9 October 2026 – Issue 6
HEAD’S REVIEW Head’s Introduction
Challenge presents itself in many different ways. Sometimes, it’s self-imposed and quietly determined, sometimes, it’s intimidating and daunting, sometimes the injustice is infuriating, and sometimes it might be exhilarating and invigorating. But we encourage the girls to face challenge head-on, to believe in themselves, to ask questions, to work hard to understand, the bounce back from dissapointment to push through the concern with support, and to embrace the process.
Finya’s 20 bridges swim
House 2 Win House Drama
Roedean girls standing proud and confident in the face of challenge has been very much in evidence this week: singing an original song at Open Mic, touring visiting families on Explore and Connect Fridays, hearing the individual stories of Black women and ORs for Black History Month, receiving commendations in a global essay competition, getting hands-on in a ceramics workshop with a practising artist, and swimming around Manhattan Island! Both Open Mic and House Drama this week saw our students performing on stage in front of an audience of hundreds in the Theatre. At moments, it must have felt exposing and nervewracking, even for experienced performers; this made it all the more wonderful to watch girls from across the School, some of whom have only been at Roedean for six weeks, taking centre stage. Well done to House 2 who won the overall House Drama competition, and to Charlie, who performed a song she had written as the finale to Tuesday’s Open Mic event. Black History Month, and its 2026 theme of ‘Honouring our Communities’, has been drawn into many aspects of School since last Thursday’s lecture launched the month. Our Guest Speaker, Althea Wolfe, challenged us to consider the experiences and contributions of Black women in our local community, as well as Black ORs who have made an impact on the world stage. Over the course of this week, we have also heard about ground-breaking politicians in our Chapel services, Xena has shared her reflections on the power of community in her Senior Speech, there have been numerous related activities in clubs and in lessons, and two violinists have performed the music of the Black composer, Florence Price. Congratulations to Finya, who was in Year 13 last year, on embarking upon the gruelling ‘20 Bridges Swim’ yesterday. Having completed a solo Channel crossing in August, this challenge is a 28.5 mile open water swim around Manhattan Island in New York. What a remarkable undertaking, which constitutes second challenge of the notorious ‘Triple Crown’ of open water swims. Well done, Finya! I wish you all a restful weekend ahead of the final week before half-term.
Geography Calshot Trip 2026
Ceramics Masterclass from Alice Mara
9 October 2026 – Issue 6
HEAD’S REVIEW
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.
Year 7 Bookbuzz
Amyra and Charisse (Yr11) for playing a beautiful Violin piece by the mixed-race American composer, Florence Price, combining the structure of Western music with the pentatonic scale, giving it an American 'bluesy' feel [Mr McGregor]
Kenza and Shalom (Yr8) for their contibutions to this week's Chapel services [Mr Marchant]
This week, our new Year 7 cohort got stuck into Bookbuzz, an exciting reading programme run by the BookTrust to help young people discover books they love and develop positive reading habits. The Year 7s were introduced to a fantastic selection of new titles, carefully chosen by librarians, teachers, and BookTrust reading specialists. There was something for everyone, from gripping fiction and fascinating non-fiction, to graphic novels and dyslexia-friendly books. After watching a short video where the authors themselves pitched their books, it was over to the students to make the big decision: which book would they choose?
Xena (Yr13) our Diversity and inclusion Prefect, for sharing her thoughts on community as her Senior Speech in Chapel this week [Dr Barrand]
Mr Grant for an inspiring and lively lecture on 'Paradigm Shifts' – his passion for the topic and infectious enthusiasm made it a real highlight for the students [Ms Ibanez]
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With choices made, I will now place the order, and hopefully there will be a very exciting delivery waiting for everyone when we return after half term. Our students will then have the chance to read their chosen book and share their thoughts through a range of fun activities. We can’t wait to see which books prove to be the Year 7 favourites!
