ROSSALL NEWS
Community Notices
Dates For Your Diary
Mr Clarke’s Blog - Brain at ‘Baggage Claim’: A Guide to Beating the Post-Holiday Forgetting Curve!
Open Day - Saturday 21 March, 2026
Year 7 Taster Day
Rossall’s Wellbeing Bridge
Purple for Progress
Boarding Options at Rossall School
Rossall School Cadets Achieve National Success at Bisley
Rossall Preparatory Pupil Honoured with Prestigious Young Citizen Award
Headmaster's Awards
Rossall School Cadets Gain Exclusive Insight into Military Aviation at RAF Woodvale
Community Swimming at Rossall School
An Unforgettable Visit from Phil Earle!
Student Success
Ways to be Well at Rossall
With Love from Chapel
New Edition of The Rossallian
IN THIS ISSUE
PRE-PREP & PREP SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
Community Notices
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 the Examination Information Evening, please find a link to our Revision Hub, here.
Examination Information Evening
If you were unable to attend our Examination Information Evening, please find recording of the presentation delivered, here. You can also find a shortened PDF version of the presentation here.
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.
Rossallian Club, Midland’s Drink Reception - Thursday 11 June, at 6:30pm
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
“Welcome back to school, everyone! I hope that the half term break has been restful and enjoyable. If your child seems a little ‘rusty’ or sluggish during the first few days back at school after a holiday, you are not alone. The good news is that you are not the only one noticing; this phenomenon affects all of us. Likewise, the bad news is that it affects all of us and is something we need to learn to work around. This is not a sign of laziness or a lack of motivation; it is a physiological reality of the brain’s recalibration process. Our brains are brilliant at processing and storing information from all the various sources we encounter, and they are also very good at forgetting that information. During holiday periods, our children experience high levels of autonomy and novelty, which keeps the brain’s reward system lit up with dopamine.
As parents, we can help our children navigate school ‘re-entry’ by understanding that the shift back to structure is energy-intensive. The brain must move from a state of pure novelty back into ‘planning and self-control mode’. This transition often triggers a brief surge in stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. Think of this as the brain’s way of ‘landing the plane’ (one of many aviation references here). It’s a gradual descent that requires significant biological fuel, often leaving our children feeling slower or flatter than usual…..”
- Mr David Clarke, Deputy Head (Academic)
Read the rest of Mr Clarke’s blog here.
Brain at ‘Baggage Claim’: A Guide to Beating the Post-Holiday Forgetting Curve!
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.
In honour of International Women’s Day, Rossall School is supporting the charity Refuge through our ‘Purple for Progress’ campaign. For the month of March, students may wear purple nail colour on their natural nails.
Please note that for practical and safety reasons, false nails and extensions remain prohibited.
Option 1: The Pop-Up Salon (Monday 2 March)
A pop-up will be held in Mondos from 3.15pm - 7.15pm. The cost is £15 (payable on the day).
Action: Digital parental consent is mandatory for any student (Years 7-11) wishing to use this on-site service. This ensures you are aware of the gel application and take responsibility for its safe removal.
Donation: Digital Consent Form Link
Option 2: Independent Participation
Action: If your child applies purple polish at home, no school consent form is required.
Donation: We ask for a £5 donation via this link: Refuge Donation Link
Note: Please ensure you select the 'Give Just Once' option on the donation page, as it defaults to a monthly subscription.
Purple For progress
Boarding options at rossall school
At Rossall School, we recognise that family life looks different for everyone and boarding should be just as flexible.
Our range of boarding options is designed to support busy households while helping pupils grow in confidence and independence. Whether choosing regular or occasional stays, flexible boarding allows pupils to benefit from school life, evening activities, structured prep time and strong pastoral care, while still enjoying time at home.
Exam periods can be demanding for both pupils and families. Boarding offers a calm and structured environment with additional access to academic staff, helping students to focus and prepare effectively. Our flexible, ad hoc and dedicated exam boarding options for Year 11 and Year 13 pupils provide the space and support they need to approach their exams with confidence.
At Rossall, boarding is designed to fit around family life, providing care, structure and opportunity when it matters most.
For further information or to express your interest, please contact Emma Williams, Deputy Head (Safeguarding & Boarding), at e.williams@rossall.org.uk.
