16 October 2026 – Issue 7
HEAD’S REVIEW
International Boarding Week at Roedean
Head’s Introduction
This week has reminded us of the strength of community at Roedean in so many ways. In boarding, the Houses have thrown themselves with even more gusto into a whole range of activities to celebrate International Boarding Week, highlighting the fact the boarders at Roedean are part of a larger collective, boarders from all over the world who are strutting away from home to follow their dreams. The boarders all had great fun, and it has been a lovely way to round off the first half term of the year. In our Chapel services this week, to acknowledge Mental Health Awareness Day, we heard about the power of supporting each other and that this process is often reciprocal. We have a team of trained Youth Mental Health First Aiders, among the staff and students, meaning that there are always people in School who are ready to listen and provide support if it is needed.
The Same Roedean Spirit Through a Different Lens
This weekend, Roedean students and staff will be running the charity RISE 8K Undercliff Run. The run raises vital funds for women who have been the victims of domestic abuse or violence. The event brings women together to run along the undercliff below School, raising funds for other women they will probably never meet, and this reminds us of the power of sisterhood. Looking beyond the horizon, over the next few weeks we are looking forward to three bikes being delivered to Esther, Natasha, and Josephine in Zambia and Zimbabwe. In addition to the monthly support we provide for these girls, supporting their continuing education and wellbeing, as a school, we undertook the ‘Cycle to Harare’ challenge earlier in the year, and the result is that we have been able to purchase a bike for each of the girls. This will have a huge impact on their lives, most importantly helping them get to school more easily and safely. The girls enjoyed an appropriately terrifying time at the annual Halloween Maze, organised expertly by the Prefects earlier this week. It is also wonderful that all of the early applicants in Year 13, those applying for Oxbridge or medical-related courses, successfully submitted their applications ahead of the deadline, and Xena has already received an excellent offer! Good luck to those who have gone to New York on the Computer Science and Business, and congratulations to Finya for completing her solo swim around Manhattan Island in a matter of seconds over eight hours – remarkable! We wish you all a restful half-term.
House 2 Rolling Around in Bubbles!
Parents’ Guild Craft Evening
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.
Zlata, Nane, Salma, Layna, and Zoe (Yr12) for their great contributions towards the Academic Lecture 'Wealth of Nations: Black Economists and Global Development' this week [Ms Ibanez]
16 October 2026 – Issue 7
Mathematical Olympiad Success! Congratulations to Layna and Charlize, who both achieved Merits in the Mathematical Olympiad for Girls. This requires full written answers in a gruelling 2.5hour assessment. Well done to everyone who participated!
Mrs Hopper
Amazing Performance from Eleanor in the Ron Easton Tournament Playing for Brighton & Hove Hockey Club (BHHC), Eleanor (Yr7) helped her team secure an amazing 2nd place out of 10 teams! After drawing in the final, the match went to a penalty shootout to decide first place. Eleanor was the top goal scorer, scoring an incredible 10 of her team’s 14 goals! She was also the only player to score past the goalkeeper in the penalty shootout, showing incredible composure and calmness under pressure.
Annabelle (Yr11) for singing a lovely acoustic version in Chapel of Florence and the Machine's 'Shake It Out', a song about overcoming personal demons [Mr Halsey]
Miss Bamford, Mrs Allen, Miss Joslyn, Mr Wriglesworth, Ms Sturgeon, Mr Halsey, and Mrs Mackenzie for supporting in the Pastoral Managers' Office to cover absence [Miss Hart]
Well done, Eleanor – what a brilliant achievement!
U13D Show Resilience to Secure Hard-Fought 2–1 Victory Over Brighton College The U13D battled hard to overcome Brighton College in a tight affair, securing an impressive 2–1 victory. The girls showed great determination, resilience, and teamwork to edge out their opponents and secure a well-deserved win. Standout performances came from new additions, Lome and Amber, and from our stand-in goalkeeper, Luna.
