ROSSALL NEWS

  • Community Notices

  • ‘Smart Tech, Safe Choices’, by Mr Clarke

  • Dates For Your Diary

  • Open Day - Saturday 21 March, 2026

  • Year 7 Taster Day

  • Rossall’s Wellbeing Bridge

  • ‘Civility Saves Lives’, by Dr Fraser-Bourne

  • Rossall Return to Bisley

  • Rossall School Student Successes’

  • Eco Society

  • North Fylde Music Circle with Mr.Lim

  • Headmaster’s Awards

  • Year 7 Music Scholar Performance

  • Lunar New Year Celebration

  • Noriko Ogawa from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama

  • Shrek Jr. The Musical

  • Ways to be Well at Rossall

  • New Edition of The Rossallian

IN THIS ISSUE

PRE-PREP & PREP SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

Rossall Decoration

We are delighted to announce that, in partnership with Tinker Tailor Ltd, founded and directed by Caroline Apfel (OR 1995), Rossall School has commissioned a beautifully bespoke Rossall decoration for this year.

As a generous gesture of support, Tinker Tailor Ltd will donate £3 from each of the first 500 decorations sold to the Rossall Foundation, helping to enrich opportunities for both current and future Rossall pupils.

Each decoration is priced at £23 plus delivery. Once stock arrives in May, they will be available to purchase online via the Rossall Shop and in the RossShop on campus, click here to visit the online shop.

Revision Hub

Following last nights Examination Information Evening, please find a link to our Revision Hub, here.

Examination Information Evening

If you were unable to attend last nights Examination Information Evening, please find recording of the presentation delivered, here. You can also find a shortened PDF version of the presentation here.

Community Notices

Without doubt, the digital landscape is a shifting one, far removed from the one we navigated as children. At school, we see how online interactions can lift a student’s mood or, conversely, bring the weight of the world into their bedroom at 1am. S

ocial media platforms like Snapchat continue to dominate the youth market, but they bring specific risks regarding social media addiction and self-esteem. Demystifying Snapchat may help move us from simple awareness to meaningful action.

By understanding the "why" and "how" of this app, we can better support our children’s holistic well-being…….

Read Mr Clarke’s full blog post here.

Smart Tech, Safe Choices

Durham OR Drinks Reception - Thursday 26 February, at 6:30pm.

Noriko Ogawa Piano Recital - Saturday 7 February, at 6:30pm - 7:30pm.

Rossall’s Wellbeing Bridge, Wednesday 4 March, 4.30pm, The Pennine Suite. Email j.moore@rossall.org.uk to register your interest.

Footloose - March 12-13 at 7:00pm, March 14 at 2:00pm.

Year 7 Taster Day - Friday 13 March, register your interest here.

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.

Civility Saves Lives

As we retch the end of Children’s Mental Health Week, Rossall’s Director of Studies, Dr Tom Fraser-Bourne, reflects on how civility is one of the simplest and most powerful ways that we can transform our community:

A quick thought experiment: think of a time when someone was rude to you, a cutting comment, a dismissive look, being talked over, a sarcastic “whatever”. Now, be honest, how well did your brain work in the next ten minutes?

During a conversation with a friend over the Christmas period, I learnt about an initiative within the healthcare sector called Civility Saves Lives. Civility Saves Lives is a clinician-led initiative that raises awareness of the profound impact that behaviour, including rudeness, has on performance, wellbeing and patient safety within a healthcare setting. Their message is simple: how we treat each other matters, and in a clinical setting it really can be the difference between life and death.

You can probably think of many examples of incivility. It can be obvious behaviour, shouting, swearing, belittling, or subtle: eye-rolling, tutting, talking over people, sending emails while someone is speaking, phubbing someone, that “you’re wasting my time” vibe.

As a Maths teacher, it would be remiss of me not to indulge in some statistics… Research conducted in 2013 on behalf of Civility Saves Lives found that…..

Read Dr Fraser-Bourne’s full blog post here.

Rossall Return to Bisley

Rossall CCF is set to return to Bisley, the home of competitive shooting in the UK, for the first time in a decade.

Four cadets will make the journey to Surrey to compete in the inaugural Cadet Air Rifle Competition. The event marks an exciting new chapter for the Corps, which has a proud history of competing at national level. After a ten-year absence from Bisley, the return represents a significant milestone for Rossall CCF.

The team has been training hard in preparation for the competition and is looking forward to testing their skills on this prestigious stage once again.

We wish the cadets the very best of luck, and hope they might even bring home a prize or two.

Rossall school student successes’

Charlie a Year 13 student has produced outstanding in Graphics. His Caribbean craft beer brand is developing impressively, and he has created a range of high-quality pieces for his display and exhibition. Excellent work, Charlie!

We are delighted that Rossall Piano Academy students Sam W, Olivia T, Yuchu W and Richard C have been selected to progress to the Regional Final round of the European Piano Teachers Association (EPTA) National Piano Competition. Rossall hosted the Lancashire Regional Heat over the weekend, where adjudicator Yuki Kagajo was truly impressed by the students’ performances. We congratulate all four musicians on this fantastic achievement and wish them the very best of luck in the next stage of the competition.

On Wednesday, the Eco Society met up after school and began planting spider plants and garlic that had been generously donated by very kind members of staff. We spent the afternoon preparing the soil, organising the pots, and carefully planting each one.

Looking ahead to next term, we are planning to plant a variety of fruits, vegetables, and wildflowers to help create a welcoming environment for bees and other pollinators. This will not only improve our green spaces but also support biodiversity around the school and within the wider community.

