s Cage Podcast Conundrum? What is a Dead Strawberry?’ Thank you so much! [Ms Ibanez-Barcelo]
Guoer (Yr9)
Lydia (Yr11)
CAP Music This term, the Year 12 CAP Music team have been running music sessions for Year 1 and Year 5 classes at St Margaret's Primary School in Rottingdean. They taught them a variety of songs and actions, and some rhythmic body percussion. The childern really enjoyed themselves, and the group have been asked to return to run some more groups, which is fantastic. Well done to all the Roedean students involved, who took charge of everything, from planning to delivering the sessions. They definitely learnt how much energy and enthusiasm is needed to teach! Page 2
Ms Bartlette
1 December 2023 – Issue 11
HEAD’S REVIEW
Roedean Merchandise Shop Have you visited our online shop? We have a fantastic range of Roedean merchandise available at: Shop | Roedean Community
We have prints, greetings cards, and tea towels, featuring a bold and brightly coloured illustration by artist Katie Cardew, and we also have a beautiful Christmas card with a festive version of the design.
The range includes branded items, along with two limited edition items, a keyring and umbrella, to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the School on our current site.
Finally, this month, we have two new products in the shop, a fabulous Roedean canvas tote bag, and a rather cute bear named Dorothy, or Dotty for short! UK and International postage are available on all items (except the umbrellas) and you also have the option to ‘click and collect’ from the School. We will also have a merchandise stall at the Christmas Fair on Saturday 2 December 2023.
News of Friends – OR Anabela Chan Wins Game Changer Award at British Luxury Awards We were thrilled to hear that OR Anabela Chan recently won the Game Changer Award at the British Luxury Awards 2023. Anabela is an inspirational fine jewellery designer, with her brand becoming ‘the first fine jewellery brand in the world to champion laboratory grown and created gemstones with high jewellery design and artisanal craftsmanship, always with a focus on ethical and sustainable innovations.’ On winning the Game Changer award, she said, ‘This is monumental for us as a female-founded independent brand. With last year’s winner being McLaren, this award is given to the innovators or innovations of British luxury – people, products or services, which have shifted the dial and demonstrated meaningful change within their sector. Thank you so much for this award, and I cannot wait to keep learning and exploring. The best is always yet to come, and this award is also for all the female founders, independent business owners, and all the working mothers out there – this one is for all of us.' Anabela is a jeweller to the stars. with her creations being worn globally by stars such as Beyonce, Rhianna, JLo, and Taylor Swift.
The Roedeanian Office
House Spelling Bee Friday’s Spelling Bee was a rip-roaring success, with teams of enthusiastic spellers competing for their House. Challenging words to be spelt included onomatopoeia, diaphragm, rambunctious, and biscuit.
Some of the competition was nail-bitingly tense, but ultimately the winners emerged as follows:
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Key Stage 3
House Team 3
Key Stage 4
House Team 1
Key Stage 5
House Team 4
The overall winner for the event was House Team 3 – it seems that all those long nights poring over a dictionary really do pay dividends! Mr Wriglesworth
1 December 2023 – Issue 11
HEAD’S REVIEW
In The Spotlight – Dance Showcase
Last Friday, the Roedean Theatre glittered with anticipation as families and students gathered for an incredible evening of dance. The show was a vibrant canvas of movement, where hues and harmonies collided in a mesmerising spectacle. Each piece was crafted to evoke the essence of colour and composers, showcasing a diverse tapestry of styles, from the grace of Ballet to the raw energy of Street Dance. What a truly shone was the collaboration of both beginner and advanced students, which illuminated the stage, creating a beautiful narrative of growth and artistry. The performance was a symphony of talent and creativity, a testament to the dedication and skill of the performers and choreographers alike. Alongside the performers, the dance teachers and Theatre team also deserve our thanks – thank you to Miss Harrison, Mrs Orys, Ms Stidston, Miss Wells, Miss Koszak, Mr Glineur, Mr Wailes, and Miss Izzard Davey. Well done to all who performed – it was an incredible show!
