13 March 2026 – Issue 8
HEAD’S REVIEW
Roedean South Africa Exchange
Head’s Introduction
Less than a week ago, Fay, Hannah, Koketso, Nansi, Sasa, and Zara arrived from Roedean South Africa. It is wonderful to see how ready they have been to step out of their comfort zone, and how quickly and easily they have settled into our community. They are shadowing their exchange partners in lessons, but also trying out new activities – some are going to be part of House Music, they are doing the Bronze DofE expedition next weekend, and they are also doing the charity SkyWalk, walking around the outside of the i360, supporting the Year 9 charity!
International Women’s Day 2026
Last Friday’s celebration of inspiring women was a great success, and I am pleased how well it dovetailed with the Futures Fair. This combination provided girls with the opportunity to be inspired by speakers in the morning, and then follow up immediately in the afternoon. Centenary Hall had a real buzz, and I am grateful to the fifty contributors who came to Roedean to share their knowledge and experience with the girls at the Fair. I am grateful to Dr Barrand and Ms Boobis for masterminding the events, but I know that there were so many others involved in making the day such a success – thank you! The Roedean Science departments have embraced British Science Week with gusto, and there have been activities and events taking place all over School, including challenges in the Fireplace at Break to make us all think more deeply about Science. I am grateful to the Science staff, but I have also enjoyed seeing our Year 12 Science Ambassadors taking a lead on running some of these activities. Today, Roedean is hosting ten teams in an exciting U11 Girls' Football tournament, and the Admissions Department welcomed 26 education agents to Roedean for lunch this week, and they enjoyed the one day of glorious weather we have had – having toured the School and heard about our ethos and values, they left with a great impression of Roedean. We are also looking forward to welcoming families to our 11+ and 13+ Open events next Friday. I wish you all a restful weekend ahead of the two bust final weeks of term!
SPoKE Finalist Elspeth Wins 3rd Plac e U13I Triangular Fixture vs Brighton College
13 March 2026 – Issue 8
HEAD’S REVIEW
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.
Anna, Charlie, Miya, and Valerie (Yr12), and Rotimi and Jemima (Yr10) – for singing the Prince of Egypt theme with such beautiful harmonies in this week's Chapel services [Dr Barrand]
Unsung Staff hero in the spotlight
SPoKE Finalist Elspeth Wins 3rd Place
This week, we celebrate the tremendous achievements of the two students who entered this year's SPoKE Art Documentary competition. Challenged with the task of researching, planning, and compiling a seven-minute documentary of an artwork of their choice, Albertine (Yr13) and Elspeth (Yr12), both produced compelling and creative pieces. Albertine studied a cyanotype of John Dugdale's beautifully intimate portrait of the artist and cleverly exhibited her own cyanotypes as title cards. Exploring themes as wide-ranging as death, vanity, beauty, hedonism, and the reclamation of the female form, Elspeth's
Mr Campleman & Mr Williams – for giving up their free time to support a commercial initiative as 'models' [Ms Camilleri]
study of 'Ruin' by Anna Chadwick blended an impressively analytical voiceover of the artwork with a seamless montage of found footage and contextual references. Well done to both students for the hard work they put into the project, especially in taking on the challenge of exhibiting the works of two lesser-known artists. Special congratulations go to Elspeth, who was not only shortlisted, but won 3rd place in her category at the awards show in London on Wednesday.
Ms Nightingale
Dorit Oliver-Wolff – Experiences of the Holocaust On Friday 27 February, we were lucky enough to have Dorit Oliver-Wolff visit the Roedean community, as part of our recognition of Holocaust Memorial Day. Dorit is a recording artist and performer, an author, an inspirational speaker, and a survivor of the Holocaust. Tying in with their History curriculum, Dorit addressed the whole of Year 9 and 10, sharing her experiences of her life as a young girl in Nazi-occupied Europe. The students were incredibly grateful to have the chance to hear first-hand testimony of the struggles of minority communities in the parts of Europe occupied by the Nazis. Dorit was a wonderful, engaging speaker, and all the more remarkable for her ability to use humour to discuss some of the darkest days of Page 2
the 20th century. Her message of tolerance, kindness, and the importance of recognising our shared humanity really resonated in the context of current turbulent and unpredictable global events.
