October marks Black History Month in the UK, and I am delighted with the range of activities going on at Roedean to acknowledge this. As well as these activities and projects the girls can engage with, an explicit focus on Black history in lessons, and this week’s Chapel services, I am looking forward to welcoming our impressive guest speaker, Dr Bashair Ahmed, to School on 15 October to address our community.
There have been a number of exciting trips over the course of the last week, including the GCSE Geography trip to Calshot, which saw fifty Year 11s undertaking fieldwork, a weekend Clip and Climb trip, a Theatre trip to London for all of Years 7 and 8, and a Design trip to London for those studying DT in Years 10 and 11. These experiences not only put classroom learning into context, but they enrich our students’ experience, and I am very grateful to my colleagues for organising and leading these trips.
At this key point in their educational journeys, I am looking forward to meeting our Year 11 parents and guardians later this afternoon and the Year 11 students next week. They will hear an overview of the year ahead, including about assessment points and socials, how to maintain a strong focus on their wellbeing, and a chance to look ahead to A Levels and beyond. I have no doubt that it will be a highly beneficial and informative evening.
I am delighted that some of our Hockey and Netball teams have been enjoying great success on the pitch and courts this week, and I am also pleased that our Badminton players are stepping into the limelight, having had three matches already this term. Well done to you all!
We will be holding our first charity non-uniform day of the year next week, to raise funds for Rockinghorse, our Year 7 charity, which does such wonderful work at the Royal Alex Hospital caring for sick children and young people. At the end of the week, we will also acknowledge World Mental Health Day, and I look forward to seeing the girls accessorising their uniforms with a whole range of yellow items!
I wish you all a restful weekend, and good luck for next week!
11 Geographers Head
Year 10 & 11 at The Design Museum, Kensington Weekend Trip – Clip n Climb
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.
Angelica (Yr13), Dayspring and Joy (Yr10), and Desire (Yr8) – for their meaningful contributions to our Black History Month Chapels [Dr Barrand]
Charlie (Yr12) – for playing Unforgettable by Irving Gordon, famously sung by Nat King Cole, as part of our Black History Month Chapel services [Dr Black]
Unsung Staff hero in the spotlight
Ms Earl, Ms Alam, and Mrs Wilson – for stepping in to cover the weekend Clip and Climb trip at late notice –thank you [Dr Barrand]
Mr Morley – for creating fantastic team-building resources for the Wild Friday team [Mrs Finn]
Remarkable Success at the Mathematical Competition for Girls
Seventeen Roedean students took part in the first Mathematical Competition for Girls last week. This is a new answer-only competition, which was introduced due to the growing popularity of the Mathematical Olympiad for Girls. Reflecting the increase in the popularity of Maths among girls, the Olympiad was flooded with entries, and the UKMT were struggling to mark the papers. The result is this new competition.
Roedean students have achieved an absolutely fantastic set of results – of the 17 students who participated, an amazing 10 received a Certificate of Distinction. This accolade is awarded to only the top 25% of students nationally, and a further 4 achieved a Certificate of Merit, for the next 40% nationally.
The Best in School certificate goes to Constance, which is an amazing achievement given that she is still only in Year 12, and she was followed closely by her twin, Natalie. Irina came top in Year 13, which is fantastic for a student who is not taking Further Maths A Level.
A score of 18 was required for a Distinction, achieved by the following: from Year 12, Constance (33), Natalie (31), Justine (25), Zoey (23), and Michelle (19); from Year 13, Irina (23), Isabella (21), Nina (20), Ellie (18), and Jola (18). The following were awarded Merit: Charlize and Megs (Yr12), and Siyun and Marija (Yr13).
Congratulations to all those who took part!
Mrs Hopper
Year 10 & 11 at The Design Museum, Kensington
Our Year 10 and 11 Design & Technology students had the opportunity to visit the Design Museum, London, for the ground-breaking exhibition 'More Than Human'. This was the first major exhibition to explore the growing movement of ‘more-than-human’ design, a way of thinking that asks why design has so often focused solely on human needs, when our lives are interconnected with billions of plants, animals, and other living systems.
