Head's Review - 17 October 2025 – Issue 7

HEAD’S REVIEW

Head’s Introduction

There was no slowing down at Roedean just because it is the last week before halfterm! It began with our chilling Halloween Maze in the Cloisters – I’m not sure who was enjoying it more, the Sixth Formers in terrifying make-up or the Year 7s and 8s who went round again, despite how scared they said they were!

In stark contrast, it was such a pleasure to welcome the Year 7 parents into School on Tuesday. The Year 7s have negotiated the transition to senior school so smoothly, getting used to a much bigger school, a new timetable, different teachers for different subjects, and more, but they have done so brilliantly. I am so proud of what they have achieved in this, the longest halfterm in the year – well done! They enjoyed their Samba drumming during the day, and then were able to show off their new-found skills to their parents.

Wednesday saw the grand finale to our Black History Month activities at Roedean, with a whole school lecture delivered by Dr Bashair Ahmed. Having completed research into communities migrating to Europe, she spoke about the importance of welcoming diversity into society, and the need to avoid ‘othering’ people who are different. The talk and its theme generated interesting questions in the Theatre and I have no doubt that discussions continued afterwards.

The theme of being open to others’ ideas and traditions was also covered by Mr Halsey in Chapel. He spoke about Diwali, and being welcomed into this festival by his wife’s family, and I would like to paraphrase the final lines of his Chapel here: ‘At Roedean, our strength comes from a community where no culture feels distant, no story ignored, where we don’t just tolerate difference but celebrate it, where each of us carries a light for someone else.’

Yesterday’s New Scholars’ Evening was a lovely opportunity to celebrate and showcase the work of our Scholars at

Roedean. Students shared their experiences at School, and, in between the presentations of badges to new Scholars, we were treated to some wonderful performances, including Emily, who played the guzheng, a traditional Chinese instrument, very beautifully indeed. I am grateful to Ms Reesink-Wells for masterminding this important event in our calendar.

I am delighted to hear that our U16 Netballers have qualified for the regional round of the National Schools’ competition – they played brilliantly against tough opposition, and the next round will be in the first half of next term. The U14s also performed really well, but they were not able to make it through. There have been lots of Hockey fixtures over the last ten days, and it is great to see so many girls out on the Astro representing the School – well done!

I am proud to hear that the RISE 8K run was such a success last weekend –congratulations to all those students and members of staff who ran for a charity which does vital work in our local community, and also to those who volunteered, supporting the event in a different way – they have already raised well over £1000!

Congratulations to Amara, Charlotte, Ebun, Evelyn, Mahi, and Perla, who will be the six Year 9s going to our sister school in South Africa on exchange next term – what an exciting experience it will be! Well done to our Year 13s, a third of whom have submitted their university applications by the early deadline – it is great to have got this important stage out of the way already, and three have already received offers of places from top universities!

Good luck to those who set off this morning to go to Naples – I hope you have a wonderful trip! And I wish you all a restful half-term break!

Spine-Chilling Halloween Maze

U16As Qualify for National Schools!

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.

Aishwarrya, Alayna, and Chaya (Yr13) – for their lovely contributions to thise week's Chapel about Diwali [Mr Halsey]

Ellen (Yr11) – for performing Idyll, by a little-known Swedish composer, Tor Aulin, in Chapel –it was very beautiful [Dr Barrand]

Using Physics in Car Collisions

Some Year 10 girls have recently designed some cars in Physics, to look into how to reduce the impact force upon collision –they learnt a lot and had a lot of fun.

Dr Mistry

Roedean

South Africa Exchange

After successfully negotiating a rigorous application and interview process, congratulations go to the six Year 9 students who have been selected to spend three weeks at Roedean South Africa, our sister school in Johannesburg – well done to Amara, Charlotte, Ebun, Evelyn, Mahi, and Perla.

Well done to all those who applied for the six highly-coveted places – hopefully, successful or not, it was a valuable learning experience for all.

