26 September 2025 – Issue 4
HEAD’S REVIEW
Head’s Introduction
Congratulations to all those who took part in the Sea Lanes 12-hour charity swim for Rockinghorse. I am proud that Roedean swimmers were asked, because of our long-standing connection with this charity, to start and end this 12-hour marathon. I look forward to hearing the distance the covered yesterday evening and this morning – well done to everyone involved!
Thank you to Mr Sampieri and the Languages Department for the European Day of Languages activities and charity bake sale. Not only is it wonderful to celebrate modern languages, but also to embrace those in our community who speak different languages and their cultures. The cakes were delicious too!
The Year 7s enjoyed lovely weather for their trip to Arundel Castle last Friday, and they had a wonderful time seeing what they have been learning in lessons in its historical context. Our budding engineers have also had time to reflect on their exciting experience of racing the electric car which they have designed and built – despite the poor weather, they had a great time, and the car raced well!
House Drama last Friday was hotly contested. The four House Teams did well to write and perform two 60-second plays with a futuristic theme – it was great fun, and each of the scripts was witty and considered. Congratulations go to House 1 for the best overall performance.
I wish you all a lovely weekend –good luck to the 50 students and staff who are going to Calshot this weekend for their GCSE Geography fieldwork.
Year 7 History trip to Arundel Castle
Sea Lanes Charity Swim
Wild Friday: Bushcraft
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.
Year 7 History trip to Arundel Castle
On Friday 19 September, Year 7 took a day trip to Arundel Castle. Blessed with glorious sunshine, they were able to visit many different parts of the castle, and enrich their understanding of medieval castle-building and defence, which supported their current History study of the Norman Conquest.
It was also a wonderful opportunity for Year 7 to bond at the start of the academic year. Highlights of the day included trying medieval chain mail and weapons on for size, recreating an Anglo-Saxon shield wall, and, of course, the gift shop!
Ms Benton-Stace
Candis, Ellen, and Lydia (Yr13) – for sharing their experiences of and passion for languages in Chapel to mark European Day of Languages – and Candis sang to us in German too [Dr Barrand]
Sea Lanes Charity Swim
Congratulations to those, who swam the first and last legs of a 12-hour swim at Sea Lanes, organised to raise funds for Rockinghorse, which is the official fundraising arm of the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton. They raise money for life-saving equipment, specialist projects, and enhanced services for sick babies, children, and young people throughout Sussex.
Over the course of the year, our students will be participating in mini-fundraisers and various projects to support the charity. In addition, there will be a large fundraiser at the end of the academic year when all the students in Year 7 will have the opportunity to abseil from Peacehaven cliffs.
Due to our sustained commitment to supporting Rockinghorse, we were invited to open and close a fundraising event starting yesterday, Thursday 25 September, a 12-hour swim relay at the Sea Lanes, Brighton. Congratulations to Fifi and Ines (Yr7), Lacie (Yr9), Farah, Astrid, and Rosa (Yr10), Natalie, Becky, and Faye (Yr11), and Clara, Irina, Janet, Finya, and Abby (Yr13) who all took part!
All money raised from this event will be going to fund a new well-being hub at the hospital. Specifically, for every £100 raised, the hub will fund a six-week sea swimming course for a teenager with long-term health conditions.
Mr Wilson
Roedean Students in the ‘Emerging Sussex Artists’ Exhibition
Eight Roedean Sixth Form students recently showcased their artwork in an exhibition celebrating emerging Sussex artists at a new local gallery.
The standard of their work was exceptional, and the variety of media on display reflected the students’ willingness to explore different approaches.
The exhibition highlighted the individual talents of the girls, as well as the strength of
the creative community at Roedean. Their work attracted much admiration for its originality and craftsmanship, and it was a pleasure to see them represented in such a vibrant setting.
Congratulations to Esther, Jamie, Qiuqi, Tianyu, Fiona, Cheryl, Lily, and Elspeth. This exhibition is a wonderful achievement and we hope it will be the first of many opportunities for them to share their work.
Mr Ford
European Day of Languages at Roedean
To mark European Day of Languages this week, we invited the students to bake a cake representing a different country, and we were so impressed with their creations!
The cakes were sold in Fireplace to raise funds for Project 125 Moldova!
Well done also to our Language Ambassadors for this year: Ingrid, Janice, Anna (Yr9), Millie and Xena (Yr12), Coco, Ellen, Molly, Sana’a, Faye (Yr11), and Athena and Elspeth (Yr13).
