Hardly more than a week after the wonderful Afternoon of Dance, we have had the Junior Music Showcase and two performances of Hetty Feather. I enjoyed watching the Year 7s show off what they have learnt on new instruments over the course of the year, and also hearing the Year 8s and 9s who have continued playing. And then to see 52 actors from Years 7-9 on stage in Hetty Feather on Wednesday and Thursday was wonderful. They owned the stage, and their performances were powerful and confident. Congratulations to everyone involved in these events!
After a foggy morning and rainy lunchtime, the warm sun came out just in time for forty-two Year 10s to get ready for their charity sleep-out on the fields. Reverend Julio from Off The Fence came to speak to the girls, and to thank them for the money they are raising. I am very proud of our lasting connection with this charity and the work it does to support the city’s homeless. The girls have raised over £2800, which is outstanding!
Congratulations to Esther in Year 13, who has been awarded her Level 4 Foundation Diploma in Art with Distinction. Having completed her full Art A Level in Year 12, and this Art Foundation in Year 13, next year she will be studying Fashion at Kingston, which is perhaps the best course in the UK. Well done!
Year 12 Seashore
Moldova – Just 2 Weeks Away
Well done to our Year 11s, who all completed their final GCSEs earlier this week, and today sees the last A Level papers for Year 13. I have been so impressed with how maturely the girls have approached their examinations, and they all deserve a well-earned break.
I wish you all a restful weekend, and good luck for next week!
Off The Fence Sleep-Out Hetty Feather
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.
Farwa (Yr12) – for a thoughtprovoking Academic Lecture on 'Is Britain broken?' – well done! [Ms Ibanez]
Unsung Staff hero in the spotlight
Mr Halsey – for stepping in to support a trip to London with 20 minutes' notice [Dr Barrand]
Moldova – Just 2 Weeks Away
The next Project 125 Moldova group are making their final preparations for our fourth trip to teach English to around 75 Ukrainian refugee children and Moldovan orphans.
So far this year, they have raised £5735, which we will take to the Rainbow of Hope
Roedean Sea Swimming’s Making Waves
Over the past three weeks, a group of Roedean students have been taking part in sea swimming sessions at Sea Lanes. The students have embraced the challenge brilliantly, developing their confidence, resilience, and open-water swimming skills, while enjoying the unique experience of swimming in the sea.
I am delighted to be bringing the sea swimming pathway back into the swimming programme, and have been incredibly encouraged by the enthusiasm and progress shown by those who have participated so far. Sea swimming offers a fantastic opportunity for students to develop new skills, challenge themselves, and enjoy the benefits of being active outdoors.
The programme will continue at the beginning of next year, and I am excited to see it grow further. Any student who is interested in joining future sea swimming sessions, or would like more information, can get in touch at twi@roedean.co.uk
Mr Williams
Orphanage outside the capital as part of our trip. If you would like to donate to this incredibly worthwhile cause, please follow this link:
https://w3u.uk/sixthformhope4
RAD Results Are In!
Congratulations to those who took RAD Ballet exams just last week! The results are in already and everyone did really well.
■ Three took Grade 5 – Roxane achieved Merit, Beth achieved High Merit, and Magreta was awarded Distinction
■ Four took Intermediate Foundation – Lyla and Ingrid achieved Merit, and Bella and Greta were awarded High Merit
■ Five took Intermediate – Xena achieved Merit, and Yan Yan, Beatrice, Ayase, and Mike were awarded High Merit
Congratulations!
Miss Abaza
Dr Barrand
House Public Speaking
House Public Speaking witnessed some fantastic oratory on Friday afternoon. The students prepared their speeches about who they thought should be recognised as ‘the greatest person in the world’, and they spoke with tremendous conviction and clarity.
House 1 opted for Mother Teresa, while House 2 interpreted the task quite expansively and argued more broadly in favour of ‘mothers’. House 3 settled on Malala Yousafzai, and House 4 chose John Stuart Mill.
The judges faced a difficult task, but agreed that House 3’s inspiring justification of Malala Yousafzai’s work won the day. Well done to House 3 and to Gabriella!
Mr Wriglesworth
Fitting End to a Successful Season!