Mrs Bailey
9 October 2026 – Issue 6
HEAD’S REVIEW
Black History Month – Honouring our Communities This year, the theme for Black History Month is ‘Honouring our Communities’ and this dovetails well with our pillar of sisterhood here at Roedean. Our School community, comprising remarkable women who have been attending this school for almost 150 years, includes black women who are role models to us all as actors, artists, sportswomen, lawyers, and scientists at the very top of their sectors. It was easy, then, for us to honour our community in a very tangible way as we launched our Black History Month celebrations with a keynote lecture from Althea Wolfe, founder of the Brighton Book Festival, anti-racist consultant, and mother of a former Head Girl, Eden. Althea’s presentation linked her family’s story, that of her parents arriving the UK for a university education as part of the Windrush Generation, to all of our stories through her daughter’s attendance at, and influence on, Roedean. Althea shared insights into the stories of other Old Roedeanians, as well as black women who live in Brighton and Hove and change the world positively every day. Around School, we have continued to celebrate remarkable black women in our community, through a display of Old Roedeanians and a focus on a different black woman every day in October. In this way, we have learned more about Olympian Amber Anning, first black female Anglican Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin, founder of Black History Month Linda Bellos, and many more.
that explored whether race is a social construct, and what the implications of that mean for individuals and communities. Next week, we will hear from more students about black economists in our Academic Lecture on Tuesday, as well as exploring the significance of speeches given by black politicians, and how these have shaped society, in Politics Society. There are numerous other celebrations taking place, from the Nigerian Independence Day party in House 4 on 1 October, to a celebration of books by black authors in the Library, to the fireplace quizzes on remarkable black women in history and more, all of which emphasises that black history is Roedean history and we are proud to honour our community in October, and every day.
Ms Boobis
But Black History Month is also about reflecting on why it is even necessary to have a distinct Black History Month, and why the contributions of black individuals are not simply a part of history, so it was wonderful to see the studentled debate in Philosophy Society on Monday
Xena’s Senior Speech This week's Senior Speech in Chapel was given by Xena: There are so many communities around us, a school, a punk rock band, one’s family, and neighbours back home. What can make a community? A location, a purpose, and most importantly, people. People join communities because they give us a sense of place. Places are very important in human life and experience; they don’t have to be physical, they can even be fictional. One can create deep bonds with places, building a strong sense of belonging and identity there.
'Community' is constantly explored in songs, literature, and many more. Despite all differences between communities, all of them give the people who are in it the warmth and security that they belong somewhere in this world.
You may be scared about disconnecting with this community when you physically get more distant. However, the connections you make will not lessen with increased distance, instead, this connection will deepen and empower you even more wherever you go.
Think about this community where you feel a sense of belonging, this place which you bonded with. The warm, secure feelings you have toward this community is special. It will support you to be your authentic self and to achieve things you never thought you would’ve done.
Please take a moment to be grateful for the communities we are in, and the person we have become today because of the support of these communities.
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HEAD’S REVIEW
9 October 2026 – Issue 6
Chapel – Black History Month This week's Chapel services have been led by Mr Marchant: As you may know, in the USA, ‘Black History Month’ has been recognised and observed by many since the 1970s. Where the US leads, Britain has often followed, and so the first Black History Month in the UK took place in 1987 – the 150th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the Caribbean. I was asked today to speak about ‘Black History Month’. I was not sure where to start. After all, Black History Month may mean different things to different people. I teach Politics as well as History, so insights from the first African American US President seemed a good place to begin. According to Barack Obama ‘It’s about the lived, shared experience of all African Americans, high and low, famous and obscure, and how those experiences have shaped and challenged and ultimately strengthened America. It’s about taking an unvarnished look at the past so we can create a better future. It’s a reminder of where we as a country have been so that we know where we need to go.’ I looked on the Black History Month website and found these words: ‘This year’s theme, ‘Honouring Our Communities’, is not simply about place or postcode. It is about people. Black people. It is about recognising individuals whose contributions are part of everyday life, yet too often go unseen. For many years, Black History Month has rightly celebrated notable figures whose achievements have changed the course of history. That recognition remains important. But history is not only made in moments of visibility. It is built over time, through consistent acts of care, leadership and responsibility. Across Britain, there are black individuals who show up every day for others. Volunteers who give their time without expectation. Teachers who shape futures far beyond the classroom. Nurses and carers who offer dignity and compassion in moments that matter most. Community leaders and organisers who bring people together, often working quietly, without recognition.’