Rossall School Cadets Achieve National Success at Bisley
Rossall CCF cadets shone on the national stage at the inaugural Cadet Air Rifle Competition held at the prestigious National Shooting Centre Bisley.
Cadet Sergeant Ellison led the way, winning two Best Shot trophies in the CCF category and the coveted Overall Best CCF Shot Trophy. The team’s exceptional performance also earned two silver medals and a bronze medal, marking a proud moment for the School.
Beyond their medals, the cadets impressed with their focus, teamwork, and outstanding sportsmanship, embodying the very best of CCF values. Rossall CCF now looks forward to restoring the School’s 25m indoor range to further nurture this exceptional talent.
Read more about the event here.
Rossall Preparatory Pupil Honoured with Prestigious Young Citizen Award
Rossall School is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievement of Prep pupil Olivia S, who has received the High Sheriff of Lancashire’s Young Citizen Award. This prestigious honour recognises exceptional young people from across the county who have made a meaningful difference within their communities.
Olivia was commended for showing “extraordinary kindness and generosity beyond her years” after making the remarkable decision to give up all of her 8th birthday gifts in order to raise funds for Brian House Children’s Hospice. Her selfless act inspired her family, friends and the wider Rossall community to support the cause.
Her fundraising campaign even gained the support of former world boxing champion Ricky Hatton, who shaved his hair to help raise additional funds. Through her determination and compassion, Olivia raised an incredible £6,500. Her efforts were recognised on Granada Reports and featured in the hospice’s magazine.
Olivia is continuing her fundraising journey as she plans ahead for her 9th birthday, demonstrating that her commitment to helping others is ongoing.
We are immensely proud of Olivia and the example she sets for our school community. She embodies the values of kindness, courage and service that define Rossall School.
Each week, the Headmaster’s Award for Academic Excellence reminds us what it truly means to be a scholar: curiosity, commitment, and the courage to go beyond what is asked.
This week, we celebrate two outstanding examples:
In History, Linus (Year 8 Spread Eagle) took a classroom task and transformed it into something remarkable. Asked to create a fact file on selected theatres of war, Linus not only completed the brief with care and precision, but went much further, constructing an intricate paper model of the Normandy landings and researching the soldiers who served in the operation, adding detailed fact files for each. This was not simply homework; it was scholarship driven by genuine interest and pride in his work. His dedication is inspiring and a powerful reminder that excellence often begins with curiosity.
In Mathematics, Luca (Year 8 Spread Eagle) has demonstrated the quiet determination that underpins real success. Through sustained effort and a clear drive to push himself further, this commitment was reflected in his outstanding performance in the UKMT Maths Challenge, where he achieved a Gold Award and qualified to compete alongside students in the years above in the next round. His focus, positivity, and ambition exemplify the habits of a Rossall scholar.
Both students show us that academic excellence is not simply about ability; it is about attitude, effort, and the confidence to stretch beyond the expected. We are incredibly proud of them. Congratulations, Linus and Luca!
Headmaster’s Awards
Eight RAF CCF cadets from Rossall School recently visited RAF Woodvale for a highly anticipated flying experience. While poor weather prevented any actual flying, the cadets enjoyed an engaging behind-the-scenes tour of the station led by a Royal Air Force instructor. They learned about flight planning, pre-flight briefings, safety procedures, and essential pilot equipment, and had the chance to explore a Grob Trainer aircraft cockpit. The visit gave them a unique insight into military aviation and inspired them for future cadet activities.
Read the full article here.
Rossall School Cadets Gain Exclusive Insight into Military Aviation at RAF Woodvale
community swimming at rossall school
We are excited to announce the launch of community swimming at Rossall School, starting Saturday mornings from 7 March 2026. This opportunity is exclusive to members of the Rossall community.
All children under 12 must be accompanied by a swimming adult. Lane swimming will take place from 8am to 9am, followed by family swimming from 9am until 12noon.
Admission is £5 for adults and £2 for children.
We look forward to welcoming families for some fun and fitness in the pool.
An Unforgettable Visit from Phil Earle!
Rossall Prep and Year 7, together with pupils from local primary schools, had an absolutely thrilling time when multi-award-winning author Phil Earle visited to talk about his fantastically funny illustrated series, ‘Finn’s Epic Fails’.