Ms Benton-Stace
HEAD’S REVIEW
Roedean South Africa Exchange Last weekend, we welcomed Fay, Hannah, Koketso, Nansi, Sasa, and Zara from Roedean South Africa to Brighton, for the return leg of their exchange. They settled in almost immediately, and have thrown themselves into school life whole-heartedly, going to the Farm, meeting so many new people, taking part in House Music, learning Russian, and so much more, but they are definitely finding Brighton colder than South Africa!
Dr Barrand
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13 March 2026 – Issue 8
HEAD’S REVIEW
13 March 2026 – Issue 8
International Women’s Day 2026
What Did You Learn? Lilli (Yr12) – 'There are many definitions of success.' Charlie (Yr12) – 'How not to take anyone’s negative feedback to heart, keep dreaming big.' Jasmine (Yr12) – 'A career in the Army can lead to very interesting outcomes.' The first female plumber in the UK, a billionstreamed singer songwriter and a multi-lingual academic professor were just some of the distinguished women who addressed students at Roedean to mark 2026’s International Women’s Day. we were joined by students from other schools around the city to hear inspiring words from fifteen multi-talented women, who had all overcome gender hurdles to achieve their dreams. Windrush generation member, Claudine Eccleston, held her audience enthralled with
her tale of arriving from Jamaica as a child and going on to train to become a plumber in the seventies – the first recorded female to do so. Now founder of Playing The Race Card, a Hastings project using art to spark conversations about race and social justice, Claudine has also fostered 40 children, worked in social care, and is now immersed in local history in her retirement. The students were also treated to a performance by one half of alt pop duo, Oh Wonder. Josephine Vander West, who, with her partner, has written, produced, and released five albums, has garnered three billion streams and played headline shows in 45 different countries. Her accompanying talk, Finding Your Voice, explored how her determination to be a successful musician drove her to gig many hundreds of times to gain experience and resilience, and finally achieve her ambitions. 'I feel like, as a woman, the most important thing in order to get where you want to go is authenticity,' she told the students. 'Embrace your quirks and uniqueness. Don’t try to hide those bits. Give yourself permission to live life on your own terms. You must have blind faith in what you do and have no self doubt.'
Student Feedback: Hable (Yr12) – 'the talks inspired me so much – I now have a deeper understanding of women's past and education.'
Aminata (Yr11) – 'Thanks to everyone in the Futures Fair for organising such an enriching event.'
Ellie (Yr12) – 'my highlight was the talk from Candi about becoming a superhero.'
Irina (Yr13) – 'The talk above relates to my situation: having passions in different subjects and looking for ways to combine them.'
Julie (Yr12) – 'I really appreciate that they shared so much information and advice, they are so encouraging.'
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Constance (Yr12) – 'I was talking to the finance analyst during the Futures Fair and I learned some transferable skills about earning people’s trust.' Rhea (Yr12) – 'There is a lot of space for intersectionality between STEM and humanities.' Dr Jane Lavery, who has pursued a career in academic languages after graduating from Cambridge in French and Spanish, addressed today’s anxieties around finding a job as a young person when she told her audience: 'Research shows that three quarters of the UK cannot speak a foreign language, while in the EU 56% of people can speak at least two other languages. There is high demand for
13 March 2026 – Issue 8
HEAD’S REVIEW
Feedback from the Speakers: Juliet Nicolson – 'It was a really wonderful day. I was so touched by the receptiveness and warmth of the girls.' Dr Jillian Terry – 'It was a pleasure to join you at Roedean for International Women’s Day! I had a wonderful time meeting all the girls, and it was great to chat with them, and answer their insightful and engaged questions after my talk.' Josie Vander-West – 'It was such a fantastic day, I absolutely loved it! What an incredible school with some really brilliant and curious young women.'