Shalom (Yr8): 'I would like to share with you the remarkable life of Ena Collymore-Woodstock. She is not the kind of person who has traditionally been front and centre of our study of history, but I hope in hearing her life story you will appreciate why she is fully deserving of our recognition. Ena was born in Jamaica in 1917. Aged twenty, her pioneering character was already breaking down barriers. She responded to an advert for a ‘male clerk’ in a magistrate’s court, where no women yet worked. Despite being turned down, she persisted and was finally given the job. She showed further bravery and determination when in 1943 she volunteered to leave the Caribbean and serve in the British Army during the Second World War. Surviving a torpedo attack on the way, she arrived in Britain and began work in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), the women’s branch of the British Army. The clerical work was not what she had in mind. In her words: ‘I told them that I hadn't joined up just to type. I wanted to see more of the world – I was very adventurous and wanted more responsibility and more action’. Following a request for more challenging work, she became the army’s first black woman radar operator. After the war, Ena continued to push herself and qualified as a barrister, becoming the first black woman to train at Gray’s Inn. When returning to Jamaica she was the first woman to hold a judicial office, becoming a resident magistrate in 1959 – quite the journey from being turned down for a job in a court decades earlier. The Royal British Legion has expressed its admiration for Ena, stating ‘Ena CollymoreWoodstock’s remarkable life was defined by determination, strength and a pioneering attitude, enabling her to succeed while serving in the British Army and in the legal profession. She consistently opened doors for others to follow. She was the oldest female veteran of the British Army at the time of her passing in December 2025. Her 108 years spanned periods of profound social change, and through her many achievements she not only witnessed history but helped to shape it.’
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Kenza (Yr8): 'I would like to share with you the story of Baroness Valerie Amos, a woman who has been a trailblazer in politics, diplomacy and academia. Valerie Anne Amos was born in 1954 in Guyana. Her family moved to the UK when she was young. Amos was part of the ‘Windrush Generation’. This refers to the arrival of thousands of people from the Caribbean who arrived in Britain in the decades after the Second World War. They came in search of a better life and helped Britain rebuild after the turmoil of the war. One of the ships that sailed from the Caribbean to England in 1948 was the called the Empire Windrush – hence the ‘Windrush Generation’. After being made a Labour life peer in 1997, she soon joined the government. However, in 2003 Amos became the first black woman to take a seat as a government minister at the cabinet table – the highest decision-making body in the UK Government. She served as the UK’s Secretary of State for International Development. There have not yet been many black individuals holding cabinet posts, but black representation at the highest level of politics has been slowly improving. We now have now had a black Chancellor (Kwasi Kwateng), a black Foreign Secretary (James Cleverly and David Lammy), a black Trade Secretary (Kemi Badenoch) and a black Energy Secretary (Miatta Fahnbulleh). In 2024, Wales became the first country in Europe to be led by a black politician. The contribution of Valerie Amos to this story of public service by black politicians deserves to be recognised. Since working in the cabinet, she represented Britain as the UK High Commissioner to Australia and has served as the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs. More recently, Amos has pivoted from politics to academia. In 2020 she became the first black woman to lead an Oxford College in its 900-year history. Through all of her ventures, Baroness Amos has served communities diligently. I hope that by learning more about her today, you can better appreciate the message of Black History Month.'
9 October 2026 – Issue 6
HEAD’S REVIEW
House 2 Win House Drama House Drama was another excellent event, which saw the four House teams presenting their best dramatic skills on the stage of our Theatre. The theme was 'Myths and Legnds', and each House had to write and present two 60-second scenes following this stimulus. The quality of presentation and the writing was excellent: House 1 won 'Best Ensemble', for their powerful presentation and teamwork, with a small cast
House 2 won 'Best Script', for their witty script, and second high-speed scene House 3 won 'Best Use of Space and Conventions', for their strong narration and characters frozen by Medusa's stare
House 4 won 'Best Vocal Energy', for their excellent diction and projection
The standard was very high, but the overall winner of House Drama 2026 was House 2. Well done to everyone involved!