Miss Abaza Page 4
HEAD’S REVIEW
Winter Wonderland On an appropriately chilly Monday evening, with the Christmas trees all placed in prime position in the Houses, boarders from all corners of the site descended upon a festively-lit and decorated C Hall. There to greet them was Roedean's much anticipated version of Winter Wonderland, the Autumn term Boarders' Social. In a bid to rival the vastness and excitement generated by that in Hyde Park, there was food and drink for all tastes, with students exchanging tokens for hot chocolate, bratwursts, and candy floss, to name a few. There was also the addition of a waffle cart, which generated big excitement and even bigger waffles. All the House Captains prepared and hosted fairground games – hook-a-duck, tin can alley, and a coconut shy were some of the options. If fairground games were not for everyone, there was also karaoke and a giant inflatable snow globe, which proved the perfect photo opportunity for many. A special Christmas shoutout goes to Cindy and Izzy, both in House 4, who were the winners of the Name the Jellycat and Guess How Many Sweets are in the Jar competition! A big thank you goes to Elodie and Lyris, our Boarding Prefects, for their contributions in bringing this exciting vision to life – we hope the boarding community enjoyed their festive evening. Miss Ford-Senior Page 5
1 December 2023 – Issue 11
HEAD’S REVIEW
St Ives Trip for Printmakers A group of Sixth Form Art students recently spent a long weekend in St Ives, and they had a wonderful time. Eva reflected on the experience: 'Can there possible be a more creatively inspiring place than the beautiful town of St Ives in Cornwall, which Year 12 and 13 Art students were lucky enough to visit for a weekend. After the long journey down, some of which we spent drawing the idyllic western countryside and coast line, which we had amazing views from on the train, we enjoyed a traditional fish and chips dinner, and then an evening walk where we got some first impressions of the picturesque town along with a spontaneous beach visit in the dark! We had an early start on Saturday morning to spend some time drawing in the harbour before people flocked to the town – the tide was out and the sandy bowl within the harbour was littered with morning dog walkers, which made for the perfect scene to sketch. We then attended a print workshop at the Penwith Studios with printmaker Rachael Kantaris, exploring a new type of printing called Collagraph – we used a range of textures and materials to recreate our landscape sketches from the morning. I found it so interesting to learn about a new method of printing, whilst also getting to experiment with it myself. During the day, we also explored the town and got to see more of the expansive, sandy beaches, which were full of surfers despite the cold weather. Before we left on Sunday, we also visited the Tate St Ives Gallery, and we were lucky enough to get a sketchbook guided tour of some of their work, which gave us a lot more insight into the gallery, the artists, and the history of their art. The gallery also had temporary exhibition with a focus on the history on Moroccan art, which was especially interesting to me as it was a movement I was completely unaware of previously. I had such a good time, and I can't wait to go back!'
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1 December 2023 – Issue 11
HEAD’S REVIEW
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1 December 2023 – Issue 11
1 December 2023 – Issue 11
HEAD’S REVIEW
U12E Hockey vs Bede’s The U12Es had been building up to this match all term, and we were pumped for it! We’d won our first match, so wanted to continue our winning streak. It was a good game against Bede’s, well-matched in ability, and possession was 50/50 throughout the game. Both teams were getting chances in the D, but both teams were also tight defensively. Gracie played centre-forward and often brought the ball confidently up the pitch, looking for a pass into the D. The midfield, Dixie, Olivia, Ottie, Perla, and Evelyn, played brilliantly, under lots of pressure. Our attackers did brilliantly to get into the D often, but we are still very much learning, so it’s all good! The main thing is we were getting it there and now just need to be confident to go for an early shot on goal. Olivia had the first chance of the match – there was a beautiful ball up the pitch, then square into the D, Olivia received it, took a shot, but it just went wide, but it was a great chance! It wasn’t long before we got a goal. The midfield brought the ball up the middle of the pitch, passed in to Perla, who was 1v1 with the GK, and she slotted it past GK! The defence was solid – Alexa, Violet, and Lily did a superb job of clearing any potential shots at goal out of the D, and Alexa in particular was confident to go to ball, control it, then hit out wide with a lovely powerful push or slap pass. It was also great to see Violet and Lily just going for it and not running away from the ball.
U13B
Hockey vs Lingfield U13B The girls were pumped and ready to have a big performance in their second to last fixture of the hockey term. We arrived shortly before the start time, and had a very rushed warm up. The first half started in a tight and cagey affair, however the team were looking strong and creating chances. Unfortunately, we were caught on the break and went one goal down. But the team were fired up and shortly won a short corner – Rosa took this on herself and got a well-deserved goal just before half-time. However, Lingfield weren't messing around, and from the push-back immediately attacked and scored fifteen seconds before half-time. After calming down the team's frustrations about the scoreline, the targets were simple: play wider with more speed, once in the D, get a shot on target or a short corner, and, lastly, when defending, get in a low position with your stick to make more tackles.
Ariane in goal didn’t have too much to do, but that’s always a compliment to the team, as it shows they are working hard defensively.
The second half was incredible, and the girls showed off their best play of the entire term. We scored a staggering five goals, and conceded one to achieve an emphatic 6-3 win, with every player playing her best hockey and working so hard for one another.
The Players' Players of the Match were Dixie (attacker) and Alexa (defender) .