Those who are going to South Africa next term will be paired up with their exchange partner soon, so that they can get in touch and begin to get to know each other ahead of the trip.

Well done!

Global Chinese Writing Winners at Roedean

The number 8 is a very lucky number in Chinese culture, bringing good health, happiness and flourishing business opportunities. That is why it is wonderful that no fewer than 8 Roedean girls have won recognition in the 8th World Chinese Creative Writing Competition in 2025.

Well done to Matilda, Juliette, Coco, and Charlotte in Year 11, and Cherry in Year 12, who were all commended. Selina (Yr11) was named a 2nd Prize winner, but the highest praise goes to Genevieve (Yr11) and Nathania (Yr12), who are 1st Prize winners, which is outstanding.

Congratulations, and I wish everyone a restful half-term holiday!

Roedean at the RISE 8K Undercliff Run

Over the weekend, Roedean students and staff proudly took part in the RISE 8K Undercliff Run for Women 2025, a powerful event that raises funds and awareness for RISE UK, Brighton and Hove’s domestic abuse charity. This year, not only did the Roedean community participate, but we were also proud sponsors of the race!

RISE provides vital support for individuals affected by domestic abuse, offering everything from practical advice to emergency refuge accommodation for those in immediate danger. Their work is crucial to the safety and well-being of many in our local community. Taking part in events like the RISE 8K not only raises much-needed funds, but also helps our students develop empathy, a sense of social responsibility, and a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by others.

Miss Orrells, Assistant Head: Pastoral, shared: 'Thank you to the amazing staff and students who ran the RISE 8K on Sunday. It was so much fun to be part of the event, which raises awareness and empowers women. Also, a huge thank you to the girls who volunteered; they had a very early start, but were smiling throughout and loved cheering everyone on.'

Well done to our runners: Anya, Athena, Emma, Evelyn, Lois, Matilda, Molly, Sasha, and Sohana (Yr11), Athena, Ellie, Magreta, Michelle, Nathania, Rhea, and Xena (Yr12), and Angelica, Chaya, Clara, Derin, and Finya (Yr13). And thank you to our volunteers: Amarah, Blaize, Hannah, Joy, and Sophia (Yr11), Alyssa, Hable, Michelle, and Nisreen (Yr12), and Lucy (Yr13).

Restart a Heart Day – Learning to Save a Life!

In recognition of Restart a Heart Day on 16 October, our Year 7 and Year 10 students took part in an important life-saving lesson – learning CPR with the help of the British Heart Foundation’s Classroom RevivR.

Cardiac arrests can happen to anyone, at any age, and survival rates outside of hospital remain below 10%. That’s why it’s so important that young people know what to do in an emergency. Using Classroom RevivR, an interactive tool designed for schools, our students learned how to perform effective chest compressions. As part of the wider topic of ‘Safety’, Year 7 also learnt basic first aid skills, how to call ‘999’, as well as using a defibrillator.

The sessions were filled with enthusiasm and teamwork, as students practised their new skills and discovered just how vital CPR knowledge can be. We hope it’s a skill they’ll never need, but one they’ll always have.

A huge well done to all everyone for their fantastic engagement, and to the staff from the Health Centre and Personal Development teaching team for supporting such an empowering initiative!

Iwa Wins the Homerton College Essay Prize

Congratulations to Iwa in Year 13, who has won this year's Homerton College Cambridge Essay Prize. In her essay, she explored how cities can balance equity, design, and environmental justice. Comparing Singapore and Hong Kong, she argued that, while Singapore’s large-scale New Towns showcase effective state-led planning, Hong Kong’s modular housing projects like Nam Cheong 220 reveal how design innovation can restore dignity amid systemic constraints rooted in its colonial land system.

Expanding this inquiry to Copenhagen and Manila, Iwa examined how sustainability can become a lived reality through context-specific design, contrasting high-cost technological solutions with grassroots initiatives like Manila’s Kuha sa Tingi, which empower communities through low-cost, participatory action.