The exhibition showcased over 140 works from more than fifty international artists, designers, and architects, bringing together art, product design, architecture, and interactive installations.
Alongside exploring the exhibition, students took part in a hands-on workshop on sustainable materials. This session encouraged them to experiment with innovative alternatives to traditional resources, exploring how recycled, plant-based, and biodegradable materials might be used in real-world design.
The day offered a valuable chance for our students to connect big ideas about sustainability, design, and the climate emergency, with practical, creative experimentation, inspiring them to think critically about the role of design in shaping a thriving, shared future.
Mrs Quirk
Year 11 Geographers Head West
Once again, the whole GCSE Geography Year 11 cohort decamped to the Calshot Centre, located on a spit in the mouth of Southampton looking over the Solent to the Isle of Wight. We departed Friday morning and returned, exhausted but smiling, on Sunday afternoon after two nights spent at Calshot in Hampshire County Council’s excellent outdoor activities centre. As the photos show; it was a weekend packed full of adventure and learning.
The purpose was perhaps threefold; to carry out the students’ compulsory fieldwork element of the GCSE course, to surround ourselves with physical and human Geography for a whole weekend, and finally to introduce the girls to some new challenges, thereby bonding the cohort closer together. The trip was successful in every way.
The students measured the changing characteristics of the River Darkwater and the impact of tourism upon the town of Lyndhurst, gaining experience in applying the geographical sequence of enquiry and practising a wide range of fieldwork skills. We were surrounded by many elements of coastal geomorphology (that we have recently studied) and travelled through the stunning New Forest National Park to our study sites. We even witnessed modern globalisation with the constant stream of container ships out of Southampton docks towering over us as they passed just a stone’s throw away.
However, the most talked about element for many girls was the range of outdoor activities that provided ‘something for everyone’ over the weekend. The dry skiing and rock climbing were certainly very popular, but archery also provided a more tranquil opportunity to try something new. However, when I held a ‘straw poll’ it was the team-bonding ‘low ropes’ course that seemed to be the activity that the girls most enjoyed. It was certainly a pleasure to see our students working supportively together and communicating with such clarity. We were impressed by this cohort and how they came together this weekend, and we were able to celebrate this on the Saturday night under the stars where we toasted marshmallows over our beach bonfires.
Many thanks to Mrs Finn, Miss Hine, Mr Halsey, and Mr Marchant for giving up their busy weekend schedules to join us at Calshot.
Mr Carter
As we enter Black History Month in the UK, with the theme of ‘Standing Firm in Power and Pride’, it is wonderful that there will be many opportunities over the course of this month when we can all develop and build our knowledge and understanding of Black history.
Over the next two weeks to half-term, there will be a number of events taking place around the School to mark Black History Month: these include an essay or poster competition addressing ‘Why Black History Matters’, English lessons for Years 7-9 focusing on Black history in literature, and a Senior History Society seminar in which the focus of discussion will be ‘What
is Black history?’. In Year 11, the themes of segregation and the psychological effects of racism will be discussed in relation to ‘Of Mice and Men’, and Year 12 are studying Othello, with a focus on self-objectification and the history of racism in Europe.
In this week’s Chapel services, students shared the stories of four people who epitomised this year’s theme, and the Bulletins will highlight Black changemakers. Over the course of the next fortnight, we will showcase food and dishes with cultural significance, as happened to mark Nigerian Independence Day earlier this week.
Black History Month at Roedean Language Cake Competition – Sweet Success!
Last Friday saw the return of our much-loved Language Cake Competition, and what a wonderful display it was! A huge thank you goes to all our students who took part – the department was incredibly proud to showcase such a wide variety of cakes and creative designs, all in support of our chosen charity, Project 125 Moldova.
