Hello, my name is Miss Holder and I am the Deputy Head of Russell School.

 I joined Varndean in September 2016 and my career has always been based around supporting children and young adults whilst at school.

 My role at Varndean is to ensure that each student has a positive and   rewarding experience during their time at Varndean School. I am here to   not only support, guide and advise each and every student within Russell   School, but also be a member of staff that parents can contact whenever   they need to discuss an issue. 

 After completing my degree in contemporary art at Sheffield Hallam   University I found a passion for education and the opportunities it can     bring to young people's lives.

 I originally started at Varndean in October 2011 as a teaching assistant   with a specialism in English having worked teaching English as an   additional language in my previous role, I have since worked across   different departments specialising in behaviour management.

 My main professional focus has always been to support students to the   highest standard during their time at Varndean and create strong links   with families to ensure students can leave Varndean feeling ready to   take on the next chapter in their life with confidence and pride.

I joined Varndean School in October 2015 working in the Russell base as a school Leader on Mondays and Tuesdays.
I have worked in various roles within my working life studying as a Dance Movement Therapist working within the NHS and schools across London.
I enjoy working at Varndean and getting to know and support all the students - helping with any concerns they may have and creating vital links with family members to ensure that the student can achieve to the best of their ability.

Since starting at Varndean it had always been in my mind that I wanted to become a Senior Student to allow me to be involved with decision making. I want to leave something behind me which shows the value of my time at the school. This year I am part of a great senior student team both within Russell and around the whole school, I am privileged to be working with those students to achieve new things in Varndean.
Within our school there have always been so many things to participate in as a student. In my role I would like to bring the communities around Brighton and Hove closer to our school, making this happen through events and projects which will invite the people around our city to mix with the students and create lasting partnerships.

February

Russell Charity Event - 21st March!!!! More information coming soon. 

Year 8 Options Interviews will be taking place wc 5th February with Miss Holder and Mr Davies.

January 

Hot chocolate with the Head: Minnie, Keni, Fleur and Kian!

Year 11 football success - it's great to see Owen, Sam and Santino representing Varndean School during their final year. 

Well done Jake and Katie who represented Russell in this years Spelling Bee competition. Jake won the competition, closely followed by Katie!  

Inter-school hockey comeptition - 1st plase Russell! 

Congratulations to all the students who are now Year 8 language leaders! 

Welcome back!

December

Hot chocolate with the Head goes to Santino Martin! Santino is working so hard this year and it is incredible to watch. Santino is in catch up sessions frequently and numerous teachers have commented on what a hard working Year 11 he is.

Well done to Kian in 8LAT for representing Russell school in the East Sussex Table Tennis Championship. Good luck for the next stage! 

November

Hot chocolate with the Head goes to Lex in 9NSW. Lex is kind, hard working and always polite. Lex has had a brilliant start to Year 9 and has really helped school base. 

Scientist of the month goes to Ruby in 8OXM and Ellie in 9NSW! Congratulations Ruby and Ellie - keep up all your amazing hard work. 

Hot chocolate with the Head goes to Riley Johnson this week. Well done Riley!

Hot chocolate with the Head goes to Ben Ferraz this week. Ben has been such a kind friend this year and it has been so lovely to see. 

Welcome back Russell!

October 

Charlie Preston has had such an amazing start to Year 7 that he was awarded hot chocolate with Mr Deighan! Who will be our next Year 7 to win the reward?

Well done to Felicity Mclean-Walters, Leila Ufer, Shreeya Rupani, Edith Yelling & Bea Downes for representing Russell in this terms interschool dance competition! 

September 

Welcome back Year 8, 9, 10 and 11 we wish you all the luck for your new year at school. We would also like to welcome our new Year 7 to Varndean, we hope you have a brilliant start and feel very much a valued part of the wonderful Russell school. 

July

Congratulations Russell - we are the sports day WINNERS!! 

May

What an amazing end to May, Year 11 all looked amazing for their Prom. Good luck to all Year 11 with their exams. 

Congratulations to Habiba, Keni and Eloise who gave up their Saturday to help with the art sale for VSIP. We raised £294 and they were amazing!

Current rankings for total achievement point totals - 7LAT/R 1st!!

April 

Another fantastic term for Russell School - enjoy the Easter holidays.

WOW! The Russellmataz was fantastic! Thank you to all who supported the students and a massive well done to all the acts and the team who put the event together. 

Superb effort from the students in Russell who took part in the Brighton and Hove Swimming Championship.

March

Russell Razamataz - 6th April. It is already looking to be a fantastic event - more details coming soon. 

Comic Relief - please help Russell School raise money for Comic Relief 2017. Two of our students, Harley and Tabitha, will be doing all they can to get Bertie the goat around an obstacle course. The amount raised by each school base will determine what treats the students have available to encourage Bertie! 

Russell students who made the Top 10 Key Stage 4 Individual Achievement Points: Madeline Hogan, Rouguiata Barry, Lewis Bedford, Samuel Angelkov. 

Russell students who made the Top 10 Key Stage 3 Individual Achievement Points: Edith Yelling, Rowan Boyle and Kit Monti.

Rowing victory for Russell! Thank you to all the students who helped Russell reach 35,000m first in the inter-school rowing competition. 

February

Enjoy your Half Term Russell School.

The staff in Russell School base were thrilled to see 193 students awarded either bronze, silver, gold or platinum for their attitude to learning. 

Russell students who made the Top 10 Key Stage 4 Individual Achievement Points: Madeline Hogan, Rouguiata Barry, Lewis Bedford, Samuel Angelkov. 

Russell students who made the Top 10 Key Stage 3 Individual Achievement Points: Edith Yelling, Rowan Boyle and Kit Monti.