School Magazine 2013-2014

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-2014

DOWNE HOUSE Hermitage Road, Cold Ash, Thatcham, Berks RG18 9JJ t 01635 200286 www.downehouse.net www.bainesdesign.co.uk A60004

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Cover.indd 1

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-2014

07/11/2014 17:51

School Officers 2013/14 Head Senior

Games Captain

Eleanor Dewhurst

Eloise Sarre

Deputy Head Senior

Head of Drama

Isabella Sainty

Eleanor Fenn

Seniors

Head of Music

Helena Benthall Isabel Brown Eleanor Hillier Polly Goodman Kendall Nield Octavia Wallace

Sophie Stuart-Menteth So-Eun Kim

Head Ambassador Isobel Jones Jessica Roberts

Aisholt Brenda Njiru Florence Dowler Sona Yusifli 2

Head Deputy Head Deputy Head

AGN Katherine Barbour-Smith Tiffany Aldrich Harriet Pettit

Head Deputy Head Deputy Head

AGS Jessica Robinson Tara Hiley Emily Lyle

Head Deputy Head Deputy Head

Holcombe Anabel Elliot Florice Cole-Fontayn Annabel Galbraith

Head Deputy Head Deputy Head

Tedworth Hester Wolton Madeleine Fletcher Lulu Straker

Head Deputy Head Deputy Head

Ambassadors Venetia Armitage Isabella Arnott Charlotte Eden Su En Hoh India Kary Nutthaphat Poolworaluk Rosie Tapner Amber Williams Laura Wills

195

Heads of Lower School Felicity Burton Matilda Moir

Lower School Seniors Catherine Clover Victoria Ellison Harriet Le Grice Olivia Morgan Amelia Wright

Literary Senior Katharina Dixon-Ward

Editor of School Magazine Alexia Kirk

AWARDS AND MORE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Cover.indd 2

07/11/2014 17:51

Contents School Life

4

Features

From the Headmistress From the Editors Head Senior Deputy Head Senior Staff Farewells House Reports House Officers House Dance Competition

5 6 6

Rotary Club 93 The ‘Lessons from 94 Auschwitz’ Project Our year in Veyrines 96 Prep Schools’ Day of Drama 98 Because I am a Girl 99 The Parades & Tom Longhurst at 100 Downe

Academic

7 15 25 27

28

English 29 Religious Studies 30 Science 32 Art History 34 Modern Foreign Languages 36 Careers Department 41 Young Enterprise 44

Creative

45

Art 46 Photography 51 Design & Technology 55 Textiles 60 Textiles Fashion Show 66

Beyond the Curriculum

68

Sixth Form Enrichment 69 Upper School Enrichment 70 Lower School Enrichment 72 Co-Curricular Activities 73 Dance Showcase 76 Duke of Edinburgh 77 End of Year Outings 78 Chapel 79 DH LINKS 82 Foundation 86 10 Year Vision 88 Founder’s Weekend 89 Creative Arts Showcase 90 Leavers’ Day 91

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 3

Charity

92

101

Walk for Afghan Connection 102 Tedworth Ascot Evening 103 Afghan Connections Literary Lunch 103 Sparkes Home, Sri Lanka 104 Charitable Activities 2013-14 105 Supporting the Rainbow Trust 105

Trips

106

Art Award Holders Trip to St Ives 107 Beaulieu Abbey 108 Hogar el Alba 109 Veyrines: ‘Sorties’ 110 Music Tour to Prague 112 MFL: Tenerife 114 Tennis Tour 114 Scuba Diving 115

Drama

116

From the Head of Drama 117 House Drama Competition 118 Public Speaking Competition 120 Drama Workshops 121 The Sound of Music 124 Pride and Prejudice 126 Theatre Visits 128 A2 Exam Performances 130 AS Exam Performances 131 GCSE Exam Performances 131 Key Stage 3 Drama 133 RADA Shakespeare Certificates 134 Trinity Speech and Drama Exams 135 Founders’ Weekend 139

Music

140

Introduction 141 Music Award Holders Concerts 141 Heads of Music 142 Michaelmas Concert 142 Lower School Carol Service 143 Upper School Carol Service 144 House Music Competition 145 Royal Albert Hall Prom 146 Cookie Concerts 146 Minority Instruments Scheme 147 Music Competitions 147 Palmer Society Evensong 148 Prep Schools’ Orchestral Fun Day 148 DH Rock and Pop 149 Music Technology 149 Broadway Comes to Downe! 150 Founder’s Weekend 152 ABRSM results 156

Sport

157

3

Lacrosse 158 Athletics 160 Cross Country 161 Biathlon 161 Netball 162 Swimming 164 Hockey 164 Gymnastics 165 Squash 166 Tennis 166 British Schoolgirls’ Ski Races 167 Sports’ Day 167 The Teams 170

Awards and More

174

Prize Giving 175 New Girls 2013 184 Downe through the Generations 186 Scholarships, Exhibitions 187 & Awards University Destinations 192 School Officers 2014/15 195

07/11/2014 16:58

4

School Life

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 4

07/11/2014 16:58

From the Headmistress, Mrs. Emma McKendrick You will see in the following pages that our Ten Year Vision has begun to be executed in earnest! Having walked around our beautiful site many times in the summer term and holidays, the level of industry from a whole variety of contractors has been impressive. The foundations for two new boarding houses for the Lower School have been laid; the Holcombe refurbishment is nearing completion; a new gym is underway alongside numerous other smaller projects and there is a sense of anticipation in the school community. These are exciting times for Downe House with much more planned. Our aim is that we should offer a world-class education for our outstanding girls and, in order to deliver this, we want to give both the girls and staff the best possible facilities. Remaining outward-looking and forward-thinking are also important aims of our Ten Year Vision as we prepare girls to play their part on the global stage. Seeing the significant development of DH LINKS this year and hearing how girls, parents (past and present) and alumnae have shared professional expertise and experience at our careers networking events remains a source of great pride. The same importance is also being placed on increasing links with schools and universities in the local community as well as worldwide. However, we have always been clear at Downe that it is the people who matter most and the quality of relationships between all members of our community that makes the School a very special place. As you read the many accounts in this magazine, it is this that will, I hope, shine through most and I hope that you will be in no doubt that, as the strap line for the 2014 Commonwealth Games said, it is ‘people who make Glasgow’ or in our case Downe House. They remain at the centre of our vision. My admiration for all our girls, past and present, remains undiminished. 5

SCHOOL LIFE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 5

07/11/2014 16:58

From the Editors The role of Editor of the School Magazine was met, by us both, with a great deal of excitement and intrigue as we had absolutely no idea what to expect. However, a couple of terms later we are both hugely grateful for this amazing chance to be a part of something that really showcases life at Downe.

colour-coding system and patience when it came to missed lunch-time meetings and deadlines! We both feel very lucky to have been a part of the dedicated team that produces this magazine every year as they taught us so many fascinating new skills and valued all of our thoughts and ideas, however big or small.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Ms Rushmer for taking the time to explain the hugely detailed process of putting together all aspects of the magazine. We are also really thankful for her extremely helpful

Throughout the magazine you will find a detailed account of the past year at Downe House in all aspects of School life. Aside from articles on various important events, like House Drama and Sports’ Day, you will also find

Head Senior 6

If ever there was an all-rounded, over-achieving Downe House girl, it is definitely Emilia Hewlett. I think it is fair to say that we have been inseparable over the last six years, ever since our parents walked into the same dorm, realising that they knew each other from ages past, and Emilia and myself were shunted to a small corner of the room to acquaint ourselves in a rather awkward fashion. However, despite the feeling that I know her so well, I still

collections of artwork and photography, which display the creativity and talent of Downe House Girls. We have both really enjoyed working as editors for the school magazine this year and we hope that you enjoy reading through the magazine as much as we enjoyed being involved. Olivia Cave & Helena Manson, both LVI

> Olivia and Helena find it hard to characterise such a great person. Emilia is as sharp as a pencil, as assiduous as a worker-bee and as kind a person as anyone would wish to meet, especially on first entering a room full of over-excited parents. No doubt Emilia is gifted; she will, without fail, excel in absolutely everything she tries, whether it is sport, academia or making small talk with parents, at which, I must say, she is somewhat of an expert. Emilia is

renowned in our year as being possibly the loveliest person and I have come to realise, over the past six years that any problem can be solved when having a laugh with her. I really could not be luckier in having such a fantastic person and great friend as my Deputy and I look forward to facing the next year together at each other’s side. Natasha Seaton, LVI

Deputy Head Senior Tash has the amazing talent of being able to juggle the multiple things she does - lacrosse, music and drama to name just a few – while excelling in them all too. She has got a full academic scholarship and sports exhibition to prove it. It is clear to see why Tash is Head Girl and it is really no surprise, as she has been destined to fill the prestigious position since Remove. From Head of Hermitage to Shadow Head of AGS, she is a born leader thanks to her confidence, her ability to get on with everyone and her generally lovely nature.

Be it her bountiful enthusiasm for everything she does, or her disorganisation to the point whereby she is actually weirdly organised, she goes about her day to day routine effortlessly and gets on with things without a fuss. Her talents and interests don’t stop there. Not only is she an enthusiastic member of the newly formed Feminist Society but she has also got the incredibly useful skill of being able to recite all 7 of the Harry Potter books! On top of being a fantastic asset to the school, she is also the greatest friend

> Natasha and Emilia you could ever want. She is always ready to sacrifice her time for anyone and will cheer you up no matter what the problem. Working with a friend like her is and will continue to be, both a pleasure and a very entertaining experience. Emilia Hewlett, LVI

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 6

07/11/2014 16:59

Staff Farewells Barbara Archibald Teacher of History and Politics Barbara will be fondly remembered by so many staff and pupils for everything that she has achieved since joining the Politics and History Departments in 2008. Always committed to the very highest standards, Barbara used her ability to quickly gain the respect of pupils and colleagues to get the very best out of everyone, in and out of the classroom. Barbara’s love of Politics and History was palpable and has been a primary reason why so many of her younger pupils chose to continue with these subjects at GCSE, A Level / Pre-U and beyond. Her command of subject matter and ability to communicate this to others was second to none. Every lesson was so carefully planned and tailored to the specific needs of individual pupils that we heard, more than once, girls spontaneously recount something that had been learned and enjoyed in one of Miss Archibald’s lessons years earlier. All of us have expropriated many of the excellent resources and teaching strategies that Barbara has developed and adapted these for use in our own teaching.

It is impossible that any one person, apart of course from Barbara, was fully aware of all of the ways in which she contributed to School life. We know she was not just a much loved and caring but firm tutor, but that Barbara also contributed so much, quietly, in her House, Aisholt. We also know of the glowing testimonies of the new staff that Barbara so skilfully mentored towards their NQT qualifications. We could easily add much, much more to this list of the ‘knowns’, but also know that because of her unassuming nature and wish to just get on and do things, any list of Barbara’s contributions to Downe would inevitably be quite incomplete. The extraordinarily efficient manner in which Barbara handled administrative tasks worried those of us who could not match Barbara’s prodigious output, and who never quite worked out just how she was always able to meet even the most demanding of deadlines without ever losing her indomitable good humour and ability to all ways look upon the bright side of life. Barbara was

always generous with the time that she made available to pupils and colleagues, and could always be relied upon to provide sage advice that could be acted upon with confidence. Thus, it is no surprise that Barbara leaves us to lead her own Department at a school in Aberdeen. She leaves Downe with our very best wishes and with so many reasons to be proud of her achievements during the time that she has shared with us. It has been a privilege to have worked with such a wonderful professional and good friend.

7

Dr Andrew Mickleburgh, Head of Social Sciences and Mr Andrew Hobbs, Head of History

Chris Dech Teacher of Physics, Lower School Enrichment Co-ordinator Chris Dech brought a transatlantic influence to Downe House and his fierce patriotism has ensured that Canada Day has not been forgotten here in England! His energy and enthusiasm have been enjoyed by his classes who remember him with great affection for “the mug of happiness” and the challenges he set them to achieve in Physics. Chris founded the Astronomy Club and brought a passionate interest in star gazing to a group of dedicated followers. Chris brought some fantastic ideas to the Lower School Co-Curricular role and invited some exciting guests to

the school as well as contributing new venues and outings to an extending list of opportunities. Amongst the staff he will be remembered for his commitment to the football team and team spirit, and the ease with which he dropped into conversation with everyone in the staff room.

to produce oscilloscope traces of sound waves in Physics. We wish him all the very best in his new job in Singapore – we all may come and visit! Mrs Vanessa Owen, Head of Physics

His bag pipe playing, a serious commitment to a local band that took him to the Olympic Games last summer, has had added a dramatic end of year for the Leavers’ Chapel Service. The bagpipes have also been enjoyed by the Science Department where they have been used SCHOOL LIFE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 7

07/11/2014 16:59

Hannah Dickson Teacher of Classics, Oxbridge tutor Hannah arrived at Downe House in 2011, and since then she has taught all year groups and all three of the Classical subjects – Latin, Greek and Classical Civilisation, bringing her fierce enthusiasm and excellent sense of humour with her! During her time at Downe, Hannah has contributed an enormous amount to the extra-curricular activities of the department, helping out with Lower School Enrichment activities and running daytrips to Fishbourne, as well as taking a Lower School trip to the Bay of Naples. In this time she has also completed her GTP and her NQT year, and has shared the knowledge she learnt with all her

peers. She is an excellent teacher, with a great passion for the subject, and the girls are very sad to see her go! Hungry for more teaching experience and through her desire to travel, Hannah is leaving us for sunnier climes, and will start at Tanglin School in Singapore in August. I know that Hannah will give everything to her new job and will most certainly be a success. Her new pupils are very lucky and could not have a more enthusiastic or wellinformed teacher. We will miss Hannah enormously, and are very grateful for the support she has given to the girls, her colleagues and the Department. Mrs Lydia Dakin, Head of Classics

Malcolm Gunningham 8

Head of Music Technology and Jazz Malcolm Gunningham is an excellent musician, and has given 11 years’ service to Downe as a trombonist, conductor and teacher, in his role as Head of Jazz and Music Technology. Malcolm brings a sense of fun and warmth to all that he does, whether it be through his brass and percussion teaching, in the musical classroom or on the podium. He has been committed to leading the A Level Music Technology course, introducing and opening up the world of the music studio to the girls, including the successful introduction of the Music Technology module in the Lower School. Through Malcolm’s guidance and direction, girls have enjoyed exploring the popular music world and understanding the art of studio composition. Malcolm has also enjoyed developing the performing life of the School

through his conducting of the orchestras and Big Band. The performances of Big Band at the School Concert and over Founder’s Weekend have always been a highlight! The establishment of Jazz Jam for our younger jazz musicians has been a recent welcomed addition to the Music Department, preparing our Big Band musicians of the future. A key music event of the year for the School is the Prep Schools’ Orchestral Fun Day which was Malcolm’s brainchild some ten years ago. Malcolm’s energy and commitment to this event has opened the orchestral world to over a thousand children. This is an outstanding achievement and legacy and has become a landmark in the musical year of Prep Schools throughout the country. Malcolm’s warmth, musical support and encouragement to all the girls will be very much missed, together with

his inimitable wit and charm which brightens up every room. We thank Malcolm for his service and commitment to the School and we wish him the best and every happiness for the future. Dr Charlotte Exon, Director of Music

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 8

07/11/2014 16:59

Sue Hawkins Head Science Technician Sue Brown, as she then was, arrived at Downe House in 1985 as the only Science Technician at a time when Science was taught in the old Science Block, which contained just 4 laboratories, a combined staff and prep room and a dark room. In her 29 years at the school, Sue played an important role in the successful planning, building and development of the current Science School, now containing 8 laboratories, staff room, 4 prep rooms and a dark room and she has continued to play a pivotal role in the Science Department as both the leader of the team of technicians and as the Physics Technician. Successive Heads of Science and Heads of Physics, as well as new or inexperienced staff and technicians, have benefitted from her knowledge, attention to detail, organisational skills,

flexibility and kindness. Whenever there is a query as to where something is, how something works or vital equipment like the photocopier breaks down, the person we have all turned to has been Sue. Many Sixth Form girls taking A Level Physics during her time owe much to her help and expertise, especially when taking practical examinations. Sue has been the mainstay of the Science Department as a whole, but particularly the Physics Department and we all owe her a great debt of gratitude. She will be much missed, but she leaves with our very best wishes as she moves with her husband to Wales to take up a new challenge in a post at Pembrokeshire College. Mrs Yvonne Charlesworth, Co-ordinator and Head of Science 9

Charlotte Jones Housemistress and Specialist Teacher of SpLD It is with great sadness that we say farewell to Charlotte Jones, who leaves Downe to take up a promotion as the Head of Boarding at Edgeborough School. Charlotte joined Downe in November 2008 as a Learning Skills Teacher and Hockey Coach. Her strong pastoral instincts became quickly apparent and she moved into Tedworth as Resident Tutor in September 2009.

its occupants are never in doubt of her support and she very much leads by example. Charlotte is utterly resilient, which is vital in a boarding house. Her sense of humour, compassion and kindness, for all those around her, are wonderful traits and certainly make her stand out as a superb Housemistress. Her girls adore her and want to ‘get it right’, not only for themselves but also for her.

Charlotte has continued to climb the ‘pastoral ladder’, taking up the post of Assistant Housemistress of AGN in 2010 and then becoming Housemistress of AGS in September 2011. She has been an outstanding member of staff. Along with her husband David, she has created a real home for all the AGS girls. Her genuine love, warmth and pastoral instincts, ensure that the House and all

Charlotte really inspires great loyalty and is a hugely popular member of the community. Her smile is infectious, she never has a bad word to say and her positivity and charm will certainly be missed. Her commitment to Downe House, her girls, parents and colleagues remains second to none and her capacity for hard work is admirable. Charlotte has also been a highly valued member

of the Learning Skills Department. Her colleagues and pupils hold her in very high esteem and know that she will always do all she can to help. Our great loss is Edgeborough’s gain and we wish Charlotte and David all the very best in their new roles, not just at their new school but also in their new, hugely important role as parents. Mrs Genevieve Ford, Head of Upper School SCHOOL LIFE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 9

07/11/2014 16:59

Jeremy and Helen Long Housemaster and Teacher of Geography Assistant Housemistress and Teacher of Maths Jeremy and Helen joined us eight years ago to become Housemaster and Assistant Housemistress of Willis East. The House Team in Willis had just undergone a major re-structuring in order to further improve the pastoral care for the LVI, so that instead of being one large House, catering for over one hundred Lower Sixth girls, it was divided into Willis East and Willis West. It was evident from the outset that Jeremy and Helen were going to be a tremendous asset to the community, both in the House and in the classroom, with Jeremy joining the Geography Department and Helen joining Maths.

10

Prior to taking up their appointment at Downe House, Jeremy and Helen had spent some years in Botswana and they brought with them a model of community service that has served

the Sixth Form girls and the wider community very well. Jeremy was instrumental in setting up our highly successful Peer Support programme and Helen has run the Community Service programme; both initiatives have succeeded in encouraging the Sixth Form to look outwards to support the younger girls in the School and indeed to serve the wider community. In addition, Jeremy and Helen’s continued connection over the years with Maru-aPula school in Botswana has resulted in a very successful exchange programme, with students from Botswana coming here to spend time and some of our girls going there to spend their gap year. The care, encouragement and commitment shown by both Jeremy and Helen have seen many a Downe House girl through the Sixth Form and

their contribution to the pastoral and academic life of the School will be much missed. Jeremy and Helen are now leaving us to run the newly established international house at Moreton Hall in Shropshire, a job which is tailor made for them and will also allow Helen to see her parents more often. Jeremy and Helen will be much missed but we wish them every success in their new venture. Mrs Teresa MacColl, Deputy Headmistress (Boarding)

Corinne Marsh Head of Keyboard Corinne Marsh is a highly talented pianist and accompanist and has contributed much to the Music Department at Downe over the past 11 years as Head of Keyboard. She has taught many girls the piano and guided them through their Grade 5 theory examination. Her accompanying professionalism has been very much valued and we thank Corinne for all her fine accompanying of our musicians. She has accompanied girls in their ABRSM music examinations as well as in numerous chamber music concerts, House Music competitions and large scale concerts. Her accompanying work for our Music Award Holders, in particular, has been very much

appreciated. As an ABRSM examiner, she has supported girls in their aural and preparation for their music examinations. Corinne is a talented and versatile musician and has generously brought this to the Department over the years. She has contributed to our performing life as an oboist in Symphony Orchestra, saxophonist in Big Band, organist in Chapel and has even made a guest appearance as a timpanist in Symphony Orchestra! She is also the mastermind behind the Piano Prom event which has appeared over Founder’s Weekend. Bringing together the Piano Department to

perform works involving multiple pianos and multiple hands, is no mean feat! These concerts have been really enjoyable, featuring a large number of student ensembles as well as staff

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 10

07/11/2014 16:59

ensembles. Corinne has the ability to smoke out every pianist in the School! Corinne is passionate about enabling girls to access the professional performing musical world and has taken a large number of girls over the years to a host of concerts, opera and music

festivals. Her trips to the biannual Leeds International Piano Competition have been a source of inspiration for many of our pianists. Indeed Corinne established and organised ‘Music Matters’, a musical appreciation club, where girls and staff have enjoyed a variety of performances from ‘Tosca’ at the Royal Opera House

to Jools Holland at the Royal Albert Hall. We thank Corinne for all that she has given to Downe House and wish her every success and happiness for the future. Dr Charlotte Exon, Director of Music

Wendy Nurser Housemistress and Teacher of History Wendy joined Downe House in January 1997 at a time when the School was going through a period of great change and took up her post as Housemistress of Tedworth House and Teacher of History. Tedworth was one of the largest Houses at the time with challenging facilities but Wendy set about her task of updating and modernising it with her characteristic commitment and professionalism. During her tenure of just short of 18 years, she has built a House which enjoys the reputation of being one where fairness is its hallmark and where consistent care, fun and high standards are clearly valued. The bulging trophy cabinet which she has left behind may also reveal, not just the talent of the girls, but also the quietly and fiercely competitive nature of the Housemistress! Perhaps the highest tribute should be left to the girls. I remember at one of our boarding inspections when the reporting inspector passed on to me one of what she thought was the best indicators of high-quality care. She had spoken to a group of Tedworth girls and they had described their Housemistress as always being there for them, whatever they had done and also reported that they could be sure of the same reception whether they went to see her at midnight on Friday or early on a Monday morning. She was absolutely consistent, relentlessly

cheerful, particularly in the mornings, and her care and fondness of them were never in doubt. There can scarcely be a better compliment. Wendy, however, never wanted the House to be inward-looking and she actively involved parents in lunches, sought their views on the future of the House and set up the link with Tigerkloof School in South Africa. It is undoubtedly one of the most successful overseas House links we have. Girls have visited Tigerkloof a number of times and we have welcomed them here at Downe too. I know how much the girls have got out of this link and for a number it has been transforming. Wendy’s successes have not just been in the House. She has been a stalwart member of the History Department, the organiser of our Upper School Enrichment programme of lectures; she has led and accompanied trips overseas, including a World Challenge trip to Borneo and a cultural trip to China. She was the mastermind behind the House Dance Competition and her contributions to professional discussions were always considered, helpful and centred on the needs of the girls. Her wise advice to colleagues was always readily given and highly valued. In recognising all that Wendy has contributed to Downe House, I

11

would also like to thank her husband, Graham, for all his unwavering support of Tedworth. He was always there in the background but also, when the moment was right, very much in the foreground. He took a really active interest in the girls, taught English for us in his ‘retirement’ and took on the role of a Tedworth Tutor in this last year and as well as accompanying many House trips. It has been a privilege to have had Wendy, Graham and of course their children, Edward and Abigail, as part of the Downe House community. We wish Wendy all the very best as she enjoys having time to travel and visit her son and daughter who live overseas. She will be a great loss to Downe House and to the profession. Mrs Emma McKendrick, Headmistress

SCHOOL LIFE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 11

07/11/2014 16:59

Vanessa Owen Head of Physics Vanessa was Head of Physics at Downe House for five years and, in that time, her interest and enthusiasm for her subject was evident to all her students. She was always willing to go the extra mile to help all of her students to achieve their potential, regardless of whether they were potential Oxbridge students or those in the lower sets, for whom Physics was sometimes a struggle. Vanessa enjoyed organising enrichment activities for the girls and encouraged students

to stretch themselves in taking part in competitions, including the Physics Olympiad. She has now moved to be Head of Physics at a school in Chislehurst in Kent, so that she can be near to her family, and we wish her every success in her new role. Mrs Yvonne Charlesworth, Co-ordinator and Head of Science

Helen Poole 12

Assistant Housemistress, Hermitage Helen Poole joined the Downe House community in September 2013 as Assistant Housemistress in Hermitage and a member of the Music Department. Her eagerness to care for girls from the younger age group quickly came to the fore. Helen was always keen to participate in Lower School activities and especially enjoyed being fully involved in weekend trips. Indeed, Helen was able to transfer her infectious enthusiasm for all things Harry Potter which greatly enhanced visits to

Harry Potter World. Helen also threw herself wholeheartedly into outdoor activities such as those during the week at Calshot Activity Centre, much to the delight of the Lower School girls. Helen has decided to use the experience she gained at Downe House to seek further challenges elsewhere and I wish her the very best for her future career. Mrs Judith Gilpin Jones, Head of Lower School

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 12

07/11/2014 16:59

Stasio Sliwka Teacher of Music Stasio Sliwka has given 18 years of musical service to Downe. As a fine musician, exceptional organist and passionate choral trainer, he has brought a sense of musical energy and vitality to all that he has done. Stasio has been instrumental in the shaping of choral life at Downe and leaves behind a significant choral legacy. Indeed, his work with Junior Choral has been an important part of the success of choral music at Downe. With his inimitable charisma and charm, Stasio has worked hard to nurture and encourage young talent within the School, establishing firm foundations of choral singing. His amazing European choral tours and English Cathedral visits have been fantastic, unforgettable experiences for the girls, creating exciting musical opportunities which have inspired their understanding and performance of choral music. Indeed Stasio’s stewardship of Choral this year has seen some super performances, carrying through his early training of the girls in Junior Choral. Furthermore Stasio’s singing evangelism has not stopped with the girls - the staff have not escaped! His establishment and direction of the Staff Choir has seen a number of performances and his time and expertise has been much appreciated by staff.