We were particularly impressed by the girls’ efforts this year, with some stunning icing, piping, and decorations, not to mention the sheer size of a few cakes! After much debate, the judges awarded Best Taste to Fifi in Year 7, while Best Design was shared by Grace and Mabel (Yr9), for their beautiful Japan-inspired creation.
On Wednesday 15 October, Roedean will welcome Dr Bashair Ahmed as our guest speaker – she is a Doctoral Researcher at the Sussex Centre for Migration Research, with a focus on African diaspora communities in Europe, and she has carried out extensive research exploring transnational political activism by adult children of migrants from the Horn of Africa.
Roedean will embrace these opportunities to become more knowledgeable about Black history, standing firm in power and pride as a community in October.
Congratulations to our winners, and thank you once again to everyone who baked, decorated, or simply supported by enjoying a slice. We can’t wait to see you all again next year, whether competing or helping us raise money with more delicious, culturally-inspired cakes!
Dr Barrand
Miss De Jesus
Chapel
Dr Black: Black History Month is a time when we acknowledge the challenges that the Black community have faced, both in the UK and in many parts of the globe. However, just as importantly, it is also a time set aside to celebrate the strength, resilience, and many achievements of Black people over the course of history. Of course, whilst Black History Month helps shine a spotlight on these topics, in an ideal world, we wouldn’t need to make such a deliberate effort. Knowledge of these achievements should be embedded in our learning throughout the academic year, 365 days of the year, not just in October. This is something that the History department here at Roedean has aimed to address in the Year 7-9 Curriculum, embedding often under-explored, or deliberately hidden histories of remarkable and influential Black individuals and groups. You may already have come across John Blanke, the Black Tudor trumpeter, Sarah Forbes Boneta, Queen Victoria’s god-daughter who lived in Brighton, or the Forgotten West Indies Regiment who fought in World War One.
This year’s theme is Standing Firm in Power and Pride. Black history is not just about struggle, but strength. Not only about suffering, but success. It teaches all of us, regardless of our backgrounds, that dignity, perseverance, and self-belief can really change the world.
Angelica, Dayspring, Desire and Joy are going to introduce us to four remarkable individuals whose lives reflect this spirit of resilience and pride. Each stood firm against adversity. Each made change happen against the odds, and each selflessly opened doors for those who came after.
Angelica: Claudia Jones who was a pioneer of Community & Culture. She was a journalist, political activist, and the woman widely-credited as the “Mother of the Notting Hill Carnival". After being deported from the United States for her civil rights campaigning, she came to London in 1955 and began working to support Caribbean immigrants who faced racism and poverty. She founded Britain’s first major Black newspaper, The West Indian Gazette, and
organised cultural events that later evolved into the Notting Hill Carnival, the hugely popular festival of culture, music, fashion, and colour that we celebrate today. Claudia Jones stood firm in the belief that joy and culture are forms of resilience. She showed that celebration can be powerful, that music, dance, and unity can build pride and dismantle prejudice.
Dayspring: Joe Clough was born in Jamaica in 1887, and came to London as a teenager. He became Britain’s first Black bus driver in 1910. Being a bus driver may not seem like much to some, but ask yourself what it means to be the first, what obstacles he would have faced, and what determination he would have had to have. It was a remarkable achievement at a time when racism was widespread and opportunities were limited. Joe then went on to serve bravely as an ambulance driver in World War One, putting himself in danger to save lives across the front lines. Joe Clough stood firm in quiet dignity. He didn’t march or make speeches, he simply excelled in his work, refused to be discouraged, and paved the way for others. His story reminds us that everyday resilience is powerful.