Professor Anna Robinson-Pant – 'It was a great event and I really enjoyed engaging with the girls and your colleagues. Congratulations on organising such a diverse and exciting range of speakers! Thanks again for inviting me to join your IWD celebrations and have a glimpse into your school community.' Professor Katherine Joy – 'I was very impressed by the excellent insightful questions that the students asked.' Lieutenant Colonel Rachel Grimes – 'Thank you very much for inviting Security Women to participate in the amazing event. Thank you for the opportunity to participate in such an inspiring day.'
linguists in the jobs market and the CBI is clamouring for linguists. I don’t believe services like Google Translate will ever replace humans who can communicate in different languages because it is all about intonation and nuance and eye contact – that will never change.' Other speakers at the event included celebrity vocal coach, Candi Underwood, archaeology professor, Joanna Sofaer, Lieutenant Colonel Rachel Grimes, GP Katie Spensley, and acclaimed author, Juliet Nicholson. Dr Barrand said: 'A quarter of the way through the 21st century, more than 122 million girls worldwide are still denied an education because of their gender. For nearly two years, women in Afghanistan no longer have the right to speak outside the family home, and 1.5 million Afghan girls have deliberately been deprived of their right to any education. We are incredibly fortunate to be educated in the UK, and it is beholden upon us to take full advantage of
whatever opportunities we have. Education is a right, but it is also a gift, which should be cherished. The school was delighted to welcome a diverse group of speakers to this event – a GP, academics, a lieutenant colonel, a plumber, an entrepreneur, musicians, an author – all women. To hear from speakers who are all at the forefront of the fields is exciting, enlightening, and, most of all, empowering.'
Mrs Hatch
What was Your Highlight of the Day? Elaine (Yr12) – ‘my conversation with an illustrator’ Maggie (Yr12) – ‘listening to people from industries that I've never considered’ Immy (Yr10) – ‘the medicine station in the fair, doing stitches’ Natalie (Yr12) – ‘the talk about earth science and about how to embrace interdisciplinary thinking’ Charlie (Yr12) – ‘Josephine's private concert was spectacular’
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13 March 2026 – Issue 8
HEAD’S REVIEW
University Destinations
Eva
Alfie
Rida
Congratulations to Eva, who is holding a range of Media and Media-related offers from Exeter, Durham, and Newcastle universities so far. Eva is currently studying A Levels in English Literature, Media Studies, and Theatre Studies, so it may seem obvious that her interest in Media would lie in film and television, but her interest initially arose through the online world, where an 11year old Eva began an online business. Through that experience, and her interests in sports and fashion, she has developed a solid foundation in influence, branding, and public representation. She hopes to combine these with the creative, technical, and analytical skills from her A Levels to explore the discipline further and secure a successful career in media or visual culture.
Congratulations to Performing Arts and Drama Scholar, Alfie, who is holding offers for Popular Music and Songwriting courses through UCAS, as well as being in the admissions process for the first cohort of a new course in Electronic and Produced Music at Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Currently studying A Levels in Photography, Philosophy, and Psychology, Alfie has also spent time in musical theatre, as well as in Open Mics and on social media platforms, all contributing to a valuable repertoire of performance and songwriting experience, which will be accelerated by the opportunities afforded by higher education.
Congratulations to Newnham Scholar, Rida, who is holding offers for Medicine at Leicester, Queen Mary, and Sheffield Universities, and for Medical Pharmacology at Cardiff University. Rida is currently studying A Levels in Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics, and has completed an EPQ on Personalised Medicine in the NHS. She has used every opportunity throughout her studies to develop and build on her knowledge from A Level Biology and Chemistry and prepare her for learning in a Medicine degree. Rida is under no illusions about the challenges faced by doctors, but it is not the status of the profession that excites her, rather, she is looking forward to being able to improve lives and wellbeing outcomes.
