4 September 2026 – Issue 1
HEAD’S REVIEW
House Competition Winners
Head’s Introduction
The new academic year has begun, and it has been such a pleasure to welcome new students to the School this week, and see established faces back at Roedean. Schools are about people, and seeing the corridors filled with holiday catch-ups and excitement for the year ahead reminds us of our core purpose. Our theme for this term is sisterhood, and this has most definitely been in evidence over the first few days. At the start of the summer holidays, ten of our students spent a week in Moldova, where they taught English to over 100 refugees and underprivileged children. There can be no doubt that this will have been transformational for the children, and, as a community, we are so proud of the girls. The Rainbow of Hope orphanage was delighted with the donation we were able to make to support its running costs, and this visit proved to be a highlight for some of the girls. Well done! Congratulations to Finya, who successfully swam solo across the English Channel two weeks ago. Five days after collecting her A Level results, she embarked on the gruelling challenge, which she completed in an excellent time just over 12 hours. Over the coming weeks, she will take on two more open water swimming challenges to complete the so-called ‘triple crown’ - we will follow these closely at Roedean, and wish Finya the very best! Over the summer, the School has received the results from examinations taken in ISTD Dance, LAMDA, and Music - the girls have achieved some outstanding scores, and they and their teachers deserve to be thoroughly proud of these results. It is wonderful to see the trajectory of these girls, some of whom began pursuing an interest at School, and have now reached remarkable levels of ability and success - well done!
Finya Swims Solo from England to France!
Moldova Trip
The year’s House events got off to a loud and exciting start today - House Shout, a highlight for many, was fiercely competitive, and it was wonderful to see the girls proudly sporting their House colours. Congratulations to House 1 who were announced as victors! Hockey pre-season training went well earlier this week, and we hope that it is the springboard into wonderful success this term. Well done on a hugely successful start of term, and we wish you a restful weekend!
Hockey Pre-Season
HEAD’S REVIEW
Arianna's Fundraising for MNDA Well done to Arianna (Yr8), who, during Brighton Pride weekend, sold handmade accessories to raise funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA). She said, 'I decided to do this fundraiser for a variety reasons. Last year, I gave out free handmade bracelets during Pride. This year, in my role as Junior Charity Prefect, I wanted to use this opportunity to raise funds for our Year 8 charity, MNDA. The first person who arrived at my stall told me that MNDA was very close to his heart because, the year before, his best friend died from Motor Neurone Disease (MND). On this very hot day in August, many people came to my stall, not just to buy accessories but also to learn more about this cause. In total, I raised £76.26 for MNDA. I hope my fundraiser will kick off a great fundraising year for all the charities supported by Roedean.' Congratulations on this great initiative! Miss Bamford
A Level Results' Profiles
Page 2
4 September 2026 – Issue 1
HEAD’S REVIEW
Welcome Back! It has been such a pleasure to welcome the girls to School for the start of the new academic year!
Page 3
4 September 2026 – Issue 1
HEAD’S REVIEW
4 September 2026 – Issue 1
First Chapel with a shared belief that girls could achieve more. And their conviction was more powerful, and more achievable, because they believed in it together.
Our first Chapel services of the year were led by Dr Barrand and Dr Hobbs, on the theme of sisterhood: At the beginning of a new academic year, we often talk about fresh starts. New classrooms. New teachers. New subjects. New opportunities. New friendships. But I want us to begin this year by thinking about something that is not new at all, something that has been at the heart of Roedean from the very beginning. Sisterhood. This is because Roedean was founded by three sisters. In 1885, Penelope, Dorothy and Millicent Lawrence opened a small school in Brighton, and there were just ten pupils. Ten! When you look around Roedean today, it is difficult to imagine our extraordinary School beginning with just ten girls. Yet those three sisters had a vision that was much larger than the size of their first classroom. They believed that girls deserved an education every bit as ambitious and rigorous as that offered to boys. They wanted girls to be physically active, intellectually curious, morally grounded, and independent in thought and character. They were, in other words, not simply creating a school. They were creating a possibility. And perhaps there is something significant in the fact that they did it together. Nelly, Dolly, and Milly, as they were known, were three sisters,
The Lawrence sisters could not have known what Roedean would become. They could not have imagined the generations of girls who would pass through these gates, the universities they would go to, the professions and businesses they would lead, the stages they would perform on, the sporting fields where they would compete, or the families and communities they would go on to shape. But they did know this: a girl who is encouraged by other girls can go further; a girl who is challenged by other girls, and engaged with what she believes in, can become stronger; and a girl who knows that other girls will stand beside her is empowered enough to try. That is sisterhood. And there is a beautiful irony in the fact that Roedean's physical history has always required exactly that spirit. The School quickly outgrew its first home. Within ten years, the Lawrence sisters needed to find a new site, and they drew upon friends, family, and former students to help make this remarkable new School on this clifftop possible. Roedean was not built by one person. It was built by a community of people who believed in what the School could become. Roedean was evacuated for four years during World War II, to Cumbria in the north of England and to Nova Scotia in Canada. The girls’ education continued, but, when the war ended, they returned to Brighton, to everything they knew. Because this site, with its buildings, its stunning clifftop location, its traditions, is the heart of the Roedean community, and the Roedean sisterhood.
