Head's Review - 12 June 2026 - Issue 7 by Roedean School

HEAD’S REVIEW

Head’s Introduction

Yesterday’s Afternoon of Dance was truly a celebration of world dance, and I was so impressed with the calibre of the performances – ballet and contemporary styles sat beside traditional dance from China and India, and they were all wonderful. Congratulations to everyone who performed. As has become tradition, the evening closed with the Year 8s demonstrating what they had been learning during the day at their Bollywood workshop – it was clear that the girls were having a great time showing off their new skills. Thank you to Kalpesh, and I have no doubt that Miss Abaza and the other Dance teachers were incredibly proud.

Just two days before, some of our musicians were performing in the last teatime recital of the year. Much like the Afternoon of Dance, the variety of styles performed at such a high level was outstanding – the audience was treated to Gershwin alongside Rutter, and Sara Bareilles alongside Bach. Congratulations to everyone who performed, and I am grateful to the Mr Rous and Mr McGregor for a lovely event.

We are delighted to celebrate the fact that Roedean has won the Education Choices national award for the ‘Opportunities in Art and Music’ category, and we have also been given a special mention for ‘Working with Local Charities’.

Last weekend, in the terrible weather, 99 Roedeanians were on their Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh expeditions. They walked and camped in the rain, and I am delighted that, at the end of it, they had all successfully completed this element is the award – well done. I am grateful to Mrs Finn for the huge amount of work which goes into the expeditions behind the scenes, and also to all my colleagues who walked and camped. At the same time, our Year 12 Geographers were successfully undertaking their fieldwork –thank you to Mr Carter and Miss Good. And, hot on the heels of DofE, our CCF contingent also had an overnight exercise this week!

This evening, we are holding a new event for Years 7 and 8, at which we will celebrate those who have completed the Junior Roedean Diploma and award character prizes to Year 8. We will also announce the names of the new Junior Prefects, an exciting new initiative to bring tangible leadership roles to the lower school.

Congratulations to those in Years 11 and 13, who are gradually ticking off their public examinations, and I am pleased to hear that rehearsals for Hetty Feather next week are going well. I wish you all a restful weekend.

An Afternoon of Remarkably Beautiful Dance

Unsung heroes in the spotlight

Each week, many wonderful things happen at Roedean, about which many in the school are perhaps unaware; this section of the weekly review is dedicated to ‘unsung heroes’, in order to draw our attention to these people and remind us that our community is special.

Ebun, Nichole, and Charlotte (Yr9) – for speaking with such confidence and poise at the Year 9 Transition Evening [Miss Hart]

and Annabelle

for their

Unsung Staff hero in the spotlight

This week, Miss Corkran had the honour of attending Buckingham Palace for the Presentation of New Colours to the First Battalion, Grenadier Guards, by His Majesty the King. This was Miss Corkran's father's regiment, so it was an extremely proud day for her family.

Miss Corkran at Buckingham Palace Art Scholars

On Monday, the Art Scholars enjoyed an inspiring workshop with mixed-media textile artist Anne Kelly. Using fabric scraps alongside both hand and machine stitching

techniques, the scholars worked diligently to create individual A5 postcard artworks featuring their chosen birds.

Bronze for Thea in the Junior Maths Kangaroo

These beautiful creations will now make their way to the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum in Almonte, Canada, where they will form part of Anne Kelly’s exhibition this August.

The girls thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and Anne was incredibly impressed by their creativity, skill, and quality of the finished pieces.

Congratulations to Thea in Year 8, who has been awarded a Bronze in the Junior Maths Kangaroo – this is a remarkable achievement. An estimated 300,000 students nationally choose to enter the Junior Maths Challenge, from which around 15,000 win qualification to the Kangaroo. A Bronze award at this level means that Thea is in the top 1% of all those who entered nationally – well done!

Mrs Hopper

Flo

(Yr10) –

beautiful rendition of Joni Mitchell's Big Yellow Taxi in Chapel [Dr Barrand]

Miss De Jesus –for a fascinating Academic Lecture on 'How languages shape your mind' [Ms IbanezBarcelo]

Gracie (Yr9) – for her thoughtful contribution to this week's Chapel [Mrs Pashley]

Miss Hart

Mrs Alexander

Creative Thinking at the House Sustainability Competition

Students from across Years 7-12 threw themselves into the House Sustainability Competition in the Library last week.