Mr Foggoa
U13B Hockey vs Mayfield The U13B team drew 1-1 in their final game of the half-term in a well-matched game at Mayfield. The game began in a scrappy, slightly disorganised fashion, but settled down as the first half progressed. Roedean took the lead through Natasha, but Mayfield were always a threat on the counterattack and they equalised in the second half when Roedean allowed an unchallenged carry into the D to be passed and converted. The second half continued in the same vein, with chances created at both ends, but the draw was a fair result for the efforts of both teams.
Mr Smethurst Page 2
16 October 2026 – Issue 7
HEAD’S REVIEW
Chapel – World Mental Health Day Mrs Nicholson Orrells: Over the weekend on 10 October, it was World Mental Health Day. This year’s theme is about lived experience; real voices, real change. Ensuring everyone gets the support they need, when they need it. The right mental health support can change lives. It can stop people reaching crisis point. It can save lives. Everyone should have access to mental health support that makes them feel understood and listened to. This support should start on the day they bravely ask for help. But too many have a very different experience. They may ask for help, but are told to wait. They may tell their stories, but don’t feel heard or believed. It doesn’t have to be this way. At Roedean, we have built a community of support and love for each other, where everyone feels seen, known, and heard. We want to break the stigma that surrounds reaching out for support. As part of this, we have lots of staff that are trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid, not only the pastoral team or teachers, but our Mental Health First Aiders are across all parts of our community; including some of our Sixth Formers too. Miss De Jesus: I’m a Youth Mental Health First Aider. This is important to me, because I work closely with young people every day and want to help ensure they feel supported, understood, and ready to succeed. The relationships I build with students are my favourite part of working in a school, and I want every child to have the same opportunities, encouragement, and support that I was fortunate to have when growing up.
Mr Halsey: I've needed to reach out for support before. Earlier this year, my family went through a really difficult time, and we lost someone very special to us. One thing that has really helped me is talking about the good things: the funny stories, the happy memories, the moments that still make us smile. Sharing those hasn't made the sadness go away, but it has helped me carry it. What I've learned is this: don't be afraid of big feelings. Sadness, anger, confusion, even laughing when you think you shouldn't. They're all normal. But you don't have to hold them on your own. Let them out somewhere safe, with people who care about you. That might be a friend, your family, your tutor, your HM, or someone in the Wellbeing team. So if you're going through something hard right now, here's my advice. Find your people. Say it out loud, even if it's just 'I'm not okay today'. And when you're ready, talk about the good things too. Opening up isn't a sign of weakness. It's how we look after each other. Miss Pashley: One thing I do to connect with myself and balance my nervous system is spend time immersed in nature, particularly among trees. I find that slowing down, noticing the sounds of the birds, feeling the ground beneath my feet, and taking in the natural world helps me feel calmer, more grounded and present. Try it with me now… Close your eyes, take a slow, deep breath and imagine yourself standing beneath a beautiful tree. Feel your feet rooted to the ground, like the roots of the tree, and notice your breathing as you gently inhale and exhale. Allow yourself a moment to simply be.
Page 3
Mrs Nicholson Orrells: Following a difficult time in my life, I looked to my friends for support. I was scared about what would happen next, when I admitted that I was struggling. Would they still want to be my friend? Was I just adding to their own problems? But they rallied. One friend helped me reconnect with nature. One friend made sure my cupboards were full. One friend took me to counselling. Together, they reminded me that we don’t have to manage things alone, that they had in fact leaned on me for support many times before and that this was how they could repay that love back. This is why I do what I do now; I have the privilege as a Youth Mental Health First Aider in School to listen and support you. It is never a burden. May we remember that every person we meet is carrying their own story, their own challenges, and their own hopes. May we have the courage to ask for help when we need it, and the kindness to offer support when others need us. May we listen with patience, speak with compassion, and create a community where everyone feels seen, known and heard. And when life feels overwhelming, may we find strength in the people around us, comfort in the things that bring us peace, and hope in the knowledge that we never have to face difficult times alone. Let us go from here looking after ourselves, looking out for one another, and remembering that even the smallest act of care can make a lasting difference.
