ROSSALL NEWSLETTER - LENT TERM - WEEK 9
FROM THE HEADMASTER
Dear All,
We have enjoyed some beautiful sunshine this week and Spring appears to have arrived....finally! We are looking forward to 'Grease' next week and if you have had the good fortune to attend a school musical in previous years, then you will know that we are in for an absolute treat. The quality of performance is superbly high and the cast is incredibly committed and brilliantly talented. The musical is reflective of so much that is distinctive about Rossall - ambition, friendship, community, talent and hard work.
Congratulations go to Dina Porovic on her appointment as the Head of Westonbirt, though I am delighted that she will remain with us until the beginning of 2026. Catherine Stacker will be a fantastic Deputy Head and it is reassuring to know that the School will power into the future with a senior leadership team that is characterised by energy, dynamism, compassion, and kindness. It is a phenomenal team and our ability to innovate in all areas of school life is attributable to the fact that there is such a strong team driving the school forward.
Have a wonderful weekend!
All best wishes,
Jeremy
FROM THE PREPARATORY SCHOOL HEADMASTER
Dear All,
It has been a week of some fantastic Science and STEM activities amongst all of the other learning that has been packed into 5 days!
Four of our most promising Year 5 and 6 scientists had an incredible experience at the Sciathlon at Blackpool & Fylde College, where they delved into the fascinating world of renewable energy. They constructed water turbines and designed solar-powered buggies, exploring the potential of sustainable technology. Their enthusiasm and creativity were truly inspiring!
with love from chapel
“I made you wonderful!”
That is this year’s theme for the World Day of Prayer, which we celebrated in chapel last week, just before International Women’s Day at the weekend. World Day of Prayer is a wonderful international and ecumenical event, which enables us all to hear the thoughts of women from across the world, including their hopes, concerns and prayers. It is also a call to action for global peace and justice - starting with the girls and women in our own school.
ROSSALL NEWS
u13 netball team
Well Done to our U13 Girls Netball Team who have come 3rd in the Sisters In Sport Shield Netball Competition. They have had an excellent day out at Loughborough University getting a tour around the facilities as well as getting to play two games of netball on their courts!
food and nutrition
Y10 GCSE students have been practising their knife skills in their lesson this week. They have been filleting fresh trout and designing their own recipes for dishes of their choice!
careers week
Last week we celebrated National Careers Week; a week-long celebration of Careers guidance in education. Students in all year groups had access to a wide range of opportunities including Unifrog webinars on application advice, and thriving at university. Year 12 students were also lucky to take part in a Rossall Inspire lecture on ‘choices’ by a guest speaker from the banking industry. Teaching staff displayed outlines of their own careers outside their classrooms, which were an excellent conversation starter!
MARCH OPEN DAY
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.
THE ROSSALLIAN
We are delighted to be working on the next edition of The Rossallian, our school newspaper that has become an integral part of Rossall School. This publication serves as a wonderful showcase of the exciting range of activities, events, and opportunities our pupils enjoy across both the senior and preparatory school. We are excited to continue sharing our community’s experiences and achievements with you.
Once again, The Rossallian will be available in both print and digital formats, reaching alumni, parents, staff, and friends of Rossall, as well as prospective families at open days and visits.
To support this initiative at no cost to the school, we are once again partnered with Timesed Ltd to invite a selection of high-quality local and regional businesses to advertise in our newspaper. We are grateful to those who have already participated and helped to make this publication possible.
As valued members of our school community, we want to ensure you have the first opportunity to take part. If you would like to learn more about advertising options within The Rossallian, please contact Carl Huyton directly at carl.huyton@times-ed.co.uk. Carl will also be reaching out to other local businesses in the coming weeks.
Thank you for your continued support in making The Rossallian a valuable and engaging publication for the Rossall community.
A ROSSALL SUNRISE
science week
LIVERPOOL UNIVERSITY SPANISH TRIP
On March 12th, our year 12 A-Level Spanish students had the fantastic opportunity to attend a workshop at the University of Liverpool, where they explored key aspects of Spanish literature and language. The event, hosted by the Department of Languages, Cultures, and Film, provided an engaging and thought-provoking experience for all who attended.
Students particularly enjoyed the in-depth analysis of Federico García Lorca’s poem Romance Sonambulo, gaining a deeper understanding of his literary significance and cultural impact. Students also had the opportunity to learn about the historical context of Lorca’s works, such as La Casa de Bernarda Alba. Dr Carmen Ríos García delivered a session on literary interpretation from historical, sociological, and political perspectives that allowed students to enhance their analytical skills, helping them prepare for their analysis of language and literature.
