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The Lower Sixth and Year Five from Burgess Hill School for Girls took advantage of an unusual opportunity to produce pedal powered smoothies on Thursday 20 September. The session was run by Tom Briggs, designer and manager of ‘Blendavenda’ (a bike with a food blender attached to the front). The girls enjoyed watching as their choice of fruits were pulped by the power of their pedalling. A competition was run to see who could cycle 150 metres the fastest and prizes were won.

A Netball coaching session for Year Five and Six pupils run by Amanda Newton, the England Captain and sponsored by the company Net-it was held at Burgess Hill School for Girls on Wednesday 12th September.

The 32 children, from schools in Brighton, Southwater and Lower Beeding participated in a 2 hour, skill-based, coaching session in the morning followed by a variety of activities to improve their teamwork in the afternoon. The day was topped with a fun tournament in which the teams displayed what they had learnt throughout the day.

This is the second netball master class held at the school. If you would be interested in joining the mailing list for future master class sessions please contact the Assistant Registrar, Mrs Zaragoza, with details of your school and the number of pupils you feel would benefit from such activities.

In May 2007, Roedean received a visit from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). Here is a summary of what they had to say

Roedean is very successful in its aims to provide a stimulating, academic education and exciting extra-curricular opportunities. These are achieved by a combination of strong academic and pastoral support and the special factor of the richly cosmopolitan pupil population. The school shows a very high commitment to preparing its pupils for their lives at university and in the wider world. Levels of achievement are high, pupils are encouraged to explore their talents, strive for excellence and develop their intellectual curiosity.

The quality of pupils’ attitude to work is high. They come to lessons expecting to work hard. They are articulate, listen carefully, write fluently, read intelligently and argue cogently. They have fun in lessons and, in a relaxed atmosphere, feel confident to risk their ideas and have them challenged by others.

The school’s aim to ‘establish multicultural understanding and respect’ is reflected in the relationships amongst pupils originating from over 40 countries. Within this community pupils develop very high levels of confidence and selfworth. They have a strong spiritual awareness, their social development is excellent and their social skills highly developed. They are lively yet courteous. Pupils’ cultural awareness is outstanding. "Remember we have grown up together" was a typical comment "and it is great having friends from all over the world." Roedean’s ethos of inclusiveness means that pupils are able to express themselves openly, with confidence, in the many academic, sporting and creative activities in which they can participate, whatever their level of ability.

Staff teach effectively and are successful in promoting pupils’ learning and achievements, and in contributing to strong performance in public examinations at GCSE and A level. A feature of the best teaching is the class discussions, which encourage pupils to debate ideas and concepts and think and learn for themselves. Teachers convey authority and enthusiasm, and display a wealth of knowledge well beyond their own subject. This contributes to the positive way pupils respond to the teaching. Relationships between staff and pupils are excellent.

"Don’t be afraid to walk on the wild side. Don’t be afraid to sing the loudest. Don’t be afraid to be creative. Don’t be afraid to be a friend. Don’t be afraid to be yourself"

Parents made highly favourable comments, describing the pupils as happy and confident. They also commented on the friendly and supportive atmosphere in the school. Pupils across the school said that they felt well supported and could have open conversations with the staff. In essence, Roedean has developed a school community at ease with itself. Parents saw their daughters as ‘children of the world’ and were delighted by this aspect of their education. Behaviour in the school is exemplary. Pupils are courteous and considerate of other people, showing respect for staff and each other. The atmosphere of support, friendship, individuality and fun was encapsulated in the verse written by one Year 7 pupil: "Don’t be afraid to walk on the wild side/Don’t be afraid to sing the loudest /Don’t be afraid to be creative/Don’t be afraid to be a friend/Don’t be afraid to be yourself."

For the full report visit www.roedean.co.uk

For the fifth consecutive year, final year pupils at St Andrew’s School, Meads have won in excess of 20 scholarships, exhibitions and allround awards to a variety of top senior schools including Eastbourne College, Sevenoaks, Moira House Girls’ School and St Bede’s The Dicker. This year’s total of 30 awards is believed to represent an all-time high for the school. The awards include ten academic scholarships and exhibitions, four music scholarships and exhibitions, three all round awards, seven sports scholarships and exhibitions, four art scholarships and exhibitions, one drama scholarship and one drama exhibition.

Katie Wicks excelled by being named a ‘Forbes Wastie Scholar’ having won a major music scholarship and an academic exhibition to Eastbourne College. Tom Biltcliffe, also going to Eastbourne College, was made a ‘Forbes Wastie exhibitioner’ for his outstanding efforts in sport and academic work, whilst Natalie Pollard was awarded a sport and music exhibition to Moira House. Max Kotz, who gained a music scholarship to Sevenoaks School, is excited about moving there but will miss St Andrew’s. He said, "I will miss all my friends and the teachers at St Andrew’s as I have been here since Reception and so I do feel a little nervous. I will also miss the wonderful sport and range of activities that we can all take part in here."

Headmaster Jeremy Griffith said: "It’s been an awesome year for scholarships and other awards and I’d like to congratulate all those who’ve worked so hard to achieve these fine results. Such success, in so many different disciplines, demonstrates our belief in a broad curriculum which allows children to develop their talents to the full. It also says a great deal about the quality of our staff whose ability to inspire and guide their pupils is an equal source of pride to me."

St Andrew’s is Eastbourne’s leading standalone preparatory school for girls and boys aged 2 - 13. Please call the school office on 01323 733203 and ask to speak with Sue Offord for more details or to arrange a visit.

In the last five years more than 150 scholarships and awards have been won to the following schools: Battle Abbey, Beechwood, Benenden, Brighton College, Bryanston, Buckswood, Clifton College, Eastbourne, Harrow, Hurstpierpoint, King’s Canterbury, Lancing, Millfield, Moira House, Oundle, Roedean, St Bede’s The Dicker, St Leonard’s Mayfield, Wells Cathedral, Westminster.

St Andrew’s School, Meads, Eastbourne,
East Sussex BN20 7RP