The Roedeanian - Summer 2023

The Roedeanian

Summer 2023

School News

125th Anniversary Festival

Artemis Milne and her Parents at Roedean

School Art Exhibition

Phoebe Hsu and Family Visit Roedean

Sports Day 2023

Year 7 Abseiling

Year 11 Prom

Carol Jackson (Ridehalgh) and Sue Wolfe (Laitner) in France

National Pride Day

Nicky Orlebar (Ford), Jenny Lebus (Harvey) and Ali de St Croix (Parker)

Yvette Yanne, Rosemary Daymond, Nicky Lawrence and Sophie Domenge (from left to right) outside House 3

Moldova Car Wash

Introduction

My first term as Head of Roedean went past in such an exciting blur of activity, it has been so wonderful to see so many things happening around the School and in our wider community.

As you can see from the School Highlights, the last few months have seen outstanding performing arts performances. Mary Poppins was spectacular, and my congratulations go to our Key Stage 3 cast and all those who supported the show backstage. The Music Department also held a trip to Prague at the start of the School holidays, which gave our musicians a chance to perform in the stunning St Nicholas Church.

Our record-breaking year of charity fundraising culminated in July with an incredible trip to Moldova to teach English to Ukrainian refugees and underprivileged Moldovan children. The girls who went all had such an exceptional experience that I am sure will stay with them throughout their lives.

Our 125th Anniversary celebrations continued into the Summer Term, with a 125 Festival Day, which saw an incredible array of activities for the girls including recreating archive photographs, building a timeline of ORs who have gone into careers in medicine, and researching ORs who have achieved exceptional things either in their personal or professional lives.

It was also great to meet so many ORs, former staff members and their families on Roedean Day. Attendees ranged from the 1950s all the way through to leavers from last year, and so with seven decades of Roedeanians there it was wonderful to hear so many memories being shared. Particular thanks go to our Year Reps who helped gather their year groups together to mark their anniversary reunion years.

Speech Day rounded the School year off perfectly with a celebration of all our pupils, and an inspiring speech from OR Philippa Delamere-Wright, who also features as our ’10 Questions With’ interview this month.

I am now looking forward to the start of my first full academic year at Roedean, and of course to meeting even more members of our community over the coming months.

Best wishes

Niamh Green Headmistress

Sports Day

Sports Day was a huge success and even though it was one of the hottest days of the year, the students threw themselves into all the events and had the most wonderful time. There was the most incredible sense of support from each House with some very bright face paints and costumes in the House colours.

This year the following cup winners were:

100m Anana Nwuba Cup

Eva, for running the 100m this season in 13.0 seconds! This was at a recent meet where she was the fastest out of all Brighton and Hove schools.

The Morlock Cup

This season was awarded to the fastest 800m athlete – Ruby (Yr 9) who ran it in 2 minutes 24 seconds at the Track and Field Cup.

The Fields Event Trophy

Presented to the student who has made excellent progress in field events – Grace (Yr 10) for her progress in both Discus and Javelin, training extremely hard across both, and for regularly hitting top distances.

The Carter Cup

For the most improved all-round athlete of the year – Poppy (Yr 8) for her commitment and improvement in both the Long Jump and Hurdles.

Finally, another record was broken this year by Katherine (Yr 7). She beat the 3000m record by an incredible 1 minute and 45 seconds.

Independent

School Awards 2023

We are delighted that this year, Roedean has been shortlisted for Independent Boarding School of the Year in the Independent Schools of the Year Awards.

The purpose of the awards is to celebrate the life-affirming, life-enhancing benefits which an independent education delivers to its students, and to highlight the enormous contribution our schools make to the wider community –Independent Schools of the Year.

Roedean is thrilled that the exceptional work which goes on every day in boarding has been recognised.

Music Tour of Prague

Roedean musicians headed to Prague at the start of the Summer holidays as part of an exciting music tour. The Roedean String Orchestra and Senior Singers first visited the Koněprusy Caves and delighted an elderly home with a warm-up concert. They then went on to perform at the beautiful St Nicholas Church which sits in Old Town Square, Prague. They showed such talent and performed beautifully; it was an incredible opportunity in such a magnificent building.

