ROSSALL NEWS
Community Notices
Dates For Your Diary
Open Day - Saturday 21 March, 2026
National Storytelling Week: Mystery Readers
Rossall School Student Successes’
Rossall School Appoints Victoria Lumby as Director of Admissions and Global Partnerships
Navigating the GCSE Journey: Top Takeaways from our forthcoming Year 9 Options and Partnership for Success Events
Headmaster’s Awards
Inspiring Future Doctors at the West Manchester Medical Careers Day
Inspiring Global Perspectives: A Visit from Lancaster University
Year 9 Languages and Careers Webinar
Shrek Jr.
Ways to be Well at Rossall
With Love From Chapel
New Edition of The Rossallian
IN THIS ISSUE
PRE-PREP & PREP SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
Revision Information Evening
As we approach the examination season, we are very aware that this can be a demanding and often anxious time, not only for students, but for families too.
With this in mind, we would like to invite parents of students in Years 10-13 to attend an evening event at School on Thursday, 12 February, focused on how best to support your child through the examination years.
The session will offer practical guidance on:
What helps (and what can hinder) effective examination preparation
Planning, revision and workload management
Supporting motivation, wellbeing and resilience
How parents can provide the right balance of structure, reassurance and independence
Understanding the role of trust, relationships and mindset in performance under pressure
The evening will be led by senior members of staff, including our Headmaster, who will share insight from both educational practice and neuroscience, alongside clear advice on what students should be doing at this stage and how parents can best help.
Our aim is to keep the session focused and practical, equipping parents with clarity, confidence and evidence-based guidance during what can feel like an uncertain period.
Click here to learn more about the event and register your place.
Community Notices
Revision Information Evening - Thursday 12 February, at 5.30 in Big School. This event is for parents of children in Years 10-13. A recording will be sent to our international families follwing the event. Please register your attendance here.
Durham OR Drinks Reception - Thursday 26 February, at 6:30pm
Noriko Ogawa Piano Recital - Saturday 7 February, at 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Footloose - March 12-13 at 7:00pm, March 14 at 2:00pm
Open Day - Saturday 21 March, from 10am
Shrek Jr - March 25-26 at 6:30pm
Rossallian Club, London Dinner - Thursday 7 May, at 6:30pm
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
OPEN DAY - Saturday 21 March 2026
Choosing a school is a significant family decision and we want to give all prospective pupils and their families an opportunity to experience all that Rossall has to offer.
We want you to know that this is the right school for you and your child.
An Open Day at Rossall provides an insight into the vibrant and varied life of our wonderful community.
You will be able to visit any departments or specialist programmes your child is interested in and talk directly with both staff and students who will be there to answer any questions.
national storytelling week: mystery readers
This week marked National Storytelling Week, which we celebrated at Rossall by welcoming a range of Mystery Readers to read to our Nursery and Pre Prep children. We were delighted to host readers from across the Rossall community, including our Headmaster, Mrs Clare James, Head of Food and Nutrition, and our Chaplain, Mrs Kerstin Dixon, among many others.
It was a wonderful opportunity for the children to meet different members of Rossall staff while enjoying a wide variety of stories, each shared in engaging and imaginative ways. Activities such as these play an important role in supporting young children’s development, helping to build listening skills, creativity, and confidence. Encouraging a love of reading from an early age also fosters language development and a lifelong enjoyment of books, making experiences like National Storytelling Week both valuable and enriching for our youngest pupils.
Rossall school student successes’
Rossall Star Blanca Secures Place at Harvard Summer School
A huge congratulations to Year 12 student Blanca, who has earned a place at Harvard’s Summer School. Only 20 percent of applicants are selected to travel to Boston for this exceptional academic experience, which makes her achievement even more impressive. The entire Rossall community is incredibly proud of her success.
Emily Shines with First Drama School Offers
Congratulations to Emily, who has received her first two drama school offers. Emily has been a leading figure in the performing arts at Rossall since joining us, starring in Grease and Footloose, as well as performing in talent shows. We have no doubt that more offers are on the way!
Rossall School Appoints Victoria Lumby as Director of Admissions and Global Partnerships
Rossall School is delighted to announce the appointment of Victoria Lumby as Director of Admissions and Global Partnerships, effective Monday 23 February 2026.
Victoria joins Rossall following a highly successful career in international education, most recently as Senior Vice President, Growth at GEMS Education in Dubai, one of the world’s largest and most respected education groups. With more than 15 years’ experience across the UK and Middle East, Victoria brings extensive expertise in student recruitment, customer experience, global enrolment strategy and team leadership.
At Rossall, Victoria will be responsible for leading admissions strategy, enhancing the admissions journey for prospective and current families, and developing global partnerships to support the school’s long-term growth and international reach. She will relocate to the UK from Dubai with her husband, Thomas,, and their three children: Oliver (12), Poppy (8) and Daisy (6) who will be joining the school.