Dr Barrand
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HEAD’S REVIEW
Geography Calshot Trip 2026 Our 61 GCSE Geographers completed their compulsory external fieldwork in the New Forest over the weekend of 25-27 September. Once more, we stayed at the Calshot Centre, surrounded on three sides by water, impressively located on a spit in the mouth of Southampton Water. Calshot is Hampshire County Council's prime outdoor activities centre, so we fully embraced the opportunity to utilise their range of facilities in between completing the geographical investigations on the River Darkwater and tourist hotspot, Lyndhurst. The girls were highly active over the three days, with skiing, archery, rock climbing, and a challenging team-building course all on the itinerary. The weather was again very kind to us, making the fieldwork more manageable and allowing us to have beach bonfires on our final night. The team returned to Roedean on the Sunday, tired, happy, and a little tighter bonded as a cohort – as ever, the photos tell the story... Thanks to Mrs Finn, Miss Gunde, Mr Halsey, Miss Good, and Mrs Andrew for their time and support over the long weekend.
Mr Carter
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9 October 2026 – Issue 6
HEAD’S REVIEW
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9 October 2026 – Issue 6
9 October 2026 – Issue 6
HEAD’S REVIEW
Exceptional Success in the John Locke Global Essay Competition Congratulations to Farwa, Valerie, and Andrea (Yr13), who have all been 'commended' in the renowned John Locke Essay Competition.
week they were delighted to receive the news that they have been commended, which means that they are in the top 10% of all entrants – congratulations!
This year, a remarkable 100,227 candidates entered, from a staggering 183 countries around the world. The process is an extended one, and, having found out that they were all shortlisted a while ago, this
Andrea answered a Law stimulus question:
Farwa answered the stimulus Economics question: 'Should we fear a cashless society?'.
'To what extent should criminal sentencing account for the effect on the perpetrator's family?'
Main thesis: Ultimately, the movement towards a cashless society represents a rational evolution of the payment system, offering undeniable gains in efficiency and economic management. Yet progress should not be measured solely by how efficiently society moves forward. Cash may be disappearing from our transactions, but so too may the protections it quietly provides for those who depend upon it. The question, thus, is not whether a cashless society itself should be feared. It is worth fearing only when the pursuit of efficiency begins to compromise the welfare it was intended to improve. Reflection: I learnt a great deal throughout the process, from researching and developing my ideas to refining them through writing, and I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to engage so deeply with the question and a subject I am enthralled by.
Golden Ticket Winners! Congratulations to this month's Golden Ticket winners:
Miss Hart
Well done!
Main thesis: I concluded that sentencing should focus entirely on the wrong committed rather than a perpetrator's family situation, because considering domestic arrangements introduces corruption and gender-proxy discrimination. The foundation of my conclusion was based on Andrew Von Hirsch’s "just desserts" framework: whether a sentence strictly reflects the gravity of the crime. Professor Sonja Starr proves that family discounts create demographic discrimination, violating Justice Hugo Black’s equality principle. Ultimately, because data from Myers and Wilkins shows shorter terms do not fix family structures, courts must rely on automatic welfare referrals. Reflection: Having to sieve through all my research material was daunting but the writing experience itself was fun! I’d recommend joining John Locke for anyone who wants to challenge themselves in a subject they’re interested in because the questions always allow for a lot of creative autonomy.
Dr Barrand
Valerie answered a Psychology stimulus question: 'Is mental illness over-diagnosed now, or just better recognised?' Main thesis: The expansion of psychiatric boundaries cannot be viewed simply as over-diagnosis or better recognition; it is a dual movement of raising the diagnostic floor while lowering the ceiling. Normal human distress is increasingly viewed through an illness identity lens driven by Haslam’s “concept creep” and Hacking’s “looping effect”. Pharmaceutical interests accelerate this shift by allowing medical labels to replace social resilience and natural human variation with lifelong pathologisation. Reflection: I chose this topic because of its increasing relevance in an era dominated by casual self-diagnosis and digital awareness. Synthesising historical psychiatric shifts with modern psychological concepts allowed me to explore psychology beyond the textbooks and I learnt a lot from developing my ideas throughout the process.
