ROSSALL NEWS

  • Dates For Your Diary

  • Broadway Matilda The Musical Jr.

  • Cambridge Economics Challenge

  • 24-Hour Sporting Challenge Raises Funds for Ghana Project

  • Rossall Rose Wine Tasting Evening

  • Annual Piano Academy concert at Harris Music Preston

  • Headmaster’s Awards

  • AI in Education Certified Framework

  • Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators 2026

  • Rossall Sport Development Plan: Investing in Our Future

  • Ways to Be Well at Rossall

  • With Love from Chapel

  • The Rossallian

IN THIS ISSUE

PRE-PREP & PREP SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
ALL THE LATEST STORIES

Floating Sound Bath - Tuesday 23rd June at 6pm

Rossall Rose Wine Tasting Evening - Friday 19 June, 7pm - 10pm

Inaugural Fundraising Golf Day - Thursday 2nd July 9:30am - Ticket Link : https://form.jotform.com/261463617610353

Whole School Open Day - Saturday 3 October, 10am

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Broadway Presents Matilda the Musical Jr.

Last weekend's performance of Matilda the Musical was a tremendous success and a real highlight for everyone involved. The cast delivered outstanding performances, bringing energy, enthusiasm, and talent to every scene. From the memorable songs and choreography to the impressive acting and stage production, the show captivated audiences and showcased the hard work and dedication that had gone into preparing for the event. It was wonderful to see so many people come together to create such an entertaining and professional production.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who helped make the show possible. A special thank you goes to the Broadway staff, production team, directors, choreographers, musicians, technicians, costume and backstage teams, whose support and expertise were invaluable throughout the process. We are also grateful to all the volunteers, families, and audience members for their encouragement and support. Most importantly, congratulations to every member of the cast for their commitment and effort in delivering a truly memorable performance. We are incredibly proud of what was achieved and thank everyone who played a part in making Matilda the Musical such a fantastic success.

A number of our Economics students recently took part in the Cambridge Economics Challenge, a national competition designed to test analytical thinking, problem-solving and the application of economic concepts to real-world issues. Impressively, the students gave up part of their Saturday afternoon during the middle of the mid-course examination period to participate, demonstrating an exceptional level of commitment to both their studies and wider academic enrichment. Their willingness to embrace an additional intellectual challenge at such a busy time reflects the curiosity, resilience and enthusiasm that we strive to foster. We are incredibly proud of their dedication and look forward to seeing how they have performed when the results are released. Well done to Paul S, Winstel L, Timofei O, Gemma W, Antonina D, Cynthia L, Juan F P, Yannick A, Enoch Y. 

Cambridge Economics Challenge

24-Hour Sporting Challenge Raises Funds for Ghana Project

Recently, 10 students and members of staff successfully completed our annual 24-Hour Sporting Challenge in support of Little Roses School in Ghana and their forthcoming expedition. Beginning at 8:00am and finishing 24 hours later, participants took on the demanding task of completing 24 different sports, spending a minimum of 30 minutes on each activity.

While the event was great fun and full of memorable moments, it was also physically demanding, with the participants showing tremendous resilience, determination and teamwork throughout the 24 hours. The enthusiasm displayed by the students was outstanding, and they embraced every challenge with energy and positivity.

The event not only tested their endurance but also helped raise valuable funds for Little Roses School in Ghana and supported their trip, which departs on 27th June.

We would like to thank everyone who sponsored, donated and encouraged them along the way. Your generosity and support are greatly appreciated and will make a real difference to the communities we will be working with during their visit.

We are delighted to report that the team has raised an incredible £1,486 If you would still like to contribute, there is still time to donate by clicking this link :https://gofund.me/87aa787e3

An evening of flavour, atmosphere, and celebration awaits at the Rossall Rosé Wine Tasting Evening.

On Friday 19 June 2026, from 7:00pm to 10:00pm in Big School at Rossall School, guests are invited to experience a vibrant tutored tasting that brings together exceptional wines, great company, and a lively social setting.

Expect an expertly curated selection of white, rosé, red, and sparkling wines from both the Old and New World, guided by knowledgeable hosts who will bring each glass to life. This is not just a tasting, but a journey through flavour, style, and storytelling.

