14 May 2021 – Issue 4
HEAD’S
WEEKLY REVIEW
Head’s Introduction
This week has been one of endings and beginnings for many at Roedean. Year 13 have completed their final set of assessments, and they will begin their bespoke pre-degree programmes next week. Year 11 have also completed their assessments and enjoyed a celebration this afternoon. Congratulations to all these girls for their perseverance in the most challenging of years. We have also been able to return to our first competitive sports fixtures in many months this week, and four teams in Years 7 and 8 enjoyed impressive victories in their cricket matches.
All 69 Year 9s Passed their Bronze DofE Expedition!
We have also welcomed a large number of virtual visitors to Roedean over the last week. Last Saturday, we hosted our second virtual Open Day, with over 180 families visiting. This constitutes the largest number at an Open Day, and it was wonderful to show them around the School on the virtual tour, and then run four live Q&A sessions with staff and students. I am very grateful to all those who were part of the day, and for all of the background work which made it such a success. On Wednesday evening, we also ran a virtual Careers Fair for the entire student body. We welcomed over 25 professionals, representing a wide range of careers, and our students were able to visit different sessions during the evening, to ask questions, and find out more about certain jobs. The evening was a great success – well done, and thank you to the Roedeanian Office and Dr Hannan for planning this important event and inviting so many excellent speakers, including many ORs.
Virtual Careers Fair
Congratulations to the 69 girls in Year 9 who all passed their assessed Bronze Duke of Edinburgh expedition last weekend. Passing this key element is a big step towards completing the entire qualification, well done! We wish Eid Mubarak to those in our community and their families who have been celebrating the end of the holy month of Ramadan this week, and we heard some of their reflections on this in Chapel this morning. I hope you all enjoy a lovely weekend, and I wish you all the best for next week.
Cricket vs Brighton College – 4 Impressive Victories
HEAD’S WEEKLY REVIEW
14 May 2021 – Issue 4
Unsung heroes in the spotlight Each week, many wonderful things happen at Roedean, about which many in the school are perhaps unaware; this section of the weekly review is dedicated to ‘unsung heroes’, in order to draw our attention to these people and remind us that our community is special.
Lilah and Esme (Yr9) for meeting with the eCatering Committee (at 7.45) to share the views and ideas suggested by Year 9 with regard to our food offer [JCH]
Rida and Kisu (Yr8), and Khadijah (Yr10) for all their help and contributions to Chapel this week [RHA]
Freya (Yr7), Heidi and Phoebe (Yr10), and Jemima (Yr12) for speaking so well in the Open Day Q&As [RB]
All 69 Year 9s Passed their Bronze DofE Expedition – Congratulations! Well done to all those in Year 9 who did their Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award expedition last weekend – it started wet, but the rest of the weekend went very well! – they all passed the expedition, which is brilliant! Here are just a couple of reflections:
Staff heroes in the spotlight Each week, a member of staff who has gone above and beyond the call of duty can be nominated by their colleagues or the girls. Miss Beadle for giving up her own time to provide a History revision clinic for Year 10s when she doesn’t even teach them! [SBB]
Mr Lutwyche for completing a task shared between the entire department on his own in under 24 hours [PHA] Mr Carpenter and Mr Burlinson for managing the complex IT requirements for the virtual Open Day last Saturday, and the Careers Fair on Wednesday [RB]
‘DofE was an experience to remember! We laughed, we cried, we trespassed, and, luckily, we survived! I really enjoyed stepping out of my comfort zone in so many different ways, and exploring the countryside around Roedean for four days was such a unique experience that I never would have had if I hadn’t done DofE!’ – Isis ‘DofE really pushed me, and I'm sure everyone who did it will agree. I never thought I would be able to walk 20km in one day alone. Although the ‘boil in the bag’ meals weren't the best, I had so much fun with my friends. I would definitely do it if you are considering it, just be careful about sore feet!’ – Hannah Together, they walked 1,794 kilometres! – that means that they covered a total distance of 3,174 over the two weekends, and that has been added to Roedean’s Race Around the World! Well done!
