Carthusian Day 2025

Saturday 24 May 2025

For Current Pupils, Parents, and Old Carthusians

HOUSES

OLD CARTHUSIANS

OCs Meeting Place: In order to see who is in attendance, OCs are invited to sign on the alumni registration boards located in the OC Tent.

Parking: Please enter the School via Prince’s Avenue, where you will be directed to park on Lessington.

Gazebos: You are requested not to erect gazebos.

Taxi drop-off/collection points: Outside Reception (Prince’s Avenue, GU7 2DE) and Fletcherites front car park (Queen’s Drive, GU7 2BY).

11.00am – 11.45am PRIZE GIVING QSC

Parents of our Specialist and Remove pupils are invited to join us for Speeches and Prize Giving in QSC. Parents do not need to register in advance.

PRIZE GIVING Hall

Parents of our Fourth Form pupils are invited to join us for Speeches and Prize Giving in Hall. Parents do not need to register in advance.

11.00am – 4.00pm SHOP Crown

All the latest OC merchandise is available to purchase.

11.00am – 4.30pm PLANT SALE Corner of Long Walk

A wide selection of plants will be available from the School gardeners. Purchases will need to be collected by 4.30pm. Card payments available.

11.30am – 2.00pm INFORMATION DESK Corner of Long Walk

Copies of the Carthusian Day programme are available from here.

11.30am CRICKET MATCHES

Boys’ 1st XI v Charterhouse Friars, Green Girls’ 1st XI v MCC, Maniacs

Noon – 3.00pm OC MEETING PLACE OC Tent, Corner of Long Walk

In order to see who is in attendance, OCs are invited to sign on the alumni registration boards.

Noon – 3.30pm AIR RIFLE RANGE Big Ground

Have a plink at the CCF Air Rifle Range.

Noon – 4.00pm ART EXHIBITION Studio

The Art Exhibition is a display of work from across the year groups; come and admire the diversity of techniques, themes, and media.

DESIGN ENGINEERING EXHIBITION Studio

A varied exhibition of coursework from pupils throughout the School.

CHINESE VILLAGE EXHIBITION Concert Hall

Tsz Shing Wang (B) and Alexander Keiling (L) present an exhibition on the remote Chinese village of Guangnan, its cultural heritage, arts, and crafts.

ORGAN EXHIBITION Chapel

Noon – 4.00pm LIBRARY EXHIBITION Library

Visit Library to see an exhibition exploring its history, particularly its major refurbishment in 2004. This is also an opportunity to see displays of current Library activities.

12.30pm – 2.30pm FOOD COURT J Ground

A delicious selection of food and drink is available to purchase. See the Food Court section on page 6 for further information.

12.30pm – 3.30pm MARQUEE J Ground

A wonderful selection of pre-recorded musical highlights from this academic year.

1.00pm CARTHUSIAN FAMILY TENNIS TOURNAMENT Astro Courts

CRICKET Various

Girls’ Under School Match, Under Green Boys’ Junior House Matches, Northbrook Pitches 6, 7 and 8

TENNIS Prom Courts

Spectators are welcome at our Under School Mixed Doubles Tournament.

1.30pm – 3.00pm SOCIAL ENTERPRISE BUSINESS The Hub

Remove pupils have developed a business to support charities. You will have an opportunity to purchase their products and see their business plans and advertising campaigns.

2.00pm – 3.00pm SONG AND DANCE SHOWCASE Ben Travers Theatre

A presentation of pupils’ creativity and expression in Performing Arts.

2.30pm CRICKET Maniacs

Boys’ 2nd XI v OCs.

3.00pm WITHERIDGE LIBRARY NAMING Library

John Witheridge (Headmaster 1996-2013) will unveil a plaque in the Witheridge Library, which was refurbished at his instigation in 2004.

3.25pm THE CHARTERHOUSE CARILLON Founder’s Court

The Carillon of 37 bells will ring out to announce the start of Afternoon Tea.

3.30pm – 4.30pm AFTERNOON TEA Marquee on J Ground

Afternoon Tea will be served to conclude the day’s festivities.

3.30pm CCF TUG-OF-WAR J Ground

CCF sections battle it out in the tug-of-war.

4.30pm EXEAT COMMENCES

The Food Court is open between 12.30pm and 2.30pm and is located next to the marquee on J Ground.

Lemongrass Chicken Katsu Curry: Chicken with crispy breadcrumbs, sticky white rice, creamy curry sauce, pickles, and vegetable gyoza.

Gua Bao: Slow-cooked pork belly with sticky honey glaze, in a bao bun with Asian slaw, pickled cucumber, and vegetable gyoza.

V Vegan Gua Bao: Crispy Szechuan tofu in a bao bun with Asian slaw, pickled cucumber, and vegetable gyoza.

Top It Off: Chopped Coriander, Spring Onion, Sriracha Sauce, Szechuan Sauce, Chives, Chilli Flakes, and Crispy Onions.

Smoky BBQ Steak Sub with two sides: Grilled beef flank steak with BBQ rub, peppers, and onions, served in a sub roll.

Smoky Chicken Tacos with two sides: Grilled chicken with BBQ rub, peppers, and onions, served in a taco shell.

V Smoky BBQ Cauliflower Wing Taco with two sides: Grilled cauliflower with BBQ rub, peppers, and onions, served in a taco shell.

Sides: Cowboy Caviar, Spicy Coleslaw, or Chargrilled Corn Ribs with Chilli and Lime.

Top It Off: Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese, Cheese Sauce, Hickory Smoked BBQ Sauce, Jalapenos, Chilli, Crispy Onions, Crushed Tortillas, and Arugula Salad.

