26 April 2019 - Issue 1
HEAD’S
WEEKLY REVIEW
Head’s Introduction Welcome back to everyone, whether from just around the corner or from homes 5,000 miles away. I hope everyone has had a really good break and a much-needed a chance to do a little less for a while, sleep a little more, and catch up with friends and family. In our first Chapel, while celebrating the joyful return to school of our wonderfully diverse community, we also took time to reflect and remember those affected by the tragic and senseless killings in Sri Lanka and Northern Ireland, where the re-emergence of violence in longsuffering communities has been so devastating. Here at Roedean the holidays have been busy. We’ve seen two more lambs born on the Farm, taking our tally to five. They are all now out in the fields enjoying the fine weather. Our own staff and girls enjoyed a fantastic tour of Greece, visiting ancient classical sites and also experiencing an earthquake first hand. They returned home safely, but a huge thanks to Mrs Miller, Ms Hindle, Ms Best, and Ms Vasquez for leading the trip. More hard work and determination was seen right here with students in Years 11 and 13, along with their teachers enjoying a very successful and worthwhile revision week. I am grateful to my colleagues who ran these sessions to support the girls’ revision. We hope that this time to work together has helped. We were delighted to hear that Alex S, in Year 7, who competed in the British Short Track
Roedean and the Brighton Marathon
Championships in Sheffield over Easter, achieved 3 gold medals. In her first year as a speed skater, she has broken three national U13 records and is a four time British Championship Gold Medallist. Congratulations on all the hard work, determination and training that it must have taken to compete at such a high level. Continuing with the theme of resilience and sport, Mr Andrew Wood, Head of Roedean Moira House, completed his 600 kilometre bike ride to Eastbourne from the Lake District, supporting a mental health charity. Congratulations to Mr Wood on this gruelling but remarkable journey which he completed in 22 hours and 22 minutes. During the break, we also joined with the community of St Andrew's Church in Alfriston for a thanksgiving service for Ray Maulkin, our music teacher and organist, who very sadly died in March. It was very moving to hear of Ray's remarkable commitment to music across decades and several organisations, and the positive impact he had on so many people and communities. It was very special to be able to listen to a wonderful recording of him playing the organ, an instrument he loved. He will be missed. We also welcome two new members of academic staff – Miss Beadle, Head of Year 8, and Miss Wright, who is a Teaching Assistant – and three new students, Cherry, Caroline, and Delphine. We hope you settle in well to this friendly and inclusive community.
Andrew Wood Cycling to Eastbourne from Windermere
Alex on the speedskating track
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We also send our best wishes and congratulations on the arrival of two staff babies over the holidays: Mr Low, the Head of Business, and his partner welcomed a baby boy, Charlie, and Mrs Hammond, in the EAL Department, and her partner welcomed a baby girl, Chloe. We hope that they are flourishing and enjoying the first few very tiring but incredible weeks together. I wish everyone taking public exams this term the best of luck – this is the home straight, but it is also the time when a calm focus and steady determination can make every difference. All our girls looking ahead to exams have our support and our best wishes. We know that it can be tough to keep going, but you have given so much in your time this year, both in and outside the classroom, that you deserve to do very well indeed and achieve what you set out to. The GCSE Art exam takes place early next week, and many girls in Year 11 have already had their GCSE speaking exams – I hope they went well! Good luck to everyone involved in preparing for the Brighton Festival Fringe Concert in the Chapel on Saturday 4 May – it is wonderful every year, and I am looking forward to hearing our all our musicians showcasing their talents. Thank you in advance for all of the incredible hard work which has gone into preparing for this concert. I wish you all a fantastic week ahead and a wonderful term!
Sat 4 May 4:30pm Chapel VIOLIN CONCERTO IN E MINOR OP.66 Felix Mendelssohn Violin: Freya VIOLIN CONCERTO OP.48 Dmitry Kabalevsky Violin: Scarlett J PIANO CONCERTO IN D MINOR NO.20 W A Mozart Piano: Kamali M
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OBOE VARIATIONS J N Hummel Oboe: Martha W GLORIA RV589 Antonia Vivaldi Voice: Sorcha H, Amelie S, Zarbanu M, Jacqueline L SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME George Gershwin Voice: Ava D