7 May 2020 - Issue 3
HEAD’S
WEEKLY REVIEW
Head’s Introduction Tomorrow will be the 75th Anniversary of VE Day, and I am delighted that, despite moving to a virtual school, we have been able to mark this momentous day by lighting up the School. The effect is wonderful, and I am very grateful to Mr Wailes, Mr Hawkes, Mr Carpenter, Miss Boles, the Music Department and singers, and all others who have made this possible. In our virtual Chapel service this morning, Mr Chamberlain and others spoke about the historical significance of Victory in Europe Day, and this anniversary. It is a highly significant and important moment in our history, and we hope that the girls will use this opportunity to learn more about the end of the war and its impact on our lives. I hope you all enjoy the Bank Holiday weekend. In this Head’s Review, we have made a feature of the NHS and healthcare professionals around the world, who are working in very difficult circumstances to battle against the current Coronavirus pandemic. A number of Roedean girls and parents who are directly connected have contributed personal reflections or artwork about their experiences – they are all very powerful pieces, and thank you for sharing them.
Over the last few weeks, a couple of wonderful things have happened which have caught me a little off guard – last week it was seeing the façade off our fantastic school turned blue, and this week it is a picture book produced by a group of girls. It is the brainchild of Megan and Olivia in Year 11, who wanted to produce something for the children of our partner schools, St Mark’s and Deepdene, who might be missing coming to Roedean because they know the School and Farm so well. It is written in rhyming verses about the animals from Roedean Farm taking full advantage of the fact that they have the run of the School at the moment, and each verse is illustrated brilliantly and imaginatively. Olivia and Megan pulled together a team of girls, mostly in Year 11, to narrate and illustrate this wonderful book. Congratulations to everyone involved – I have no doubt that the children who read it will love it! As well as this book, this week St Mark’s has received our donation of almost 200 books, one for every child, so that all pupils can continue to enjoy reading and learning at home, as many are unable to access school virtually. As you know, we
built a Library at St Mark’s last year, and reading has always been a fundamental element of our partnership, so I am delighted that we have been able to continue to support the school, even in these difficult times. The books will be sent home to the children next week, along with some stationery and craft items – I am sure that they will love them. I am very pleased that the boarding teams have set the girls a challenge this week, the virtual Race to Roedean South Africa! This is a great idea to maintain House spirit, as well as encouraging exercise, and hopefully to require some money for charity along the way. We have also been in touch with our sister school to see if they will start the same race from the other end, and let’s see where we meet, or who gets to the other school first! Well done again to you all for a great week – have a lovely long weekend, and good luck for next week!