We will also certainly miss Stasio’s leadership of the music in Chapel, his efficient organisation and preparation of the music for all the services and supporting the girls in their music preparation for House services. With Stasio on the organ bench, there is never a dull musical moment from virtuosic keyboard delights through to the mischievous harmonic re-working of a hymn tune for good measure. You can also be sure that a fantastic performance of a 20th Century French organ piece is always on the horizon! Stasio has given generously of his time and fine musicianship and has always been prepared to go the extra musical mile. He will be greatly missed by pupils and staff but we wish him every success and happiness in his new position as Director of Music at King Edward’s School, Witley.

13

Dr Charlotte Exon, Director of Music

SCHOOL LIFE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 13

07/11/2014 16:59

Dr Ian Taylor Assistant Director of Music Ian arrived at Downe 5 years ago as Assistant Director of Music and brought with him a wonderful synthesis of skills as a musician, academic and pedagogue. From the organ bench to Oxbridge mentoring, conducting ensembles, organising concerts to musical events and leading new musical initiatives, Ian has an amazing musical versatility which will be greatly missed. We are indebted to his masterminding of many music events such as the School Music Competition, involving some 100 performances over multiple days with an array of adjudicators as well as the Department’s lunchtime concert series and the enormous success of the recent music tour to Prague. His work with our new large ensemble Sinfonia Strings has been fantastic, establishing it an important position in our ensemble provision at Downe.

In the classroom Ian brings a delicate fusion of enthusiasm, academia and wit with a warm class presence. He has a wide breadth of learning from the analytical complexities of Monteverdi’s ‘Orfeo’ and Schoenberg’s ‘Peripetie’ to Club Dance Remix, Reggae and even a spot of samba drumming can be heard echoing around the site from Ian’s classroom. Indeed, his care of his Pre-U Music students has been second to none, guiding them through the academic twists and turns of the course as well as supporting them through the myriad options of academic choices postDowne. Most importantly, however, Ian has always placed the girls at the centre of everything he does in the Department. He will be very much missed by his pupils and the whole Music Department. We thank Ian for all that he has so generously given to the Music

Department, his enthusiasm for taking on new challenges, his clear love of music and ultimately his musical care for all the girls at Downe. We congratulate Ian on his appointment as Head of Music at Farnborough Hill School. I know that he will greatly enjoy running academic music in the department and wish him every happiness and much success. Dr Charlotte Exon, Director of Music

14

Maria von Weissenberg Housemistress and Teacher of Drama When Maria joined us four years ago as a teacher of Speech and Drama, she was no stranger to the Downe House community, having been a pupil here herself in AGS, and indeed Head Senior to boot. Maria’s great commitment to Downe House was immediately apparent, as too was her affinity with the boarding side of the School. As an outstanding tutor with a real flair for pastoral work from the outset, when the opportunity to become Assistant Housemistress of Darwin arose, she jumped at it, and was a huge support to the Housemistress at that time. Shortly afterwards she agreed to cover Mrs Wilson’s maternity leave in Aisholt and the following year she took up the position of Housemistress of Holcombe. Despite the all-consuming nature of running a House, continued to DOWNE HOUSEMaria 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 14

give unwavering support to the Drama Department and no-one who saw the exam pieces produced by her LV and LVI classes at Founder’s Weekend could doubt her outstanding ability as a teacher of Curriculum Drama. The same energy and commitment characterised her time in Holcombe and she leaves a happy and thriving House. We wish her all the very best as she leaves Downe House to join the Drama Department at Marlborough College. We will miss Maria’s Assembly and Chapel addresses, her Parents’ Brunches, her House Services and much, much more, but we look forward to her continued association with the School as one of our most enthusiastic and loyal alumnae.

> Maria with Brenda Njiru, UVI

Mrs Teresa MacColl, Deputy Headmistress (Boarding

07/11/2014 16:59

House Reports York House What a year the young women of York have had! Their penultimate year at Downe has been a busy one indeed, and there is much to celebrate. The year began with a team bonding trip to a water sports park, with the girls having the opportunity to be together as a whole year group and try out exciting new activities. This also allowed the new girls at DH to meet everyone else and quickly become part of the York community. Any trepidation quickly dissolved as the girls got more involved, not to mention, completely soaked. Throughout the year we have run a full programme of academic and social events. The most popular of these has been the Caledonian Society, which has had a series of dinners and dances with different boys’ schools through the year, culminating in an outdoor ceilidh with a barbeque at Harrow in the Summer term. The events have been well attended by our light-footed girls, and their favourite dance ‘Strip the Willow’ is certainly not for the faint hearted. Bridging the gap between academic and social events has been Phoenix Society, another popular opportunity for the girls to demonstrate their subject knowledge and socialise with Winchester, Eton and Radley. The girls themselves have been able to present on their topics of interest and field some tough questions on a number of topics, such as ‘Feminism’, by Meredith Webber or ‘The Political Nature of Chinese Art’, by Meitao Qu. To support their academic studies, the girls have had the opportunity to

attend a wide range of lectures given by outside speakers on subjects including Israel, The Gothic Imagination, and the Existence of God. One of the most powerful and thought-provoking was a lecture on Forgiveness by, Jo Berry the daughter of Sir Anthony Berry, a Conservative MP, who was killed in the IRA Brighton bombing of October 1984. The girls have also been active in initiating their own societies to support their wider learning. This year we have seen the start of Feminist Society, Budding Intellectuals Book Club, Film Society and Drama Society. There have been several Young Enterprise companies started, with two, Blink and Phase winning the Berkshire regional and area finals. The girls have been involved in coordinating whole School activities throughout the year, such as House Drama, House Music and House Dance and they have thrown themselves into their directorial roles. York House was pleased to see girls showcasing their talents as part of Search for a Star and the York House Open Mic Night, which saw a variety of performances including singing, sketches and more. One of our biggest achievements, though, was to organise a charity Wine & Wisdom night in support of Microloan Foundation, a charity voted for by the girls at the start of the year. The girls managed to source some fantastic raffle prizes and goods for auction and raised an impressive £2100. The annual sponsored walk was also in aid of Microloan Foundation. Special thanks needs to go to our House

Committee this year for all of their help in organising and coordinating events. As well as their charity work, many of our girls have been contributing to the local community by volunteering though our community service scheme. Looking to the future, preparations for university have begun in earnest, and this has motivated the girls to think about their exciting futures. Many have participated in essay competitions, to support their applications, with some notable success including a commendation for Sarah Creedy-Smith for the Woolfe Essay Competition, another commended for Natasha Seaton for the Peterhouse Kelvin Science Essay and a first place for Honor Loveridge in the Keble College, Oxford competition, with an essay entitled ‘Should theologians be worried about Artificial Intelligence.’ To ensure that they are mentally prepared for life as well as academically the girls have also taken part in a series of talks about wellbeing, including one on internet safety by Karl Hopwood and another about body image by Natasha Devon. The whole team have enjoyed working with the Lower Sixth this year, a truly special group of young women. We are all very much looking forward to helping them complete their journey next year.

15

Dr Andrea Roberts, Housemistress, Teacher of Chemistry and Mrs Caroline Walton-Waters, Housemistress, Biology Teacher

SCHOOL LIFE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 15

07/11/2014 16:59

Willis The final year in the Sixth Form is an exciting, sometimes busy and often frantic time as girls prepare for life beyond school. The year has been characterised by the news of excellent UCAS offers, the opening of the Sixth Form social club and a real sense that we have functioned as one house. It has been a pleasure to share a house with the class of 2014 and we wish them every success and happiness for the future! Mr Jeremy Long, Housemaster Willis East and Teacher of Geography and Mrs Victoria Ryan, Housemistress Willis West and Teacher of Drama, IRR Moderator

16

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 16

07/11/2014 16:59

AGN What a tremendous year it has been in AGN! Not only has it been my first year as Housemistress of AGN, but in September we also welcomed our new Assistant Housemistress, Ms Tracey Steggall. Ms Steggall’s gentle manner and millionaire’s shortbread have been a big hit in AGN and we feel thoroughly blessed to have her as a member of our community. Predictably for AGN, we have been ever ambitious in House competitions this year. House Drama was our first big competition of the year and as usual, AGN approached the event with an abundance of House spirit! Our version of ‘Wild Swans’ was an instant hit, with many members of the audience saying that it was the best performance AGN had given for a long time. As well as the coveted Best Artistic Endeavour award, we also received a stream of individual commendations including Best Set (Clara De Montfort, LVI with the help of all Lower Sixth AGN girls), Best Live Music Performance (Lamise Saber, LV), AGN Acting Prize (Claudine Collins, UIV) and the Drama Senior’s Award (Henrietta Ryan, UIV). After placing a very close second in House Drama, I was thrilled that AGN very much owned the House Music competition, winning best House Choir, clad in full tartan with our rendition of ‘Loch Lomond’, best Solo with Lamise Saber’s stunning performance of ‘Laura’ by Batting for Lashes and of course, the coveted Overall Winner trophy! None of this could have been possible without the hard work of each and every AGN girl, as well as the excellent leadership by Meredith Webber, LVI and Victoria Crewe-Turrell, LVI supported by Arabella Newton, LVI and Lara Spearman, LVI.

17

This year, AGN have continued to support and develop our link with our international charity, Sparkes Home in Sri Lanka and I was fortunate enough to visit this worthwhile cause over Easter. The AGN girls were very excited to write letters contributing to a scrap book, as well as throwing themselves into fundraising to buy items such as stationary, nit combs and packets of sweets for the Sri Lankan girls to enjoy. The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party (who can forget the infamous Fortune Telling Tent?!), along with the AGN House Chapel Service, with ‘Cantique de Jean Racine’ sung by the AGN choir and soloists Meredith Webber, Charlotte Aldrich and Alexandra O’Kane were not only wonderful events but also contributed to the vast fundraising that AGN have fulfilled over the course of the year, for which I can only thank the AGN parents for their support and kind generosity. There have been many triumphs to celebrate this year in AGN and the girls thoroughly deserve to be proud of all they have achieved both as individuals and as a House. As our House motto says, Ad Astra! Miss Kayleigh Anger, Housemistress, AGN SCHOOL LIFE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 17

07/11/2014 16:59

AGS

18

We started this year with a bang! The Isle of Wight was our first House trip and was an outstanding way to get to know all of the members of AGS and show off our superb kayaking skills. Of the competitions, House Drama was up first. ‘The Sandman’, adapted by Matilda Blythe, was an excellent way to start the year and to begin inter house bonding. We must applaud Ella Leeves for doing her whole performance on crutches. In House Gym we had some tough competition from all of the other houses but our brilliant captains Henrietta Allen, Janice Kwong and Celine Harborne led us to a very highly regarded second place with a phenomenal individual win from Adetoun Karunwi. House Shout saw a wonderful performance of Bell Bottom Trousers for which Mrs Jones pulled out all the stops including making 40 paper hats the night before our performance. House Dance must have a special

mention as we stormed to victory after an emotional individual performance by Kyara Uchida, choreographed by the exceptional Shuk Man Li. We have had many incomparable House parties and suppers. Special mention must go to Emma Stonebridge and Katarina Huth for a wonderful pyjama party and dorm entertainment, followed by the fantastic Christmas Party with very original costumes. Freya Esam and Eleeanor Leeves organised a princess party which cannot be rivalled due to the amount of pink that was in our dining room. Before we knew it, we ourselves were planning a House event and the idea we came up with was ‘Turn Back Time’. The idea of the theme was that everyone in the House had to bring a photo of themselves from at least five years ago (well, for the students) and remake that same pose; clothes, accessorises and all! The whole

day thankfully turned out to be a huge success! We were very fortunate to have beautiful weather while we had fun on the waterslide, starting water fights and eating many burgers and hotdogs. Laura Vaughn Johnson’s photo could not have been done better (it even involved five people braiding her hair). In other news, AGS has now decided to become an animal shelter with an impressive number of pets in the House. With the addition of our bunny Steve, we now hold 6 animals, not only in our hearts but unbelievably, also in our House. As well as our hospitality, we have managed to contribute to a few charities along the way. The first, which many girls went to help out with on the day, was ‘Riding for the Disabled’. The charity aims to help those with disabilities feel confident on trustworthy horses and all the girls had a fantastic time watching a lesson. As well as this we have continued in our support of Rufus, a guide dog for the blind and regularly receive pupdates. Regrettably, as many of you may know, Mrs Jones has decided to move on from Downe House and start a family with Mr Jones at Edgeborough Preparatory School in Surrey. She will be greatly missed, yet we know that Mrs McClymont and Mr McClymont will continue the unique family atmosphere felt in AGS that Mrs Jones has effortlessly managed to create and maintain. As you can see, the past year has been absolutely phenomenal. We cannot even explain the joy we have felt in this lovely House. Although we are clearly devastated to be leaving such a fantastic House, as it truly does feel like a second home, we know that all of the girls will enjoy the next step in their life, wherever it may be. Alexandera Kirk and Autumn Davies, UV, AGS Shadow Heads of House

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 18

07/11/2014 16:59

Aisholt This year has been another wonderful year for Aisholt, with an eclectic series of achievements to be celebrated. The House morale has remained high as ever as our girls have worked together to both support and proudly represent the House, in a multitude of endeavours. We have also gained this year a number of, now ‘not so recent’ additions to the House, which have made us an even bigger, bubblier community. At the start of September we welcomed assistant Housemistress Miss Myers to the House along with resident tutor Miss Zheng, both of whom have settled in seamlessly. Particular highlights throughout the year include the legendary whole house Halloween treasure hunt, UIV team building evenings, the nail art night organized by Miss Zheng as well as the dumpling cooking night we had to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Aisholt has also enjoyed a number of socials with Harrow, Winchester and Radley throughout the year. These always turn out to be popular events and most notably, our Upper Fourth girls were invited to Harrow for a top notch Italian meal! In this year’s ‘Hans Christian Anderson’ themed House Drama competition, Aisholt performed ‘The Snow Queen’. The whole House worked in cohesion under the direction of Sarah Creedy-

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 19

Smith, LVI, to put the play together and on the day we took home the awards for ‘Best Staging’ and ‘Best Programme’. Miranda Shaw, UV, was given the Acting Award for Aisholt and Amelia Yerburgh, UV, was awarded the runner up prize for the Head of Drama Award, a fabulous achievement! Search for a Star this year was organised by Lower Sixths, Honour Weatherall, Sarah Creedy-Smith, Lauren Blair and Emily Flindall. Together they put on a fun, lively competition with an array of solo vocalists, many of whom were fresh talent and first timers on stage. In total they raised £768 which went towards Aisholt’s sending of second hand uniforms to the “Dr Cyrus Njiru Foundation”, our new charity link based in Embu, Kenya. The Foundation distributes the uniforms donated by Downe House girls to local schools in Embu, such as St MaGoreti Girls Catholic School, in order to aid school attendance of less privileged children, for whom uniform is otherwise unaffordable. Our House stall on Founder’s Weekend raised in excess of £450 for this Foundation, further cementing our idea of ‘students helping students’ by selling homemade marshmallows, hot chocolate pops, fudge and other homemade sweets and treats, as well as ice creams too. We look forward to developing the House

Link established with the Dr Cyrus Njiru Foundation, with aims for a group of Aisholt girls to make a House Trip to Embu, Kenya in the future, to grant the opportunity to visit the recipient schools and form a lasting link for many future years.

19

Aisholt continued the successful streak from previous years in House Music, by taking two big awards. Elizabeth Bosson, LVI won the prize for ‘Best Conductor’ and our House Ensemble’s rendition of ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ was awarded the ‘Best Ensemble’ prize. Aisholt girls have also excelled on the sports pitches this year, with the Senior Athletes taking home first place in Sports’ Day and the House finishing in second place across the whole year. We also won House Cross Country and came joint first in Netball, Lacrosse and Tennis – a terrific set of results! All in all it has been a very busy, very fantastic year! I am honoured to have served as Head of this fantastic House this year and I have taken utmost pleasure and pride in leading the Aisholt girls and bearing witness to their broad range of achievements. I wish all the very best to my successor Sarah Creedy-Smith and her team of house prefects! Brenda Njiru, UVI SCHOOL LIFE

07/11/2014 16:59

Holcombe

20

What a year this has been in Holcombe. We started the year off with what at so very many points seemed like a frankly hair brained endeavour – to swim the 580km length of Lake Malawi as a house over the course of the September term. A total of 88 swimmers from across the Holcombe community from Removes to UVI, parents, siblings, Tutors and House Staff swam and contributed to the total 23,200 lengths of the school swimming pool. The girls’ dogged resilience length after length was admirable and they are rightly proud of themselves for this astonishing achievement. They raised a total of £2434.55 through the course of the term for The Chauncy Maples Malawi Trust, our House charity. I have no doubt whatsoever that we had fewer end of term coughs and colds after all that endorphin inducing swimming through the term. The girls’ efforts in every House competition through the year have been fantastic – they have taken part in all of them with a tremendous sense of fun, good humour and commitment. Holcombe may not have added to its trophy cabinet this year but the girls’ enjoyment of their participation in every House competition ultimately matters rather more. They looked perfectly ridiculously happy on stage in the House Music Competition in the Lent term, clad in their mildly psychedelic and absurd seaside garb singing ‘My Bonnie Lives Over the Ocean’. And Holcombe’s ‘Thumbelina’ in the House Drama Competition was a colourful flurry of butterflies, toads, cockchafers and fun and flair – all presided over happily by little Tiny herself.

guest speakers in – Rachel Hill, a former Assistant Housemistress in Holcombe as well as Francis Highton, a member of the Under 23 Great Britain Rowing Team. The Candlelight Carol Service was once again a lovely and atmospheric way to bring the long Michaelmas term to a close. The Summer Term saw the first of our UV Leavers’ Services which was a happy way to mark the end of the UV’s time in House and the Holcombe Picnic later in the term is certainly a social event to rival Henley and Ascot. Long may these traditions continue. The Lent Term took off to a flying start with some excellent examination results from the UV and LV whose academic efforts through the year have been admirable indeed. ‘The Sound of Music’ was a real highlight in the term and it was fantastic to see so many Holcombe girls in key roles. We may not have won the House Gym competition but our lion themed make up was a sight to behold and a creative manifestation of House pride. Summer Term has been a busy, happy and productive one in House. Although examinations for the UV have been the major focus the LV Confirmation Service was a delightful one and no doubt a memorable day for the families and godparents who came. The LV have stomped off on many a Duke of Edinburgh Expedition this term and also took part in the early morning Walk to School in aid of the Afghan Connection. However, the single most touching thing to witness in Holcombe every day

is how very much the girls, across the year groups, enjoy each other’s company in House. Our decidedly less formal, Superhero themed House Supper at the start of the Summer Term was riotously funny and the girls’ love of one another’s company is palpable. Little wonder then that the Holcombe Cubs system has become such an integral part of the House community and the girls’ care of each other. The Holcombe Singers have once again been a constant through the year and have continued to impress us all on every occasion we have heard them sing. They all deserve our thanks and admiration for their commitment to the group and the tremendous pride they take in their singing. And so my time in Holcombe as Housemistress draws to a close. I know I could not have had a finer group of girls in my care, a more supportive parent community, a more dedicated trio of Seniors, nor a better team to run this House with. My gratitude to the girls, parents and staff of Holcombe is immeasurable and it has been a privilege to run this House and to care for the exceptional girls in it. This is as good as it can get for a Housemistress and I leave in the knowledge that I could not have had a better House to run. I shall always be glad to hear of and from the girls and I know their lives will always be touched by a little touch of magic, wonder and sparkle, for these are girls that make the world a better place. Miss Maria von Weissenberg, Housemistress

It has been wonderful to see certain things becoming traditions in the Holcombe Calendar. In October we had the second of our formal House Suppers at which the UIV were given their yellow Holcombe badge - we remain, distinctively, the only house with a House badge. We are so glad to have had two DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 20

07/11/2014 16:59

Tedworth It’s June again - meaning the girls and staff of Tedworth House have reached the end of another exhilarating, jampacked year full of accomplishments. The Michaelmas Term kicked off the School year in a rather mud-splattered fashion - all 70 girls attended a House outing to an assault course in the woods. Despite their initial horror, the adventure became a showcase for the many talents of the Tedworthians - a strong team spirit, quick to adapt and learn, and relentlessly determined. These qualities were put to good use in the annual House Drama competition, an area in which Tedworth has been known to excel. This year’s theme was ‘fairytales’, and Tedworth took on the task of adapting Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Red Shoes”- the tale of a famous ballerina who must choose between art and love- into a piece for the stage. Under the watchful eye and tireless efforts of directors Katharine Craig, Daisy Smail and Henrietta Montgomerie, Tedworth pulled through and scooped the House Drama Cup. Later in the term, similar victories occurred in the House Dance Competition - our soloist, Ella Bishop, performed a beautifully expressive ballet piece, but it was our group dance that truly stole the show - Isadora Corfield, Hermione Fenton, Antonia Church, Anna Hewitt and Lara Wigan, bedecked in dazzling green costumes, won the Best Group Dance for Tedworth.

