Congratulations to all those involved in Blue Stockings, from the actors and stage crew to the directors and the technical team – the performances this week were genuinely exceptional. The story, about women who dared to study at Cambridge University in the 1890s, chimes so well with the ethos of Roedean’s founding sisters, and it reminds us that it is not that long ago that women and girls did not have access to the education they now take for granted in the UK. The acting was outstanding, the sheer frustration at the injustice of the situation contrasted by lighter, more comedic moments. The large audiences both nights were very appreciative, and everyone involved in the play deserves to be very proud of what they achieved – well done!
Looking ahead, I am excited about the Gala Concert in the Theatre at the end of next week. The programme includes performances by a number of ensembles of well-known film music, including Jaws, the Addams Family, Star Wars, and much more. Good luck to all our musicians, and I hope that many of you will be able to come along to enjoy it.
Finya in Year 13 has had a remarkable year of sea-swimming challenges. Having taken part in two relays across the English Channel to France, her most recent swim saw her cross the Strait of Bonifacio, a 12-kilometre solo swim between the islands of Sardinia in Italy and Corsica in France. What an astonishing achievement, Finya – congratulations!
I am pleased that the BIMA Digital Day was a great success, that our new team of Peer Listeners have been appointed, and that the newly-formed Archive Club has discovered some interesting photographs and information about the opening of the Science Laboratories. I continue to be impressed every day with the range and breadth of the girls’ experiences at Roedean.
Well done to the Year 11s, who have now completed their GCSE trial assessments, and some their actual Maths GCSE – I have no doubt that this experience will stand them in good stead for their summer examinations, not only by highlighting areas of strength and those which require more work, but also because they have navigated a concentrated period of assessments. Well done.
I wish you all a restful weekend!
Year 12 Community Action Programme – Offsite Visits
BIMA Digital Day Competition
A group of enthusiastic Year 9 and Year 10 students took part in this year’s BIMA Digital Day competition. We were delighted to welcome India and Megan from the digital agency, Jellyfish, who brought their industry expertise to guide our students through the process of designing and developing innovative digital products for this year’s sponsors: Aston Martin and HelloFresh.
Throughout the day, our students gained a wide range of digital skills that are highly transferable across many modern industries. Working collaboratively, they identified their strengths within their teams, and used these to create impressive, well-considered digital concepts that directly responded to the sponsors’ briefs.
The day concluded with each team pitching their ideas, after which two standout projects were selected to be submitted to the national Digital Day Challenge competition.
Well done to all involved, and good luck to the teams heading to the next stage!
Mrs Griffiths
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.
Roedean Ragazzi in Carmina Burana
On Saturday, fourteen Roedean students joined the Sussex Symphony Orchestra, Sussex Chorus, and Burgess Hill Choral Society, to perform Carl Orff's Carmina Burana
Our singers took the role of the "Ragazzi", the children's choir in this work, and we were so proud to hear them sing so beautifully across a large orchestra. They were a delight to work with in rehearsals and on the day, and everyone we spoke to was really impressed with them!
Mr Rous and Mrs Hammond
Sohana (Yr11) – for playing Il Porco Rosso by Joe Hisaishi on the piano beautfully in Chapel this week [Miss Hart]
Gala Concert: “A Night at the Movies”
Friday 28 November at 19:00 in the Theatre
Our Roedean musicians are working hard to produce an amazing concert next week – this will include music from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Star Wars, Grease, The Addams Family, Saturday Night Fever, Jaws, Pitch Perfect, and much more.
It really will be a show-stopper, and we hope to see you there!
Order your tickets here →
Peer Listeners
2025-2026
Congratulations to our amazing team of newlytrained senior students, who are here to offer a safe, confidential, and friendly space for anyone who just needs to talk. They have learned invaluable listening skills, and they are dedicated to creating a warm, supportive environment for all our students at Roedean. Well done to them all:
Congratulations, and thank you for being ready to support your fellow students.
