ISSUE 41

17 January 2025

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Dear Parents and Carers

It’s been all go at Rosebery this week, and it has been a delightful distraction to have the corridors and classroom across the school full of the buzz and hubbub of Rosebery girls enjoying the full Rosebery experience in lessons, extra-curricular activities and clubs – exactly as they should be. The updated enrichment calendar is listed below, and as a belated New Year’s resolution, perhaps you could encourage your daughter to try a new club or activity?

I must spotlight and thank Mr Waight, Mrs Jenns, and a host of other teachers and associate staff for the Year 10 Wellbeing Day, which took place on Tuesday. This is the 5th year we have run the event, and it really does showcase many of the innovative ways in which we are helping students think about and manage their mental health and wellbeing, across the school. Year 10 really enjoyed the opportunity to try boxing, learn about self-regulation, do some yoga, commit to positive affirmations, making stress balls and they even took a sound bath!

One of the topics around self-regulation was the relationship young people have with their mobile phone and social media. This continues to be a divisive and heavily debated topic around the world, and please be assured we are proactively thinking about how we might best address this at Rosebery. We have also reached out to other schools in the trust to consider how GLF Schools might leverage a collective and potentially novel approach here – watch this space.

I also must thank all of you who took the time to complete the GLF Stakeholder Voice survey for Rosebery Parents and Carers. Alongside the associated Student Voice and Staff Voice surveys, we are now analysing the results of these, at both a trust and school level, with feedback and action plans to follow towards the end of the Spring term. However, in and amongst some fabulous feedback (thank you!) an area that has clearly been highlighted for potential improvement, is the quality and nutrition of the food provided in the canteen, at break and lunch. Please be assured that we are working with Taylor Shaw, and being supported by GLF Schools, to improve the canteen offer and service, and changes are afoot. In the first instance, please find update menus HERE on our website, with further updates and menu developments expected in due course.

Finally, in light of the school being closed on Wednesday 29 January, we will now not close early on Wednesday 22 January. Therefore, school will be open all day on 22 January 2025, as usual, rather than have students dismissed early for the previously calendared GLF collaborates.

Have a lovely weekend everyone.

David Lach

HEADTEACHER

TABLE OF CONTENTS - click to jump to an entry

Head of Year Entries - click to view entry

Rosebery Street Dance

Key Dates - all dates subject to change

Week 2: w/c Monday 20 January

Monday 20 January - Friday 31 January

Taiwanese students visiting

Monday 20 January - Friday 24 January

Y7 & Y8 Rolling Read - period 2

Tuesday 21 January

Squash Nationals, Down House School

Wednesday 22 January

Y11 History Immersion Afternoon

LAMDA Showcase

Y7 A & B District Netball, Manor House

Thursday 23 January

Platform7 Teen Career Development Day

DofE Awards Evening

Y11 GCSE Music Concert

Local Round - Rotary Young Chef Competition

Friday 24 January

Y10 GCSE Science Live

Y10 & Y11 Trip to Southwark Cathedral

Week 1: w/c Monday 27 January

Monday 27 January - Friday 31 January

Y7 & Y8 Rolling Read - period 3

U13s SSFA vs. Surbiton High

Tuesday 28 January

Y11 Geography Field Trip, Guildford

School Production Rehearsals (after school)

Wednesday 29 January

SCHOOL CLOSED

Thursday 30 January

Y12 Parents Evening (on-site)

Friday 31 January

Y11 Geography Field Trip, Guildford

Y7 Elephant's Tea Party

Sunday 2 February

School Production Rehearsals

Head of Year Entries - click to view entry

YEAR 7

What a week it has been for Year 7, filled with celebration, growth and new opportunities! We’ve had so much to be proud of and it is wonderful to reflect on all the achievements and exciting milestones of our students. A huge congratulations to the following Year 7 students for their successful applications to the Junior Leadership Team:

Freya M 7CX as Curie House Captain
Pippa T 7EY as Elizabeth House Captain
Lucia LB 7MX as Malala House Captain
Kitty P 7PY as Pankhurst House Captain
Anaya U 7CY as Community Ambassador
Inez C 7CY as Environment Ambassador
Lia R 7MX as Learning Ambassador
Iona H 8EY, Zoe P 7PX and Matilda M 7PY as Wellbeing Ambassadors

These students have already shown incredible dedication and leadership and we are excited to see them shine as role models and advocates within the school.