Moldova Trip

In the first week of the summer holidays, twelve Roedean students and two members of staff travelled to Chişinău in Moldova, to teach English to over fifty Moldovan children and Ukrainian refugees.  It was an unforgettable experience, facilitated brilliantly by Hope4, who quite simply made everything happen. ‘This project, teaching English to Ukrainian refugees and Moldovan children, pulls together three elements, the powerful social conscience of the school body, the fact that we currently have eight Ukrainian refugees at Roedean, and a Moldovan scholar, and it is brilliant that it has come to fruition.’ – Dr Ross Barrand, Deputy Head, is delighted with the success of this transformational project.

Following their selection in December, the twelve students then began the process of learning the basics of teaching and planning their lessons. Sarah Howson, Head of EAL, has worked closely with them: ‘Since January, the girls and I have been working on exactly how we are going to put together a week’s worth of English language classes.  A wonderful privilege we have at Roedean is that we have a group of Ukrainian students, who have been instrumental in planning how we were going to cater for these young people, really helping the girls with cultural understanding.  Together, we have built this programme for a week, which, hopefully, is going to be really impactful for the children.’

and Amelia said, ‘It has been truly inspiring to be involved in working with Moldovan children and Ukrainian refugees to increase their social mobility’ and ‘everyone at the Hope4 NGO has been so welcoming to us – it has been an absolute pleasure working with the whole team – it’s so much more than we could have asked for.

Although the Roedean students are not teachers, they have loved leading their classes and have thrown themselves into the experience, gaining so much from it:  Queena said, ‘I think the most valuable part of the journey is seeing the children growing in confidence, and them feeling happy to speak in English – for some of them, going from nothing to being able to speak in full sentences in English is amazing’ Alongside the English lessons, the children have had the opportunity to play some games and have fun too – Maria enjoyed the variety, saying ‘despite the language barrier, we’ve been able to play football, sing songs, dance, make friendship bracelets, even just communicate with hand-signals’.

In pairs, the girls taught three hours of lessons each morning, to three classes of Ukrainian refugees and three classes of underprivileged Moldovan children.  Ella said that she had not appreciated how tiring and sometimes challenging teaching is, but the rewards made up for this: ‘Seeing the children grow day by day, from not being brave enough to share what they know to asking us ‘how do you say this in English?’ and trying to communicate – I feel that this is one of the most precious experiences that I have had in my life.’

On the last full day in Moldova, the group travelled out of the capital to visit an orphanage, which we hope will become a focus of our project in the coming years.  The day was draining, sobering, and upsetting in equal measure, but the children at the orphanage were smiling and welcoming, and so pleased to see us and everyone from Hope4.

Roedean’s first Project 125 Moldova trip has been an eye-opening and uplifting adventure – the students were outstanding ambassadors for the School, and they have set the bar high for their successors in the coming years.  We are confident that this is just the start of a strong and meaningful partnership with Hope4, which will allow us to be part of an enduring and fruitful programme of empowering young people in Moldova.

It has been such a privilege to work with Hope4 – eyeopening, thought-provoking, exciting, and rewarding, all in equal measure.  Paloma

Mary Poppins

The Summer term saw the most magnificent production of Mary Poppins at Roedean, with an outstanding cast putting on a total of four performances, the last of which was on Roedean Day. The characterisation of Mary Poppins’ matter-of-fact manner was fantastic, and the Banks’ children were expertly played.

During the show, it was brilliant to see how the set changes were perfectly choreographed with the music along with the most amazing dance numbers – the stage full of talented actors.

All the characters in the production were portrayed incredibly well and when a band of 26 chimney sweeps took to the stage to sing ‘Step in Time’ you couldn’t help but smile.

It was a brilliant show – even more impressive that the entire cast were from Key Stage 3! Congratulations to the exceptional cast and also to all those who worked so hard behind the scenes.

Speech Day

Speech Day is a wonderful opportunity to come together and celebrate the diverse successes of the students, including academic performance and diligence, the performing and visual arts, sport, and leadership.

