Hastings Student Notices
Hey,
I hope you all have a fantastic week and a restful Half-Term!
Student Reps: After Half-Term, there will be another Student Voice session, so keep your eyes peeled on Google Classroom for event information and updates.
If you're a Rep but aren't on Google Classroom, please email me and I'll add you so you don't miss out on any important information!
paige.baker-carroll@escg.ac.uk
Paige (She/They)
Did You Enjoy Hastings Bonfire Night?
Did you enjoy Hastings Bonfire Night this year? From the flaming torches and spectacular processions to the fireworks lighting up the sky, it’s always an exciting event in our local calendar. But did you know that Sussex’s bonfire traditions are linked to some fascinating moments in British history?
During the reign of Queen Mary I in the 1550s, 17 Protestants were burned at the stake in Lewes because they refused to give up their religious beliefs. Their stories are remembered through Lewes’s bonfire traditions, which developed over time.
But why does this history still matter today? Remembering the martyrs isn't about dwelling on their deaths, but recognising what can happen when people are punished for their beliefs. Their stories encourage us to think about tolerance, freedom of expression and respecting people who see the world differently from us.
In Hastings, the tradition culminates spectacularly each year with the torchlit procession arriving at the beach, where the bonfire is lit, the fireworks display begins, and the night ends with the burning of the effigy. For the October 2026 celebration, the Hastings Borough Bonfire Society used this climactic moment to burn a towering caricature of Keith Flint, co-opting The Prodigy frontman's iconic "Firestarter" persona to deliver a fierce, dark-humoured protest against a recent rash of suspected arson attacks targeting local heritage sites. Rather than mocking the singer, the display featured models of blighted structures—like the St Leonards convent, Coopers Vets, and the former Saturdays nightclub—alongside signs reading "Denied" to fiercely condemn property developers whose planning applications were rejected right before these "mysterious" fires broke out. When the effigy finally went up in flames on the beach, it beautifully carried on the historical spirit of the tradition, allowing the modern community to collectively voice its outrage, stand up for its local heritage, and reject the destruction of the town's history.
Rip It Up: Find a screening near you
The BFI FAN announces a new UK-wide season, RIP IT UP, exploring and celebrating the transformative energy and changing face of youth rebellion, culture and expression on screen in the UK.
With film and television offering a direct window into the impact of youthful creativity on society, RIP IT UP invites audiences of all ages to reflect on their own experiences, identities and cultural interests as young people growing up in a changing world.
The season will be taking place at Electric Palace from the 16th to the 29th.
