31 January 2020 - Issue 4
HEAD’S
WEEKLY REVIEW
Head’s Introduction
Happy Chinese New Year! I am delighted that everyone in the school community is sharing in this celebration – it has been wonderful to hear about the many festive traditions and thank you to Maggie, who organised a talented band of musicians to perform for the School every day this week. Hot on the heels of the outstanding success of two Roedean girls in the World Chinese Writing Competition, I am delighted that Martha and Tinaye were selected to accompany Mrs Wu to meet the Prime Minister last Friday – this was no
doubt an unforgettable experience. We are very proud of the girls’ achievements. With flashes and bangs timed to music, the fireworks on Wednesday were brilliant, and I am pleased that those on the Roedean Academy and some from St Mark’s were able to join us to watch the display. The range of activities and events taking place each week at Roedean never ceases to impress me – on top of all the Chinese activities, Classicists have been to the British Museum, there have been
Dance workshops, indoor Cricket, the Roedean Academy, chamber music masterclasses with the Sacconi Quartet, the Visual and Performing Arts Day in Admissions, and a huge number of girls have represented the School on the Netball courts. Well done to everyone involved, and I thank all my colleagues for their commitment and also for the Year 9 Parents’ Evening. I wish you all a relaxing weekend and wonderful week ahead.
新年快乐! Happy Chinese New Year! 恭喜发财! The Year of the Rat has arrived! After weeks of excited preparations in the Houses, making paper decorations and traditional treats, it is wonderful that the entire Roedean community is sharing in the festivities for Chinese New Year.
10 Downing Street for Roedean Girls
The Year of the Rat has already shown itself to be auspicious at Roedean! On Friday, Tinaye (Yr9) and Martha (Yr10) had the great honour of being two out of 30 students from the whole of the UK who were invited, with their Roedean teacher, Mrs Lin Wu, to 10 Downing Street to meet the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.
that I have never tasted before. I think being around so many Chinese-speaking people has helped me with my learning, as I got to listen to lots of pronunciation. Going inside number 10 was very exciting and I’m glad I got to see all the portraits of previous Prime Ministers on the walls. We made origami and crafts to celebrate the New Year, and took photos with the Prime Minister which I will keep as a memory. Visiting Downing Street was a special event that I am very lucky and grateful to have been part of, and it was inspiring to see Mr Johnson in person.’
Martha, who has been learning Chinese for 5 years, said, ‘The visit to 10 Downing Street for Chinese New Year was an amazing experience that I will never forget. It was interesting to see the Chinese culture through music and a Chinese lion dance. I also got to try new Chinese foods
Tinaye: ‘It was an amazing experience to go through that big black door to 10 Downing Street. Out of all the students there, Martha and I were the only ones who weren’t Chinese, which makes me really proud. We did lots of Chinese activities, and then we saw Boris Johnson too – I really enjoyed the whole day!’
Fireworks at Roedean
Under crystal clear skies on Wednesday evening, we watched a fantastic firework display set to music. The girls were joined in the Quad by the 50 students from local schools who are part of the Roedean Academy, and by a group of children from our partner school in Whitehawk, St Mark’s Primary. The flashes were bright and the bangs were loud, just as they should be to scare off evil spirits! We have been very lucky to watch incredibly talented musicians performing brilliantly on traditional Chinese instruments in Assemblies and in Chapel, and a number of younger students from China and Hong Kong also explained the significance and importance of Chinese New Year to the school community.
SUSTAINABILITY DAY – Tuesday 4 February Next Tuesday is Sustainability Day at Roedean. Thank you all for the brilliant ideas you discussed in vertical tutorgroups.
Please remember to wear something green on Tuesday – thank you for donating £1, and if you have not done this already, please hand it in to the School Office on Monday if you want to wear nonuniform on Tuesday.
Follow this link to find out more about why we should endeavour to be as sustainable as we can be. Sophia (Yr13 – Sustainability Prefect)