There were some nerve-wracking moments, however Player of the Game and our incredible Goalkeeper, Sofiia, made some incredible saves to keep us ahead on the scoresheet. Mr Foggoa
The Coach’s player was Olivia, acknowledging her lovely control of the ball and positioning on the pitch. The highlight of the match was Alexa hitting the ball high up the right side of the pitch from a 16, then midfield hitting a square ball into the D to Olivia. Two passes into the D was perfect! Miss Patching-Jones
U12C The U12C team lost at home to Lingfield in a close match that could have gone either way. Roedean dominated the first half, frequently had the ball in the D, and won five or six short corners, but they couldn’t quite force a goal. Lingfield were much stronger in the second half, and their consistent pressure eventually led to a well-worked goal, and, on balance, a deserved win. Mr Smethurst
U15C U15D
U12E
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HEAD’S REVIEW
1 December 2023 – Issue 11
Hockey vs Christ’s Hospital U16A vs Christ's Hospital U18 In the final game of their hockey season, the U16As travelled up to Christ's Hospital in an excited mood. The game started with Roedean on top, having multiple chances and short corners within the first ten minutes. However, Christ's Hospital fought back, pouncing on a Roedean mistake to go one up. Quickly, Christ's Hospital took control again, and had the ball in the Roedean goal with an excellent shot to go two up. At half-time, a brass band played and some stern words were needed to wake the students up, and it worked. The team reacted, and were fighting back. Within the first ten minutes, the team brought the score back to two-one to the hosts. However, we were pressing high up the pitch, winning short corners and having plenty of opportunities. The full-time whistle went and the team had one last opportunity with a short corner, however the resulting shot went wide, ending the game 2-1 down. Well done nevertheless! Mr Foggoa
U14E On Saturday, the U14E Hockey team played their first hockey match of the season. The first half of the match was a little rusty, as the team were getting used to their positions and how big the pitch was. Christ's Hospital scored in the first half, which left the Roedean girls pumped for the second. As soon as the whistle blew, all the players were in full attacking mode. We had 99.9% possession of the ball. The highlight of the game was in the last few minutes – Rainah was dribbling from the halfway line towards the goal. The U15 team playing next had just arrived and the biggest cheer came from the side line. Despite this, the goal didn’t go in, and we finished with a 1-0 to Christ's Hospital, but well done to everyone who played. Coach Walsh was very proud!
U14D
U14D Triumph 2-1 Last Saturday saw Roedean's U14D team triumph 2-1 against Christ's Hospital's powerful U14Bs. The umpire flipped the coin, and Roedean won, electing to start with the ball. From the whistle, the atmosphere was intense. CH played a physical match and worked hard from the beginning. We had been practising our strategy throughout the week leading up to the game and, with a formation in mind, executed it exactly as it was planned. Despite pressure from CH, Roedean pushed on, and their first goal was scored. An excellent build-up came from Sasha in mid-field, Sana'a charging up the right-hand channel of the pitch, passing to Amarah, and then Lyla, who confidently struck the ball, finding the back of the net and scoring. Roedean was stretched in the middle part of the game by physical play by CH. However, the defensive line with Lux, Hannah, Faye, and Blaize remained solid, with Khadija saving any ball that slipped through the defence. Unfortunately, CH capitalised in the second half's early stages to equalise, but this did not deflate or deter our team. In fact, it motivated them! An almost carbon copy of the first goal was executed, and Lyla scored a decisive second goal. Scarlett, Guoer, and Sasha worked tirelessly in the centre to pressure CH, who hardly got into their half in the match's second half.
U14E
At the whistle, Christ's Hospital named Amarah and Hannah their Players of the Match, which were excellent choices. Well done, team – you were amazing! Ms Marek Page 9
1 December 2023 – Issue 11
HEAD’S REVIEW
Hockey vs Christ’s Hospital
U16C
U16C vs Christ’s Hospital U18Ds
First Ever Hockey Match for the U15Es!
This match was always going to be a tough one, and it did prove to be a closely-fought match. Christ’s Hospital are a physical side, they will run at you the moment you have the ball, and put the pressure on you and force the error. They fought for every ball, whereas we are a little bit more reticent to go for it. However, we worked hard, especially in defence, going towards the ball when they were attacking and not giving them the space to get a shot off. They did sneak one through though in the early stages of the game. We drifted off our players and they had a chance, unmarked, to go for goal, and they scored in first 5 minutes of the game.
It was a beautiful sunny afternoon for the U15Es first hockey match, which was held on Saturday against Christ's Hospital C team.
