15th April 2016 - Issue 1
HEAD’S
WEEKLY REVIEW
Head’s Introduction It is wonderful to see everyone back at Roedean after Easter, and I am very pleased to welcome a new student, Tishe, who joins Year 9. Term has started well and there has been so much going on in the first week already, from sport to business, and photography to rehearsals for forthcoming dance and music events.
Staff-Student Netball 30 Roedean staff and 20 Netball Squad players joined forces to take part in the mixed Staff & Student Netball Tournament. The 6 teams were led by Mr Orys, Miss Waller, Miss Hyams, Mr Reid, Mr Carter and Miss Balnaves. Each team played 4 members of staff along with 3 students to battle it out for the winning spot! The afternoon was played in great spirit, with many staff and students coming along to support! There was some great Netball, some competitive games, and some interesting sports kit in the form of Mr Carter’s Netball Dress! Some notable performances came from Mr Buchanan in the shooting circle, great shooting from Mr Chamberlain, and amazing athleticism from Mrs Chandler and Mrs Ridley! Miss Crawley would like to thank the PE team for their help umpiring the matches and all playing in the tournament as well! Also massive thanks to all staff and students who took part and supported; you were all fantastic sports and we look forward to the next event! Winners were Team Reid who didn’t drop a game! Coming in 2nd and 3rd were Team Carter and Team Blond respectively. Thanks again and well done everyone!
On an extremely sad note, I am sorry to report that Mr Alan Smith, who taught Maths here, has passed away after battling with cancer. At his funeral, one of his daughters spoke about how the cancer had beaten his body, but not his spirit, and that his love of everything around him and his passion for his diverse interests, the stars, music, football, and learning, to name just a few, were still fighting fit until the end – he was a true polymath. His death was marked in school this morning by a lovely Chapel service, during which three girls in U5 reminded us what a great character Mr Smith was, and the effect he had had on their learning. Mr Orys also gave a poignant eulogy, which is included in this review, describing the lasting impact he had had on the Maths Department, despite only being at Roedean for just over a year. He will be missed. Thank you for all your letters of condolence. The Staff and Student Netball Tournament, organised by Miss Crawley, took place on Thursday afternoon, and it was a fantastic occasion. It was wonderful to see the six teams, each comprising members of staff and girls, playing their hearts out to get the ball up and down the court. It was a great, fun event, with so many members of the community involved, either playing, umpiring, or supporting – it exemplified perfectly this term’s theme of ‘working together’. I was delighted to be on the judging panel at the end of the two-day Business Enterprise event this week, which saw our U4 girls join with their counterparts at Ringmer Academy, as part of our partnership with them. They learnt about producing and marketing a product on the first day, and then had to produce a plate and a cup to present with their pitch to a panel of six ‘business experts’, who then grilled them on the details. It was hugely productive, and I am sure that they have all learnt a great deal. Looking ahead, good luck to those involved in the Marathon this weekend, either the staff running it or those members of the Roedean community who are manning the water station on the route. I imagine some parents may also be running; it would be good to hear how you got on. I look forward to the Dance Showcase on Friday, and wish you all a wonderful week.
Amelie’s in the Fruit Shoot advert Congratulations to Amelie Hurley (U3) who is on television in the new Robinson’s Fruit Shoot advert! Follow this link to watch it: https://vimeo.com/159555423