At the end of the Michaelmas Term, the entire House collected together for Christmas festivities and advanced upon Reading for an evening of Chinese food and merriment, as well as the much-anticipated reveal of everyone’s respective Secret Santas. Tedworth is also committed to charity and community outreach activities. This Michaelmas Long Exeat saw 12 girls depart on Tedworth’s bi-annual trip to our link school Tiger Kloof in South Africa. As well as participating in an important community service project, the girls made an invaluable connection with our brothers and sisters across the globe. The trip created some unforgettable experiences, and taught many invaluable life lessons. Tedworthians back home are also determined to make a difference through fundraising initiatives. In the Lent Term Tedworth also hosted our very own Ascot Race Night. Parents, girls, and staff alike gathered to ‘bet’ on horses, with all winnings directed to charity. Over £3,000 was raised in total. It was a supremely enjoyable evening, testament to the hard work and organisational prowess of Madeleine Fletcher and Hester Wolton.

a House, but a home and a community that allows girls to excel in all areas of school life. We would like to thank Mrs. Nurser for being our Housemistress in Tedworth and for all her kindness and support over the years. We will all miss her very much. Amelia Milne, UV

21

This year has been nothing but a non-stop adventure for all members of Tedworth. It is clear that we are not only

Not to be outdone by the arts, Tedworth’s sporting superstars also flourished. Team spirit was strong at Inter-House Netball, Swimming and Athletics competitions. Athletic prowess is especially strong in Lacrosse - Tedworth won the well-deserved cup in the Inter-House tournament. A large number of Tedworth LV girls make up the Lacrosse B’s and A’s, which won and came second in the National Lacrosse Championships, respectively. SCHOOL LIFE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 21

07/11/2014 16:59

Darwin The Lower Fourth is such an exciting year and the girls really have made the most of every opportunity available to them at Downe. The highlight of course is the term in Veyrines but they do have a lot of fun at school as well. In House activities have ranged from baking, knitting, quizzes, movie nights and an inter dorm dance off. Our weekend trips have included Windsor Horse Show, Harry Potter World as well as cinema and ice skating. The girls in Darwin really enjoy dressing up, and made the most of both Disney Day and Onesie day, as well as our Halloween party. It has been a delight to see the girls showcase their talents on the sports field and we have a large number of sports scholars this year. They are extremely competitive whether playing lacrosse, netball or on the athletics track. This is also an exceptionally musical year group, and the Lower Fourth have dominated at many School concerts as well enjoying performing in more informal settings. Darwin is known for its inclusiveness and friendly atmosphere and the girls this year have given everything to ensure this continues as well as having a lot of fun along the way. 22

Miss Faith Smith, Darwin Housemistress

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 22

07/11/2014 16:59

Hermitage The Removes had an action-packed start to life at Downe House; the Michaelmas Term was filled with fun activities to introduce them to boarding life! There were exciting trips to Cotswolds Wildlife Park, chocolate-galore at Cadburys World and the Aquadrome. Hermitage House came alive with Halloween and Christmas parties and afternoons of baking and arts and crafts when the weather became too cold for the trampoline! There was also great fun to be had with House Drama, where the girls got to spend time with their mixedage Houses. The Lent Term continued to be as busy as the previous term, filled with many highlights including Disney day, where the girls had enormous fun dressing up as themed characters from a wide range of films. There were more exciting trips to be had at the ice rink, Poultons Park, War Horse, the London Dungeons and Windsor Castle, where we saw the exquisite doll’s house belonging to Queen Mary and a special tour of the Great Kitchen, as well as more activities back at school: a dinner and Ceilidh social with Ludgrove and the Science Challenge.

23

Continuing with the magic theme from the Lent Term, we began the Summer Term with a visit to the Harry Potter Studios, where we saw the incredible detail which had gone into the filmmaking and sampled Butterbeer. Much fun was also had closer to home with the Remove picnic, where Hermitage hosted Hill for an afternoon of garden games in the sun. The highlight of the term was definitely the exhilarating weekend spent at Calshot activity centre, embarking on a multitude of activities, ranging from windsurfing to track cycling. All in all, it has been a wonderful start to life at Downe House. Miss Helen Poole, Assistant Housemistress

SCHOOL LIFE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 23

07/11/2014 17:00

Hill House Over the year at Hill House we’ve had many wonderful experiences that have given us memories that will remain with us throughout our lives. We have been fortunate enough to go to many exciting places, such as Cadbury’s World, Windsor Castle and Paulton’s Park. Weekend trips like these are real treats that take our minds off not being at home and makes everything seem like a fun adventure!

24

During our first year, we have been made to feel really welcome, especially by the older girls, and we now fully feel part of the Downe Community. For example, we regularly visit Darwin and, during our first term, they invited us to their Halloween party; (we had lots of fun dressing up and eating sweets!) We have lots of chances to visit great new places and explore many new cultures. This year at Hill has been a really brilliant experience and has left us all looking forward to an amazing next few years. Alexandra Adderley, Emily Carpmael and Molly Dewar, R

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 24

07/11/2014 17:00

House Officers AGN

UV Games Captains

Laura Vaughan-Johnson and Cordelia Tahany Head of House Katherine Barbour-Smith LV Games Captains Melissa McAlpine and Lucy Grace Deputy Heads of House Tiffany Aldrich and Harriet Pettit Michaelmas Term 2013 LVI Games Captains Annabel Clover and Victoria Shadow Heads of House Emma Stonebridge and Crewe-Turrell Katarina Huth UV Games Captains Felicia Tchen and Timilehin Afolami LV Year Reps Harriet Emery and Lydia Stonehill LV Games Captains Charlotte Clover and Iona Jardine UIV Year Reps Clarissa Hahn and Jasmine Holland Michaelmas Term 2013 Peer Support Ella Monck, Tabonga Yangailo and Shadow Heads of House Clara de Monfort, Clarissa Hahn Arabella Newton, Arabella Newton, House Drama Producer Natasha Seaton Louisa Pattisson, Charlotte Scobie, House Drama Director Mathilda Blythe Naomi Vallance and Meredith Webber Assistant Director Anna Black LV Year Reps Henrietta Johnston and Amelia Porter Lent Term 2014 UIV Year Reps Katherine Lyons and Chidimma Umeh Shadow Heads of House Eleanor Leeves and Freya Esam Food Committee Reps Daisy Shepherd-Cross and LV Year Reps Georgina Dick and Arabella Nourse Omotara Edu UIV Year Reps Kyara Uchida and Charlotte Benigni Anti-Bullying Reps UV Rose Hughes and Victoria Scobie Peer Support Ella Monck, Tabonga Yangailo and Anti-Bullying Reps LV Sarah Orpen Clarissa Hahn House Drama Producer Lamise Saber Foundation Committee Flora Lindsay and Grace Devereux House Drama Director Lara Spearman Summer Term 2014 Assistant Director Charlotte Scobie Shadow Heads of House Autumn Davies and Lent Term 2014 Alexandra Kirk Shadow Head of House Meredith Webber LV Year Reps Henrietta Allen and Molly Hunloke LV Year Reps Louisa Henry and Sophia Donald UIV Year Reps Laura Douglas-Hamilton and Molly UIV Year Reps Iona Jardine and Charlotte Clover Grafftey-Smith Food Committee Reps Lara Bracher and Gwendoline Choi Peer Support Ella Monck, Tabonga Yangailo and Anti-Bullying Reps UV Jennifer Standbrook and Clarissa Hahn Jennifer Darko Foundation Committee Nutthapit Poolworaluk and LV Sarah Orpen Isabella Craig UIV Lamise Saber Head of House Georgina Revell House Gym Captains Meredith Webber and House Seniors Lucie Kiehl and Mathilda Blythe Victoria-Crewe Turrell Summer Term 2014 Shadow Heads of House Charlotte Aldrich, Imogen Hancock, Honor Pattisson and Katherine Maloney Brenda Njiru LV Year Reps Felicia Tchen and Keshya Rana Head of House UIV Year Reps Honor Pattisson and Hebe Meredith Deputy Heads of House Florence Dowler and Sona Yusifli Lauren Blair and Honor Weatherall Food Committee Reps Holly Evans and Alexandra O’Kane LVI Games Captains Anti-Bullying Reps UV Holly Evan and Omotara Edu UV Games Captains Lucy Goodman and Emily Dodd-Nobel LV Sarah Orpen LV Games Captains Sophie Manners and Jasmine Coulson UIV Lamise Saber Michaelmas Term 2013 Shadow Heads of House Lauren Brolly and Olivia Scott LV Year Reps Jasmine Coulson and Sophie Manners UIV Year Reps Natasha Somerville-Cotton and Hebe Ide Food Committee Rep Araminta Robertson Anti-Bullying Reps UV Lauren Brolly and Olivia Scott Head of House Jessica Robinson LV Georgina Fenn and Islay Kingham Deputy Heads of House Tara Hiley and Emily Lyle UIV Hebe Ide and Natasha Somerville-Cotton LVI Games Captains Georgina Revell and House Drama Producer Frances Nicholson Adetoun Karunwi House Drama Director Sarah Creedy-Smith, Honor

25

Aisholt

AGS

SCHOOL LIFE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 25

07/11/2014 17:00

Weatherall and Lauren Holmes Emily Flindall, Lauren Blair and Katy Lane

LVI Prefects Lent Term 2014 Shadow Heads of House

26

India Huggett and Amelia Yerburgh LV Year Reps Imogen Luczyc-Wyhowska and Grace Ingram UIV Year Reps Zara Edmiston and Sophie Kelisky Food Committee Reps Araminta Robertson Anti-Bullying Reps UV India Huggett and Amelia Yerburgh LV Georgina Fenn and Islay Kingham UIV Hebe Ide and Zara Edmiston House Shout Conductors Elizabeth Bosson assisted by Katy Lane and Lauren Blair House Gym Captains Anna Chalmers, Olivia Clark and Sandrine Heller LVI Prefects Lauren Holmes, Frances Nicholson and Sarah Creedy-Smith Summer Term 2014 Shadow Heads of House Miranda Shaw and Lucy Goodman LV Year Reps Emily Crowston and Katherine Garvin UIV Year Reps Monique Leong and Alice Wills Food Committee Reps Araminta Robertson Anti-Bullying Reps UV Miranda Shaw and Lucy Goodman LV Georgina Fenn and Islay Kingham UIV Hebe Ide and Zara Edmiston

Shadow Heads of House

Livia Russell, Eleanor Tarling, Madeleine Davies LV Year Reps Zara Chamberlain and India Burney UIV Year Reps Georgina Lloyd Yorke and Josephine Adams

Tedworth Head of House Deputy Head of House LVI Games Captains

Hester Wolton Madeleine Fletcher Iona Miller and Henrietta Montgomerie Lara Wigan and Jessica Ledger Camilla Farrell and Daisy Padovan Katharine Craig

UV Games Captains LV Games Captains Drama Producer Michaelmas Term 2013 Shadow Heads of House Cicely Hornby and Holly Parkinson LV Year Reps Georgina Galbraith and Alyx Van der Vorm UIV Year Reps Alexia Milliken and Christabel Gilmour Foundation Forum Anna Hewitt and Alexa Feather Lent Term 2014 Shadow Heads of House Jessica Ledger and Ester Adebajo LV Year Reps Daisy Padovan UIV Year Reps Alexa Feather and Rosanna Craig House Shout Conductor Hetty Fairbanks-Smith House Choreographers Meitao Qu House Gym Captains Kezia Dubens, Daisy Padovan and Octavia Leahy Foundation Forum Rosanna Craig and Eleanor Bishop Head of House Anabel Elliot Summer Term 2014 Deputy Heads of house Annabel Galbraith and Florice Shadow Heads of House Hattie Muncey and Clare Maunder Cole- Fontayn LV Year Reps Violet Crawfurd and Anna Goodman LVI Games Captains Roseanna Whitbread and Jessica Lea UIV Year Reps Daisy Spurrier UV Games Captains Livia Russell and Molly Adams Foundation Forum Georgina Anastassopoulos Tubby LV Games Captains Florence Elliot and Zara Chamberlain and Sasha Villiers-Smith Michaelmas Term 2013 Shadow Heads of House Lucy Astor and Catherine Yung LV Year Reps Caroline Watkinson and Isabelle Smith UIV Year Reps Ilaria Bevan and Eleanor Campbell House Drama Producer Jessica Lea House Drama Director Roseanna Whitbread Assistant Director Charlotte Whitehead Lent Term 2014 Shadow Heads of House Sophie Larminie and Ottilie Carter LV Year Reps Oonagh Sargentson and Gemma Mountain UIV Year Reps Lauren Griffith and Isabelle Brown House Music Prefects Jessica Lea and Morolayo Lambo House Gym Captains Isabelle Smith, Tiffany Chan, India Laidlaw Summer Term 2014

Holcombe

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 26

07/11/2014 17:00

House Dance Competition 2014 The theme for this year’s House Dance Competition was ‘Hollywood’, which produced a great mix of dances inspired by the great Hollywood musicals but with a very modern twist. As usual the girls went to town on their costumes and their dance routines, which showed the imagination and flair of the House Choreographers. We were very lucky this year to have an outstanding adjudicator, Paulo Texiera, a professional dancer, who has performed in numerous West End shows including ‘We Will

Rock You’ and ‘Wicked’ and, when he joined us for our competition, he was about to join the cast of ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’. Paolo proved a terrific adjudicator and gave really helpful feedback to the dancers and choreographers. The second adjudicator this year was Mrs Nurser, who was persuaded onto the stage for her last House Dance Competition before retiring. She was even persuaded to don her ballet pumps and go on point, much to the delight of the audience.

This year’s winning House was AGS, with Kyara Uchida bagging the Best Soloist trophy. The Best Choreographer award was won by Naomi Vallance for AGN, and Tedworth won trophies for the Best Group and also the Best Workshop Group. This was a great result for Mrs Nurser, whose love of dance has been instrumental in making the House Dance Competition such a resounding success. All in all it was a pretty amazing evening. Congratulations to all who took part! Mrs Teresa MacColl, Boarding Deputy

27

SCHOOL LIFE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 27

07/11/2014 17:00

Academic Life

28

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 28

07/11/2014 17:00

English DHSA Short Story Competition The DHSA are delighted to sponsor a Short Story Competition for current girls. The judges were very impressed with the 32 entries this year and congratulate the winners on their achievements. The standard of the entries has been excellent. Judged by a panel of Downe House Alumnae with experience in writing and publishing, the girls have all produced work that exceeds our already high expectations. Well done to Senior Winner, June Eric-Udorie, UV, and Junior Winner, Olivia Stakem, UIV.

Their efforts were well rewarded with a fantastic prize. The winners and runners up spent a day in London attending a writing workshop. This was followed by dinner with Antonia Kingsland, Chairman of the DHSA committee, and Alumna and publisher, Laura Palmer. The winners’ stories were then published on Laura’s company website - please visit www.headofzeus.com to view them. The winners and runners-up also received a small gift from the DHSA and the winners also got some book vouchers.

> June

> Olivia

‘I am so impressed by what the girls produced and enthralled by their powerful imaginations. It was a pleasure for me to hear the judges describe the standard of the entries as “astounding” and I would very much like to thank the judges for their participation in the event.’ Mrs Jessica Boswell, Teacher of English

English Department: Research Project & Exhibition - Elizabeth Bowen (DH 1917) discovered many more details about her early and later life, as well as her life as an author. We were also able to gain a greater appreciation of her style and genre of writing, by researching some of her best known books and the television and film versions of these.

It was a great pleasure to be able to work with Mrs Kingsland, our School Archivist and some talented members of the UIV, on a fascinating piece of research about Elizabeth Bowen for an exhibition that we then curated. Elizabeth was a pupil at the original Downe House (in Kent) and went on to lead a very interesting life, becoming a successful author and receiving a CBE. Below, Georgina explains a little more about how we approached this project and what we gained from it. Mr John Sentance-Davis, Teacher of English, Oxbridge Team Mentor The task set for a small group of UIVs was to find out more about Elizabeth Bowen, an important twentieth-century Anglo-Irish writer. We researched her life and, of course, her time spent at Downe House, collating enough information and material to enable us to create an exhibition for Founder’s Weekend. We also wanted to create some informative banners in support of this.

29

- We then visited the DH archives and, with the help of Mrs Kingsland, were able to put a face to the name. We looked at some of the school photographs featuring ‘Bitha’ Bowen, as she was known at school, during her time at Downe House (1914-1917). We handled the original 1916 school magazines in which some of her poetry could be found. - In relation to Downe House we also found out about the mulberry tree which was outside the School in Kent. Elizabeth Bowen wrote about the School, and the tree, in an essay she contributed to The Old School, edited by Graham Greene, in which a number of noted twentieth-century authors also wrote about their schools. The essay contains fascinating details of her very first day, addressed by Miss Willis as World War I broke out, and her day-to-day School life. It was interesting also to find out that a new mulberry tree was planted by Mrs McKendrick, outside the Concert Room in 2007, to celebrate the centenary of the School.

- Our first port-of-call was our own library, where we found only a few books relating to important English authors, and from these we were able to derive a brief summary of her life and most notable writing. There are also editions of some of her novels and short story collections available for loan.

Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable and very enlightening experience. Not only did we gain a greater understanding of the life and works of a celebrated English author who was a pupil at Downe House, but it also gave us an insight into the heritage of our own School, and informed us, mainly through her own writing, what it was like to be pupil at Downe House in its very early years.

- We expanded our search to the internet, where we

Georgina Anastassopoulos Tubby, UIV

ACADEMIC LIFE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 29

07/11/2014 17:00

Religious Studies Honor Loveridge presents her Prize Winning essay at Keble college Honor Loveridge, LVI, attended a formal dinner in July at Keble College, Oxford, where she accepted her first place certificate and prize for her essay on Artificial Intelligence in their national essay competition. As prize winner, Honor was also invited to read out her essay before an audience, which included members of the faculty, after which Dr Sarah Apeteri elucidated on why the essay took first place. Notably, very few submissions took on the weighty subject of the significance of Artificial Intelligence to Theology and very few presented their arguments with such a sound grasp of theological concepts.

30

Honor argued that Artificial Intelligence does not threaten Christian doctrine nor undermine Salvation. In light of potential new challenges such as ‘transhumanism’ and ‘techno-salvation’, Honor consistently applied theological ideas and thinkers alike to argue that since human worth before God was relational and not based on functional

abilities, salvation was still possible for humans: ‘Eternal happiness and salvation cannot be secured through a computer and uploading oneself to a machine, but through Christian hope and the love of Christ’. The Director of Studies at Keble, then publicly commended the essay for engaging with the topic in a specifically theological manner, noting that it was well crafted and there was an energy and assurance which ran through the essay. She added ‘What struck us as particularly impressive was [her] ability to adopt a distinctively theological line of argumentation in order to resolve quite a challenging problem.’

enjoyed the formal dinner at high table, along with other guests, commended students and teachers. The party then enjoyed a leisurely tour of the College, which included a visit to the chapel, where they were treated not only to a viewing of Holman Hunt’s ‘Christ the Light of the World’, but also Keble’s treasured relic of Charles II’s beard comb! Mr Philip Evans, Head of Religious Studies.

After the public appraisal of her essay Honor received her award and then

LIV Religious Studies Visit In July we went on a Religious Studies trip to see a Jewish Orthodox Synagogue and a Hindu Mandir. Before the trip, we were quite excited but we actually had no idea what was in store for us. It was a long coach journey up to London, but we eventually arrived at Bevis Marks synagogue. We went in and sat down on some amazing dark wood benches. Maurice Bitton, the Rabbi, came to talk to us about the synagogue and he told us that the benches had been there since the synagogue first opened in 1701. Bevis Marks is the oldest synagogue in Britain. He also showed us a replica Torah scroll, which are read and opened from left to right. Mr Evans and Mr Lapwood both had to wear a Kippah covering their heads, to show respect for the religion, as all males have to wear a Kippah in a synagogue. The Rabbi was very interesting, and so we asked lots and lots of questions.

Another coach journey took us across London to just outside the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden. We had our packed lunch in the carpark, and then made our way to the door where we had to leave bags and be scanned through by security. We took our shoes off out of respect, but it did not matter because there were some amazing carpets underfoot which had just been replaced the week before. A man talked to us about the Mandir and showed us a short video on how it was created. Each separate block for the building of this temple was carved by stone masons in India, and then shipped over to Britain to be pieced together. It took five years to be completed, mostly by more than 1,000 volunteers. When it was finished, it got into the Guinness World Records book for being the largest Hindu Mandir outside of India. After that we saw an exhibition called ‘Understanding Hinduism’ at the temple. It was fascinating and well

presented. Displays on the walls showed us core Hindu beliefs, and then a story explaining how it can be shown in humans. Isabel Fincham, LIV Last year, on the same trip, the current UIV were lucky enough to see a wedding at the Synagogue. Lara Bracher and Isabella Craig explain: In June last year we were extremely fortunate to witness a Jewish Wedding. It was very different to a Christian Wedding, although there were some similarities, but very amazing to watch and to see the traditions. We watched from the gallery so we had a fantastic view of everything that was going on. It was interesting to see how all the men sat on one side of the Bimah and the women sat on the other. The synagogue itself was beautiful, with grand candle holders suspended from the ceiling. Its atmosphere was very calm and peaceful. The Ark itself was one of the key features in the synagogue. It had a

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 30

07/11/2014 17:00

red velvet curtain and we glimpsed the Torah Scrolls inside, which were also covered in velvet mantles of various colours. We enjoyed the trip hugely and we have definitely felt that we learnt something. We also felt it was very special to visit different places of worship to our own and witness their traditions and ways. Our thanks go to Mr Evans for organising such a great day. Laura Bracher and Isabella Craig, UIV

UIV Visit to St. Sophia Orthodox Cathedral and Regent’s Park Mosque In June the Upper Fourth went on a Religious Studies trip to a Mosque and an Orthodox Cathedral in the centre of London. The Religious Studies Department would like to thank the guides at the Regent’s Park Mosque, and Mrs Anastassopoulos for generously giving up her time and helping us organise this event. I hope you will enjoy hearing what some of the girls enjoyed about the visit. Mr Philip Evans, Head of Religious Studies When we arrived at the Mosque we had to put scarves over our head, a sign of respect and a belief in Islamic religion. We saw a video which told us a little bit more about how Islam came to be and how people started believing in Allah and that Muhammad is his prophet. We then went into the Prayer Hall, one of the most important places in the Mosque. Before entering, we had to take our shoes off to make sure that the carpet stayed clean for people to pray on. Here we learned a bit more about the Mosque; that around 2,000 people come each day and it can hold 5,000 for the holidays when more than 4,000 people come. The reason why so many people come is because Muslims must pray every day.

In the afternoon, we went to St Sophia, a Greek Orthodox Cathedral. In this Church we could see the differences when compared with the Mosque. St Sophia was beautifully decorated inside with large paintings with rich colours like purple and gold. As we entered we were each given a candle which we could light in memory of a loved one dead or alive. Mrs Anastassopoulos, a Downe House parent, gave an introduction about St. Sophia Cathedral, Mr Evans related the full history of the Orthodox Church and Mr Lapwood gave a talk on Iconography. We were told about the Church and how the name St. Sophia is important as it relates to the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul and how the Greek Orthodox Church believes that your name day is more important to than your birthday. Serena Richards, UIV The Greek Orthodox Church was really interesting. I learnt much more than I expected and the religion has many traditions that I liked. - The incense burners have twelve hollow balls hanging from it representing the twelve disciples of Jesus. The bottom part of the burner represents earth and the separate top section represents heaven.

- A baby is baptised in a large silver pot, it is deep and quite wide. The child is plunged into the pot so that it is completely under water. This process happens three times. - If someone spoke under the dome their voice would change into a more echoed and airy voice.

31

The dome represents heaven and the ground is supposed to show humans on earth and that whatever action or speaking you do on the earth effects what happens to you in heaven. I found this architecture very interesting and clever. - A coffin is kept in the church in a glass case. During Easter the coffin is covered in flowers and taken though the streets carried by people and back into the church. People take the flower and keep them for a year until the next Easter. - A cross is hung in the church and has pockets for candles made of wick and oil. The whole cross takes three and a half hours to light and is only lit on special occasions. Eleanor Campbell, UIV

ACADEMIC LIFE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 31

07/11/2014 17:00

Science Lower School Science & DT Challenge In January the Science and DT Departments set challenges for girls in Remove and Lower Fourth that were designed to test their ingenuity, design skills and team work. All teams had a mixture of girls from the two years and for the Science Challenge they were required to design a device that would propel a ping pong ball, without being

able to touch it, over a large distance to accurately hit a target. They were provided with a very limited amount of basic equipment and had to try to come up with a novel design. The chairs and boxes containing the equipment proved very useful in some designs and most groups did manage to propel the ball at least a little way! In general the simplest

designs worked the best although the accuracy of most groups left much to be desired, with most of them missing the target altogether! The staff were very impressed with the team work and the way in which girls from the two year groups worked so well together. Mrs Yvonne Charlesworth, Co-ordinator and Head of Science

32

BA Crest Gold Award Winners A team of six girls from the Lower Sixth, comprising Elinor Fleming, Katy Lane, Arabella Newton, Alice Pearson, Natasha Seaton and Lara Spearman, took part in the Engineering Education Scheme working with engineers from the Scientific Computing department at the Rutherford Appleton Labs and supported by the STFC (Science and Technology Facilities Council). In October 2013 they were asked to design and build a base station for temperature sensors to be used in the computer rooms at RAL. This was a genuine project that was needed by the engineers to replace their current system which was expensive and unwieldy. The girls had no previous knowledge of programming and system design using CAD (Computer Aided Design) but they worked brilliantly as a team to come up with a suitable design for both the casing and the electronic circuits.

