29nd September 2017 - Issue 4
HEAD’S
WEEKLY REVIEW
A beautiful fireplace has been revealed during the recent redecorating of the historic Art Studio, bearing the carved inscription ‘The utmost for the highest’. The A Level Art students have been inspired by Rachel Whiteread’s sculptures on their trip to Tate Britain to create a weekly installation on the mantelpiece. Mrs Ellis has started with a seasonal still-life. Watch this space to see what the students come up with!
Head’s Introduction
A Red Ribbon for Lawrence
With over a third of the girls away from school on trips over the last week, school has been a little quieter. The Year 7-10 residentials have gone very well this year and the girls have reported that they had a brilliant time. These trips are so important to create opportunities for the girls to enjoy time with each other engaging in outdoor pursuits. On the Geography field trip and Art trip to Tate Britain, the girls were able to put theory into a practical context outside the classroom and to be inspired by nature and art. I am, as ever, very grateful to my colleagues for leading and taking part in these trips which are so worthwhile.
The newly refurbished Lawrence House was officially opened this week. There are lovely rooms with sea-views, gorgeous bathrooms, a common room downstairs with modern cooking facilities, and another, with comfortable sofas and over-sized angle-poise lamps, where the girls can work in the evenings, just chat, or chill out watching television. It looks amazing.
After the extensive refurbishment of Lawrence in August, it was great to officially ‘open’ the House this week, and even better to see the girls who live there enjoying the space and facilities. The Estates team have done a wonderful job, and I am glad that the girls were able to thank them in person for their hard work. The girls throughout the school had great fun celebrating European Day of Languages earlier this week. The MFL department set each tutor group a challenge to recreate the Eiffel Tower and a quiz to test the breadth of their knowledge of languages. The girls and staff also walked around all day wearing stickers in different languages introducing themselves. It was a really enjoyable way to get everyone thinking about languages and different countries. Today, we have had two beautiful services to mark Founders’ Day. These give the entire school community the chance to reflect on the work of our Founders, the Lawrence sisters, and all those who have made significant contributions to developments at Roedean over the last 132 years. It is wonderful to be joined at the afternoon service by ORs, friends, and relations of those who have passed away this year, and hearing their names read out and a candle being lit for each is very moving. For the girls, it is also a powerful link to the Roedean’s ground-breaking heritage. Early next week, I shall be at the HMC conference in Belfast, hearing about the latest trends and innovations in education. I would like to thank you all in advance for your contributions to Open Day next Saturday, when we are expecting a record number of families to visit Roedean.
Girls in the House, teachers and tutors, and some members of Council enjoyed some wonderful refreshments, and the Headmaster said a few words to thank Mr Hawkes and Mr Parker for the spectacular transformation which took place over the summer holidays. The girls presented a card to them, after which Mr Hawkes had the honour of cutting the ribbon. Miss Taylor, Housemistress of Lawrence, introduced Laura F and Chelsea Y (Yr12) to speak about their experiences in the House so far. For Laura, it is the ‘university feel’ which she really enjoys, along with the fantastic chance to build a community with the other girls. Chelsea commented that many of the girls in Lawrence are boarding and away from home for the first time, so having lovely surroundings both makes it feel a bit like home and easier to settle in to a new school. Lawrence really does look amazing, with accommodation to match the other Houses. One member of staff was overheard saying, ‘I wish my house was like this!’ Some of Lawrence’s rooms would certainly not look out of place in one of the very contemporary interiors’ catalogues available – congratulations and thank you to all those involved in making it so wonderful.
Pitch Perfect
Building our Sporting Future We have launched our appeal this week to transform our sporting facilities, which will include a floodlit all-weather pitch. We very much hope that the wider Roedean community would like to give generously to ensure that we can complete this exciting new project which will benefit all current and future girls. For further information, please contact Mark Taylor on mta@roedean.co.uk
HEAD’S WEEKLY REVIEW
29nd September 2017 - 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.
Emily T and Natasha R (Yr13) for calmly and safely lighting 40 candles for the Founders’ Day service [RB]
First finished
Eiffel Tower
European Day of Languages at Roedean Ava L and Bridget R (Yr7) for noteworthy kindness towards other girls [JC]
With the hot potato called ‘Brexit’ being the subject of some heated debate at the Labour Party Conference at the Grand Hotel just a short distance along the coast, an international Roedean opened its arms to the European Day of Languages on Tuesday of this week. Staff and girls were all invited to wear a badge announcing their name in a language ‘foreign’ to them, from Russian to Greek, Nepalese to Basque.
