We have reached February half term, the mid-way point of the academic year, and I am hugely proud of what our girls have achieved thus far, and excited about what is yet to come. 

The highlight of the year to date, undoubtedly, has to be Sister Act. This evening, the cast and crew will deliver their third and final performance, to a sold-out auditorium, and we could not be prouder of the students, staff and all of the volunteers, who have come together to make this show such a success. Reviews and photos will follow, after half term! 

Special mention and thanks must go to Mrs Dever and the Drama Department, Mr Holloway and the Music Department, as well as Miss Elms from PE, for making the magic happen and for the hours and hours of time they have given to rehearsals – and to Mr Dray and the Art Department for their time spent design and creating staging and props. 

I must, as ever, also thank the PSA for providing refreshments; I am confident they will have made well over £1,000 by the end of tonight’s show. In these increasingly austere times, where all public and council services are being stretched and squeezed, their work and fundraising for the school, is invaluable. 

Separate from the work of the PSA, the option to donate to the Rosebery School Fund, remains live via ParentPay, and we are hugely grateful to those families who regularly donate to this fund. If you are able and willing to consider donating again, please do so, via ParentPay. 

Have a lovely half term break 

Uniform, conduct and punctuality

As ever, when we pause for a holiday, we would like to remind students and families of the expectations regarding uniform, conduct and punctuality. Please ensure that your daughter returns from half term with the full and correct school uniform, guidance for which can be found on the Rosebery website.

Students with incorrect uniforms should expect to be challenged and sanctioned, and this includes those who do not follow the guidance with regard to make-up and jewellery - so please make sure you have been through this with your daughter, and do not allow her to attend school wearing makeup or jewellery beyond a single stud earring.  

It is also important the students arrive to school and lessons punctually, and again, students who are late should also expect to be challenged and sanctioned. 

Finally, we are aware that a very small minority of students have been found to be behaving in an anti-social manner on their journey to and from school, or in and around Epsom town centre. We would like to remind all students and families of the importance of modelling the Rosebery Way, and conducting themselves in a positive and proper manner in the local community where they serve as ambassadors for the school. 

End of indoor 'Winter Break' zones

February half term marks the end of our period of ‘Winter Break’ during which the students are permitted to use inside spaces during break and lunch times, every day. On our return from half term, we revert to our usual expectation, that students are outside at break and lunch time, unless they are using the canteen or library.  

Please find our Spring Term Extra-curricular Timetables linked HERE.

We wanted to inform you of an update regarding the Personal Development Curriculum (PDC) scheme of work for this academic year for Year 10. We have made a revision to the advertised PDC scheme, and Year 10 students will now be focusing on the topic of 'Building Their Support Network' during the second half of the Spring term. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this update, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. 

Mrs Ringer - Director of Student Experience, Citizenship & Transition

Please click HERE to view a document created by the Spectrum Gaming community as a result of autistic young people sharing the negative impacts of support that has been offered while they are experiencing meltdowns. The Spectrum Gaming Community have created this guidance around meltdowns (using the insight of the community) plus the best practice work of Studio 3, Ross Greene and the PDA Society. Some of neurodiverse young people and their families may find this helpful to support them at home. 

Mrs Browne - SENDCo (KS3) and EBSA lead 

Nerves were high; paper was strewn across the tables - the Rosebery Bar Mock team were getting ready for their last case for The Young Citizen’s Bar Mock Trial. 

On trial was fictitious character, Max Newton, accused of allegedly accessing and deleting files on another student's laptop. Rosebery School was prosecuting, therefore, we were up first. It was clear students were nervous, but itching to get started. Once the trial got going, nerves settled and the team persisted. It was clear that they were fully immersed in their character because responses were prompt and clear.

One of the Barristers, Iris A 10CX, was on the ball. She quickly adapted her questions to better suit the situation and went from feeling “complete stress” to “relief after I had changed the questions” successfully. 

To prepare, some students created a flow chart of events, others annotated their case. Most practised their public speaking skills whilst a few fine-tuned their writing. These are great skills, which students got a chance to develop through The Young Citizen’s Bar Mock Trial. As a result, later on in life, they will be capable of preparing for different situations they find themselves in. Whether that be effectively cooperating with others, or taking on a role in Law, Rosebery students have gained more than just the pride of participation, they have gained qualities which can be carried with them throughout their life.

Rania A 12B - Court Reporter

Thank you to everyone who has given an hour or two of their time to help the PSA support school events this academic year, from Year 7 Parents' Evening to the School Production; it all helps us to raise valuable funds! 

Are you thinking of selling your home?

If you choose to sell through The Personal Agent, they will donate a percentage of their fee to Rosebery's PSA! Just mention that you are a parent and drop the PSA an email to let us know.

Uniform

If your child has outgrown their uniform or PE kit, please donate it to the PSA and drop it off at school Reception. To buy pre-loved uniform, please email psauniform@roseberyschool.co.uk with your wish list. 