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HEAD’S WEEKLY REVIEW
Eid Mubarak
14 May 2021 – Issue 4
عيد مبارك
This week’s Chapel service was led by Miss Allen, Acting Deputy Head – Pastoral: Earlier this week, Muslims around the world celebrated Eid, the festival of breaking the fast. This important religious holiday commemorates the end of Ramadan, a month-long period of fasting between sunrise and sundown. During this time, Muslims focus on prayer, reflection, and community, as well as devoting their time to charitable projects. Eid is marked by the breaking of the fast through feasting and time spent with family and friends. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is considered a holy month that honours the time when Allah revealed the first verses of the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam, to Muhammad via the angel Jibril. The exact beginning and ending times of Ramadan are based on the sighting of the Moon over Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Because of this, the start and end dates are not set in stone and may vary by a day. I wanted to take a look at Ramadan in the headlines, and at two inspirational young Muslims who have continued to achieve at the highest level throughout their fast.
haste, and described how Ramadan presents an opportunity to slow down and reflect, to be more restrained and cautious and to focus on balance, harmony and discipline. She is a truly remarkable and inspirational young leader who is using her position to focus on bringing more women and younger muslims into leadership positions. She has said: ‘Being elected as the first female secretary general is quite an honour and I hope it will inspire more women and young people to come forward to take on leadership roles…Making history is a tremendous responsibility, but it’s very exciting to be a young female in this role. I’m about as different as it gets to the traditional leadership in our community.’ I find her attitude towards breaking new ground and bringing people together both hopeful and inspiring, and I hope you too have found something to take away from her courageous approach. Khadijah ended the Chapel service by sharing a short passage from the Qu’ran, read in Arabic, with an accompanying translation:
Those of you who follow football may have seen a story this week about Wesley Fofana, a Leicester City defender who broke his fast midway through an evening game of football against Crystal Palace. The Crystal Palace goalkeeper waited for a goal kick long enough for Fofana to pause for an energy drink on the touchline. Reflecting on the game, Fofana said it was moments like this that ‘make football wonderful’. His manager Brendan Rogers was full of admiration for his many impressive achievements throughout this past month of fasting, saying his devotion to his faith had ‘given him strength’. 29 year old Zara Mohammed is the first woman to lead the Muslim Council of Great Britain and its youngest ever Secretary General.
At-Tirmidhi: 3396, Abu Dawud: 5053 Rida – ‘This last month was Ramadan, a very special month for all Muslims. The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar calendar, which is why you may see so many crescent moons associated with Ramadan. For me and my family, Ramadan is the best time of the year, because the rewards are multiplied and it builds piety. Muslims fast to better understand the hunger of those who don’t have enough to eat. Throughout Ramadan, I have been doing additional prayers, and reading the Qur’an as much as possible, because this is the month when the Qur’an was first revealed to the Prophet.’
Because she was voted into the position at the start of this year, her first Ramadan and Eid in the role has been spent apart from all the people she would normally be meeting, speaking with, and fasting alongside. Instead she has been attending events virtually, including a virtual iftar meal on the 1 May. During her speech, she reflected on what Ramadan means to her. She spoke honestly about the challenges of leadership and how important it is to her that she retains her discipline and integrity during her fast. She shared a feeling which I think many of us would share, that life too often feels lived in
Kisu – ‘Ramadan is a worldwide tradition that is for Muslims. It happens every Islamic year, which is every ten months. At the end of Ramadan, there is a celebration called Eid al-Fitr – ‘eid’ means celebration, and ‘fitr’ means to break your fast. Eid celebrations may vary depending on your cultural background and your household. For my family, we travel to my mother’s home town, and have a feast with my extended family. Eid is very heartwarming celebration, where I get to celebrate with my family. As a Muslim, I feel refreshed and strong with my faith.’
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HEAD’S WEEKLY REVIEW
14 May 2021 – Issue 4
Virtual Careers Fair On Wednesday evening, the whole school community had the opportunity to listen to over 25 speakers representing a wide variety of careers at our Virtual Careers Fair. Representing professions from sectors including medical, charity, education, legal, international development, finance, business, STEM, publishing, television and media, and the creative arts, the speakers shared their insights and advice on how find yourself on the best pathway for success in the future, as well as answering superb questions from the girls.
Many thanks go to the Roedeanian Office for making contact with brilliant alumnae and helping to arrange such an engaging and informative evening. If any parents or ORs would be interested in taking part in similar events in
Calling All Talented Linguists!
GH
Yr7 Breakfast Social The rain arrived across our school campus yesterday, and our Year 7 Breakfast Social was swiftly moved from outside the Clubhouse to the Chapel Cloisters. The Year 7s first reaction was ‘wow who is this for’, as they viewed mini pots of strawberries, pain au chocolat, bananas, satsumas, cartons of milk, apple, and orange juice, and cups of hot chocolate, all of which were so beautifully presented!