The children were completely captivated during an hour-long talk as Phil shared stories about his life, his books, and what inspired him to create Finn, the hilarious and endearing boy navigating the chaos of starting secondary school. Laughter and gasps filled the room as he revealed behind-the-scenes secrets and funny anecdotes from his writing journey.
The excitement didn’t stop there! Every child got to meet Phil in person at a book signing, receive their very own copy of ‘Finn’s Epic Fails’, and even chat with him about their favourite parts of the series. The joy and energy were contagious, and it was clear that this was a day the children would never forget.
It was a wonderful celebration of storytelling, laughter, and reading, leaving everyone inspired and buzzing with excitement. Rossall School was delighted to host such a fantastic event, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Sinmiloluwa A, in Year 11, has recently completed an excellent painting titled ‘Seafood’ to conclude her Component 1 coursework project in GCSE Art & Design.
She has worked tremendously hard throughout the course, showing great care and attention to every piece in her sketchbook.
The result is an outstanding project that truly reflects her talent and dedication.
Well done to Sinmiloluwa on this fantastic achievement!
student success
This half term, our PSHE curriculum is centred on Health & Wellbeing, supporting pupils to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to flourish both in and beyond the classroom.
This theme will also extend to our upcoming Wellbeing Bridge parent meeting, taking place on Wednesday 4th March at 4.30pm in the Pennine Suite.
We are delighted to welcome Susie Peter, a PhD candidate from University College London, as our guest speaker. Susie has been working with Rossall School this year on a research project involving some of our current Year 7 pupils and brings a wealth of expertise in the area of emotional regulation in children. During the session, she will explore:
The importance of emotional regulation in child development
How emotional regulation evolves during adolescence
Practical strategies parents and carers can use to support their children at home
This promises to be an insightful and practical session, and we warmly encourage parents and carers to attend. Please RSVP by emailing j.moore@rossall.org.uk.
If you would prefer to join remotely, please use the Zoom details below:
Topic: Rossall School's Wellbeing Bridge
Time: 4th March 2026, 4.30pm (London)
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://rossall-org-uk.zoom.us/j/89186067880?pwd=7LdFlOCIfaGKr0pgboTbcPUkolBr2u.1
Meeting ID: 891 8606 7880
Passcode: 165378
Join instructions:
https://rossall-org-uk.zoom.us/meetings/89186067880/invitations?signature=zNsdVAkPYN8QZ_Ow4DkmIRfer_cebHd5wZrmxIcn43g
We look forward to seeing you there.
In addition, the Mental Health Foundation has recently published an insightful article on co-regulation and how we respond to the emotional states of others. It offers helpful reflections for parents, carers and educators seeking to better understand and support young people’s emotional development. We encourage you to take a look at the article here.
ways to be WELL AT ROSSALl
Have you ever wondered why the Lent term is called the Lent term?
Do you still think of the season of Lent as a time of fasting, starting after Pancake Day and finishing on Easter Sunday?
This year, we have the special and rare occasion of Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, and Lent falling within the same time frame. Both began during half term last week.
The last time Ramadan and Lent coincided was more than 30 years ago, and I remember it vividly because I was in Jerusalem at the time when both periods came to an end. Muslims and Christians were preparing for the celebrations that mark the end of their fasting. At the same time, Jewish families were preparing for Passover, which made it an incredibly rare and meaningful occasion.
Of course, Christians and Muslims fast in very different ways and for different reasons, but something remains the same: the focus on self-discipline and reflection, and the desire to draw closer to God during this special time each year.
Many of our students are fasting in one way or another, and it is not too late to join in. Perhaps there is something that is distracting our attention. Perhaps we have allowed something to become a bit of an obsession. Or perhaps this is simply a valuable opportunity to create time and space for the things that truly matter to us.
"Man shall not live by bread alone" is the response Jesus gave when he was tempted in the desert 2,000 years ago.
We need so much more. Perhaps this second half of the Lent term is your chance to reflect on what truly sustains you. Joining our Muslim and Christian students in their fast might be just the reset we need for 2026.
With love from Chapel,
- Mrs Dixon, Rossall School Caplin
with love from chapel
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!