Mr Sampieri
Chapel – European Languages & Cultures
Mr Sampieri: On Friday 26 September, we will be celebrating the European Day of Languages, a chance for schools across Europe to recognise and enjoy the importance of learning languages.
Here at Roedean, we have organised a baking competition, and if you’re feeling peckish after your fish and chips, do come along to the Fireplace to buy a slice of cake or two. All the proceeds will go towards the Project 125 Moldova. Last year, we had some truly talented bakers who created cakes inspired by the cultures they came from or wanted to celebrate, and I am looking forward to seeing what this year brings.
This term’s Chapel theme is empowerment, and in a moment you’ll hear from three of our Year 13 students who study languages at A Level. They will be sharing the experiences they had this summer when they travelled abroad to practise their languages.
Candis: 'Hi everyone, I’m Candis. Growing up, I spoke 3 languages, English, Cantonese, and Mandarin, and I picked up German in Year 10, when I joined the School. Learning a language is not just about memorising vocabulary or grammar rules, it requires persistence and patience. It is not easy to learn a new language, it requires continuous practice and mistakes are inevitable, but learning to accept and overcome them has developed my patience and resilience.
Learning a language also opens up countless opportunities.
Last summer, I spent 2 weeks in Berlin attending a language course. At the school, I made friends from different parts of the world. Although we came from different backgrounds, we shared the same interest in language learning, which allowed us to connect with each other instantly. Language learning also gives me a deeper understanding of the culture. In Berlin, I explored the cultural landmarks, street art and galleries, which gave me insight into both the historical and contemporary German culture. Immersing myself in the culture made the language feel alive in a way that textbooks cannot achieve.
For me, language learning also connects with my passion for singing. Understanding the language allows me to perform more authentically and convincingly as many classical composers set music to poems by German writers such as Heine and Goethe.
This experience has shown me that learning a language is far more than memorising words and grammar rules; it allows us to connect with each other, gain new perspectives and grow as a person. It is an empowering journey that shapes not just our minds, but our confidence and our understanding of the world.'
When I was at school, I loved languages. I studied English and Spanish, and I still remember a trip to Plymouth in 1992, when I was in Year 8. I stayed with a host family, and while I can’t say the weather was very inspiring, or that I was thrilled with the daily salt and vinegar crisps in my packed lunch, what really stayed with me was the excitement of using what I’d learnt in class to actually communicate with people from another culture.
Speaking a foreign language is, in many ways, an act of courage. You are retraining your brain to think differently, and with that courage often comes a little fear – the fear of making mistakes, not being understood, or misunderstanding others. And I’ll be honest, that fear never disappears entirely. But once you push through it, the sense of pride and achievement is immense. Having lived in this country now for longer than the one where I was born, I can say that returning to England in 2001, and making a life here, is one of the proudest achievements of my life.
Ellen: 'For me, speaking a different language is such an important skill to have. Languages allow us to communicate and empathise with one another, leading to us being more well-rounded individuals that can understand different cultures. Languages really can teach you so much, they support so many subjects whether you are artistic or scientific we can all benefit from learning one. For me as a musician, studying French at a level allows me to understand the language of music as communication and interpretation are vital skills for both disciplines.
Over the summer, I spent a week in a language school in Montpellier while staying with a host family. I must admit, when I first was arrived at the airport and was greeted in rapid French by host family, I thought ‘how on earth am I going to survive a week not speaking English with them?’, but this feeling quickly disappeared. The more I spoke in French with my host family and took risks with new words and expressions, the more confident and at home I became, I discovered new colloquialisms that I wouldn’t have otherwise known about that made my speech feel more natural. This was the most gratifying and empowering feeling of the trip for me as I could see my improvement and confidence grow the more, I persisted and challenged myself.
During my time at the language school, I met students who were from Colombia to The Czech Republic, as well as learning about French culture I was able to learn about theirs. I think this really shows that studying languages is not just learning to say “un café s’il vous plait” on holiday, it is an exciting and inspiring skill that can take you all over the world and teach you so much about people and their culture. I feel proud to have jumped into this experience with both feet and it has really inspired to keep learning languages wherever I go in life.'
Lydia: 'For me, learning a language has never just been about vocab lists or grammar tables. It’s about people, moments, and what happens when you step outside your comfort zone.
This summer, I spent three weeks in Monteverde, Costa Rica, living with a host family who spoke only Spanish. For the first time, I was completely on my own, relying on what I’d only learnt in the classroom. Even asking what was for dinner felt terrifying. I worried about mistakes and being misunderstood, but I soon realised that connection matters more than perfection. My host family welcomed and encouraged me, and by the end, saying goodbye was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.