HEAD’S REVIEW
The Same Roedean Spirit Through a Different Lens You may have noticed something a little different about our photography recently. We are embracing a fresh perspective on how we capture and share school life, celebrating the energy, creativity, ambition, and friendships that make our community so special. As digital technology and AI continue to evolve, we are taking a more considered approach to photography, placing greater emphasis on the experiences and moments that bring Roedean to life. From the determination of a student embracing a new challenge, to the joy of a shared achievement, the creativity of an artist at work, or the friendships that grow through everyday experiences, there is so much to celebrate. Our evolving approach reflects our commitment to Nurturing Her Authentic Self and Strengthened by Sisterhood, capturing the individuality, connections, and opportunities that shape a Roedean education, while remaining mindful of our students' digital identities. This is not about showing less of the School, but about finding new perspectives that reveal even more of what makes Roedean special.
Mrs Wienekus and Mr Cracknell
Page 4
16 October 2026 – Issue 7
HEAD’S REVIEW
Page 5
16 October 2026 – Issue 7
HEAD’S REVIEW
House 2 Rolling Around in Bubbles! Last weekend, all of House 2 boarders went to play Bubble Football. It was a great experience, filled with joy, fun, and bubbliness! It was an hilarious time for all of House 2, a real bonding experience. At times, there was heated rivalry between the pink and blue teams (aka the best team vs the blue team). People were bumping into each other, rolling across the pitch, and trying their best to score, all whilst trying to get back up on their feet:, easier said than done when wearing a giant inflatable bubble. Even though it was competitive, everyone was laughing and cheering each other on, which made the atmosphere even better. After all the running, bumping, and bubbling, we finished the evening with some well-deserved pizza, ice creams, and homemade chocolate flapjacks; the perfect way to end our House evening. Bubble Football was a great way to bring the House closer together, and definitely an experience we would all do again!
Mrs Waller
Page 6
16 October 2026 – Issue 7
HEAD’S REVIEW
U18 Badminton Make Perfect Start to Southern Schools’ League
U13F Hockey vs Brighton College 11th VII
The U18 Badminton team made a fantastic start to the newly formed Southern Schools' Badminton League, securing three wins from three matches against King’s Canterbury, Epsom College, and Christ’s Hospital. Each fixture consisted of nine points, with six singles matches and three doubles matches, providing a competitive test across both formats. The team delivered an outstanding set of performances, winning 9–0 against King’s Canterbury, 8–1 against Epsom College, and 8–1 against Christ’s Hospital. It was a hugely successful afternoon for the squad, who demonstrated excellent skill, consistency and teamwork throughout all three fixtures. Winning 25 of the 27 available points is a fantastic achievement, which puts the team in a strong position heading into the next round of the league. The U18s will next face Sevenoaks, Benenden, and Haileybury as they look to continue their unbeaten start to the competition.
16 October 2026 – Issue 7
Mr Foggoa
Parents’ Guild Craft Evening The Roedean Parents' Guild sociable crafting event run by Lu (Year 8 parent) and our sewing guide, Laetitia, was a big success, and as ever, hugely fun thanks to the parents and girls attending. Everyone got stuck in, with really impressive and creative results, making rag wreaths and decorating tote bags. Much of this was using Roedean-branded ex-uniform, that might otherwise have been thrown out. We look forward to the next one, and thank you again to everyone who came!
Page 7
The U13F team played some absolutely brilliant Hockey this week against Brighton College 11th VII, a team they had previously lost to 5-1. They remained resilient through both halves with no substitutes, and at half time the score was still 0-0. The girls have worked so hard to apply all the feedback given, and this was clearly in evidence in the match. Their dribbling skills, passing accuracy, and overall game awareness has developed massively. Leyah was awarded the Opposition’s Player of the Match, and she defended excellently along with Megan. Although Brighton ended up winning 1-0, the girls should be so proud of how far they have come in such a short period of time. The effort and perseverance shown throughout the whole match was admirable, and they have all improved so much from the first week of term. Well done to everyone involved.
Miss Webster
HEAD’S HEAD’S WEEKLY REVIEW REVIEW
13 October 2026 16 2023 – Issue 76
International Boarding Week at Roedean
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
facebook Roedean instagram Roedeanschool linkedin Roedean School, Brighton
youtube Roedean School TIKTOK roedean.school
comments
Follow us