There was another great win for the D Team this week! The girls came into the game with high confidence and showed great improvement throughout. They attacked the ball well in the field, and struck it with great power, helping the team secure plenty of runs.
Everyone showed fantastic effort throughout the game – Roedean won by 55 runs and it was an amazing way to finish off a very successful season, with the team ending on a 3-1 record.
A special shout-out goes to Phoebe (Yr7) for her amazing display of talent in her bowling overs, and to Lexi (Yr8) for her dominant performance with the bat.
However, I would also like to give a special mention to all of the players who have been part of the D Team this year. They have all put in so much effort throughout the term, and I have been impressed by everyone's progress. It has been a pleasure to watch their confidence grow, and I am incredibly proud of what they have achieved.
U14A Cricket Victory vs Eastbourne College
The U14A team beat Eastbourne in an impressive all-round performance. The opening pair of Milana and Dixie put on 86 in 10 overs, with some excellent running between the wickets and some powerfully struck boundaries from Milana. She was run out for 34, which brought Ruby to the crease, and she hit 13 not out from 15 balls to close the Roedean innings on 124-1 from their 16 overs.
Roedean's fielding clicked from the beginning, with two of Eastbourne's top 3 being run out inside the first two overs. That set the tone, and allowed the bowling attack to fire; wickets were shared around, with Heidi being the pick, taking 3-3 from her two overs. Eastbourne weren't bowled out, but the innings closed on 67-9, meaning Roedean won by 57 runs.
Well done!
Mr Williams
Mr Smethurst
Off The Fence Sleep-Out
Last night, 42 Year 10s and five members of staff slept out under the stars, to get the smallest impression of what it might be like to be homeless. They are raising funds for their yeargroup charity, Off The Fence, which does such amazing work with the homeless in Brighton and Hove.
Reverend Julio, CEO of the charity, came to Roedean to thank the girls personally for what they are doing. He told them about what the difference the money they raise makes – for example, £10 provides a homeless person with some training to help them get a job, and £50 clothes someone for the winter.
Thank you to Miss Webster, Mr Halsey, Dr Barrand, and Mr Wilson for sleeping out to support the girls.
So far, the year-group has raised £2811 –what a remarkable effort! If you would like to support this cause, please donate here
https://w3u.uk/y10offthefence
Mr Wriglesworth
CCF Overnight Exercise
Our CCF cadets took part in a highly successful overnight exercise at Pippingford Park MOD training area, where they were challenged to develop their leadership, teamwork, and resilience in the field.
Despite the wet weather, the students approached the exercise with impressive energy and a consistently positive attitude. They worked together through a varied programme of activities, including section attacks and ambushes, command tasks, reconnaissance exercises, and practical challenges designed to test their communication, decision-making, and ability to remain calm under pressure. They also
experienced sleeping overnight in the field, using bashas and bivvy bags.
It was particularly encouraging to see students supporting one another, stepping forward to take responsibility, and contributing fully to their sections. Many demonstrated excellent leadership, while others stood out for their perseverance, good humour, and willingness to embrace each new challenge.
A special mention goes to Isla, Kayla, Georgia, Joy, Dhiya, and Gracie, who successfully passed their weapons-handling tests.
A huge thank you must go to all the staff involved, whose enthusiasm, expertise, and commitment made the trip possible. Their encouragement helped the students remain motivated throughout, even when the weather was less than kind.
The exercise provided a memorable and valuable opportunity for our students to build confidence, strengthen friendships, and develop skills that will serve them well both within the CCF and beyond.
Mrs Pashley
Hetty Feather
Hetty Feather was a triumphant success last night as our talented young cast, comprising of 52 students from Years 7 to 9, brought Jacqueline Wilson’s cherished and muchloved book to life in a thoroughly engaging performance. The play was a West End hit in 2014 and has since toured major theatres across the country, making it a special treat to see Emma Reeves’ acclaimed stage adaptation right here on our own Roedean stage.
Set in Victorian England during Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, the story explores a time when children entering care remained the literal "property" of the institutions that took them in. Directors Ms Sellers and Ms Clarke had the brilliant vision to lead this gifted cast, and just as promised in the directors’ notes, the
audience was completely transported into Hetty’s imaginative world as she faced the extreme challenges of abandonment and poverty.
