22 May 2020 - Issue 5
HEAD’S
WEEKLY REVIEW
Head’s Introduction How strange to have reached half term without actually being in school! I would like to say again how proud I am of Roedean, and of how every member of the community has adapted to the strange and unusual requirements of being ‘at school’ but also at a distance. I am delighted that so many of you have gotten involved with the Race Across the World organised by the Boarding Team and Miss Le Bihan – House Spirit is such a strength at Roedean, so I am not surprised that you are all competing with each other to run, walk, or cycle that little bit further! Dr Barrand has included the link to the race’s JustGiving page in this review – although community spirit and maintaining exercise routines are the main focus of this race, it would also be great if we can raise some money to support Off the Fence at the same time too!
I would like to congratulate Years 11 and 13, who have completed their assessments this week – I know that this term is very different to what you envisaged for this summer term, but I feel that you have coped very well indeed. Well done too to all those in other years who have been sitting tests. It has been very interesting to see what is happening in co-curricular activities, and everything you are all doing independently outside the classroom – there are some wonderful examples of this in this review. The regular sporting challenges have certainly captured your imagination, and it is great that so much is going on – well done! It has been Thank a Teacher Day this week, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank
ia
Virtual Sports Day
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Megan's Textiles Piece for her GCSE Art
Today, we have hosted a ‘Virtual’ Open Day – I am grateful to all the girls who have contributed, and well done to the Admissions Department and Miss Boles for all the work that has gone into this ‘event’. If you would like to have a look, the link is below. I wish you all a wonderful half-term break – enjoy some well-earned rest and, above all, stay safe!
UK
Click here to view our Virtual Open Day
all my colleagues, who are working incredibly hard in very unusual circumstances to keep the School and its teaching and learning running as normally as possible. It was lovely for the staff to receive a fantastic booklet on Wednesday which included videos of students thanking them, along with a fantastic rewrite of the Queen classic – Roedeanian Rhapsody – this was mostly the work of some parents and girls in Year 7, but I would like to thank everyone who contributed.
Cameroon An go
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Sou Afri th ca
Race Across the World - Week 2 We have reached Angola!
22 May 2020 - Issue 5
HEAD’S WEEKLY REVIEW
Unsung heroes in the spotlight
Wonderful Donation to the NHS from the Brighton and Hove Chinese School
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.
Mrs Wu, one of Roedean’s Chinese teachers, also runs the Brighton & Hove Chinese School, which donated £5000 to the NHS. She was also a representative of the UK Chinese Society, which handed over a donation of 5000 cover-all protective gowns and 70,000 face masks to the NHS Supply Hub at Dartford London. It is wonderful that so many people are working so hard to make a difference where they can.
Merla (Yr8) for putting together a birthday message from all of my friends [Amelia (Yr8)]
Florence & PwC Tilly (Yr7) for showing exceptional kindness by recently welcoming a Roedean family into her neighbourhood, making a beautiful 'welcome and good luck in your new home’ card and a jar of cookies, which look delicious! [JC]
Grace (Yr13) for always being so bubbly and cheery at yoga [KWA]
Olivia (Yr9) for baking cookies to deliver to girls in Year 9 who live near enough for her to cycle. She leaves them on the doorstep to maintain social distancing. What a lovely gesture! [NBE]
Well done to Florence (Yr13) who has completed PricewaterhouseCooper's first ever Virtual Insight Week. Throughout the week, there were a range of live and recorded sessions, giving an introduction to their different business areas. Florence said:
‘I have le upcoming t arnt about account a e the UK's fi chnologies. A highlig ncy and a range of r h s t was lea t e v e r st was flown over a coal ocktake using a dron rning about e – a dron pile on an took photo auto e so more efficie f the coal and comple mated route which t ntly than a human c ed the count far Another ex o c uld have do it in g part it a Go' ses ne. sion, in wh of the week was a li ve 'Audit: G ich I had a sample c the opport ive lient. I pra unity ctis more abou ed a stock count and to audit t sales test It was a learnt ing. insights in brilliant experience a to PwC an d what is o nd I gained invaluab le n offer pos t-universit y!’
