At the end of a wonderful and action-packed half term, there is only one headline act with which to round off, Mrs Dever’s reflections on the School Production of Peter Pan:  

"We couldn't be prouder of the cast and crew of Peter Pan! When we held auditions in September, we had so many students interested in taking part that we decided to have 2 full casts, giving the opportunity for 130 students to have the experience of taking part in a live performance. They have worked tirelessly through the winter months and it has been such a pleasure seeing them work as a team, with students across all year groups getting to know each other and form that special theatre bond! Now we have come to the week of performances, there has been much excitement, as costumes have been donned, puppets brought to life, and stage lights lit. We have also been able to share the dress rehearsals with some Drama and Music classes during the day (one big advantage of using the school hall this year). Our version of Peter Pan is a modern interpretation written by Evan Placey and first performed at the Rose Theatre, Kingston in 2023. The story itself sticks to the original tale, however, there are some poignant reflections, delivered through the narrator/character of 'Gran' about growing up and what it means to become an adult in today's world. 

As ever, a school production is a team effort, and I am incredibly grateful to Mr Holloway, Mrs House-Lee, Mr Waight, Mrs Mariner, Mr Dray, Mrs Rundle, Ms Wiggins, Mr Faunce-Brown and also to the Premises team who have gone above and beyond to help out. Thank you too to all the parents/carers of the cast who helped provide costumes and support with students attending rehearsals, especially as these ramped up to include late evenings and weekends.

We have sold out across all our four performances and say 'break a leg', as the casts tread the boards for the final performances tonight!"

After half term our KS3 Blackout pilot begins, initially with Year 7 students, and then with Year 8 and 9 students later in the week. FAQs have been updated on our Blackout Pilot web page and Blackout have been working hard with GLF Schools to reassure us and parents/carers that the app (as it is the Education version) does not access any private data, and it does not track or record location data. 

Year 7 have now received an email containing their authentication code for the Blackout App, which they will need to install before returning to school, if they wish to continue to bring a smart phone to school and keep it with them throughout the day. 

• For Android users, the app can be found on the Google Play Store

• For iPhone users, it is available on the App Store

• The Blackout App key screens for download and access are shown below to ensure students are accessing the correct app.

As a reminder, the app will only be active during term time, when the school is open, between 8.30am and 3.00pm and will be disabled at all other times. If your daughter is absent, she has the ability to disable the App, which will then automatically be re-enabled the following day. 

Year 8 and Year 9 emails are due to be distributed on Wednesday 26 February, and we will write to those families and students directly, after half term. 

Have a lovely half term break 

NOTICE 

Please be aware that due to a number of timetable changes which will be effective after half term, you and your daughter will receive an updated timetable this afternoon.   

Please encourage your child to check this carefully, noting it is a Week 2 when we return from half term. 

Well done to Alice M 9CY and Amy M 7CY for competing with their dance school in the Showstopper Musical Theatre competition in Essex on Sunday 9 February. They brilliantly performed 'Seize the Day' from Newsies and a medley from Everybody's Talking About Jamie against teams from all over the UK

A reminder that the portal for the Year 9 DTP and MenACWY vaccinations taking place in school on Wednesday 26 February and Wednesday 5 March 2025 will close at 4pm on Wednesday 19 February. Students will need these immunisations if they are planning on going to university.

If you have not yet completed the e-consent form, you can still sign up by clicking HERE and entering the school code SR137736. 

An automated email will be sent to you on completion of your e-consent form. 

If you have previously consented and wish to withdraw consent, please email csh.eastimmsadmin@nhs.net to advise.

Mrs Keaveney - Student Careers, Guidance and Health Mentor 

Based on recent feedback, after the half term we will be adjusting the minimum payment for school meals on ParentPay to £5.

If you have any questions regarding ParentPay, please contact adminhelpdesk@roseberyschool.co.uk 

Mrs Spencer - LRH Manager

Mrs Rathore - Maths Teacher

The Chemistry department would like to extend a huge 'thank you' to the wonderful PSA, who funded some new lab coats for our A Level students. The students are delighted to have Sixth Form-only blue lab coats for their Chemistry practical work.

