2 July 2021 – Issue 10
HEAD’S
WEEKLY REVIEW
Head’s Introduction
It’s July and the summer holidays are here! Reaching the end of term, and the end of the academic year, has made me reflect again on what we have all been through. The Roedean community has been simply remarkable. At every turn, the students and staff have adapted and responded so positively to whatever has been thrown at them, and I am very grateful and very proud – thank you and well done! The last week of term has been full of activities and trips, around the theme of telling our story. I would like to congratulate everyone, at the end of a busy year, for overseeing and leading such interesting programmes for each year-group, really challenging the students to think critically and be creative, all while developing new skills and having lots of fun. Part of everyone’s story this week has been that Sports Day has been repeatedly postponed because of the weather, so I am delighted that we have been able to hold it today – despite remaining within their bubbles, it has been wonderful to see the students and staff together on the fields, engaged in sport and enjoying the sunshine in the fresh air. Well done to everyone involved!
Sports Day 2021
Farewell to Jane Chandler Farewell to Veronica Fewkes Click on the title to jump to the article
Musical Grand Finale
We were very fortunate to have Dr Eugenia Cheng OR as our guest speaker at the second virtual Headmaster’s Lecture on Wednesday. Speaking from Chicago, where she is Scientist is Residence at a university, she talked about how her experiences at Roedean set her on a path to embrace all her interests and allow them to co-exist – she is a mathematician, concert pianist, artist, and writer – and also about how different styles of behaviour impact how we learn, interact with others, and problem-solve. Well done to Sophia, Chloe, and Jemima in Year 13, who made up the student panel – their role was to pose the audience’s questions to Eugenia, which they did with great composure, and I am sure that they and the audience learned a great deal from the lecture. We say farewell today to a number of students and members of staff, and we wish them all well as they begin new adventures adventures after Roedean. It seems impossible to single out particular leavers, but I feel that 63 years of combined dedication and commitment to our School deserves it – Jane Chandler, Head of Year 7, and Veronica Fewkes, our Director of Music, have taught at Roedean for 34 and 29 years respectively, which is truly remarkable. They have had a huge impact on the lives of so many students and staff over the years, and they have both maintained a seemingly tireless spring in their step to the very end – we wish them all the very best in their retirements, and they will be sorely missed! In addition, all of you will have arrived at Roedean through Diana Banham who has overseen a remarkable transformation in admissions at the School, and who is sadly (for us) retiring this year. We thank her for her exceptional service for so many years. At the end of a very difficult year, I would like to congratulate again everyone in our community – we have negotiated this year together and I am proud of that, and of you all. Good luck, and I wish you all a well-deserved summer holiday!
VA Showcase
Year 7 Classics Club