We welcomed parents, family members, and guests of honour to the Brighton Dome and it was wonderful to have so many of our community in attendance. Guests enjoyed a full programme of prize-giving and sensational musical, dance, and acting performances along with a truly inspirational speech from OR Philippa Delamere-Wright. Philippa made military history in 2002, when she became the first female to complete the All Arms Commando Course and win the coveted green beret. She spoke about

the four elements of commando spirit, about challenging ourselves and getting back up and trying again if we do not succeed the first time.

Fundraising Record for Roedean

This year has been a record-breaking year for charitable fundraising at Roedean. In the last decade, the most we have raised in one year was £30,000 when we pledged to build a library at St Mark’s Primary School. This year we have smashed that record with an astonishing £39,021!

Roedean Merchandise Shop

We have a fantastic range of Roedean merchandise available online via: https://community.roedean.co.uk/shop

The range includes branded items such as pens, keyrings, tote bags, and our Penelope Bear, along with prints, tea towels, and greetings cards featuring an illustration by artist Katie Cardew.

Our newest addition to the shop is our limited edition 125th Anniversary Umbrella, featuring the school logo on one side and the 125th Anniversary logo on the opposite side. Please note – that due to the size of these products, they are only available for Click and Collect.

UK and International postage are available on all other items, as well as the option to Click and Collect from the school.

We, as a community, have been able to raise valuable funds for an impressive range of charities and have also supported a number of causes and initiatives which have been raised by students. Well done to everyone involved, the bar has been set high for next year and we look forward to continuing our fundraising in the new academic year.

Roedean Day 2023

On Saturday 25th June, we were delighted to welcome ORs, former staff, and their guests back to Roedean for Roedean Day. We were incredibly fortunate with the weather, and it was the most glorious day with so many groups coming together again.

With several options available in the morning, groups visited the magnificent Art Exhibition, headed off on a School tour, or to the Theatre for a marvellous performance of Mary Poppins. Everyone was in high spirits on their return as we all met in the Cloisters for a drink and group photographs. Lunch was either a delicious buffet in the dining wing or a homemade picnic in the Cloisters.

It was wonderful to see so many of our community catching up over lunchtime, and no doubt reminiscing over memories of school. After lunch, a large group went on a tour down the infamous secret tunnel to the beach and the breathtaking view at the end really was worth the countless steps to the bottom. Following the tunnel tour, the group joined the others who were watching Sports Day, with a full team of 16 ORs preparing to run the Golden Mile Relay Race. Congratulations to everyone who ran, we did incredibly well and managed to move up a spot from our previous year’s result, to third place.

We are already looking forward to next year and welcoming so many of you back again. If you left in a year ending in ‘4’ and would like help organising your year group reunion, do reach out and we will be more than happy to help.

You can contact us at alumnae@roedean.co.uk

Lea Donovan

(No.3,

2014-16)

On Sunday 25 June, OR Lea Donovan took on the Three Peaks Challenge, attempting to climb the three highest peaks across Scotland, England, and Wales within 24 hours.

Lea started Ben Nevis at 7:00am, the largest of the three climbs, and managed to get up and down by 12:05pm. It was particularly challenging due to significant rain and very poor visibility for the descent!

Next came the long drive from Scotland to Scafell Pike in the Lake District, and she began the next ascent at 6:50pm. She had to run the last 200m of elevation to the summit and much of the way down to escape a freak thunder, lightning, and painful hailstone storm! Having completed Scafell Pike by 10:00pm, they travelled to the final mountain, Snowdon, and began the climb in the dark at 2:50am.

It was particularly difficult with only a head-torch and over 28% gradient for the last mile to the summit. Desperate to make the 24-hour time limit, Lea and the team managed to get all the way back down as the sun came up without stopping, completing the challenge at 6:19am! Lea managed the 23-mile hiking distance, 450-mile driving distance, and 11,181 feet combined ascent in 23 hours and 19 minutes. It was a very tough challenge, but she and the team managed to raise over £2500 for Rethink Mental Illness, a very worthy charity that supports those living with mental illness.