Hockey Pre-Season Ahead of a full fixture list this term, forty girls from across the School enjoyed pre-season Hockey training this week - it was an exciting opportunity for fun and focused training!
Page 4
That sisterhood is the girls who have been here before you, and the girls who are sitting beside you today, and the girls who will arrive after you have left. The sisterhood does not end when you leave through the gates for the last time. There is an extraordinary network of Old Roedeanians around the world, and collectively we keep alive the spirit of the Founders and maintain the links of friendship and support between generations. So when our Year 13s leave us next summer, they will not cease to be Roedeanians. And now that our new Year 7s have walked through these doors for the first time this week, they are not starting from nothing. They are stepping into a story that began with ten girls and three sisters more than 140 years ago. The Lawrence sisters wanted Roedean girls to develop independence of thought and character. They wanted them to build the confidence and skills at School, so that they could go out into the world and make their mark. That remains our ambition. We want you all to be successful, but, more than that, to play your part in a sisterhood which makes those around you successful, confident, and courageous, within a powerful community with a shared purpose. As we begin this new year, remember the ten girls who began this story. Ten girls. Three sisters. And one bold idea. From that tiny beginning came the Roedean we know today. You are now part of that same story. The Lawrence sisters’ act of faith in what Roedean could be was the start of something extraordinary in 1885, and generations of Roedean girls have carried it forward. Now it is in our hands – we remain custodians of this school and it’s ethos. Together, let us make sure that every girl at Roedean can look around and know that she belongs, is seen, and is known and valued. That is the Roedean sisterhood. Dr Barrand
HEAD’S REVIEW
4 September 2026 – Issue 1
Finya Swims Solo from England to France! Congratulations to Finya, who completed a remarkable solo crossing of the English Channel in August. Less than a week after receiving her A Level results, she started her swim at 02:16 on Monday 17 August. Her swim was planned for early September, but the conditions were such that it was moved earlier at quite late notice - she said, 'I was very nervous coming into this swim as it is about a month before my official slot and a strong spring tide instead of a nice neap.' There was clearly no need for her to be nervous though, as she completed the gruelling 34-kilometre challenge in 12 hours and 8 minutes - what a remarkable achievement! Finya's cross-Channel swim is also perfectly timed, coming within a fortnight of the 100th anniversary of the first solo crossing of the English Channel by a woman. On 6 August 1926, Gertrude Ederle, the subject of the 2024 film Young Woman and the Sea, completed the crossing in 14 hours and 31 minutes, smashing the existing men's record by nearly two hours. Finya joins an elite group of swimmers globally who have completed this challenge, but her achievement also highlights the strength of sea-swimming at Roedean: in July 2025, one of Finya's peers and close friends, Clara, completed the solo swim, and in 2022 a 6-girl relay team successfully navigated the currents
and successfully reached Cap Gris-Nez on the French coast. Given the School's clifftop location, overlooking the English Channel, the girls are inspired by the sea every day, but it is remarkable that these swimmers have been inspired to take on this almost unbelievable challenge. Finya is from Switzerland, and it is wonderful that her mother was able to travel to Dover to see her off, and that her father drove to meet her when she landed on the French coast! She was very quick to thank all those who have supported her through this challenge, including her family and friends, but also the boat pilots who ensured that she was safe while traversing the busy shipping lanes. You might think that one Channel crossing is enough for anyone, but this is Finya's third! Last year, she crossed the English Channel as part of a relay team twice - the first time took the team 14 hours and 33 minutes, battling with rough conditions, and the second was very different, when her team of five swimmers completed the challenge in 11 hours and 13 minutes. At the end of last season, she also completed a solo crossing of the Strait of Bonifacio, from Corsica to Sardinia - she wrote, 'Swimming in a pod with two team mates, sea conditions were near perfect, aside from the discomfort of countless stinging jellyfish. This crossing epitomised the mental aspect of long-distance swimming. It is