The evening will be filled with energy, conversation, and entertainment, complemented by delicious nibbles and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Whether you are a wine enthusiast or simply looking for a memorable night out, this promises to be a standout event in the school calendar.

Limited tickets available, purchase yours here.

Rossall RosE Wine Tasting Evening

annual Piano Academy concert at Harris Music Preston

A wonderful afternoon at the annual Piano Academy concert at Harris Music Preston. It is always such a pleasure to perform in this beautiful venue for such a warm and receptive audience. Our pianists performed a richly varied programme today, with music spanning Scarlatti, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Mendelssohn, Debussy, Shostakovich and Graham Fitkin,

a journey across centuries of piano music. Thank you to everyone who came and made it such an enjoyable occasion

This week’s Headmaster’s Awards nominations celebrate a standout group of mathematicians who have demonstrated not only strong ability, but real commitment, resilience, and pride in their learning.

In Year 10, Aran (Dragon) and Marios (Pelican) have been consistently hardworking and highly dedicated throughout the year. Both students have shown outstanding effort and conduct in lessons, with their most recent Checkpoint assessments particularly impressive. In each case, they have taken feedback on board following their mid-course exams and turned it into clear, measurable improvement. A superb example of learning in action – well done to both.

We also congratulate Sebastian (Y8 Pelican), Luke (Y8 Dragon), Theodore (Y8 Spread Eagle), James (Y8 Spread Eagle) and Faris (Y8 Spread Eagle), who have all achieved Bronze, Silver or Gold awards in the UKMT Junior Kangaroo. Entry to this follow-on national competition already requires significant success in the UKMT Challenge, and these results place them among the highest-performing young mathematicians in the country. Their achievements reflect exceptional problem-solving skills, logical reasoning, and real perseverance under pressure.

Finally, a special mention to Evelyn (Y8 Spread Eagle), whose dedication to Mathematics has been outstanding across the year. She has consistently responded to feedback with maturity and determination, strengthening her understanding step by step. This commitment culminated in an exceptional performance in the Rossall Diploma examination, where she lost just one mark in her Mathematics paper – a truly impressive result and a reflection of sustained excellence. Well done, Evelyn.

A fantastic set of achievements all round – congratulations to all students recognised this week.

headmaster’s awards

Rossall School is delighted to announce that it has achieved Explorer Status within the AI in Education Certified Framework

Rossall School is delighted to announce that it has achieved Explorer Status within the AI in Education Certified Framework, becoming one of a small number of schools in the UK to receive this nationally recognised accreditation.

The AI in Education Certified Framework recognises schools that are engaging thoughtfully, critically and responsibly with artificial intelligence, ensuring that its use is safe, ethical and educationally meaningful. The Explorer award acknowledges schools that are building understanding across their communities and establishing strong foundations for the effective use of AI in teaching, learning and school operations.

For pupils and parents, this certification provides reassurance that Rossall’s approach to AI is purposeful, carefully considered, and firmly rooted in the school’s educational values. Students are learning not only how AI can support learning, but also how to evaluate its limitations, understand the ethical questions it raises, and use it responsibly in an increasingly digital world.

Across the school, staff have been exploring how AI can enhance teaching and learning through personalised support, adaptive learning opportunities, improved accessibility for learners, and more efficient administrative processes. At the same time, there has been a strong emphasis on safeguarding, academic integrity, data protection, critical thinking and maintaining the importance of authentic human relationships within education.

Rossall has already taken significant steps in this area through the integration of Google’s Gemini tools, the appointment of a Lead AI Practitioner, staff professional development programmes, and ongoing exploration of how AI can support both pupils and staff. The school has also hosted professional events and collaborated with colleagues across the independent school sector to share emerging best practice in educational AI.

David Clarke, Deputy Head (Academic), said:

“As a school, we recognise that our engagement with AI remains an evolving journey rather than a completed destination. The process of exploring AI tools, reflecting critically on their educational value, and preparing evidence for this AI in Education certification has itself been highly valuable in encouraging professional dialogue, collaboration, and strategic thinking across the school.  Staff have become increasingly reflective about how AI can support high-quality teaching, adaptive learning, pastoral care, and administrative efficiency, whilst remaining mindful of safeguarding, academic integrity, and the importance of preserving authentic human relationships within education.