Esmée Ellis

(No.4, 2009-18)

Esmée has recently graduated with a firstclass degree from the Kingston School of Art. Her amazing graduate collection was recently featured by the British Fashion Collection, and this is how she describes it:

‘My six-look collection is a canvas for the exploration of woven and geometric patterns, drawing inspiration from Bauhaus textile design and mid-century garden furniture. Silhouette and garment construction is considered to offer minimal fastenings, allowing for the fabric to contort, gather, wrap, and tie around the wearer’s body, rather than using traditional fastening methods (e.g. buttons, zips, etc.). Minimal fastenings is an important feature in my collection, drawn from my own experiences of clothing feeling uncomfortable on the skin, this collection allows for the individual to wear the garments as loose or fitted as they choose. The collection features varied handwoven checked print designs developed from my paper weaving, digitally printed onto jersey and organic cottons. Other garments feature Harris Tweed wool, as well as mohair & cotton jacquard knitwear.’

Cynthia Pigott

(Moekle, No.2 1973-77)

Cynthia’s new book, Superlative City, stems from a series of New York paintings she did during the Covid pandemic. This collection includes not only illustrations of--and fun facts about--famous superlatives, such as the Brooklyn Bridge (the first steel-wire suspension bridge in the world), but also lesser-known ones, such as the gold stockpile controlled by the city’s Federal Reserve bank (the world’s biggest), the Staten Island Cricket Club (the oldest in the U.S.), and SoHo’s collection of cast-iron buildings (the most in the world).

If you love the Big Apple (or need a unique gift for someone who’s a fan), please consider Superlative City.

To purchase, search for Superlative City on Amazon.

10 Questions with …

Philippa Delamere-Wright

Philippa Delamere-Wright (Tattersall, No.1, 1988-93) made history when she became the first female to complete the All Arms Commando Course and win the coveted green beret. After spending 17 years in the army, she now runs an outdoor woodland centre and community interest company. Pip’s most recent challenge took her to the Canadian wilderness as part of the TV show Alone, which started on 6th August on Channel 4.

What is your favourite memory of Roedean?

Playing sport. I lived for the games on Saturdays, the highs, the lows, the teamwork, the weather...it was a bit of everything. Afterwards, you just felt like you had given everything, I was always exhausted....so eating a tub of Häagen Dazs ice-cream and watching a film in the common room was the best way to end the day.

What was the best piece of advice you were given whilst at School?

Gosh, I’m not sure but I suspect that it would be to do with ‘never let anyone tell you can’t do something because you are a girl.’

What are you now you’ve grown up?

I spent 17 years as an officer in the British Army before retiring. I now run an outdoor woodland centre and a community interest company (CIC)) that provides outdoor-based activities to support positive mental well-being.

You can view Pip’s full interview here: https://tinyurl.com/philippa-delamere-wright

The Lawrence Society

Did you know?

• That as Roedean is a charity, a gift to us in your Will counts as a charitable gift, which can have the benefit of reducing the inheritance tax owed?

Delilah Saxena (No.2, 2010-16)

Throughout her time at Roedean, Delilah’s deep-rooted love for music, particularly her passion for singing was evident, as she immersed herself in the study of music during her entire school tenure.

Despite having secured a successful job in finance at a venture debt firm in London, she has never let that stop her from branching out into a music career. Recently, she released her debut single, ‘Just Ride’ by DEL SAX (aka Delilah). The genre of this song was inspired by her proud admiration for soul and jazz music, from artists including Amy Winehouse, Jamiroquai, and Erykah Badu. The making of this song was supported by her fellow musician friends, who live locally in the Brighton & Hove area.

As this is the beginning of her journey into music, she is refusing to restrict herself to one genre. Rather, she fearlessly explores an array of different styles which she loves, including the timeless sounds of old school House. Her recent journey has led her to already collaborate with established producers and artists, including the likes of Brian Higgins and Takura.

We encourage you to keep a watchful eye and an eager ear as Delilah, aka DEL SAX, continues to release more and more songs.

• If you let us know you are leaving a legacy to Roedean, you will become a member of the Lawrence Society, which includes being invited to an annual event with other legators?