Page 5
often said that these swims are eighty percent mental and twenty percent physical, and this experience affirmed that truth. Throughout the season, and particularly during this swim, our small group developed a remarkable ability to communicate without words, to anticipate each other’s needs, and to offer quiet support when it was most needed.' As part of her training, Finya also swam the length of Lake Windermere on 24 July, to prepare not only for yesterday's crossing, but also for what is still to come: the Channel, was the first of the prestigious Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming, and, in October, she intends to complete the 20-Bridges Swim around Manhattan Island (45.9 kilometres), and the Catalina Channel in California (32 kilometres), which must be swum in darkness because of the abundance of sharks! If anyone would like make a donation to Mencap, Finya's chosen charity, please follow this link Finya Lang is fundraising for Mencap Congratulations! Dr Barrand
HEAD’S REVIEW
4 September 2026 – Issue 1
Empowering Through Education:
Roedean's Fourth Project 125 Moldova Trip This summer, a group of Roedean students returned to Moldova for the School's fourth annual partnership with Hope4, delivering English lessons to disadvantaged children and refugees there, while gaining an unforgettable insight into the power of education, compassion, and community. Over the past four years, nearly 50 Roedean students have travelled to Moldova, teaching English to more than 325 children. This year, after months of preparation, the latest team of ten continued that commitment, working alongside Hope4 founders, Chris and Zoe Lomas, together with their amazing team, Iuliia and Eugene. Valerie reflected: ‘Everyone at Hope4 has been so inspirational and taught me the importance of giving so selflessly.’ It is remarkable that a connection between Roedean and Hope4, formed four years ago, still endures – we are incredibly proud of this, and grateful for everything the charity does behind the scenes to make our trip such a success. This summer camp is genuinely transformational, both for the children and the Roedean girls, who all benefit from the experience in so many ways. Melissa wrote, ‘One of the most rewarding parts of the trip was our four days of teaching English to local children, many of whom are refugees or come from families living in poverty. Although we were teaching the children English, I often felt that they were teaching me something even more valuable. Their kindness, lack of judgement, openness, and genuine warmth made a deep impression on me.’
Teaching Beyond Language
sentence, such as “I like football but I don't like basketball” was another amazing achievement. Being able to make even the smallest impression on these children is another reward in itself.’ Jasmine added, ‘It was especially rewarding to see the children have breakthrough moments in their learning, and I thoroughly enjoyed delivering interactive lessons that encouraged them to express their knowledge and ideas.’
This year's English camp welcomed 101 children from underprivileged backgrounds and refugee families. Having trained since January, the Year 11 and 12 Roedean students – Darcey, Farwa, Jamie, Jasmine, Katie, Lennie, Magreta, Melissa, Molly, and Valerie – arrived with carefully prepared lesson plans, worksheets, and teaching resources, ready to deliver four days of engaging English lessons.
Supporting the Wider Community
They taught five classes, carefully organised according to ability and whether children were Romanian- or Russian-speaking. Alongside local Moldovan children, this year the classes also included refugees from Syria, Angola, Palestine, Azerbaijan, and Iraq, making the experience an extraordinary celebration of cultures united through learning. Reflecting on the teaching experience, Ms Joslyn said: ‘Watching the girls teach local young people and refugees English was the peak of the trip for me. They were adaptable, engaging and it was clear the students had progressed significantly by the end of the trip.’
The English lessons formed just one part of the visit. Throughout the week, our students witnessed first-hand the breadth of Hope4's work across Moldova. We visited families living in poverty in villages outside the capital, seeing how Hope4 provides practical and ongoing support for them. We also spent time at the Rainbow of Hope Orphanage, where we presented them with a cheque for more than £7,300, raised through a wide range of fundraising activities at School throughout the year. This donation represents approximately 5% of the orphanage's total annual running costs, and reflects Roedean's continued commitment to supporting its work.
