28 March 2025 – Issue 11
HEAD’S REVIEW
Bollywood Paint Extravaganza for Holi
Head’s Introduction
It was fantastic to start this week on a high after Amber Anning became World Indoor Champion over 400 metres! She came back to Roedean to speak to the School after winning two Bronze medals at the Paris Olympics, and that was clearly just a stepping stone to even greater success. What a remarkable achievement! Well done to all those who were involved in any of Thursday’s three performances. I really enjoyed the ten very different pieces in the Afternoon of Dance show, and I was impressed by the students’ choreography, which included a range of styles from classical Ballet to Tap and K-Pop. After this, the audience moved into the Front Quad where Year 8 gave a demonstration of what they had learnt in their Bollywood workshop. It was full of energy and they all threw themselves into it. The finale, which included coloured paint to celebrate Holi, was great fun and it was a lovely way to finish the show! The third performance was of The Carnival of the Animals, which our apprentice conductors had been working on during the day with Natalia Luis-Bassa. For students in Years 9 to 12 to rise to the demanding challenge of conducting an orchestra is outstanding – it is a big responsibility, but they all did brilliantly well. Thank you to the Music Department for putting this on. Congratulations also to those who have just received the results of Music exams taken recently, particularly to those who achieved Distinctions at Grade 8: well done to Sarah on Cello, and to Claire and Chloe on Flute. These results are impressive, but particular congratulations must go to Ella in Year 13 and Candis in Year 12, who have both been awarded the ARSM Diploma in Voice with Distinction. Well done! There have been lots of final matches of the season this week, and I would like to congratulate the very many girls who have represented Roedean in Netball teams this term. I am obviously delighted with the excellent results at the top level, such as the U16s coming third in the national Sisters in Sport competition, but I am also hugely proud of the excellent results achieved in inter-school fixtures each week – well done! I am pleased that the annual matches against the staff were played in good heart! Good luck to all those in Years 9 and 10, who have their practice expeditions for the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze and Silver awards this weekend. It is really impressive to have so many students taking part in the scheme. I hope the weather remains fair, and thank you to all the members of staff who are accompanying them. I also hope that this evening's ceilidh for Year 11 goes well, and that the exciting Ski and Surfing Trips are a success – I am sure you will all have a wonderful time. Good luck for the last few days of term, and for the GCSE and A Level revision days.
U18A Netball vs Lancing