Is There a Doctor in the House? We are enormously proud of this year’s cohort of Medics, who are holding a fantastic 14 offers between them so far, from world-renowned institutions, including Exeter, Sheffield, KCL, Hull York, and St Andrews. The application process for Medicine is complex, and often starts before students begin studying their A Levels, as work experience forms an important part of the process, enabling would-be students to develop an authentic understanding of the profession and the development of the skills required. Work experience does not need to achieve knowledge of medicine and the development of skills at the same time, and Sussex NHS Trust advised us that work experience as diverse as volunteering in a care home to working in McDonald's would help provide evidence of the requisite people skills. When it comes to gaining knowledge of the profession, online work experience through MedicMentor
or SpringPod, or face-to-face experiences with InvestIN, help students to gain and talk about their knowledge of the sector. Once students have done their work experience and decided to make their application for Medicine, they need to complete the UCAT admissions test before September of Year 13 ends. The test results are considered alongside their achieved grades and predicted grades in deciding whether to invite students to interview. Different universities have different algorithms for working out the threshold to invite students to interview, and our Futures Team works strategically with all our Medicine applicants to decide on which universities would give them the best chance of success with their UCAT scores and academic profiles. Finally, there is the interview, which is usually in a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format. Page 6
This can be quite intense, with students visiting approximately 8 ‘stations’ and having interviews, engaging in role play scenarios, or completing tasks, all under strict time limits. Students receive training for, and practice of, this format in School, as well as panel interview practice to deepen their confidence with more straightforward and traditional interview questions. At the end of all of that, being made an offer in one of the most competitive university disciplines is something to be very proud of. The next step is for students to reply to their offers and, of course, get the A Level grades. We wish Rida, Ella, Emma, Sophia, Charlotte, Aisling, and Vanessa the very best of luck with their remaining decisions, and beyond!
Ms Boobis
13 March 2026 – Issue 8
HEAD’S REVIEW
British Science Week 2026: Curiosity Unleashed with a Week of Science, Challenges, and Fun! During the week of British Science Week (Monday 9-Friday 13 March), our school celebrated science with an exciting programme of activities designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and engagement with STEM across all year-groups. The week was organised and led by our dedicated STEM Ambassadors, who worked hard to create a varied schedule of interactive opportunities for students from Years 7-13. Throughout the week, students had the opportunity to engage in a wide range of interactive and enriching STEM activities, with participation actively encouraged and prizes awarded across several events. These activities aimed to bring science to life beyond the classroom and to highlight the creativity, problem-solving, and real-world relevance that underpins the STEM disciplines. One of the most popular features of the week was the Daily Fireplace Practical Sessions held at breaktime. Each day, students could take part in hands-on STEM challenges and mini practicals. Activities included cognitive science puzzles, such as the classic 'How do you cross the river?' challenge, building and exploring the optics of a kaleidoscope, learning how to balance a paperclip on water, tackling Periodic Table challenges, and constructing a spaghetti tower to test engineering and design skills. These short, engaging activities encouraged students to think creatively and collaborate while exploring scientific ideas in a practical way.
On Monday during Period 5, students were also able to take part in a Practical Science Experiment led by the STEM Ambassadors. Their chosen demonstration was the ever-popular Alginate Worms practical, which provided an engaging introduction to polymer chemistry and scientific experimentation. Several competitions ran throughout the week, adding a sense of fun and friendly competition. A Tutor Quiz, and Activity booklet, tested students’ knowledge of science and STEM themes, with prizes awarded to successful teams. Alongside this, students were invited to enter a Poster Competition, combining art, design, and science to communicate STEM ideas creatively. Another highlight was the 'Guess the Scientist' Competition, which ran throughout the week and challenged students to identify famous scientists from clues and images. A particularly inspiring moment of the week was an academic lecture delivered by Dr Kit Lloyd‑Stubbs, who spoke about the evolution of the cosmos and what might come next. The talk provided students with an opportunity to engage with cutting-edge scientific ideas and consider the vast questions surrounding the development and future of our universe. In addition, we were delighted to host an exciting theatre event featuring short films from the Ocean Film Festival, showcasing the intersection of science, art, and sport. This
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provided a unique opportunity for students to experience STEM concepts through storytelling and visual media, highlighting the broad cultural and environmental impact of scientific understanding. Participation across the week was excellent, with students from Years 7-13 enthusiastically engaging in the challenges, talks, and activities. Many students expressed excitement at the chance to explore scientific ideas outside their normal lessons, and the range of activities ensured that there was something to capture the interest of every learner. Finally, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our STEM Ambassadors for their hard work, enthusiasm, and dedication in organising and delivering such a rich programme of events. Their leadership and commitment made the week a great success and helped strengthen the vibrant science culture within our school. Initiatives such as this play an important role in supporting the excellent science provision we are proud to offer and in inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.