The Stephen Spender Prize for Poetry in translation 2021 is now open – and, thanks to Megan (Yr12), Roedean has a good track record in this competition. She won the 16-and-under category last year for her translation of the Russian poem ‘Do Not Leave Your Room’ by Joseph Brodsky. The Stephen Spender Prize is an annual competition for poetry in translation, with categories for young people (14-and-under, 16-and-under, and 18-and-under), as well as an open category for adults. This year the prize opened for entries on 6 May. The challenge is to translate into English any poem from any language – ranging from Arabic to Uzbek, from Danish to Somali – and win cash prizes! The deadline for entries is 16 July, and submissions are welcomed online or by post. Why not give it a go? AIB
the future, please be in touch with Mrs Chaston (glc@roedean.co.uk).
Mrs Chandler’s reply was ‘this is for you – it’s our Year 7 Breakfast Social’, and the smiles on the faces of each pupil were a picture! There was fantastic excitement as the girls chose their breakfast while socialising happily for 20 minutes at the start of the day. By all accounts, it was a great start to the day!
Year 11 celebrated the end of their assessments with a fantastic tea party this afternoon outside Page 4
HEAD’S WEEKLY REVIEW
14 May 2021 – Issue 4
CH WAY THE SMALL STONE AR BY ROMEY KAVANAGH
ring I look under the small stone arch way, wonde next. n happe will what s in with the turquoise sea that blend sky The glistens in the sun. spread When I look down short freshly cut grass is . waves like hills the for miles,
HHH Creativity In my HHH classes last week, I took the girls outside to create a response to nature – it was beautiful. Some laid down and meditated, some drew, and some wrote poems. Nature and creativity work so well together! KOR
the landscape. Butter cups and daisies are scattered across The wind is gentle and calm, wind turbinids but the spinning in the distance. Nothing can be heard take. I hs breat deep the squawks of sea guls and
K-pop and Yoga in Boarding! Last weekend, the boarders enjoyed a K-pop and Yoga session delivered by experts from MarinaStudios, Brighton. On Saturday, the K-pop teacher taught the students choreos (dance moves!) that are popular in Korean music videos and concerts. She had everyone dancing on the quad overlooking the beautiful sea. It was a definite success, with lots of girls getting involved (as well as Staff!). On Sunday, things took on a more tranquil atmosphere, as the girls were treated to a yoga session in the Studios. It was a lovely way to conclude a busy week! GWI Page 5
HEAD’S WEEKLY REVIEW
14 May 2021 – Issue 4
Literary supplement
New Fiction Books in the Library Tsunami Girl – by Julian Sedgwick
Concrete Rose – by Angie Thomas
Tsunami Girl is a powerful coming-of-age story of 15-year-old Yuki Hara Jones, who gets caught up in the March 2011 Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.
With his King Lord dad in prison, and his mom working two jobs, seventeen-year-old Maverick Carter helps the only way he knows how: slinging drugs. Life's not perfect, but he's got everything under control. Until he finds out he's a father...
Destination Anywhere – by Sara Barnard
The Vanishing Half – by Brit Bennett
After five years at secondary school spent without any friends, Peyton King starts Sixth Form college, determined that things will be different. Whatever happens, she will make friends at any cost. However, when that doesn’t work out, she buys a one-way ticket and gets on a plane…
The Vignes twin sisters will always be identical. But after growing up together in a small, southern black community, and running away at age sixteen, it's not just the shape of their daily lives that is different as adults, it's everything: their families, their communities, their racial identities. Ten years later, one sister lives with her black daughter in the same southern town she once tried to escape.
Lock the Doors – by Vincent Ralph
Tom's family have moved into their dream home. But pretty soon he starts to notice that something is very wrong – there are strange messages written on the wall, and locks on the bedroom doors. On the OUTSIDE.
Bronze Reading Award Completion Well done to Rida, Megan, and Martha (Yr8) who have completed their Bronze Roedean Readers Award! They have now decided to form a book club and complete their Silver Awards, and we can’t wait to hear what they have been reading.
Roedean Readers Awards! The Falling in Love Montage – by Ciara Smith
Seventeen-year-old Saoirse has finished with exams, and is facing a long hot summer before uni. She plans to party, get drunk, watch horror movies, and forget all her troubles by kissing girls. Enter the scene: Ruby, who might just be the prettiest girl Saoirse’s ever seen. A romcom fan and a believer in true love, Ruby challenges cynical Saoirse to try a summer romance with the serious parts left out, just like in the movies. But what happens when the falling in love montage ends?