They spent two days at a residential workshop at the Rutherford Appleton Labs in December, successfully putting together the whole system and no-one was more surprised than them when it all worked! The engineers were delighted with the results, particularly since they came in well under budget. The Lent Term was spent writing the project up as an official report and in April they gave a fifteen minute presentation to an assessment panel and were also questioned on the project by a team of assessors from the British Association for Science. As a result they were awarded very high scores on all aspects of the project and each was awarded the BA Crest Gold Award. Mrs Yvonne Charlesworth, Co-ordinator and Head of Science

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 32

07/11/2014 17:00

@Bristol On Wednesday June 3, the Remove went on a trip to @Bristol, a science museum. All of us really enjoyed the trip mainly because there were lots of interesting and fun activities. We learned a lot and we had fun at the same time. A favourite was the show in the planetarium. It was amazing and we all learnt so much about space; all the planets and stars and explored the universe. It was great and everyone would like to go again! Alex Kiy, R

33

LIV Trip to the Living Rainforest 2014 Girls in Lower Fourth visited the Living Rainforest in Hamptead Norreys and enjoyed learning about how various plants and animals had adapted to life in that habitat. It was amazing to see plants that we regard as small houseplants that had grown to the size of trees with huge leaves that provided shade for many small animals. There were many varieties of birds and butterflies flying freely, some with beautifully coloured plumage. Other less friendly creatures,

for example scorpions, were also present but, thankfully, were not allowed to roam freely! Our guides gave us lots of interesting facts about all the plants and animals and it was good to see the Biology that we learn about being applied in the adaptations in the Rain Forest. Mrs Yvonne Charlesworth, Co-ordinator and Head of Science

ACADEMIC LIFE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 33

07/11/2014 17:01

Art History Art History Society In November, girls from the Sixth Form visited the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, to see the Francis Bacon- Henry Moore: Flesh and Bone exhibition. This show presented Bacon’s paintings alongside Moore’s sculptures and drawings to reveal interesting parallels in the work of these two great artists. We were able to see the important influences and experiences that they shared, as well as the common themes and preoccupations of their work. Abstraction was a key point of common interest, although Moore’s work sought to convey the pure essence of form, in response to Modernist influences, whilst Bacon’s expressive depictions conveyed both emotion and a sense of movement. Ms Diane Slocombe, Teacher of History of Art 34

LVI ARTiculation Competition Thirteen girls competed, presenting for between 5 and 10 minutes, on a work of art, design or architecture of their choice. The presenters and their topics were as follows: Marina Hacking – Kahlo; Jenny Yi – Caravaggio; Lauren Holmes – Lik; Isobel Flack – Van Gogh; Honor Weatherall – Banksy; Lauren Blair – Martin; Mathilda Blythe – Bartlett; Meitao Qu – Minjun; Cassie BlackettOrd – Duchamp; Mary Mayfield – Botticelli; Venetia Hudd – Munch; Charlotte Scobie – Pre-Raphaelites; and Henrietta Montgomery - Warhol. All the girls worked hard to present in an informative and very entertaining way. Mrs Caiger-Smith and Mrs Toogood kindly adjudicated for the evening and presented the runner-up prize to Mathilda Blythe. The winner was Marina Hacking. In January the LVI were invited to take part in a lecture competition. ARTiculation is an annual event designed to promote the appreciation and discussion of art. The competition

seeks to engage students, regardless of background or experience, with art and to develop their confidence and ability to express their opinions, thoughts and conclusions.

Ms Diane Slocombe, Teacher of History of Art

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 34

07/11/2014 17:01

UVI Study Day in London In March, the UVI Art Historians took part in a special workshop, arranged by renowned company Art History Abroad, in order to consolidate their study for the Pre-U Paper 3: The Nude. Ms. Alex Fielding devised a programme of revision, with the aim of studying at first hand examples of the Nude directly pertinent to the Pre-U Course and to draw links between all the thematic elements of the syllabus. In the morning the girls toured Tate Britain, debating the characteristics of the terms ‘naked’ and ‘nude’, examining and discussing examples of the Nude relating to the Classical ideal, female nudes and feminist re-interpretations, non-western nudes and modernist depictions of the Nude. After lunch, they travelled by boat along the Thames to Tate Modern. Here the girls divided into small groups to analyse more 20th century representations of the Nude, before presenting their ideas for the whole group to consider and discuss. The girls enjoyed a very busy, stimulating and refreshing revision of their classwork, while testing their ideas and deepening their understanding of the contrasting debates surrounding the Nude in art. Ms Diane Slocombe, Teacher of History of Art

LVI Study Day in London In June the LVI Art Historians visited two London art galleries to consolidate their Pre-U learning for their Analytical Studies and Historical Topics papers. In the morning the girls carried out analysis of ancient Greek artworks from the British Museum, focusing particularly on the Parthenon marbles, and the re-creation of the Nereid Monument. In the afternoon they analysed early Renaissance works in the Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery, before examining various other works in the main galleries relating to the case studies featured on their Analytical Studies syllabus.

35

Ms Diane Slocombe, Teacher of History of Art

ACADEMIC LIFE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 35

07/11/2014 17:01

Modern Foreign Languages MFL Book Club Twice a term a group of keen readers come together to discuss a book that they have read. Each time the book chosen has a common theme – it is a book in translation. That is the only rule in book club. This year book club started with Fazia Guène’s ‘Kiffe Kiffe Demain’ (disappointingly translated as ‘Just like tomorrow’) which provoked some discussion amongst the girls. We were interested to read about a Muslim girl of a similar age living in such difficult conditions in the outskirts of Paris. The language was interesting too and some of us braved the read in French to get a feel for the original, which highlighted the importance of reading a good translation.

Next we moved on to ‘The Mussel Feast’ which definitely got us all talking if only because we were frustrated with the ending. However, Birgit Vanderbeke’s protagonist was an interesting one, if not one we could warm to. It was perhaps a difficult book reflecting a complicated time in recent German history. Book club is open to all Sixth Form girls whether they are linguists or not. However, this year many of the girls involved in MFL Book Club are studying French and there was a greater demand for French literature that could be read in the original for those girls who wanted an extra challenge. Thus we read ‘No and me’ (‘No et moi’) by Delphine de Vigan about a young girl,

No, who befriends a homeless girl. Essentially both girls are social outsiders and the progression of their friendship makes for an intriguing read. This is just a flavour of some of the books we read this year. We have the challenge of ‘Madame Bovary’ for the summer months and given its status as a classic that girls of this age should read I do not think anyone will be disappointed. I have greatly enjoyed organising the club and look forward to discussing more books over tea and cake next year. Mrs Jane Basnett, Head of Modern Languages

Language Stars! 36

Nine intrepid language stars worked hard to prepare for the Routes into Languages public speaking event in March. Having seen footage of previous winners, it was with some trepidation that we set off to compete in this event. However, we need not have worried as all the girls performed brilliantly and demonstrated both good linguistic skills and good knowledge of their chosen topic areas. Gwendoline Choi, LV, started off in the KS3 non-native speaker event with a very polished performance about her town. Alice Wills, LV, followed in French on a similar theme. Alex Adderley, quite possibly the youngest person in the event gave a very detailed, slick and confident performance in the near-native speaker event. In KS4 non-native speaker event Alyx Van der Vorm, LV, shone. She learnt a great deal from watching the performances that had come before hers and she really spoke with great emphasis, enthusiasm and intonation. Her talk was about a holiday but it was certainly a holiday with a difference! It was a shame that India Roberts, UVI, and Hetty Fairbanks-Smith, UVI, were in the same category because only one of them could get a prize but they both deserved a medal. India’s enthusiastic presentation about Simón Bolívar was delivered with real aplomb. India obviously loved her topic and it was this that gave her the runner-up medal above Hetty’s presentation on Brigitte Bardot. A great day. The girls can be really proud of themselves. We certainly are!

Winners: KS3 non-native speaker: Gwendoline Choi KS4 non-native speaker: Alyx Van der Vorm KS5 near-native speaker: Lucie Kiehl Runners-up: KS3 near-native speaker: Alexandra Adderley KS5 non-native speaker: India Roberts Having done so well in the area finals, five of our language stars made their way to Bath University to represent the School and compete in the regional finals against schools from as far afield as Plymouth and Devon. As ever the girls gave their all in the formal setting of the large lecture theatre and they competed well against very good opposition. Alyx talked about her disastrous holidays and made us all chuckle with her story about the lost luggage. Alex gave us a very serious and in-depth talk about la plongée sous-marine and Lucie talked about the French language – la langue de l’amour. India then did her presentation on Simón Bolívar – her factual knowledge was excellent and she did well to remember all those dates! All the girls did themselves proud and they all enjoyed the experience. Special congratulations must go to Gwen who was the only girl to win a prize on the day. Gwen talked in German about her home town of Hong Kong. She spoke with confidence and displayed great linguistic ability. Her German was faultless and she was a deserved winner. Well done! Thanks to Routes into Languages for organising such a fantastic event. Mrs Jane Basnett, Head of Modern Languages

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 36

07/11/2014 17:01

The Times Stephen Spender Prize for Poetry Translation La Cigale et la Fourmi La cigale ayant chanté Tout l’été, Se trouva fort dépourvue Quand la bise fut venue : Pas un seul petit morceau De mouche ou de vermisseau. Elle alla crier famine Chez la fourmi sa voisine, La priant de lui prêter Quelque grain pour subsister Jusqu’à la saison nouvelle. « Je vous paierai, lui dit-elle, Avant l’août, foi d’animal, Intérêt et principal. » La fourmi n’est pas prêteuse : C’est là son moindre défaut. « Que faisiez-vous au temps chaud ? Dit-elle à cette emprunteuse. - Nuit et jour à tout venant Je chantais, ne vous déplaise. - Vous chantiez ? J’en suis fort aise : Eh bien ! Dansez maintenant. »

Felicia’s Translation & Commentary The Cricket and the Ant The cricket was jus’ singin’ All of summer Now she ain’t finding anythin’ Cause its winter No food for ‘er So she went to ‘er neighbour Cause she ain’t got no food She begged ‘er to giv’ her Some’ing like a dollar She told her don’t worry mate I’ll pay you back You’ll just have to wai’ Till summer gets back But the ants pretty stingy We all know tha’ -“What were you doin’ When it wasn’t snowin’?” -“Day and night I was singin’” -“So you’d been singing? That is wicked! Well then, you better get dancin’.”

Translation is a tricky business, translating poetry is harder still and yet every year Downe House girls do not disappoint. They always prove themselves up to the challenge of taking a foreign language poem and making it accessible to English speakers. The task is not simply to translate word for word but to make decisions about keeping to the poet’s original intentions or branching out and bringing something of their own character to the translation. Whatever decision the translators take they then have to justify their choices and the difficulties they encountered in a commentary. This year we had a bumper crop of translations and the standard was very high. The example below from Felicia Tchen, UV, demonstrates quite perfectly how a poem can be transformed. We await the results of the national competition with high hopes. Well done to all the girls who took part.

Commentary: I chose to translate this fable by Jean De La Fontaine because he is a well-known old-fashioned French poet. As soon as I heard of a poetry translating competition, it was the first thing that occurred to me. I like Jean De La Fontaine’s poems because they are usually fables inspired by Aesop and therefore usually stories with a meaning. I particularly chose this Fable because it doesn’t end with the typical lesson but the reader is brought to think of the meaning themselves. It raises two questions: Is the cicada an artist or a promiscuous wastrel? Or is the ant economical and cautious or a bourgeois philistine?

37

Being a French native speaker and only having learnt English when I was 11 years old; I faced some difficulties translating some nouns and adjectives in the poem because although I knew their meaning in French, those words were unfamiliar to me in English. The poem is written in 17th century French and while translating it I thought of adding a little bit of a twist by incorporating colloquialisms, which I of course do not use in my daily language. I decided to drop letters such as the h’s and t’s to create a sense of realism but left them in some places to avoid exaggeration and kill the effect I aimed for. The poem I chose to translate also has a regular rhyme and I had to incorporate it in my translation because a fable without rhymes would not have the same effect. I thought it important to preserve the style and form of this poem because after having changed some words, I did not want to lose the meaning. This made it even more difficult to translate because of the variety of vocabulary that was needed. I did manage it in the end though. Felicia Tchen, UV

ACADEMIC LIFE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 37

07/11/2014 17:01

Mandarin Speaking competition A team of 6 Downe House girls from the UV and LVI made the trip to the British Museum to compete in the finals of the HSBC / British Council Mandarin Chinese Speaking Competition. Although they were a tiny bit piqued not to come home with the prize, the girls made their Teachers and their School extremely proud and gained a lot from taking part. Miss Lei Zheng, Teacher of Chinese, feels that ‘The girls should be proud of their achievement...’ and Mrs Jane Healey, Teacher of Chinese adds that ‘It is excellent to reach the final in what is a very hard fought competition!’ The girls themselves had plenty to say about their experience…

‘The competition was an excellent opportunity to improve our spoken Chinese and we had a lot of fun participating.’ Emily West, UV ‘Not only was the competition lots of fun, but it also helped me to increase my vocabulary and enhance my pronunciation of Chinese words.’ Ella Henry, LVI, York South (S. Anselm’s Preparatory School) ‘The competition was a new experience that really helped with my Chinese pronunciation and listening skills as well as the learning of the lines helping with my oral. I also learnt different vocab, and listening to other schools plays was very interesting too. Overall I think the competition was very useful and I think we did well to reach the final.’ Emma Poole, UV

38

Government Communications Headquarters Talk In January Downe House linguists and pupils from The Kennet School, St Bart’s and The Downs School were incredibly lucky to attend a talk given by GCHQ. We heard about the work that language analysts do on a daily basis in the interests of our public safety and the huge variety of tasks they undertake.

How fascinating to hear about the languages used in their daily work and the training GCHQ put in place to ensure that their team are well versed in languages that we have not even heard of.

questions from the young and interested audience. I’m sure that, after the talk, there will be many linguists who are considering the job of a language analyst as a future career. In my opinion it would certainly be an excellent choice.

There was enough time to learn a few words of Persian and for some insightful

Mrs Jane Basnett, Head of Modern Languages

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 38

07/11/2014 17:01

Les Joutes Oratoires

UK Linguistics Olympiad

In November, LVI students took part in the South-West Schools qualifying heat of the Joutes Oratoires (the National Independent Schools’ French Debating Competition). Competitors were required to present their arguments in three minutes, and then to defend them against the counterattacks of their opponents for a further five minutes of ‘lutte acharnée’, before addressing the judges for one final minute in a bid to persuade them of the merits of their case.

In February, more than 20 LVI students of French, Spanish, Italian, German and Russian and a few non-modern linguists keen to participate, took part in the UK Linguistics Olympiad. The Olympiad consists of a 2 hour examination in which students grapple with the intricacies of language structure and decoding languages - some of them relatively well-known, some of them completely obscure and some of them made up! The UKLO runs nationwide and competition for coveted Gold, Silver and Bronze medals is fierce. Whilst congratulations are due to all the girls who took part in this challenging paper, high praise goes to Katy Lane who took Bronze, and Victoria Falck, Emilia Hewlett and Honor Loveridge who took silver, all three narrowly missing out on gold by just a few marks. An excellent achievement for all involved.

The Downe House team of Emilia Hewlett and Charlotte Whitehead were the only LVI competitors there against fierce competition from UVI teams from Marlborough, Abingdon, Sherborne, Radley and Wellington. They were narrowly defeated by Abingdon on the subject “Que les magasins français restent fermés le dimanche! Le repos dominical est primordial pour une meilleure qualité de vie’’ and by Marlborough on the question ‘’Il faut accorder plus de respect et de confiance aux politiciens si on veut qu’ils travaillent bien pour nous.’’ However, both girls gained significantly in confidence and technique from the experience of the first two debates and went on to victory in their third and final debate against Wellington in which they opposed the motion “Le gouvernment britannique a bien fait d’autoriser la construction d’une nouvelle centrale nucléaire.” Emilia and Charlotte sufficiently impressed the adjudicators enough to be awarded full marks, receiving high praise from the judge for the quality of their ideas and research as well as their style and delivery in the rebuttals. The team scored a total of 30 points, coming in second position with Abingdon winning overall. The Joutes Oratoires was the highlight of the French Debate Club calendar. The French Debate Club, run by Mme Reichardt, is open to all the LVI French students, meeting at Friday lunchtime during the Michaelmas and Lent terms. Mrs Maria Reichardt, Head of French

Mrs Maria Reichardt, Head of French

Able Linguists Day In June, 10 girls from the LIV attended a ‘Year 8 Able Linguist Day’ at Southampton University accompanied by Mme Reichardt and Mme Redoutet. After initially finding their bearings around a large languages faculty, students were then divided into groups, working in teams of students from other schools, to design a new snack on the theme of food. They had to produce a poster and briefly describe their poster and snack idea to judges in French. After lunch, girls had the opportunity to take part in language taster sessions in Chinese, Russian, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin, Japanese, Portuguese and Bulgarian.

39

The day was an excellent introduction to the relevance of language learning and concluded with an inspiring lecture by the Head of French at Southampton University on the importance and relevance of language learning, particularly for business and life beyond school and university. Mrs Maria Reichardt, Head of French

ACADEMIC LIFE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 39

07/11/2014 17:01

Oxford University French Film Essay Competition Each year Oxford University’s Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages invites budding cineastes from all over the country to re-write the ending to a selection of French films in about 1500 words. Several girls in the LVI took part in this challenging competition. Girls worked individually on their scripts, each writing an imaginative ending to the comedy drama L’Auberge espagnole, picking up narrative threads left hanging by the film’s ambiguous ending.

Competition for the coveted first prize was fierce, and the standard of entries was very high. Nevertheless, Downe House girls demonstrated a wealth of imaginative engagement with French cinema, engaging dialogue and sensibility to filmic techniques and have come away from the competition with invaluable independent thinking skills to stand them in good stead for Pre-U and beyond, as well as having gained useful insight into French cinema. Mrs Maria Reichardt, Head of French

Founder’s Weekend – Languages Event

40

Every year as the terms progress I always think that we will not be able to put together another Languages Show for Founder’s Weekend and every year I say to myself that this will be the last time we do such an event. This year at the end of our one hour show riding high on the success of all the amazing acts I had just seen I put away such negative thoughts. Showing off what we do and what can be done in languages is a pure joy and important, not just for pupils to show their parents what they are capable of, but to show the younger years what can be achieved with hard work and practice. The show started with a rousing rendition of “Un cocomero tondo tondo” sung and danced by the UIV, who have had just one year of Italian under their belts. The audience loved to hear about the little watermelon who wanted to be stronger. This was not the only song we enjoyed. Another UIV group sang in Chinese. No small feat when you think that they have only studied the language for a year. “Grandmother’s Penghu Bay” was a winner with the audience. We also enjoyed some beautiful solos in Indonesian, Italian, German, French and Chinese. The girls displayed no nerves and sang beautifully.

‘Déjeuner du matin’. A remarkable effort. LIV put together some short clips using a number of apps to talk about how their lives have changed. Moving from France to Russia we were treated to a whirlwind tour of Russia in three minutes. This was rather tongue in cheek, delivered entirely in Russian, but was easy to follow due to clear pictures and perfect timing. Then on to a wonderful – never before attempted at Downe House - Chinese Buddha dance. The audience were duly dazzled. Finally our show came to an end with Lucie Kiehls’ UVI presentation about French being the language of love and Paris the city of love. There was little disagreement with Lucie’s sentiments but after hearing her speak few would have questioned her views. Indeed, the audience showed their agreement and their appreciation of the show by joining in with LIV and UIV as they sang the old 1970s classic ‘Les Champs Elysée’s by Joe Dassin. So, in all, a great show – again. Downe House girls did themselves proud. I cannot wait for next year… Mrs Jane Basnett, Head of Modern Languages

The songs were just half of the show. The audience were delighted to hear some impressive presentations on a variety of themes in different languages. Alexandra Adderley, R, talked to us about her passion for ‘La plongée sous-marine’, Gwendoline Choi, LV, talked with great confidence and knowledge about her home area of Hong Kong – she did this in German (Mein Wohnort) and India Roberts, UVI, gave a detailed account of Simón Bolívar in Spanish. To talk to an audience in your own language takes confidence, to talk in a foreign language is no mean feat. The LIV then impressed us with their home-grown play “Les Jeux de la Faim”. Clearly inspired by ‘The Hunger Games,’ their play was fast paced and amusing. Who knew that blackberries could be so lethal? For the first time our show included some video work that the pupils had undertaken in an independent project. UIV produced and acted in their own production of Prévert’s

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 40

07/11/2014 17:01

Careers Department Mrs Laura Ogilvie-Jones, Head of Careers, DH LINKS Coordinator, Teacher of Geography This year’s Careers programme has been tightly packed with a wide variety of Careers lessons, activities, events and trips for Removes – UVI. Highlights of the year included our biennial Higher Education Forum for Lower and Upper Fifth girls and parents. This event aimed to inform the girls’ thinking about the university entrance process and to raise their awareness of what universities and recruiters look for, at an earlier stage in their school career. The Keynote address was delivered by Martin Birchall, Managing Director of Highfliers and editor of The Times Top 100 Graduate Employer list. This was followed by sessions that covered the entrance process for Oxbridge, overseas universities and Russell Group universities, creative courses and medicine-related courses. The sessions were delivered by academics and admissions officers from a wide variety of UK institutions. The evening proved to be very stimulating and useful, giving everyone plenty to think about! A few days later we held our annual Gap Year Fair for all the Lower Sixth girls. 24 companies set up their stalls (including chocolate brownies and sweets from some!) and chatted to the girls about the wide variety of opportunities they could undertake on a gap year. The girls left the Farr Centre buzzing with ideas and clutching reams of leaflets and brochures. The event was a huge success. Thanks to Mrs Sofie McClymont for organising it!

University Liaison We have always tried to maintain excellent communication with a large range of universities and further education institutions and this year has been no exception! In November we invited a speaker from King’s College, London and then we held an Aspirational Evening for our LV and UV at which speakers from a range of institutions including Leeds, Bristol and Chelsea College of Art presented. At the end of June our LVI girls were encouraged to visit universities on their open days and girls chose to visit Cambridge, Oxford, Nottingham, Newcastle, Imperial College London, Loughborough, Cardiff and Brighton. As part of the ‘Introduction to Sixth Form week’ our UV girls all visited the Birmingham University open day so they have a flavour of university life and what degree courses are available.

41

Dr Mike Frampton coordinates our excellent ‘Oxbridge’ preparation programme, which involves a team of about 18 subject specialists who regularly meet and mentor girls. We hold Oxbridge interview preparation sessions with external companies and preparation sessions for entrance tests.

Oyster Society OYSTER SOCIETY

We were delighted that ‘The Lifeskills Company’ came to Downe to run a ‘Personal Statement’ workshop for our LVI girls in June. Chloe and Steve were full of energy and gave some fantastic hints and tips about how to write a winning personal statement for university entrance. The girls completed short written exercises in a workbook and by the end of the morning every girl had a first draft of their Personal Statement; they were delighted! To quote one of the girls: ‘The session had great structure and it was really helpful how they broke down the personal statement into sections so it seemed less daunting’

real world real life real jobs

We have had a wonderful series of Oyster (careers) talks this year from parents, alumnae and professionals and these have been organised by Mrs Sofie McClymont (our World of Work Co-ordinator):

Marketing At the end of October, we were honoured to have Mr Mark Cornell (current parent) talk to us about the world of marketing. Currently Managing Director at Sotheby’s and prior to that Chief Executive of LVMH, he was inspirational. We ACADEMIC LIFE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 41

07/11/2014 17:01

were given an insight into his world and how he changed it, specifically focusing on Krug champagne. We were all lured in by the glamorous subject matter and fun anecdotes, which made understanding how Mr Cornell achieved the rebranding of Krug even more enjoyable. For those who had not considered marketing as a career path, the lecture definitely brought it to their attention. As for the aspiring marketing girls, we have been entirely won over.

