ROSSALL NEWS
Dates For Your Diary
A Warm Welcome to Our New Starters at Rossall School
Rossall Old Rossallians Celebrate Historic Halford Hewitt Cup Victory
Rossall Ski Trip to Les Contamines: Growth, Adventure, and Achievement
Headmaster’s Awards
Year 8 Assembly Brings Farm Life to Rossall School with Special Guest Tulip the Lamb
Year 8 Make a Positive Impact on Local Coastline with Beach Clean
Year 11 Revision & Study Skills Day
Rossall School Golfing Excellence on the Rise
A Space to Reflect, Grow and Remember
Ways to be Well at Rossall
With Love From Chapel
The Rossallian
IN THIS ISSUE
PRE-PREP & PREP SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
Reverend Richard Coles Reading and Book Signing at Rossall School - Monday 27 April, 1:30pm - 3pm
Rossallian Club London Dinner Event - Thursday 7 May, 6:30pm - 11pm
Whole School Open Day - Saturday 6 June, 10am - 2pm
Midlands Drink Reception - Thursday 11 June, 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Rossall Rose Wine Tasting Evening - Friday 19 June, 7pm - 10pm
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
A Warm Welcome to Our New Starters at Rossall School
We are delighted to welcome the newest members of the Rossall School community.
Their journey with us is just beginning, and we look forward to supporting them as they settle in, grow in confidence, and make the most of all the opportunities ahead both in and beyond the classroom.
Here’s to an exciting and successful term ahead as they become part of school life and all that it has to offer.
Rossall Old Rossallians Celebrate Historic Halford Hewitt Cup Victory
Rossall Old Rossallians have secured a remarkable and long awaited triumph in the prestigious Halford Hewitt Cup, claiming the title for the first time in 53 years and marking a proud moment in the school’s sporting history.
Founded in 1924, the Halford Hewitt Cup is widely regarded as the largest amateur golf competition in the world. It brings together past students from 64 leading public schools, with each school fielding five foursome pairs in a highly competitive and respected tournament.
This year’s Rossall team delivered an exceptional performance throughout the competition. Demonstrating both skill and determination, they overcame strong opposition from Gresham’s, King’s Canterbury, Cheltenham, Stowe and Loretto to earn their place in the final.
In the final match against Winchester, Rossall rose to the occasion. Played in excellent spirit and with a high standard of golf, the final showcased the very best of the competition. Rossall emerged victorious with an impressive 4 to 1 win, sealing their place as this year’s Halford Hewitt Cup holders.
The achievement is a testament to the talent, teamwork and dedication of the entire squad. Congratulations go to Matt Allen, Christian Butler, Josh Fallows, Josh Hamnett, Kieran Hogarth, Greg Holmes, Simon Holt, Jimmy Jones, James O’Toole, Louis Talarczyk and David Tonroe, whose efforts have brought great pride to the Rossall community.
This historic victory will be celebrated by Old Rossallians and the wider school community alike, as the team’s success adds another distinguished chapter to Rossall’s rich sporting legacy.
“Throughout my decade at Rossall, this stands as one of the most distinguished achievements and is a moment I will long treasure. To see several former students I worked with now representing the Old Rossallian community is particularly meaningful. While their excellence in golf is evident, it is the people they have become that I find most humbling.”
— Mr Stuart Hemmings, PGA Coach, Director of Golf
“It’s huge for the school, an amazing achievement and a really exciting and proud moment for everyone involved.”
— Mr Louis Talarczyk, Former student and member of the Rossall Golf Academy, now serving as a Golf Assistant within the Academy.
Rossall Ski Trip to Les Contamines: Growth, Adventure, and Achievement
“There is something incredibly special about taking 42 children to the mountains and watching them grow, not just as skiers, but as young people.
Our recent Rossall School ski trip to Les Contamines, France, was a powerful reminder of exactly that. As the fifth trip I have had the privilege of organising at Rossall, it sits among journeys that have taken students across France, Italy, and the USA over the years. Each destination has brought its own challenges and character, yet the essence of these trips remains unchanged.
There is always that unmistakable sense of adventure from the moment we arrive. Pupils step into an unfamiliar environment, often nervous but excited, and quickly begin to push beyond their comfort zones. The resort offered an incredible range of runs, allowing beginners to build confidence on gentle slopes while more advanced skiers pushed themselves on longer and more demanding descents. One of the most magical moments each year is seeing pupils conquer a new colour of run for the first time, a real milestone that brings huge smiles, a sense of achievement, and often a burst of laughter at the bottom.
Of course, the learning goes far beyond skiing. Life on the trip is full and varied. From lunches on the mountainside, surrounded by stunning views, to evening trips to local pizzerias and visits to the swimming pool, every day brought new experiences. Back at the hotel, evenings were filled with energy and laughter, with bingo and quizzes brilliantly organised by Mrs Trippier, as well as the now-legendary "Dufus" hat, awarded for some of the more daft moments that inevitably happen when 42 children are together in the mountains…”
— Mr Matt Turner, Headmaster of Preparatory School
Read more about the trip here.
Year 8 Assembly Brings Farm Life to Rossall School with Special Guest Tulip the Lamb
“We had a highly engaging Year 8 assembly before the Easter break, delivered by James S and Archie C, who spoke insightfully about farm life and animal care. Their presentation was extremely well received, with students enjoying the opportunity to hear about their real-life experiences and gain a deeper understanding of how animals are looked after on a working farm.
A special guest made the session particularly memorable. Tulip the lamb joined the assembly and quickly captured the attention of students and staff alike. She enjoyed her afternoon bottle of milk before settling down for a well-earned rest.