The awards are a great way of getting you reading a wide range of texts and genres. If you need help with finding books to complete the award then head to the Library and see Mrs Bailey who is always happy to help! ■
Every page completed is rewarded with a MERIT – any teacher can give this once the page has been checked, and initialised and dated by that teacher
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10 completed tasks gets a COMMENDATION
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A completed booklet also gets a BRONZE, SILVER or GOLD AWARD in Final Chapel and a READING BADGE
This Can Never Not be Real – by Sera Milano In the unremarkable town of Amberside, the unthinkable has happened: terrorists have attacked a local festival. No one knows why, and no one knows who the attackers are, but that doesn’t matter. What matters first is survival. And what matters after that is survival, too.
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HEAD’S WEEKLY REVIEW
14 May 2021 – Issue 4
Literary supplement
Getting to know the Roedean Reading Reps
Roedean Reads… Our Reading Club have been out and about interviewing Roedean staff and students, to find out what books they have really enjoyed reading.
Farwa, Yr7 use I I chose to be a reading representative beca assist to ed want I and ng, have a passion for readi fiction rical histo from ng, readi their nd girls to expa just there to crime thrillers (after all, books are not find I )! friend best a for knowledge, but also to be ed to reading a whole new aspect in life and I want too. rs othe share that with
Mr Fletcher (Maths)
use I love The Maze Runner My favourite author is James Dashner, beca rine series. Personally, I enjoy series, and, especially, The Mortality Doct books, because they keep reading science fiction, adventure, and crime more! read you on edge and make you really want to is Lying", because it is a very For Key Stage 3, I recommend "One of us tions – and all of these are well-written crime book that asks many ques of a challenge, I recommend answered later in the book series. For more knowledge of vocabulary your nds "Great Expectations", because it expa experience!); also, "Great from this g sayin am (I and improves writing skills it deserves a try! Expectations" is a very interesting book, and because it improves our I think reading is significant in our daily life improve their English because ren child ry English. For example, young nurse ry Schools, you are encouraged they learn to read and read books. In Prima pronunciation skills. In to read aloud because you will improve your a wide range of books read to Secondary School, you are encouraged sh Literature. Overall, Engli of ding rstan to improve your vocab and unde reading is a big aspect in our language. Abby, Yr13 I wanted to be a reading rep, because I am constantly reading, and I am in the Libra ry almost every day looking for new books. I can’t choose one favourite author because I love so many but if I had to pick three, I’d choo se Becky Chambers, Kiera Cass, and Jodi Picoult.
Book: Talking to Strangers (may not be suitable for children below 18) Author: Malcolm Gladwell Description: This book makes you think, and helps you to realise that we judge people without any real understanding.
Mrs Ross (School Reception) Favourite Book: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Author: J.K. Rowling Description: I found this book very magical. I could use my imagination and it was a good story. It was easy to read, had good descriptions, and was hard to put down. My favourite character was Hermione, because she's a strong character and she believes in herself.
Bobby (Yr7) Favourite Book: A Court of Thorns and Roses Author: Sara J. Maas Description: This book has a really good founding family. The different background stories for each person are interesting, and there are lots of different points of view. My favourite character was Rhysand.
Mrs Stevenson (School Office Manager)
The top 5 books I would recommend are: 1. The Wayfarers (a series of books) by Beck y Chambers 2. The Selection series by Keira Cass 3. Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah 4. Pig Heart Boy or Boys Don’t Cry by Malo
rie Blackman 5. The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynt hia Hand (you will cry, you’ve been warned) I think reading is important for so many reaso ns, but the main ones are that I find that reading books can open your mind to things you never thought of, and possibilities that you woul dn’t think are possible. Also, by reading books, you can kind of see into the minds of other people and better understand a small fragment of what was/is their experience of the world – including the people who have already passed away and thankfully decided to share their piece of the world through the written word. And it can change the way you see or perceive the world.
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Favourite Book: Copy Me, Copycub Author: Richard Edwards Description: I love this book because I used to read it as a bedtime story to my daughter every night, and it is about a mother cub that teaches her baby how to survive in the wild when winter comes. It reflects my relationship with my daughter, and the writing style is written for young children and uses repetition. There was nothing I didn't like. My favourite characters were the mother and baby bears.
