Roedean has long provided a home and an education for those in need, from our very earliest days, we have provided bursaries and scholarships to those for whom a Roedean education would otherwise be out of reach, or who find themselves in times of hardship, including Jewish refugees in World War II.
Often this support has been provided due to the incredible generosity of our community, whether through the Old Roedeanians’ Scholarship Fund, or through donations to the School’s Bursary Fund. It is always heart-warming to see future generations of Roedeanians being supported by past and current Roedeanians.
As a community, we are deeply moved by the war in Ukraine, and the difficult circumstances many Ukrainians now find themselves in, being forced to leave behind their homes, their family and friends, and their communities. It is important to us to do everything we can to provide support to them. This has become even more apparent now we have begun to meet with some of the families who have reached the UK, one of whom told us how they have travelled here with just one suitcase between the family, leaving everything else, including their father and brothers behind.
We have already received several applications from students who will be coming to the UK, or who are already here, under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. Our hope is that together with you, our Roedean family, we can provide 110% Bursaries to these students. Thank you in advance for showing how warm, welcoming and supportive Roedeanians are to those in need of our help.
“When Ukraine was invaded we, along with the whole student body, felt shock, horror and disbelief- but most of all, we felt so helpless as we watched the atrocities unfold. We wondered what we could do, as a school community, blessed as we are with such beautiful, peaceful surroundings and, along with fellow prefects, initiated the sunflower appeal to raise funds for refugees fleeing to Moldova, as we have a Moldovan student here at the school. And now, as Head Girls, we know we speak for the all the students when we say that we are so happy at the prospect of welcoming Ukrainian pupils to Roedean in September. We hope that with time in our nurturing community, they will eventually find some peace and joy returning to their lives, after experiencing such traumatic experiences in their childhood years.”
—Jemima and Sarah, Head Girls