Working in teams, each House was challenged to investigate the hidden environmental impact of an everyday item, and develop a practical solution. Their mission was to reinvent it, reuse it, or replace it with a more sustainable alternative.

The teams then presented their ideas in a lively 90-second eco micro-pitch, explaining how their solution could help Roedean to reduce waste and make more sustainable choices.

Congratulations to House 3, who took first place, followed by House 4 in second place. House 1 and House 2 shared joint third place. However, special awards were also presented:

Biology Challenge Winners!

Earlier this term, some of our Year 9s and 10s volunteered to take part in the UK Biology Challenge. They gave up their free time to sit two challenging papers online in exam conditions, and well done to them all.

Maya scored the highest in the School, winning a Silver award, just a few decimals from a Gold. Charisse, Janice, and Emily followed closely with Bronze awards. Many of our competitors were Highly Commended or Commended.

Congratulations to everyone involved, and, while most competitors were in Year 10, a special mention goes to Ottilie and Cynthia in Year 9.

A huge well done goes to everyone who took part. The competition showed that small changes can make a big difference when we work together.

Mrs Pashley

Mrs Andrew

An Afternoon of Remarkably Beautiful Dance

Congratulations to every dancer involved in this week's Afternoon of Dance – what an exceptional spectacle!

The afternoon brought together classical ballet, contemporary styles, and some beautiful traditional dances. The accomplishment of our dancers is remarkable, and it was such a pleasure to see them showcase the result of all their hard work.

Sixteen of our dancers showcased a fantastic variety of styles, including a group Disco dance, Ballet, Lyrical Jazz, Hip Hop, and Contemporary –as a school, it is remarkable that talented dancers are able to work at such a high level in these diverse styles. Well done to Ayase, Bella, Bethany, Charlie, Esme, Florence, Greta, Holly, Ingrid, Livvy, Luciana, Megs, and Sara (representing Years 8 to 12) for their lovely performances.

Complementing more familiar, yet startlingly beautiful dance styles, it was such a pleasure to see three dancers educating the audience by showcasing stunning dances from India and the Far East:

Yoyo (Yr10), who has been dancing for 9 years, performed a piece called “Nan Feng” (Southern Wind), inspired by an ancient legend about a king and the gentle southern breeze, expressing a deep and tender longing; as the poem says, “The southern wind knows my heart, and blows my dream to the Western Isle” (南风知我意，吹梦到西洲).

Jeanne (Yr9) began studying Chinese traditional dances when she was 6; her piece is called "Uyghur Girl", which comes from the western part of China bordering central Asian countries, highlights Xinjiang as a hidden gem in China, which is well-known for minor ethnic arts culture, with a history which traces back to the Silk Road.

Dudu (Yr10) has been learning Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance form from Tamil Nadu, since she was four, and she is the first student in China to reach Arangetram, a highlyaccomplished level which brings together the precise footwork, exquisite hand gestures, and changing facial expressions of this Indian dance.

The afternoon concluded with a wonderful demonstration of what the Year 8s had learnt as part of their Bollywood workshop during the day. The girls had clearly learnt a great deal from a long-time friend of Roedean, Kalpesh – not only that, but they also had a great time doing it!

Well done to everyone involved!

Dr Barrand

Bronze & Silver Qualifying Expedition 2026

We are delighted to congratulate all 99 Duke of Edinburgh's Award participants on the successful completion of their Qualifying Expeditions in the beautiful surroundings of Ashdown Forest, East Sussex.

An impressive 64 Bronze Award participants completed their two-day, one-night expedition, demonstrating resilience, teamwork, navigation skills, and determination throughout their journey.

We also celebrate our 35 Silver Award participants, who successfully completed the more demanding three-day, two-night expedition. While the weather on day 1 and day 3 was particularly soggy, the rain did little to dampen spirits or determination. Our participants embraced the conditions with remarkable perseverance, supporting one another and continuing to make excellent progress despite the challenging weather.

Throughout the expedition, the participants showcased the key values of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award: independence, perseverance, leadership, and teamwork. Their ability to adapt to changing conditions and remain focused on their goals was truly impressive.