‘Both Hannah and Justine spoke brilliantly and because Hannah is just starting out as a barrister, whereas Justine has spent time being a solicitor, it gave us the chance to compare their two career paths and weigh up both the positive and negative aspects of their roles. It was a wonderful opportunity for us to bombard them with questions to find out all about life as a lawyer!’ Eleanor Hillier, UVI

Isabella Sainty, UVI

Studying Languages at University

42

On 21st November Dr Sarah Bowden, a lecturer in German, from King’s College London talked to us. She discussed the course at King’s and also drew on her own experience as a student of German at Cambridge University. Dr Bowden told us that the third year abroad as part of a Modern Languages degree is a huge selling point not only for prospective undergraduates but also employers. She said that a Modern Languages student is attractive to an extensive number of employers and highlighted that multinationals such as Ernst & Young hold in high esteem, skills such as communication and cultural insight which are an integral part of a Modern Languages degree. Eleanor Dewhurst, UVI

Life as a Lawyer At the end of February we welcomed two of our alumnae back for a talk on their respective careers in Law. Hannah Jones (DH 2008) went to Newnham College, Cambridge where she studied Law and Justine Earl (DH 2003) went to Oxford University to study Geography.

The world of Finance In March we welcomed the EMEA chairman of BNY Mellon, Michael ColeFontayn (current parent), to give a talk on Finance. He began with an introduction into the industry during which he explained the essence of banking and the different services that lie in that broad sector. He also talked about what a career in banking entails and the qualities which employers are looking for, such as a global outlook, inquisition, flexibility in thought, emotional and academic intelligence as well as the ability to work well in a team. He recommended that we stay informed, keeping up with current affairs as well as changes and breakthroughs in technology, which is a crucial field. Brenda Njiru, UVI

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 42

07/11/2014 17:01

Gap Year talk After the Easter holidays, we were lucky enough to kick off the first Oyster Society lecture of the term on the topic of gap years and we welcomed Andrew Mackenzie, Managing Director of AV (Africa, Asia and Americas Venture) to talk to us about the benefits of taking a gap year and the wide variety of options that are available. ‘An ex-volunteer called Zoe gave us an insight into what we could expect if we worked in India for three months like she did. Her experience of spending such a long time in such a remote and rural area sounded amazing. The trip had provided her with unique skills and experiences, so that on her return, she has been able to apply these in various different aspects of her new working life. For many of us that had considered a gap year volunteering abroad, such a talk was really eye-opening in terms of the options available and the flexibility that these offer.

and stresses of the job. They stressed the importance of work experience or an internship, ‘getting a foot in the door’ of the fashion industry and the fact you shouldn’t be afraid to ask, and using your initiative. Yasmin Adeniran, LVI

Media & Advertising In May, one of our alumnae, Sarah Skinner, (DH 1991) and current MD of a media and advertising head hunting company, Grace Blue, came to give a talk about the world of media and advertising. It was a fascinating talk in which she shared her own experiences of how she got into this field of work and some of the amazing projects which she has worked on included campaigns for Land Rover, Dr Pepper and United Airlines. She told us that if we enjoy being creative in any kind of way, this is most certainly an area we could consider entering. Sarah advised us that whilst a degree would largely be required for entry into the industry, we just needed to be passionate about what we are interested in and the industry itself. Emilia Hewlett, LVI

43

Olivia Webb-Bowen and Lauren Blair, LVI

The world of modelling At the end of April, we were fortunate enough to be visited by speakers from Next Models Management, who gave us a real insight into the world of modelling, but also the fashion industry in general. Next Models are listed as one of the top three modelling agencies in the world, so it’s fair to say they definitely knew what they were talking about. We learned about how they scouted models, the importance of blogging, about public relations and the perks

ACADEMIC LIFE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 43

07/11/2014 17:01

Young Enterprise Over the past 10 years, students from the Lower Sixth have participated in the Young Enterprise Company Scheme – which provides the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of forming and running a company. Supported by an advisor from the business world and a link teacher, the girls tend to develop products or services aimed at the captive market within Downe House. In February, we took this year’s teams to a trade fair in the Kennet Centre in Newbury, where they had an opportunity to promote their products to the general public. They had a very successful morning. Blink! took the opportunity to launch their App, generating many positive comments. Rogue presented a range of bucket hats. Faze, who are selling thermochromic t-shirts and nail varnish, which have been a big success in School, also attracted quite some interest. Patchi focused on the School market to promote their beautiful harem pants.

The teams this year have had a very successful competition. At the West Berkshire area final, Faze won awards for the best business plan, best presentation and were awarded runners up. Blink had a super day and won the area final. This meant that we had two teams through to the Berkshire final, which is a big achievement and one that the girls can be very proud of. At the Berkshire final, Faze had an excellent day and won the O2 Digital Marketing Award as well as being named overall runners up. Mrs Diana Evans, Head of ICT, Business and Young Enterprise Link Teacher

44

> Faze at the trade fair

> Blink at the trade fair

> Emilia Hewlett collecting Berkshire Runners Up

> The winning presentation

> Faze win the O2 Digital Marketing Award

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 44

07/11/2014 17:01

Creative

45

TEXTILES

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 45

07/11/2014 17:01

Art UIV Paper Dress Project

46

There was great enthusiasm from UIV C and G pupils when they were asked to design and create paper dresses as one of their Art projects. Inspired by the theme of ‘The Four Seasons’ they worked in pairs to produce imaginative ensembles. Cardboard frames were made to fit the body and the dresses could then be constructed by stapling lengths of paper kitchen towel to the card cages. The paper towel was dyed using inks in seasonal colours and the girls developed design sheets to showcase their ideas. The pupils had to create an attractive presentation and consider how to express their ideas in a three-dimensional manner. The paper could be pleated, gathered, frilled or cut to produce the dresses and some of the girls also made matching accessories to complement their creations. The project culminated in a fashion show in the Art studio when the girls modelled the dresses and posed for photographs with a great sense of style. Mrs Sally Scott, Head of Art Faculty

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 46

07/11/2014 17:02

UV, LVI, UVI

> Buses in Asian City, Hermione Fenton, UV > Angel, Florence Wildblood, LVI

47

> Portrait, Lucy Bruce-Gardner, UVI

> Abandoned, Serena Ansell, UVI

> Twisted Roots, Tara Hiley, UVI

> Bathing, Meitao Qu, LVI

> Buds, Lauren Blair, LVI CREATIVE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 47

07/11/2014 17:02

> Mackerel, Rachel Ding, LVI

> Vintage Car, Clara de Montfort, LVI

48

> Lost, Cassiopeia Blackett-Ord, LVI > Mechanical Structure, Louisa Pattisson, LVI

> Broken, Serena Ansell, UVI

> Baby Dolls, Isadora Corfield, LVI

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 48

07/11/2014 17:02

> Ecclesiastical Interior Fan, Annabel Downes, UVI

49

> Reflections, Mathilda Blythe, LVI

> London Tower Bridge, Georgia Findlay, UV

> Morphed Girl, Emily Dodd-Noble, UV

> Motorbike, Clare Maunder, UV CREATIVE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 49

07/11/2014 17:02

> Ophelia, Alexandra Howard, LVI

> Wooded Path, Alice Palmer, UV 50

> Swimmer in Green Water, Isobel Wild, UV > Petals, Charlotte Williams, LVI

> Distortions, Clara de Montfort, LVI

> Portrait, Lucy Bruce-Gardner, UVI

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 50

07/11/2014 17:03

Photography AS Level

> Yasmina Atta, LVI

51

> Marina Hacking, LVI

> Arabella Koessler, LVI CREATIVE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 51

07/11/2014 17:03

> Lauren Holmes, LVI

> Florence Li, LVI

52

> Adetoun Karunwi, LVI DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 52

07/11/2014 17:03

A2 Level

53

> Al Johara Al Saud, UVI

> Rosie Tapner, UVI

> Saoirse Mai Linh, UVI CREATIVE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 53

07/11/2014 17:03

54

> Isabella Arnott, UVI

> Nashuyan Wang, UVI

> Grace Wordsworth, UVI

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 54

07/11/2014 17:03

Design & Technology GCSE - Lower Fifth – Lamps Project

Zara Chamberlain

This lamp is based on the Aang film character with the intention of allowing the light to appear just through the eyes and the arrow shape. It is formed from black and white acrylic.

Harriet Emery This idea was for a book that could be opened up to reveal a silhouette scene inside. It is based on Winnie the Pooh complete with a laser engraved front cover. LEDs are used due to space restrictions. from black and white acrylic.

Lavinia Falck

This is an idea for a desk top lamp complete with useful drawers!

55

Camilla Farrell

This pug lamp was built as a hollow shape with thin plywood bent around the circumference. The wire passes through the body.

Grace Ingram

The thin copper sheet used to make this hexagon lamp became much easier to drill and saw when backed with plywood. Each side was sanded to 60 degrees to form a perfect joint. A clear bulb projects the light through the holes.

Kirsten Gray

This alarm clock lamp was constructed from plywood and can also be used as a time teaching device! CREATIVE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 55

07/11/2014 17:03

Eleanor Nicholas

The Minion characters from the film ‘Despicable Me’ were a popular favourite with the Downe House girls! Laser cut acrylic with the edges softened and moulded using a plastics oven.

Katherine Maloney

The original intention of this lamp was to have lots of bulbs like a dressing room mirror. The effect was created much more simply by allowing the light from a single bulb to shine through each hole.

Melissa McAlpine

A simple concept for two slices of water melon which was actually more complicated to achieve. Constructed from laser cut acrylic.

56

Iona Jardine

This cloud shaped lamp glows nicely due to the translucent white acrylic. The cloud shapes were cut out using a scroll saw and the edges were heated in an oven and bent round a mould.

Daisy Padavan

Daisy’s passion for all things Harry Potter shines through with this lamp! Constructed from plywood and acrylic. All of the names were hand painted.

Emily Crowston

Mr Potato Head lamp based on the popular toy. The different colours of acrylic were laser cut and solvent welded in place.

Charlotte Clover

Inspired by a light house the top is made from florescent acrylic and glows nicely in a dim room.

Claudia Kingham

The laser cutter was used in this design to accurately cut out the lettering. All the acrylic shapes have been solvent welded together.

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 56

07/11/2014 17:04

Lara Kary

Made from walnut and walnut veneered MDF each cube can rotate to create some interesting lighting effects. Mitre joints were used to create the cubes.

Rebecca Radford

Based on an old fashioned camera this design was constructed from plywood and acrylic. The lens rings were laser engraved on gold engraving laminate. 57

Lauren Smith

This idea was to create four separate lamps that could be used in different rooms. LED bulbs were used due to the limited space within the acrylic apple shapes.

Lydia Stonehill

In this design a bulb is fitted in the top and bottom spaces. The wire travels up through the central aluminium tube.

Octavia Leahy This design consists of three 3D hexagons made from acrylic with the elements lasered into each side. LED bulbs are used to project light through the lettering. Each hexagon and square piece was carefully sanded to the correct angle before being solvent welded together! CREATIVE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 57

07/11/2014 17:04

GCSE - Upper Fifth – Coursework Projects

Jasmine Chen

This butterfly table was constructed from iroko which was recycled from an old science bench! Each butterfly slot joints together. The finish is Danish oil.

Susanna Huth

This flat packable design can double up as a dog house or a children’s play house. It is made from plywood and roller painted.

Ngozi Emenike

This bedside table is designed to be easy to transport as each section can be taken apart. It is constructed from plywood and laser engraved with an Art Nouveau pattern.

58

Ione Sandberg

Sophie Ordish

The brief for this project was to design an Art Deco inspired radio. The design also incorporates LED lights so that the whole unit will glow when turned on.

This modern coffee table is actually a nest of two tables that can be slid away from one another. They are constructed from biscuit jointed iroko (recycled from old science bench) with a contrasting ash veneer. The drawers were designed to open either side for when the table is in the middle of a room.

Laura Vaughan-Johnson

The brief for this project was to design a ‘Pop Art’ inspired radio. A light within the lips shines through the teeth which is also where the speaker is positioned. It is made from plywood.

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 58

07/11/2014 17:04

AS Level – Lower Sixth – Coursework Projects

Victoria Crewe-Turrell

The chosen brief for this project was to create a guitar and amp storage system. Drawers are also included for the various cables and effects pedals. The unit was designed to be at home in a retail or recording studio environment. It is constructed from plywood and aluminium.

Madeleine Mather

This triangular display and storage system was designed for a hallway. It is constructed from oak and oak veneered MDF. The screw joints are plugged to look like oak dowels.

Naomi Vallance

The brief for this project was to design a chair for a teenager that would give a degree of enclosure. The plywood chair is capable of being flat packed for ease of transport.

59

A2 Level – Upper Sixth – Coursework Projects

Matilda Moir Harriet Le Grice

The brief for this project was to design an item of furniture suitable for a modern basement games room for teenagers. The circular plywood bookcase can also function as a chair. It was created in twelve segments using plywood laminated around a specially built former.

This modern bookcase is constructed from plywood with an outer and inner skin of 1.5mm ply. LED lights are fixed within the top of each drum. The drums can be unbolted for ease of transport.

CREATIVE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 59

07/11/2014 17:04

Textiles Lower School Design & Technology Textiles Remove In remove the students learn how to block print and batik organic cotton. These hand decorated fabrics are then patchworked and embroidered to create one-off lavender hearts that could be sold as a Fair-Trade Product. Lavender heart created by Annabel Le Grice.

60

Lower Four In Lower IV, students are asked to design and make a Parisian inspired canvas that could be displayed in an Exhibition or French cafe. The students learn how to applique and also how to free-machine stitch, a very complex skill to grasp and they do such a great job. Canvas created by Celeste Percy.

Upper Four Students are asked to customise a t-shirt inspired by each of the four seasons. Chiffon circles are folded, gathered, ribbon pleated and jersey slashed to create striking outcomes. T-shirts customised by Alexa Feather and Evelyn Graham.

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 60

07/11/2014 17:04

GCSE Design & Technology Textiles Coursework UV students answered one of two set design briefs. To design and make a high street product inspired by a Culture of their choice or to design an innovative piece inspired by modern technology for a gallery space.

61

Emma Peddie: Skirt inspired by Indian culture. This skirt is beautifully made with hand embellished beadwork, gathered chiffon and silk brocade pockets and waistband.

Eleanor Armstrong: 1920’s inspired Kimono made out of silk satin. The triangular decorative panel on the reverse of the garment has been recycled from Middle Eastern traditional costume.

CREATIVE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 61

07/11/2014 17:05

GCSE Design & Technology Textiles Coursework continued

62

Sophia Donald: Kimono shape jacket, incorporating pvc applique inspired by the shapes and patterns seen in urban graffiti. Sleeve detailing creates an additional punk feel; a full lining consisting of a graffiti print knit fabric finishes the product off to a high standard.

Freya Esam: A futuristic skirt with structured panels in a spectrum of coloured sheer organza. The finishing touches of sparkling sequins and an LED embellished bodycon underskirt really make this item new and innovative.

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 62

07/11/2014 17:05

AS Product Design Textiles Coursework LVI designers were set a challenging design brief where they were asked to design a dress that incorporated laser cut leather and printed or dyed fabric for the client Anthropologie.

Marina Hacking: A complex bodice that incorporates laser cut suede, laid over sheer organza, joined to a gathered, zebra print striking silk fabric. This dress is stunning and made to an impeccable standard with much independence and skill. Marina is a very talented designer.

Honor Weatherall: A chic and minimal dress inspired by a kimono shape with intricate laser cut panels inspired by geometric shapes and patterns. This product would not look out of place on a designer catwalk.

63

CREATIVE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 63

07/11/2014 17:05

AS Product Design Textiles Coursework continued Ilyana Abdullah: A youthful dress with a baby doll skirt of hand dyed silk and striking laser cut lamb leather.

64

Omoehi Ighodalo: Dress bodice that incorporates clever pattern cutting skills, darts have been moved so they criss-cross across the body. Laser cut panels on the back bodice create a slightly transparent effect for an additional design feature.

Arabella Koessler: A contrasting suede dress which demonstrates a high level pattern cutting and manufacturing ability. Laser cut inserts and sleeves hems are intricate and complex. DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 64

07/11/2014 17:05

A2 Product Design Textiles Coursework Emily Lyle Emily created a design objective that asked her to create a fashion forward outfit whereby the garments could be worn together to make a statement or separately as unique items. Emily created the surface pattern for both fabrics herself by using cracked batik for the silk shirt and marbling for the crepe skirt. Both garments are entirely marketable and made to a high standard, they would not look out of place on the shop floor as intended.

Molly Ropner Molly decided to utilise tartan fabric and inspirational influences from the Byzantine art period to create a bespoke, tailored dress. The dress pattern has been drafted from the drawing board, with extensive testing to ensure that the item is fit for the client. An intricate pattern has been designed and computerized embroidery has been outsourced and stitched onto the carefully lay planned fabric pieces for stitching ahead of the dress construction. Her initials are discretely placed in the centre of each embroidered design.

65

Jessica Robinson Jessica has always been passionate about tailoring and set about designing and making a bespoke coat. She looked at and incorporated traditional materials to create a fully lined and impeccably manufactured outer garment. One of her objectives included the consideration and design of additional, detachable collars to enable the coat to worn to many an occasion. The heavily hand beaded collar can be seen closely here and it is really quite beautiful. CREATIVE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 65

07/11/2014 17:05

Textiles Fashion Show The Textiles Fashion Show at Founders Weekend is a fantastic way to showcase the talents and hard work of the young designers here at Downe House. A professional catwalk in the performing arts centre displayed the creations of girls from UIV to UVI. A selection of UIV t-shirts were showcased, creating a line up of bold and colourful tee’s customised with hand gathered chiffon and pleated ribbon. Each t-shirt was inspired by the colours seen in one of the four seasons. LV designers were asked to design and make a simple Sports Luxe item inspired by current trends. The girls were able to get their first taste of completing the whole design process from researching trends, to design and illustration and garment manufacture. UV, LVI and UVI GCSE, AS and A Level Coursework closed the show with a catwalk medley of futuristic pieces, culturally inspired fashion, laser cut silk and leather dresses and finally couture items.

66

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 66

07/11/2014 17:06

67

CREATIVE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 67

07/11/2014 17:06

68

Beyond the Curriculum DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 68

07/11/2014 17:06

Sixth Form Enrichment Once again this year the Sixth Form have had many enrichment opportunities. We hosted a plethora of different speakers as well as a very enjoyable Seniors’ Wine Tasting with Radley in the Michaelmas Term. This year we had a variety of topics and speakers, from ‘Chasing Celestial Lapis Lazuli’ by Sarah Searight, a Downe House Senior, to ‘The Monarch of the Wit’, a performance by James Clarkson. We are also very grateful to Downe House alumnae who took part in our lecture series, providing the girls with interesting and challenging talks.

Phoenix Society at Radley this year and our first one with Eton. We are grateful to presidents, Alexia Kirk and Amelia Wright and of course to all those who took part and opened our minds to something entirely different. In the Summer Term, the Phoenix Society launched again during the Introduction to Sixth Form week for the Upper Fifth, with our new presidents Cassiopeia Blackett-Ord and Meitao Qu. We are looking forward to hearing many more inspiring lectures by our very own Downe House girls, over the next year.

Miss Nardin Thabet, Assistant Housemistress (York North), Teacher of Mathematics, Sixth Form Enrichment

One of the best attended lectures this year was ‘Building Bridges’ by Jo Berry, who spoke about her journey to understanding and forgiving the man who was responsible for her father’s death in the Brighton bombing in 1984. The Upper Sixth run Phoenix Society continued successfully with a variety of presentations this year, from “The Philosophy of Harry Potter” to the scientific presentation on “Embryonic Stem Cells”. We also held our first joint

69

Sixth Form Lecture: Building Bridges by Jo Berry

Medley Lectures: Terry Waite, CBE In March, Terry Waite, CBE, came to speak to us about his experience as a hostage negotiator and in particular, his experience of being taken hostage himself in Beirut, Lebanon. During the five years he was held captive, he lived in a windowless cell and in complete isolation, the only hint of the outside world being the sound of the call to prayer five times a day.

return for his own forgiveness and to give the refugees on the border of Lebanon heating oil and they agreed. Such a story of courage and humanitarian success was truly moving and definitely left everyone in the audience inspired. It was an enlightening talk. Helena Manson, UVI, Literary Senior

Mr Waite told us of his methods to try and keep sane in such a small living space. Throughout the day he would use the call to prayer as a way of setting himself a routine and would often spend a lot his time recalling memories or facts to keep his brain functioning healthily. In fact, Mr. Waite wrote the whole of his first book “Taken on Trust” in his memory and then typed it out when he returned to England. In order to try and find some kind of communication with the hostages kept in the cell next to his, he created a code, which he tapped through the wall. The other hostages had a radio and through the wall he was told that Apartheid had ended in South Africa and that the Berlin Wall had been torn down. Sometime after he was set free, Mr Waite returned to Lebanon to forgive the men who took him hostage. He asked them in

Miss Nardin Thabet, Mr Terry Waite & Mrs Emma McKendrick BEYOND THE CURRICULUM

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 69

07/11/2014 17:06

Upper School Enrichment Dicey Conference In March, Sarah Creedy-Smith and I were invited to attend the Dicey Conference, which is held by the McWhirter Foundation at Trinity College, Oxford. The question discussed this year was ‘Does the Nanny State know best?’ Four guest speakers were invited to debate the topic. These were Professor Dame Carol Black, Suzy Drohan, Martin Richards and Sir Kevin Satchwell. After each talk we were split into syndicates to debate the topics. I found it very interesting to hear other

peoples’ viewpoints, as we all had such different backgrounds, but shared similar interests. My favourite speaker was Sir Kevin Satchwell who stated that all independent, fee-paying schools should be abolished. This caused a lot of heated debate, as there was an equal mix of children from both state and independent schools. Although I disagreed with what he had to say, he opened my eyes to other ideas. In the evening a traditional College Dinner was held, which again gave

us more opportunities to meet new people. On the first day we were told that by the time we left our viewpoints would have changed. I did not think this possible because I was certain in what I believed, but my views did change as I was exposed to many new opinions that I had never considered before. The opportunity to meet people from all over the UK in a forum such as this was a rare but wonderful opportunity in my School career. Jessica Campbell, LVI

70

An Evening with Roger McGough In March, Mr McBratney and I took the UIV Academic Award Holders – and each brought a friend or two – up to Radley College for ‘An Evening with Roger McGough: As Far as I Know’, hosted by Christopher Elliott and his English Department. What a treat for us all; McGough’s instantly recognisable, gentle voice and his poetry as always, a distinctive mix of wit and wordplay, hilarity and melancholy. He had us all in stiches with his first poem, introduced as a Health and Safety announcement, ‘It’s a Jungle out There’, and then went on to read more, giving perfect little introductions each time. His thoughtful poem about growing up, growing old, wonder and brutal truth, ‘The Way Things Are’ touched

every member of the audience and he followed that with a hilarious story about being on the quiet zone on a London bound train and listening to a woman across from him talking endlessly on her phone. She didn’t respond to his gentle signals towards the sign, so he wrote her a poem explaining that she was in a quiet zone. She put the phone aside, read the poem, was perfectly charming to him and they chatted for a bit. Then she picked up the phone and rang everyone she knew to tell them just what had happened! He also spoke of memory, pointing out that he has lived a long time, “from minefields to Twitter”, suggesting that the subconscious will adjust memories to protect you. Then, after reading ‘Another Time, Another Place’ he told us that he did actually run

across a minefield on a beach when he was three, chasing his dog Goldie and we all gasped as he then relayed the real story. We were treated to a bit of audience participation as he asked us all to shout out rhymes and then of course, he caught us out nicely and said quite simply, “That is why I am up here in front and you are in the audience.” Claudine Collins and Josephine Tett got two super questions in, some of us bought copies of his latest book and we hopped back on the minibus, smiling all the way home because we had all had a brilliant time! Mrs Jane Caiger-Smith, Co-ordinator for the Outstandingly Able and Learning Skills Teacher

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 70

07/11/2014 17:06

Royal Commonwealth Society Gold Academic Scholar, Isabel Fincham, LIV, has exceeded all expectations and made everyone extremely proud. She has achieved a Gold Award for her entry into the 2013 Royal Commonwealth Society Essay Competition. The contest is run by the RCS to nurture the creative talents of young people and to promote literacy, expression and creativity among young people by celebrating excellence and imagination. At Downe, we believe the competition encourages all of our students to stretch themselves above and beyond the curriculum and to inspire their peers.

