8 November 2019 - Issue 8
HEAD’S
WEEKLY REVIEW
Head’s Introduction
Speech Day last Saturday was a wonderful day, which, for me, showcased everything which is remarkable about Roedean: of course, it was wonderful to congratulate the girls and celebrate their achievements, and particularly our returning leavers, who shared stories of their first month at university and life after School; although many girls, members of staff, and guests were hoping for an England win in the Rugby World Cup, it was great to have the opportunity to watch the match by delaying the ceremony and screening the game around School; the six performances in the ceremony were outstanding, especially because they were being presented in a Sports Hall and not a theatre; and, despite the very high winds and driving rain, we showed that ‘the show must go on’. We also welcomed a most outstanding guest speaker in Rachel Parris, whose address was both humorous and fastpaced, but also pitched perfectly for the girls, whom she reminded that it’s really okay not to have everything mapped out and set in stone. Her delivery and timing were brilliant, and it was fantastic to hear her sing her advice to the girls from behind a piano too – I have no doubt that many girls in the audience felt very reassured by what are they heard. I am incredibly grateful to Mr Hawkes and Mr Parker and their teams, which battled on in the terrible weather conditions on the day to bus the girls and guests to Centenary Hall from the main parts of School and back, and to Mr Wailes and the Theatre team for the work they put in on the day and before to make excellent performances possible in the Sports Hall. The few short hours of the Speech Day ceremony are the brief culmination of a huge amount of work in preparation – I would like to thank everyone involved for making the day the best in my time at Roedean. Apart from Speech Day, thank you to all those who have been conducting interview practice with the girls who may be interviewed at Oxbridge age other top universities, and I also hope that the rehearsals for the Dance Showcase next week have been going well – it is always a wonderful event, and I am looking forward to seeing the excellent performances on Tuesday. Congratulations to all the girls involved in our many sports this week, and to our U14 Hockey team in the Sussex finals – it was brilliant to be able to see this via a live twitter feed, which was a great way to see them in action, and it is excellent that Roedean will be representing Sussex in the Regional Finals for the first time in years. Next week, we will be marking Remembrance on Monday with two Chapel services, as well as keeping a two-minute silence throughout the School at 11:00. Good luck to Year 11 for your trial examinations next week, and I wish you all a great week!
Speech Day
Rachel Parris – an Inspirational Speaker for Speech Day Battle of Hastings at Roedean! Click on title to jump to article
Musicians at St Mark’s Bonfire Night Festivities for House 3 and 4 Alex Smashed Her Own British SpeedSkating Record In the Top 2 in U14 Sussex County Hockey Finals Speech Day Photos if you would like to buy any photos from Speech Day, please follow this link: https://bit.ly/2CsGpC8
The Roedean Shop is launching soon!