Year 7 – Evie
Year 9 – Devi
for being kind and looking out for others on countless occasions since the start of term
for showing kindness to many in her year-group, and always having a smile and a 'hello' for others as she passes in the corridor
Year 8 – Kenza,
Year 10 – Cora
for always looking out for others and speaking so well in Chapel
for her proactive attitude in getting involved with all aspects of school life with kindness and generosity; she faces every challenge with politeness and deserves recognition for her consistent thoughtfulness towards other members of the school community
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HEAD’S REVIEW
Open Mic On Tuesday afternoon, we had the great pleasure of listening to eleven great performances at our Open Mic afternoon. As always, these are relaxed and friendly events sharing in the joy of live music. There were songs by Adele, Olivia Rodrigo, the Cranberries, and many more, and it was great to hear some performances with live instrumental backing. Students from Year 10 to 13 took part, as well as Mrs Andrews and Mr McGregor. It was lovely to hear Serena (Yr11) singing a lovely pop song in Chinese. Hats off to Charlie from Year 13, for not only singing beautifully, but for writing her own song, which we heard some of the audience singing on their way out of the Theatre. We loved all the performances, but some of our highlights were Rotimi, Nichole, and Maria (Yrs10-11), harmonising brilliantly in Linger by the Cranberries, Annabelle (Yr11) accompanying herself on the guitar for Buckle by Florence and the Machine, and a powerful rendition by Eve (Yr9) rendition of Adele's Someone Like You. We look forward to hearing even more original songs next time!
Mr Rous
Parents' Guild Cheese & Wine Event Last week, the Parents' Guild held their first event of the academic year with a cheese and wine tasting! The parents had a fun evening, learning about the different wines, and it was brilliant to see parents from across different year-groups getting to know each other better. The Parents' Guild looks forward to welcoming more parents to their events over the course of the year!
Ms Duff Page 9
9 October 2026 – Issue 6
HEAD’S REVIEW
9 October 2026 – Issue 6
More Poetry Recommendations for National Poetry Day 2026 To celebrate National Poetry Day on Thursday 1 October, Mrs Bailey invited Roedean staff to recommend their favourite poems – and the response was amazing! Further to last week's recommendations, here is the second instalment...
After a While by Veronica A Shoffst all
Recommended by Ms Boobis
Mrs Bailey
Not Waving But Drowning by Stevie Smith Recommended by Mr Lutwyche
Nobody heard him, the dead man, But still he lay moaning: I was much further out than you thought And not waving but drowning. Poor chap, he always loved larking And now he’s dead It must have been too cold for him his heart gave way, They said. Oh, no no no, it was too cold always (Still the dead one lay moaning) I was much too far out all my life.
After a while, you learn the subtle differenc e Between holding a hand and chaining a soul, And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning And company doesn’t mean security, And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t cont racts And presents aren’t promises, And you begin to accept your defeats With your head up and your eyes open With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child, And you learn to build all your roads on toda y Because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans. And futures have a way of falling down in midflight. After a while, you learn That even sunshine burns if you get too much . So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers. And you learn that you really can endure… That you really are strong. And you really do have worth. And you learn and learn… With every goodbye, you learn.
Wonderful by Harry Baker Recommended by Dr Turner
Wild Geese by Mary Oliver Recommended by Ms Orrells
You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees repenting. For a hundred miles through the desert, your body You only have to let the soft animal of love what it loves. tell you mine. Tell me about despair, yours, and I will Meanwhile the world goes on. les of the rain Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebb are moving across the landscapes, over the prairies and the deep trees, the mountains and the rivers. n blue air, Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clea are heading home again. Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, ion, the world offers itself to your imaginat exciting -and sh har e, gees wild calls to you like the over and over announcing your place in the family of things.