Unsung heroes in the spotlight
Ms Peters’ Book Won the Mental Health Awareness Week BiblioCongratulations to Maria (Yr9), who has been Buzz having fun with her family during lockdown, while thinking about Mental Health Awareness Week: 2020
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 Hammond for smiling through live netball every week and being so encouraging [KWA]
Mr Burlinson for his skilled, calm commitment to supporting us all [JC]
Mr Borsoi for keeping hockey alive by managing to find an astro [KWA]
Congratulations to Ms Peters, whose children’s book Anna at War won the Biblio-Buzz 2020, Alexandra Palace Children’s Book Schools Award – what a fantastic achievement! The book was also nominated for the 2020 Carnegie Medal. Here is a brief synopsis – you might want to read it: As life for German Jews becomes increasingly perilous, Anna’s parents put her on a train leaving for England. But the war follows her to Kent, and soon Anna finds herself caught up in a web of betrayal and secrecy. How can she prove whose side she’s on when she can’t tell anyone the truth? But actions speak louder than words, and Anna has a dangerous plan… Page 2
‘I got the idea from TikTok, and it basically involves everyone decorating a jar which is your Happiness Jar. You then fill it with little slips of paper where you have written any little thing that has made you happy. You can do this as many times a day as you like, and it really helps you to focus on the little positive things. You would be surprised just how fast you can fill your jar! At the end of the month or the year or whenever you like, everyone shares the contents of the jar and you have a talk about all the things that make you happy! It has made me be very positive in this hard time and it helps you look for the happy things in your life every day.'
22 May 2020 - Issue 5
HEAD’S WEEKLY REVIEW
Race Across the World Week 2
UK
We Have Covered 10,136.38km! Well done to everyone who has thrown themselves into our race! We are making great headway, and Roedean South Africa have made it all the way to Cameroon too! It is fantastic to see how the Houses are competing with each other, and the averages are pretty close, as you can see – well done to Kats from RSA, who are in the lead: Average km per person Kats - 12.84
2 Place
House 4 –12.41
nd
House 3 – 10.80
4th Place
House 2 – 9.79
5th Place
House 1 – 7.66
6 Place
Lambs – 7.20
7th Place
Bears – 6.76
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3 Place rd
Alg
1st Place
The year-group totals are more balanced than last week – although this is not the focus of this race, it is interesting to see how the different year groups are faring: Year 7
1645.33km
Year 8
1490.20km
Year 9
2258.97km
Year 10
228.80km
Year 11
430.50km
Year 12
517.09km
Year 13
114.60km
Staff
3482.03km
The Roedean South Africa year-group totals are as follows: Lower V
760km
Middle V
360km
Upper V
1310km
AnteMatrics
1890km
Matrics
360km
Staff
430km
You can upload your distances as often as you want, but they are updated every Tuesday – click here!
Cameroon
We would also like to take advantage of the opportunity to use this race to raise funds for our chosen charity, Off the Fence – as you know, 100 freshly prepared meals are sent to the charity every week, and this costs approximately £3000, so it would be wonderful if we were able to raise funds for this now ahead of next academic year. Please ask your relations to support everything you are doing to keep fit and healthy at this difficult time, and, if they would like to donate to our charity in recognition of your hard work, click here!
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Sout Afri h ca How Quickly Can You Run 5k? This Saturday 23 May, there will be a 5k run taking place, at any time between 9:00am to 9:00pm – the Roedean Strava Challenge! How quick can you run 5k? We would love as many of you to get involved as possible! Good luck! Click here to read the guidance SCH
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22 May 2020 - Issue 5
HEAD’S WEEKLY REVIEW CO-CURRICULAR
Megan's Textile Piece Megan (Yr11) has been working hard recently on creating a large-scale textile piece. She has been incorporating different print techniques with a combination of hand embroidery and machine stitch – this is just a small section of what she has been working on for her GCSE final piece. Well done!
