Alumnae Highlights Governors’ Forum The third Governors’ Forum was held on Friday 16th June in Keswick Hall (the old Junior House). Ginny Stephen (ORA Chairman) wrote this review of the evening: The Governors’ Forums initiated by Anne Whitaker, Chairman of Council, and attended by Council members and the Headmaster, have become very popular. This Forum started with five pupils from Lower Sixth telling us how they settled into Roedean, what they thought of it and what their future plans were. All spoke fluently, and with great confidence and enthusiasm. An excellent example of the Roedean Girl. The Headmaster, Oliver Blond, then gave us a presentation about recent events and future plans for the School. We were delighted to hear that he and his team had been very successful in improving pupil numbers. In September, there are likely to be 570 at the School – this is the highest number ever – and indeed, some were having to be turned away. Of this number, there will be 300 boarders so it is excellent news that there is a swing back to majority boarding. Future plans for the School being considered at this stage are exciting. They include sponsoring a state school, opening one or more satellite Roedean Schools in Abu Dhabi and China, and also spear-heading an International Academy to improve language skills for pupils wishing to integrate into the English educational system. In addition, there are plans to open or acquire a feeder Prep School, which is what many similar schools do. These options could
The newly refurbished Keswick (Formerly JH) Hall mean the introduction of co-education off-site. The Headmaster reported on his interesting findings from his trips to Asia and the Far East which he said had included meetings with backers and developers. In order to proceed with some of these plans, the Council are exploring the possibility of amending the Royal Charter that was granted to Roedean in 1938. However, it was confirmed there is no intention to reduce Governors’ powers, nor to admit boys to Roedean, Brighton, and any such move would involve full consultation with the Governors first. Any change to the Charter bye-laws would necessitate meetings with Governors, resolutions to be voted on at an EGM and, if passed, a presentation to the Privy Council. This would be an extensive piece of work so should not be done lightly or frequently. It was a spirited and useful meeting with much engagement. I’m sure that all Governors are delighted at the excellent results and increase in numbers. We should thank the Headmaster and his team for their hard work which has produced such good news.
OR Visits Over the last few months we have hosted visits from a large number of ORs and their families. Our visitors have travelled from all over the world, and are from many different generations, but all have one thing in common – fond memories of their time at Roedean and, in most cases, shock at the difference in the refurbished houses! Amongst those who have visited is Margaret Thomas (Cleland, No. 2) who was at Roedean from 1943-50. As such she well remembers having been evacuated to Keswick, as well as her time at Roedean in Brighton. Margaret 6
had not visited the School since leaving in 1950 and so was amazed by the transformation of many areas – but also by the familiarity she still felt with the main school building. I’m sure today’s girls will be grateful that they no longer have to walk outside in the freezing cold before breakfast to get to the music practice rooms!
Michelle Wong with Andrew England
Other notable visits include Michelle Wong (No.3, 1996-2000) who gave an academic lecture whilst here (pictured with Andrew England), Edlyn Cheng (No.3, 2003-07), and her fiancé who had their engagement photos taken here, and Margaret Cheng (Lai, No.4 2001-05), and her new husband and their friends, who were in England for their wedding.