Junior School Ski Trip - April 2013
A crisp morning welcomed all those getting ready to depart from the Royal Russell car park at 5:15am on Saturday the 30^th March 2013 for what was to be an amazing ski trip to Claviére, Italy. Voices filled with excitement and expectation could be heard as everyone boarded the coaches that would be transporting them to Gatwick Airport. From there a brief wait, in which perfumes and sweets were bought at the Duty Free, after which a plane was boarded and they were on our way to Turin, Italy.


'r' Issue 9
The latest issue of r – Royal Russell School’s student-led newspaper – was published this week, coinciding with the start of exam leave for Year 11 and 12 pupils. The leavers’ special edition featured photographs and memories of students, some of whom have attended Royal Russell since the age of three. The newspaper also included a four-page feature on food, notably writing on fine dining, Spanish food, careers in the food industry, the history of pizza and food-inspired art.


IAPS Trampoline Championship - April 2013
Royal Russell School hosted the National IAPS 2013 Trampoline Championships on Saturday 27^th April. The venue looked great with the new Trampoline kindly funded by the 1853 society ready for use. 21 schools from all over the country brought nearly 180 pupils to compete at the event! The day ran very smoothly with excellent demonstrations and tough competition in all the age groups. The newly formed U9 boys team of Matt, Roy and Toby competed for the first time and completed solid routines. They were thrilled when they found out they had finished in 2^nd place in the team event- a huge well done. Aaron our only U11 Boy competed two excellent routines to finish 6^th in a strong group, a brilliant result.


School Newspaper Up For Award - April 2013
Royal Russell School’s student newspaper has reached the finals of a competition celebrating the best pupil-led magazines and newspapers in England and Wales. The half-termly newspaper – called r – was shortlisted from an initial entry of 200 schools for the Shine 2013 School Media Awards. The publication has been put through to the final stage of judging which takes place on May 21 at Stationers’ Hall in the City of London, when r journalists will find out the categories in which they have been nominated. These could include best cover, best original artwork or photography, best overall editorial content, best magazine and outstanding pupil.


'r' Issue 8 - March 2013

The latest edition of r – Royal Russell’s student-led newspaper – was published this week, with the focus of this issue on language. The edition includes an interview with Mrs Mawer, head of languages, who argues that ‘languages are an essential part of everybody’s lives’, while Barty questions the merits of teaching Latin. There is also writing from Hitachi First High School, Japan, who are represented every year at the Royal Russell’s October MUN conference and an account of a visit by a group of German students to the school this term. Issue 8 of r also includes a photographic montage by Cora of the Sixth Form dinner and the latest developments as the school prepares for the Vanguard Challenge in June. To read Issue 8 click here.

r - Issue 7 February 2013
Royal Russell’s student newspaper r celebrated its one-year anniversary this week with the publication of a seventh issue. Publication and distribution in Houses coincided with Valentine’s Day, and the edition included poetic messages of affection written to and by students.


England v Australia Netball Trip to Wembley - January 2013
On the 23rd of January, a group of aspiring young netballers in years 5-10 travelled to Wembley arena, accompanied by Mrs Hicks, Ms Culliford, Mrs Lloyd and the 2 gap students Lauren Turner and Alisoun Townsend to watch England take on Australia in the final of 3 international netball test match. It was a thrilling game, filled with ice cream breaks and nail-biting till the very end, but England managed to scrape a win 51-49 and took out the series!


Croydon Schools' Sports Hall Athletics Finals - January 2013
Congratulations to the U11 Sports Hall athletics team who managed to win the finals competition at Monks Hill Sports Centre. Royal Russell were closely followed on their heels by Whitehorse Manor School and eventually won by 4 points. The closing relay races were incredibly exciting events. The team are now Croydon Schools' Champions and will go through to represent Croydon in the London Youth Games. This is one of the largest of its kind in Europe. An estimated 100,000 young Londoners took part in 2012 which was the most ever since its launch in 1977.


r, Issue 6 - December 2012
A Christmas issue of r – Royal Russell's student newspaper – was published this December. As well as a festive theme, the 16-page edition included a preview of Russell's Got Talent, which included interviews with participants and a montage of photographs.



Headmaster's Autumn Newsletter - December 2012
The Autumn Term is an exciting one in any school and with 194 new pupils joining the Senior School in September, there has certainly been a strong sense of renewal and progression that is always highlighted at the start of the academic year.

We have also welcomed a number of new teaching and support staff all of whom have brought different ideas and experience to the Royal Russell team, as have those staff who have taken on new responsibilities in leading learning and looking after our young people.


Benenden MUN Conference - December 2012
Twenty-six Royal Russell students attended the 5th annual Benenden conference on Monday 10 December 2012. Royal Russell represented 6 delegations and in total twenty schools provided over 70 delegations at the one day conference. Royal Russell students had an excellent day and their success at the conference was perhaps best seen in the General Assembly when four of the first five students to take the floor were Oleg, Michelle, Georgia and Badshah.


Youth Speaks Public Speaking Competition - November 2012
Rotary Youth Speaks is a competition which is held up and down the country. This year we entered a strong intermediate and senior team. The first round was held at Royal Russell, where many schools from the local area competed.


Success at Cranmer Reading Awards - November 2012
Reika (Year 7), Barty (Year 10), Michelle (Year 11) and Reshe (Year 7) all read well in the London and Southwark Heats of the Cranmer Awards reading competition in the Queen's Chapel, London. Rieka was Highly Commended. Barty, as the Junior Winner, will take part in the national final in York in February 2013.  Well done to you all!


Junior House Singing Competition - November 2012
The inaugural House Singing competition saw an array of songs performed by the children and very ably accompanied by Miss Fox, Mr Urie, Mrs Moseley, Mrs Bennett and itunes…. Exeter House were the winners with their original rendition of ‘I can see clearly now the rain has gone'.


Junior Pupils Ride and Stride! - November 2012
The week before October half term was ‘Ride and Stride' week at Royal Russell Junior School. It was delightful to see so many pupils walking, scooting or cycling to school. We were also pleased that several families organised car sharing in order to help reduce carbon emissions. The school council's sticker and certificate initiative resulted in over 100 children gaining their ‘Bronze' award for participating every day for an entire week. A large number of children walked at least one day that week which was fantastic too! Thank you all for supporting our initiative. There will be another chance for pupils to gain their bronze or silver award in the Spring Term.