Year 13 Biology Visit to the Millennium Seed Bank

Our Year 13 Biology students enjoyed an awe-inspiring day at Wakehurst, which is part of Kew and has a wonderful botanic garden. It includes some extremely rare plants and trees. The Millennium Seed Bank is also at Wakehurst, and the girls visited the vault where seeds from 190 countries are stored in freezers. There are over 2.4 billion seeds there now, and from such a variety of species that Wakehurst is now the place with the highest biodiversity in the world! The students also carried out practical work to compare the biodiversity of two areas of coppice woodland at Wakehurst. What a precious and wonderful place.

Music Scholars’ Teatime Recital

It was fantastic to hear such high-quality music in the first Music Scholars’ Teatime Recital on Tuesday 21st September. Fourteen students from Year 7 to 13 performed in the Old Ref, and the audience of parents and friends was treated to an exciting and varied programme. Each of the performers deserves to be very proud of their confident stage-presence, their musicianship, and their sheer talent – well done, and we are already looking forward to the next recital.

Bin Bag Fashion

Our Year 9 students thoroughly enjoyed their activity week, getting involved in a whole host of challenges and games. The Bin Bag Fashion Show was a particular favourite, where each Tutor Group had to design and make a garment out of bin bags and paper, based on the theme of nature. We had some brilliant garment designs, and we wouldn’t be surprised if there were some potential famous fashion designers amongst Year 9! Well done to everyone involved for their fantastic contributions.

DofE Gold Expedition along the South Downs Way

Congratulations to six students in Year 13 – Bronwen, Emily, Megan, Molly, Thea, and Tuhina – who completed their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Gold expedition over the summer holiday.

This is the highest level of award, and completing it is no mean feat – over an extended period of time, they need to commit to developing their skills, volunteering, and engaging in a physical activity, as well as completing a week’s expedition and a residential. All six students deserve huge congratulations on the completion of their expedition!

‘Walking the South Downs Way was an amazing experience. From beautiful views to an incredible sense of achievement, the early mornings were definitely compensated by the many highs of the trip. It was challenging at times, but good company and lots of chocolate kept us going!’ – Thea

‘Although probably the most physically and mentally challenging thing I have ever experienced, DofE gold was absolutely incredible! I really got to know new people and saw some amazing views. It feels so great to say that I have walked a nationally recognised trail, and it will look good on any future applications too!’ –Emily

Deepdene at Roedean

We are delighted that we have been able to restart our weekly visits to Roedean for Deepdene pupils in Years 4-6. Each week, they have one session of sporting enrichment, using our fields, as well as one session of academic enrichment. For this term, this element will include Drama, Philosophy, Creative Writing, Print-Making, and Coding & Robotics. It was wonderful see them loving their sessions.

News from the Houses

It has been a busy few weeks as all the new girls settle into the Houses. 

House 1

House 1 have been busy baking for their annual Macmillan Coffee Morning, which was held on Friday 24th September. As well as the usual cakes and biscuits, this year they made ‘A Hug in a Mug’, where they added their own labels with a joke on each one.

House 2

A highlight over the past few weeks has been the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations, where the girls sampled different moon cakes: egg-based, red bean, and custard. After lantern making and decorating the ODR, the girls watched the animated film Over The Moon which tells the story of the Moon Goddess on which this festival is based.

House 3

The girls have settled in very well, enjoying treats like hot chocolate and toasties, as well as walking to the Marina to do some shopping!

House 4

The girls have enjoyed a wide variety of activities - from baking to badminton, pancakes and pamper nights, to a mid-week movie and so much more! On their first weekend, the junior boarders absolutely loved their sunset walk around Roedean to pick delicious blackberries with Mr and Mrs Wilson, and their children. The girls then used the blackberries they had picked to make some delicious homemade blackberry muffins!