In addition, we have launched a poster competition for the Prep School focused on encouraging pupils to pick up litter and take pride in keeping our environment clean. We are excited to see the creative ideas that come from this initiative and hope it will inspire younger students to take action for the planet.

Eco Society

North Fylde Music Circle with Mr.Lim 

Our Head of Keyboard and Director of the International Piano Academy, Mr. Lim, recently gave a stunning recital at AKS Lytham School for the North Fylde Music Circle. The performance was a remarkable showcase of his exceptional talent, precision, and artistry, leaving the audience thoroughly captivated from start to finish.

A large group of staff and students from the Piano Academy attended to support him, creating a warm and encouraging atmosphere throughout the evening. Attendees were treated to a varied and engaging programme, demonstrating not only Mr. Lim’s technical brilliance but also his expressive musicality and deep understanding of each piece.

It was an inspiring evening for everyone present, particularly for the students, who had the opportunity to witness first-hand the skill and dedication required to perform at such a high level. The recital was a memorable celebration of music and a true testament to Mr. Lim’s artistry and leadership within the Piano Academy.

We are delighted to celebrate two exceptional recipients of the Headmaster’s Academic Award this week.

Marta (Wren House) has shown outstanding initiative in founding and leading the newly established Law Society. Through meticulous organisation, thoughtful planning and engaging sessions, she has created a dynamic space for academic discussion and exploration. Her passion, dedication and drive have turned a new idea into a thriving society in a remarkably short time. We are immensely proud of all she has achieved.

Chee (Mitre and Fleur-de-Lys House) has demonstrated equally impressive leadership in organising this year’s Lunar New Year celebration. Acting as a bridge between our Asian community and the wider school body, he managed complex logistics, coordinated with external partners and inspired strong peer support. More than an event, he created an inclusive celebration that brought our community together in a spirit of shared understanding and connection.

Both students exemplify initiative, commitment and service to our school community. Congratulations to our truly deserving award winners!

Headmaster’s Awards

This week, one of our talented Year 7 Music Scholars took to the stage not once, but twice performing in both the lunchtime concert and her year group assembly. It was a truly memorable and heart-warming moment as she showcased her skills on the cornet, accompanied beautifully by her father on the piano.

Together, they delivered a captivating and polished set that demonstrated not only her growing musicianship but also the special bond they share through music. Their performance filled the room with energy and emotion, and they were met with an enthusiastic and well-deserved round of applause from the audience.

Year 7 Music Scholar PERFORMANCE

A dedicated and enthusiastic group of students took the lead this week in organising a vibrant Lunar New Year celebration for the entire school community. Their hard work and creativity were evident in every detail, from the decorations and planning to the thoughtful selection of food and activities. The event drew an impressive turnout, with students and staff filling the space to take part in the festivities.

It was truly inspiring to see members of our school community, representing a wide range of cultural backgrounds, coming together to share a meal, exchange stories, and learn more about the customs and symbolism associated with the Lunar New Year. Laughter, conversation, and the aroma of delicious food created a warm and inclusive atmosphere, highlighting the incredible diversity and unity within our school.

The celebration not only honoured an important cultural tradition but also provided a meaningful opportunity for students to strengthen connections and appreciate the richness of each other’s heritage. It was a wonderful reminder of the power of student initiative and the value of learning beyond the classroom.

Lunar New Year celebration

Noriko Ogawa from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama

We were honoured to welcome world-renowned pianist Noriko Ogawa from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. During her visit, she delivered an inspiring and deeply insightful masterclass for our Piano Academy students, offering them a rare opportunity to learn from an artist of such calibre. The day concluded with a magnificent evening recital, performed to a full house, where her exceptional musicianship captivated every member of the audience.

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.

We have enjoyed an exciting week celebrating Children’s Mental Health Week, centred on the theme ‘This Is My Place’, which highlights the importance of belonging and community. Our Wellbeing Ambassadors led a range of activities for Pre-Prep, Prep School and Key Stage 3, including the ever-popular Wellbeing Wednesday in the Prep School. The week began with an assembly on Tuesday, where the Ambassadors spoke about why Children’s Mental Health Week matters, followed by a wonderful afternoon of community-building activities on Wednesday. Pupils took part in yoga, mindfulness colouring, crafts and show and tell, all of which were thoroughly enjoyed. It was lovely to see the strong connections between our senior school Ambassadors and the younger pupils, who clearly look up to them just as much as the Ambassadors enjoy spending time with the children.

Earlier in the week, Year 9 pupils participated in a PSHE session focusing on peer pressure and passenger safety. Important messages were delivered through a theatre-style presentation that was both relatable and, at times, entertaining, helping to bring these key themes to life.

After half-term, we warmly invite the parent community to our next Wellbeing Bridge, which will take place on Wednesday March 4th at 16:30 in the Pennine Suite. We will welcome Susie Peter, a PhD candidate from UCL who is researching emotional regulation in children. She will discuss some of her current research, but also run a Q&A session - we look forward to welcoming you to this event. Please email j.moore@rossall.org.uk to RSVP. 

Finally, to continue the discussion about safer internet, you can find a Digital Parenting Handbook from the charity ‘Everyday Digital’. This PDF is free to download and contains a range of tips and ideas for discussing digital boundaries at home. Our parent guide this week links with UK Safer Internet Day’s theme of ‘Smart tech, safe choices - exploring the safe and responsible use of AI.’

Have a safe and restful half-term holiday. 

ways to be WELL AT ROSSALl

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!