Accelerating Action: A Call to Empowerment on International Women’s Day 

As we approach International Women’s Day, the Rosebery community has been deeply reflecting on what #AccelerateAction truly means in our school and beyond. Our Senior Prefects and Junior Leadership Team have led the way, ensuring that every student engages with the significance of this theme - through tutor time activities, reflections, and personal pledges. Together with our staff, they have united in wearing purple and raising funds for Refuge, demonstrating our commitment to real change. 

https://www.internationalwomensday.com/ 

Yet, while we rightly celebrate the achievements of remarkable women, it is sobering to acknowledge that, at the current pace, full global gender parity is not expected until 2158 - a staggering five generations from now. In some parts of the world, rather than progressing, women’s rights are being eroded. This reality reminds us that our work is far from over.  

Yesterday, in Parliament, Jess Phillips MP read out, for the tenth consecutive year, the names of UK women killed by men in the past year. Heartbreakingly, among those names was Gemma Devonish, one of our own. 

Jess Phillips reads names of UK women killed by men last year, ITV News 

This stark reminder fuels our determination. Accelerating action against misogyny and violence towards women and girls is not just important - it is urgent and necessary. At Rosebery, we are not just educating young women; we are empowering them to be the leaders, change-makers, and voices of the future. Together, we will continue to challenge injustice, champion equality, and push for a world where every girl can thrive. 

Let’s not wait for change. Let’s drive it. 

Elsewhere this week, I must congratulate Year 11 students for completing their PPE exams, well done girls, and am hugely grateful to Year 9 families for attending Parents’ Evening yesterday evening. It was hugely well attended, and I overheard a lot of wonderful discussion and debate as to which subjects the girls plan to opt for, as they move into Year 10, as their GCSE subjects – it was lovely to hear so many of them wish they could do them all! As a ‘Heads Up’ to Year 8 families, the associated ‘Curriculum Refinement’ evening for Year 8 students and parents/carers, is due to take place on Thursday 27 March. 

Blackout continues to be a topic of much debate, but I am grateful for your good humour, candour and support during this pilot. It is interesting to note that a plan to ban smart phones is schools via the so-called safer phone bill, has been watered down, and is now focussing on research and alternative solutions. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq8y7dvw9ddo 

We now have over 500 students registered and using the Blackout App and, as we move forward, I’d encourage all students and families to engage fully with the pilot as we trailblaze a novel solution, that may ultimately inform future policy and practice, to the benefit of Rosebery and perhaps the sector more broadly. Certainly in our context, the ‘best of both’ approach of embracing technology, educating girls as to how to safely use and navigate smart devices and social media with school guidance and controls, limiting the attention fragmentation, fear of missing out, and addiction associated with social media, whilst allowing the girls to have their phones at school, in case of emergency and for the journey to and from school, still seems a sensible compromise and preferable to an outright ban or collecting in all devices. 

I must also thank Nina, Hannah, Rosie, Alice and Kaida in Year 7 for agreeing to speak to The Times last week, for a story that they ran on Monday, and to Freya in Year 9, who spoke on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme on Tuesday morning, leading into an interview with GLF CEO, Julian Drinkall. Both are linked below: 

The Times: Schools order pupils to use ‘blackout’ app to curb phone use 

Freya and Julian Drinkall on the Today programme 4/3/25 (at 1:51) 

Parent Voice & ‘Meet GLF Schools’ – Monday 24 March 

As we’ve referenced so far, throughout the Spring Term, we continue to reflect on and respond to various elements that arose from all our Stakeholder Surveys. Whilst your Parent Voice was incredibly positive and supportive of the school, ‘Trust Perception’ for GLF Schools, were the lowest scoring questions – you were not clear on the role of the Trust in this school, and you were not all confident that being a part of the Trust is beneficial for pupils. 

Therefore, I delighted that GLF Schools are going to make themselves available to Rosebery Parents and Carers at an onsite event on Monday 24 March. This will take place on site at Rosebery that evening, with more details and invitations to follow in due course.  

Have a fabulous weekend everyone – enjoy the sunshine! 

Are you able to offer a one-week work experience opportunity to one of our Year 10 or Year 12 students to put their classroom learning into practice in a specific industry sector to build on their employability skills? 

Offering work experience opportunities to young people enables employers to access a wide range of talents, benefit from the unique skills and insights young people bring and with them, as well as to provide opportunities for existing staff to supervise and mentor a young person, helping to develop their management skills.