Bingo Week 5 This week was our last BINGO of the half-term and with that I would like to say a massive thank you to all of the students and staff that have joined and played along. I hope that you have all had as much fun as I have. A huge thank you to Miss Bamford and Miss Abaza who have attended every week despite marking, netball club and all the other duties they have at the moment. The Queen-themed game this week was brilliant; although, potentially damaged the relationship I have with my neighbours due to a loud performance of We Are The Champions.
Keep Active! This clip has been put together to encourage the girls to stay active during off-site learning – it includes messages from Lucy (Yr11) and Talya (Yr8). I hope it helps you to exercise and stay healthy! ADH
1 Line Amelia (Yr8) and Lillie (Yr10) 3 Lines
Amelia (Yr8)
Full House Lara (Yr8)
Textiles Club The girls in our Years 7-9 Textiles Club have been learning how to use a range of coloured media onto fabric, as well as using the appliquéing technique. They have explored the work of textile artist Carolyn Saxby, and her mixed media textiles based on water. EHA
HHH – Explore and Create Maddie and Elsie (Yr8) have both produced outstanding work in HHH Explore and Create – their task was to recreate a famous artwork in any media of their choice. Maddie has recreated Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Night Over the Rhône, using chalk pastels, and Elsie chose to recreate Paul Cézanne's Lac d'Annecy, by using different thicknesses of line. These are both outstanding recreations and look really effective – well done!
Elsie
Maddie Page 4
HEAD’S WEEKLY REVIEW
22 May 2020 - Issue 5
SPORT The PE department has been very impressed with the girls’ commitment this past week. Athletes from all areas of sport have been showing their commitment and dedication, from Athletics to Swimming to Karate! It is so great to hear about all you are all up to during this period of off-site learning, so please do keep us updated. We are eagerly awaiting the results of the Hurst Virtual Athletics meet – it was a great event to take part in, and well done to all those who entered. Well done to the following for the week commencing 11 May: • Congratulations to Talya (Yr8) for being awarded 'Individual Performance of the Week' for her commitment and dedication to sport across the board – she has been keeping herself super fit, even doing her own plyometric sessions!
• Congratulations to the Swim Squad, which has been awarded 'Team Performance of the Week' for their dedication to the land training they are currently having to adapt to – excellent work, keep it up! • The winner of the Netball Challenge, set this week by Demi Adeyemi (Yr12), was won by Maria (Yr9) – this means she has won the Netball Challenge two weeks in a row! This week, we are launching the 'Roedean Virtual Sports Day'. Keep an eye out on the sports 'Teams', and ask your PE teacher for more information! We really encourage you to keep active over half term, and to keep your challenge scores coming in. Anything you achieve or do we love to hear about! Well done and thank you for everything you have done this half of term. KWA
Virtual Awards for U12B Netball Team On Monday Activity 2, the U12B team gathered for a Virtual End of Season Awards Ceremony, where the girls have been busy voting for their players of the season. The results were as follows:: • Coaches Player of the Season: Lydia F • Player of the Season (voted by U12B): Tilly • Personality of the Season (voted by U12B): Dot • Most Improved Player of the Season: Hermione • Most Determined Player of the Season: Orla O • Hardest Working Player of the Season: Ellen • Most Progression this Season: Lydia DB • Best Moment of the Season: Alice, for scoring the AMAZING goal versus Lingfield • Most Encouraging Player of the Season: Grace • Best Cheerleader of the Season: Chloe • Most Versatile Player of the Season: Eloise The girls have had an outstanding first year of netball and have worked really hard as a team. They managed to win the first match of the Sussex Cup 20-0, progressing all the way through to the semi-finals before the cup was called off. They have won more than 70% of their matches this season, and scored 63 goals. They should be very proud of themselves and are already looking to keep their netball skills up for next year. Well done!
Virtual Athletics Meet
Virtual Sports Day
Izzy (Yr7) was extremely lucky that the Director of Sport at Hurst allowed her to use the Hurst athletics track on Saturday. Rob was fantastic, and he helped set up and coach Izzy – he also recorded her results.
The Roedean PE department would like to invite you formally to take part in our Virtual Sports Day. You will compete in different Athletics events every Monday, and you will be able to earn points for your house, even just for taking part. To get involved, please join the ‘Virtual Sports Day’ Team (email LBA or AHD to be added) – this is where the events will be set and you will be able to submit your scores and results.