This captivating production, with its amazing set, was powered by an incredible ensemble cast, led by Holly in the title role. Her resilience, clarity, and energy in the face of adversity were awe-inspiring, setting a tone that resonated throughout the entire company. Lottie pulled at our heartstrings with a sensitive and moving interpretation of Hetty's brother, Gideon, capturing the deep sorrow of their separation. Alexa skilfully played adopted brother, Saul, bringing tears to our eyes in a poignant final moment as the character made amends with Hetty. Ebun gave an excellent depiction of the foster mother, Peg, perfectly balancing a generous, warm heart with tough love, capturing the heartbreak of handing children over to the Foundling Hospital. Mattie was wonderfully
charming as Peg's son, Jem, a young man making promises he simply couldn't keep.
This emotional depth was matched by the outstanding principal ensemble, who worked wonderfully well together throughout the show. Taking on a dizzying array of multi-roled characters, their seamless transitions and collaborative storytelling, with each actor
supporting the other to create a cohesive and captivating world, kept the narrative moving at a thrilling pace.
Jem manages to sneak Hetty into the marvelous circus, triggering our first burst of vibrant ensemble energy. Grace delightfully portrayed the Ringmaster, tap-dancing her way through the announcements of each wonderful act, where we were introduced to the magnificent Madame Adeline, charmingly depicted by Shadi. When the time comes for Hetty to enter the Foundling Hospital, the rest of the cast propels the audience swiftly through the narrative. Each nurse was individually and uniquely crafted by the performers. The terrifying Matron Bottomly was triumphantly brought to life by three wonderful, synchronised performances from Alia, Desire,
and Isabella. Then came a beautiful shift in tone with Ida, the kind cook. Eve delivered a deeply touching and sensitive characterisation, portraying Ida not just as Hetty’s fierce protector, but ultimately revealing the show's most heartbreaking secret: she is Hetty’s longlost mother.
We cannot conclude without mentioning the Foundling children. Every single student helped recreate the playground dynamics of the era, showing exactly how the harsh conditions of Victorian England affected childhood. This ensemble brought the emotional highs and lows of history to life through school scenes, illness, and adventure.
The evening was also packed with laughs, including the incredibly cantankerous horses who misbehaved by leaving an unexpected
"parcel" on stage and the deft character work of Ottilie, who seamlessly transformed into three different roles every time she donned a new hat.
Well done to everyone involved for a truly heartwarming, professional, and triumphant production! And thank you, of course, to our wonderful Theatre team who make everything happen from behind the scenes!
Mrs Woodbridge and Ms Rodriguez
Pride Chapel – ‘This is Me’
This week's Chapel service was led by Ms Orrells, and she was supported by our newly-appointed Junior Prefects, and by a wonderful choir who sang 'This is Me' from The Greatest Showman.
Ms Orrells: 'Today I want us to reflect on a powerful message: the courage to be our authentic selves, and love and accept our authentic selves.
June is Pride Month; a time when people around the world celebrate the freedom to live openly and honestly, especially for those in the LGBTQ+ community. However, this message should resonate for all of us: embrace and celebrate our differences, our stories, and our right to stand tall in who we are.
This year’s focus for Pride is resilience. In the LGBTQ+ community, resilience is about the strength to live authentically in the face of difficulty, rejection, and injustice. It is the courage to keep going when the world hasn’t always been accepting, and the determination to create spaces where others can feel safe and valued.'
Shalom: 'Throughout history, many individuals have shown this resilience. For example, Marsha P. Johnson, a key figure in the Stonewall uprising of 1969, stood up against discrimination and helped spark the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.'
Phoebe: 'Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States, used his voice to advocate for equality despite facing constant opposition.
More recently, in Uganda, activist Frank Mugisha has continued to campaign for LGBTQ+ safety and dignity in a country where being LGBTQ+ can be extremely dangerous.'
Amanda: 'In Pakistan, Malala has spoken publicly about supporting LGBTQ+ rights despite operating in a context where such views can be controversial, showing the importance of allyship alongside resilience.'