Desire: The history of Black people globally and in the UK has often been one of struggle, a struggle to be heard and recognised. One woman who led a lifetime of struggle to change things for the better and make life just a little easier for those who came after is Dame Jocelyn Barrow. She was a teacher, civil rights leader, and one of the UK’s most influential equality campaigners. She fought against racial discrimination in education and employment, and helped to shape the Race Relations Act of 1976. She became the first Black female governor of the BBC, working to make sure that television truly reflected the diversity of Britain. Dame Jocelyn Barrow stood firm, not just for herself, but for every young person who deserved a fair chance, and for everyone that wanted to see the BBC reflect the ethnic realities of the UK. Her legacy is not just better representation on TV and in the media, but all those who have picked up the baton and continued in the same cause. Her example
reminds us that change often begins with one voice saying: This is not good enough, we can do better.
Joy: We shouldn’t see Black History just in terms of learning about the past; it is just as much about inspiration for the future. Lessons from history can be a guide, a blueprint for how things can be done. The examples from Black History help us see that the future can and should be one of continued growth, greater unity, and increasing empowerment.
Trevor Nelson is a champion of Black Music & Representation, and is one of the most influential figures in British music broadcasting. In the 1990s, Black artists struggled to get airtime on mainstream radio. Trevor Nelson changed that. As a DJ and presenter for BBC Radio 1 and MTV, he brought R&B, soul, and hip hop into the heart of British culture, opening the door for artists like Beyoncé, Usher, and Lauryn Hill to reach UK audiences. He doesn’t just play music, he champions it; he has made Black music visible, valued, and celebrated. Trevor Nelson has stood firm in his belief that representation matters and that Black culture has value and, because of this, he has helped shape the sound of a generation.
Angelica: We have heard about four different lives, and different approaches to advancing a cause. We have heard about an activist, a broadcaster, an educator, and a bus driver. But the same message rings true: resilience and pride can change the world, sometimes loudly, sometimes quietly. Whether through music, law, education, or daily work, each of them stood firm and left a legacy making the journey that little bit easier for those that followed.
As we go about our day, I invite you to reflect: What will I stand firm for? When have I shown pride in who I am, or when should I show more pride? And how do I use my strengths to lift others, or more importantly when can I use my strength to lift others? How will I use my gifts, big or small, like these individuals did, to make life better for others?
This Week in Boarding!
As Autumn settles in, life in the boarding houses has become wonderfully lively and cozy. This week, the boarders have been fully immersed in a whirlwind of activities, from spirited auditions for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to preparing homemade snacks. Each House has been buzzing like a hive, with dodgeball tournaments, autumnal wreathmaking, hotpot masterclasses, and inventive DIY projects, making every corner of boarding life vibrant and full of energy.
House 1 – It’s been a jam-packed week of fun and laughter for House 1! Things kicked off with a delicious start on Monday with everyone flipping pancakes, plus a special birthday pancake in honour of Miss Smith, who was also treated to a homemade birthday cake on Sunday. Tuesday night brought mystery and mayhem with an energetic game of Mafia and Imposter, fuelled by banana smoothies and milkshakes. The action didn’t stop there: Saturday saw a spirited badminton session, and just last night, House 1 and 2 went head-to-head in a highenergy dodgeball match that had everyone on their feet!
House 2 – This week has been packed with energy and excitement for our House 2 boarders! Monday got off to a great start with fast-paced sign language games, followed by the sweet smells of freshly baked cookies wafting through the House during Tasty Tuesday. Wednesday brought out the competitive spirit with a thrilling dodgeball tournament, and Thursday wrapped things up with a burst of creativity during Hamma bead mania!
House 3 has been bursting with autumn spirit this week! Over the weekend, the girls went foraging to gather natural treasures for a beautiful handmade wreath, while our junior boarders soaked up the sunshine on a lovely walk, before ending the day with some delicious cupcake and cookie baking. By Monday, the wreath was complete and proudly hanging on House 3’s front door, adding a cosy, seasonal touch. Mid-week brought the smell
of freshly baked banana bread drifting through the House and a bit of drama too, as our beloved local celebrity, Lemmy the Cat, made a daring dash for freedom, only to be heroically rescued by Year 9!
