We are making a concerted effort to galvanise House spirit this year – Covid restrictions and bubbles made House activities very difficult, so I am pleased that the House teams’ Housemistresses and Miss Hart are driving this forward this year. The first event of the year was the House Shout, which the girls and staff had been working on during the week – all four teams converged on Centenary Hall on Thursday afternoon, all dressed up in their House colours, to show off their newly devised chants. The atmosphere was brilliant, and, as you might imagine, it was very loud! – everyone had great fun, and it was a brilliant way to launch the programme of House events.
Following the sad news on Thursday evening of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, it was important for the Roedean community to come together in Chapel on Friday morning, to reflect on her constant and wonderful leadership, compassion, and selflessness. The two very poignant services were attended by the students, staff, and support teams, and they gave us all time to stop and reflect on the Queen’s reign. As can be seen from the crowds travelling to London to pay their respects, her impact on all of our lives was marked, and people, both young and old, are keen to acknowledge this. We will provide opportunities this week for the students and staff to take part in activities and find out more about what the Queen achieved during her reign.
I wish you all a great week ahead.
After these thoughtful and reflective services, it seemed appropriate to continue with our planned enrichment day activities on Friday, and these were enjoyed by our students and staff. Year 7 enjoyed a day of outdoor activities at Blacklands Farm, Years 8 and 9 took part in life-skills and team-building activities, followed by Jump-In, and Year 10 enjoyed discovering a range of new sports, including Ultimate Frisbee and survival in the pool. Year 11 took part in talks and activities focused on well-being and resilience, and the Sixth Form had the exciting opportunity to make a film in a day, with some wonderful results. Despite the sad context of the day, it was important for the year-groups to work together in this way near the start of the academic year, and I am sure that they will have taken a great deal from it.
Lastly, I am delighted that our wonderful school has been named as a finalist for the Independent Girls’ School of the Year award. We knew that we had been shortlisted in four categories in July – our provision for the Performing Arts, Sporting Achievement, and Contribution to the Community were all acknowledged, and, because of the holistic nature of these activities and our students’ academic successes, Roedean is now one of five schools in the finals to be named as the best girls’ school in the country. This is a remarkable and well-deserved accolade, and we look forward to hearing the final announcement on 11 October.
Head’s Introduction
’HEADS REVIEWWEEKLY ShoutHouse
Bin HockeyFashionBagBonanza 12 September 2022 – Issue 2
Congratulations to Karena (Yr13), who played so beautifully for the School in our Chapel service last Karenaweek.entered
a piece called Mysterioso, which she composed for Violin, Piano, and Double Bass, into the Global International Music Competiton 2022, and achieved a Gold award.
We look forward to hearing the final result on Tuesday 11 October!
Unsung heroes in the spotlight
Gold for Karena in International Music Competition
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.
This week has seen some very exciting progress in our newly refurbished dark room! The first films have been processed (that’s when they are placed in a series of chemicals which reveals the range of tones) and you can see here the contact sheets which have developed – the next step is to print individual frames! Watch this space for more developments!
Roedean is thrilled to be one of the finalists for Independent Girls' School of the Year.
Miss Hart – for founding a tradition at Roedean with the House Shout, surely an annual event from now on! [Dr Barrand]
Ms Bartlette
Staff
FinalistIndependentforGirls'SchooloftheYear!
Every year competition for these awards is fierce, so it was wonderful to find out in July that we were also shortlisted for 3 other awards. This award is given on a holistic basis to schools which show that they are excellent in a range of areas. It is a fantastic accolade, and we are proud that our wonderful school has been recognised in this way.
Natalie, Helen, Nicole (Yr13), Ruby (Yr12), and Cherry (Yr11) – for contributing so well in staff CPD, and sharing with their teachers their experiences of learning [Mrs Sharp]Lyla (Yr8) – for wonderful kindness during the 'Bin Bag Fashion Show' [Mr Halsey]
What a fantastic acheivement – it will be wonderful to hear this piece being performed at Roedean later this year.
Mrs Alexander
Page 2 12 September 2022 – Issue 2
The House Shout was judged on 4 categories, and there was also an overall winner: overall winner was Congratulations, and I am already looking forward to next year's event!
Dr Barrand Page 3 12 September 2022 – Issue 2HEAD’S WEEKLY REVIEW
Over the weekend, we got the chance to sleep in a bit, relax, and go into town to take a break from school for a while. Although some of us feel a bit anxious about going into Year 11, we are so grateful for the support and guidance our teachers and the house staff provide for us. We are so excited to see what this year has in store for us!
The competition, which ended up being in Centenary Hall because of the rain was excellent, ... and very loud! Mr Blond downloaded a noise meter on his phone, and every house was over 100 decibels!
House Shout
Overall Presentation House 1 Clarity of Words House 2 Originality House 3 Volume House 4 The
Spotlight on House 1
'It was brilliant to be back in House 1 last week, seeing old faces and new. When we arrived, we were greeted in our rooms with our own little House 1 dragon, which was a lovely touch.
The first week back in school has been very fun and eventful. As boarders, we got to enjoy some fun activities, such as making name plaques to stick on our doors, and the highlight of the day was the selfie scavenger hunt, which was a great way to show the new girls around the school and house – however, it does mean that the house has a whole series of mad photos of us!
That night we also had bingo led by the fabulous bingo caller, Mrs Williams. In true Roedean fashion, it became very competitive very quickly, but with plenty of laughs!