We also want to take a moment to congratulate Hannah S 7MX, who recently performed brilliantly in the Sleeping Beauty pantomime in Dorking. This was Hannah's first time successfully auditioning for a pantomime and, after nearly 60 hours of rehearsals and six shows, she danced and performed with exceptional talent! We are so proud of her dedication and she is already looking forward to auditioning for this year’s pantomime. #Remarkable #Proud

Additionally, Year 7 has been focused on “Bouncing Back into January” with an assembly led by Mr Harvey and the Year 7 Pastoral Team. Instead of overwhelming themselves with New Year resolutions, we encouraged our students to start with small, achievable habits that will set them up for success throughout the year. These manageable steps will help build resilience and confidence, ensuring Year 7 is ready to tackle any challenges that come their way.

In form time, Year 7 has also begun reading Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah. This powerful autobiographical book will offer students valuable insights into family relationships, cultural expectations, and the resilience needed to overcome adversity. It’s already sparking great conversations and will undoubtedly inspire empathy and perseverance in our students.

What a week it has been! We’re incredibly proud of Year 7’s efforts and achievements, and we’re excited to continue supporting them on their journey throughout 2025.

⭐ STARS OF THE WEEK ⭐

7CX: Freya M - for being chosen as Curie Year 7 House Captain.

7CY: Nova L - for showing her imagination and creativity in our form drawing competition. Your alien and dream princess castle were ace!

7EX: Hannah C - for her enthusiastic return to school after the Christmas holidays and her improved organisation.

7EY: Rose E - for an amazing start back to the new term with the most merits received.

7MX: Emily F – for bringing smiles to her form everyday.

7MY: Abi W - for having a really positive start back to school this half term.

7PX: Poppy T - for her positive attitude and kindness to her peers and teachers.

7PY: Maisey P – for her positive focus in lessons this week.

Hannah S 7MX in Sleeping Beauty

Ms Godwin

Head of Year 7

Miss Monk

Deputy Head of Year 7

For all things Year 7, please check out our Instagram (@roseberyyear7) and the Year 7 Website

YEAR 8

Mrs. Waple and I have been truly inspired by the thoughtfulness, kindness, and compassion shown by our Year 8 students over the past week. The warmth and positivity they have displayed reflect the incredible character of this year group, and it has been an absolute pleasure getting to know them. I am especially grateful for the many smiles and warm welcomes I’ve received as I step into my new role as Head of Year. It’s clear that Year 8 is a remarkable community, and I am so excited to support and celebrate their achievements in the weeks and months ahead.

This week, our students have embraced the theme of kindness and resilience. During form time on Monday, they reflected on their goals for the year ahead and crafted thoughtful New Year’s resolutions centred on acts of kindness. Whether it’s helping out at home, supporting classmates, or making someone smile each day, their resolutions highlight the compassion and community spirit that makes Year 8 such a special cohort. We will continue to focus on kindness, as I know it was so important to Miss Devonish, and I am keen to ensure that this remains a core part of the Year 8 journey.

On Tuesday, we held an assembly focused on “bouncing back” and facing challenges with courage and a positive mindset. We explored ideas around resilience, including staying optimistic, learning from setbacks, and reaching out for support when needed. It is inspiring to see Year 8 step into 2025 with positivity and purpose.

⭐ STARS OF THE WEEK ⭐

8MX: Edie M - for fully embracing the Rosebery Way, for her positivity, friendship and for being a great friend to many.

8EY: Sophie B - for being responsible, kind and considerate.

8EX: Isla C - for being so supportive towards her peers and for participating in form activities with a positive attitude.

8PX: Grace G - for showing kindness towards others.

8MY: Caitlyn M - for being such a supportive friend to the rest of 8MY.

8PY: Amber C - for achieving a distinction in her exam.

8CY: Neve K - for being so kind and considerate to the whole form and noticing even small ways that she can help people.

8CX: Milly C - for showing great kindness and integrity everyday.

Mrs Hatfield-Giraux

Head of Year 8

Mrs Waple

Deputy Head of Year 8

YEAR 10

Year 10 have started 2025 in an exemplary way. This week saw us take part in a day of wellbeing activities including boxing, thinking about self-regulation, yoga, sound baths, positive affirmations, making stress balls and more. There will be exercises and strategies that can be used at different pinch points of the GCSE journey, and certainly something for everyone to try out.

In September, we spoke about finding our ‘remarkable’ and ‘proud’ in every student and, on our Wellbeing Day on Tuesday, these are two words I used to describe the students themselves. Every visitor spoke so fondly of Year 10 and the kindness that they demonstrated to one another really shone through.