Victoria said: “I am thrilled to be joining Rossall School as Director of Admissions and Global Partnerships. This position perfectly aligns with my passion for creating an exceptional admissions journey and enriching the experience for both prospective and current families. I am inspired by the opportunity to work with an outstanding team and support Rossall becoming the school of choice for families across the globe.
Read more about Victoria’s journey and new role here.
Navigating the GCSE Journey: Top Takeaways from our forthcoming Year 9 Options and Partnership for Success Events
The transition from the broad explorations of Key Stage 3 to the focused specialisation of GCSEs is a defining milestone in a child’s schooling. It is a period naturally charged with both ambition and trepidation for families. This coming week, we will be hosting two landmark events to illuminate this path: the Year 9 GCSE Options Evening on Monday 9 February and our ‘Partnership for Success’ parent session on Thursday 12 February, with a focus on effective revision and exam preparation. These sessions are not merely information briefings, but the foundation of a strategic roadmap. The following provides the tactical advantages parents and students need in order to progress from general study to high-performance GCSE choices with absolute confidence.
Takeaway 1: Use the ‘Decision Compass’ to chart a course!
Selecting GCSE subjects requires a proactive, strategic approach. We advise students to navigate using the Decision Compass, which filters every choice through three Smart Criteria:
Results So Far: What skills have you demonstrated? Which subjects show consistent evidence of success?
Enjoyment: Which subjects capture your genuine interest? The data is clear: enjoyment isn't a luxury; it's a performance multiplier. Interest drives engagement, and engagement drives the independent study required for top grades.
Future Plans: Do you have a clear career aspiration (such as Medicine, Law, or professional waterslide tester), or is your priority to keep all doors open through a balanced selection?
— Mr David Clarke, Deputy Head (Academic)
Read more of Mr Clarke’s blog here.
This week, we have been blessed with two winners of the Academic Achievement Award. Firstly, Shamini (Rose House) for achieving an outstanding result in her Food and Nutrition written examination. Her dedication, maturity, and positive attitude toward learning make her a true inspiration to the rest of the year group. Secondly, Henry (Dragon House) is proving himself to be an outstanding mathematician, and his excellent recent results are a testament to his hard work.
We would also like to commend Theo, Evie, Kathy, and Sofia for sharing their personal and inspiring accounts of life here at Rossall during our recent Year 7 and Year 12 Scholarship days.
Well done, everyone! You have made your Rossall community proud.
Headmaster’s Awards
Inspiring Future Doctors at the West Manchester Medical Careers Day
“As part of Rossall’s unique Medstream Program, some of our Year 10 and 11 GCSE students recently enjoyed an visit to the West Manchester Medical Careers Day, a fantastic opportunity designed to spark interest in medical and healthcare careers.
The day was packed with hands-on, interactive learning, allowing students to take part in three out of four engaging, hour-long workshops: Diagnostics, Anatomy, Emergency Medical Assistance, and Medical Ethics. These sessions challenged students to think like real healthcare professionals, develop problem-solving skills, and experience the fast-paced and rewarding nature of medical work.
A real highlight of the day was hearing from two current medical students, who shared invaluable advice on what to consider when applying to medicine. From subject choices and work experience to resilience and motivation, their talk gave students a clear and motivating insight into the journey towards medical school.
Students also heard from two practising medics, who delivered an honest and inspiring talk about the highs and lows of working in medicine. They spoke passionately about the impact of their work, while also emphasising the dedication and teamwork required to succeed in the profession, leaving students with a realistic yet highly motivating picture of life as a doctor.
The day was eye-opening, encouraging students to aim high and further explore the many pathways into medicine and healthcare.”
- Ms Amanda O'Hara, Head of Medstream & Teacher of Biology
Inspiring Global Perspectives: A Visit from Lancaster University
“We were delighted to welcome the Head of French from Lancaster University for an insightful and inspiring lecture delivered to our Year 10 and 11 students. The presentation, titled "Why Learn a Language?", highlighted the profound impact of linguistic skills on personal development and future career prospects in an increasingly interconnected world.
Why Languages Matter Now More Than Ever
The lecture emphasized that in the current global world economy, particularly post-Brexit, businesses have a greater need for multilingual employees than ever before. Beyond economics, learning a language fosters global diplomacy and friendship by encouraging mutual understanding and the sharing of diverse perspectives.
Students were introduced to the "Key Skills" developed through language learning, which are highly sought after by employers:
Communication and Interpersonal Skills: The ability to interact confidently across communities.
Problem Solving and Organization: Critical thinking and independent learning.
Teamwork and Presentation: Collaborative and communicative excellence.
To illustrate these benefits, the lecture featured famous multilingual figures like Pep Guardiola and Harry Kane, showing how language skills facilitate cultural immersion and professional success on a global stage.”