Daisy (Yr7) Favourite book: Anne of Green Gables (all ages) Author: L.M. Montgomery Description: I think that this book captures the spirit of youth and wonder. It is a book that makes you feel better and is easy to read and expressive. There were a few sad parts, but I enjoyed it very much. My favourite character was Anne.
HEAD’S WEEKLY REVIEW
14 May 2021 – Issue 4
Sport – We were so pleased to be able to return to Sports fixtures this week!
Cricket vs Brighton College – 4 Impressive Victories U12A
The U12A team's first ever fixture for Roedean was away at Brighton College, in a ten-a-side pairs match. Brighton batted first and scored 112 runs from their 20 overs – and in reply Roedean scored 125 runs. There is much to work on, but this was a great victory and a very positive start – the girls were competitive, supportive of each other, and respectful of the opposition.
U12B
Brighton College won the toss and put Roedean into bat first. We put on 151 runs, which was an impressive team effort, with everyone one chipping in. A special mention goes to Alicia, Ruby, Isabelle, and Minnie, with great batting performances. Brighton ended up scoring 77 runs, which was down to some excellent bowling from Tiah, Romey, and captain for the match, Molly. The girls performed extremely well on and off the field, winning gracefully, with class and great sportsmanship. This was a great start to the season for the U12B team – well done!
U12A
U13A
Roedean’s U13A cricket team took the short trip to play Brighton College on Wednesday 12 May. The girls were full of enthusiasm after the long break from fixtures. Brighton won the toss and elected to bowl first. Lydia and Tildy opened the batting for Roedean, scoring 34 runs off their 4 overs. The engine room middle order pairs of Grace & Dot, Orla & Freya, and Polly & Evie, followed this up, smashing the ball to all parts. Brighton College managed to keep the score down with some accurate bowling, taking a number of wickets. When the teams swapped over, the Roedean girls’ enthusiasm was still in evidence. Led by Captain, Lydia, all the girls were encouraging each other and flying around trying to protect the short boundaries. Roedean managed to hold Brighton College at bay, despite some big hitting. There were stand out bowling performances from Tilly, for bowling express pace, and Chloe, for taking 2 wickets.
U13B
U13B
The U13B Cricket Team had their first fixture of the year hosting Brighton College at home. Brighton won the toss and elected to bowl first, putting in the pair of Alice and Eloise to open the batting for Roedean. The pair dispatched the ball to all parts, scoring a mighty 51 runs, which set the tone for batters to follow. There was also impressive hitting from Jasmine and Lydia, Liepa and Maya, as well as Alya and Orla. Only losing two wickets throughout the entire innings made sure they scored an impressive 175 in 20 overs. Brighton came in to bat and started off well, not losing any wickets early on and running very well between the wickets. As the game went on, the Roedean girls’ enthusiasm and alertness in the field, backed up by accurate bowling, ensured a few wickets were taken in the middle and towards the end of the game, with Brighton ending on a respectable 67. It was a great fixture and there is lots to work on going forward. Girl of the game was awarded to Alya for her all-round performance and encouragement throughout the game! U13B
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14 May 2021 – Issue 4
HEAD’S WEEKLY REVIEW
Race Around the World – 19,655 Kilometres! We have made it to Turkey via Isreal, and are on our way to Bahrain! We are still racing around the world, trying to go to every country where a Roedean student is from!
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Well done to Year 9 who alone have contributed 3,174km through their DofE Expeditions in the last two weeks.
Israel
Nigeria
UK
Ghana
Please do follow this link, and log your distances – remember, if you have a smart phone, it has probably logged your distances covered automatically, and you can include everything back to the last time you submitted the form – if this is your first time, you can count it all the way back to 1 January 2021, when this challenge began!
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Well done, and thank you for getting involved!
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Please follow the relevant link to log your distances: Race Around the World 2.0 STUDENT Race Around the World 2.0 STAFF Race Around the World 2.0 PARENT Race Around the World 2.0 OR
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We welcome contributions from all parts of the Roedean community. If you have something you would like featured in the Headmaster’s Weekly Review, please email: marketing@roedean.co.uk Page 9
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Well done, and thank you for getting involved! RB
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To make it easier to log your distances regularly, you can pin the wufoo link to your browser by clicking on ‘Bookmark this tab’ or similar, depending on your browser.
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If the country where you currently live does not appear on the route because you also have a UK address on the school database, please do let us know before we reach that country by emailing Miss Boles on jbo@roedean.co.uk.
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