Marina B (Yr9) and Martha W (Yr12) for wonderful performances in this week’s Tea Time Recital [SOB]
New Staff Fact-Files
Delicious European lunchtime food was served by the wonderful kitchens, who concocted coq au vin (sans vin, bien sûr), and a warming borscht (köstlich). For those of a literary bent,
wordsmith Francesca Beard’s poem ‘I speak a language’ was dissected and debated. Pub quiz style questions uncovered awkward lacunae in our European general knowledge… where is Österreich, and what are its language and capital? Pero the highlight of the day was the construction project… using only dry spaghetti and jelly babies, budding engineers and architects built their own tributes to Gustave Eiffel. Félicitations to 11S – their winning model was all the sturdier because they resisted the temptation to eat the jelly babies! MH
Name: Miss Jennifer Best
Roedean Role: Biology Teacher University: BSc in Biology (Nottingham) Previous school: Head of Year/ Biology & Physics Teacher at King’s College, The British School of Alicante – Hobby/Interest: Baking and skiing – You’d never guess... Instead of doing a regular speech at my friend’s wedding, I rewrote the lyrics to ‘under the sea’ and sang my speech!
Name: Martin Beard
Roedean Role: Physics Teacher University: BSc in Physics (Nottingham) Previous school: Physics Teacher at Wimbledon High School Hobby/Interest: Trekking You’d never guess... I helped to build a cosmic ray detector in a tool shed on a sheep farm
Music Scholars’ Recital The Music Scholars’ Recital on Monday was a truly magical event and showcased the superb talent here at Roedean. Girls from Years 7-13 stood with equal confidence and communicated the music so well through their various instruments. A special thanks to Mr Rous for his remarkable accompanying skills, and for helping to put the performers at ease. The standard was Page 2
incredibly high and the girls’ choice of music was both eclectic and entertaining. Special highlights from our new scholars included a stunning Recorder Concerto performed by Marina B (Yr9) and a beautifully mature and musical performance by Martha W (Yr12) on the Oboe. Many thanks to all the parents, girls and staff who joined us for this event.
HEAD’S WEEKLY REVIEW
29nd September 2017 - Issue 4
Year 7 in the Bush! Sixty-two girls in Year 7 and eight members of staff spent two nights camping in the bush last week. This residential trip is designed to help the girls, who have only been at Roedean for a few weeks, to find out more about each other while undertaking exciting and challenging activities in an unusual environment. Where they were, there was no running water, no showers and only portaloos, and there were 1011 girls in a tent – in that sort of environment, respect for others, and an understanding of their feelings and needs, is essential.
all ‘Amongst the amazing activities we nt, Tale Got bes Tri participated in was their where all of the tutor groups got ’ ht! tlig spo the chance to be in
The girls had a wonderful time, really enjoying this extraordinary opportunity to step out of their uniforms and leave their books and bags back at school. There was a real feeling that they could relax in each other’s company, and that they were developing a sense of community by making connections with each other, both in and out of tutor groups, and sharing their experiences. Moving to a senior school is a big step, so, in conversation with members of staff, the girls also had a chance to reflect on the transition from their previous schools to Roedean.
Beatrice S
‘I enjoyed sin dancing around ging and th playing 21 in th e fire and e woods.’ Ti naye M
The challenges the girls faced ranged from firelighting and building shelters to wilderness first aid and camouflage. Some girls also chose to sleep in the open shelters they had built, literally sleeping under the stars and at one with nature. Overcoming fears and throwing themselves into the challenges was a particular achievement for those who may not have been part of a similar trip in Year 6 at their previous schools. For all of the girls, taking part in these activities which few had tackled before allowed them to pull together as a group and identify the strengths of some within it. But the challenges presented were not the only ones they were going through, because some were also dealing with being away from home and their usual support network. The entire trip was a huge success, and the girls’ sense of achievement at the end of it was amazing – well done to everyone involved!
about ‘The best thing at I was th Bushcraft was ople that I pe h it in a tent w at well and now didn’t know th e with them.’ I’m really clos Annie D
‘Bushcraft was so much fun; it was amazing being in the middle of nature 24/7 and making so many new friends.’
