The staff and pupils of Roedean appreciate a good book. Not just for academic purposes; our love of compelling literature has been part of Roedean life for decades. The same library where Mahatma Gandhi once spoke now hosts contemporary authors such as Michael Morpugo and Sophie McKenzie. We’ve even cultivated a few authors among our Old Roedeanians and current staff. Reading is an always an enjoyable pastime at this independent school.

That’s why World Book Day (WBD) on 4 March is a notable date in the Roedean calendar. WBD is one of the biggest annual celebrations of books and reading in the UK and Ireland. It empowers children to realise the pleasures of reading, as well as providing them with a book of their own to free the imagination.

Part of WBD is a new initiative for 2010 called 'Read to a Million Kids', sponsored by Renaissance Learning. Eleven stories, each costing £1, will be read by their authors or actors and an interactive quiz will be broadcast online throughout the day to hundreds of schools and libraries. Junior and senior schools in the UK can register to receive a ‘Schools’ Pack’, including the World Book Day £1 Book Tokens, creative ideas and activities to keep the momentum going.

Although officially for one day only, the new WBD initiative aims to inspire children to read throughout 2010 and not just within an academic environment. Many of our pupils here at Roedean actively read in their own time and even create book reviews for fellow pupils to appreciate. We will be sharing some over the coming weeks so you can discover the most popular books currently being read. We’re proud to have so many avid bookworms!

Why not come and find out whether one of the Roedean independent schools is right for you, your son or your daughter by arranging a private visit. Our Roedean libraries are as rich in history as they are abundant in famous literature.

To find out more and obtain a ‘Schools’ Pack visit www.readtoamillionkids.co.uk or for further information on WBD email wbd@education.co.uk

 

 

This week the school is advertising for a Head of Careers. The post is calling for
a strategic planner to assist us in providing our students with the most appropriate advice in order to meet the challenges and innovations of 21st century life.

I believe that this role is central at Roedean, as university applications and the job market become even more competitive.

We will be aiming to offer the best possible advice for students as they consider their futures. We will be encouraging them to think outside the box, identify alternative ways to acquire skills for the workplace and to be prepared to think more broadly of their options when it come to higher education.

Our students, however, stand head and shoulders above the average student identified in in The Times article of 21 February: “Schools are churning out the unemployable”. Through the wealth of activities which broaden their experience and test their social skills, our girls are focused and attentive, they stand up tall and look you in the eye – and that’s at the age of 13!

We work hard on the basics such as their numeracy and literacy skills, as well as encouraging them to be ambitious and adventurous when they plan for their future.

I don’t think, though, that we are doing enough. I am introducing in September a broader approach to education from the youngest pupils upwards which will encourage them to become proficient in basic life skills such as leadership, team building, risk taking, and public speaking. It’s amazing what can be learnt through such activities as expeditions, taking the lead in the Student Council, or planning a project for enhancing the school’s environment.

We are also committed to developing the global citizen. Roedean has a rich diversity of students within its community, but we need to do more to get our students out into the world.

We have launched an international student exchange programme which will give our pupils an opportunity to live and work half way across the world in a variety of countries. Through this, the girls will become more able to see things from alternative perspectives and to think of the wider picture in any situation.

I believe that the school should be making an educational offer which is geared towards the preparation of students to be global citizens and part of the international workforce; to be able to cope with a rapidly changing world and to be sound and responsible citizens who have an inner integrity and set of values which will support them through an uncertain future.

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