Our next meeting is on Monday 12 March 2024 6.30pm to 7.45pm at school. All parents and carers are welcome.

The Year 11 netball team attended the District Tournament, at Manor House School, last Friday. Some fantastic play throughout saw the team remain unbeaten, coming out on top with gold medals. I cannot express how proud I am of this team's achievements this year, and I am very much looking forward to watching them compete in the next round of the County Championships on Sunday 3 March (further details will follow in due course). Congratulations to Imi W 11CY, who was awarded 'Players' Player' and Estella V 11MY, who was awarded 'Coach's Player'.

Miss Croft - Head of PE

Miss Croft - Head of PE

Two weeks ago, the Year 7 football team travelled to Cobham Free School (CFS) for the quarter final of the Surrey Schools' FA Cup.  

Rosebery knew they were going to have a tough game from the first whistle, with CFS showing real strength when attacking. Rosebery held their own and put in some great challenges at critical moments throughout the game, with Lucy V 7PY quite literally throwing herself at the ball multiple times - incredible goalkeeping! Despite Rosebery's best defensive efforts, it was not enough to stop CFS from scoring twice. Rosebery did not give up and showed some promise when attacking, however, it was just not meant to be. We are so proud of how far the girls have come along this year and we cannot wait to see how they perform in the two leagues that they are part of.

A big congratulations to:

• Lucy V for being awarded 'Opposition's Player of the Match'

• Lily S 7MY for being awarded 'Players' Player of the Match' 

• Polly H 7EX for being awarded 'Manager's Player of the Match' 

Miss Linehan - PE Teacher

Miss Elms - PE Teacher

Year 7: Christina C 7CX

Year 8: Izzy C 8PY

Year 9: Lois T 9PX

Year 10: Alison E 10PX

Year 11: Evie T 11PY

Sara V 10EX and Lauren L 11CY 

Miss Watson - Maths Teacher 

Rosebery School is currently closed for the half term and will reopen to students on Monday 19 February.

If you have a non-urgent safeguarding concern, please email dsl@roseberyschool.co.uk .  Please note that this email will not be constantly monitored.  If your enquiry is in relation to an urgent safeguarding or emotional support need, please see the numbers below, which are available for support during the holiday period.

If you have any safeguarding concerns during half term, please contact the police in an emergency.  

For non-urgent concerns please contact Surrey Children’s Single Point of Access at 0300 470 9100, Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm. The out of hours phone number is 01483 517898. You can call this number to speak to the emergency duty team.

Emotional and Mental Health Wellbeing Support 

Online Safety

CEOP help children stay safe online. If anybody acts inappropriately towards a child or young person online (such as sexual chat, or being asked to do something that makes them feel uncomfortable); you can report it HERE.

Other helpful contacts

• Childline: 0800 1111

• NSPCC: 0808 8005000

• Samaritans: 116 123 or via email

• Solace Centre, also known as the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC): 0300 130 3038

Mrs Jenns - Hive Manager

I am delighted to recognise the achievements of the nominated students below:  

All members of the cast and crew of Sister Act should be so proud of what they have achieved this week! The hours of rehearsals and practice at home led to a brilliant show; congratulations to you all!  

Mr Holloway and Miss McCall have asked that Ella P 9PX, Jasmine W 9EX, Alvina W 9CX, Rhea T 10MY, Rachel A 13C are particularly acknowledged for their fantastic musicianship and invaluable contributions to the Sister Act band.  

Year 7 

Mrs Blake has nominated Emilia F, Neve K, Jude Y, Georgia J, Abi F, Caitlin H and Evie H 7CY for always volunteering to read in English and contributing to every single lesson this half term, Mrs Segovia has nominated Sophie S, Bella S and Zainab H 7PY for their excellent determination in Spanish and Ms Wiggins has nominated Zainab S and Dorcas L 7CX for their sheer hard work, passion and maturity that has driven some excellent artwork this half term. 

Year 8 

Mrs Massoudi has nominated Amy S 8CX, Bella P and Fern M 8MX, Mariam E, Katelyn L, Maisy R, Grace H, Ava W and Rosa F 8EX, Alice C, Emma M, Matilda D, Izzie M, Aliyah R and Quinn H 8PX for always being polite, on time and always working hard and contributing to lessons, Mrs Segovia has nominated Freya A and Liyaana A 8CY for being exceptionally disciplined in Spanish and  Isabella F d F 8CY for being courageous in Spanish and Sarah B and Ella H 8PY for being very determined in Spanish and Millie D 8PY for being courageous in Spanish and Ms Wiggins has nominated Khadija A I and Melissa N 8PX, Katelyn L, Shanaya K and Rebecca D 8EX, Sienna M and Rosie H 8EY for their sheer hard work, passion and maturity that has driven some excellent artwork this half term. 