For many of the students, the challenge of overcoming language barriers became one of the most rewarding aspects of the week. Molly reflected, ‘Communication was a constant problem, but finding ways to teach a simple
Darcey said, ‘The most fulfilling aspects of the trip for me were visiting some families in poverty, and meeting the children in the orphanage. We took them supplies and got to know them, and knowing that we were helping,
Page 6
HEAD’S REVIEW
4 September 2026 – Issue 1
even in such a small way, has given me a new passion to come back and help on a larger scale if I ever get the chance.’ Melissa agreed: ‘Visiting the orphanage also left a lasting impression on me. Knowing that our efforts could make a real difference to the lives of these children made all the fundraising worthwhile.’
While we were there, we also volunteered for just an hour at Hope4's donation warehouse, sorting more than 1100 donated trainers into matching pairs and ordered by size. That sounds a lot, but this constituted just two pallets of footwear, but there were still another 28 pallets waiting to be sorted by the Hope4 volunteers. This was a fraction of the donated goods which go through the charity’s warehouse each year, highlighting the remarkable scale of its work.
Discovering Moldova
aspect of the experience ‘developed my character’. Melissa concluded: ‘I did not anticipate how profoundly the experience would reshape my own perspective... I know the experiences I gained in Moldova will continue to shape the way I see the world for years to come.’
Alongside their volunteering, our students immersed themselves in Moldova's history, culture, and traditions. We explored Chișinău on a guided walking tour, visited the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ and the Eternal Flame memorial, with its striking 25-metre-high stand of bayonets commemorating those from Moldova who lost their lives during the Second World War. We also visited the beautiful Căpriana Monastery, learned traditional potterymaking techniques, sampled Moldovan specialities, including cabbage plăcinte and cherry pastries, and we toured the Moldovan Olympic Museum. A visit to a local gymnastics club proved particularly memorable, where the girls met a young athlete preparing to represent Moldova in Rhythmic Gymnastics at the World Championships this summer. We also visited an animal sanctuary caring for around 200 stray dogs and 30 cats, gaining further insight into the work of charitable organisations across the country. Our group's experiences and teaching even attracted media attention, with our work featured on Moldovan national television! A Life-Changing Experience For many pupils, the week became about far more than teaching English. Irina had a unique perspective on the trip – she is from Moldova, and has just completed two years at Roedean in the Sixth Form as an HMC Scholar. She reflected on the partnership's long-term impact: ‘Every summer, seeing Roedean return to Moldova reminds me of the powerful impact a small group of students can have on hundreds of children. Being part of the project allowed me to see Moldova from another perspective, better understand the challenges many children face, and appreciate even more the impact of this project. I think the smiles on the children's faces, the cards, and the hugs at the end of the camp say everything about how meaningful this experience was for them.’
As Roedean's fourth visit to Moldova came to an end, the students returned home having taught English, supported communities, strengthened international friendships and witnessed the extraordinary difference that education, generosity and hope can make. The partnership with Hope4 continues to demonstrate that meaningful service not only changes lives within the communities it supports, but also leaves a lasting impact on the young people who take part. Dr Ross Barrand is incredibly proud of the project: ‘Four years ago, when I came up with the slightly mad idea of Project 125 Moldova, I never dreamt that it would make such a profound impact, in so many different ways, and on so many people – it is wonderful!’ At the end of a remarkable week, Lennie concluded, ‘I've honestly never felt so fulfilled in my life as I have on this trip. Hope4, this trip, and the School have given me the chance to meet Olympians, help sort donated sportswear, spend time with national gymnasts, and teach children, and together they have ignited a genuine passion within me. It has been an incredibly valuable experience and something I believe will guide me for the rest of my life.'