This is not Iwa's only success this year, as she has also received an Honourable Mention in the Minds Underground essay competition and she was also awarded for Outstanding Writing Style in the Harvard International Review competition.

Well done!

Spine-Chilling Halloween Maze

Our Sixth Form students demonstrated their creativity and teamwork by transforming the Cloisters and Studios into this year’s Halloween Maze. They designed the sets, created original costumes, wrote a unique storyline, and applied spooky makeup to bring the immersive experience to life.

Students and staff from across the School tested their courage as they ventured through the maze, encountering plenty of frights and enjoying a memorable Halloween experience.

Black History Month Lecture –Dr Bashair Ahmed

After a wide range of activities over the last two weeks, highlighting the importance of Black History Month, it was our great pleasure to welcome Dr Bashair Ahmed to Roedean this week. Her area of expertise is diaspora communities from the Horn of Africa settling in Europe, and she spoke about the negative impact of 'othering' people who are different. Dr Ahmed's message is perhaps more important than ever in UK society today, and we should celebrate and revel in the diversity of our community at Roedean.

Dr Barrand

Chapel – Diwali

Mr Halsey: 'Today we’re going to talk about Diwali, the Festival of Lights, which will be celebrated all around the world during our half-term, next Monday.

I’m not Hindu, and I didn’t grow up celebrating Diwali. But my wife is Gujarati and Hindu, and, through her and her family, I’ve had the privilege of being welcomed into this celebration. That experience, of being invited into something I wasn’t born into, is what I want to share with you today.'

Alayna: 'For those who celebrate it, whether they be Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists, Diwali marks the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and hope over despair.

There are many different stories in different parts of India and South Asia, but one of the most famous is about Lord Rama returning to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. According to the legend, Rama had been banished from his kingdom and spent those years in the forest with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana. After defeating the demon king Ravana and rescuing Sita, Rama finally returned home. To celebrate his victory of good over evil and his long-awaited return, the people of Ayodhya lit small clay lamps called divas all along the streets, on rooftops, and in their homes, creating a beautiful glow throughout the city.

Even today, families light these lamps after performing a puja, a ritual of prayer and thanks. Many also offer prayers to Lakshmi Mata, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, asking for blessings for the year ahead. And “wealth” in this tradition isn’t just about money; it’s about peace, health, relationships, and wisdom. It’s a calm, reverent time of gratitude and connection.'

Aishy: 'Preparations for Diwali begin long before the actual day. Houses are cleaned from top to bottom, not just out of habit but as a symbolic act, clearing away the old and making space for something new. On the day of Diwali, you’ll often see colourful rangoli designs at the front door made from coloured powders or flower petals. These are not just decoration; they’re a greeting, a sign of joy saying, 'Come in. You are welcome here.'

The house fills with the smell of agarbatti, marigolds, and freshly cooked food, especially sweets such as jalebi and barfi, as well as a savoury treat like chakri. In the evening, families gather to light the lamps. These flames symbolise hope and the inner light that protects us from darkness. And they’re lit not just for ourselves, but for each other.

Chaya: 'In Hindu culture, Diwali is part of a five-day celebration. One of the most important days is Bestu Varas, the Gujarati New Year. It falls

after Diwali and is a time to start afresh: with clean homes and clean hearts. Families dress in their best clothes, offer prayers to Lakshmi Mata for prosperity, and visit friends and relatives to exchange gifts and sweets. But more than anything, it’s a time to forgive, to reconnect, and to move forward with peace and generosity.

This sense of clearing away the old and beginning again is woven through all of Diwali. Before Lakshmi is welcomed into the home, it must be made clean and pure. In this way, Diwali becomes a sacred invitation: make your life ready to receive blessings.