Creating work experience opportunities for students will be an excellent opportunity to showcase your company’s corporate social responsibility, by giving back to society and helping the future economy by doing your bit in helping prepare young people for the world of work.

The dates our students go out on placement will be from Monday 30 June to Friday 4 July 2025 for Year 10, and Monday 14 to Friday 18 July 2025 for Year 12. Employers must hold Employers Liability Insurance. For more information, please contact Mrs Keaveney at  fkeaveney@roseberyschool.co.uk 

InvestIN are running a free and interactive webinar led by experts on everything you need to know about the recently ammended UCAS personal statement format. For more information, please click HERE.

Many thanks to everyone who supported us by purchasing refreshments at the school productions of Peter Pan - we raised just over £1000 for more important projects for the school and students, which makes all the difference!

If you are curious to find out more about what we do then please come along to our next PSA meeting on Tuesday 29 April at school, starting at 6.30pm.

50/50 Club Winners

Congratulations to this month’s 50/50 Club winners

• 1st - Lucy Oakhill | Number 28

• 2nd - Rosamund Price | Number 108

• 3rd - Wendy Galligan | Number 138

Lisa Higgins - PSA Chair

We are thrilled to update you on the progress of our school’s chess team, which has been working hard under the guidance of Mr. Croudace. The chess club meets weekly for practice and training, providing students with the opportunity to sharpen their skills and develop their game strategies.

Next Wednesday 12 March, our team will be competing in the GLF Boundless Festival Chess Competition, where they will face off against other GLF secondary schools. This is an exciting event, and we are confident that our students will showcase the skills they have honed during their sessions.

To help prepare for this competition, we were fortunate enough to have an external coach, Mr Adam Durrant, who previously represented England as well as the counties of Surrey and Berkshire, join us for two after-school sessions. Mr Durrant has worked closely with Mr. Croudace to help further develop the team’s abilities, and we’re grateful for his expert support.

We wish the participating students the best of luck, as well as Mr. Croudace and Miss Jones who will be accompanying and cheering on the team. Good luck! 

Design an A3 poster for our Book Fair to be in with a chance of winning one of five £5.00 book vouchers.

Closing date: 21 March 2025

Please include your name and form with your entry. Good luck!

Mrs Spencer - LRH Manager

Mrs Rathore - Mathematics Teacher

Congratulations to Pippa R 8CY for passing her Grade 7 Drums exam – a fantastic achievement, especially while in Year 8!

Congratulations to Alice C 9PX, Betty V 9PY and Emily K 8PX, who all performed beautifully last Friday (Mozart followed by Lewis Capaldi!)

• Wednesday 12 to Friday 14 March - GCSE Music performance exams

• w/b Monday 17 March - Year 11 GCSE Composers’ Recording session at Yehudi Menuhin School (TBC)

• Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 March - Young Voices perform in the Borough Music Festival at Epsom Playhouse

• Tuesday 25 March - Drama and Music theatre trip to see Dear Evan Hansen

Year 7 and 8 girls travelled to Notre Dame School on Tuesday afternoon for a very sunny hockey fixture! We got there early and warmed up by firing lots of shots at our fully-padded goalkeepers and were excited to start the two games. As the games kicked off, it was clear to see that Rosebery were a little tentative at the start of the fixture, but within ten minutes they had gained in confidence and were passing the ball nicely up the pitch.

On Pitch A, we created plenty of scoring opportunities, but the outstanding performance of the Notre Dame goalkeeper kept us from finding the net. A similar story unfolded on Pitch B, where our final touches in the D lacked the power needed to break through the opposition’s defence. Heading into the second half, we made a goalkeeper switch and encouraged the girls to move the ball more quickly from stoppages to catch the opposition off guard. Both teams responded well, increasing the intensity of their attacking play in the D. However, Notre Dame capitalized on their chances more effectively, securing victories in both matches. Despite the results, the girls showcased impressive skill and determination throughout, making it a pleasure to watch. Well done to all!

Players of the Match nominated by Notre Dame School:

Caitlyn K 8CX

Lucia L B 7MX

Players of the Match nominated by Rosebery School:

Caitlyn K 8CX

Lucia L B 7MX

Juliet V 7EY

Mrs Hart-Mckee - PE Teacher