ROSSALL NEWS
Dates For Your Diary
Rossall's Wellbeing Bridge
Rossall Junior Team Opens ISGA League Campaign
An Evening Of Dance By The Rossall Dance Academy
Piano Success For Year 12 Student
Rossall Football Programme Students Experience Elite Training At Manchester City
Rossall Students Shine At Lancashire Schools U18 Golf Championships
Sofia Secures Place In English Youth Ballet Production Of Swan Lake
Rossall Inspire - Year 10 Critical Thinking Course
Rossall In The Spotlight: AI In Education Award
Year 12 Business Studies Students Visit Cadbury World
Year 8 Swimmer Mia C Makes a Splash with Gold Medal Success
Investment Club Champion Achieves Strong Portfolio Growth
Rossall School CCF Cadets Experience Helicopter Simulator Training at Helispeed Training Academy
A Space To Reflect, Grow And Remember
Ways To Be Well At Rossall
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
In the spirit of community, we warmly invite parents from across Rossall to attend our second Wellbeing Bridge meeting.
The session will take place on Tuesday 19 May at 4.30pm in the Pennine Suite.
We are pleased to be joined by Dave Carlos, a Lancashire Constabulary Cyber Volunteer, who will lead a discussion on Cyber Safety and provide practical guidance on staying safe online.
We look forward to welcoming parents for what promises to be an informative and valuable session.
Please RSVP to j.moore@rossall.org.uk.
Rossall's Wellbeing Bridge
Rossall Junior Team Opens ISGA League Campaign
Rossall’s Junior team enjoyed a fantastic day as they took to the course for their first round in the ISGA Junior League. With bright sunshine throughout, conditions were ideal for what proved to be an exciting and memorable start to their campaign.
Representing Rossall were the pairs of Blake and George, alongside Reuben and Henry. All four players showed great commitment and enthusiasm as they competed in their opening fixtures, marking an important milestone in their golfing journey.
The ISGA Junior League offers valuable opportunities for young players to develop their skills, gain competitive experience, and enjoy the game in a team environment. This opening round was a strong and positive step for Rossall’s junior golfers.
Everyone at Rossall congratulates the team on their efforts and looks forward to following their progress in the matches ahead.
an evening of dance by the rossall dance academy
We are delighted to announce that the Summer Showcase will take place on Monday 8 June in Big School.
This special event will feature a variety of performances, including student solos and group routines, providing a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the hard work, creativity, and talent of our performers. The evening will also include selected GCSE and A Level pieces, highlighting the impressive achievements of our examination students.
We look forward to welcoming you to what promises to be an enjoyable and inspiring evening. Tickets are available to buy here.
Piano Success for Year 12 Student
Congratulations to Year 12 Piano Academy student Olivia, who has achieved outstanding success at the Beethoven Piano Society of Europe Junior Intercollegiate Competition. Competing against top pianists from specialist schools and junior conservatoires across the UK, Olivia was awarded an impressive second prize.
Her performance of Piano Sonata No. 21 in C major, Op. 53 'Waldstein' was also recognised with the Carol Grindea Audience Prize, a testament to both her technical excellence and musical expression.
This is a remarkable achievement, and we are delighted to celebrate Olivia’s success.
headmaster’s awards
This week we have been blessed with two winners for the Academic Achievement Award. Firstly,
Matthew [Y11 Maltese Cross] has shown outstanding dedication and commitment in his Design & Technology coursework. Throughout his project, he worked with real determination, consistently refining and improving his ideas to the highest standard. His perseverance has paid off with a top grade – a thoroughly deserved recognition of both his effort and ability.
A remarkable musical achievement for Jasmine [Y12 Rose] who has been appointed Principal Second Trombonist in the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. Now a senior section leader in one of the country’s most competitive youth ensembles, she continues to excel at a national level. As one of only eight trombonists, her progression is a testament to her talent, commitment, and drive. Jasmine continues to seize every opportunity to perform and develop as a musician – a truly impressive trajectory.
Congratulations to our winners and well done to everyone who was nominated!
Rossall Football Programme Students Experience Elite Training at Manchester City
Students from Rossall School have enjoyed an exceptional series of opportunities in recent weeks, visiting the world-class City Football Academy for a combination of competitive fixtures and elite training experiences.
The programme began with Rossall’s Under-12 squad travelling to Manchester, where they competed in a series of exciting matches against strong opposition. The experience provided valuable exposure to high-level football and allowed pupils to test their skills in a professional environment.
Building on this, the Boys’ Headmasters XI were invited for a dedicated training day led by coaches from Manchester City. Students benefited from expert coaching sessions designed to mirror the club’s elite development approach, gaining insight into the techniques, discipline, and standards required at the highest level of the game.
The visit also included a tour of the outstanding facilities at the City Football Academy, giving students a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most advanced training centres in world football. To top off an unforgettable day, pupils even had the opportunity to meet some professional players, creating lasting memories and inspiration for their own sporting journeys.
These experiences highlight the strength of Rossall’s Football Programme, offering students unique access to elite environments and reinforcing the school’s commitment to sporting excellence.