And here at Roedean, Diwali’s message speaks directly to us:

■ Clear away what is unhelpful. In the same way families clean their homes before Diwali, we can take time to clear our own spaces, our attitudes, grudges, unkind words or habits that hold us back, so that we are ready to receive something better.

■ Make space for something new. When a home is cleaned, it is ready to welcome guests and blessings. In the same way, we can open ourselves to new friendships, new understanding and new gratitude, so our community grows richer and kinder.

■ Finally, light a lamp for someone else. Diwali is not just about our own inner light, but shining that light outward. I ask you all to shine outwards through kindness, inclusion, courage, and small acts of support to others.'

Mr Halsey: 'So, why have I chosen to speak to you about Diwali, a festival I wasn’t born into but was welcomed into? Because different doesn’t have to mean distant. In a world and at a time where we’re shown division, suspicion, and separation, Diwali gives us a different picture: people lighting lamps not only for themselves but for others; people opening doors, sharing food, making room for new beginnings.

When I stood in a Gujarati home at Diwali for the first time, I didn’t know the prayers and I mispronounced the names of the sweets. But I was welcomed. And in that welcome, I saw the heart of the festival: light that invites, not excludes.

That for me is Roedean, a diverse school, with students and staff from many cultures and many faiths. Our strength comes from that diversity, but only if we approach it with curiosity, respect, and generosity. I encourage you all to continue to make this school a community where no culture feels distant, no story ignored; where we don’t just tolerate difference, but celebrate it; where each of us carries a light for someone else.'

Weekend Trip – Tulley's Pumpkin Farm!

Last Sunday, our boarders enjoyed a fantastic day out at the Tulley's Farm Pumpkin Festival. With over 100 varieties of pumpkins to explore, the group had plenty of fun choosing their favourites and snapping photos among the colourful displays. The day was filled with autumn-themed activities, such as toasting marshmallows, drinking hot chocolate, meeting live scarecrows, and the Pumpkin Queen! It was a wonderful way to soak up the autumn colours and celebrate the season’s festivities together.

This Week in Boarding!

As the first half of the Autumn term draws to a close, the girls have been making the most of the last warm sunshine and evening light, with boarders' netball and farm duty being popular this week. There have also been numerous Halloween-inspired celebrations as the Sixth Formers hosted a haunted maze through the Cloisters and a Halloween Ball in Keswick.

House 1 has seen some awesome pumpkin-carving this week, which the girls thought was a whole lot of fun on Monday. There was a House Quiz on Kahoot on Tuesday, created by the wonderful House Captains, which got everyone involved and learning more about one another, and they spent the evening on Wednesday at the Halloween Ball!

House 2 – this week, the boarders have been busy baking up a storm, with cinnamon buns on Saturday night and Miss Studdart making Tortilla Espanola, a traditional Spanish omelette. Monday was filled with laughter on games night, and Tuesday evening was spent dancing on Just Dance! All the girls loved getting dressed up for the Halloween Social held in Keswick on Wednesday.

House 3 – this week the girls were thrilled to have been invited to so many Halloween events, from the scary maze on Monday, a Halloween party with treats and pumpkin-carving in House 4 on Tuesday, to the Halloween Ball hosted by Year 13 on Wednesday. The girls have been so excited, decorating the House with pumpkins, ghosts, and cobwebs!

House 4 kept its host hat on this week, putting on the Annual House 3 and 4 pumpkin-carving event. It was utterly Spooktacular! The pumpkins were carved competitively, whilst the girls enjoyed some terrifying treats! Some mid-week activities included homemade cinnamon rolls, junior boarding arts and crafts, and a pancake masterclass!

Keswick – this week, the Keswick boarders have been getting into the festive spirit, with pumpkindecorating and prepping for the Halloween Maze. Our wonderful Resident Graduate shared some of their culture at the weekend, with a Black History Month-themed afternoon tea, complete with homemade Jamaican cakes!

Have a brilliant half-term!