‘I made many n ew learnt how to st friends and art a fire using Vaseline and co tton wool!’ Ava L
Olivia H
Page 3
HEAD’S WEEKLY REVIEW
Year 8 on the Isle of Wight After arriving safely off the ferry to the Isle of Wight, 64 girls and 9 members of staff launched straight into their first activity at PGL, which was orienteering. The 2 night residential was great fun, and the girls had a brilliant time working together and conquering their fears. They all pushed themselves out of their comfort zones, whether that meant jumping off a trapeze, finding their way out of an underground maze, screaming on a rope-swing, or lighting the beach fire. It was an exciting experience, pulling the entire year-group together, and the new girls who joined this year quickly became part of the group. Well done to everyone involved – it was great! NDO
Team-building for Year 9 at Kingswood 73 girls and 8 staff went to Kingswood in Kent, where they had to work together to overcome some tricky obstacles, as well as a few scary situations. The girls spent two nights in dorms, and they needed all the sleep they could get to tackle the tasks they faced: these included jumping off a tall post which required a leap of faith for many, there was an obstacle course they had to negotiate blindfolded, they worked in pairs on a Jacob’s ladder exercise, and there was a terrifying 3G swing, which some loved, but Mrs Herridge still has a sick feeling in her stomach…! It was a brilliant way for the year-group to work together as a unit, and it will give each girl both the determination to push herself to achieve things she might not believe she can, as well as confidence in her considerable abilities – well done! HHY
Page 4
29nd September 2017 - Issue 4
29nd September 2017 - Issue 4
HEAD’S WEEKLY REVIEW
Archive photos Here is a third example of a modern copy of one of our archive photos which was taken in 1955. This time, the photo has been reproduced, but cricket bats have been replaced with hockey sticks. You’ll have your chance to try to do this – let’s see what brilliant reproductions you can come up with! Send them to Loretta S or Natasha R (Yr13).
Fieldwork for Year 11 Geographers On Friday 22nd September, it was once again time for the GCSE geographers to set off on their annual two night residential to Juniper Hall in Surrey. 28 girls completed both a physical and human investigation, surveying the locals of Leatherhead town centre for their opinions on regeneration, and taking measurements of the River Tillingbourne to see how well it compares to theory. Although everyone worked hard in the classroom to plan, analyse, conclude, and evaluate the data collected, time was found to fly a kite, have a picnic, toast marshmallows on a campfire, and celebrate birthdays. The girls were also welcoming of the affectionate and very interested horse who joined in and listened almost as well as our students to the instruction given by our fantastic field tutor. All in all it was an extremely successful weekend and the aim of preparing for the geographical skills examination was achieved. I wish all who took part a well-deserved rest this weekend!
rience has ‘This interesting expe quired re e th provided me with a high e uc od knowledge to pr epared pr s ha level of work, and of nt ou am od me to give a go ion at in am ex y information in m s.’ answer Atlanta S
‘It was a great weekend, it rea understand things we learn lly helped us seeing things that we’ve see t in class, and n in real life really widened my in the textbook comprehension of it.’ Sophia E
British Science Festival The British Science Festival returned to Brighton during the first week of September, celebrating the best and latest of British Science. I happened to have time to attend three brilliant lectures. The first, titled ‘In the Era of Wearable Technologies’, was opened by the lecturer claiming that Google Glasses were a failure. He went on to reveal to the audience how daily activities, such as scratching your itchy head, can be monitored and analysed by algorithms for product development and all the ‘other purposes’ – it does sound a bit creepy to a sceptic! The second lecture was on Cassini, the Saturn explorer. Prof Michele Dougherty looked back on what we learnt about the planet over the past 13 years, such as its ‘co-rotating plasma’. She also analysed the Cassini-Huygens Probe as
a successful design of a scientific instrument. The experience culminated on Friday night when Amy C, Shirley H, and I got the last tickets to watch the recording of The Life Scientific with Jim Al-Khalili for BBC Radio 4. He interviewed Dr Lucie Green, who is studying the Sun’s magnetosphere, though her first degree was in Art. She perceives the effect of a coronal mass ejection as an economic one – it could destroy the internet and all the GPS. It is truly a refreshing perspective and, even better, we got to ask a few questions afterwards (so you might hear us over the radio in October!). The lecture was followed by some book purchasing, since we were so keen to find out more about Page 5
‘I had a lot of fun and it was nice to get an clear idea of what we study in the classroom for real.’ Zara M
the Sun, and Physics in general, and thus I believe the Science Festival has really lived beyond that week. Melanie C (Yr13)
29nd September 2017 - Issue 4
HEAD’S WEEKLY REVIEW
Hockey Two U13 Victories Against Worth
After a couple of weeks off to focus on a few areas in training, the U13A team put on a good display against Worth. The team played mature hockey, letting the ball do the work, and they kept possession well. With a lot of aspects still to work on in training, it was an improved performance leading up to next week’s tournament at Worth. The final was score a fantastic 7-0 victory. A special mention goes to Amelia K and Olivia B who both scored on their U13A debuts.
