ROSSALL NEWS
Community Notices
Dates for your Diary
Events
Open Day Information
London Piano Academy Trip
Year 11 Geography Fieldwork – Quality of Life in Blackpool
Royal Navy CCF Cadets
National Fitness Day
Headmaster’s Awards
Da Vinci Academy
Saturday Broadway Academy
Wellbeing Bridge
Ways to be Well at Rossall
The Rossallian
With Love From Chapel
IN THIS ISSUE
PRE-PREP & PREP SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
We would also like to take the opportunity to invite parents from across Rossall to our first ‘Wellbeing Bridge’ meeting on Monday October 6th at 18:30. These meetings will allow parents to share ideas and discuss pertinent issues around child and teen wellbeing, bridging the gap between wellbeing discussions at home and at school. It will be a chance for us to share ideas, ask questions and hear from experts in their field about the ways we can best support our children and young people to be well. Our first meeting will be held in the Pennine Suite and we will be joined by Cat Waktare, our school based Mental Health Nurse - please email j.moore@rossall.org.uk to RSVP
Parent Introductory Evening
Click here to view our Parent Introductory Evening presentation.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Sunday 28th September - Choral Evensong, 6:30pm
Thursday 2nd October - Year 12 & 13, please confirm your attendance via this form >
Saturday 4th October - Whole School Open Day. This event is open to both current and prospective families. If you would like to share the event with friends or family that may be interested in Rossall, please do so. Sign up for the event via this form >
Thursday 9th October - Sixth Form Options Open Evening. This event is open to both current and prospective families. If you would like to share the event with friends or family that may be interested in Rossall, please do so. Sign up for the event via this form >
Friday 7th November - Year 7 Transition Day
Sunday 16th November - Rossall Christmas Markets, 10:00am - 4:00pm
OPEN DAY - Saturday 4th OCTOBER 2025
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.
London Piano academy trip
Last week, a group of us had the wonderful opportunity to spend two days in London on a piano academy trip. It was an inspiring mix of history, performance and learning, each certainly deepened our appreciation for the piano and its music. Our first destination was the London Steinway Hall, the heart of the most prestigious piano manufacturer. We were given a fascinating tour, learning not only about the piano’s long history but also what makes Steinway instruments so unique and expensive. A highlight was seeing the Spirio Steinway, a self-playing model that can recreate performances from renowned concert pianists who have recorded on it. I had the pleasure of recording my playing on it and hearing myself perform for the first time –a truly remarkable experience. In the recital hall of the Steinway Hall, we attended a masterclass with Ian Fountain, professor at the Royal Academy of Music. Professor Fountain offered insightful comments that were both encouraging and inspiring. The day concluded at the Barbican Centre, where we heard the London Symphony Orchestra perform Shostakovich’s Ninth Symphony and Beethoven’s Fifth.
The highlight for me, though, was Seong Jin Cho’s performance of Prokofiev’s Second Piano Concerto, a breath-taking display of virtuosity.
The second day began with a visit to the Handel & Hendrix Museum, where we explored the house where Handel once lived. Standing in the very rooms where he composed was a moving experience, and trying out the spinet there gave us insights of the instruments at that time. Later, we toured the Royal Academy of Music. We spoke with Mr Lim’s former professor and visited the Piano Museum, where a student gave us a captivating talk on the development of the piano and its sound throughout different periods. We ended the day by sitting in on a performance class given by RAM students, which left us all inspired and motivated.
This short but packed trip gave us more than just experiences, it reminded us why we love music, and how much there is still to learn. We are grateful to our teachers and the academy for making it possible.
— Piano Academy Captain Richard Cheung (MC, Year 13)
Year 11 Geography Fieldwork – Quality of Life in Blackpool
Our amazing Year 11 Geographers have spent their second day in Blackpool working incredibly hard collecting data to investigate quality of life in the town.
Using a range of fieldwork techniques, including Environmental Quality Surveys, Mood Mapping, and Land Use Surveys, students gathered detailed primary data across different areas of Blackpool.
Now it’s time to dig into the results and test their hypotheses! Can their data help explain how quality of life varies across the town?
Well done to all students for their enthusiasm, teamwork, and dedication over the past two days.
Royal Navy CCF cadets
It has been an action packed and unforgettable week for the Royal Navy CCF cadets. Over the weekend, six cadets travelled to Britannia Royal Naval College, where they enjoyed an exciting programme of activities. From testing their skills at archery and practicing their drill, to exploring the impressive bridge simulators and facilities, the cadets experienced a real taste of naval life. They also had the chance to meet serving Royal Navy officers, gaining valuable insight into life on board a warship and within training establishments.
The weekend was made even more memorable with five cadet promotions and an inspection by a visiting officer. To top it all off, every cadet successfully completed their Royal Navy Swim Test, a tremendous achievement. Bravo Zulu to all involved for such a successful and inspiring weekend!
Back on home ground, Thursday’s drill night took nine cadets to the Lancashire Industrial Fire Training Centre in Fleetwood. After a guided tour of the facilities, the cadets learned about different classes of fire and how to select the right extinguisher for each. They then got hands-on, extinguishing controlled fires themselves, before tackling safe movement exercises in a dark container.From naval training to firefighting, this week has offered our cadets a wealth of unique opportunities and memories that will last a lifetime.