• You can choose if you would like your legacy to help provide bursaries, to benefit a particular department, to go towards building projects, or to be unrestricted?

We always advise that you obtain independent advice before leaving a gift in your Will, but if you would like to talk further about what a gift to Roedean could mean, then please contact Grace Chaston on glc@roedean.co.uk, 01273 667398 or by writing to The Roedeanian Office, Roedean School, Roedean Way, Brighton, BN2 5RQ.

ORA Heritage Projects

…and in more ways than one, its relation to an elephant!

Management speak suggests when faced with a large task (like eating an elephant), that you break it into small bites –and this we have done, our five main projects have been broken into 12 pieces – this has made it easier to focus on specific fundraising targets which then enables work on individual projects to actually start.

We have fully completed the conservation/restoration of the Frieze in No.3 – and doesn’t it look wonderful!

use to complete the north wall of the studio. We think the artist is Dulcie Murton-Neale (Reynolds, No.4, 1934-36) whose mother and sister were also ORs. You can read her obituary in the 2021 issue of the Old Roedeanians’ Magazine which is available online here: https://tinyurl.com/murton-neale.

The final project which needs Listed Building Consent is the Frieze in No.1 – again we expect that the application will be submitted shortly.

ORA Heritage Projects Appeal Fundraising Status

On the right is the overall status of the Appeal:

In the chart below the analogy to eating an elephant is really apparent (apologies to vegetarians and animal lovers!)

ORA Heritage Projects Appeal Status

The photographs don’t really do it justice, so please do take the opportunity to come on one of the Heritage Project Tours to see for yourself. The next one is in the afternoon following the ORA AGM and lunch on 14th October at the school and can be booked by following this link: https://tinyurl.com/ora-heritage

We have also received sufficient donations for the restoration of the Sundial and have submitted the application for Listed Building Consent.

We have received sufficient donations for Phase 1 of the Tiles and the application for Listed Building Consent will be submitted shortly. Just to continue the elephant theme – here is one of the panels of loose tiles which we want to

We are over halfway towards the target for the HMS Vernon Ensign and the Frieze in No.1 (which is in urgent need of repair). In monetary terms we still need to raise £2,935 and £3,840 respectively to complete these two projects.

We are delighted to have recently received contributions towards the HMS Vernon Ensign from The Worshipful Company of Broderers and also the Royal Navy Clearance Divers Association.

Thank you to all the ORs who have supported us so far – but there is still a way to go to enable us to reach the Appeal target. I do hope you are able to support the ORA and make a donation towards this Appeal. This can be done by following this link to our JustGiving Page: https:// tinyurl.com/ora-fundraising or by sending a cheque made payable to “Roedean School”, and posting it to the Development Office at the School. If you would like your donation to be used for a particular project, please let us know.

For more information, or to receive an Appeal brochure, or specific project brochure, please email Noëlle Chase (heritage@oldroedeanians.co.uk) or download the brochures here: https://tinyurl.com/ora-resources

125 Years of Roedean Memories

As we celebrate a magnificent 125 Years of the School on its current site, we look back at some OR’s memories of school during that time. Some are taken from the book ‘Memories of Roedean’, and others from our OR interviews. It is not so much an accurate history of the school, but a reflection of how the girls saw life at Roedean.

House Life

When the Lawrence sisters built Roedean in 1898, it was their aim to make the boarding houses as much like their pupils’ homes as possible.

‘It was definitely a family unit and there was a great sense of belonging.’ – Ina Murray (Bidder, No.2, 1927-33)

‘One day, trying to get noticed, I deliberately side-stepped the official “Goodnight Miss Batho.” I was gloating at missing it when half undressed, I was summoned by a prefect and forced to go into the study and say “Goodnight”. It was the same sense of seeking the limelight that made me fake a faint when I was in Chapel and try to give myself a temperature by drinking the contents of my hottie.’ – Paula Haigh (Cannon, No.1, 1935-37)

In the immediate post-war years rationing still had an iron hold –‘There were fires only on Sunday afternoons in the GDR and on Wednesday evenings in the prep room because of coal shortages’ – Nancy Gatzke (Vickerman, No.4, 1946-48)

‘One highlight was huddling together in the House One ODR as the hurricane of 1987 raged around us in the middle of the night and seeing Mrs Longley in her nightie and dressing gown as she did the rounds of all the houses checking on all the girls’ – Teresa Outhwaite (Brach, No.1, 1985-91)

the new girls went straight into gym tunics.