Rossall Students Shine at Lancashire Schools U18 Golf Championships
Students from Rossall School delivered an outstanding performance at the recent Lancashire Schools Under-18 Golf Championships, held at Bolton Old Links Golf Club.
Competing against talented players from across the county, Rossall pupils demonstrated both skill and determination throughout the event, resulting in an impressive set of achievements.
The highlight of the day saw Rossall A secure the overall team prize, a testament to the squad’s consistency and strong collective performance. Individually, Cameron achieved an excellent second-place finish in the boys’ gross competition, while Olivia also claimed second place in the girls’ nett category.
The competition showcased the depth of golfing talent at Rossall, with all participants representing the school with pride and sportsmanship.
These results mark a successful day for Rossall golf and reflect the continued strength of the school’s sporting programme. Well done to all involved!
Sofia Secures Place in English Youth Ballet Production of Swan Lake
Rossall School is delighted to celebrate the success of Sofia, who recently auditioned for a place in the English Youth Ballet production of Swan Lake at the Manchester Palace Theatre.
The audition process was highly competitive, with 75 dancers competing for just 40 available places. Sofia’s success in securing a role is a reflection of her hard work, dedication, and talent.
She will go on to perform in three shows in June, marking an exciting milestone in her performing arts journey.
Sofia is a highly valued member of the Dance Academy, and we are all extremely proud of her achievement.
Rossall Inspire - Year 10 Critical Thinking Course
In the second half of the summer term, the Year 10s will all take part in a four-session Critical Thinking course, where they will learn how to analyse arguments. They will learn about argument techniques, including how to make strong arguments and how best to go about attacking arguments. They will also learn the skill of noticing underlying assumptions and how to expose arguments that rely upon them. In addition, they will explore some common flaws in arguments and how to demonstrate that an argument does not work, such as correlation not causation, post hoc arguments, ad hominem, and the subtle one that politicians love: the straw man fallacy.
We hope that they enjoy the course and that they are introduced to thinking skills that will be useful for their GCSEs, A levels, and more widely in life.
Last year, we ran this course with the current Year 11s and were very impressed with how they performed, so we have decided to repeat it. We may continue this so that all year groups, as they progress through the school, have the opportunity to learn these skills.
If you would like to have a look at the Critical Thinking workbook, a link is provided HERE.
Parent Challenge: I would like to set you a challenge as parents. Have a go at the nine-question quiz on pages 17 and 18. Any parent who scores 8 or above out of 9 will receive an honourable mention in a newsletter after half-term.
Send your answers to Mr Mark Dixon at m.dixon@rossall.org.uk
Rossall in the Spotlight: AI in Education Award
“We are absolutely delighted to share some wonderful news with our Rossall family.
Rossall School is proud to receive an AI in Education Spotlight Award for innovative and responsible AI projects in our community. The AI in Education Spotlight Award is more than just a mark of excellence; it officially highlights Rossall School as an AI pioneer. This national recognition is given to schools that demonstrate a profound dedication to:
Exploring AI responsibly: Navigating new technologies with the highest care and ethical consideration.
Creating meaningful impact: Ensuring every digital tool serves a real purpose in the classroom for the benefit of our learners.
Sharing "what works": Acting as a lighthouse for the wider education community by sharing practical, proven examples of AI success.
Certified for 2026, this prestigious honour is a testament to the dedication of our pupils and staff as we continue to lead the way in modern education. This achievement belongs to our entire Rossall community, and it reflects our collective commitment to inspiring our children while navigating the future of technology together.
A key reason Rossall was recognised as a pioneer in this field was our recent hosting of the inaugural AI in Primary Education Conference. This landmark event served as the perfect vehicle for us to fulfil our commitment to sharing what works with the broader teaching community. The conference provided a timely and relevant platform specifically for KS1 and KS2 teachers and leaders. Centred around the empowering theme of helping staff to "work smarter, not harder," the day was filled with practical exploration and collaborative learning. We were thrilled to host colleagues from many other schools, providing them with a highly valuable professional development opportunity that included insightful breakout sessions and a hospitable lunch to foster community discussion.
The event was headlined by a world-class keynote line-up, bringing together unparalleled expertise in edtech, creativity, inclusion, and classroom practice:
Lee Parkinson ('Mr P'): A renowned expert in classroom practice and edtech creativity.
Ben Whitaker (The !deas Guy): A leading voice in educational innovation.
Patrick McGrath:A specialist in inclusion and accessible technology.
As we integrate AI into our school life, we remain anchored by the core values that define our approach. These values are our promise to our parents and students:
Responsible: We prioritise safe and ethical AI use across all levels of the school.
Purposeful: We focus on projects that have a meaningful impact on teaching and learning.
Forward-looking: We aim to inspire both our learners and our staff for the future.