- Mrs Carla Winchester, Head of Languages & Year 12 Tutor
Read more about the talk here.
Year 9 Languages and Careers Webinar
“This week, our Year 9 students took part in an inspiring career webinar focused on the incredible professional doors that open when you study a language. The event featured a special guest session organized by GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters), providing a rare glimpse into how linguistic skills are vital to national security and global intelligence.
More Than Just Words: The GCHQ Perspective
The GCHQ session highlighted that being a linguist in the intelligence services is about much more than translation. It is about being an "analyst of culture." Students learned that languages like French, German, and Spanish are essential tools for gathering information and identifying potential threats, making linguists the unsung heroes of UK safety.
The speaker emphasized that language learners develop unique "superpowers," including:
Analytical Thinking: Decoding complex messages and identifying patterns.
Cultural Empathy: Understanding the context and nuances behind what is being said.
Resilience: The ability to navigate unfamiliar situations with confidence.
Real-World Success Stories While the GCHQ session remained "off the record" for security reasons, students were encouraged to explore the journeys of other professionals who use their languages every day. We highly recommend watching the stories of Lisa and Matthew, GCHQ employees who share how their language degrees led them to careers in intelligence.
We also heard from Tracy Barker-Street from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). Tracy shared how her fluency in Spanish has been a cornerstone of her career, enabling her to facilitate international trade deals and represent the UK on the global stage.
Why Choose Languages for GCSE? As Year 9 students begin to think about their options, this webinar served as a timely reminder that a language is not just a subject. It is a versatile skill that enhances employability across every sector, from technology and law to international diplomacy and trade.”
- Mrs Carla Winchester, Head of Languages & Year 12 Tutor
shrek jr. the musical
Join us at Rossall School for a magical musical adventure
We are delighted to invite you to our lively and heart-warming production of Shrek Jr., a fun-filled, family-friendly show full of humour, colour, and unforgettable characters.
Based on the much-loved story, Shrek Jr. follows the journey of Shrek, an unlikely hero whose quiet swamp life is turned upside down when a host of fairy-tale characters arrive uninvited. Joined by the endlessly optimistic Donkey, Shrek sets off on a daring quest to rescue Princess Fiona. Along the way he discovers the true meaning of friendship, acceptance, and the joy of being yourself, showing that heroes come in all shapes and sizes.
With catchy songs, laugh-out-loud moments, and a powerful message at its heart, this production is perfect for audiences of all ages.
Performance Details: 25th and 26th March, 6:30pm
Ticket Prices: Adult: £10, Concession: £8
Join us for one of two evening performances and support our talented students as they bring this much-loved story to life on stage. We look forward to welcoming you to Rossall School for a truly unforgettable theatrical experience.
Purchase your ticket here.
This week, students in Years 11 and 12 took part in a PSHE drop-down session led by an organisation called Voicebox. The sessions explored themes of gender equality, challenged negative stereotypes, and encouraged students to reflect on how the language we use, and the actions we take, help shape the culture around us. Students engaged with the topics in a thoughtful and mature way, creating an open and respectful space in which to discuss gender norms. They also explored how these conversations can help everyone feel more connected within our school community, and the value of challenging our own perspectives.
Meanwhile, other year groups have begun exploring this year’s theme for UK Safer Internet Day, which takes place on Tuesday 10th February. The 2026 theme, “Smart tech, safe choices: exploring the safe and responsible use of AI,” has already sparked some really interesting discussions. In Year 8, students considered both the positives and the potential challenges of artificial intelligence, showing great insight into how emerging technologies can impact our lives.
To help continue these important conversations at home, families may wish to access further information and guidance from the UK Safer Internet Centre or the NSPCC, the UK’s leading charity for child protection.
ways to be WELL AT ROSSALl
With love from chapel
It is National Storytelling Week, and as part of that, I had the pleasure of welcoming our Reception and Pre-school classes to our chapel for a bit of storytelling from the Bible.
We read the story of Jonah and the Big Fish together, and we also learnt a new song. It was a bit chilly, so we danced along as well.
“Our God is a Great Big God,” we sang and danced together.
There is something very special about children experiencing big stories for the first time and finding out who God is and what He can do in their lives, and beginning to grasp just how big He is.
I look forward to them coming back for more stories and more singing and dancing in our beautiful chapel. Until then, let us not forget:
“Our God is a Great Big God.”
With love from the Chapel,
- Mrs Kerstin Dixon, Rossall School Chaplin
New Edition of The Rossallian Released
Rossall School is delighted to share the latest edition of The Rossallian, click here to read. This is our school newspaper that celebrates life across both the Senior and Preparatory Schools. The publication highlights recent activities, achievements, and events that showcase the vibrancy of our community.
Available in both print and digital formats, this edition will be shared with alumni, parents, staff, friends of Rossall, and visiting families.
Thank you to everyone who contributed. We hope you enjoy reading the new issue!