Achieving a Gold Award is a tremendous achievement. More than 11,000 entries from 830 schools were received for the competition. Isabel’s piece was a moving essay about soldiers charging into no man’s land in WWI and was inspired by a visit to see ‘War Horse’ and her History lessons. With a love of research and a great enjoyment of writing, Isabel is already a committed author. She is in the midst of writing an historical novel and also enjoys writing poetry. Mrs Jane Caiger-Smith, Co-ordinator for the Outstandingly Able and Learning Skills Teacher

Junior Medley Series - Beth Tweddle, MBE Downe House was extremely proud to welcome Olympic gymnast and bronze medal winner, Beth Tweddle, who visited us on Friday 20 June. Speaking to a packed house of more than 500 young people, including budding gymnasts from many local gymnastics club and boys and girls from visiting prep schools, Beth spoke engagingly about her career and also participated in a lively question and answer session.

The opportunity to listen to and interact with the most successful UK gymnast ever, caused great excitement and Beth proved to be an extremely popular and inspiring speaker. The girls were impressed with her courage and tenacity but also thought she was really friendly and fun. Our sincere thanks to Beth.

71

Mr Chris Dech, Teacher of Physics, Lower School Enrichment Co-ordinator

BEYOND THE CURRICULUM

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 71

07/11/2014 17:07

Lower School Enrichment Over the past academic year, the Lower School pupils have had some great opportunities to take part in a wide range of academic enrichment activities. In the Michaelmas term, the girls had the opportunity to try on Roman armour and learn about the life of a Roman soldier in Britain. The girls enjoyed hearing stories of how the Romans lived their daily lives in the farthest outposts of the Empire from Kevin Hicks of the History Squad. Later in the term, a small group of girls went out into the chilly Oxfordshire country-side to learn about the adaptation and evolution of hawks in the UK at Millets Farm Falconry and had a rare chance to handle owls and hawks! In the Lent term, after the annual DT & Science Challenge where groups designed and tested marshmallow towers and Ping-Pong launchers, the girls travelled to Windsor Castle to take a unique tour of the Great Kitchen and Royal Apartments. The term finished with both a Drama workshop by the Creation Theatre Company based in Oxford and the highly anticipated Crocodiles of the World visit, where girls held reallife crocodiles and alligators!

At the start of the Summer Term, the Remove girls spent time with the Geography department on a secret MI6-themed hunt around the school while the Lower Four took part in an exciting introduction to computer game programming by the ICT department. The year finished with the Junior Medley Lecture given by British Olympian and world champion gymnast Beth Tweddle. A chance for avid gymnasts and athletes to ask Beth questions and hear her talk about her experiences, the lecture wrapped up a great and diverse year of enrichment for the Lower School! Mr Chris Dech, Teacher of Physics, Lower School Enrichment Co-ordinator

72

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 72

07/11/2014 17:07

Co Curricular Activities Our Year The Co-Curricular department at Downe House is never quiet. We exist to provide the girls with lots of fun, away from their academic studies. We try to ensure that the education that they receive is broad, varied and reinforces the values of the School. The Department provides many evening and weekend activities, including a variety of dance classes, climbing and equestrian activities. We also offer holistic courses like Body Balance, meditation and yoga on weeknights. Ballet is very popular and we have several girls in the process of studying for their grade 6 Cecchetti exams, which has the added bonus of giving them UCAS points. Weekend activities change every week and this year have included culturally enriching activities such as: attending the Horse of the Year show, a visit to see the Cirque de Soleil in London, a trip to see Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake and lots of theatre outings. There were also plenty of sporting activities including: indoor skydiving, go karting, Go Ape and indoor skiing. There was even more fun to be had for the girls, who greatly enjoyed the opportunity to participate in a Hip Hop convention at Sadler’s Wells and loved putting on their detective hats at the Crime Scenes Investigation day in Oxford.

The girls also enjoy the many free activities that take place at weekends, creating the most beautiful cupcakes, taking classes with visiting dance teachers – often from West End shows, and learning to design in glass, as well as the numerous pamper parties, craft events and barbeques. We hope you enjoy our regular Facebook posts (https://www.facebook.com/downehouse). Community Service is also a strong feature in our CoCurricular activity programme. It is a vital part of the ethos of the School to ensure that the girls have a good understanding of the importance of helping others. This also broadens each girl’s horizons and creates exciting exchange opportunities. This year the girls gave their time to a variety of organisations, dedicating time each and every week, to offer help to local schools, as well as schools catering for children with differing learning needs, an old peoples’ home in Cold Ash and the local Riding for the Disabled Association, to name but a few of the many hours given to the many causes close to the girls’ hearts. Mrs Julie Dell, Head of Co-Curricular Department

73

Lots of the activities and courses are just for fun, but many provide the opportunity to achieve a certificate or qualification, for example this year, 15 girls studied for their PADI Open Water or Advanced Diver’s certificate – enjoying a trip to Portugal in the Summer, where they all achieved their individual goals.

BEYOND THE CURRICULUM

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 73

07/11/2014 17:07

Upper IV Volunteer Day To end a busy term, the UIV girls took part in a Volunteering day. The girls completed over 600 hours of volunteering work for the local community in just one day. They helped out at the Living Rainforest, stacking shelves for the local Food Bank, working

with Sue Ryder, Save The Children, the British Heart Foundation...the list goes on! The event is run every year by the CoCurricular team and counts towards the girls Bronze Duke of Edinburgh

award. All the girls had great fun and thoroughly enjoyed the day. Our thanks to all of the organisations that welcomed us and helped us to learn and to give a little bit back.

74

Volunteering at the Trussell Trust Food Bank Our volunteering began at the Food Bank Warehouse in Greenham that caters for every distribution centre in West Berkshire. We were kindly greeted by Daphne Snook and Eddie Marsh. They started by showing us the system of organising the food. Most of the food at the warehouse is donated, with the local churches, schools and supermarkets donating once a week. After that, they explained to us the surprising level of poverty/lack of food in the area. We were then able to realise that we are so lucky to be able to take food for granted. Daphne then let us organise the order

for the Thatcham distribution centre, which involved finding the products from her long list and packing them according to their sell by dates. Once we had finished the order we gave it to another volunteer called Colin who delivers the food to the local distribution centres. A lady then arrived with donations from Douai Abbey which we weighed, sorted into categories, found the sell by date and put into the right boxes. It was a very well thought-out system. We were both very surprised to see how much time, effort and organisation goes into the work that they do, especially as

Daphne, Colin and Eddie do this work completely voluntarily. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We came back to school feeling proud to have helped the needy, but, we also realised that people in our situations take far too much for granted and should make the most of what we have. We are both so glad we had this opportunity because it opened our eyes to the poverty that is hidden within England. Daisy Shepherd-Cross and Laura Douglas-Hamilton, both UIV

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 74

07/11/2014 17:07

Show Jumping Show Jumping is available to the girls as a Co-Curricular activity. Although it is a relatively new area for the School, the team have been doing rather well. This year they entered the National Schools’ Equestrian Association show jumping competition. Girls ride as a team of 4, counting the best three scores over show jumping courses with fences at 80cm, 90cm, 1m and 110cm. Qualifying

rounds are held throughout the year all over the country, with the top two teams in each class going through to the National Finals in October. Our girls entered the qualifier at Crofton Manor over the May half term and were thrilled to win the 1m class, fighting off competition from over 30 other schools and qualifying as a team for the Nationals. Victoria Fleming, UV, qualified

as an individual in the Jumping with Style class, finishing 1st (of 20 riders) and Alexandra Somerville-Cotton, UV, also qualified as an individual in the 110cm class, finishing 5th (of 50 riders). This is a huge achievement and the first time that a team from Downe has made it to the Nationals. Congratulations to the team on a strong performance. Miss Faith Smith, Darwin Housemistress 75

BEYOND THE CURRICULUM

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 75

07/11/2014 17:07

Dance Showcase

76

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 76

07/11/2014 17:08

Duke of Edinburgh Bronze D of E Expeditions Once again the majority of the L5 booted up and scattered themselves around the muddy Berkshire hills to complete the expedition section of their Bronze Award. After braving a rather harsh March overnighter for a training session, they resiliently upped their game and prepared themselves better for practice and assessed expedition weekends. For the final expedition, the assessors were delighted to see that their previous training had prepared them well and all teams simply got on with it for the two days self sufficient journey. It was one of the best organised bunch of teams we had ever had. It had the potential to be a tricky final expedition when on the way to the start point, the coach had to crawl on the M4 near Marlborough as torrential rain and lightning surrounded us. There was a eerily quietness on the coach but fortunately, just as the teams stepped off the coach the weather cleared and they were blessed with some fab weather for the rest of the expedition. The days were certainly physically challenging with many

Bronze Awards Molly Adams, Amina Hamman, Anouska Royle, Esther Adebajo, Louisa Henry, Ione Sandberg, Eleanor Armstrong, Emily Hill, Olivia Scott, Lucy Astor, Cecily Hornby, Nicola Shi, Matilda Bentley, India Huggett, Hannah Simpson-Orlebar, Sarah Bergstrom, Daisy Huntington, Rose Slater, Henrietta Blampied, Katarina Huth, Emma Stonebridge, Lauren Brolly, Sophie Larminie, Clementine Swallow, Ottilie Carter, Ella Leeves, Cordelia Tahany, Jasmine Chen, Sophia Li, Eleanor Tarling, Antonia Church, Clare Maunder, Niamh Taylor, Violet Conroy, Hattie Muncey, Felicia Tchen, Minna Conybeare-Cross, Kate Ollerenshaw, Rosie Thistlethwayte, Autumn Davies, Sophie Ordish, Clare Turton, Madeleine

enjoying the chance to have an early night. As always their journeys were full of unforgettable memories with tough times and laughter. Well done to all!

Gold D of E Expeditions Another big portion of the Lower 6 took on the challenges that Gold D of E had to offer. Training started in November which clearly is not the warmest month of the year. It was good preparation for the bleak Dartmoor environment to practice navigational skills in thick soupy fog and heavy rain. Like the Bronze expeditions, while in Dartmoor, we were all blessed with a good portion of sunshine over the 4 day journey giving each team welcome drying off time. For the assessment expedition, a few girls did their adventure on the water sailing while the walking groups split with one team heading for north Wales and the other 3 teams going south to the Brecon Beacons. Spending four days carrying everything they needed to survive and cook for that period is no easy task but they all did it; and they did it covering between 16-22km each day.

It certainly is a challenging experience so they fully deserve their Gold Award after completing this part of their Gold program. I was delighted that this year had the full spectrum of weathers on journey and they got to experience some of the Britains most loved remote spots in its full glory. The experience helped them all discover what they could do and in the process do more than they believed.

Completed Awards in time for the West Berkshire Annual D of E Award Presentations (1/4/13 - 31/3/14) Once again Downe House girls almost doubled the national average of completed Awards for any unit running this special program. Congratulations to all especially the Gold Awards who will get an invitation to the Palace to receive their certificates. Awards: Bronze: 87, Gold: 15

77

Good luck to all on future adventurous journeys! Mr Tony Riddle, Teacher of PE and Duke of Edinburgh Co-ordinator

Davies, Sarah Orpen, Laura VaughanJohnson, Emily Dodd-Noble, Alice Palmer, Emily West, Sophia Donald, Sun A Park, Lara Wigan, Isabella Dubens, Holly Parkinson, Isobel Wild, Freya Esam, Emma Peddie, Poppy Wilson, Charlotte Evans, Lucinda Penney, Amelia Yerburgh, Georgie Findlay, Zephyr Percy, Katherina Zeal, Lucy Goodman, Emma Poole, Hannah Goodyear, Amelia Porter.

Gold Awards Adela Ahn, Poppy Barrett-Fish, Catherine Brown, Florice Cole-Fontayn, Leah Colthurst, Annabel Galbraith, Chloe Hill, Georgina Hill, Serena Hughes-Onslow, Amelia McWhirter, Olivia Morgan, Emily Muncey, Rosamond Nicholson, Alexia Peel Yates, Amelia Tudhope.

BEYOND THE CURRICULUM

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 77

07/11/2014 17:08

End of Year Outings House Outings To celebrate a great year the girls enjoyed some lovely outings at the end of the Summer Term. The Lower School visited LEGOLAND and Chessington World of Adventure while the Upper School headed to town to see 5 different West End Shows.

A testament to the logistical skills of our wonderful Co-Curricular department, the day involved 250 theatre tickets, 6 different restaurants and 400 packed lunches! The girls had a great day with lots of shopping and laughter, and took advantage of the opportunity say

‘goodbye and thank you to the House Staff, give farewell speeches and sing impromptu songs! Mrs Frances Capps, Hill Housemistress and Teacher of PE

78

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 78

07/11/2014 17:08

Chapel

79

Chaplain’s Report Having worked in three other great public schools in my career, I have come to think that the atmosphere in Chapel is a good barometer of the spiritual health of a school. Structurally speaking, the chapel building may be the spiritual heart of the school, but the pupils and staff who pass through it every day are its life blood. The Christian worship, teaching and prayers shared within it energise and harmonise all the activities that go on in the school’s wider community. The pattern of weekly Junior and Senior Chapels sets a regular rhythm for the community to gather to sing hymns and to listen to an address in response to a Bible reading which usually shadows the Church’s seasonal lectionary. I am grateful to all the staff who have volunteered to give talks and have stimulated the girls’ thoughts about life beyond just passing exams. It has also been good to have even

more girls playing musical items before services to set a peaceful atmosphere. The most remarkable gift to our Christian life at Downe House has been the expanding Eucharistic community. Attendance at voluntary Holy Communion on Thursday mornings is now often over two hundred. These services use a variety of styles of modern and traditional liturgy and music, from Gregorian and Taizé chants to other contemporary worship songs. It has also been a joy to commission some new Eucharistic ministers: Brenda Njiru, Miss Hayes and Mrs Wilson joined the longstanding team of Mrs Caiger-Smith, Mrs Nurser, Mr MacColl and Mrs Simpson who so faithfully assist at these and other Communion services. It has been with some sadness, but with all our prayers and good wishes, that we bade farewell to Miss Hayes after Christmas, to work in church youth ministry in Bristol. We also said goodbye to Miss

Evie Jackson, who runs Christian Union meetings on Wednesday evenings, when she gave a Chapel address about Iwerne Christian activity camps and introduced her successor, Miss Olivia (Liv) Bertie. Liv has kindly helped out on our most recent Confirmation retreat. As last year, there has been an increase in numbers seeking Confirmation, including two members of staff: Mrs Jones and Miss Myers. The Rt Revd Peter Nott, former Bishop of Norwich, conducted the service in November 2013 and in February 2014 it was a particular pleasure to welcome back the Rt Revd Bill Down, former Bishop of Bermuda, who thoroughly enjoyed Bob Chilcott’s A Little Jazz Mass setting which enlivened the celebration. The Summer Term saw the first visit of the Rt Revd John Pritchard, Bishop of Oxford, to officiate at a Confirmation service in Chapel. We were very lucky to receive his visit before he retires at the end BEYOND THE CURRICULUM

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 79

07/11/2014 17:08

of this year. He was able to dedicate and present the very first copies of the Downe House Prayer Book to the candidates. This specially produced collection of readings and prayers will be given to all girls as part of their welcome to Downe House.

80

Ecumenical relations continue to strengthen. We welcomed back the Revd Mr Tim Edworthy, pastor of Newbury Baptist church, as well as speakers from Gideons International to preach and to issue pocket New Testaments. As last year, I have been able to prepare Roman Catholic and Anglican confirmation candidates together, including a joint day Retreat at Douai Abbey, which finishes with the now customary Taizé baptism service in Downe House Chapel. In May, nine Roman Catholic girls were confirmed along with a number of Radleians at Radley College by Fr Nicholas King SJ, a world-renowned biblical scholar. Probably the most remarkable event this year was on the first Sunday of the Summer Term. This was the last day of the Easter octave, and so we arranged for the first time, a combined supper for the whole year’s confirmation candidates and invited the Roman Catholic candidates from Radley College to join us, enabling them to meet their co-confirmands prior to their confirmation service on 1 May. It was thus a joy and privilege to invite Fr King to celebrate Catholic Mass in chapel, in which the Anglican girls, some parents and staff also participated.

At communion, the Catholics received from Fr King and the Anglicans received Reserved Sacrament from me. Mr Noone, Head of Biology at Radley, acted as chalice minister for the Catholics and Brenda Njiru was the Anglican chalice minister. This was a most moving occasion of witness and sharing of word and faith, which was made all the more poignant by Sophie Stuart-Monteth, Head of Choral, singing the Agnus Dei from Mozart’s Coronation Mass during our fractured communion. Reviewing the rest of the year, several other occasions stand out. In the Michaelmas Term, the Revd Dr Amanda Bloor, Diocesan Director of

Ordinands, preached at the Harvest Festival Eucharist at which an enormously generous amount of food was gathered for Two Saints, a local housing charity. Members of the lower sixth organised a very memorable Remembrance Day service. The Revd Justin White, Dean of Chapel at Winchester College, preached at both the All Saints Evensong and All Saints Eucharist. The Revd Douglas Dales, former Senior Chaplain at Marlborough College, preached at a rousing Festival Evensong for Christ the King. In the Lent Term, Miss Emily Prince from Hope and Homes for Children,

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 80

07/11/2014 17:09

gave a moving address about the charity, founded by an Old Senior, which has long been supported by the school. The Revd Dr Peter Day, who has assisted on some of our Confirmation Retreats, preached early in the term. At Candlemas, it was a delight to welcome the Revd Mr Lapwood, who had recently joined Common Room, to preach and also assist in the blessing of the candles to be presented at Confirmation. On 11 March, to mark the 50th anniversary of Olive Willis’ death, a large gathering of the Palmer Society joined us for Choral Evensong according to the Book of Common Prayer. Once again we observed a preparation for Christ’s Passion with a special service of readings and Taizé chants and a procession of a large wooden cross. Founder’s Weekend in the Summer Term was marked in Chapel by a celebration of a Choral Eucharist for St Peter and St Paul with the Revd John Paton, Precentor of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford as our guest preacher. Special prayers were offered for Mr Peter Wolton, father of Hester, who was being ordained deacon at St Paul’s Cathedral the same afternoon.

This is my last Chapel Report as Chaplain as I have been appointed Dean of Chapel at Winchester College from January 2015. I would therefore like to record how much of a privilege and a joy it has been to exercise my ministry as Chaplain at Downe House and as an associate priest in the Parish of Hermitage. I want to thank the many girls who have played music and assisted with readings, intercessions and preparations for various house and school services. Special thanks and good wishes to Brenda Njiru, who has been an inspirational Head Chapel Senior and dedicated Eucharistic Minister, as she moves on to university. Thanks also to

her successor Morolayo Lambo and to Yasmin Adeniran, Deputy Head Chapel Senior, for their great support, friendship and prayers. Finally a huge debt of gratitude is owed by me and the school to our organists Mr Sliwka and Dr Taylor, who are both leaving Downe House at the end of the Summer Term. Their unstinting and tremendous service in Chapel playing, conducting and arranging music – always with good humour – has made my job as Chaplain both easier and a lot of fun. We wish them God’s blessing and happiness in their new posts.

81

The Reverend Dr Simon Thorn SCP

BEYOND THE CURRICULUM

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 81

07/11/2014 17:09

DH LINKS Mrs Laura Ogilvie-Jones, Head of Careers, DH LINKS Co-ordinator, Teacher of Geography DH LINKS has now become a familiar ‘buzz-word’ amongst the Downe House community and we have been thrilled with its success at linking together girls, alumnae and parents for careers and professional networking. This year we have had a huge number of alumnae and parents join our DH LINKS database which has resulted in a wealth of work shadowing and internship opportunities. We have also

launched our cluster groups, invited alumnae in to speak at the Oyster Society talks, launched a new ‘DH LINKS Careers Challenge Day’ for the UV girls and we have also continued to have a growing presence on social media. We have a lot of new ventures lined up for DH LINKS next year and we are excited by the progress of this new initiative!

Cluster groups: This year has seen the launch of our DH LINKS Cluster Groups where we have invited alumnae and parents from the same industry/job sector to meet together for networking purposes. The first of these cluster groups was for ‘Medicine/healthcare’ professionals and 14 alumnae and parents met in a venue in London and we also brought along 10 LVI and UVI girls who were interested in working in medicine/healthcare professions. It was a hugely successful inaugural cluster group.

82

The second cluster group was for alumnae and parents working in the ‘PR/Media/Marketing’ sector. We met in a venue in Fulham and 20 Sixth Form girls attended too. The atmosphere was electric with constant conversation, networking and chatter for nearly three hours! The girls were buzzing all the way home and comments included: “The Cluster Group was really informative and there was a good number and range of people there. I’ve gained some idea of how I can make myself more attractive to future employers and even if the people there weren’t completely job-related to what I have in mind for the future the industries definitely overlap” (Victoria Falck LVI) I liked how it was kept casual and conversational because this made it easy to relate to and get to know the various alumnae. I think this event was helpful in terms of finding out more about the PR/Marketing/Advertising industry and I would highly recommend other students to sign up for these DH LINKS events.” (Florence Li LVI) Our final cluster group this year was for alumnae and parents working in the ‘Financial Services’ sector and was generously hosted by Mr Cole-Fontayn (current parent) at BNY Mellon in Canary Wharf, where 21 alumnae and parents attended. We took 10 LVI girls with us via many modes of transport (taxi, train, tube and walking!), but the journey was absolutely worth it when we rapidly ascended the skyscraper at 1 Canada Square and had breath-taking views of London. Mr Cole-Fontayn gave us all a tour around the offices (with 360º views!) and then he gave the girls a competition as to who could collect the most business cards by the end of the evening (well done to Lauren Holmes who collected nine!) Our alumnae were delighted to be able to network with others within the financial services sector. Overall, it was a fantastic and unique experience for everyone and we are extremely grateful to Mr Cole-Fontayn for being such a superb host! Here are some comments from the girls: “Thank you for organising the cluster group! I had such a great time last night and it was really useful to hear all about the finance industry and learn all about the different jobs that I didn’t even know existed! Also, please thank alumnae and

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 82

07/11/2014 17:09

parents for all the help they gave us, I really appreciate it!” (Alexandra Lee LVI) “Thank you so much for last night, I thought that it was so much fun! I think that the venue was so great and all the people there genuinely seemed really keen to help. I think it was really useful having someone who recruits in the industry too so that he could kind of say what sort of thing he looks for in CVs and things like that.” (Iona Miller LVI)

83

BEYOND THE CURRICULUM

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 83

07/11/2014 17:09

Careers Challenge Day: We launched our first DH LINKS Careers Challenge on Wednesday 25 June for all the UV girls as part of their ‘Introduction to the Sixth Form’ week. Five of our alumnae very kindly gave up their afternoons and evenings to come to Downe and set ‘careers challenges’ for the girls that were similar to the line of work they are currently in to enable the girls to have a taste of different careers and jobs. The day was a great success and the girls were able to choose three career challenges to attend and the details of the five challenges were as follows: 84

1.Veryan Armstrong (DH 2002) ORGANISATION: Cliveden House SECTOR OF INDUSTRY/TYPE OF BUSINESS: Tourism/ Operation & Events Management CHALLENGE SUMMARY: To create a ‘pitch’ for a VIP business client with 110 guests who may be considering using Downe House as a venue for a residential meeting on creativity. You will have to plan 3 days of activities and events for them and ‘pitch’ this to them and you may have to change your plans at the last minute!

2. Jane Barrett (DH 1994) ORGANISATION: Thomson Reuters SECTOR OF INDUSTRY/TYPE OF BUSINESS: Journalism/ Company News Editor for Europe, Middle East and Africa CHALLENGE SUMMARY: To devise interview questions and prepare for a news conference for a VIP and then decide on headlines, a news story, broadcasting, social media links etc. You will need to work quickly and come up with ideas in a limited time-frame, simulating a real-life busy newsroom.