Ms Reesink-Wells
HEAD’S REVIEW
13 March 2026 – Issue 8
Chapel: Passover – Remembering Freedom Ms Boobis – Passover is one of the most important festivals in Judaism. This year, it will be celebrated 1-9 April. It is a festival that centres on a story, one that Jewish families around the world still retell every year.
Fen – 'Because of that hurried escape, Jewish people eat matzah, a flat, unleavened bread, during Passover. It reminds them of the bread their ancestors baked when they had no time to wait.
Even if you’re not Jewish, the story might sound familiar because it appears in the Book of Exodus, part of the shared heritage of Judaism and Christianity, and was the focus of the film The Prince of Egypt. It is also the festival that was being celebrated by Jesus and his Disciples on the night of The Last Supper.
The story of Passover is, at its heart, a story about moving from oppression to freedom.
But Passover isn’t just about remembering something that happened long ago. It’s about asking what that story means today. Roxane – 'The Passover story begins thousands of years ago in Egypt. According to the biblical account, the Jewish people – then known as the Children of Israel – were living there under the rule of Pharaoh. Over time they were forced into slavery, made to work building cities and monuments. Their life was harsh and unfair. Then G-d called a man named Moses to lead the people to freedom. Moses went to Pharaoh with a simple request: “Let my people go.”.' Greta -' Pharaoh refused. The story tells that a series of disasters, known as the Ten Plagues, struck Egypt. Still, Pharaoh did not change his mind. Finally, the Children of Israel were told to prepare to leave quickly. They baked bread without waiting for it to rise, packed what they could carry, and got ready to leave at a moment’s notice. That night, Pharaoh finally allowed them to go. The Children of Israel left Egypt in great haste, concerned he would change his mind, and began their journey out of slavery and towards freedom. In The Prince of Egypt, the song When You Believe is sung to Moses by his wife and sister to reassure him about this transition.'
Passover is celebrated with a special meal called the Seder, which means “order”.' Scarlet – 'Families gather around a table and retell the story using a book called the Haggadah. The meal includes symbolic foods that represent different parts of the story. For example: bitter herbs remind people of the bitterness of slavery; salt water represents tears; Matzah symbolises the hurried journey to freedom; a sweet mixture called charoset symbolises the mortar used by enslaved workers, but its sweetness also represents the sweetness that can be found in even the most bitter times.' Ms Boobis – 'One tradition is that the youngest person asks 4 questions, beginning with the famous line: “Ma nishtana ha laila hazeh mikol ha lailot?” “Why is this night different from all other nights?” The whole meal becomes a conversation where this question is answered and the story is explained, explored, and passed on. One of the most powerful ideas in the Passover tradition is expressed in a quotation in the Haggadah: “In every generation, each person should see themselves as if they personally came out of Egypt.” In other words, the story isn’t meant to feel distant or historical. People are encouraged to see themselves as having escaped slavery, and to feel the gratitude, appreciation, and the hope of a new beginning. The Seder also includes the wish ‘next year in Jerusalem’. For some Jewish people, this is intended literally, but for others, it represents a utopian ideal where all are free from oppression.'
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Emma-Lynn – 'Passover invites people to ask: if we remember what oppression, and freedom from it, feels like, what responsibility do we have towards others? Because of this idea, some Jewish families today include modern symbols in their Passover celebrations: Some families place an orange on the Seder plate as a symbol of inclusion and equality. Others include olives, representing hope for peace. Some Seders also include readings that talk about modern forms of slavery, such as human trafficking, encouraging people to think about how the story of Exodus might connect to the world today.' Maria – 'These additions show that the Passover story is not frozen in the past. It continues to grow and speak to new generations. Most people in chapel today are not Jewish. But the reason stories like this endure for thousands of years is that they speak to something deeply human. Across history and across the world, people have struggled for freedom, fairness, and dignity. Passover reminds people not to forget those struggles. But it also offers a hopeful message: situations that seem permanent can change, and people can move from injustice toward freedom.' Saffron – 'Every year, Jewish families gather around a table. They eat simple unleavened bread. They taste bitterness and sweetness. They ask questions. And they tell a story that is thousands of years old. But they are not just remembering the past. They are reminding themselves, and the next generation, that freedom and dignity should never be taken for granted. And perhaps that is something that speaks to all of us. Because wherever we come from, and whatever we believe, we can still ask the same question: How can we help build a world in which all people can live with freedom, dignity, and hope?'