U15As vs Brighton College SNS

Netball

On Monday, the U15A team faced Brighton College for the second round of the Sisters In Sport National Cup, after their win in the first round over Hurst.

We knew it would be a tough match, and our nerves showed in the first quarter, where we allowed them to take a significant lead. In the second quarter, we had more fight and broke through their defensive zone more easily, allowing more opportunities on goal. We made fast sharp drives to the ball carrier and were patient on the ball.

The second and third quarter were only 1 goal losses each, so they were much more positive. We kept pushing throughout ,and the squad should be very proud of their performance. The win went to Brighton College, but it was a very promising performance from our 15s!

Well done to everyone who played, but extra mention goes to the Opposition's Players, Sophie and Kayla.

Mrs Hammond

Constance and Natalie’s Academic Answers

Congratulations to two of our new Year 12s, Constance and Natalie, who have built their own website, to help those preparing for GCSEs:

'Hi – we understand how GCSEs may feel stressful and overwhelming at times, and that's why we've put together some notes and exam tips that we think might be useful! If anyone ever feels stuck, you can definitely reach out to us. We are always happy to help, or you can visit our website: '

an amazing thing to do!

Congratulations to Wild Friday Group 7A, who have just completed The

of Achievement for Water Safety Awareness and Introduction to

Saturday Sailors Wild Friday Sailors

The Saturday Sailors demonstrated their sailing skills at their last session for this year, with some very close racing in tricky light winds.

U15A Hockey vs Lancing

The U15A team battled hard to earn a determined 1-0 victory against Lancing. It was a true display of grit and teamwork, with plenty of 'backs-to-the-wall' defending, which was one of the key targets for the group going into the game.

Player of the Match awards went to Mia, for an outstanding performance in goal with a string of crucial saves, and Kayla, who controlled the midfield and set the tone for the team.

The decisive goal came from Alex, who reacted quickest in a scrappy goalmouth scramble to slot the ball past the keeper.

It was a fantastic team effort – well done all!

U14B Hockey 2-0 Win over Lancing!

On Friday, the U14B team travelled to Lancing for a great fixture of Hockey. We started strongly, and managed to keep Lancing in our attacking half for nearly the whole first half.

We worked together as a team to put on a strong press, which allowed us ample of opportunities at goal. We addressed our spacing at half-time and stretched their defence out, which made us more successful in the second half. Elsa secured our first goal, flicking it round the keeper, and Phoebe scored an excellent short corner for our second.

The final score was 2-0 to Roedean. It was a brilliant team performance – well done all!

Mrs Hammond

Tough Match vs St Andrew’s Prep for 1st VII

The 1st VII travelled to Eastbourne to play a very strong St Andrew's team who have just come back from winning regional IAPS. We started well again and made in-roads up the right hand-side and created a few chances at goal.

The girls showed determination in the defence and showed improvement on what we had been working on this term. St Andrew's attacks stemmed from their centre mid who was seemingly a confident and skillful player.

Once St Andrew's scored a few goals later in the 1st half, their confidence increased and despite a strong defensive display from the team, we struggled to maintain control of the match and stop their attacks.

Special mentions were Izzy in goal, stopping an incredible amount of shots and deservedly receiving the defender of the match with some impressive reaction saves and incredibly improvement after only starting to keep since the start of term.

Mr Campleman

1st XI Dominate Hurst 2nd XI and Show their Class

The 1st XI welcomed Hurstpierpoint 2nd XI to Roedean for a first friendly between the schools in quite some time. After a good warm-up and some excellent training sessions the last few weeks, the girls were ready to get stuck in and play well for one another.

From the start, energy and patterns of play were in place with the girls working hard to get up the pitch. Some excellent carrying by Bella and Izzy saw us have a few excellent chances early doors, one of which Poppy magically got her stick down for a deflection at the near post hitting into the goal keepers helmet, which made the crowd jump in excitement. Poppy then had another chance which the keeper made a crucial save to stop us go 1-0 up.