Costa Rica was also full of adventure. I hiked with my host sister to El Tigre waterfall, swam in rivers, and zip-lined two kilometres across the rainforest canopy. We visited beaches, climbed a volcano, and soaked in hot springs. Every moment was in Spanish, which pushed me to think, act, and express myself in new ways. Halfway through the trip, I realised I could really communicate – tell stories, share ideas, even joke – in Spanish. Growth had crept up quietly until suddenly I could tangibly see how far I’d come. The moments that scared me most became the ones I treasure, because they built resilience and confidence.
That is why I want to study Italian and Spanish at university – not for grammar tests, but for the doors they open to cultures, friendships, and new perspectives. They show us that, as humans, we share far more similarities than differences. So whatever your “language” may be – French, German, music, art, or sport – step into it fully. You may be surprised just how far it can take you.'
F24 Racers at Dunsfold
It was a wet and thunderous 6am on Saturday 13 September when a group of bleary-eyed Year 11 and 13 girls loaded the F24 car onto a trailer and set off in a minibus for Dunsfold aerodrome (the Top Gear test track), in order to take part in a race against other schools and university teams.
The excitement mounted as we arrived in time to set up the car for the intense scrutineering, before being allowed to take part in the morning practice sessions and afternoon race. There was a nervous moment when Clara got behind the controls. Was she too tall? A quick removal of her coat and a bit of the seat padding and we could all breathe easily again – we passed!
Still raining, our team of drivers, Clara, Fen, Derin, and Evelyn entered the practice session, each driving around the race track three times. More nerves, for the rest of us. Would the motor hold? Would the car handle the wet conditions? We needn’t have worried, both the girls, and the car, performed flawlessly.
We realised that we needed to work out a better method for changing drivers, so, after the practice session, it was back to the pits for a battery change and practising the transitions. Open the lap buckle, loosen shoulder straps, climb out, next driver in, tighten straps, and away. Simple to say, not so easy under race conditions. Satisfied that we had everything under control, all that remained was the race.
Under improving conditions, but still with a damp track, the race got under way at about 2pm. Onto the race grid and more nerves. Clara got us off to a great start for the 1st lap of her 15-minute session. Seven laps later, she was back for Fen’s turn. The smooth transition was a great push off from our team of Sohana and Lucy. Another great ride, then
it was Derin’s turn. The car was still going strong, which is more than could be said for some of the competition. About half a dozen cars failed to finish the one-hour race.
Another seven laps, and then it was Evelyn’s turn. It was another brilliant performance and all too soon the hour was up and the cars were flagged down for the race’s end.
It was quite a race. We didn’t win, but we finished, the car performed without any problems, and the drivers managed the difficult conditions like they’d being doing it for years. The competition from teams with far more experience was fierce. We achieved our pre-race day aims, and everyone had a great day out, even those who didn’t get a chance to race.
In Fen’s words, ‘I had an awesome time going to the F24 race, it was great seeing all the other teams' cars and it definitely gave us some good ideas for next time. Driving the car was definitely a highlight for me!’
Derin said, ‘F24 was such an amazing experience, I learned so much and driving the car was so fun. I especially loved racing in our bright pink car and representing women in STEM as an all-girls school among so many male-led teams.’
Alayna and Sarah commented, ‘F24 was such a fun and exciting experience, we can't wait for the next race’
And, in the words of Lucy, Evelyn and Sohana, ’The F24 was the best day out, ever!’
It was a brilliant day for all concerned: well done to Clara, Fen, Derin, Evelyn, Sohana, Lucy, Alayna, Marija, Jola, Ellie, and Sarah.
Now for the next challenge: to improve the car ready for the next race.
Mr Hawthorne
Year 12 Community Action Programme (CAP)
In preparation for the off-site CAP visits which start next week, and involve students working in the local community, some of our Year 12s have written letters to St Mark's Primary School and to Raystede Animal Welfare this week, introducing themselves and explaining their reasons for choosing the placement. Their beautifully handwritten and eloquent letters explain their personal choices and, in many cases, their career aspirations. Regardless of their different motives for choosing their placements, however, we are confident that they will find their CAP activities highly rewarding and enjoy the opportunity to work with both children and animals (despite that well known saying!) – we wish the best of luck to everyone.
Miss Kelsey and Mr Wilson
PSHE and Life Skills Drugs Awareness Talks
This week, our Year 10 and Year 12 students took part in engaging and thought-provoking sessions as part of their Personal Development and Life Skills sessions.