3. Vicky Gillions (DH 1992) ORGANISATION: John Hall Venice SECTOR OF INDUSTRY/TYPE OF BUSINESS: Travel/Education tourism

CHALLENGE SUMMARY: To create a 2 day History of Art course for different groups of people. You will need to consider subject matter/theme of the course, the schedule for the course, visits to exhibitions, costs, marketing, advertising on the website/ magazines/ newspapers etc.

4. Grace Regan (DH 2009) ORGANISATION: Clippet News Ltd SECTOR OF INDUSTRY/TYPE OF BUSINESS: Journalism/App development CHALLENGE SUMMARY: To create a ‘clippet’ (recorded news story) for a brand new App. You will be given a news story and you have to think about your audience, edit the story and ‘voice’ it using recording equipment (you need to think about tone, pace etc) – they will be played to you at the end!

5. Emily Russell (DH 2003) ORGANISATION: Russell It Up SECTOR OF INDUSTRY/TYPE OF BUSINESS: Catering/ Cookery school Entrepreneur CHALLENGE SUMMARY: To assess and further develop a brand new business called ‘Russell It Up’, particularly focusing on cookery workshops for university students. You will be thinking about marketing/advertising and will be designing a brochure/leaflet/flyer, a website, developing social media and writing adverts for this company. The girls really enjoyed the afternoon and we had some super feedback from them: “I thought it was excellent and I so enjoyed pretending to be a journalist – Jane was really inspiring and it has made me think seriously about going down that route”. “It was so good having the freedom to try and develop Emily’s new company…we helped her develop her social media and gained her 40 more twitter followers in 15 minutes!”

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 84

07/11/2014 17:09

Careers Challenge Day: continued “We came up with some really creative ideas for Veryan’s challenge where Google were potentially coming to Downe for an event – I learnt such a lot about event management and particularly budgeting”. “Vicky was really inspiring and we learned about all the different aspects needed for planning a tour. We had some great ideas but we found out our budget was not very realistic!”

“I had such a great time in Grace’s challenge – she was so enthusiastic and dynamic and I really want to set up my own business now too!” The day finished with a delicious formal dinner in Willis Dining Room and we were delighted that one of our parents (Mr Mark Blythe) was our after dinner guest speaker. He is a very successful entrepreneur and gave a really inspiring talk to the girls, drawing on his own experiences and giving them advice and guidance for their future careers and life choices. 85

Matching service/internships: This year has been unprecedented for the number of alumnae and parents who have so kindly volunteered their expertise and time and have signed up as members of our DH LINKS database – almost 300 in number! Girls from UV to UVI, as well as some of our younger alumnae at university/recently graduated have really benefited from being able to tap into this huge network and wealth of expertise we have in our alumnae and parents.

“I am most thankful to DH LINKS for helping me find a work placement abroad. DH LINKS provided me with a contact list of old girls across the world offering a wide range of job opportunities. I applied to, and was offered a job with Lucy Jackson’s (DH 2000 ) company Lightfoot Travel in Hong Kong which resulted in one of the most memorable and amazing three month experiences, all thanks to DH LINKS!” (Louisa Ingham DH 2008)

The various links that have been made include emails, phone calls, work shadowing and experience, unpaid and paid internships and job offers. These have been both at home and abroad and have spanned industry sectors from journalism to medicine, to fashion design to engineering and architecture, PR, event management, international development and investment banking to name a few.

“DH LINKS enabled me to have first-hand experience in journalism when I had the fantastic opportunity to write for the Good Safari Guide (a company owned by Rosanne Cobb DH 1994). I learnt many skills and now have experience that is impressive for my UCAS application and personal statement and also for my possible application into the world of journalism in the future. I received great feedback from Rosanne which helped me develop my writing and think about factors that could improve my writing. Two of my articles were published on the website which was a huge surprise!” (India Roberts, LVI)

DH LINKS has developed a real presence on social media, including LinkedIn groups, twitter and Facebook and this has enabled alumnae, parents and girls to easily access our vast network through multiple channels.

BEYOND THE CURRICULUM

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 85

07/11/2014 17:09

Foundation A year in pictures

86

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 86

07/11/2014 17:09

87

BEYOND THE CURRICULUM

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 87

07/11/2014 17:10

The 10 Year Vision A New Lower School Over the past few months we have been eagerly watching the progress of the building work on the new Lower School Boarding development. The £6 million School-funded development will provide enhanced boarding facilities to accommodate the relocation of Hermitage House, Hill House and a refurbished and remodelled Darwin House, all in one key area on the School site. Apart from the term the girls will spend in our school in Veyrines, France in the Lower Fourth, this excellent new boarding accommodation will provide a wonderful setting for continuity of pastoral care in the Remove and Lower Fourth years. The houses will very much have a family atmosphere and girls, staff, parents and family members will be made to feel very much at home. Our Lower School girls will be cared for by the same house staff team over the two year period

- mirroring the pastoral care model across each of the other sections in the School. The new system of boarding will give also the 12+ girls a taste of leadership as they look after new girls and take on positions of responsibility in the Lower School. The project is due to completed in the summer with the Remove and Lower Fourth moving in to their new houses from September 2015.

Phase 2 – Creating a Centre for Learning What else is in the 10 Year Vision?

88

Our aim in the next three to five years is to create an innovative centre for learning in the heart of the Downe House site where girls, parents, staff and alumnae can come together to learn from each other and about each other. The Centre will include: > An innovative, contemporary library and learning

resource centre

>

A state of the art auditorium to enable us to enhance our enrichment programme and provide an additional space for recitals, workshops, lectures, demonstrations and performances

> Teaching and learning pods > Quiet and inviting individual study spaces > Seminar spaces for debate, smaller group discussions and tutorials > Gallery areas to showcase the Creative Arts > A Learning Café to bring all members of our community together for informal meetings, tutorials, discussions or just to provide a welcoming space to meet and relax > The School Shop and Resources Centre

Music, the Creative Arts, Staff accommodation and our Bursary provision also form part of our plan.

The Armed Forces Fund

The Fund continues to strike a chord in the community. Following the highly successful Silver Ball in 2011, we are very much looking forward to the 2014 Silver Ball on November 28th in London. The fund has already reached the £1.3 million mark and continues to draw generous support from the communities from all three affiliated schools – Downe House, Radley College and St. Mary’s Calne. For more information on the 10 Year Vision and the Downe House Foundation visit www.downehouse.net Mrs Michelle Scott, Assistant Headmistress (Foundation)

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 88

07/11/2014 17:10

Founder’s Weekend

89

BEYOND THE CURRICULUM

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 89

07/11/2014 17:11

Creative Arts Showcase

90

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 90

07/11/2014 17:11

Leavers’ Day

91

BEYOND THE CURRICULUM

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 91

07/11/2014 17:12

92

Features A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 92

07/11/2014 17:12

Rotary Club National Photographic Competition Each year, the photography students enter the Rotary Club National Photographic Competition. The theme is supplied by the Rotary Club and the girls submit three pieces of relevant work. This year, the topic was ‘People’. Schools from across the county participate in the competition and the winners from each county then compete for the National Prize. I was delighted that UVI Photography Student, Serenity Wang, won the Berkshire Prize for the senior category, with three excellent images. All submitted work is exhibited in the Carnegie Lounge at Newbury Library between March and April and awards are presented to the winners. The judges said of Serenity’s work, ‘An intriguing subject and great use of natural light, a lovely use of subtle composition.’ Miss Natalie Bloor, Teacher of Fine Art Photography

93

FEATURES

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 93

07/11/2014 17:12

The ‘Lessons from Auschwitz’ Project camp Auschwitz-Birkenau, as well as a synagogue in the town of Oswieçim. The project is exceptional and its motives, to ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust are never forgotten, are noble.

Since 1999, more than 20,000 young people from across the UK have taken part in the ‘Lessons from Auschwitz’ Project. Downe House has participated for about ten years. Run by the Holocaust Educational Trust, this project gives sixth form students around the UK the unparalleled opportunity to visit the former Nazi concentration and death

94

If we have been lucky enough to be allocated places, the Head of History and his department members decide on who, of those studying History in the Sixth Form, they feel are working above and beyond the curriculum and would be best placed to participate, as a pair in the project. Twice we have been very fortunate to have been offered a teacher place as well - on the recent project Mr Hobbs joined Clara de Montfort and Flora Tudhope and some years ago I was lucky enough to join Charlotte Moss and Allie Ames. It is not an easy place to visit of course and the seminar beforehand prepares all participants very well by talking through expectations and practicalities, which means that all participants can take the visit in their own way. The young people are supported throughout the experience by trained LFA educators, HET staff and a Rabbi. A second seminar provides time to reflect on the visit, explore the relevance of the whole experience and discuss ways to pass on the lessons of the Holocaust to their schools and communities. The students then become Ambassadors for the project. The project must be commended on the opportunity it gives to so many young adults and teachers, to visit this extraordinary place and understand just what it is to be human on every level. One comes away understanding so much more about the suffering of the captives, and the most extra ordinary situation that the perpetrators of that suffering found themselves in - the complexities are far reaching.

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 94

07/11/2014 17:12

Lessons from Auschwitz The Lessons from Auschwitz Project is a national programme established by the Holocaust Educational Trust to educate young people about the Holocaust and conduct visits to Auschwitz, based on the premise that ‘hearing is not like seeing’. On the 27 April we attended the first stage of the LFA project. For this, we attended an orientation seminar in London where we heard the testimony of Holocaust survivor Freddie Knoller. After the Nazis invaded Belgium, Freddie was betrayed and arrested by the Vichy police in south-west France. He was then sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau where he remained for several years. He was later transferred to Bergen-Belsen and from there Freddie was liberated in 1945. During this seminar, we were also placed in the groups which we would remain in for our trip and discussed our expectations and preconceptions about our upcoming visit to Auschwitz. The next stage of the project was the visit to Poland. We left school at 3am to catch the plane to Krakow. When we arrived, we visited the Jewish cemetery in the town of Oswiecim near the Auschwitz camp. We were shown a monument which had been made from Jewish gravestones that had been restored to the graveyard after the Nazis had used them as paving slabs during their occupation. Following this, we visited Auschwitz I, where a guide took us around the camp. We went inside the barracks and living quarters and saw the personal possessions seized from the thousands of prisoners who entered the camp. It was thought provoking to see even the most mundane of objects, such as shoe polish and make-up brushes that people had brought with them. Perhaps most disconcerting were the hundreds

of house keys taken to Auschwitz by prisoners who had expected to return home. In the afternoon we visited Auschwitz-Birkenau, the death camp where the majority of prisoners died. We were told that 75% of those who arrived at Auschwitz-Birkenau were murdered immediately. On arrival, we climbed the watchtower at the gates of the camp. This gave us a view over the entire area and highlighted the immense scale of the camp and the huge number of inhabitants who would have been imprisoned there. The day concluded with a memorial ceremony given by Rabbi Barry Marcus next to the destroyed crematoria at Birkenau. Our group then lit candles and placed them along the railway line that had been used to transport prisoners to Auschwitz. In the Follow-up Seminar in London, a week after we returned, we had the opportunity to reflect on the trip and the impact it had on us. This seminar also focused on the wider issue of education about genocide, racism and bullying, both in schools and in local communities. Auschwitz had a profound effect on both of us. Perhaps most striking was the LFA’s focus on re-humanising the Holocaust; when it is so easy to see the Holocaust simply in terms of numbers, it is often difficult to remember the individuals involved and the personal traumas which would have been felt by not only by the prisoners themselves, but also their families and friends. Having been taught about the Holocaust in classrooms for many years, being able to actually visit Auschwitz itself gave us an entirely new perspective on this event and on its wider consequences which are still being felt today.

95

Flora Tudhope and Clara de Montfort, both LVI

FEATURES

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 95

07/11/2014 17:12

Our year in Veyrines to appreciate just how unique an experience it really is. Living near London with every amenity on the doorstep and 24 hour availability of just about everything meant that the adjustment to living in the middle of the French countryside where the closest shop is a 15 minute drive away took some getting used to. We have enjoyed going for long walks to get to know our new surroundings and are developing a real appreciation life in the country. Birds of prey circling overhead which at first caused us to excitedly point them out now barely merit a glance but it is always a thrill to spot the wildlife in the surrounding countryside – badgers, deer, wild boar, pine martens and even the odd snake!

96

Twelve months ago Iain and I were working in very different environments; me as an Advanced Skills Teacher and Head of Department in a highly successful and very large boys’ comprehensive school and Iain as an Investment Manager, responsible for several hundred million pounds worth of clients’ money. A large part of the appeal of applying for the jobs in Veyrines was the opportunity to do something completely different, but only after our first year in France are we beginning

Professionally, life has changed enormously for us both. Our morning commute from the house to the dining room takes about 30 seconds as opposed to our previous daily battles with traffic in the London suburbs. We share an office and have settled quickly into our new routines. We owe a great deal to all the staff for making us so welcome and in particular to Louise Lameret, the Assistant Head, who, amongst other things, answered our never-ending questions and showed us where things were and how things worked! The title “Head of Veyrines” sounds so straightforward

but in reality I am a Housemistress, nurse, driver, counsellor, administrator, photographer, publicist, diplomat, confidante, advisor, researcher, translator, negotiator and teacher and it is this variety which makes my job so interesting and fulfilling. After a career teaching boys, it has been both interesting and rewarding to work with girls. This year’s Lower IV girls are witty, kind, creative, intelligent, talented, curious, noisy, ambitious and always surprising. Although I love teaching and have really enjoyed devising new schemes of work and lesson plans for both French and English after years of being restricted to exam board courses, the best bits of my job this year have happened outside the classroom. Going round the dorms in the evening and having the time to sit on someone’s bed, hear the girls’ stories, watch their dances and other performances, look at their (unbelievably well made) videos, learn about their families and friends, listen to their jokes, dry their hair, help them to find lost belongings, hand out medication and encourage them to be “just a little bit tidier” has helped me learn so much more about what my job really is. Moreover, I have learnt the importance of tucking a girl into bed and giving and receiving hugs, none of which were requirements in my previous life! Although in real terms

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 96

07/11/2014 17:12

the girls are only with us for a short while, we have the luxury of spending time with them, living and working together, and I am certain that this makes a real difference to the value of the Veyrines experience. Iain has really enjoyed getting to know the girls as well. He looks after their pocket money and helps them to budget their spending for the term. He has also taken on the role of maths tutor, working with girls who do not find the subject easy, and has been a great success. He has been a minibus driver on various sorties and got to know the girls better simply by chatting with them during the journeys. Some of the girls have joined him on his regular walks and he has really enjoyed their company, sharing what he has discovered in the area. Our first three terms have given us so many wonderful memories. There are far too many to mention but we have enjoyed various inter-dorm competitions, including Strictly Come France-ing, Christmas decorations, Fashion Design and Drama all of which revealed real talent, creativity and teamwork. In the Michaelmas term, a praying mantis found by Iain was adopted by some of the girls who gave him the moniker “Dave”, provided a plush residence for him in a large glass

vase and fed and cared for him every day until his untimely death which was followed by full funeral rites and a burial under the box tree complete with handmade headstone. We will never forget Charlotte Berry’s onewoman show in the Lent term. She had us all in stitches as she performed her unique brand of comedy and music with such poise and confidence, a real one-off. The girls’ concerts at nearby retirement homes and a care home for handicapped adults are always a great success. The girls all perform to such a high standard and it is wonderful to see them and their audiences enjoying themselves. Another highlight each term is seeing the girls at work in the market in Sarlat, selling cakes and gifts they have made to raise money for our charity, Hôpital Sourire. They throw themselves into this activity with great enthusiasm, using their French to persuade and charm passers-by to part with their money. We receive many compliments about the girls and are always very proud of them. Next year and beyond, we are committed to developing the school’s relationship with the local community. There will be opportunities for the girls to integrate through local events such as “Loto” nights in the Salle des Fêtes and plans are taking shape to give a garden party in the Michaelmas term, inviting the

Mayor, his councillors and our near neighbours so that they can get to know us better. For us, it is a privilege to be at the heart of what we know is a memorable experience for all the girls who come to Veyrines. Not only do they learn to appreciate a different lifestyle and culture, they also learn a lot about themselves and it is fascinating to see them change during their time here. Girls who have not wanted to come to France don’t want to go home, those who don’t think they are good at French go home with new-found skills, those who lack confidence return with greater self-assurance and more of a “can-do” attitude. All this is great preparation for what awaits them on their return to the Upper IV and beyond; mixed-age houses, public examinations and university choices to name just a few. The learning curve for us, too, has been steep but we feel very settled and happy here and with the continued help and support of our colleagues here and at Cold Ash, we look forward to developing the Veyrines experience further over the coming years.

97

Mrs Deborah Scotland, Head of Veyrines

FEATURES

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 97

07/11/2014 17:12

Prep Schools’ Day of Drama smiles, endless energy and huge amounts of fun being had by both girls and teachers alike. The girls were then split into smaller groups who undertook workshops in Musical Theatre with Miss Anger, Dance with Mrs Parker-Barratt, Scripted work with Mrs Watson and Mr Grant and Improvisation with Mrs Gridley and Miss Leigh all based around the story and musical of ‘Les Miserables’.

98

In April we welcomed our highest number of girls from 4 different schools for our Annual Prep Schools’ Day of Drama. The Girls came from Chandlings, Pembridge Hall, Orchard House and Eaton House. As the girls arrived they were greeted by warm smiles from the staff and seniors who were running the event. After a quick refreshment of squash and biscuits they were all raring to go, and the day started with some lively warm up games lead by Mrs Watson and Mathilda Blythe. When looking around the room all you could see were huge

The girls were then whisked off by their Remove Guides for a whirlwind tour of the school, and eventually ran for shelter from the rain in the dining room where they tucked into a well-

deserved lunch. All the activities of the day culminated in a final showcase performed in PAC where the girl all performed the song and dance routines they had learnt, as well as some of their scripted scenes. The girls were then presented with a goody bag and a framed photograph as a memento of their day at Downe House. The girls and staff all had a thoroughly good day and the girls seemed to leave just as excited as they arrived. Thank you to everyone who helped make this day a success. Miss Sophie Leigh, Peripatetic Teacher of Speech and Drama

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 98

07/11/2014 17:12

99

Because I am a Girl June Eric-Udorie, UV, AGS, is one of the members of the Youth Advisory Panel and a Youth Ambassador for Plan UK. June joined Plan UK because she wants to learn and share ideas about International Development with other young people who are passionate about changing our world. She also believes ‘… that it is essential for youth to be involved in the decision-making process that will shape our future. ‘ June ran a number of events in the School this year to make everyone aware of the issues raised by Plan UK’s ‘Because I am a Girl’ campaign, which supports education for girls around the world. She has recently spoken in assemblies about FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) and forced marriages. June also raised funds for Plan UK within the school, making the most of Disney Day to raise funds through a huge cake sale and to raise awareness through quizzes and presentations. June also attended a keynote speech about ‘Early and Forced Marriage’ by Justine Greening, Secretary of State for ID. She had the opportunity discuss child marriage and law making in Nigeria with Lynne Featherstone, Under Secretary.

In May, Plan UK decided that they would like to recruit a Youth Entrepreneur Ambassador; a young person who will be a supporter for Plan UK and Barclay’s ‘Banking on Change’ project, will visit projects organised by Plan UK and Barclays Bank across the globe and will represent Plan UK at events and take part in media opportunities. All nominations came from the Global Youth Advisory Panel (GYAP), so young people from across the globe were given the opportunity to nominate young people that they thought would suit the role. June nominated Harriot Pleydell-Bouverie (DH 2003) and after a rigorous process, Harriot has been chosen to become Plan UK’s Youth Entrepreneur Ambassador. June is currently preparing for the #YouthForChange event and the UK government’s Girl Summit, which she will be co-hosting alongside another young person, as well as David Cameron, Theresa May, Justine Greening and others. FEATURES

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 99

07/11/2014 17:12

The Parades & Tom Longhurst at Downe We had a full house in the Farr Centre in April with several hundred girls excited to see The Parades and Tom Longhurst. The gig was the brain child of Olivia Holden, UV, and tickets were sold to raise funds for the charities supported by each boarding house. Tom Longhurst, a 20 year old singer-songwriter from Reading provided an incredible opening act. His debut single

‘Believe What You See’ which was released in April… so we officially heard it here first! The Parades, a guitar based British pop funk band, proved to be a brilliant live act. They have just released a self-produced project on SoundCloud called ‘SIX’. Thanks so much to the acts for giving us such an amazing evening and congratulations to Olivia on a great success.

100

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 100

07/11/2014 17:13

Charity

101

FEATURES CHARITY

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 101

07/11/2014 17:13

Walk for Afghan Connection Lower Fifth

Afghan Connection funds and supports schools, teachers and sports opportunities, especially in rural areas. Downe House is a strong supporter of charities around the globe. Raising awareness and funds for charity is a key part of our culture. Our Lower Fifth girls replicated the 2 hour walk to school for many Afghan children. Setting off at 6am, the girls and staff walked around the local villages to empathise with the long walk to and from school for children in Afghanistan. “Despite the difference in environment we were emotionally united with the girls who walk miles to school every day in Afghanistan.� Alexandra Thomas, LV

102

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 102

07/11/2014 17:13

Tedworth Ascot Evening In March, Tedworth parents, siblings, girls and staff congregated in the Main Dining Room for Tedworth Charity Evening 2014 – A Night at the Races. Based on Ascot’s ‘Ladies Day’, everyone came dressed to impress in their best racing gear.

delicious food and the Lower Sixth prefects for running the betting windows! Mrs Wendy Nurser, Housemistress and teacher of History

An array of very impressive hats was on show for ‘Best Hat’, judged by Ms Bizior. The evening consisted of eight races shown around a three course meal, projected onto a big screen. Each Tedworth girl owned a horse which they had named themselves; the creativity that went into this was commendable, a particulate favourite of ours being ‘Britney Spurs’. We were raising money for Tedworth House, a rehabilitation clinic for wounded soldiers run by ‘Help for Heroes’. This was done through betting on horses and buying wine for the night; the most money was raised in the sealed-bid auction for the final race for parents. Prizes included a week away in Austria and a Spanish food hamper, all kindly donated by parents. The races proved to be exciting and competitive with not only the girls but also the parents screaming enthusiastically for their horses to win. We managed to raise just over £3000 for our chosen charity, a fantastic achievement which could not have been done without the help of Mr Vallance and Mrs Nurser in orchestrating the event, the AV staff for helping set up the Dining Room technically, the Catering Department for the

103

Afghan Connections Literary Lunch “Two old actresses are sitting in a nursing home. One says to the other, “Well at least we haven’t lost our marbles, touch wood”, as she knocks twice on the wooden table in front of her. Immediately she turns to the door and says, “Come in!””. Thus concluded a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon spent in the company of the five Lower Fifth Drama Scholars and the celebrated actress Celia Imrie, at the Afghan Connection Literary Lunch at Bradfield College. The Afghan Connection is a charity that funds and supports schools, teachers and sports opportunities, especially in rural areas. With their partners, they have built thirty nine schools across Afghanistan, which currently educate over fifty thousand children. Guest speaker Sarah Fane, the charity’s founder and CEO, gave an enlightening review of all of the excellent work carried out by the charity in the last year. Then Sunday Times columnist Bryan Appleyard led Celia Imrie through her life story. With very humble beginnings in the chorus line, Celia spoke of her determination to gain the lead roles that she so craved. From her early struggles with anorexia and the loss of her father, no subject was out of bounds. Celia shared

witty anecdotes and backstage tales and gossip and her mischievous streak and sense of fun was plain to see. The Lower Fifth Drama Scholars were thoroughly entertained and inspired by the afternoon and were absolutely delighted to have been in the same room as a “real actress”! Mrs Rebecca Watson, Head of Extra-Curricular Drama

CHARITY

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 103

07/11/2014 17:13

Sparkes Home, Sri Lanka

The Sparkes family established tea plantations in Sri Lanka in the mid19th century and the Sparkes charity was established as a living memorial to Michael and Jonny Sparkes. Following the tsunami in December 2004, the Sparkes family raised funds to build a new home for girls in Kallar, on the north east coast of Sri Lanka. The land was donated by the Methodist Church of Sri Lanka, with whom the family have created a partnership for the running and administration of this and three further homes. 104

Kalmunai is the home that AGN have decided to sponsor and visit. It has 35 girls in residence. The girls go to school locally and benefit from extra tuition in the home after school, including extra English, maths and IT tuition. Computers and sewing machines have also been provided. The home is on a large site close to the town centre and is in need of some TLC, a job which a team of AGN girls will be tackling during their visit in July 2015.

