Rebetiko Carnival

Earlier this year, the Rebetiko Carnival, one of the most exciting and biggest music festivals in Europe landed on the shores of the UK. The infectious, uplifting traditional music of Greece and Asia minor resounded through the streets of cities of the UK from Brighton, Shrewsbury, Bristol and Manchester, with the heart of the festival in London before arriving at Oathall this November. This culminated in a wonderful workshop and concert bringing together incredible musicians, young and old, Oathall students, amateurs and professionals.

What is Rebetiko?

Rebetiko is the music of an urban sub culture of musicians called “rebetes”. Although they openly emerged in Greece in the 1920’s, rebetiko music is a rich synthesis of music from all over Greece that expresses the pain and suffering of the people at the time. In a heartfelt way of reflecting life, these songs can be full of humour and profound beauty. The instruments used vary depending on the style of song. Most common are the bouzouki, baglama, guitar, oud, violin, kanonaki, santouri, hand held percussion. The voice, of course is a very important aspect of this music and one must not forget the dance. The songs are based on the many different types of rhythms found throughout this part of the world and it spirit of dance drives every song.

2016 – 2017 Senior prefect team announced

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From left to right: Shaan Jayan, Naomi Johnson, Gemma Batchelor, Elliot Day, Anna Worsley, George Brooks and Headteacher Mr Rodriguez.

We are delighted to announce our senior prefect team for the 2016 -2017 academic year.

  • Head Girl – Gemma Batchelor
  • Head Boy – Elliot Day
  • Deputy Head Girl – Naomi Johnson
  • Deputy Head Girl – Anna Worsley
  • Deputy Head Boy – George Brooks
  • Deputy Head Boy – Shaan Jayan

The selection process involved a vote by fellow students and staff followed by an interview selection process with Headteacher Mr Rodriguez and Miss Gyngell.

175th Anniversary of Haywards Heath station

Last term students from Oathall were invited to contribute to a poetry anthology in recognition of the 175th anniversary of Haywards Heath Station. The English faculty was inundated with fantastic entries and had difficulty selecting the top thirty poems. However, we did, and we are delighted that they have been published in such a beautiful book. We are grateful to everyone who contributed towards the writing and publishing of the poems.

Students whose poems have been published will receive a copy of the anthology via assemblies.

More information about the activities celebrating the railway coming to Haywards Heath can be found here. 

https://issuu.com/familygrapevine/docs/poetrybookfinished

The National Students’ Art Exhibition 2016

Congratulations to GCSE Art student and Oathall Head Boy, John Moore whose artwork was selected to be exhibited at The Mall Galleries, London. John’s piece was a portrait of fellow student Jack Davidian-Judd.The likeness was created by the meticulous weaving of threads back and forth across a grid of nails to reproduce the image.

This is the fourteenth year of the National Students’ Art Exhibition held under the patronage of the Royal Society of British Artists. The exhibition is truly inspirational featuring the best young artists in the country alongside work from some of the finest professional artists.

James Horton MA RBA (President)said,

“The work chosen is carefully selected to represent the very best of what is being produced in schools across the nation. With one aim in mind which is to send the strongest message possible, to all our young artists that our society needs creative people, who will enrich the fabric of our culture and who will be taken seriously by professional bodies such as ours, and who will also become the next generation of respected professionals.”

Bake Off Rio style!

A swimming pool, the famous Copacabana beach and the Olympic medal winning podium were among some of the creative cakes baked by Oathall students in last week’s Rio Olympics inspired 2016 Oathall Bake Off competition.

The event, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Haywards Heath, involved 9 Oathall students who were challenged to bake cakes based on the theme of 2016 Rio Olympics. The Rotary Club of Haywards Heath supported the event by providing prizes and judges.

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Farm Open Day success

This year’s Farm Open day was a huge success! The weather was fine and we welcomed 100’s of visitors from the local community to the farm.

Our students were on hand to explain and answer questions about the farm and livestock care as well as being integral in the event organisation. Visitors got the opportunity to get up close to see farming practices in action.  Alan Kensett gave sheep shearing demonstrations. Students helped visitors hand-feed orphan lambs. And, of course, our youngest visitors were able to sit in our tractor driving seat, always one of our most popular activities.

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Judo success for Oathall students

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The Mid Sussex Martial Arts School Judo Team, with Oathall students Hannah (pictured kneeling on the far left), Azhar (pictured front row, fourth from the right) and Thomas (picture standing back row, second from left).

At this year’s 2016 Sussex County Judo trials, Oathall students, Hannah Nelson, Azhar Ahmed and Thomas Abram were worthy winners of Bronze medals in their respective categories.

All three students train at Oathall and at the Mid Sussex Martial Arts School where they are taught Judo as a martial art and not as a ‘competitive sport’. Despite that, our students have gone on to compete and as a result have all secured places in the Sussex County Judo Squad for 2016.

Click here for a full report on the 2016 Sussex County Judo Trials