ibly imagine. There is more in you than you could poss ything a bit more magic. The very fact that you exist makes ever little you can do, When it all feels too much and there is may people include you. may you still see the best in people and you've ever done. May one thing match the gravity of all to come. This wonderful reality, the best is yet On Raglan Road by Patrick Kavangh
Recommended by Dr Hobbs
On Raglan Road on an autumn day I met her first and knew That her dark hair would weave a snare that I might one day rue; I saw the danger, yet I walked along the enchanted way, And I said, let grief be a fallen leaf at the dawning of the day. On Grafton Street in November we tripped lightly along the ledge Of the deep ravine where can be seen the worth of passion’s pledge, The Queen of Hearts still making tarts and I not making hay – O I loved too much and by such and such is happiness thrown away. I gave her gifts of the mind I gave her the secret sign that’s known To artists who have known the true gods of sound and stone And word and tint. I did not stint for I gave her poems to say. With her own name there and her own dark hair like clouds over fields of May. On a quiet street where old ghosts meet I see her walking now Away from me so hurriedly my reason must allow That I had wooed not as I should a creature made of clayWhen the angel woos the clay he’d lose his wings at the dawn of day. Page 10
HEAD’S REVIEW
9 October 2026 – Issue 6
The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes Recommended by Ms Benton-Stace
I The wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees, The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas, The road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor, And the highwayman came riding—riding—riding—riding The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn-door. II He’d a French cocked-hat on his forehead, a bunch of lace at his chin, A coat of claret velvet, and breeches of brown doe-skin; They fitted with never a wrinkle: his boots were up to the thigh! And he rode with a jewelled twinkle, his pistol butts a-twinkle, His rapier hilt a-twinkle, under the jewelled sky. III Over the cobbles he clattered and clashed in the dark innyard. He tapped with his whip on the shutters, but all was locked and barred. He whistled a tune to the window, and who should be waiting there But the landlord’s black-eyed daughter, Bess, the landlord’s daughter, Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair.
Ceramics Masterclass from Alice Mara Our Roedean artists enjoyed an outstanding ceramics masterclass given by renowned artist, Alice Mara. She returned to School to share her expertise in a series of ceramics workshops. These specialist sessions give our students the opportunity to explore their creativity, learn new techniques, and develop their hands-on skills, learning directly from a practising artist. Well done to everyone involved!
IV And dark in the dark old inn-yard a stable-wicket creaked Where Tim the ostler listened. His face was white and peaked. His eyes were hollows of madness, his hair like mouldy hay, But he loved the landlord’s daughter, the landlord’s red-lipped daughter. Dumb as a dog he listened, and he heard the robber say— V “One kiss, my bonny sweetheart, I’m after a prize to-night, But I shall be back with the yellow gold before the morning light; Yet, if they press me sharply, and harry me through the day, Then look for me by moonlight, watch for me by moonlight, I’ll come to thee by moonlight, though hell should bar the way.” VI He rose upright in the stirrups. He scarce could reach her hand, But she loosened her hair in the casement. His face burnt like a brand As the black cascade of perfume came tumbling over his breast; And he kissed its waves in the moonlight, (O, sweet black waves in the moonlight!) Then he tugged at his rein in the moonlight, and galloped away to the west. Page 11
Ms Strachan
9 October 2026 – Issue 6
HEAD’S REVIEW
First Swimming Gala of the Year! This week, the Roedean swim squad took part in the Sussex Secondary School Championships. This was a great start to our swimming season, with 17 other schools in attendance, giving the girls the opportunity to race against some very strong teams. Everyone did their best, and this was shown through some great results across the different events. With four new students taking part, it was also great to see everyone getting involved and enjoying their first gala of the season. The girls showed great effort and determination throughout the competition, supporting each other and representing the School proudly. Well done to everyone who took part! I am excited to see the progress made across the year, and I am confident that we will see lots of success very soon!
Mr Williams
U14A Netballers into Round 3 of the SNS National Shield This week, the U14s took on Farnborough Hill in the second round of the SNS National Shield competition, following a convincing win over Brighton Girls in September. The team were excited to get going, but there were certainly a few nerves as we faced unfamiliar opposition with little idea of what to expect.
From there, the momentum really began to shift. Countless turnovers were won throughout the court, with Ze, Sela, and Chloe working tirelessly in defence to regain possession. Lara and Marianne showed great composure in the shooting circle, converting those opportunities and helping us establish a 25-21 lead.
The first quarter proved challenging, as we worked out how best to manage Farnborough Hill’s tall holding shooter and dynamic defence, finishing the quarter 8-5 down. After a big team talk and a renewed sense of belief, the girls began to find their rhythm. The score quickly moved to 17-16, before our next centre pass brought us level at 17-17.
One final push was needed to secure the win, and the whole team stepped up brilliantly for the final 12 minutes. All nine players took to the court and played their part in an outstanding team performance. Carly and Lottie brought the ball through court superbly, while Harrie and Mila made an immediate impact when they entered the game.