After the game settled, Roedean were the better of the two teams streaming forward and creating opportunities. We took the lead and soon after doubled it with some excellent finishing in the circle by the forwards.

Halftime saw us having a 2-1 lead after a quick counter attack by Hurstpierpoint narrowing the lead by 1. After a quick reflection on what we can improve and where Hurstpierpoint were causing us to be challenged, the girls set to work, tightened up the defensive shape and took more control going forward.

The entire half saw Roedean attack after Roedean attack, with a couple chances just missing the goal or being saved by the GK. The final goal of the game saw the press win it high up and an aggressive ball carry by Sorrel saw the ball played to Sophie who smashed it home past the GK.

The way in which the girls played showed the effort they have put into their training and the teamwork to play well together, the spirit showed was disciplined and focused, with all of them looking forward to the remaining fixtures of the term, which there are many!

The final score was a 3-1 win to Roedean.

Mr Campleman

U16As Qualify for National Schools!

On Wednesday, the U16A had the county round of the England Netball National Schools competition. As Sussex is an extremely strong county we knew each match would be tough. We started off well taking a win against Seaford 10-8.

We then faced Hurst, the first half was goal for goal but unfortunately a few errors crept in and they pushed on to win 11-7. Next up were St Oscar Romero, this game was also goal for goal and unfortunately we couldn't transfer our turnovers through court which meant they were always taking the one goal leads. The score finished 8-7 to Romero.

For the fourth game of the group we faced Ardingly, and we took a convincing win 10-5. Our last game of the group was against Brighton Girls, which we won 12-8. This meant we finished 3rd in our group and faced Eastbourne College in the Quarter Finals. The girls put on an extremely impressive performance to storm through to the semi-final after winning 17-3.

We then had to overcome St Oscar Romero to secure our spot in the next round. We knew from our match against them earlier the game was within reach but we had to be precise with our movement and execution.

The first half ended 4-4 so it was all to play for in the final 6 minutes. We had a nervous start to the second half and they took a 3 goal lead with only 3 minutes to play. This is where our defence stepped up when we needed them most and got a crucial turnover on their centre pass, which we took to goal then scored off our own centre pass.

There was 90 seconds to play and we were still trailing by 1. Abbie made a phenomenal intercept off their second phase of the centre pass, which we were efficient on taking to our shooters. This took us to level with our centre pass to come next. We were calm and composed and took the lead 8-7 with 30 seconds to go.

We defended hard on their centre pass and delayed the ball through court forcing an error which allowed us to re-take possession. The final whistle went and we won 8-7 to secure our place to represent Sussex in the next round of the National Schools competition. We are so proud of the performance all the girls put out, it was a full squad performance. Keep pushing in training ahead of the next round which will take place on 31 January. Well done all!

U18 Badminton vs Eastbourne

The team secured an impressive 11–5 victory over Eastbourne, showcasing consistency and strength across all pairings.

The team of Athena and Athena, alongside Jolie and Jamie, were in outstanding form, winning all 8 of their matches. Meanwhile, Alice and Elisa contributed 3 solid wins from 4, helping to extend the team’s advantage.

Although Sam and Avril narrowly missed out, losing two matches in tight final sets, their determination and teamwork were evident throughout.

A highlight of the afternoon came when Jolie and Athena, never ones to shy away from a challenge, took on a strong onlooking boys’ pair and triumphed yet again!

It was a fantastic all-round performance and a well-deserved victory for the squad.

Mr Foggoa

ISNC Win for the U13s!

A nail-biting game for our U13s against James Allen’s Girls’ School earlier this week! It was an end to end battle, and after entering the fourth quarter three goals down, it took a full team effort to turn it around. With some

crucial turnovers and plenty of composure under pressure, the girls held their nerve. Every member of the squad took to the court and played their part in securing the final win.

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

The team now advances to the quarter finals after half term. Well done, girls!

Miss Agnew