An exciting part of the day was the translation workshop, where students tackled the complexities of Spanish-to-English translation. Additionally, the introduction to the Catalan language was a unique highlight, as students enthusiastically engaged with the basics of this fascinating regional language.
Beyond the academic sessions, the workshop fostered lively discussions with a student ambassador who shared her experience as a graduate student in Languages and Translation who took part in a year abroad program. The interactive nature of the event made learning enjoyable and dynamic. The hospitality of the university staff, combined with the well-structured activities and provided refreshments, made the experience even more enjoyable.
Overall, the workshop was an enriching and inspiring experience. Students left feeling motivated and better prepared for their A-Level Spanish studies, with a newfound appreciation for Hispanic literature and linguistic diversity.
parent prayer group
Our new Parent Prayer Group has been a great success. The first session launched on Friday, 28th February in The Hub. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents to come together in a warm and supportive environment, as we look to strengthen our school community through prayer and reflection.
How to Join:
📍 Meet at the SC after drop-off to sign in and be collected.
📆 The group will meet fortnightly on Fridays.
Whether you're a regular at prayer groups or just curious to see what they are about, we welcome you to join us with open arms. We hope to build a strong and faith-filled Rossall community for those interested. We look forward to seeing you there.
old rossallian event
The Rossallian Club would like you to join us as part of our wider Rossall community at our Manchester Dinner Event.
We are thrilled to announce we have secured the Etihad Stadium, Manchester on Friday, 4th April 2025 in the Mancunian Suite which has stunning pitchside views to host our event.
There will be an amazing two course meal with vegan and vegetarian options available and a not to be missed, three hours unlimited drinks package.
To secure your place, please book using the link below!
From Monday 17th March to Thursday 20th March, we have an exclusive deal on our Manchester Dinner Event, which is if you buy two tickets, you will get your third ticket FREE!
sciathlon
On Tuesday, Year 7 entered a team into a Sciathlon, which took place at Blackpool & Fylde College. The Rossall Team included Luca, Theo, Seb and myself. We were competing against seven other schools from the local area, and prior to the competition we were thoroughly looking forward to the challenging tasks that would test our scientific knowledge.
Upon arrival, we entered the laboratory and we were informed of our first two tasks, which involved building a solar-powered car out of Lego and creating a wind turbine to power electricity. These challenges had to be completed simultaneously, within a time limit of one hour and thirty minutes! The tasks required resilience and teamwork to succeed.
After a short break, we began our second session in the laboratory, where we built a parachute and aimed to have the most air time for the makeshift skydiver. We then proceeded to take a scientific knowledge quiz on different aspects of Science. Our team loved this competition as it pushed us to think ‘outside the box’ and out of our comfort zone. An example of this was when we couldn’t quite figure out what the best technique for building our solar powered car was! We persisted with this challenge and managed to deliver a successful final product. Overall, our team won the competition due to teamwork and resilience. It was a joy to compete in such a well hosted Sciathlon and we were delighted to take home the Trophy for winning the overall event.
brian house raffle
Rossall is hosting another amazing raffle to raise funds for Brian House Children’s Hospice.
Tickets are priced at £5.00 each with 3 exciting prizes to win.
A hamper filled with treats
A bottle of MOET Champagne
A bottle of Jameson Whiskey
To enter the draw, simply click the link below. The raffle will close on Wednesday, 25th March at 5:00pm.
Pro Patria 1200
Rossall CCF’s very own Captain Peter Baldwin is taking to the skies this weekend, completing a thrilling 15,000-foot tandem parachute jump as part of his ambitious ‘Pro Patria 1200’ challenge. This challenge symbolizes the 1,200-mile journey from his home in Preesall to Berlin, tracing a historic route via Pegasus Bridge and Paris.
Captain Baldwin, 68, has dedicated this year to a series of extraordinary physical challenges in honor of the 80th anniversary of VE Day. His inspiring journey includes swimming the equivalent of the English Channel, walking the entire length of Hadrian’s Wall, canoeing from Liverpool to Goole, completing a coast-to-coast trek, navigating the Glen Canoe Trail, summiting Ben Nevis, and conquering the Yorkshire Three Peaks.
A respected and longstanding member of Rossall CCF, Captain Baldwin has been an integral part of the institution for over 12 years. His unwavering dedication and adventurous spirit continue to inspire both colleagues and cadets alike.
Stay tuned as Captain Baldwin progresses through this incredible feat, commemorating history with every step, stroke, and climb.