‘None of us minded wearing uniform. It was practical and comfortable and a great social leveller.’ – Rosemary Read (Brett, No.3, 1943-51)

‘Care was taken to ensure that we always looked well in our uniforms, our Housemistress used to police the hedges behind school on summer Sunday afternoons to catch girls sunbathing with their socks down.’ –Katharine Coleman (Mackenzie, No.4, 1961-66)

Mealtimes

For many ORs who were at school during the war, they remember always being hungry. As time moved on there were fond memories of mealtimes and the infamous and comforting Roedean rice pudding!

School Uniform

There were many pre-war Roedean pupils with fond memories of the Djibbah – a uniform unique to Roedean.

‘We wore the most sensible garments I think I have ever come across; they were called djibbahs. They were wonderful garments that had to be made in a special place and they were considered to be terribly expensive in those days; I believe they were three guineas. But you kept the same one the whole time you were there until it was skintight.’ – Phyllis Bowen (Morgan, No.1, 1917-21)

‘Some people had herons or little houses with flowers or gnomes embroidered on them. Horses, dogs, and fish swimming over green silk were also favourites.’ – Sonia Bicanic (Wild, No.3, 1933-38)

During the war years, clothing coupons were introduced which led to the strict uniform rules becoming more relaxed and although the girls who still had djibbahs, wore them,

‘The war meant severe rationing and the introduction of the national loaf, a quite disgusting grey, on which we spread a concoction of mustard, pepper, and salt when the minute butter and margarine rations had been eaten’ – Dilys Jordan (Dunn, No.3, 1939-44)

‘You were not allowed to visit other houses to eat with your friends. Breakfast was at about 7.30 am. A handbell was rung, and we trooped into our set places at the table. It was pot luck whom you sat with, and you sat with the same group all year in House Four.’ – Katharine Coleman (Mackenzie, No.4, 1961-66)

Catering at Roedean undertook a revolution when in 1964 the new

1907 – No. 2 House in ODR

1930c – Study Tea

1935 – Chapel

dining hall was opened by Princess Margaret. The whole school now ate together, although they remained formal with the ability to converse with staff essential.

‘This could lead to desperate measures. I have never had to discuss cannibalism at the table since.’ –Fiona Hodges (Ewart, No.3, 1967-72)

Teaching Staff

Many ORs strongest memories of Roedean include a Teacher, Housemistress, or Head that made an impact on them during their time at school. Often offering valuable advice, support, or inspiring them to pursue their goals.

The Weather

One of the things that hasn’t changed during the 125 years, is the weather. Roedean weather is distinctive and has without a doubt had a profound effect on the many women who have passed through the school.

‘The blustery conditions had their advantages; girls became very, very good at playing tennis, and other games, in high winds.’ –Jenifer Joel (Tyler, No.1 1948-51)

between. The girls worked together to make a moment of pure magic.’ –Abigail Burdess (No.2, 1983-92)

‘Roedean was my home away from home from the ages of eleven to eighteen, so it encapsulates the entire growing up process for me! I was a little girl there, and later (almost) an adult. When I was little, my friends and I would roam the fields behind the school, pretending to be World War 2 planes, and burying time capsules’ – Zoe Green (No.2, 198895)

‘I think my favourite memory would have to be a toss-up between the Tuck Shop which brought me so much joy, or the friends I made, some of whom are still my best friends to date, 20 years later.’ – Leona Adesanya (2003-10)

‘I loved playing sport at Roedean, so I have fond memories of playing lacrosse and swim training with Ms Romonov.’ – Tori Benzie (No.3, 198994)