The Explorer certification marks an important milestone in Rossall’s ongoing commitment to educational innovation. While the technology continues to evolve rapidly, the school’s focus remains clear: to prepare pupils for a future in which AI will play an increasingly significant role, while ensuring they develop the judgement, integrity and critical-thinking skills needed to use it wisely.

By achieving Explorer Status, we are proud to join a growing community of forward-thinking schools helping to shape the future of AI in education, ensuring that technological innovation remains firmly aligned with the best interests of young people.


Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators 2026

William H and Abdul S received an award as part of the Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators 2026.

This is a national competition run by the Queen's College Translation Exchange at the University of Oxford.

This is a huge achievement. This year, over 25,000 students from across the United Kingdom took part in the competition. 

Entries were judged by professional literary translators and Modern Languages students at the University of Oxford. 

The judges remarked on the extremely high quality of this year's translations and how challenging it was to select winners and commendations. 

We are extremely proud of William and Abdul for their success!

Rossall Sport Development Plan: Investing in Our Future

We are delighted to launch the Rossall Sport Development Plan, beginning with the creation of a new all-weather 3G football pitch. This transformational project will enhance year-round training and competition, strengthening opportunity, participation, and performance for current and future Rossallians.

Alongside this, the plan includes further development of golf facilities, cricket provision, esports, a new cardio gym, and a sports café, creating inclusive spaces that support performance, wellbeing, and community.

The wider vision also includes a Garden of Reflection in Hall Gardens, honouring the legacy of the Kindertransport.

With the support of our community and alumni, we aim to build a lasting sporting legacy that reflects Rossall’s values and future ambition.

Learn more about it here. Join us in shaping Rossall’s future, support the vision here.

WAYS TO BE WELL AT ROSSALL

As part of National Water Safety Week, we were delighted to welcome Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service, who delivered important PSHE sessions on water safety. This is a particularly timely topic as we approach the summer holidays and look forward to warmer weather.

Students learned about the risks associated with open water, including the dangers of deep and cold water, and were introduced to the lifesaving message, "Float to Live." They were reminded that understanding water safety is not only about recognising potential hazards, but also about knowing how to help others without putting themselves at risk. Further information about the Float to Live campaign can be found on the RNLI website.

One particularly useful tip shared by our visitors was to download the what3words app. This free app can help emergency services locate someone to within three square metres anywhere in the world, making it an invaluable tool in emergency situations. More information about how the app supports rescue teams can be found on the what3words website.

It would be remiss not to acknowledge this week's announcement regarding social media access for under-16s. While there are still many questions to be answered, the BBC has produced a helpful guide addressing some of the key points currently being discussed. As with all aspects of online safety and wellbeing, the success of any future changes will depend upon open, honest, and ongoing conversations both at home and in school.

with love from chapel

Rossall is always in football fever. But during the World Cup, this fever takes on new highs. The beauty of being able to watch, cheer, celebrate and moan with friends and ‘football frenemies’ is something that cannot quite be described if you haven’t been in one of our boarding houses while a match is on. 

We did our own little ‘Keepy-Uppies’ competition along the chapel nave in our service today and saw some stunning performances from every single house - well supported by their own fans. Particularly impressive ones from Dragon and MF, who needed to be stopped or they would still be in chapel right now. 

There is something very special when we can support each other in true sportsmanship rather than with bitterness and grudges, even when we lose. 

One of the most beautiful moments for me so far in this World Cup was the moment when players from both Germany and Curacao came together in prayer after the match was over. No pride, no boasting, no anger, no envy - because in that moment they were all one in Jesus Christ. 

St Paul understood the impact true ‘sportsmanship’ has on your life: In his letter to the people in Philippi, he writes: “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” 

It is not the only sports-analogy St Paul uses, and he often talks about keeping our eyes on the prize ahead of us: a life with Jesus in our heart and our minds. 

So let’s run into our weekend with our eyes fixed on Jesus and let’s score for God!

With love from Chapel—Mrs Kerstin Dixon, School Chaplain, Houseparent of Pelican House and Teacher of RS & Philosophy 

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!