As the end of term fast approaches, students have been busy making sure we head for the holidays having lots of fun. Ribston Hall was buzzing with excitement last week as students gathered for the House Lip Sync Battle.
This lively event saw five fantastic acts compete on stage, showcasing the incredible talent and house spirit of all our students and staff.
The 2024 edition of Ribbus is now live, after an 18-year hiatus. This annual publication was once a staple part of the year at Ribston, and we hope that it becomes so again.
There are a variety of articles featured, including short stories, creative achievements an interview with our very own Mr Waters! So, sit back, relax and enjoy the read.
By Harroop Bhandal, Year 12
Ribston Hall's Year 12 A-Level textiles student, Tabitha Riley, went through to the London City for the Junk Kouture competition on May 20th, 2024. This competition challenges young designers to craft high-end couture from recycled materials, promoting sustainability and creativity. Tabitha's winning design, "Cerulean," is a testament to her innovation and skill, constructed entirely from repurposed blinds from the school's textiles room.
The April edition of Ribston Roar is now available, with all the latest news and students' achievements.
It's been an action-packed month here at Ribston, filled with events and achievements across all of our year groups.
From school trips and events to the whole school photograph, our students have showcased their great behaviour, incredible talents, commitment to learning and determination over the month. In April, one of our year 12 students made it through to the London City Finals of the Junk Kouture competition which will be held in May. We are incredibly proud of Tabitha, who has made a really incredible outfit - all out of old school blinds! You can follow her on Instagram to see how the dress was made and her progress in the competition.
The Spring edition of Ribston Roar is now available, with all the latest news and students' achievements.
The last couple of months have been a whirlwind of activities! National Careers Week saw students launching rockets during lunchtime, igniting their curiosity about future careers. World Book Day brought out a fantastic array of creative costumes. We celebrated British Science Week with a real variety of activities throughout the week, from Formula 24 cart building, bird feeders and biodiversity to visiting speakers talking about nuclear radiation in Medicine. It really has been an inspiring term!
By Harroop Bhandal, Year 12
British Science Week is an annual celebration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) that takes place across the United Kingdom. It aims to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with the wonders of science and explore its impact on our daily lives. At Ribston, the week presented an opportunity to showcase the school's dedication to promoting STEM subjects, particularly among young women.
By Harroop Bhandal, Year 12
The UN says: ‘Achieving gender equality and women’s well-being in all aspects of life is more crucial than ever if we want to create prosperous economies and a healthy planet. However, we are facing a key challenge: the alarming $360 billion annual deficit in gender-equality measures by 2030’.
As we celebrate International Women's Day (IWD), we take pride in our school's rich history of promoting women’s education, unwavering commitment to inclusivity, and dedication to inspiring the next generation of young leaders.
Founded in 1921 as an all-girls school, Ribston Hall High School emerged at a time when women's education wasn't widely prioritised. However, against the backdrop of societal norms, our school stood as a beacon of progress, offering young women the opportunity to pursue knowledge, ambition, and excellence. Over the decades, Ribston Hall has evolved, adapting to the changing educational landscape while steadfastly upholding its core values of inclusivity and empowerment. Through our varied and full curriculum, we actively encourage girls to excel in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), empowering them to pursue careers traditionally dominated by men. All students are provided with the tools, resources, and support necessary to thrive.
Written By Harroop Kaur Bhandal, Year 12
In the vibrant tapestry of Ribston Hall High School's musical landscape, a new constellation has emerged, illuminating the stage with talent and passion. Meet Anaesthesia, the electrifying band that's been rocking our halls since Autumn 2022.
By Kiara Babar, Year 13,
Leader of Diversity Club at Ribston
Last term Ribston hosted a remarkable Culture Day, showcasing the vibrant diversity within our student body. Led by the Senior Diversity Ambassadors, Kiara Babar, Delilah Fernandes, Trisha Amoako, and Takiyah Riamah, the event was a culmination of careful planning and enthusiastic participation.
A plethora of activities was arranged to engage and educate students about different cultures. Fundraising efforts were launched, spanning a week and featuring diverse activities such as Henna stalls, a Bake Sale, and a Flag Making workshop. There was a raffle and the ever-popular Staff V’s Head Student Team Cultural Quiz (which Sixth-form won of course!). The enthusiasm was clear, and an impressive amount was raised for the charity Equally Ours.
In the lead-up to the event, students poured their creativity into crafting decorations for the school hall. From crocheted bunting to cultural mood boards, all contributed to the festive atmosphere. A Cultural Art Competition further fuelled excitement, with Lily Nemeth securing first place for her stunning depiction of Chinese culture.
Written By Harroop Kaur Bhandal, Year 12
In an exciting cultural exchange, Ribston Hall High School has had the pleasure of hosting two Japanese students, Wakana and Hinata, from Notre Dame Jogakuin High School in Kyoto, Japan. Embarking on a three-month journey from January 6th to March 25th.