Hot drinks available to purchase from the mobile coffee bar next to New Crown.

A wide selection of frozen treats and soft drinks will be available throughout the day in the Food Court.

ALCOHOL

Parents are welcome to enjoy a drink and may serve their Specialist children alcohol. If Specialist pupils are given a drink by their parents, they must remain in the company of their parents. We ask that no one walks around the grounds whilst drinking alcohol.

BARBECUES

These are not permitted.

DOGS

We would be grateful if dogs were not brought onto the grounds, but those which are must be kept on a lead. Fouling on or near sports pitches is a health risk and is not permitted; any mess must be removed and disposed of in the special bins provided.

FIRST AID

First Aid assistance during the day is available at the Hunt Health Centre, located at the corner of Queen’s Drive and Duke’s Drive, near the Central Dining Room and Fletcherites. Please ring the Hunt Health Centre (01483 291691) or Security (01483 291777) if you need assistance.

GOLF COURSE

The Golf Course is open all day for OCs and parents to play.

MILLENNIUM CHAPEL Chapel

Located in the north-east porch of Chapel, the Millennium Chapel is open to visitors from noon to 4.00pm for meditation and quiet reflection. Please observe silence.

PARKING

Please observe the parking areas indicated on the map and respect the ‘No Parking’ areas indicated by barriers, ropes, or cones. Charterhouse can accept no liability for damage to or loss from vehicles brought into the School grounds. Drivers of vehicles should be aware that cricket balls may be hit well beyond any marked boundary.

PICNICS

All visitors are welcome to picnic in the grounds, with pupils free to join family and friends.

DATA PROTECTION

On the day, members of staff will be taking videos and photographs for School purposes, such as marketing and social media. They will not be used for other purposes without your consent. All personal data is collected and processed in compliance with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and other data protection laws. Your rights in respect of your data can be found in the Privacy Policy on the School’s website.

Charity Skydive

Two of our inspiring Sixth Form pupils, Alix (N) and Mila (W), have persuaded Dr Peterken, our Head, to jump from a plane –despite his fear of heights!

Watch what happened!

Through their regular volunteering, Alix and Mila have seen first-hand the incredible work done by The Fountain Centre at the Royal Surrey Hospital, supporting families affected by cancer. They have been inspired to give back – and they’ve persuaded the Head to join them in their efforts.

“ ”

This remarkable charity has touched the lives of many within our School community, and now it’s our turn to give back. We’re on a mission to support, sustain and enhance the Centre’s invaluable services on the cancer ward. These services include bedside therapies like reflexology and hand massages, as well as compassionate listening, providing comfort to patients during their most challenging moments. The Centre also offers “Bags of Kindness” – care packs filled with thoughtful items – and aromatherapy inhalers to alleviate symptoms like fatigue, nausea, and stress.

Dr Peterken has shown real courage and kindness, supporting us in our mission. Every pound raised will directly support the Fountain Centre and their commitment to making a lasting difference.

To find out more, or to support their bravery, visit their GoFundMe page via this link:

Cor Carthusianum.

The Heart and Soul of Charterhouse Organ Appeal

Music has been the heart and soul of Charterhouse for over 400 years; many will recall the sea of voices within Chapel, accompanied by the organ powerfully providing a heartbeat and rhythm to daily life at School.

As many will be aware, after continuous use for almost a century, our historic organ is sadly broken beyond repair. The task now falls to our generation to revive one of the School’s most important assets. The Organ Appeal seeks the support of our entire community to ensure we have a new organ installed for the 100th anniversary of Chapel in 2027, preserving the heart and soul of Charterhouse for future generations.

As we approach the unveiling of the new organ in 2027, we hope to share many of your memories and experiences of the organ with our community.

If you would like to share a memory, please scan the QR code to complete a Cor Carthusianum Share Your Memories Form.

Stop Jamb Controls

Key Boards, Pedals and Pneumatic Tubing

I first heard the organ in Charterhouse Chapel at the carol service in 1966. It brought the darkened building to life and effortlessly marshalled the thunderous singing of the School.

Of all the musical instruments, the organ is perhaps the most solitary – and yet, when it accompanies a choir or congregation it serves and thrills all who hear it, and all who sing with it.

The largest and grandest piece of furniture in the School, it is also the most widely used. Every Carthusian has been, and will always be, affected by the Chapel organ. It will furnish the soundtrack to so many memories of the place.

During my time as a pupil (1973-77) I spent every spare moment playing it. This was not work: just pure pleasure.

I distinctly recall, amongst his many fine and inspiring performances, Robin Wells’ masterful account of Bach’s great Prelude and Fugue in B minor, which happened to be my Housemaster’s favourite organ work.

The building of a new Chapel organ is a gift to the whole of Charterhouse. It will live long and play a central part in the cultural life of the School. A new organ matching such an imposing building will attract music-lovers from far and wide. They will come to hear and to marvel: for this new organ will do what great musical instruments always do for their listeners, revealing to them beauties and truths that cannot be expressed in any other way.

Mark Blatchly (G77) Ex Brooke Hall 1996-2018

Support the Organ Appeal Today

We are very grateful to an Old Carthusian who has generously pledged £500k towards the Organ Appeal for use as a matched fund. All donations towards our Organ Appeal made before 31 July 2025 will be matched like-for-like. This means that for every £1 you donate now, an additional £1 will be released in support of the organ.

We warmly thank the generosity of our whole community for helping us to bring this momentous occasion in the history of both Chapel and the School to fruition.

Donations can be made online via charterhousefoundation.org.uk or by scanning the QR code