But we are the mighty C team, and we don’t give up that easily. Ellen, Becca, Eloise, and Haewon were like a brick wall; Christ’s Hospital were dominating and often close to or in our D, but they kept tackling and getting the ball away. The midfield had the difficult job of trying to get the ball through their very effective defence, Bella, Maja, and Cheyenne. We were turning the ball over, but struggling to get it up the pitch quickly enough. We needed to pass quickly against a team like this. Our centre forwards, Aarushi, Millie, and Kelly had some breakaway moments and we did get the ball in their D a few times, but we didn’t manage to convert... until ... the last 3 minutes of the game. It’s always a nail-biter! Kelly intercepted their hit-out, passed the ball to Aarushi, who did a lovely straight pass into the D to Millie, who controlled it beautifully, shot, and scored! We all went wild, and we felt like we’d won. It was 1-1, and we just needed to hold them for 3 more minutes. Christ's Hospital kept the ball in our D, and we just needed to pressure them. The whistle went, and we were saved by the bell. Michelle in goal, a life-saver as always, stopped it being 5-0! Well done to the team, particularly those girls who were playing for the first time – Cheyenne, Haewon, and Maja. I loved that they just went for it, and all they need is a bit of fire in their souls and the confidence to have a go. The Coach’s Player was Ellen, for her lovely defensive play and for just going for it! The highlight of the match was Millie scoring a cracking goal, 1v1 with the goalkeeper, from quite far out in the D. Miss Patching-Jones Page 10
The U15Es have very worked hard in training this term, and were keen to put what they have learnt into practice. Nerves were high, as it was their first game, but we had a strong start and didn’t concede in the first half, despite a heavy offence from Christ's Hospital. As the game went on, there were some particularly strong performances from Catherine as Centre Back, who did an excellent job of clearing the ball away from the D; and from Melissa, who worked tirelessly to get into space and win back the ball. Ultimately the game ended in defeat, but, as the U15Es first ever match, they did extremely well and really pulled together as a team. The afternoon was finished off with a delicious match tea in the Clubhouse, overlooking the sea as the sun set. Great job everyone!
Miss Donovan
1 December 13 October2023 2023– –Issue Issue116
HEAD’S HEAD’S WEEKLY REVIEW REVIEW
Badminton Bonanza – 38-8 to Roedean
Sport Stars of the Week Well done to this week's Sports Stars of the Week – congratulations! Mr Campleman
In a thrilling Badminton clash between Roedean and Lancing College, spectators were treated to a showcase of exceptional skill and competitive spirit. The singles matches proved to be intense, with standout performances from Mancy and Skylah. Despite their commendable efforts, they faced a formidable Lancing singles side, succumbing to a 12-21 defeat in a tightly contested battle.
Year 7 Mabel, for making excellent progress in netball this term and all-round performances in Hockey
Alicia demonstrated her prowess in doubles, displaying impeccable court coverage and strategic play to safeguard the front court. The doubles matches were a highlight of the encounter, with each rally keeping the spectators on the edge of their seats. The overall atmosphere was charged with the energy of closely-fought points and impressive rallies. Although Mancy and Skylah narrowly missed victory in singles, the competitive spirit and skill exhibited by both teams left a lasting impression on all who witnessed the memorable badminton showdown. In a closely contested badminton derby against Brighton College, the tournament unfolded with remarkable intensity, showcasing the skill and determination of both teams. The doubles matches were a standout feature, with stellar performances from Athena and Jolie, who demonstrated exceptional synergy and strategic prowess on the court. Skylah's leadership was pivotal, as she not only showcased her own prowess, but also effectively managed the team, providing motivation that resonated through the players.
Year 8 Alejandra, Bea, and Georgie, for stepping up and playing in higher Hockey team
The atmosphere was charged with the spirit of competition as each team fought for every point. The match was a testament to the players' dedication and proficiency, making it a memorable encounter for both players and spectators alike. Despite the ultimate outcome, the badminton derby against Brighton College was a testament to the passion and sportsmanship inherent in such closely contested matches. In a highly anticipated badminton fixture against Burgess Hill, the tournament unfolded, with a dynamic combination of singles and doubles matches, showcasing exceptional sportsmanship and skill from both teams. Nerissa and Athena stood out as formidable forces on the court, displaying commanding performances that influenced the entire game. Kelly and Ashley shone in the singles matches, exhibiting excellent individual skills and contributing significantly to the team's success.
Year 9
Abbie's prowess in doubles was evident as she expertly navigated the back line, ensuring precise and effective shots. The collective efforts of the team resulted in a resounding victory with a convincing score line of 38-8, underscoring their dominance in the competition. The match was a testament to the players' dedication, teamwork, and skill, leaving a lasting impression on both players and spectators. Miss Hayman
Rainah, for her fantastic development and Hockey gameplay improvement this term
Year 10 Catherine, for great Hockey development and performances
Year 11 Maya, for superb Hockey development this term and stepping into higher teams when needed
Year 12 & 13 Haewon, for playing in her very first Hockey match and performing well
We welcome contributions from all parts of the Roedean community. If you have something you would like featured in the Head’s Weekly Review, please email: aws@roedean.co.uk
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