For more information or to support his challenge, please contact Peter Baldwin on p.baldwin@rossall.org.uk
ROSSALL DANCE ACADEMY - AUDITIONS
Saturday, 29 March 2025 | 14:00 - 16:30
Years 7 to 12, for entry September 2025
Experience the Day:
- Audition for the Rossall Dance Academy
- Learn more about the specifics of the programme and how it can take your dance to the next level
- Includes a 1 hour jazz technique class
- Includes a 45 minute ballet class
- Refreshments provided
The Rossall Dance Academy is a unique programme unlike any other in the UK and is ideal for those who want the very best of independent schooling blended with a tailored dance programme. To mark the launch of this new academy, we are inviting all aspiring dancers to attend a special audition to secure a sought-after place in the Dance Academy for September 2025.
The programme aims to nurture outstanding young dancers aged 11–18 through world-class training and a bespoke dance curriculum. Aspiring dancers will benefit from 10-15 hours per week dedicated to dance. Most importantly, the timetable is scheduled around the academic commitments to ensure a healthy balance between academic learning and dance.
Set within the inspiring environment of Rossall School, our unique programme combines exceptional coaching with academic excellence, with the aim of fostering growth socially, emotionally, culturally, and intellectually.
Requirements:
The audition is open for all aspiring dancers aged 11-18 who want to combine a Rossall secondary or Sixth Form education with a unique dance offering. We welcome both existing and prospective students to attend.
All attending should wear appropriate clothing for the jazz and ballet classes. Students will be asked to perform a two-minute dance, of a genre and style of their own choosing (Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary or other).
To sign up, please use this link to register: Dance Academy Assessment
All prospective students are warmly invited to arrive at school before the start time to enjoy our Open Day and undertake a full tour of the campus
UPCOMING EVENTS
WAYS TO BE WELL AT ROSSALL
WEEKLY WELLBEING
With trial exams well underway recently for Years 11 and 13, exam preparation has been front and centre for many students. With that in mind, I would like to draw your attention to the parent webinar series run by Elevate Education. The next free webinar takes place on Tuesday, March 11th at 18:00 and runs for one hour. The focus will be guiding students through their revision to avoid last-minute stress and to maximise results. The registration for the webinar can be accessed via this link and you will also then receive information about future events.
I would also like to take the opportunity to remind you about our parent information evening happening on March 18th at 18:00 with Bob Tait from DRED UK, with a focus on drugs education and substance misuse. A Jotform was sent out via email - we look forward to welcoming many of you at this event. In addition, if you would like to attend virtually, please email j.moore@ rossall.org.uk and a link for the livestream will be sent out in due course.
Finally, in honour of World Book Day on March 6th, I would like to recommend a great read for parents/ guardians entitled ‘How to Unplug Your Child’ by Liat Hughes Joshi. This is a wonderful book which explores ways to help children turn off their devices and enjoy the real world around them. You can find a link to the book here. Attached you will find a leaflet about using technology to boost reading skills in children. Happy reading! This week in the Senior School, our staff shared some of their top tips for stress management with pupils in honour of Mental Health England’s ‘My Whole Self Day’. This has led to really productive and open conversations about stress and it has been a great reminder that we all experience stress at times, but having effective strategies to manage it is key.
The Sixth Form also explored gaming and gambling harm prevention this week, learning about the risks and also how to spot potential signs of gambling harms in friends. With the rise of microtransactions and loot boxes in video games, this is a topic which is becoming ever more relevant for those under the age of 18. The session concluded by sharing websites and organisations where students can learn more and find support, one such website is ‘ygam’, a charity that work to provide free education on this topic for any adults who work with young people - you will find the link to the parent education section here.
This week also marked British Science Week which meant lots of activities in both the Prep and Senior Schools. In terms of wellbeing, Science can support children’s wellbeing by encouraging curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning. Hands-on investigations, like building sandcastles and parachuting eggs, help children to explore scientific concepts, promote problem-solving skills and resilience while fostering a sense of achievement. It teaches the children that an important way we can learn is by making mistakes, persevering and making changes. Outdoor activities and teamwork help children develop social connections, communication skills, and a sense of wonder about the world around them. Engaging in science also builds confidence, as children see their ideas come to life. It creates a sense of awe and wonder, and helps them appreciate the natural environment, supporting their emotional well-being and creating a positive attitude toward learning.
“You can teach a student a lesson for a day, but if you teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives.” - Clay P. Bedford, President of Kaiser Aerospace & Electronics, industrialist and engineer.
Finally, linked above is an infographic with risks and advice about Roblox. With the recent news surrounding the risks of the online platform, hopefully this will provide some insights and tips.