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Events will vary, including both track and field, and you will be able to do them all at home. We look forward to launching the competition with the first events starting the first Monday back (1 June). If you have any questions, please email Miss Bamford (LBA) or Miss Hammond (AHD).
22 May 2020 - Issue 5
HEAD’S WEEKLY REVIEW
HERE'S WHAT SOME OF THE GIRLS JOINING US NEXT YEAR HAVE BEEN UP TO
Co-Curricular Art History Feedback Giselle (Yr10) has loved taking part in Mrs Strachan’s Art History co-curricular activity on Thursdays:
Isabelle’s French Staycation
ur Art how grateful I am for yo ‘I am emailing to tell you been so inspirational, and an ve History lessons. They ha to expand my knowledge on the me for ity un rt po amazing op know, I do ings that I love. As you various artists and paint edean, and I do miss Art classes not take Art GCSE at Ro -curricular activity has been an co quite a lot. However, this re-associate with art and learn to me for ce an amazing ch ank you! I torical point of view. Th more about it from a his out the stories and inspirations ab especially enjoyed talking would love to communicate with you I d an , ing int pa behind each your lessons, I t these topics. Through more in the future abou erest in analysing artwork, which is also found a particular intand exciting to me! very new
Feedback from the Roedean Community We are very grateful for the wonderful feedback the School has received – please do continue to let us know what is going well, as well as what you think we might improve:
Isabelle was very sad to have missed out on her Year 6 French trip, so her sister Sophie had the idea of organising a surprise French trip at home with French food, outfits, indoor camping, and the chocolate-tasting they were supposed to go on.
‘Both my girls h av commitment an e blown me away with their d de in the live schoo termination to take part 3.30 am, make ling. They both get up at th school. When w emselves a coffee, and start happily ensconce e rise about 6am, they are in lessons as th d in the office both engaged beautiful time of e sun rises. It is actually a da the sun’s heat sa y in the Caribbean before Can I say well do ps everything of energy. an excellent syst ne to Roedean for putting em together complaints at al . We have no l.' nts)
(Year 7 Parent)
(Year 9 Parent)
Well done to Lydia, one of whose book reviews has been published in this month’s National Geographic Kid.
(Year 7&9 Pa re
‘Further to the re of £500 made b cent kind donation ‘My daughter has been enjoying the online learning, although she is Mission Fund to y Roedean School G ro ve Adventu really missing normal school life and Playground, I fo rward a copy of re her friends. new Newsletter our of the work tha and a short video I would like to thank you all helping to main t your donation is for reacting so quickly to this tain at the play gr ou n d during the pres extraordinary situation to make ent crisis.' (Nick, Manag sure that the lessons are still er, Grove Ad Playground) venture engaging and challenging'
‘Please pass on our sincere thanks to Mr Blond and the team for providing regular and comprehensive information. This ensures that we are kept up to date and informed of the thinking and planning of Roedean.'
Lydia's in the National Geographic
‘My daughter lo time learning anves her fulld homework and enjoys the research. We are lucky yo u have put on a great onlin programme. Th e learning ank you all!' (Year 7 Parent)
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
we are with our ‘I just wanted to let you know how delightede set up and the way you hav daughter’s home schooling. The systems is brilliant. ons less r thei run the teachers a caring pastoral focus, as Not only is it educational but also there’s ity for her to speak up if I can tell that there is plenty of opportun a file. There seems to ’t find she doesn’t understand something or can class and teachers. the with ness ther toge of be a real sense home and can overhear my My husband and I are also working from delight to listen in to, with a daughter during her lessons, and they’re from the girls with the tter quieter study periods followed by polite cha teachers. le will be hesitant about The funny thing is that, whilst many peop g, the Roedean girls thin returning to work, you can be sure of one the only school in the like s seem it – will be sprinting back to school d miss) the environment. country where the girls absolutely love (an and stay well.' Good luck with the remainder of the term (Year 7 Parent)
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