Looking back to inform the future
“No era exists in isolation. The past directly influences the present. Traditions help me gain a better understanding of the world I live in and help me form an identity.” – Neo Leseilane, Roedean Class of 2024
As Roedean School (SA) celebrated a remarkable 122 years of history on its Foundation Day, 28 February, past and present pupils looked back with fondness on some long-standing traditions – such as the bell ringing 22 times before and after school every day to commemorate the first intake of students at the school back in 1903.
Roedean’s current head student, Ita Collins, says the traditions at this beautiful old school, with its Herbert Baker-designed heritage buildings, hold a special meaning for her as they connect her to her sister who attended the school 14 years ago. “I’ve always been close to her, but there is something special in knowing she wore the same blazer as me and sang the same songs,” says Ita.
“My favourite tradition is singing the school songs, not only because it gives me an insight into Roedean when it was founded but also because the whole school sings together with such enthusiasm and joy, it’s hard not to have a great time.
“The traditions make life at Roedean more fun and interesting because I’m not just going about my normal school day; I’m going about a school day at Roedean where the walls whisper the lives of all of those who came before me.”
Stories of mischief and mayhem
Neo Leseilane, the school’s Class of 2024 Dux student who is studying Computational and Applied Mathematics at Wits University, says her favourite Roedean tradition is Foundation Day, honouring the school’s founding in 1903.
“I loved hearing stories of mischief and mayhem from old Roedeanians. The school’s birthday was always a day of celebration and a reminder of the history that we as Roedeanians have the privilege of being a part of.”
Fellow Class of 2024 Matric alumnus Zhuoyi Wu, who is studying BCom Accounting at the University of Pretoria, says Foundation Day is a chance to reaffirm the school’s values – values that are timeless in a fast-changing world.
“Sitting in Founders’ Hall, walking across Bears Lawn [a privilege extended to matrics only] and speaking with Old Roedean girls filled me with an immense sense of pride and joy,” she reflects.
“In these moments, I feel the invisible thread connecting generations of students – all bound by the same spirit. Roedean’s traditions are not static relics of the past; they evolve with every new generation, enriched by fresh energy and enthusiasm.”
A sense of unity and belonging
Romy Day, who matriculated in 2024 and is studying towards a BSc in Physiotherapy at Wits, also loved running across Bears Lawn “as it gave us a sense of unity as we neared the end of our school years”.
The school’s traditions, she says, “are meaningful because they mean I’m part of a legacy of empowered women who have lived lives of significance. It’s so easy to be swept up in personal ambition, but Roedean’s values of truth, honour, freedom and honesty will be my guiding light for years to come.”
Nicola Burger, from Roedean’s Class of 1994, agrees that the school’s values form a constant thread throughout its history. “One of the things the founders left when they retired was a guideline on how Roedean should operate, including being sustainable in the decades to come – and 122 years later, the school is still flourishing. They identified that change would be inevitable but said what must not change are the values that Roedean stands for, which I believe the school still holds dear today.”
Zhuoyi says the school’s customs gave her a sense of belonging. “As someone who was born in South Africa, raised in China and returned to South Africa for high school, these traditions became an anchor for me. By embracing Roedean’s heritage, I have also embraced my identity, finding strength in both my cultural roots and the deep pride of being a Roedeanian.”
As a scholarship student who initially feared she would not fit in at Roedean, Neo felt reassured by the school’s long-held traditions. “They showed that, despite our different backgrounds, the Roedean students of the past, present and future are all connected, and all share the identity of being a Roedeanian. This formation of a strong cultural identity aids in a sense of belonging at Roedean.”
Fascinating traditions at Roedean:
- Pupils must always curtsey when receiving an award
- The youngest pupil in the school cuts the cake on Foundation Day
- The head girl opens the dance floor at the matric dance with a waltz
- It’s good luck to touch the copper frogs on the bell when passing the Sumner Arts Block