A Level Art & Design visit to the Tate Britain On Wednesday, our A level Art and Design group took an excursion to the Tate Britain. This was an insightful trip giving us the opportunity to see British Art from 1500 to the present day, and to visit the Rachel Whiteread exhibition which we particularly enjoyed. Whiteread’s use of negative space in her vast sculptural pieces provided our students with inspiration for their projects and they created new interpretations of her work through sketches.
We were also challenged to find three pieces, around the galley, that related to our personal projects. My friend was profoundly moved by Francis Bacon’s triptych, a gruesome twist on the story of Christ, and is now incorporating the piece into her work. The trip was a great artistic inspiration for our projects, as the art showed us new subject matter, techniques, and materials to consider. Ellis R (Yr13)
The U13Bs played in an excellent match on Wednesday against Worth School. The team started very well, dominating the initial stages of the match. The pressure continued with Millie J scoring the first of Roedean’s 3 goals. Further pressure allowed Millie to score her second and we were still controlling the game. Just before the end of the first half, Sylva C scored her first to make the score 3-0. The second half was very well fought, but Roedean unfortunately could not put the ball in the back of the net. The final score was 3-0, and Millie was awarded Player of the Match.
U12 Win against Lancing Prep
The 12As had a superb game this week against Lancing Prep. We started strong and the girls used the width to open up their defence. Amy N scored a magnificent goal, slotting it past the goal keeper. There was also another well-worked move from Isabella P who pushed the ball out to Nia S, who then crossed in to Amy on the back post. However, Lancing did not give up and just before half time scored a great individual goal. The second half was much the same with Roedean on top. The Lancing keeper made several saves to keep us from scoring, but Amy N persevered and scored one more time to make the final score 3-1. The Player of the Match was Nia S and the coaches’ player was Isabella P.
Girls Go Gold Yesterday, eight Year 10 Sport Scholars attended the GSA Girls Go Gold conference at Wimbledon High School. The day was hugely inspiring and celebrated the future of girls sport. We were welcomed to the conference by Helen Glover, MBE, the double Olympic Rowing Champion. She is fast gaining a reputation as one of the world’s greatest all-round athletes. Something that really struck a chord with me was that ‘sport is accessible to all’ and that all Olympic athletes are just normal people who have had the same experiences as all of us. Helen highlighted that it has never been a better time to be a girl in the world of sport. The following session was activity-based and we went off to our chosen sports of netball, squash, hockey, tennis, football, or swimming, depending on our specialism. These were all coached by elite-level sportsmen and women, and were great fun, as well as beneficial for our development as athletes. Then we moved on to the psychology lecture, given by the Chelsea Football team sport psychologist. He taught us different centring techniques, as well as how to get into the career of sport psychology. After lunch, we went to an athlete fair, with stalls ranging from nutrition drinks to American university scholarshipfinders. A nutrition lecture taught us about the
importance of protein post-training, and how nutrition can majorly impact an athlete’s performance. Then came the TeamYOU lecture given by an England badminton player. We learnt about the people and environment around you, and how they all make up a team that constantly support you as you perform. I think one of the highlights of this day was the Q&A hosted by a Euro and Sky sport commentator. The panel was made up of England cricketer Graham Thorpe, world title swimmer Karen Pickering, Olympic rower Gillian Lindsay, double Olympic medalist hockey player Crista Cullen, and a particular highlight for us was Chelsea footballer Frank Lampard. Overall it was an amazing day, and we would definitely go again. It definitely inspired us all, and we would like thank Wimbledon High School for hosting such an amazing day for women in sport. Gracie B (Yr10)
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 6
JJ WHAT’S COMING UP IN THE
WEEK AHEAD?
Mon 2 Oct
Swimming Gala Wind and Brass Masterclass & teatime recital
Wed 4 Oct
U13B Hockey v Lancing Prep (A) U12A Hockey v Brambletye (A)
Fri 6 Oct
NO CHAPEL
Sat 7 Oct
OPEN DAY U14A & 16A Netball National Schools’ Tournament at Falmer (A)
Sun 8 Oct
Harry Potter World Trip
Follow us
@RoedeanSchool
@RoedeanSchool