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And what a final quarter it was! The girls produced an incredible 18-2 quarter to secure a 43-23 victory and book our place in the third round. It was a fantastic display of fitness, determination, and teamwork, and I could not be prouder of the way the team responded after a difficult opening quarter. We now eagerly await the Round 3 draw! Congratulations to our player award winners: ■ ■ ■
Opposition’s Players: Carly and Lara Players’ Player: Ze Coach’s Player: Lara Miss Bamford
139 October 2026 2023 – Issue 6
HEAD’S HEAD’S WEEKLY REVIEW REVIEW
U13B Hockey vs Brighton College
U15B Hockey vs Lancing 3rd XI
U15A Badminton vs Lancing U18A
The U13B team put in a much-improved performance compared to the previous outing, and, although they lost 2-0, this was a much more competitive game.
The U15B team won 1-0 against Lancing 3rd XI in a really well-matched fixture. The game was close throughout, with chances at both ends and both keepers making very good saves.
The U15A Badminton team had their first fixture of the year, facing a strong Lancing College U18A side.
Brighton were the stronger of the two teams, but chances were created at both ends: Sylvia made her B team debut and was a constant threat, Natasha worked tirelessly in midfield, while Shalom and Ianthe combined to great effect down the right hand side. Brighton scored once in each half, and their other chances were thwarted by the impressive Harriet in goal.
The game was ultimately decided by a first-half goal from Mabel, which followed an amazing run down the right hand side and into the D by Indira. Roedean had chances to extend the lead and Lancing had chances to equalise, but the final result was a fair reflection of an excellent game.
Mr Smethurst
Mr Smethurst
U15A Hockey Win vs Reigate The U15A team travelled to Reigate for Round 2 of the ISHC Cup, with plenty of excitement and anticipation in the air. The girls have trained exceptionally well in recent weeks, and the addition of two U14 players to the squad added further energy and enthusiasm, ahead of what promised to be a challenging fixture. Roedean started brightly, creating an excellent opportunity within the opening two minutes. However, it was Reigate who took the lead shortly afterwards, converting a penalty stroke to make it 1-0. Despite going behind, Roedean remained composed and continued to believe that they could turn the game around. Their persistence was rewarded in the second quarter, when U14 player Ze produced a wonderful goal, driving forward and leaving the Reigate defenders stranded before finding the back of the net. Ze was outstanding throughout the match, proving to be a real powerhouse down the right, with Ruby also put in an excellent performance alongside her.
remaining, Heidi found herself one-on-one with the Reigate goalkeeper and won a crucial short corner. The resulting set piece was executed brilliantly: Isabelle received the injection, before striking the ball into the bottom-left corner, sending the entire Roedean team into scenes of celebration. With just 90 seconds remaining, the girls knew they had to defend with everything they had. Roedean held on to secure a fantastic 2-1 victory, booking their place in Round 3 of the ISHC Cup. The team will now face local rivals, Bede’s, in the next round, setting up an exciting and highly-anticipated fixture. Huge congratulations go to every player involved. The effort, resilience, teamwork, and belief shown by the girls were outstanding, and they should be rightly proud of an incredible performance.
The third and fourth quarters were incredibly tight, with both teams battling hard and chances at a premium. With just two minutes
Mr Foggoa
Despite facing opponents up to three years older, the girls showed relentless determination and the matches were highly competitive, several requiring two clear points to decide the winner. Amy and Bobo were a force to be reckoned with – they won all but one of their matches, which was a challenging game against a pair featuring Lancing’s Year 13 Women’s Badminton Captain. Although the fixture finished 7-4 to Lancing, the girls put out an excellent performance. The afternoon provided valuable experience against strong opposition, and it was fantastic to see their confidence grow and their play improve with every set. It was a very encouraging start to the season!
Miss Webster
U18 Badminton vs Eastbourne College On Saturday 3 October, Roedean hosted an U18 Badminton tournament against Eastbourne College. Our team was made up of girls from Year 9 through to Year 13, and there was some excellent talent on show and evidence of some great players emerging. Eastbourne took the overall win, with strong male players in their team, but the scores were close and the matches nail-biting. Particular mention goes to our unbeaten pair, Bobo and Rachel, who won all three of their games, but everyone played really well and we were really proud to have such vocal Roedean supporters cheering us on!
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
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