Miss Stanwix - Head of Chemistry

Team Science also would like to say a big 'thank you' to the PSA for their generosity in funding this wonderful wall decal in the Couper Building. There are bigger plans to come soon, so watch this space! 

Mr Hiller - Head of Science

Last week we were excited to see some fantastic netball action from Years 7, 8 and 9 as they took part in the latest House Games. Each year group showcased their skills, determination and sportsmanship, filling the week with competitive spirit and teamwork. Thankfully, the weather held out and all students were able to make their way to the courts to take part! 

Year 9

The House Games Netball competition kicked off on Monday, with Year 9 taking to the courts first. The matches were fast-paced, intense, and full of brilliant plays. Year 9 players demonstrated excellent tactical awareness and teamwork, showing off their developing netball skills. With strong defensive strategies and impressive shooting accuracy, it was a exciting start to the week and Year 9 set a high standard for the other year groups to follow!

Year 8

The competition continued on Tuesday with Year 8, and the level of play was just as impressive. Year 8  brought their A game, showing fantastic teamwork and communication on the court. The players worked well in both attack and defence positions, with some brilliant passing and interceptions throughout. The games were competitive (with close scores between our top teams) meaning that the results could not be tighter. Year 8 really demonstrated how much they’ve progressed with their netball skills, making their matches a joy to watch. 

Year 7

The competition wrapped up on Wednesday with the Year 7s, who showed great enthusiasm and determination, despite for some of them it being the first time they had played netball competitively. The Year 7s displayed strong team spirit and commitment, and it was clear that they’re already learning the fundamentals of the game. There were some great passes, interceptions, and efforts at goal, and the improvement from each team was noticeable throughout the afternoon. 

Overall

A huge congratulations to all participants for their hard work, sportsmanship, and team spirit throughout the House Games Netball competition. Each year group brought their own unique energy to the court and it was fantastic to see so many students getting involved. The level of play was impressive across all year groups. A huge 'thank you' goes to Mrs Hart-Mckee and Miss Elms for their support in organising students and scoring, but an even bigger thank you must go to Mrs Jones and Mrs Waple, who both gave up their time to come and support students in umpiring, despite the cold! Additional thanks goes to our Sixth Form students, who also used time to support younger students in enabling the games to run smoothly! 

Miss Fielding - PE Teacher

The Year 7 team triumphed with an 11-1 victory against Three Rivers School, demonstrating strong teamwork and dedication to their training. The supportive environment was felt not only on the court but also from the sidelines where we had our subs cheering the team on.

The players rotated positions fairly, with several players trying unfamiliar roles thus showing their versatility. Captain, Ellie M 7PY, led by example with excellent shooting, while Molly M 7CX's strong defence was crucial in keeping the opposition at bay. Special mention goes to Dulcie S 7PY, who was named Player of the Match for her outstanding performance against the opposing team. In the pre-match warm-up, the team showed great unity, working together on passing, shooting, and overall strategy to prepare for the game. Mr Harvey was so impressed wth your resilience and effort to keep up with the Year 8s in your 'mini match' to keep warm. Thank you for coming along Mr Harvey! 

Year 8 also secured a 13-6 win against Three Rivers School, showcasing both technical skill and strong team spirit. Phoebe B 8CY's excellent shooting techniques played a key role in the team's success, while Carys T 8CY provided solid defence throughout the match. Emilia F 8CY’s excellent movement on the court allowed her to create space and support her teammates effectively. The team’s communication and unity were evident, especially during their pre-match warm-up, in which they focused on refining their defence and shooting skills. These efforts helped them to maintain control. Mr Harvey was so impressed with your support for Year 7 in the 'mini matches', but also your humour and support for each other! 

Both teams' hard work in training is clearly paying off. The teams have worked hard to refine the skills taught to them. 'Well done' to all players and to those who come to training - we will see you after half term. 

Miss Fielding - PE Teacher