Katie said, ‘The week has been the most exciting and inspiring week of my life. I have had so many amazing, but emotionally challenging, experiences that have taught me so much and sparked a passion inside of me which is guiding me to a new path in the future, one which will hopefully help others as much as Hope4 has.’ Magreta reflected on the wider significance of the project: ‘It's not about teaching English, but about the hope that we can give to the children of a future where the world won't be split but united in peace.’ Jamie described the visit as ‘the highlight of my summer’, while Farwa reflected that every Page 7
HEAD’S REVIEW
House Shout The first House competition of the new academic year was every bit as exciting as anticipated - the girls, daubed in their House colours, and chanting at each other in the Front Quad, were a spectacular sight. What better way could there be to engender a powerful sense of House spirit and sisterhood? This first House event was won by House 1 - congratulations! Dr Barrand
Page 8
4 September 2026 – Issue 1
2288 May May 2026 2026 –– Issue Issue 3153 4 September
HEAD’S HEAD’S WEEKLY REVIEW REVIEW HEAD’S HEAD’S WEEKLY REVIEW REVIEW
Sport Stars of the Week Weekend - Volleyball Clean SweepTrip of LAMDA Distinctions Again Last Sunday’s on the Brighton seafront a wonderful way to switch off before Congratulations to allbeach thosevolleyball who tooktrip LAMDA exams last term - thewas results week. With gorgeous sunshine, the girlsDistinction! enjoyed anAmong afternoon of fun and relaxation. Many are in, assessment and everyone single entry has been awarded with matches on theover sand court, making most of theand beautiful weather, while others preferred these, enjoyed 16 of theplaying 40 entrants achieved 90%, and Elodie,the Bea, Shahdi, soaking upawarded the social97% side in ofGrade the day at the nearby café.the It was Grace (Yr9) were 5 Acting, along with oneaoflovely the opportunity to unwind, spend time and enjoy the seaside in great company. Year 9 together, Drama Scholars' groups.
Congratulations to this week's sporting stars:
Miss De Jesus
The girls have taken exams in Acting, Musical Theatre, and Verse and Prose, at all levels, and all with outstanding success. This is also a wonderful focus for our Drama Scholars, and those in Years 7 to 9 have all taken group exams with great success.
Year 7
Congratulations in particular go to the Sixth Formers who are working at the highest level: Lilli (Yr13) took Grade 7 Solo Acting, and Jasmine and Matilda (Yr13) and Daisy (last year’s Yr13) all took Grade 8, completing the most challenging LAMDA exam available, which, at Level 3, is broadly equivalent to an A Level.
Inès has been excellent in training recently and playing some great Cricket
Mrs Sellers
Excellent Results in Music Exams
Year 8
Cecile has been working hard in Cricket, bowling really well and has Last term, a number of our students took instrumental and singing been moved up a examinations, ranging from Grade 1 to the post-Grade 8 Performance group
Diploma.
Year 9
Particular congratulations go to Shermane, who achieved Merit atDixie Grade has been 8 in both Double Bass and Musical Theatre Singing, and to Charlotte, who consistently passed Grade 8 Pedal Harp - both were in Year 11 last year. Michelle (Yr13) strong in Athletics, was also awarded a Merit at Grade 8 Clarinet. throwing 9.5m in shotput, and
However, the biggest plaudits go to two students who have beenalways awarded comes the challenging Associated Board's Performance Diploma, who goes far to co-curricular beyond the requirements of Grade 8 - well done to Alice (Yr11), who passed activities on Double Bass, and Claire (Yr13), who was awarded a Merit on Flute. These Year 10 are outstanding achievements, which deserve to be celebrated. Well done!
Sparkling ISTD Results Congratulations to the nineteen students who took ISTD examinations in Modern, Tap, and Jazz at the end of last term. They have all achieved excellent results, and should be very proud of themselves: Grace - Grade 5 Tap, with Merit Jemima - Grade 5 Tap, with Merit Nkem - Grade 5 Modern, with Distinction Sela - Grade 5 Modern, with Merit Dudu - Silver Jazz, with Distinction Habel - Silver Jazz Lara - Silver Jazz, with Merit Magreta - Silver Jazz, with Merit Matilda - Silver Jazz Nkem - Silver Jazz, with Distinction Poppy - Silver Jazz, with Distinction
Sara - Silver Jazz, with Merit Star - Silver Jazz, with Merit Yoyo - Silver Jazz, with Distinction Jeanne - Gold Jazz, with Merit Tilly - Gold Jazz, with Merit Iris - Intermediate Modern, with Distinction Megs - Intermediate Modern, with Distinction Stella - Intermediate Modern, with Distinction
Andrea has been giving Athletics her all this term, performed Mrsand Hammond really well in the Diamond League
Non-negotiable: Ambitious Poppy (Yr11) has shown ambition, as she attended all the Diamond League competitions for Athletics, winning triple jump, even throughout her GCSE exams. Miss Webster
Alongside the top Ballet results from the end of last term, these excellent results in Modern, Tap, and Jazz highlight the strength in breadth in the Dance department, and they are the result of hours of dedication and commitment over years - well done!
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
Miss Abaza
Roedean Roedeanschool Roedean School, Brighton
Roedean School roedean.school
Follow us