‘Learning how to screen print under the tutelage of Ms Gledhill. She sparked a love of this technique which led me on to a career as a textile and fashion designer. Also, the DofE in the Pyrenees with Brian and Alison Evans – one of the most memorable trips of my life to date for sheer hard work and fun, camaraderie, and endurance!’ – Teresa Outhwaite (Brach, No.1, 1985-91)

‘My favourite memories of Roedean were Art class with Ms Stanway, House Dance Moments, Orchestra & String Quartet Practices!’ – Kelly Chan (No.1, 2010-16)

‘Winter was usually what is known as bracing – wet and windy, and summers were unbroken sunshine, with glorious afternoons playing or watching cricket.’ – Rosemary Watts (Stephens, No.3, 1933-37)

Beyond the Classroom

From House plays and school productions, to the legendary tuck shop and making best friends for life.

‘Directing a play of The Worst Witch in Junior House. All the little witches went up on their broomsticks out of the door at one end of the stage and landed through the door at the other end – making it look like they’d flown in-

‘So many good memories! From House Plays to Carol Concerts, but all my favourite memories are about my friends. I remember my first ever Birthday at school when I was 13. I was ever so homesick and sad. Being a September child, I’d only been at school a few days before I had to face my first Birthday without my family. But girls in my year heard about this and held a surprise party with music and a massive white cake to cheer me up. To this day, the girls who came are my best friends.’ –Layla Moran (No.4, 1995-2000)

1947 – Outside school

1950s – Art Studio

1950s – Knitting

1990s leavers

Obituaries

Tatiana MacAire

(Miller, No.3, 1944-51)

Tatiana was one of my best friends, from 1948 until she died. She and her family lived in the same village as we on the Isle of Wight. We had teenage friends in common and in the school holidays we had tennis parties and dances. Tatiana went off to St Hughes after Roedean but we kept in touch and met during the holidays. She took me sailing one day and we ran aground, which was exciting. This may have been because she had been so busy telling me about her new boyfriend. We were both engaged and married at about the same time. My husband and Tatiana enjoyed their shared knowledge of Classics.

Tatiana invited us to work at her school in Ashford, Kent, in 1989, where she was Headmistress. She needed a School Nurse, and we decided it

Lorraine Tollemache

(Allen, No.3, 1954-57)

My wife, Lorraine Tollemache, who has died aged 82, was an artist, teacher, social worker, and psychotherapist. She was best known for her work as a senior clinical lecturer who trained social workers at the Tavistock Clinic in London.

Born in Quetta, in what is now Pakistan, Lorraine was the eldest of three sisters. The family returned to England in 1947 and settled in Surrey. She attended Guildford high school and then Roedean School in Brighton.

She studied at Farnham Art School and then at the Institute of Education, University College London, where she and I met. We married in 1962 and moved to Cornwall, both working at St Austell grammar school. Lorraine was a gifted and imaginative art teacher who continued to paint, draw, and produce ceramics throughout her life. We adopted two children, Billy and Rosa, in 1966 and 1971 respectively, and moved to Highbury in 1976,

would be fun if I joined her. Tatiana would come to the San for a cup of tea and fairly often would drop off to sleep.  Sometimes she would pop in for a G and T in the evening. We always enjoyed her company. Tatiana twice brought her elderly mother, Nadia to the San, to spend the afternoon with me. On one of those occasions, I recorded her speaking of her childhood and escape from Russia to England in 1917. I gave the tape to Tatiana and with it she managed to learn more of her mother’s youth and life, of which she had heard nothing before, enabling her to write a short biography, ‘Nadia’.

Tatiana was a wonderful Godmother to our daughter and was so pleased when she too became a teacher. When Tatiana retired to Lymington, she wrote a cookery book and the

biography of her mother. She knitted, produced a tapestry, and had painting lessons as well as sailing with her husband. She entertained friends and enjoyed her garden.

Tatiana had a strong Christian faith and even became a licensed preacher, often preaching in her Church and sometimes taking services. She spent her last 3 months in a lovely home and died very peacefully at just 90. I miss her.

Margaret Hopkinson-Woolley

where our home was a testament to her visual flair and the location for many a spirited political and literary discussion.