Roedean Archive Club
As part of the Co-Curricular programme, the newly-formed Archive Club has been hard at work this year, helping to develop an inventory of the school archives, before they are properly set up in their new home. The club is full of enthusiasm and keen to share the wonderful history and heritage of Roedean through their discoveries.
This week, the team has been exploring the history of the Science Laboratories, and has uncovered some fascinating photographs, along with an entry in the 1928 Roedean Magazine about the opening of the Lawrence Science Building.
The opening ceremony was attended by Sir William Henry Bragg, a pioneering British X-ray crystallographer who, together with his son Lawrence Bragg, was awarded the 1915 Nobel Prize in Physics for their ground-breaking work on the analysis of crystal structures using X-rays.
The new science building, completed in 1928, featured four laboratories, a greenhouse for botany, and a dark room for light experiments — it was a remarkable addition to Roedean’s facilities at the time.
Mrs Bailey
Chapel – Power for Good
Miss Hart led this week's Chapel services, which focused on the 'Power of Good', following on from last week's Anti-Bullying Week:
'We all have power – our words, our actions, our influence – and the question is: how do we use that power? Do we use it to hurt or exclude, or do we use it for good, to lift others up, to make a difference, to create a kinder community?
Today, we’ll hear about women, past and present, who have used their power for good.
Let’s begin with an example from scripture. Esther was a young Jewish woman, who rose to the position of Queen in a foreign empire. When her people faced the threat of annihilation, she demonstrated extraordinary courage by approaching the King, an act that could have cost her life. Esther chose to use her influence, not for personal gain, but to protect others. Her story reminds us that true power is not measured by status or privilege, but by the willingness to act with integrity and bravery.
Simone Biles is one of the greatest gymnasts of all time, but what makes her truly inspiring is how she used her power for good beyond the
sport. At the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Simone made the brave decision to step back from competition to protect her mental health. That choice sparked a global conversation about the importance of wellbeing, and showed that strength isn’t just about physical ability, it’s about knowing when to take care of yourself. Simone reminds us that using your influence to challenge stigma and support others can change the way the world thinks.'
Angelica – 'Elizabeth Blackwell used her power for good by helping to change the US healthcare system, pushing for better public health practices and equal access to medical education. During a period when women were shut out of most professional fields, she faced rejection from 29 medical schools before finally being admitted. In 1849, she became the first woman in the United States to earn a medical degree, breaking a barrier no woman had overcome before. Elizabeth reminds us that perseverance in the face of obstacles can open doors for others and create lasting change.'
Farah – 'Dr Hayat Sindi is a Muslim scientist who used her power for good by making healthcare more accessible for people around
the world. Growing up in Saudi Arabia, she worked hard to become one of the first female biotechnologists from the region. She helped create simple, affordable medical tools, that can be used in communities without advanced hospitals. Through her work, she inspires young people, especially girls, to believe that science can change lives. Dr Hayat Sindi has shown us that knowledge used with compassion can make a real difference.'
Miss Hart – 'Think about the women we’ve heard about this morning – they didn’t wait for someone else to act; they used what they had, their voice, their courage, their influence, to make a difference.
At this school, we each have power too. Power in our words, our friendships, our choices. We can use that power to lift others up, to include rather than exclude, to speak out, and to make our community stronger. May we choose words that build confidence. May we act with courage and conviction. May we use our influence to create a school where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued.'
V&A Trip
On Monday last week, our Year 9 students enjoyed an inspiring Art trip to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The visit gave them the opportunity to explore the museum’s vast collections, including the incredible displays of jewellery, architecture, glass, costume, and ceramics. The students spent the day sketching, photographing, and closely observing a wide range of exhibits.
The trip provided an excellent opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of different artistic techniques, materials, and styles. Their observations and drawings from the day will serve as a valuable source of inspiration for their next Art project, which focuses on weaving. By reflecting on the patterns and textures they encountered at the V&A, the students will be able to develop thoughtful and personal responses in their own creative work.