Thank you very much to our dedicated staff, who volunteered their time and expertise to support the expeditions: we are grateful to Mrs Chamberlain, Ms Sturgeon, Ms Orrells, Mrs Newman, Mr Marchant, Ms Isbecque, Mr Wriglesworth, Ms Edwards, and Mrs BowmarScothern. Their guidance, encouragement, and commitment played a vital role in ou students' success.

Well done to every participant on reaching this important milestone in your DofE journey. You should be immensely proud of your achievements, and we look forward to seeing you continue to build on this success as you work towards completing your awards.

Congratulations to all our Bronze and Silver participants on an outstanding achievement!

Mrs Finn

Teatime Recital Brings ABBA and Bach Together

On Tuesday, we had our final Teatime Recital of the year. These are always joyous and relaxed occasions with a wonderful range of musicians, and this was no exception.

Charisse (Yr10) opened the recital with the first movement of Mozart’s Violin Concerto in G major, and this was full of panache and character, communicating both the elegance and joie de vivre of this charming piece. A sunny piece for a sunny evening! There was light and shade, however, with plenty of searching pathos in the darker moments. This was bold and accomplished playing, not least the impressively sonorous double-stops in the cadenza.

It was wonderful to hear Sela (Yr8) sing the hope-filled song "I have a dream" by ABBA. She powerfully communicated the words and message of the song, and we were transfixed by her singing.

We were then beautifully transported by Year 12, Jody’s wonderfully sensitive rendition on the Piano of the incredible Nikki Iles arrangement of the tune "Danny Boy". The rich harmonies and widely voiced chords were navigated with care and precision.

Charlie (Yr12) then impressed with her mellifluous singing, perfect for Gershwin's jazz standard "I've Got A Crush On You". There was beautifully controlled expressive vibrato, rubato, and pitch-bending from the start, giving way to humour and more movement in the middle of the song before melting back into the opening melody. Wonderful!

A dazzling opening full of energy set the tone for the quirky and vivid Fughetta from the Five Bagatelles for Clarinet, by Finzi. This music is full of angles, devilish runs, and spritely rhythms, but Michelle (Yr12) handled them all with aplomb.

Jemima (Yr10) sang us Rutter's beautifully simple melody "The Lord Bless You And Keep You" with poise, a pure sound, and impressive breath control in the long phrases.

The harp is often associated with the ethereal and classical, but "Harp Break", by Fiona CliftonWelker, gives harpists the chance to indulge in grooves and blues licks, and Tilly (Yr10) did this with great skill.

From the very first syllable, Lilli (Yr12) had the audience in the palm of her hand with her performance of the heartfelt ballad "She Used To Be Mine" from "Waitress" by Sara Bareilles. This was

utterly compelling, from the tender fragility of the opening phrases to the impassioned central climax – it had sustained intensity and was a truly accomplished piece of singing.

And to finish, something completely different… the first movement of Bach’s iconic ‘Double’, the concerto for two violins in D minor. This dialogue requires the players to understand how their wonderfully intricate melodic lines engage, relate, and balance. Amyra and Jemima (Yr10) were performing this music together for the first time, but already showed a fantastic sense of the ensemble and played with the joy that this music deserves.

Thanks to the Housemen, Catering, and Technical Crew for all their help in setting up, and, of course, to all our performers.

Mr McGregor and Mr Rous

Sustainability – 'A Year in Impact'

This week's Chapel service was led by Mrs Pashley:

'Today, I want to take a moment to reflect, not just on what we have done this year, but on what those actions say about who we are as a community. Because when we look back, this year has not simply been busy, it has been purposeful. It has been meaningful. We have been empowered, engaged, and encouraged.

At the heart of Roedean is a simple, but powerful, belief: that education does not end in the classroom. Education shapes the way we live, the way we think, and the way we care for the world around us. Nowhere has that been clearer this year, than in our commitment to sustainability. This year, we have taken real and tangible steps towards a greener future. We have strengthened our recycling systems, improved energy efficiency across the School, and begun to embrace more sustainable transport, including greener vehicles. We have encouraged each other to reuse, to buy second-hand, and to buy local.

