This document summarizes the history and educational approach of Roedean School in South Africa. It discusses how the school was founded over 100 years ago by two women to provide a quality education for young women based on the model of Roedean School in the UK. Today, Roedean continues this tradition while also focusing on developing well-rounded students and instilling a social conscience. The school achieves excellent academic results, with a 100% matriculation pass rate and university acceptance in 2016.

1. Top Achievers
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T
wo brilliant and bold
women — Theresa Law-
rence and Katherine Mar-
garet Earle — founded
Roedean 114 years ago.
Their goal was to create a school in
South Africa to emulate the ethics
and ethos of its sister school in the
United Kingdom, Roedean Brighton,
which would provide young women
with the tools required to face the
various challenges relevant to their
world. Today, the school still upholds
these beliefs and blends the past with
the present as it focuses on providing
girls across Southern Africa with a
superb quality, well-rounded educa-
tion.
“The story which lies behind the
creation of Roedean, the vision and
courage of these women to establish
this school at a time when women
faced significant gender challenges,
are what remains part of who we
are today,” says Murray Thomas,
Executive Head of Roedean School
(SA). “Our girls have a work ethic
which is second to none. This is
enriched by the expertise of our
excellent staff, culminating in young
Inspiring a life of significance
Roedean tries to instil a‘social conscience’in its pupils, says executive head
MurrayThomas (right). Photos: Supplied
women who are equipped for the
future.”
Roedean offers an open applica-
tion process for girls who have high
aspirations and will thrive in an
academically rigorous environment.
Early applications and appropriate
diagnostic assessments offer entry
points for girls starting Grade 0,
and again at grade eight and where
occasional spaces open up in other
grades. Thomas is quick to point out
that Roedean’s waiting lists are not
dissimilar to other top independent
schools.
Broad successes are evident across
many subjects. “Our matric results
this year are a testament to our
exceptional teaching staff and the
support structures that are part of
our commitment to a holistic educa-
tion,” says Thomas. “Our 100% pass
rate and a 100% university degree
level entry in 2016 is not atypical; the
average of 3.8 distinctions per candi-
date in 2016 was a brilliant achieve-
ment. But this doesn’t show the full
story of how our students got these
results. Three of them were at risk
throughout their school careers and
yet, true to the ethos of the school,
they worked hard and obtained
results of which they can be proud.”
Roedean has, however, invested
strategically in mathematics and
science through the Rene and Fred
England Mathematics Centre and
their recently refurbished science
facilities. “The evidence is over-
whelming that girls who complete
advanced programme [AP] maths
at school have a far higher chance
of success in university mathemat-
ics or science courses,” says Thomas.
In 2014 6% of Roedean’s matricula-
tion group took AP mathematics.
In 2016 24% of the matric class took
AP mathematics with a 79% aver-
age. “The growth in mathematical
confidence and the goals our girls
set for themselves are a credit to an
eclectic set of innovations. Given the
critical skills shortage in so many
science, engineering and other tech-
nology-related fields, it’s tragic that
only 0.4% of all matriculants across
the country, from government and
independent schools alike, write AP
maths”.
Aside from their academic
strengths and a strong record of
acceptance into competitive uni-
versities overseas, Roedean girls
have access to a full range of sport-
ing and cultural pursuits. Boarding
accommodation is available for busy
families or pupils whose homes are
outside Johannesburg. The music
programmes encompass classical
and contemporary forms, excep-
tionally well-staffed in the Hersov
Buildings. Social outreach pro-
grammes are active across all levels,
working towards greater under-
standing and cohesion with girls
from humble homes. The Old Mutual
Prestige Water Polo Tournament
combines strong competition in the
best spirit of inter-school rivalry
alongside a Learn-to-Swim outreach
programme. The Roedean Academy
connects 60 Barnato Park High
School girls to an afternoon maths,
science and English consolida-
tion programme staffed and run by
Roedean teachers and made possible
by committed corporate sponsors.
“Although Roedean’s ethos is
inherently academic, we are commit-
ted to shaping broad-minded pupils
who have tremendous confidence
and empathy, a critical eye and an
enquiring mind,” says Thomas. “We
want our girls to move into adult life
with a clear social conscience, which
allows them to see the world as their
stage for both professional and pub-
lic service. They have a zest for life
and graduate each year to lead lives
of tremendous significance.”
Roedean has more than a century
of English public school tradition
bolstering its legacy, and it blends
this with a remarkably diverse demo-
graphic, a rich sporting and cultural
environment and a forward-think-
ing philosophy to maintain a truly
impressive and timeless institution.
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andforward-thinking
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addssomethingspecial
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Inspiring atric results 2016
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For more information Call: +27 11 647 3200 | www.roedeanschool.co.za | www.facebook.com/RoedeanSchoolSA
100% Bachelor Degree - BD
(University Entrance) pass
307 distinctions from 80 girls
An average of 3,8 distinctions per
candidate
Priyanka Nair, was ranked in top 5% of IEB learners
in 5 or more subjects (commendable list)
Laura Robinson, was ranked in top 5% of IEB learners
in 6 or more subjects (outstanding list)
The following Roedean girls achieved this
particular honour in 2 or more subjects:
Zahra Abba Omar, Alexandra Breckenridge,
Laura Robinson, Rain de Sousa Aguiar
Ama Adu
9 Distinctions
Priyanka
Nair
8 Distinctions
Alexandra
Breckenridge
8 Distinctions
Jemma
Falkov
8 Distinctions
Jiaqi
Ke
8 Distinctions
Sinéad
McKenna
8 Distinctions
Khaya
Mxenge
8 Distinctions
Laura
Robinson
8 Distinctions
Raeesa
Cachalia
7 Distinctions
Rain de
Sousa Aguiar
7 Distinctions
Georgina
Sennett
7 Distinctions
Bianca
Steyn
7 Distinctions
Caitlin van
der Merwe
7 Distinctions
Charné
Vermaak
7 Distinctions
Frances
Whitehead
7 Distinctions
Georgina
Grubb
7 Distinctions
Nasreen
Jogie
7 Distinctions
Kelsey
Levieux
7 Distinctions
Sonali
Mohan
7 Distinctions
Katherine
Redding
7 Distinctions
Georgia
Williams
7 Distinctions
100% Matriculation pass rate