These ambitious young women are here to experience life in England as they pursue their dreams of attending university abroad. Wakana wants to become a lawyer, aiming to assist her grandparents with the legal aspects of their medical equipment business in Japan. Meanwhile, Hinata aspires to be a teacher, hoping to make a positive impact on future generations. Both are currently living with host families in Cheltenham and attending Ribston Hall High School during their stay.
We are privileged to host them in our sixth form. Wakana and Hinata’s foreign exchange has also opened the doors for an exchange of ideas, knowledge and cultural practices, this has been the perfect opportunity to reinforce our Ribston values of compassion and tolerance, it has also promoted understanding. We as a sixth form embraced the opportunity to show the girls all the amazing aspects of our country and our school, as we are essentially the unofficial ambassadors for England!
Hosting them has enriched our 6th form in many unexpected and wonderful ways. It’s really given a fresh perspective on daily life at our school, watching Wakana and Hinata be so delighted by things like the signage in the hall and the lion statues outside reception, has really made the 6th form appreciate how lucky we are to be in such a lovely school.
Ribston 6th form provides an engaging, enthusiastic and encouraging environment that allows it’s students to excel academically, personally and socially; we are thrilled to be able to share this positively inspiring atmosphere with people from across the globe.
Wakana is living with a lovely host family, with an older brother Joel, and older sister Alice, and she is also enjoying the company of the families dog and cat. Hinata has the company of a 10-year-old sister, a 6-year-old brother, and an adorable dog in her host family. The girls express their joy in making friends at Ribston and have quickly become enamoured with Ribston's close-knit community, describing it as a "big family" highlighting the friendly and welcoming atmosphere here at Ribston Hall. Their observation of the strong Ribston community spirit is a testament to the school's inclusive environment. Their favourite aspect of Ribston has been the warm reception from fellow students, reinforcing the school's reputation for a strong and sociable spirit.
Notre Dame Jogakuin High School offers three courses a standard course, a science course and a global English course. Wakana and Hinata are part of the Global English Course. All of Wakana and Hinata’s 23 classmates are currently worldwide, 15 are based in Cheltenham and the rest are in places such as, the USA, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada. At Ribston, Wakana is studying mathematics, biology, and textiles and Hinata is studying English, drama, history and textiles. The global English course emphasises English language skills, grammar, and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are 17 goals that Wakana states teach them “how to help and change the world.” Something the girls are very passionate about.
As well as sharing their delicious Japanese cuisine with all of us in the common room, the girls are also enjoying sampling a wide variety of English foods and Wakana's curiosity has led her to express a desire to visit the renowned Toby Carvery! The girls have grown fond of our chocolate cake and cheesecake, they are really enjoying trying lots of new foods. Wakana and Hinata would really love to visit harry potter studios, but as that is too far for us to take them during a lunchtime, we hope to take them to visit Gloucester cathedral where part of Harry Potter was filmed!
This cultural exchange proves to be mutually enriching, as Ribston Hall High School students are gaining invaluable insights from their Japanese counterparts. The Ribston Roar encourages everyone to make Wakana and Hinata feel at home during their stay, embracing the diversity and knowledge they bring to our school community allowing us to gain valuable insights into Japanese culture, language, and global perspectives. As the exchange unfolds, Ribston Hall High School remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering an environment where diversity is celebrated, and friendships transcend borders.
The January edition of Ribston Roar is now available, with all the latest news and students' achievements.
Everyone in the school has embraced the new year with huge amounts of commitment and energy - setting a great tone for the rest of the year. Students have shown their commitment to our school values - demonstrating the high aspirations they have for themselves. They have been building their confidence and self-belief and have shown their compassion, tolerance and social conscience for our community, in school and beyond!
News coverage at the end of 2023 brought attention to the tragic murder of one of our former students, Joanna Parrish, in 1990. Joanna attended Ribston and left an indelible mark on our community, so much so that our Sixth Form building proudly bears her name.
In the wake of the news, we extend our deepest sympathies to Joanna's family and loved ones who continue to feel her loss. We hope that the conviction of the ex-wife of the French serial killer, Michel Fourniret, for complicity in Joanna's murder and the deaths of two other French victims, brings a measure of closure for her family and loved ones. Fourniret was jailed in 2008 and this development echoes the call for justice that Joanna's family has advocated for, for more than 30 years.
At school we remember Joanna through our Sixth Form building named after her and a language bursary that was established in her name, the bursary was a testament to her passion for languages and learning, and provided support to students who shared Joanna's enthusiasm for languages.
As we reflect on Joanna's life and the impact of her tragic death, we are reminded of how important the school commitment to fostering a safe and supportive environment is as we have to face adversity. Joanna's memory should inspire us to value each day, and to honour her legacy by continuing to nurture a love for learning within our school community.