Arianna: 'In Argentina, Diana Sacayán [sahcah-yan], a transgender activist, played a crucial role in advancing gender identity laws that transformed legal recognition for trans people.'
Scarlett: 'She had been the leader of a number of organisations seeking equality for Argentina's LGBTQ+ community, and in 2012 she was personally given her national identity card by President Fernandez, recognising her as a woman – a first for Argentina.'
Bella: 'These examples show that resilience isn’t just about surviving adversity; it’s about pushing forward change, building visibility, and empowering the next generation to live openly, authentically and with pride.'
Ms Orrells: 'Have you ever felt like you didn’t quite fit in? Like you had to hide part of yourself to be accepted? Deep inside, there must be a voice that reminds us: You are enough. You belong. You matter. The song ‘This Is Me’ from The Greatest Showman' reminds us to stand strong, to refuse to hide who we are, and to celebrate our identity.
Our differences are not flaws, they are strengths to be celebrated.'
Xena: 'Pride month is about acceptance, equality, and celebration. It is an occasion for us to be self-informed; to celebrate the achievements we’ve made in LGBTQ+ rights.
Humans are social creatures, which means connections with our community is vital for us. Therefore, it is important that we feel included, and that we create an environment where people can feel such inclusion.
Be proud of who you are, and be proud of your existence in your community.'
Ms Orrells: 'At Roedean, we are each wonderfully unique. Every person here brings something valuable to our community. When we allow ourselves to be seen, known and heard, we empower others to have the same freedom, and we strengthen our sisterhood which is built on respect and kindness. No one needs to earn their right to belong here, they already do.'
Inspiring Maths at St Mark’s Primary
On Wednesday morning, four Year 12 mathematicians (Zoey, Justine, Megs, and Farwa) went to St Mark's. They inspired the girls in Years 3, 4, and 5, by performing some mathematical magic and putting on a Mathematics relay, which involved creativity as well as mathematical skills.
A member of St Mark's staff made a point of saying to the Roedean girls, 'they loved it, thank you very much; they all really look up to you and it's great to see strong, independent women showing the girls here what they can do'. Mrs Ashby, St Mark's Maths Lead, thanked Zoey, Justine, Megs, and Farwa for their hard work and enthusiasm, saying 'it was great to see a few girls who normally struggle to engage with Maths get excited about it and involved'
The Roedean girls were a real credit both to themselves and to the School, and they have developed considerable sympathy for the primary school teaching profession following the visit.
Mr Lutwyche
Junior Music Showcase
On Tuesday this week, we had everybody's favourite concert of the year – the Junior Music Showcase! This concert is the culmination of the Year 7 Instrumental Project, where all of our Year 7s learn to play a new instrument over the year. This year, we featured Violin, Viola, Cello, Trumpet, Oboe, Bassoon, and, for the first time, the Organ!
Each group performed their chosen pieces, and the groups of Year 8s and Year 9s who have continued this year also performed. We had everything from Hot Cross Buns to Mack the Knife! It was also lovely to see some of our Year 10s on the scheme come and play with the younger girls to support and inspire them.
The Junior Orchestra (largely made up of students who began their journey on the instrumental project) performed The Blue Danube Waltz and Feed the Birds, before being joined by all the Year 7s for a grand performance of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
There was a lovely supportive atmosphere at the whole event. Many thanks to all the teachers: Mrs Hanson-Laurent, Ms Mumford, Mrs Hammond,
Congratulations to all the students –we look forward making more Music with you next year!
The Music Department
Miss Kennard, Mr Denyer, Mrs Greenfield, Mr McGregor, and Mr Rous.
Year 12 Seashore Practical
The Year 12 Biology students recently visited the shoreline below the School to carry out ecological fieldwork as part of their core A Level practical requirement. The trip provided an opportunity to explore general shoreline ecology, while also completing a focused investigation comparing limpet populations on the upper and lower shore.
Our students collected first-hand data using field sampling techniques, which they will go on to analyse statistically back in the classroom. This hands-on experience not only strengthened their understanding of ecological methods, but also developed their confidence in applying quantitative skills to real-world data.
The visit proved to be highly rewarding, with our students demonstrating excellent engagement and enthusiasm throughout the day.
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