The girls in the home are either orphans or children of families made destitute by the devastation of the tsunami and of the recent civil war. Since the tsunami, girls are referred to the home both through the Church and the local government social services, who are pleased with the safe and caring environment at Sparkes Home Kalmunai. The girls are looked after by two house mothers, a cook and a watchman /caretaker, under the supervision of the local Minister and his committee of elected members from the village. Finances are handled centrally from the Methodist Church headquarters in Colombo. The home offers the girls a warm and loving environment. Once the girls have completed their education, the ambition is to make sure that they have the means to earn their own living. Mrs Julie Dell and Miss Kayleigh Anger visited the home in 2014 to understand how best Downe House could assist the residents and to distribute gifts.

A visit has been arranged and a group of AGN girls will visit in 2015 to spend a week with the Sri Lankan girls, teaching them some English, doing some DIY to improve the facilities and having fun together! This is a great opportunity for Downe House girls to gain an insight into the lives of others and to share their skills. The AGN girls have organised various fund raising events to date. A cake sale was held last year, to raise the monies needed to purchase a variety of items that are very much needed by the girls in the home. Funds are currently being raised to purchase bedding, towels and mosquito nets, as well as decorating and DIY materials that the AGN girls will need to complete their project. Also money is being raised to take the all the children from the home for a day out to the seaside, something that we take for granted but that the girls will consider a real treat Mrs Julie Dell, Head of Co-Curricular

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 104

07/11/2014 17:13

Charitable Activities 2013-14 Cause Supported Kamili Organisation Kenya Music as Therapy Hope & Homes for Children The Kipungani Schools Trust Sparkes Home Naomi House Sense International France Bank Book September 13 Stand By Me Tiger Kloof Educational Institution Two Saints Charity Meningitis Trust Chauncy Maples Malawi Trust Sparkes Home Acts of Hope Charitable Trust ODBF Administered Fund ABF The Soldiers Charity Riding for the Disabled Hounds for Heroes Chauncy Maples Malawi Trust Hope & Homes for Children Armed Forces Fund Sparkes Home The Castle School The Ina Bond Foundation Help for Heroes

Raised (£) 1400.00 700.00 478.00 1176.97 414.51 3194.36 100.00 2147.03 2000.00 2000.00 187.50 481.72 60.00 198.71 120.00 645.00 327.00 27.00 20.00 488.55 93.57 1365.45 302.87 25.18 168.00 223.99

Cancer Research UK 131.48 MicroLoan Foundation UK 37.77 Macmillan Cancer Support 130.00 Enham 442.55 Imperial College Union 452.02 The Dalitso Trust 1875.62 Acts of Hope Charitable Trust 80.00 Lepra Health in Action 88.22 ODBF Administered Fund 560.00 WWF-UK 73.52 MicroLoan Foundation UK 2158.50 PLAN INTERNATIONAL UK 1646.04 FREE THE CHILDREN 629.68 ODBF Administered Fund 1294.00 Tiger Kloof Ed Institution 945.51 Help for Heroes 3411.72 Riding for the Disabled 572.00 Edinburgh Festival Performers 561.55 Afghan Connection 455.30 Hôpital Sourire 1386.23 Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity 921.05 MVUMI School Trust 1244.40 Riding for the Disabled 2251.38 Breakthrough Breast Cancer (Gift Fair) 8629.17

Total giving 2013 - 2014

105

£48,323.12

Supporting the Rainbow Trust The Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity helps the families of critically ill children by providing emotional and practical support. After Lorraine Rudge, the community fundraising manager for the Trust, visited Downe House to raise awareness of the cause, the girls were very pleased to be able to get involved and help out. At the end of the Summer term our girls raised funds through the Trust’s ‘Rainbrows’ campaign with all of the models at our Founder’s Weekend Fashion Show sported rainbow painted eyebrows, provided by a professional makeup artist provided by the Trust. In all, we raised more than £900 for the Rainbow Trust and we look forward to working with this worthy cause again. Mrs Michelle Scott, Assistant Headmistress, (Foundation)

CHARITY

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 105

07/11/2014 17:13

106

Trips TRIPS

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 106

07/11/2014 17:13

Art Award Holders Trip to St Ives It was with great excitement that ten Art award holders accompanied by Mrs Scott and Mrs Mortimer boarded a bus bound for St Ives. St Ives was chosen as the destination for the trip because it has gained a reputation as a thriving artistic community with a strong historical legacy. Our visit began with a walk down to Porthminster beach and the harbour in St Ives where the girls were able to appreciate the special quality of the light as the sun set. Working from direct observation they painted watercolour postcards of the boats and the lighthouse to send back to school. The following morning we spent the day engaged in a in a printmaking workshop with the artist Rachel Kantaris. Rachel has become well known in the field of etchings and we were privileged to be able to visit her studio in a former net loft by the Penwith Gallery. Inside was an array of colourful paintings and prints inspired by the sea and Cornish coastline. Rachel told us that she was ‘always obsessed by views of the sea from high places’. Under Rachel’s watchful eye we embarked on the process of creating collagraph prints. To produce different textural effects collage materials were glued onto a piece of card. After varnishing, ink was applied and then removed to leave a residue. The collagraphs were then rolled through

a large printing press. The girls were astonished by how lovely the finished prints were and excited about how their newly acquired skills could be developed further at school. Our day ended with a pirate walk around St Ives led by local character Shanti Baba. Mrs Mortimer really entered into the spirit of the occasion, appearing in full pirate attire complete with hook arm, false teeth and beard! Wednesday morning was spent visiting the Belgrave Gallery in St Ives where the artist Jessica Cooper had an exhibition. We had arranged to meet Jessica the following day and the girls were very impressed by the beautiful and simple paintings depicting everyday objects, landscapes and buildings inspired by personal memories and experiences. In the afternoon our itinerary included a trip to Tate St Ives to see the exhibition’ International Exchanges: Modern Art and St Ives 1915 -1965.’ The girls enjoyed a critical thinking workshop, which encouraged them to visually analyse the art work on display, exploring the subject matter and techniques to increase their knowledge and understanding. After a hearty supper at the hotel we were treated to another practical workshop this time led by the local artist Sally McCabe. She brought her wonderful sketchbooks for the girls to study and demonstrated

techniques to encourage them to express their ideas in their own books in a more imaginative and creative way. Experimenting with collage and paint the girls were able to produce individual interpretations of St Ives. Our trip concluded with a visit to Newlyn where we met the eminent artist Jessica Cooper in her studio. Jessica told us about her journey as an artist and described her working methods and the thought processes that inform her work. She also explained how she designed some merchandise for Tate St Ives and showed us her working drawings. The girls were fascinated and Jessica was very receptive to all the questions responding enthusiastically. The time flew and it was with some regret that we waved farewell to travel home. It had been an intense and exhausting few days but everyone agreed that all the workshops had been valuable and enlightening; we met some inspirational people and had an enriching experience. Tilly Scobie summed it up with the words ‘We learnt a lot of interesting things that every artist needs to know’.

107

Mrs Sally Scott, Head of Art Faculty

TRIPS

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 107

07/11/2014 17:14

108

Beaulieu Abbey In September, the LVI artists and photographers enjoyed an excursion to Beaulieu Abbey which provided them with a visual feast to inspire this year’s coursework. The AS Art theme was structures. The ruined Abbey buildings provided a sense of pathos and decay whilst the gardens encouraged contemplation of organic forms. The Motor Museum delivered artistic subject matter as well as more abstract imagery with the reflection of light on polished chrome, whimsical paint colours and the unique shape and character of cars from days gone by. The LVI especially enjoyed the Bond in Motion exhibit featuring the largest collection of James Bond vehicles in the world. In addition, the girls were able to visit the Top Gear Enormodrome, a collection of some of the zany vehicles created for the television show. Mrs Sally Scott, Head of Art Faculty

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 108

07/11/2014 17:14

Hogar el Alba – Argentina experience Hogar el Alba was founded in 1925 by British missionary William Morris. Its residents are children who do not have families or have suffered abuse. The home has an onsite bakery and dairy which allows the older children to acquire vocational skills before they move on. The home is helped by friends – groups who send volunteers to support its work. From 25 March to 7 April 2014, eight Lower Sixth girls and 3 teachers spent just over 10 days in an orphanage in the outskirts of Buenos Aires. I am writing on behalf of the girls (and the teachers) when I say that it really was, as cliché as it sounds, an experience of a lifetime. We were immersed in a totally different environment, spending time with children between the ages of 2 and 17, learning from their experiences and sharing our different cultures and lives. Every single child living in the Hogar el Alba (‘Daybreak Home’) is so special and we were so lucky to be able to spend time with them. It was a most rewarding experience to put smiles on their faces and show them affection

The Falklands/Malvinas Friends’ Association, which started out as a school project in the Argentine city of Rosario, held the inaugural meeting of its ‘South Atlantic Liaison Committee’ in Buenos Aires on 31 March 2014. Four Downe House pupils with a particular interest in international affairs attended the meeting, where they heard a number of distinguished Argentines – including former combatants in the 1982 Falklands War – speak of the importance of promoting dialogue between citizens of the different communities in the South Atlantic. The non-political Association says it is the only institution in Argentina promoting the kind of dialogue called for by the United Nations.

which, although they are loved by the staff at the Hogar, they were not shown in their early childhood years before they came to the orphanage. Each Downe House girl also learned a great deal of Spanish during the time we spent in Argentina. We were all desperate to communicate with the children so did whatever we could so they could understand us and form relationships with us. Not only did we communicate with the children from the Hogar but we also benefited from a visit from a local private school where a major part of the curriculum is learning English. We spent a morning with them, which was fantastic, they all loved hearing about life in England and its differences with life in Argentina. During our stay we were also lucky enough to have a few visits to Buenos Aires. We saw and learnt about, thanks to Mr Wallis’ expert guided tour, many of the main monuments in the city such as the Metropolitan Cathedral, the opera house, the Plaza de Mayo and many statues of influential South American leaders and liberators such as Simon Bolivar and Jose de San Martin.

Each member of the group feels very privileged to have been able to go on this trip and also to help out and make a difference to children’s lives. We painted an entire gymnasium during our stay and varnished a newly built residential house for the children, as well as tidying the outside areas. Although this does not sound a lot, it was worthwhile as we saved the Hogar money and helped develop the site so the children can really benefit from the facilities available. We were all incredibly sad to leave such an amazing place, such lovely children and also to finish such an incredible journey, but I have no doubts that at least some of us will definitely return during our gap years or after university to help out and see the children once again. India Roberts, LVI 109

Standing (l. to r.): Prof. Robin Wallis (uk); Srita. India Roberts (uk); Srita Florence Li (uk); Sr. Com. Eduardo Canosa (ar); Arq. Ricardo Gómez Kenny (ar); Dr. Enrique Aramburu (ar); Dr. Claudio Ronchi (ar); Dr. Sergio Orellana (ar) y Gral. Heriberto Auel (ar). Seated (l. to r.): Prof. Alicia Bedoya (es); Srita. Florence Wildblood (uk); Srita. Natasha Seaton (uk); Dr. Luis Boffi Carri Pérez(ar); Sr. Gabriel Di Bernardo (ar); Dr. Mariano Dichino (ar); Sra. Estela Dichino (ar); Dr. Eduardo Pfirtter (ar).

TRIPS

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 109

07/11/2014 17:14

Veyrines: ‘Sorties’ For most people involved in education, it goes without saying that teaching and learning can be greatly supported by trips and visits. Here in Veyrines such outings are known as “sorties” and very rarely does a day go by without at least one group of girls setting off in a minibus to learn more about a subject, try a new activity or visit an important landmark in this beautiful area of France. Last academic year, we organised over 150 visits, an average of 5 per week! Girls have the opportunity to visit some of the famous caves and chateaux in the Dordogne valley to enhance their knowledge of prehistoric life and medieval history. Firing a crossbow at the Chateau de Castelnaud or seeing the engravings and paintings at Rouffignac from 14,000 years BC certainly helps

bring history to life! Some of the other outings revolve around the rich gastronomy of this area, including visits to the walnut museum, the saffron farm, a chocolaterie, our local boulangerie and the odd excursion to the local woods with Madame Lameret to collect wild mushrooms. Each term the girls accompany a truffle expert to dig for the local “black gold” alongside his fantastically well-trained dogs that do much to make this a favourite experience (as long as it isn’t raining!) We also offer girls the chance to try a variety of new sporting activities which this year have included archery, paddleboarding, rock climbing, wall climbing, mountain biking and potholing. We were fortunate that the weather allowed the Michaelmas and Summer

girls to paddle their way down an 8km stretch of the Dordogne, occasionally falling in but all completing the course in style and getting a great sense of personal achievement. One of the most popular sorties last year was a visit to the Generating Company, a group of acrobats, dancers and circus performers who originally came together to devise and perform the opening show at the Millennium Dome. During the workshop, the girls were taught aerial circus skills, working on the trapeze, ropes, silks and hoops. House outings are designed to get everyone away from school for a while at the weekend. Girls love visiting the markets in Sarlat and St Cyprien but we have also been bowling, ice skating, to the cinema (to watch films in French!),

110

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 110

07/11/2014 17:14

to a local animal conservation park, to a water park (when the mercury climbed to over 35 degrees), mini golf, and simply to the local river for a paddle and a picnic. Also in the programme are two day trips to Toulouse when we visit our partner school and to Vulcania with teachers from the Geography department at Cold Ash. The overwhelming favourite

this year, however, was the termly visit to Futuroscope, a theme park near Poitiers. Its unique approach to education makes it hugely popular with the girls. Whilst there, they enjoyed 3D cinemas learning about the evolution of the Universe, prehistoric sea monsters, ecological dangers faced by our planet and the Hubble telescope, amongst others. 4D technology made learning about the region they were in (La Vienne), flying in a ladybuggy

alongside Arthur (for a tour of the fairy tale land of the Minimoys) and sitting with a friend in a giant robot’s hand while being thrown about to incredibly loud music even better fun! Add to that a spectacular light and sound show in the evening, a night in a hotel and, best of all, pizza for lunch. What more could a girl want from an educational trip? Mrs Deborah Scotland, Head of Veyrines

111

TRIPS

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 111

07/11/2014 17:14

Music Tour to Prague Making Musical Memories At the end of an incredibly busy Lent Term, nearly 50 young musicians, accompanied by seven members of staff, set off for what proved to be a truly unforgettable five-day trip to the beautiful, historic and culturally rich city of Prague in the Czech Republic. The early start notwithstanding, excitement was evident from outset and we were not to be disappointed. The girls, who were members of Once Removed, Junior Choral and In Harmony, Sinfonia Strings and Wind Band, gave memorable performances to packed audiences at three of Prague’s top concert venues, including a Lunchtime Recital at the magnificent Baroque church of St. Nicholas in the Old Town Square and culminating in a sell-out ‘last night’ at the Martinu Hall in the Lichtenstein Palace. 112

All of the girls performed magnificently and it was a real thrill not only to be joined for our concerts by a number of Downe House parents – and indeed by the Headmistress, who surprised us with a flying visit – but to see the enjoyment and appreciation of the large local audiences who came to

each of the three concerts. Aside from the ensembles, there were some standout individual performances, including Rose Galbraith’s (LV) beautiful rendition of Caccini’s ‘Ave Maria’, performed from the balconies high in the rooftops of St. Nicholas’, Melissa Chang’s (UIV) masterful playing of Louis Vierne’s ‘Intermezzo’ on the organ at the same venue and Charlotte Aldrich (LV) and Olivia Harrison’s (LV) duet arrangement of ‘Somewhere’ from Leonard Bernstein’s ‘West Side Story’, which received a deserved encore at the Martinu Hall. Aside from the music, we enjoyed a walking tour of a sun-drenched Prague, a morning at the Museum of Music and Instruments, and a trip to Europe’s biggest waterpark, as well as a wonderful afternoon of sport at the Johannes Kepler Grammar School, our link school in Prague, whose choir also performed alongside ours in the St. Nicholas’ Concert. Our evening river cruise down the Vltava was a particular highlight – offering the opportunity for photographs of Prague by night – as was the chance to try out some traditional Czech folk dancing

to the accompaniment of a live band. The degree of success was variable – particularly amongst the staff – but the enjoyment was evident. All of the girls involved acquitted themselves marvellously throughout the trip, performed superbly in all of the concerts and were, above all else, a pleasure to be with and a credit to themselves and the school in all respects. Downe House Music Tours are always special but one feels that, for those lucky enough to have been involved, Prague 2014 really did create some lasting musical memories. I’m sure planning for the next adventure is already well underway. Dr Ian Taylor, Assistant Director of Music

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 112

07/11/2014 17:14

113

TRIPS

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 113

07/11/2014 17:14

MFL: Tenerife Our trip to Tenerife was very Spanish. We enjoyed the company of many wonderful Spaniards. We felt very welcomed by our host families as soon as we arrived. I was staying with Ilaria and Señor Wallis under the hospitality of Candelaria and her family. Our home was located just outside the Loro Parque at Punta Brava, next to the beach and only a little bit outside the town, close enough to walk to on the very pleasant mornings with which we were always blessed.

114

lift and STOP! This really helped! We all played together on the beach for ages until the sun had gone down and then, after shaking off a lot of sand, we made our way to a distant cantina. We each sat with a Spanish student next to us and this way we could speak to them more. We ordered our meal in Spanish and we were served some traditional foods as our starter.

The Tenerife trip was a very good experience and surprisingly helped the progress of my Spanish a lot; it was really interesting to learn about the different cultures and the way of life. Thank you, Señor Wallis and Señora Diaz-Smith, for making our trip to Tenerife possible. It was wonderful.

Over the five days spent in Portugal a brilliant time was had by all. The sun shone (for the most part), and a lot of tennis was played. A huge thank you has to be directed to the 5 Star Tennis

coaches who made it all possible. Our villas were outstanding and easy access to the beach and pool meant that relaxing (sunbathing for some) after a hard day’s work was easily achieved.

Claudine Collins, LV

Every day we had classes at the Don Quixote Language School, which was helpful with the expansion of my Spanish language. Our teacher Laura taught us and spoke to us constantly in Spanish, which definitely had an impact on our accents and the way in which we could be understood and how we could understand the locals. We also had many chances to use our skills on some local students aged 1618. After getting to know each other a little, we had a three-legged race on the beach, through which we learnt to give directions such as left, right,

Tennis Tour During the last week of the Easter holidays, 4 girls from UIV, 6 from the LV, 6 girls from LVI and 2 teachers headed to Vale Do Lobo for the Downe House tennis tour.

Overall, it was a trip well-made and on behalf of all the girls who attended I would like to thank Mrs Hathaway and Mr Allen for organising the whole thing and the people at 5 Star for looking after us so well. Honor Weatherall, LVI

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 114

07/11/2014 17:14

Scuba Diving At the end of the Summer Term, 15 of the UIV and LV girls headed to Portugal to complete their PADI Open Water Scuba Diving training. They had been working hard on the theory over the Summer Term, so were excited about the trip. On the first morning the girls headed to a state of the art diving centre to begin what would prove to be a challenging experience for some. The girls went out on two ribs (boats) and enjoyed the beautiful calm blue sea, picnic lunches, swimming and sun bathing. Unfortunately the sea was colder than usual for this time of year, but that didn’t deter our girls. On the last day all of our girls dived the shipwrecks.

Greatest achievement goes to Araminta Swallow, UIV, who showed persistence and determination in completing her PADI open water – refused to be beaten and came out of her final dive smiling from ear to ear. Funniest moment was seeing Jennifer Darko, UIV, struggle into a wetsuit, finally get it on, only to realise it was on back to front! The girls were a delightful group and Scuba Diving will now become a regular fixture at Downe House. Mrs Julie Dell, Head of Co-Curricular Department

115

TRIPS

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 115

07/11/2014 17:15

Drama 116

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 116

07/11/2014 17:15

From the Head of Drama Having arrived at Downe as a Remove in 2007 with little Drama experience, it very quickly became a hobby that has followed me through my Downe House career. I remember very vividly as an eleven year old being mesmerised by the productions the department put on, with the fantastic talent, costumes, set and making it a goal to one day be in a production. Facing rejection for the Lower School production, as an eleven year old, was expectedly disheartening! However, it wasn’t going to affect my decision to take Drama further for GCSE and then A Level. Consequently, Drama has been a part of my curriculum for seven years, as well as Speech and Drama as an extra-curricular activity. Directing my House play for House Drama was certainly a challenge but also one of the fondest memories I will leave school with. Unless you’ve been a pupil, member of staff or parent at Downe you wouldn’t appreciate how significant a role the Drama department play every term. I’m not entirely sure where it comes from, or if it is just ingrained in Downe House but ultimately it is the department who should be commended for that. It was only last

year, in the summer of my Lower Sixth year when the School musical was announced as ‘Guys and Dolls.’ Having considered myself tone deaf for many years, you can imagine I was far from thrilled. Nevertheless, I was persuaded by a few members of the department and eventually agreed to give it a go. To my utmost surprise I was assigned a leading role (even though I still don’t believe I can sing!) and that resulted in my most exciting term of my schooling career—another fond memory I will cherish. Having been Head of Drama at Downe I can honestly say it has been the most gratifying and enjoyable position of responsibility. Miss Hannibal, who joined as Head of Department in 2012, has had some fantastic achievements, including the school production in February of ‘The Sound of Music’ and setting up a monthly Drama brochure, which I’ve loved helping her with. I wish her and the department the best of luck in the future. I hope the department will continue to flourish and have the same impact it had on me for future students. It has, after all, inspired me to continue with Drama at university as part of a joint honours degree.

117

Eleanor Fenn, Head of Drama

DRAMA

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 117

07/11/2014 17:15

House Drama Competition On Sunday 13 October the annual House Drama Competition was held in the Performing Arts Centre. This year, a real twist was added as the Lower Sixth team took to the challenge of devising their own performance. With only a short story as their stimulus, the Lower Sixth directors adapted and scripted their performance from scratch. With the entire creative concept of the productions at their fingertips, the teams rose to the challenge, creating costumes, lighting designs, set and props and elaborate musical accompaniment to allow them to produce some of the most innovative and professional House Drama performances we have seen.

118

The plays were based on five of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales. Aisholt presented ‘The Snow Queen’ directed by Sarah Creedy-Smith, Tedworth ‘The Red Shoes’ directed by Katharine Craig, AGN ‘The Wild Swans’ directed by Charlotte Scobie, Holcombe ‘Thumbelina’ directed by Roseanna Whitbread and finally AGS ‘The Sandman’ directed by Mathilda Blythe. The standard of all five performances was incredibly high with a tremendous demonstration of talent from the production teams and performers. Aisholts’ performance of ‘The Snow Queen’ took us shivering into the depths of the Ice Palace following Gerda on her quest to find Kai. Winning best staging, the Lower Sixth team were congratulated for their ability to transport us instantly into another world starting with an impactful dance sequence. Their innovative programme also won them a prize and the Acting Award was won by Miranda Shaw who played the Grandmother. Tedworth treated us to the dark tale of ‘The Red Shoes’ cleverly using the protagonist, Scarlett, and her alter ego to tell the story of Grandmother Vivaldi and the Russian Ballet School. This was heralded as an impressive performance

which was seamless and gripped the audience as it took us on a journey with an extensive cast of incredible characters. Charlotte Ledger was outstanding as the minion, Grumio, and was compelling throughout and achieved the Tedworth Acting Award. Antonia Church was rightfully awarded Best Individual Dance for her contribution to the spectacle. ‘The Wild Swans’ was an interesting story which the AGN team approached with enthusiasm. Their enchanting solo performance by Lamise Saber to introduce us achieved the Best Live Music performance award. There were many clever design effects which allowed us to be transported into a magic world with the team also being awarded Best Overall Design which was a wonderful achievement. Claudine Collins won the Acting Award and was supported by a fantastic cast with an excellent concept which was a wonderful addition to the competition. ‘Thumbelina’ was a real treat for the eyes and the ears. The blast of colour and excitement was awarded numerous awards including Best Hair and Make-Up as well as Best Costume. The animals in the story were well cast and given very specific personalities. The award of Best Poster was also a triumph following the exceptional 3D creation by the Lower Sixth teams. