Month: September 2026

Spring at Roedean School (SA) is about more than a change of season. It is a time when our campus comes alive, and our wider community is invited through our gates to experience the creativity, connection and sense of purpose that form such an important part of the Roedean story.

This year, three standout events bring that spirit to life: the Roedean Art Fair, A Blooming Affair and the Roedean School (SA) PTA Golf Day.

Different in character but connected in purpose, these events bring together art, culture, sport, community and giving. They create opportunities to experience Roedean beyond the classroom while contributing to initiatives that make a meaningful difference.

They are among the highlights of our community and cultural calendar and, quite simply, events not to be missed.

THE ROEDEAN ART FAIR: WHERE CREATIVITY, CONVERSATION AND THE NEXT GENERATION MEET
1–3 October 2026 | Roedean School (SA)

The Roedean Art Fair returns this October, bringing together established artists, emerging voices, collectors, industry leaders, students and art lovers for three days of contemporary art, discovery and conversation.

What makes the Art Fair particularly significant is the space it creates for different generations of artists to meet. Roedean students exhibit alongside established practitioners, giving young creatives an opportunity to see their work occupying the same professional space while gaining exposure to the broader art world.

The Fair also welcomes leading voices from the creative industry, including Lerato Bereng, Director at Stevenson, Emely van Heesch, and Roedean alumna Karabo Morule, CEO of Capital Art, creating opportunities for visitors to engage more deeply with contemporary art, collecting and the creative economy.

Whether you are an established collector, considering buying your first artwork, or simply curious about South Africa’s creative landscape, the Roedean Art Fair offers an opportunity to discover art, encounter new perspectives and participate in the conversations shaping the sector.

Roedean Art Fair exhibition times:
1 October: 10:00–15:00 and 17:30–20:30
2 October: 11:00–21:00
3 October: 09:00–20:00

Purchase tickets:
https://www.quicket.co.za/events/386089-roedean-art-fair-2026/

A BLOOMING AFFAIR: A BEAUTIFUL DAY WITH A GREATER PURPOSE
Saturday, 3 October 2026 | 09:00–16:00 | Roedean School (SA)

On Saturday, 3 October, Roedean’s historic grounds will also provide the backdrop for the 15th annual A Blooming Affair Garden & Craft Market Day, hosted by the South African Old Roedeanian Association (SAORA).

For 16 years, A Blooming Affair has brought together gardens, local artisans, food, music, shopping and community, transforming the Roedean campus into a vibrant spring destination.

But behind the beauty of the day is an important purpose.

A Blooming Affair raises funds for educational initiatives, with a particular focus this year on the Roedean Academy. Since 2009, the Academy has supported academically promising girls from under-resourced backgrounds, providing academic and holistic support, including transport, meals, technology and other resources.

The programme currently supports 60 girls and is funded entirely through donations. This year, SAORA aims to raise R250 000 through A Blooming Affair, helping extend the opportunities created through the Academy.

It means that enjoying a day in Roedean’s gardens, supporting an artisan or sharing a meal with family and friends becomes part of something much bigger: helping create educational opportunity.

Purchase tickets:
https://www.quicket.co.za/events/386507-a-blooming-affair-garden-and-craft-market-day-2026/

Support the Roedean Academy campaign:
https://roedean.devman.co.za/DevMan/abloomingaffair/academygiving/

And with the Roedean Art Fair taking place on the same campus, visitors on 3 October have the opportunity to experience two distinctive Roedean events in one day: contemporary art and creative conversation indoors, alongside gardens, food, craft and community outdoors.

THE ROEDEAN SCHOOL (SA) PTA GOLF DAY: PLAYING FOR A GREATER PURPOSE
9 October 2026 | Parkview Golf Course

The spirit of community continues beyond our campus with another highlight on the Roedean calendar: the Roedean School (SA) PTA Golf Day.

Bringing together parents, alumnae, staff, corporate partners, friends and supporters of Roedean, the Golf Day combines sport, networking and community with an important fundraising purpose.

Funds raised through the event are reinvested into the School, helping enhance teaching and learning environments, expand academic and co-curricular opportunities and support initiatives focused on innovation, wellbeing and holistic development.

Whether you participate as a golfer, sponsor or supporter, the Golf Day is an opportunity to enjoy a memorable day while contributing to the experiences and opportunities available to Roedean students.

A limited number of participation and sponsorship packages remain available, making now the time to secure your place.

Learn more, register, or explore sponsorship opportunities:
https://roedeanschool.co.za/2026/06/30/the-roedean-school-sa-pta-golf-day/

THREE EVENTS. ONE COMMUNITY. A GREATER PURPOSE.

The Art Fair, A Blooming Affair, and the PTA Golf Day may offer three very different experiences, but together they say something important about the Roedean community.

We believe in creating spaces where people can connect. We believe creativity and culture deserve to be celebrated. We believe community participation has the power to create opportunities for others. And we believe that some of the most memorable events are those where enjoyment and purpose come together.

This is more than a calendar of events. It is an invitation to experience Roedean, connect with our community and be part of something that extends beyond the day itself.

Join us. Bring your family, friends, and colleagues. Discover the art. Explore the gardens. Take to the fairways. And be part of a season where culture, community and purpose come together.

JOHANNESBURG — September 2026 — The South African Old Roedeanian Association (SAORA) invites the community to join the 15th annual A Blooming Affair Garden & Craft Market Day at Roedean School on Saturday 3 October 2026 — a distinctive annual event whose purpose is to raise meaningful, sustainable funds for educational initiatives, while bringing people together to enjoy Roedean’s gardens, heritage and community.

For 15 years, A Blooming Affair has transformed the school grounds into a vibrant spring destination, bringing together local artisans, food, music, gardens and a community atmosphere — all in support of educational causes.

This year, we’re placing a particular focus on the Roedean Academy and the difference it makes. Running since 2010, the Academy provides academically promising girls from under-resourced backgrounds with access to a Roedean education together with additional academic, life-skills and holistic support.

The programme currently supports 60 girls and is funded entirely through donations. Roedean teaching staff provide their educational expertise pro bono, while the Academy supports girls with resources and practical assistance including transport, meals, technology and ongoing support designed to help them reach their full potential.

The impact can be life-changing. Academy alumnae have gone on to pursue tertiary education and careers across a wide range of fields, creating opportunities that may otherwise have been beyond their reach.

The Academy requires approximately R1.3 million a year to support its 60 girls. This year, SAORA is aiming to raise R250,000 through A Blooming Affair, which would enable 12 girls to benefit from the Academy over the next 12 months.

For SAORA, this is about paying forward the opportunities that Old Roedeanians themselves were fortunate to receive.

“We have been incredibly fortunate to receive an excellent education, and we believe there is a responsibility to pay that forward,” says Pamela Hayward, President of SAORA. “A Blooming Affair gives our community a wonderful way to come together, enjoy a special day, and make a meaningful contribution to the future of young women.”

Enjoy good times for the greater good. Craft market for a cause.

Visitors can support the campaign by buying a ticket to A Blooming Affair or making an additional donation. Every contribution helps sustain an initiative that has been changing lives for 16 years.

A Blooming Affair Garden & Craft Market Day

Saturday 3 October 2026
9am–4pm
Roedean School, Johannesburg

Tickets: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/386507-a-blooming-affair-garden-and-craft-market-day-2026/?ref=link-campaign&lc=Press
Donations: https://roedean.devman.co.za/DevMan/abloomingaffair/academygiving/

About A Blooming Affair

A Blooming Affair is SAORA’s annual Garden & Craft Market Day, established in 2010 and held at Roedean School. The event brings the wider community onto the school grounds for a day of gardens, food, music, shopping and connection, while raising funds for educational initiatives.

About the Roedean Academy

The Roedean Academy is a donor-funded programme supporting academically promising girls from under-resourced backgrounds through their Roedean education and beyond. The programme provides academic and holistic support designed to equip girls for tertiary study, employment and fulfilling futures. To learn more, visit: https://roedeanschool.co.za/academy/

Johannesburg, South Africa – September 2026

Roedean School (SA) has announced the appointment of Odelle Howard as Executive Head, effective 1 May 2027.

Howard brings almost three decades of experience in education and senior leadership within South African independent schools, including schools with boarding. She is a values-led and people-centred leader with extensive experience in educational leadership, organisational culture, governance, strategy and school operations.

Throughout her career, she has led schools through periods of significant change, with a particular focus on strengthening culture, rebuilding trust, developing leadership teams and translating strategy into practical action.

Importantly, Howard began her career as a Physical Science teacher and has retained a strong connection to the classroom. Her leadership philosophy places the relationship between teacher and pupil at the heart of a successful school, alongside academic ambition, wellbeing, character, curiosity and courage.

Nicky Fitzgerald, Chair of the Roedean School (SA) Board, said:

“Roedean undertook an extensive search for a leader who understood both the strength of our school today and what will be required of us over the next five years.

“Odelle brings deep educational experience, strong organisational leadership and, importantly, an instinct for bringing people with her.

“Our teachers are at the heart of Roedean, and supporting, developing and retaining an exceptional teaching body will remain central to the School’s future. We believe Odelle is very well placed to lead Roedean into its next chapter while respecting the heritage and values that have shaped the School for more than a century.”

Howard has experience across governance, financial management, human resources, safeguarding, admissions, advancement, infrastructure, boarding and school operations. She has also served on boards and advisory structures within the education, corporate and community sectors.

She holds an Honours Degree in Leadership and Management and a Higher Diploma in Education, and has completed senior leadership development through Wits Business School and Oxford University.

Howard said she was looking forward to joining the Roedean community and contributing to the next phase of the School’s development.

Her appointment follows an extensive recruitment and selection process undertaken by the Roedean School (SA) Board.

About Roedean School (SA)
Roedean School (SA), founded in 1903, is an independent day and boarding school for girls in Johannesburg. The School is committed to academic excellence, the development of confident and compassionate young women, and preparing pupils to make a meaningful contribution to the world.