13 March 2026 – Issue 8
HEAD’S REVIEW
Netball vs Brighton College U13I Triangular Fixture This week, the U13I team took part in a triangular fixture, providing the girls with a valuable new experience and the opportunity to compete against strong opposition. Despite missing several players, the team demonstrated excellent effort, determination, and teamwork throughout the matches. Both Brighton College teams provided a strong challenge and pushed our players to work hard for every point. The girls responded positively, showing resilience and commitment across both games. Regina, Anida, and Arianna were deservedly awarded Players of the Match in recognition of their outstanding performances and determination.
Mr Williams
U13I
U13F Victory The U13F team worked incredibly hard to take a 14-8 victory against Brighton College. The last time these girls faced BC, they played their H team, and only won by 3 goals, a testament to how much this team has improved over the term. The match had a rocky start as the girls eased into the game, with a 2-1 lead to Brighton after the first quarter. This kicked the girls into action, with some brilliant gameplay and plenty of shots being put up – we gained a 2 goal advantage over BC. The girls persevered over the next two quarters, making excellent intercepts and keeping possession of the ball when under pressure. The final quarter saw Roedean dominate, with 5 goals scored and we only let BC get one more point on the board. This shooting accuracy led to Cecile being named the Opposition’s Attacking Player of the Match on her first time in the F team! This was some of the best netball this team has played, and it is clear their constant effort and commitment in lessons pays off. Well done, girls!
U13F
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Miss Webster
1313October March 2026 2023 – Issue 86
HEAD’S HEAD’S WEEKLY REVIEW REVIEW
4th Netball vs Mayfield The 4th Netball team delivered a strong performance on Wednesday, demonstrating excellent fundamental skills throughout the game. It was fantastic to see such versatility across the court.
Sport Stars of the Week
Cara, Scarlett, and Desire converted some excellent shots, while Veera, Mattie, and Anya worked tirelessly in the mid-court. Eve and Florence also provided a solid presence in defence, contributing to an impressive team display.
Well done to all of this week's sporting stars for their excellent efforts and focus.
Miss Hayman
Year 7 Amanda, for her excellent play in Netball matches
Year 8 Anya, for her consistently excellent effort
Year 9 Lacie, for always working hard at everything she does Year 10 Dita, for always being great in lessons and matches
Year 11 Mia, for her effort in Volleyball
Testing Match vs Seaford for the U16A The U16A team travelled to Seaford College on a misty day, but we were met by sunshine and not a breath of wind when we arrived. The girls had a good warm-up and set the tone really well in the first quarter, going 4-0 up in the first few minutes. Seaford came back toward the end of the quarter, but we still managed to have a 3 point lead. In the second quarter, we knew Seaford would look to decrease the difference, and we were resolute and matched Seaford goal for goal for the majority of the quarter. In the 3rd quarter, the girls were composed and made sure to attack with completed drives and excellent prelims to get away from their defender.
Sixth Form Athena, for giving her all in Crossfit each week
However, Seaford managed to go to post with a couple mistakes and the gap closed even further.
Sixth Form Chloe, for her dedication in Netball
The final quarter saw us one point down and a huge 12 minutes was needed. A very intense start and fatigue setting in slightly meant that mistakes with passing and contact meant Seaford were able to pull too far ahead to manage a comeback at the end.
Non-Negotiable of the Week is Perseverance: Regina, for her work in Netball.
It was a very good-natured match and excellent preparation for the squad heading into Sussex Cup Finals day on Wednesday.
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
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Miss Webster
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