In my assembly this week, I reminded Year 10 that we are on a journey, and used the metaphor of our journey being like inflating a balloon: we don’t get instant results.

Our 2025 initiative sees the re-launch of our Brave Award. However, this year, students are going to nominate a peer during form time each week and our Brave Awards will be published each week instead of Stars of the Week. I therefore encourage students to be brave, take risks and allow the unexpected!

Mr Waight

Head of Year 10

Miss Fielding

Deputy Head of Year 10

YEAR 11

The theme of this week has been resilience and jumping back into the rhythm of Year 11 life, and we are pleased to tell you that Year 11 have delivered beyond our expectations. Last week, Miss Foster, Head of English, opened her classroom door at 3pm to find more Year 11s that she could possibly accommodate in one room, all ready to attend the first intervention session of the term. Luckily, Mrs Blake was on hand to throw open her doors, load up the materials and once chairs had been sourced and all students accommodated, Year 11 set about the business of tackling a question on the major themes of An Inspector Calls. This was not just the case for English, however: our records show some 112 students attended the Maths intervention the next day; 50+ students giving up their lunchtime to revise Geography, and the Science intervention that took place on Tuesday this week was bursting at the seams with purposeful, cheerful revision.

For us, this embodies our motto for this year of 'Achievement, Belonging and Resilience'. We know that the targeted and meaningful revision that is provided by subject experts in these sessions will go a long way to boosting students' confidence and grades in the summer. We also appreciate that this takes some real determination too; when it's cold and dark, and you've had 5 lessons, it takes energy to push yourself for one more - and yet Year 11 are doing just that! Finally, we are seeing Year 11 crafting such a wonderful culture for themselves, where the default message is, 'Yeah, we're going to intervention. Why don't you come too?' We speak to them frequently about how 'We rise by lifting others' and we truly believe that it is this culture, borne of the students themselves, that will make all the difference.

If you or your child is unaware of the sessions and would like to attend, the Year 11 Google Classroom and on the yellow posters in English, Maths and Science Classrooms details the interventions taking place for those subjects. There is a sign-up form on Google Classroom, which will be helpful for our teams to anticipate numbers, but all are welcome, regardless of whether they have signed up. Subject teachers will also be able to provide information on if their department is running a session. We are so proud of all of them, and we hope that they can keep this excellent momentum.

Ms Newman

Head of Year 11

Mr Hewett

Deputy Head of Year 11

House Points

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

CURIE

56,647

PANKHURST

50,196

ELIZABETH

50,026

MALALA

48,660

Free Parent Webinar

Roblox, Ambitious About Autism and Internet Matters are holding a free webinar for parents and carers on Wednesday 29 January from 7.30pm. In this live session, you’ll hear from a diverse panel of experts including online safety professionals, autism specialists, and a fellow parent sharing their personal experience.

The webinar will cover a range of important topics, such as:

Understanding life online for neurodivergent children and young people
Insights from the online gaming research project
Practical tools and resources to help you support your neurodivergent child in the online gaming world
Tips to help your child stay safe online

This session is interactive, with time set aside for questions at the end. To book your space, click HERE.

Mrs Byrne - Safeguarding & SEND/Lead DSL

Mrs Browne - SENDCo and EBSA Lead

InvestIN Education

Free Online Event for Parents/Carers

Salary, Status and Stability: Navigating your child’s future job market

Wednesday 5 February 2025, 7.00pm

With rising living costs and heightened job market volatility, compensation and security has become a top priority for young people and their parents when considering future career paths. Yet, for many, discussing pay remains sensitive, taboo and widely misunderstood.

Parents and carers are invited to join InvestIN for a comprehensive guide to compensation in careers so you can navigate this topic with your child with confidence.

They will be exploring:

Earning potential: Uncovering salary expectations across top industries today.
Job security: Which sectors are growing and stable in the face of economic challenges?
Benefits beyond pay: Understanding the breadth of other workplace perks, such as holiday, pensions, culture and work-life balance.
How your child can stand out in a competitive job market.

Whether your child has a set career path in mind or is still exploring their options, they aim to equip you with practical advice, real data and case studies from their network of professionals, built over a decade of delivering work experience programmes. If you cannot attend live, please do register so you will automatically receive a recording and the slides.

Click HERE to find out more.

It is my pleasure to share with you the Spring term Enrichment calendar for all year groups at Rosebery. These activities can be found on the ePraise app which was launched in the Autumn term. On the app, your child can navigate their way through merits, demerits and also sign up for the enrichment activities that run either weekly, fortnightly or as a one-off event. Students will be awarded a merit each time they attend an activity and, in turn, this can be used in our reward shop every Friday.