House 4 has been buzzing with activity this week! Kicking things off with a sizzling hotpot masterclass, where girls from all the boarding houses gathered to learn the secrets of crafting the perfect bowl. Using traditional ingredients and a whole lot of enthusiasm, the session was a roaring success, everyone left full, happy, and ready for seconds! On top of that, House 4 got creative with a colourful friendship braceletmaking session, filling the House with laughter, chatter, and plenty of sparkly string.
Keswick – This week, Keswick said a temporary farewell to Mrs Arnall as she wrapped up her last Bingo game of the half term. While she’ll be back with us after half term, the girls will definitely miss their fun-filled evenings of Bingo, chats, and laughter – the girls look forward to welcoming her back soon! Over the weekend, Keswick enjoyed a cozy Apple Harvest Afternoon Tea, complete with apple pies, fresh apple juice, and, of course, plenty of crisp apples. On Sunday, they celebrated World Gratitude Day with Gratitude Journaling, reflecting on the first few weeks of the term with appreciation and positivity.
Miss Frank-Keyes
Weekend Trip – Clip n Climb
The boarders had a great time challenging themselves on the countless climbing walls at Clip n
in Crawley – it was a fabulous, competitive, and super fun trip, enjoyed by all!
Climb
Mrs Wilson
U15A Netball Into the Next Round of the National Cup!
On Friday afternoon, the U15A Netball team faced Hurst in the first round of the Sisters In Sport National Cup. We had a strong start, making an early turnover and transferring it to goal. Hurst fought back at the end of the first quarter, which meant they were leading after the first quarter.
We dominated the second quarter, with many turnovers by Andrea in defence. This allowed us to take a 17-11 lead at half time. We started the third quarter well, pushing our lead up to 20-11, however we started to tire, and Hurst took
advantage of that and brought it back to 20-18 with 12 minutes to play.
In the final quarter we had to dig deep, we trusted our units and communicated well as a team, pushing through that barrier to secure a 29-24 win. A huge well done goes to this squad for some outstanding performances, and extra mention goes to Andrea and Kayla, who were named Opposition’s Players.
Mrs Hammond
On Friday, the U13A had the first round of SNS. We started well against strong opposition, managing to hold them to a draw after the first quarter. Unfortunately, they started to pull ahead in the second quarter; we were making lots of turnovers, but struggled to drive the ball out of defence and link up with the attack effectively.
St Oscar Romero continued to challenge us and gave us lots of things to take back to training – the final score was 21-40 to them. Congratulations to Sela and Ines for being named Opposition's Players. We are now into the plate of this competition and are looking forward to the next round!
U14A Netball's Impressive Cup Win over St Oscar Romero U13A v St Oscar Romero
Our U14A Netball team delivered a fantastic performance in their latest Sisters in Sport National Cup fixture, securing a well-earned victory against St Oscar Romero. It was a superb squad effort, with every player making a valuable contribution, both on and off the ball, showcasing excellent teamwork, energy, and determination.
The team continues to grow in confidence, building on new combinations throughout the match. St Oscar Romero were strong opponents, but our girls remained composed under pressure and pushed through to claim the win.
Opposition’s Player of the Match went to Emily and Maddie – congratulations to both for their outstanding performances!
Miss
Agnew
Mrs Hammond
1st XI Move into School Championship Plate with Loss against Eastbourne
The 1st XI took to the pitch in a Round 1 School Championship Cup Match against Eastbourne College this week. Our first time entering this competition meant it was going to be tough going in each round. After a good start to the match, Eastbourne converted some excellent passing moves, and opened up our defence to take a 2-0 lead quickly.
Towards half-time, Roedean managed to put the back four under immense pressure, with a well-set press and turnovers occurring high up the pitch, where Sorrel finished off a good counterattack. At half-time, it was 3-1 to Eastbourne, with the next goal being very important.
The girls pushed hard after the break and just couldn't get the final pass through to the forwards for the all important 2nd goal. Eastbourne really stepped it up and moved the ball well in the second half, extending their lead and finishing off some good attacking patterns. It was a really tough test for the 1st XI, meaning we go into the plate competition, where the team will really look to get in amongst the teams and see how far they can get against similar-levelled opposition moving forward.
