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.

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.

Talented Quartet: Channelling Passion into Music

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 6^th 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 6^th form appreciate how lucky we are to be in such a lovely school.  

Ribston 6^th 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.

Getting to Know Wakana and Hinata: A Glimpse into Their Ribston Experience

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.

Global English Course: A Bridge Connecting Cultures

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.

Cultural Fusion: From Kyoto to Cheltenham

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.

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. 

The Royal College of Music (RCM) in London, the global top institution for performing arts education, with a rich history of nurturing talented musicians from around the world, resumed its international audition process this year.   

Established as one of the world's premier conservatoires, the Royal College of Music has been a beacon for gifted musicians aiming for international careers as performers, conductors, and composers. With a diverse student body of over 900, the institution attracts aspiring artists from more than 50 countries worldwide. 

Dr. Yang, one of our brilliant music teachers, has played a pivotal role as RCM's Korean Representative since 2012 in organising and managing the annual auditions in Seoul, South Korea. Dr. Yang's support extended not only to the logistical aspects but also to supporting the Korean applicants and their parents who participated in these crucial auditions as well as overseeing all the written materials for the publication of RCM publicity materials in Korean.

During the Covid pandemic and its aftermath, international auditions for the Royal College of Music had not taken place and had instead been on-line. But this year, the RCM entrance audition in Seoul, South Korea was back in the calendar.