Sisterhood Chapel

This week, Miss Allen led our Chapel services, focusing on the theme of sisterhood. The services included two poems by female writers, a musical piece by the French female composer, Paradis, and the words of the hymn were also written by a woman.

'Next week, on 14th February, is the Feast of St Valentine, or Valentine’s Day. As you will all know, this has become a day on which it is traditional to celebrate romance and love.

The origins of the celebration are not completely clear – it is known that there were several martyred Christians named Valentine in the third and fourth century, and the feast was originally honouring two Italian Valentines who had been persecuted and killed whilst ministering to Christians in the days of the Roman Empire.

Considering the mass awareness of modern Valentine’s Day, these origins are perhaps surprising – they are not well known, and the details are disputed. However, as time has gone on, the focus has shifted from ‘St Valentine’ himself, to a general celebration of love and romance, and to gift giving as a sign of affection.

The custom of sending flowers, chocolates and presents originated in the UK, but is now commonly practised in many places around the world. These gifts symbolise our love for one another and – along with the sending of anonymised cards and messages – are the emblems most commonly associated with the Valentine’s Day.

When I think of romantic love, I think of Disney films. Like many people, my first exposure to ‘love stories’ was from watching movies like Beauty and the Beast, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty. Even films with non-human characters focused on a romantic relationship, at least in part – Lady and the Tramp, the Aristocats, and the Lion King were all firm favourites. But it was the concept of ‘true love’ and ‘true love’s kiss’ that was powerful – the idea that one gesture, between the right couple, could be a salvation and open the door to happiness.

One of my favourite moments in any Disney film is the ending of Frozen. You will know that in this story true love’s kiss comes, not from a romantic relationship at all, but from a sibling one. In the film, the audience realises that the true love we thought would happen between Anna and Hans is a fake, and then it is not even Kristoff who saves her – it is her sister, Elsa.

The power of the sisterly relationship is celebrated in this film in a way I hadn’t seen before, and it made the point brilliantly that ‘true love’ is not a phenomenon solely enjoyed by romantic partners – it is in the powerful bond of sisters.

For me, at this school, ‘sisterhood’ is not solely relevant to those who have biological sisters. As a collective, we are a sisterhood, and you all during your time at the school will develop, or will have developed, bonds of trust with friends here which are as powerful as the sisterly relationship, in all its brilliant complexity.

One of my favourite poems about sisterhood is by Emily Dickinson and it isn’t about her literal sister at all – it is about her metaphorical sister, her best friend, whose name is Sue. She explains in the poem that she has one sister in her house – her biological sister – and a second, Sue, who lives next door.'

Tildy (Yr10) then read 'One sister have I in our house' by Emily Dickinson.

One Sister have I in our houseAnd one a hedge away. There's only one recorded, But both belong to me.

One came the way that I cameAnd wore my past year's gownThe other as a bird her nest, Builded our hearts among.

She did not sing as we did It was a different tune Herself to her a Music As Bumble-bee of June

Today is far from ChildhoodBut up and down the hills I held her hand the tighterWhich shortened all the milesAnd still her hum The years among, Deceives the Butterfly; Still in her Eye The Violets lie Mouldered this many May.

I spilt the dewBut took the morn,I chose this single star From out the wide night's numbersSue – forevermore!

'Authors have long understood that sisterhood is complex – it is founded on deep love, but can also be intensely competitive, hard to understand and hard to manage. Famous examples of strained sisterly relationships can be found in works of literature such as Shakespeare’s ‘King Lear’ and Chekhov’s ‘Three Sisters’

A far more recent exploration of the dynamic between three sisters is found, once again in the Disney canon, this time in the three Madrigal sisters who star in Encanto.

In this film, the three sisters are all, in their own way, confused by each other and struggling against pressures placed upon them both by their wider family, but also by themselves. Louisa, the eldest, feels she should shoulder all responsibilities and burdens, even though it costs her her peace of mind and happiness. Isabela is viewed by everyone as the ‘perfect’ girl, representing feminine beauty and grace, with no ability to express her creativity or her more complicated side. And Mirabelle feels lost – she doesn’t understand her sisters or her role in their world. When the film reaches its climax it is because Mirabelle unlocks the power of the sisters and frees them from their self-imposed restrictions, by showing them their limitless possibilities. They in turn recognise what she has done for them, and the film ends with joyful mutual happiness and celebration.

We are lucky to have the sisterhood of school, and to enjoy the power, the magic and –ultimately – the love that this represents. So next week, on Valentine’s Day, do take a moment to think about these relationships and our wonderful Roedean sisterhood.'

To conclude, Romy (Yr9) read an excerpt from Christina Rossetti’s Goblin Market, which wonderfully articulates the power of sisterhood:

For there is no friend like a sister In calm or stormy weather; To cheer one on the tedious way, To fetch one if one goes astray, To lift one if one totters down, To strengthen whilst one stands.

'This past one and a half terms in boarding has been nothing but fantastic. One of the excellent things about boarding is that we have so many activities to participate in! I’ve joined house competitions this term such as House Quiz, and I watched the House Swimming competition, in which my friend Charlize swam (and she was absolutely fabulous!).

I’ve also joined in House activities such as the Quiz Nights on Mondays and Bingo Nights on Wednesdays. Boarding life is always fun, from Monday to Sunday.

On Saturdays, we have breakfast in House, and prep time, then in the afternoon we can either go on the Brighton shopping trip or stay in the House and have some free time. On Sundays, we lots of activities we can sign up for, ranging from a trip to the i360 to paintballing.

As you can see, boarding life is never boring. If you asked me what my favourite thing about boarding is, I would say that it’s the sense of family, the warmth and care, the strong connections, and most importantly, the belongingness I feel when I’m in the House.'

Natalie (Yr9)