Year 7 students wrote to His Majesty, the King, to raise awareness of plastic pollution, and they were delighted to receive a letter in response, recognising their efforts and concerns.

But, more than that, we have brought sustainability to life. Our student-led EcoCouncil has helped drive meaningful change across the school. From campaigns to reduce single-use plastics, to our recognition for all the work we have done for Surfers Against Sewage, to the planting of endangered species such as the Early Spider Orchid, their work has made a genuine difference. They have also taken sustainability into the world of innovation, developing an award-winning bio-polymers project. This is a

powerful reminder that science, creativity, and determination can come together to help solve real-world problems.

Sometimes, when we think about the climate crisis, we find ourselves asking a very big question: “What can I do?” It can feel overwhelming. We may hope that someone else will arrive with a perfect answer, a simple checklist, or a plan that solves everything. But perhaps the most powerful answers do not come from one person, or one list, or one moment. Perhaps they come from exploring that question together.

We need to be the kind of community where we can ask, “What can I do?” honestly and bravely. A community where we can think deeply about what it means to be human on this Earth. A community where we look inward with care, outward with curiosity, and forward with courage.

That is how we begin to find our way.

Through projects such as the Nature Trail, the Wellness Garden, and the Climate Café, sustainability has become something we do not simply learn about. It has become something we experience, something we practise, and something we share. But sustainability is only one part of our story this year.

Academically, we have achieved exceptional success, and, in a world where girls remain under-represented in STEM, nearly half of our leavers are going on to study subjects such as Engineering, Medicine, and Physics. Quietly, but powerfully, they are reshaping expectations.

At the same time, our creative students have flourished, proving that, at Roedean, success does not have just one shape. It can be scientific,

artistic, academic, practical, bold, thoughtful, and deeply personal.

Beyond academics, this has also been a year of recognition.

We were shortlisted for a number of awards, which are reflections of something deeper. They reflect kindness. They reflect community. They reflect a willingness to look beyond ourselves. And I think that is what truly defines this year.

Because, whether we are talking about sustainability, academic excellence, creativity, pastoral care, or service to others, there is one common thread running through it all:

■ Responsibility.

■ Responsibility for our environment.

■ Responsibility for our learning.

■ Responsibility for one another.

So, as we look ahead, the question is not simply, “What will we achieve next?” The bigger question is: “Who will we choose to be?”

Will we continue to be people who lead change, rather than wait for others to begin? Will we continue to care, not just when it is easy, but when it matters? Will we continue to believe that our choices, our voices, and our actions can make a difference?

This year has shown that we can. Not perfectly. Not effortlessly. But consistently, thoughtfully, and with purpose. And that is something worth celebrating.'

Visit from University College London

On Wednesday 3 June, Roedean was delighted to welcome Peter Muncey, Interim Head of Student Recruitment at UCL, who spoke to Year 12 students about studying at one of the world's leading universities.

Ranked 9th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2026, and offering more than 440 degree programmes, UCL is a popular destination for Roedean students, making Peter's visit particularly relevant and well-attended.

Peter began by highlighting UCL's pioneering history as the first institution in England to welcome women into university education. He explained how the university continues to challenge inequality, break down barriers, and address some of humanity's most pressing issues. He also encouraged students to think about the broader purpose of higher education, emphasising that university is not about learning what to think, but about learning how to think.

Our students were introduced to UCL's two campuses: the historic Bloomsbury campus in the heart of central London, close to many of the capital's iconic landmarks; and the newer UCL East campus, located beside the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford. Both campuses offer state-of-the-art facilities and a wealth of opportunities for students.

Peter outlined the extensive support available to undergraduates, and the session also explored graduate outcomes; he noted that over 900 employers attended UCL careers events in 2024-25, and that the university is ranked 8th in the UK for graduate employability in the Complete University Guide Graduate Prospects Rankings 2026.

The talk concluded with practical advice on the university application process, including what UCL looks for in applicants and how students can craft a strong and competitive application. Several Year 12 students will be building on what they learned by attending UCL's Open Day later this month.

Ms Boobis

We welcome contributions from all parts of the Roedean community. If you have something you would like featured in the Head’s Weekly Review, please email: aws@roedean.co.uk