Year 9 

Ms Wiggins has nominated Poppy M 9EY, Phoebe C 9CX and Madeline A 9EX for outstanding independent work on surrealist techniques, Mrs Massoudi  has nominated Matilda S F 9CX, Alicia H 9PX, Jenna H and Rosie M 9EX, Ms Newman has nominated Zulkaif H 9MX for being kind and encouraging to others during our revision lesson, Alannah R 9PX for always trying in French, even when she is unsure, Tiana W 9PX for being a kind buddy to the Taiwanese visitors and for making a phenomenal effort to catch up in French, which she had not studied previously, Phoebe D 9MX for her hard work in French this year so far, Izzy M 9MX  for her hard work in French this year so far, Izzy J 9MX for her hard work in French this year so far, Tanya C 9MX for her strong assessment results, despite joining Rosebery recently, Ellie H 9PX for her hard work, which was evident in her recent assessment and Sophia S 9PX for her hard work, which was evident in her recent assessment and Mrs Hatfield-Giraux has nominated Mabel H 9MY, Izzy J 9MX, Yasmin N 9CX, Tilly S 9CY, Hannah T 9CX for their impressive research methods assessment result and Mr Chamberlain has nominated Aaliyah-Zaina R, Billie Y, Ella S, Mariana R, Molly M, Poppy M, Rose C, Rosie W, Sania J and Akshita T 9EY for their excellent homework on the Battle of Britain and Mrs Segovia has nominated Teagan W 9PY for being determined in Spanish and Aliya H M and Lottie S 9MY for being disciplined in Spanish. 

Year 10 

Mr Hiller has nominated Meg B 10CX and Rowan W 10MX for absolutely smashing the very challenging stretch questions in Chemistry and Abi S 10EX for showing determination and resilience in Chemistry, Ms Newman has nominated Ruby T 10CX for being diligent in her work and always being willing to contribute, Betsy S 10EX  for putting in a good effort to improve her work, Eloise B G and Emma R 10CX  for her hard work in French this year and Serina S 10CX for being diligent and reflective in French, Mrs Segovia has nominated Isla D 10CY, Keira E and Olivia F 10PY for being disciplined in Spanish and Mrs Massoudi has nominated Zara Q 10EX and Eliza S 10PY for always being polite, on time, for always working hard and contributing to lessons. 

Year 11 

Mrs Burge has nominated Jess T 11PX, Aleksandra N 11CX, Riya C 11MX, Rose P and Abby K 11PY for their determination to succeed in answering  9-mark questions in Geography, Mrs Blake has nominated Lucy F and Bella W 11MX, Ellie Z and Kritika S 11EX, Caitlyn M-B, Ella M and Libby C 11PX who are giving their all to every single English lesson and to their revision at the moment, Miss Fletcher has nominated Lilia S 11MY for her improved effort in Sociology and showing determination to master her knowledge of key concepts and Evie A 11EY for being very disciplined in her approach to improve her sociological knowledge and application to exam questions.  Evie has drafted a number of answers in her own time and has sought feedback, which shows excellent determination. Mrs Hatfield-Giraux has nominated Lily C 11PX and Jade K 11CY for their improved effort in Sociology and striving to tackle the more challenging tasks in lessons and Rhea C 11CY, Elisa K 11EY, Swami M 11MX, Emma K and Anna S 11PY for their quiet determination to do well in Sociology and for always giving 100% effort in lessons and Mr Boreham has nominated Isabel B and Jessie P 11EX, Amy B, Olivia E and Lina P 11MY, Libby C, Amy H, Ella M and Inaayah S 11PX,  Emma K and Lola B T 11PY, Hannah C, Saffiyah O, Gia I and Matilda T 11MX, Shirel S and Roxy D, 11CX and Zara X 11CY for their continued hard work, practice and determination to improve. Mr Chamberlain has nominated Maia Y 11CY, Camille C 11EX, Matilda T 11MX, Elena E and Jessica R 11EY for their superb work on the Wall Street Crash and Lily Rose L 11CY for the big improvement in her effort and grades seen in her recent homework and Miss Keoshgerian has nominated Abi Y 11MY, Tiara M, Abby K and Seema S 11PY for their excellent commitment in completing English revision and homework, Mrs Segovia has nominated Abi Y and Elsie M 11MY for being determined in Spanish and Ms Wiggins has nominated Isla M 11EY, Willow G 11CX, Caitlin M, Camille C, Ellie Z and Laura R 11EX for the superb start they have made to the Externally Set Assignment, showing commitment and ambition.  

Sixth Form 

Mrs Miller has nominated Ilana A 13D, Edith P and Ysabel C 13B for their achievements in the extremely challenging National Physics Olympiad in which they were all awarded medals! Mrs Hatfield-Giraux has nominated Kate B 12C for her determination in Sociology and for upskilling her exam question answers, Mrs Carnegie has nominated Issy D 13E for a significantly improved essay on the links between religion and morality and Mr Boreham has nominated Scarlett T 13B for her continual determination, hard work and perseverance in the face of adversity and Kate B 12C and Lexie D 12D for being so reflective and demonstrating a willingness to improve.