While we are incredibly proud of this award, we view it as just the beginning of an exciting journey. Rossall School remains steadfast in its role as a leader in AI practice. We will continue to innovate, explore, and share best practices across the education sector to ensure our pupils are prepared for the world of tomorrow. Thank you to our amazing staff, our curious pupils, and our supportive parents. Your commitment to innovation and excellence is what makes achievements like the Spotlight Award possible. Together, we are truly shining a light on the future of education.”
— Mr David Clarke, Deputy Head (Academic)
Year 12 Business Studies Students Visit Cadbury World
Last week, Year 12 IB and A Level Business Studies students from Rossall School visited Cadbury World to deepen their understanding of key business concepts in a real-world setting.
During the trip, students explored how marketing is used by major brands to engage consumers and strengthen brand identity. They also learned about the chocolate production process, gaining insight into how a large-scale manufacturing operation is managed from raw ingredients through to finished products.
A particular highlight of the visit was the opportunity to study one of the earliest examples of paternalistic leadership, as demonstrated in the history of Cadbury. This allowed students to connect classroom theory with historical business practice and reflect on how leadership styles influence workplace culture and employee wellbeing.
The visit provided an engaging and memorable learning experience, helping students bring their Business Studies course content to life.
Year 8 Swimmer Mia c Makes a Splash with Gold Medal Success
Year 8 student Mia C continues to make excellent progress in the pool, with her sights firmly set on achieving her county qualifying time in the 50 metre freestyle this year. She is now just 0.56 seconds away from reaching this impressive milestone.
Mia recently competed at the Jaws & Claws Sprint Showdown on Sunday, representing her club, Fleetwood Makos, in a meet against Garstang Gators. She delivered an outstanding performance across multiple events.
In the 50 metre freestyle, Mia secured first place in her age group and claimed a gold medal with a new personal best time of 32.55 seconds. She also achieved another gold medal in the 50 metre butterfly, further demonstrating her strength and versatility as a swimmer.
To round off an excellent competition, Mia recorded a new personal best in the 50 metre breaststroke, highlighting her continued improvement across all strokes.
Rossall School congratulates Mia on her fantastic achievements and looks forward to following her progress as she continues to work towards her county qualifying target.
Investment Club Champion Achieves Strong Portfolio Growth
Congratulations to Andrew P, who was crowned winner of the Investment Club competition last term. Andrew achieved portfolio growth of over 5% during the competition, an impressive result in challenging market conditions. His success was particularly impressive given the volatile conditions seen across global markets last term. Very well done to Andrew and enjoy the chocolates!
Rossall School CCF Cadets Experience Helicopter Simulator Training at Helispeed Training Academy
“Six students from Rossall School, who are also members of the Combined Cadet Force, recently embarked on an unforgettable visit to Helispeed Training Academy, where they were given the rare opportunity to experience the precision, discipline, and exhilaration of helicopter flight through a professional-grade simulator.
From the moment they arrived, the students were immersed in an environment that perfectly blended technical excellence with real-world aviation insight. Guided by experienced instructors, the cadets were introduced to the fundamentals of rotary flight, gaining a deeper understanding of aerodynamics, navigation, and the intense focus required to pilot a helicopter safely.
The highlight of the visit was undoubtedly the simulator session itself. Each cadet took turns stepping into the pilot’s seat, where they faced realistic flight scenarios that tested their coordination, decision-making, and composure under pressure. For many, it was their first time engaging with such advanced technology, and the experience sparked both excitement and a newfound respect for aviation professionals.
Beyond the thrill of the simulator, the visit reinforced key values at the heart of the CCF programme: leadership, resilience, and curiosity. The cadets demonstrated maturity and enthusiasm throughout, asking thoughtful questions and embracing every challenge presented to them.
Rossall School extends its sincere gratitude to Helispeed Training Academy for their continued support and generosity in providing such meaningful opportunities. Partnerships like this play a vital role in broadening students’ horizons, inspiring ambition, and connecting classroom learning with real-world applications.
As the cadets returned to Rossall, they carried with them not only memories of an extraordinary day, but also a strengthened sense of purpose and possibility, and proof that experiences like these can truly elevate young minds and shape future aspirations.”
— Captain Dave Lindsay, School Staff Instructor
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.
We are pleased to invite parents and carers to our upcoming Wellbeing Bridge session on Cyber Safety, taking place on Monday 19 May at 4:30pm in the Pennine Suite.
We are fortunate to welcome Dave Carlos from Lancashire Constabulary’s Cyber Crime Unit, who will be leading this important and informative session. Earlier this year, Dave worked with our Year 7 and 8 students as part of their PSHE programme, delivering engaging sessions on online safety. He provided practical advice on topics such as password security, cyber crime, and the risks associated with certain online behaviours, including sexting. His ability to explain the legal implications in an age-appropriate and accessible way made a strong impact on our students.
With recent national conversations around the future of mobile phone use in schools, it is more important than ever that school and home work together to support young people in navigating the digital world safely. This workshop offers a valuable opportunity for parents to gain insight, ask questions, and continue these important conversations at home.
To reserve your place, please email j.moore@rossall.org.uk.
We look forward to seeing you there.
ways to be WELL AT ROSSALl
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!