Students were fascinated by the stories shared by James S and Archie C, however Tulip proved to be the clear highlight of the afternoon. Pupils thoroughly enjoyed meeting her, and the visit provided a memorable, hands-on experience that brought classroom learning to life.”
— Mrs Clare James, Head of Food & Nutrition & Head of Year 8
Year 8 Make a Positive Impact on Local Coastline with Beach Clean
“Year 8 had the opportunity to give back to their local community while also learning about the importance of sustainability. During the afternoon, students took part in a beach clean, supported by their form tutors and members of the Maths Department, who kindly joined in the effort to help care for the coastline.
The weather remained dry, providing an enjoyable experience for all involved. It also gave students the chance to spend time outdoors with friends while contributing to a meaningful cause. Together, the group collected an impressive number of bin bags, all of which were returned to school for recycling.
A highlight of the afternoon came when Mrs Wood, Mrs Threlfall, and Linus discovered beautifully decorated stones along the beach, each featuring thoughtful Easter messages. This provided a small but uplifting reminder of community spirit.
It was a rewarding and enjoyable experience for everyone involved and a successful example of students working together to support their local environment.”
— Mrs Clare James, Head of Food & Nutrition & Head of Year 8
Year 11 Revision & Study Skills Day
“On Tuesday of this week, for their first day back after the Easter break, our Year 11 cohort stepped away from their traditional timetables to participate in a Revision and Study Skills Day. Guided by Guy Slocombe from Studyskillszone, the day was designed to empower them with the cognitive tools required to manage anxiety and maximise their revision and exam performance. By bridging the gap between cognitive science and daily habits, we ensure that our students are not just working hard, but working smart too.”
Read more about the day here.
— Mr David Clarke, Deputy Head (Academic)
Rossall School Golfing Excellence on the Rise
Huge congratulations to incoming student George on winning the 45th Peter McEvoy Trophy. This is a fantastic achievement and a clear reflection of his talent and dedication to the sport. We are very much looking forward to welcoming him to Rossall and seeing his continued success.
Congratulations also to Year 12 student Tom P, who this weekend secured victory at the Sandiway Oak. This prestigious men’s Northern Order of Merit 36 hole competition brought together strong competitors, and Tom rose to the challenge with two excellent rounds in tough conditions.
A brilliant performance and a well deserved win. Well done, Tom!
George on securing victory at the 45th Peter McEvoy Trophy, delivering an exceptional performance to take the title
Year 12 student Tom P, who this weekend claimed victory at the Sandiway Oak competition, delivering an outstanding performance throughout
A space to Reflect, Grow and Remember
During the Kindertransport, Rossall School offered refuge to several German Austrian Jewish boys fleeing Nazi persecution. After arriving at the Dovercourt Bay reception camp, efforts quickly began to secure their safety, sponsorship, and education.
Two young men from King’s College Cambridge travelled to meet them and acted - personally supporting one boy and working tirelessly to find sponsors for others. Through determination and networks of goodwill, the boys were placed with families and offered places at Rossall School, which provided them with stability and a future.
One of the boys later reflected; “Rossall saved my life.”
Today, for our children at Rossall, the Garden of Reflection will be more than a memorial. It will bring history to life helping pupils understand compassion, courage and global responsibility. It will also support wellbeing, offering a calm space to pause reflect and connect within the school day.
As this vision develops, we are grateful for the continued support of our parent and alumni community.
If you would like to be part of creating this special space for our children if you would like to you can make a donation here.
Welcome back to all our students, families and staff – we hope you had a restful and enjoyable break. As we begin the summer term, it’s a great time to reset routines, reconnect with friends, and focus on maintaining a healthy balance between work and wellbeing.
We are proud to announce another cohort of Sixth Formers have completed their training as Youth Mental Health First Aiders. Our students completed two full days of training learning how to effectively talk about mental health, notice signs when someone might be struggling, and also to signpost peers effectively. They will be putting their skills to good use as peer mentors, senior monitors and Wellbeing Ambassadors in the coming months.
With exam season approaching, it is completely normal for students to feel a mix of pressure and anticipation. We encourage everyone to plan revision time carefully, take regular breaks, and prioritise sleep and nutrition. Remember, doing your best is what matters most, and support is always available in school if things start to feel overwhelming. In addition, April is Stress Awareness Month, so I am sharing some resources from Childline about stress management which are a great starting point for discussing more at home.
This week’s parent guide focuses on YouTube and how to support young people in using the platform safely and responsibly. The guide includes helpful tips such as setting appropriate parental controls, encouraging open conversations about online content, and using tools like Google Family Link to help manage screen time, set content restrictions, and monitor usage.
ways to be WELL AT ROSSALl
“We had a visitor in Chapel today. Harry Platt, who left Rossall School four years ago to study songwriting at university, returned to perform songs from his first and recently released album. It was brilliant to see how he filled the Chapel with his thoughtful tunes and lyrics.
In addition to the music on his album, Harry writes songs for church worship. He particularly enjoys making psalms accessible so they can be easily sung together.
There is something very special and beautiful about this endeavour. The Psalms in the Bible are a vast collection of songs written over a long period of time, most of them around 3,000 years old. They are full of wisdom and encouragement and have been sung by countless people across generations.
Harry chose to perform his own version of Psalm 127 for us today, which begins:
“Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labour in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.”If we put our minds to something, we need to include God.
If we want to achieve our best, we must not exclude Him.
If we allow God to lead the way, we give ourselves the best chance to succeed. Harry is a wonderful example of this in action.”
With love from Chapel!”
— Mrs Kerstin Dixon, Rossall School Chaplain
with love from chapel
The Rossallian
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!