We celebrated National Fitness Day yesterday with a range of fun and engaging activities across the school. In the Prep School, our Wellbeing Ambassadors led a series of lively morning break activity stations, encouraging pupils to get moving and enjoy being active together. There was plenty of energy and enthusiasm as everyone joined in!
Meanwhile, in the Senior School, a group of staff and students took advantage of the beautiful weather with a refreshing run/walk after lunch. It was a fantastic opportunity to step away from desks, soak up the sunshine, and enjoy some gentle exercise in great company. A lovely reminder of the importance of staying active and looking after both our physical and mental wellbeing.
nATIONAL FITNESS DAy
Headmaster's Award winners
At Rossall, we usually have the pleasure of awarding just one Academic Award each week. This week, however, we are delighted to celebrate not one, but two exceptional achievements.
The Rossall ACADEMIC AWARD went to Oliver (Spread Eagle House) - We are thrilled to celebrate Oliver's remarkable achievement at the National Youth Monologue Competition, a UK-wide event that recognises the very best young performers. The competition spans the country and culminates in a live final on a West End stage in London, where industry professionals have the opportunity to see emerging talent perform at the highest level. Oliver won his Key Stage 3 Screen category and was crowned National Champion. To achieve such a title at a national competition is an extraordinary accomplishment and one that Oliver should be immensely proud of.
Oliver’s success is a testament not only to his dedication, creativity, and talent, but also to the strength and support of the performing arts here at Rossall. We are incredibly proud of him and look forward to seeing how his passion and skill continue to flourish. Congratulations, Oliver!
Our second Rossall ACADEMIC AWARD went to Molly (Dolphin House) - Molly has had an extraordinary week on the golf course. At the Swifts Schools Strokeplay Championship in Blairgowrie, she finished 2 under par across 54 holes, securing 1st overall, 1st Girls, and contributing to a 1st Team victory alongside her team players. Just days later, at the Berkshire Blue Course, Molly once again excelled, shooting 2 under par across 18 holes to win the Individual Girls competition, while the team also performed admirably.
Molly’s success highlights not only her talent and determination but also the strength of Rossall’s sports programme. Beyond her sporting achievements, she has excelled academically, producing excellent GCSE results, and is now set to pursue a college scholarship in the United States.
Molly and Oliver's outstanding accomplishments remind us of the remarkable dedication, skill, and ambition of all our students. We are incredibly proud of Oliver and Molly and thrilled to celebrate their well-deserved recognition! Well done!!
The sun appeared this week just in time to recognise National Fitness Day. During tutor time, students and staff have been taking the chance to run or walk 1 mile to get fresh air, incorporate movement, and build community during the day. Our student Wellbeing Ambassadors also ran fitness stations on Monday for the Prep School. The parent guide below gives great ideas about promoting physical wellbeing both at home and at school.
Finally, a reminder of the invitation to join our first parent wellbeing committee meeting ‘Wellbeing Bridge’ on Monday October 6th at 18:30 in the Pennine Suite. To RSVP, or to register interest for future events, please email j.moore@rossall.org.uk.
- Mrs Jennifer Moore, Director of Wellbeing
WAYS TO BE WELL AT ROSSALL
The Rossallian
On Saturday, 20th September 2025, we welcomed over 100 Old Rossallians back to Rossall for the flagship Rossallian Club Triennial. Everyone came together to reminisce and bond while enjoying 17 activities throughout the day. These activities catered for everyone, ranging from tours of the School and sports fixtures to a Q&A session with the Head and a Chapel Service.
The evening brought the highlight of the event: the Drinks and Dinner Reception. It was wonderful to see current and former staff mingling with our Old Rossallians during a lively drinks reception in Big School, followed by a delicious five-course meal in the Dining Hall.
Here’s what some of our Old Rossallians thought about the event:
“I absolutely loved the young and old generations mixing together and talking about the different eras of Rossall. It is like coming home.”
Sian Baker (R, 1987–98)
“It was very nice to come back to school to meet old friends. Quite comforting to see the new cohort of Old Rossallians coming through and mixing with each other.”
Adrian Atkinson (Fn, 1979–89)
Today is the European Day of Modern Languages - and these kinds of days are always best experienced in a school like ours: It is amazing how many different languages, nationalities and cultural traditions we have on site - and there are few evenings as exhilarating in the boarding community as those when a Spanish football team meets a German one.
What is the best part is that we all share certain expressions and traditions, no matter which language we speak: when I have been to churches in Italy, Greece or France, there are certain elements which I will understand even without knowing the language: most of us would recognise our Creed, a blessing and, of course, the Lord’s Prayer.
It means, churches all over the world can become a ‘home’ very quickly and you can celebrate a community way beyond a language.
In our chapel service today, we have tried to use quite a few different European languages and have even sung in them - an exciting, if somewhat risky, venture. And it has been great to share the languages of our friends at school and in the boarding houses.
It has also reminded us of the fact that our community with God surpasses every language and culture. As St Paul said (and we have heard it in many languages in Chapel today):
“We are all one in Jesus Christ!”
Have a blessed weekend!
You might like to round the weekend off with a visit to our first Choral Evensong this academic year! The Chapel Choir has been working hard, and we would love to see lots of supportive family members for the service and a glass of wine or juice afterwards.