Bob Tait from Substance Misuse Education explored the question “What is a drug problem?” with Year 10. He discussed why schools have policies around drug use, the importance of communication, and how the law impacts young people. Year 10 also reflected on risk-taking, making positive choices, and understanding the short- and long-term effects of substances.
Meanwhile, Year 12 enjoyed a lively and interactive session covering a wide range of drug-related topics, from the latest legislation and driving laws to global trends. Students had the chance to take part in an open Q&A after learning about topics such as gap year travel, staying safe overseas, and preparing for university life.
Both sessions provided valuable knowledge, encouraged open conversation, and empowered our students to make informed, responsible decisions going forward.
Mrs Chamberlain
'I enjoyed the talk yesterday. He made it engaging and interesting instead of just feeling like it was a lecture. The statistics were interesting. For example, one of the statistics I found most shocking was that 1 cannabis cigarette is equal to 5 shots of vodka! He was also quite funny!'
Lili (Yr10)
'I found the statistics informative. It really raised my awareness as it was interesting to see how little we all knew about the laws we could get prosecuted for. I also thought it was useful to think about starting conversations with your parents.'
Rosa (Yr10)
'I found this presentation really useful, especially when he was describing the consequences of drugs.'
Serena (Yr12)
'I really enjoyed Bob’s presentation because it was very engaging, and he spoke to us like we were his friends rather than getting up on stage and talking at us. I learnt lots of new things and it was particularly useful because we have not done much about drugs in the past.'
Sara (Yr10)
‘Such a fabulous group of young people. It was such a joy – genuinely. You have some world-changing brains there.’
Ali Hannon
'I found his whole presentation interesting. I did not know that there are drugs that are more dangerous to women than to men, and the university drug policies were quite new to me too. I was not aware that hair testing reveals all drugs taken by an individual, even from a very long time ago. The experiment with the cups and the goggles demonstrating delayed reaction time, when under the influence, will stay in my mind for a long time!'
Magreta (Yr12)
'Today, I especially enjoyed the way Bob presented facts and statistics while keeping the atmosphere light and fun. I also really liked how he linked back to some of his seemingly odd questions and his funny experiment at the end. Overall, it was an interesting presentation.'
Chloe (Yr12)
'I found it very educational and engaging, particularly as he related the discussion to real-world scenarios and gave advice on what to do in the moment. What stood out most to me was his point about universities conducting drug testing, as this was something many of us were not previously aware of. Overall, I thought the session was highly informative and interesting to listen to.'
Jasmine (Yr12)
House Drama
House Drama 2025: A Creative Glimpse into the Future
This year’s House Drama challenge invited students to explore the theme of The Future through two imaginative 60-second plays. The first scene placed characters from the past in a modern-day supermarket, while the second introduced a pessimistic fortune teller with a flair for dramatic predictions. Each House brought something unique to the stage, making for a thoroughly entertaining afternoon.
House 1 – Overall Winners & Best Vocal Energy
House 1 impressed with clear, confident delivery and inventive storytelling. Their supermarket scene featured a knight from the past, who, in a moment of comic mischief, stole a shopping trolley. Their second scene took the form of a TV panel discussion set at Roedean, debating the future of school uniforms – a clever and well-executed concept that stood out for its originality.
House 4 – Strong Use of Space & Stage Combat
House 4 created a compelling fortune teller character, who predicted a relationship breakup. The scene escalated into a realistic and well-choreographed fight between couples, showcasing effective use of stage space and physical drama.
House 3 – Ensemble Strength & Dramatic Techniques
With a strong ensemble and thoughtful use of split scenes, House 3 revealed their fortune teller to be a scam artist. The twist? The prediction that the customer would leave angry turned out to be spot-on. It was a smart and humorous take on manipulation and expectation.
House 2 – Clever Dialogue & Irony
House 2 delivered a witty two-hander set in a queue for the latest iPhone. Their script was full of sharp lines and ironic humour, especially when the shop assistant suggested the customers should have arrived earlier – by using a time machine. It was a simple concept, executed with charm and precision.
Congratulations to all the Houses for their creativity, energy, and teamwork. It was a pleasure to watch such imaginative interpretations of The Future brought to life on stage.
Mrs Finn
Wild Friday: Bushcraft
Last week, one of the Year 8 Wild Friday groups enjoyed their bushcraft session. They put their firelighting skills to great use, making smores, and dough twists (dampers). Well done!
Mrs Finn
U13A Netball – Into the Next Round of the ISNC!