Mr Campleman
U15 ISNC Win vs Eastbourne
On Thursday, the U15 Independent Schools' Netball Cup Squad, which is a combination of Year 9s & 10s, travelled to Eastbourne for our first match. We put out a dominating performance, leading 13-3 after the first quarter. This lead allowed us to try out different combinations to see what works for future matches, and to get them all working together across the year groups. We continued to push on and secured a 36-9 win to secure our spot in the next round. Well done to the whole squad!
Mrs Hammond
Badminton fixtures so far…
Fixture 1 vs Hurst
Our first fixture of the season was against Hurst, a new school on our calendar and a mixed-gender team. The matches were extremely competitive across both singles and doubles, with players showing determination and resilience throughout. Every game was tightly contested, and the fixture ended fittingly in a draw, which was a great result that set the tone for the season ahead.
Fixture 2 vs Brighton College
The second fixture saw us take on Brighton in what turned out to be another nail-biting encounter. The matches ended level, before Brighton just edged the overall result by a single point. There were many standout performances, including Tabitha, who stepped up brilliantly to compete in a U18 match despite being U13. Special mention also goes to Athena and Jolie, who remained undefeated across all their games, and even took on two enthusiastic spectators who were eager to get involved.
U13J Hockey vs Brighton College
In our first Hockey match for the U13J team, we gave Brighton College a good game, despite losing 3-1. Sylvia was strong up front, scoring our only goal for the game and she was voted Player of the Match.
Moving forward we will be working on our dribbling skills to ensure we maintain possession of the ball. It was a great first match, and we will come back stronger next time.
Mrs Baker
Fixture 3 vs OICB
Our final report comes from a more comfortable fixture against OICB, where all our badminton players had the opportunity to take part. The team showed real strength and depth, securing an impressive 18–12 win. Standout contributions came from Chloe, Jamie, and Athena, who all demonstrated excellent skill and consistency on court. This was a confident performance and a great way to build momentum.
Looking ahead, it has been a fantastic start to the season, with players across year groups stepping up and contributing. With plenty more fixtures on the horizon, there’s lots of excitement and opportunity ahead for all our badminton teams.
Mr Foggoa
Sport Stars of the Week
Well done to this week's sporting stars:
Year 7
Izzy, for fantastic progress and performance as a goal keeper against Ardingly
Year 8
Wren, for excellent effort and progress in hockey this term
Year 9
Valerie, for outstanding effort and progress in hockey this term
Year 10
Yasmin, for superb performances in hockey against Eastbourne College
U13 1st VII vs Ardingly Prep
The 1st VII played against Ardingly Prep, usually a tough fixture, as Ardingly have some strong players. The game started well for Roedean, managing a couple of opportunities early on, but a rock-solid GK for Ardingly kept the first goal out. Ardingly soon piled on some pressure with a skillful centre mid, who carried the ball brilliantly inside the danger area and going past our keeper to score their opener. The girls battled hard, but were caught occasionally on the counter attack and goals were well finished by Ardingly.
The second half saw much of the same, and, when their best player was subbed off for some of the match, the game was a very even contest, with both schools have attacking opportunities. The matched ended in favour of Ardingly – Zé had another stormer from the back and Lottie carried the ball excellently down the right side of the pitch.
Mr Campleman
Year 11
Yan Yan, for a fantastic performance in Netball against Brighton College
Year 12
Megs, for outstanding effort and leadership of the 1st XI for the start of the hockey season
Year 13
Selena, for incredible efforts in Cross-Fit during Games this term
Team of the Week – U13A Netball VII – for an outstanding performance against Lord Wandsworth College in the National Cup.
Mr Campleman
We welcome contributions from all parts of the Roedean community. If you have something you would like featured in the Head’s Weekly Review, please email: aws@roedean.co.uk