YEAR 7

YEAR 8

YEAR 9

YEAR 10

YEAR 11

SIXTH FORM

Mr Waight - Trips, Visits and Enrichment Lead

Art

RA Young Artists Summer Show

Entries are now open for submitting work to the Royal Academy of Art's Young Artists Summer Show. Original work in any media (made at school or home) can be entered. You need to submit a clear digital photo of your artwork.

Please click the link HERE or speak to Ms Wiggins for more information.

Ms Wiggins - Art Teacher

Drama

Peter Pan

Exciting things are happening in the Drama and Music departments as the school production of Peter Pan enters the final weeks of rehearsals. Mrs Dever, Mr Waight, myself and the fabulous cast have all been busy blocking scenes, staging battles and choreographing dance numbers, ably supported by Mr Holloway’s expert musical direction.

We have a hugely talented cast of performers and are very excited to introduce you to the actors who are bringing these famous characters to life. We can’t wait to share our magical production with you. Tickets are on sale now. Click HERE to find out more.

Meet the Peters

Peter Pan is the boy who never grew up. Flying in through the Darling Family’s window, he takes Wendy and her brothers on a magical journey to Neverland. Peter is brave but mischievous and protects the Lost Boys and the Darling children from the horrible Captain Hook.

Emma E 9PX (left) is the Cast 2 Peter Pan. She attends Stagecoach and takes dance lessons in Ballet, Modern and Commercial. Emma is also part of Rosebery Singers and portrayed the Pied Piper in Rosebery’s production of Shrek.

“My favourite part of Peter Pan is the people and the freedom, as the cast are able to put forward their ideas for the performance and make the characters' personality their own. The teachers are also a massive part of this, helping us out and making sure everything runs smoothly.”

Duda A 9CY (right) is the Cast 1 Peter Pan. Duda is currently undertaking a screen acting course and participates in LAMDA acting lessons at Rosebery. She portrayed Young Fiona in Rosebery’s production of Shrek and was also a Core Nun in last year’s production of Sister Act.

“I wanted to be part of the school production because I love singing, acting, and dancing, and it’s so much fun to be part of something creative with my friends. I’ve done all the school productions so far, and each one has been an amazing experience. I've learnt so many new skills. I really recommend taking part as it builds confidence, in a friendly and supportive environment.”

Meet the Wendys

Wendy, who is on the verge of becoming a young adult, and fed up with being treated as a child, becomes the Mother figure for the Lost Boys. It is through her exciting adventures with Peter Pan in Neverland that she rediscovers her childhood and her love for her family.

Rosie I 9PX (left), is the Cast 2 Wendy. Outside of school she belongs to a theatre group and has performed in productions of High School Musical, Grease and The Addams Family. Rosie takes LAMDA acting lessons at school and has performed in Rosebery’s previous productions of Shrek and Sister Act.

“I wanted to do Peter Pan as I thought it would be an opportunity to have fun and meet my friends outside of class.”

Annabelle B 9MX (right), is the Cast 1 Wendy. Annabelle attends The British Theatre Academy outside of school and has performed in their production of Oliver. She also attends dance lessons. Annabelle portrayed one of the Three Little Pigs in Rosebery’s production of Shrek and was a Core Nun in last year's production of Sister Act.

“I think my favourite Peter Pan rehearsal was probably one of the first, so the opening scene, as I got to see everyone else acting for the first time, and the cast members in person all together.”

LAMDA Places Available

We have a limited number of spaces for new LAMDA Students starting the week beginning Monday 27 January. New students will be working towards an Acting/Public Speaking exam in the Summer Term. We have places for Year 7 students to work in a duologue with another Year 7 student. The cost is £130 per term or pro rata for this term. We can also take solo students from other year groups for acting/public speaking. The cost for this is £200 per term. We have one duologue space for a Year 9 student.

If you are interested in taking LAMDA classes (which are great for confidence building and UCAS points for Year 10 students and upwards) please email Susanna, our LAMDA Coordinator at susanna@heavypencil.co.uk. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Mrs House-Lee - Drama Teacher

Geography

Geography Film Club continues next Tuesday 21 January in GEO 2 with 'Earthstorm'.