Last Thursday, the U13A Netball team travelled to Lord Wandsworth College for the first round of the Independent Schools Netball Cup.
We started the match well, gaining a 3 goal lead by the end of the first quarter. In defence, we challenged every ball, putting lots of pressure on their attacking movement and passing. In the second quarter, they came back stronger, but we were clinical in attack, scoring off all our own centre passes. We made numerous turnovers in defence, but struggled to transition the ball through court, allowing the opposition to regain possession and take to goal.
We extended our lead further in the third and fourth quarter, and took the win 28-18. It was an outstanding first game of the season, especially as it featured new combinations on court from across Years 7 and 8.
This was a very promising start to the season, and we are looking forward to seeing you step back on court for our next match.
Well done to the whole squad, and congratulations to Sela and Chloe, who were both named Players of the Match.
Mrs Hammond
Sports Scholars' Workshops
'On Monday morning, the Sports Scholars took part in a workshop led by Carlo, former Brighton and Hove Hockey 1st team Captain, and Steve Batchelor, a former England Hockey player and Olympic gold medallist.
The session was designed to challenge us, build our confidence, and strengthen our teamwork. We were mixed into groups across different years, which helped us get to know one another better and learn to work effectively as a team. Through a range of activities, Carlo and Steve encouraged us to step out of our comfort zones, which practically taught us lessons about resilience, collaboration, and leadership.
By the end of the morning, we had not only developed skills that will support us as athletes and teammates, but we also agreed on six core values that we will champion as sports-people in our school. The session was both inspiring and motivating, leaving us with a clearer sense of what it means to be part of a strong, supportive sporting community.'
Clara (Yr13)
1st VII in a Tough Triangular
The 1st VII played against Handcross Park School in their first match of the triangular. The wind was pumping as usual on the cliffs, and communication and organisaation took a lot of effort.
The girls started well, and had two chances before a quick counter attack saw HCP take a 1-0 lead. Handcross settled better and immediately went two more goals up before half-time. After a stern word at halftime about energy and basics, the girls turned their play up and started playing with more structure and energy. Handcross moved the ball extremely well, and, towards the end of the game, scored three quick goals to leave them 6-0 winners.
In the second match against Windlesham, an improved performance was needed. It started brilliantly, with a goal in the first few minutes after an excellent attacking move down the right. Windlesham responded with two goals of their own, before we were able to draw level. Just before halftime, Windlesham scored again to take a good lead at a crucial time. The girls set about their work to try and score the next goal and after a few short corners,
Windlesham managed to get the all important next goal, which stretched their lead to 4-2. Towards the end of the match, Windlesham managed to score a final goal to make it a final score of 5-2.
Mr Campleman
Hockey 6th vs Ardingly
On Wednesday, our 6th team took on the Ardingly 5th team in their first game of the season. It was a very closely fought game throughout, with both teams making some ferocious tackles. We opened up the pitch and drove the ball down the right side of the pitch brilliantly. We had some great attempts at goal, forcing their goalie to make some strong saves. The game ended 0-0 which was a fair reflection – well done to all who played, and I can't wait to see you playing in our next fixture.
Mrs Hammond
U13 Hockey vs Ardingly
The 1st VII hockey team faced Ardingly College in a thrilling and evenly matched contest full of end-toend action. From the first whistle, both sides pressed hard, creating chances and keeping spectators gripped throughout.
Issy made her debut in goal and impressed with a string of confident saves, showing composure under pressure. At the back, Nkem and Daisy defended superbly, reading the game well and distributing the ball with accuracy to launch attacks.
In midfield, Lara worked tirelessly, covering ground and linking play by feeding passes out wide. Kosi’s pace on the left caused real problems for Ardingly,
as she delivered excellent balls into Harrie and Scarlett, who battled strongly up front. Tilly also showed her skill and flair, helping to keep the team moving forward.
Despite tough opposition, the 1st VI team displayed great teamwork, determination, and spirit, making it a highly competitive and exciting encounter.
The final score was a 3-0 loss, which did not reflect the strong performance from the Roedean side. Player of the Match went to Issy – great work!
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
Miss Hayman
Sport Stars of the Week
Year 7
Inès, for fantastic all-round effort in PE
Year 7
Izzy, for her fantastic progress and performance as a goal keeper against Ardingly
Year 8
Wren, for her 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
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
This week's sporting stars have set a wonderful example to their peers. The Team of the Week is U13A Netball VII, in recognition of their outstanding performance against Lord Wandsworth College in the National Cup. Well done!
Selena, for incredible efforts in Cross-Fit during Games this term.
Mr Campleman