Miss Phillips
Year 12 Community Action Programme –Offsite Visits
Some of our Year 12 CAP groups have been busy going out into the community and enjoying regular offsite visits on Wednesday afternoons. Recently, our group at Raystede had a lovely opportunity to work in the cattery, learning about the re-homing process and helping to socialise two lovely kittens. It was a fantastic interactive session, helping to improve the confidence of the animals and provide some playful enrichment. Our Year 12 students enjoyed the opportunity to meet the feline residents at Raystede, and contribute towards the care and development of those in need of re-homing.
Elsewhere at St Mark's Primary, another of our CAP groups has been working with the primary school children to support their learning in a table tennis session and in the classroom. They will shortly be working on a project to help design the new Altar Cloth.
Our CAP groups continue to provide a range of community outreach initiatives, both at Roedean and in the wider community. Not only do these initiatives provide a service to others, but they also help to connect different generations and different sectors of society. Our Year 12 students are engaging very well in this programme, and we look forward to hearing more about their activities as the academic year progresses.
Miss Kelsey
Weekend Trip – Brighton Women's Football Game
As part of the weekend programme, Ms Orrells and I enjoyed a fantastic trip to the Amex stadium to watch Brighton Ladies take on Leicester Ladies, with some big fans of the Seagulls and a few experiencing the beauty of the game for the first time.
The atmosphere was brilliant, and the girls represented the School wonderfully, celebrating the 4-1 win by joining in with several songs and waving their flags from the stands.
Thank you to Ms Orrells for all her support throughout the day. It was a great experience for everyone involved!
Mr Halsey
U18 Badminton vs Lancing College
Roedean’s U18 Badminton squad delivered a confident and well-balanced performance to secure a 14–9 victory over Lancing College, in a mixed programme of doubles and singles.
The standout pairing of Athena and Jolie set the tone early, producing an exceptional display to win all four of their doubles matches. Their consistency and court awareness provided Roedean with crucial momentum throughout the fixture. The remaining doubles teams, Avril and Ying, Genevieve and Almen, and Koi and Natalie, also performed strongly, each winning more than half of their matches to build a solid lead.
In the singles phase, Ying emerged as the standout performer, showcasing impressive composure to win both of her matches. Natalie and Almen also contributed valuable singles victories, helping to secure the final scoreline and underline the team’s depth.
Overall, it was a well-earned win and an encouraging sign, as Roedean continues its preparations for National Schools Round 1 in the New Year. It was a brilliantly strong team effort – well done to all involved!
Mr Foggoa
2nd VII Hockey vs LOGS
On a bitterly cold afternoon, the 2nd VII Hockey team took to the pitch against Lewes Old Grammar School, for a fiercely contested match. From the first whistle, the game was packed with end-to-end action, keeping players and supporters on edge throughout.
Juno was outstanding in goal, confidently smothering attacking plays and making several crucial saves to keep the team in contention. At the back, Nkem and Tabitha provided calm, reliable defence, reading the game well and breaking down numerous opposition advances. In midfield, Daisy, Bethany, and Scarlett drove the team forward with impressive speed and skill, consistently linking play and causing real problems for the opposition. Up front, Harrie worked tirelessly, making intelligent leads and producing strong shots on goal that kept their goalkeeper under pressure.
Despite the team’s determination and excellent play across the pitch, the match ended in a narrow 1–0 loss. Nevertheless, it was a superb effort from all involved.
Miss Hayman
U14C Hockey 2-0 Win vs Hurst
The U14C side secured an impressive 2–0 victory over Hurst, in what proved to be a highly competitive and hard-fought fixture. From the first whistle, the team demonstrated determination, work rate, and excellent cohesion in both attack and defence.
Charlotte delivered an outstanding performance between the posts, making key stops and commanding her area with confidence. In front of her, Lacie and Elsa were exceptional, forming a solid defensive partnership that ensured the team held firm throughout the match and earned a welldeserved clean sheet.
Their defensive stability gave the forwards the platform to shine. Olivia and Emma capitalised on the team’s hard work, applying the finishing touches to secure the two decisive goals.
It was a superb all-round performance, with every player contributing to a well-earned victory. The U14C team should take great pride in a disciplined, energetic, and skilful display.
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