Lorraine completed a degree in English at Bedford College, University of London, in 1976, next qualifying as a social worker at Chelsea College in 1979 and then as a psychoanalytic psychotherapist in 1990. Fostering two children, volunteering at Holloway prison, and carrying out social work at St Charles Hospital in central London from 1980 to 1985, she established the foundations for her successful career at the Tavistock, working there from 1990 onwards as a senior clinical lecturer in social work in its child and family department.

Using her expertise in the complexities of fostering and adoption, she was a co-founder, with Caroline Lindsey, of the fostering and adoption team, and a co-convener of the fostering and adoption workshop with Jenny Kenrick. In 2006, she, Lindsey, and Kenrick

were co-editors of the book ‘Creating New Families: Therapeutic Approaches to Fostering, Adoption and Kinship Care.’ She also established training for social workers under the title of “children in transition”, which became part of the Tavistock MA in advanced social work. She retired in 2003.

Lorraine loved walking, dancing, and taking her grandchildren ice skating and swimming, impressing them with her ability to vault over a gate in her 70s.

She is survived by me, our two children, and four grandchildren, Finn, Lizzy, Poppy and Felix.

Robert Tollemache

Obituaries Gillian Hall (Clark, No.4, 1958-65)

Gillian was born in November 1947 and died in October 2022.

Gillie was a mother of 3 children, Nicholas, Camilla, and Venetia and a Granny of 5. She passed away after a short illness in the Autumn last year. Gillie was the most beautiful and special person, loved by all that met her. Her hallmark was always wearing her pink lipstick, in every situation. Her laughter was a tonic and so memorable.

Dates for your Diary

Thursday 28 September 2023

12.00 pm – 3.30 pm Richardson Room at Aragon House, 247 New King’s Road, Parsons Green, London, SW6 4XG

Saturday 14 October 2023

10.30 am – 2.30 pm

Roedean School

Saturday

14 October 2023

2.30 pm

Roedean School

She was a beautiful person, inside and out, and had a heart of gold, she brought joy to all those she encountered. For 9 years she was a palliative carer for the elderly, until retiring in 2020, bringing care, love, and support to those close to the end of their lives.

She is greatly missed by her family, friends, and colleagues.

Camilla Miller

London Lunch 2023

ORs and Former Staff Members are invited to join us for our annual London Lunch. The London Lunch is always a wonderful occasion, and a great opportunity to catch up with old friends, meet new ones, and to hear an update on the School. This year will also provide an opportunity to meet our new Head, Mrs Niamh Green. The lunch is being held in the beautiful Richardson Room at Aragon House, which is a five-minute walk from Parsons Green underground station. Tickets are £46 and include a welcome glass of prosecco, three-course meal, and a glass of wine. Booking closes on Thursday 7th September.

Old Roedeanians’ Association AGM

The ORA AGM 2023 will be held on Saturday 14th October at Roedean School. Registration is from 10:30 am with the AGM commencing at 11:00 am. The meeting will be followed by lunch at 1:00 pm. The AGM is for ORA Members only, but guests can attend the lunch. Further details and relevant documents will be circulated during September, but you can book to attend here: https://community.roedean.co.uk/event/ ora-agm-2023

Heritage Projects Tour

ORs are invited to join Noëlle Chase (Thompson, No.4, 1970-75) and Mary Henderson (No.3, 1971-76) for a tour of the ORA Heritage Projects on Saturday 14th October. Noëlle and Mary have been researching the Heritage Projects and will be taking ORs around each project. You will also hear about the Appeal to raise funds for the conservation/restoration of these projects and the progress that has been made so far. Booking is open here: https://community.roedean.co.uk/event/ora-heritage-projectstour-14th-october

Thursday 26 October 2023

7.30 pm, Hong Kong

Hong Kong OR Drinks

ORs based in Hong Kong (or who happen to be visiting in October), please save the date for an OR drinks reception, which will be a chance to catch up with each other, hear an update on the School, and to meet Niamh Green. Booking will open in September, but to register interest, especially if we might not know that you are in Hong Kong, please email alumnae@roedean.co.uk