Miss Laws - Geography Teacher (SCITT)

Maths

Sparx Maths - Stars of the Week

YEAR 7

Zahrah S 7PX

Rohini H 7EY

Charmaine W 7MY

Erin O 7MX

Esme G 7EX

YEAR 8

Morgan W 8MY

Poppy E 8CX

Isla C 8EX

Sophia P 8EY

Caitlin H 8CY

YEAR 9

Sreeya K 9PY

Ava W 9EX

Aliyah R 9PX

Saoirse VDV 9PY

Izzie M 9PX

YEAR 10

Anna M 10CY

Mia H-E 10MY

Sophia L 10CX

Liza P 10CY

Amber C 10CX

YEAR 11

Olivia B 11EY

Amy H 11PY

Elena T 11PY

Ellie R 11CY

Freya L 11CY

Mrs Rathore - Maths Teacher

Sport

Year 8 Football

On Tuesday, Rosebery entered a Year 8 team to a football tournament hosted by Epsom & Ewell High School. From the very first match, I was so impressed at the sportsmanship on show from the team; they remained positive despite the cold weather; they encouraged and supported one another on and off the pitch; and they also demonstrated fair play towards the opposition. Rosebery displayed some excellent teamwork, working together up the pitch to create many goal scoring opportunities, which lead to them winning four out of five games! Overall, the team finished 2nd which was a fantastic achievement!

The Players' Player Award went to both Polly H 8EX and Izzy C 8MY. Polly posed a real threat to the opposition's defence due to her speed and strength, making it extremely difficult for them to mark her. Polly went on to score many goals and was the team's top scorer in the tournament. Izzy showed some incredible individual skill, scoring goals at crucial moments to secure the win for Rosebery. The Manager's Player Award goes to Thea W 8PY, who remained calm and composed in goal, had great communication with the team and even got herself an assist!

A big well done to all of those involved!

Miss Linehan - PE Teacher

U16 Netball County Finals

Having won all of their matches within the District League, our U16 Netball Team qualified to take part in the County Finals which took place at Cranleigh School last Friday. The team faced tough opposition throughout the day but battled hard and produced some excellent performances. As the games progressed, the team relaxed in their play and many goals were scored in some very close and exciting matches. Opposing teams complimented our school on their team spirit and sportsmanship – something we are very proud about. Results didn’t always go our way on the day but the girls should be very pleased with their team performance.

Mrs Garner - Netball Coach

The Hive

TikTok

National College has produced a helpful guide (available HERE), detailing the main online safety concerns and suggesting strategies to reduce these risks for the app’s younger users.

Epsom and Ewell Family Centre – Free courses available

Attached is a schedule of courses and sessions happening this term at Epsom & Ewell Family Centre, as well as information on the following sessions which are aimed at teenagers:

Emotional Resilience Workshop – 3 sessions starting Thursday 6 March after school
Teen Time for You – Thursday 20 February (during half term)

All courses and sessions are free and are open to all families in Epsom & Ewell. To book a place on any of the sessions, please contact direct using the following contact details:

01372571178

epsomewellfamilycentre@barnardos.org.uk

Or visit https://www.barnardosfamilycentressurrey.org.uk/groups-and-courses-at-epsom-ewell

You can also click HERE for more information about events at Epsom & Ewell Family Centre.

Surrey Minds Together

Surrey Minds Together has several upcoming events and initiatives designed to support families in the area, which are listed below:

Supporting Dysregulation in our Children and Ourselves

Sunday 28 January, 10.00am to 12.00pm

Student Learning Centre, The Ashcombe School, Dorking

Click HERE for more details

Wellness Wonderland

A wellness festival supporting students between the ages of 10 to 19 to look after their mental health and increase their toolkit in supporting themselves and others.

Sunday 9 February, 11.00am to 4.00pm

Click HERE for more details

Supporting and Understanding Self Harm

Why do young people increasingly turn to self-harm as a way of dealing with stress? And what can caring adults do to respond to this mystifying behaviour?

This workshop will explore the many variables which lead to self harm while exploring methods of healing distress through curiosity and compassionate understanding.

Sunday 23 March, 10.00am to 1.00pm

Click HERE for more details

2-Day Accredited Youth Mental Health First Aid Training - £20

Saturday 17 May and Saturday 24 May, 9.00am to 5.00pm

Click HERE for more details

ADHD Support Group

First Tuesday of every month, 7.00pm to 9.00pm

Click HERE for more details

Please note, the above courses, we think might be useful to you, however, these are run by third-party organisations and we do not monitor their content or are responsible for the advice and guidance that is given.

Mrs Jenns - Hive Manager

Rosebery Street Dance

Please see the image below for more information about Rosebery Street Dance classes taking place on Wednesdays from 3.10pm to 4.10pm.

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