All the new boarders now feel a part of our House 1 family, and we are all really looking forward to more house activities and competitions in the coming weeks, especially the House Shout! '
Galina and Kaitlin (Yr11)
Congratulations to the whole school community for taking part in the House Shout – it was a brilliant event. Spear-headed by Miss Hart, it has been a brilliant way of pulling the House together, old and new, right at the very start of the academic year.
House 4
ENRICHMENT DAY Page 4 12 September 2022 – Issue 2HEAD’S WEEKLY REVIEW Years 8 and 9 took part in life-skills and byactivities,team-buildingfollowedJump-In Year 7 enjoyed a day of BlacklandsactivitiesoutdooratFarm
Page 5 12 September 2022 – Issue 2HEAD’S WEEKLY REVIEW Year 10 poolandUltimatesports,rangediscoveringenjoyedaofnewincludingFrisbeesurvivalinthe
ENRICHMENT DAY
Year 11 took part in talks and activities focused on well-being and resilience
Page 6 12 September 2022 – Issue 2HEAD’S WEEKLY REVIEW ENRICHMENT DAY Year 8 Bin Bag Fashion Well done to everyone for being so creative. Here are the winners: ■ 3rd – Zlata ■ 2nd – Claudia ■ 1st – Astri The Sixth Form had the daymakeopportunityexcitingtoafilmina
The boarders have enjoyed another brilliant week, with so amny different activities going on in every house – these photos should provide a little flavour of all the fun.Miss Hart
This Week in Boarding...
Page 7 12 September 2022 – Issue 2HEAD’S WEEKLY REVIEW
Inhockey.theOld
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: abw@roedean.co.uk @@RoedeanSchoolRoedeanSchoolFollow us
Mr Smethurst
The U13B team drew 2-2 with Great Walstead in their opening fixture of the term. The first half ended 1-1, but Roedean were indebted to Player of the Match, Anya, in goal, for keeping the opposition at bay – she showed outstanding movement, footwork, and decision-making. The second half was an improvement, and both teams scored a second goal, but there is much work ahead for this group, and I am looking forward to working with them and watching them progress.
Hockey Bonanza at Roedean
On Wednesday 7 September, Roedean’s epic U12Es took part in what was their first Hockey match of the season. Pitched against Great Walstead’s finely-tuned team, nerves were jangling and the unmistakable echo of prematch chatter was rife in the air.
Miss Bamford U13B
The match was hard-fought, with the ball traveling end to end. There was an excellent combination of long and short passes, dribbling, and shots at goal. In the final seconds of the first half our team finally broke through the great wall of Great Walstead’s defence and secured a 1-0 lead that would prove to be decisive.
Miss Hammond
U12Cs take on Great Walstead 3rd team
This meant 126 girls were playing competitive sport with family members and Old Roedeanians all supporting. This was the first time the U14s experienced Saturday sport and 11-a-side
The second half brought with it yet more drama. From beginning to end, the opposition fought hard, with a hunger for victory on home soil. However, Roedean held their nerve, they played strong and managed to hold off any further advances. Following their gracious victory,
Roedeanians' fixture, the ORs took the win. Despite some of the ORs having to dust off their sticks, shin pads, and a large amount of stretching, the ORs played some fantastic, fast-flowing hockey. The current girls showed some fight, trying to hit the ORs on the break, but it was to no avail. The ORs won 5-0 in a very competitive game.
Well done!
Mr Borsoi
Last Saturday was a hive of sporting activity at Roedean. There were 8 teams playing intersquad pre-season matches, and the U18As playing against the Old Roedeanians.
The U12Cs had their first match of the season and, for most the team, their first ever hockey match! The girls worked extremely hard from the first whistle to the last, and battled for every ball. Great Walstead started strongly and managed to score two goals in the first half. Roedean came out fighting in the second half and got used to playing as a team. They were so close to scoring goals on numerous occasions, but they just couldn't quite get it past a condifident Great Walstead keeper. A big well done to all the team, you all were brilliant. Special mention to the following players, Bea for receiving Opposition's Player, Martha for receiving Players' Player and Janice for receiving Coaches' Player.
Momo was awarded Player of the Match, with other notable performances from Tilly in defence and Janice in goal. However, the real victory was the way that each individual contributed to playing as a whole team, with a great sporting attitude. Congratulations on the first of what I am sure are many wins to come this season.
SPORT
U12E were scheduled to play third after the U12C and D matches. They benefitted from being able to watch as the other teams battled through their respective games, and enjoyed encouraging their year group. After an encouraging team talk from the Captain, Tilly, the girls took to the field. With strong team tactics, and a positive attitude, they got off to a confident start.
12 September 2022 – Issue 2HEAD’S WEEKLY REVIEW
Hockey vs Great Walstead
The mighty U12D team took to the Great Walstead pitches on Wednesday to play their first ever fixtures for Roedean. The experienced Great Walstead side came out fighting early on, and took a swift 3-0 lead in the first half. After a team talk at half time and some reflecting, the U12s were determined to fight back. With an early goal from a short corner from Captain, Sophie, the race was on. With the support of her team, they were able to score another goal, making it 3-2 overall. Defence was solid, with Chiara and Marcheline holding down the fort in defence, Rosa, Flo, and Bella controlled the middle, and Sophie scored our goals. The girls had an outstanding second half, with Flo being awarded Girl of the Game. It was a very promising start for the newly formed squad –well done!
U12D
U12E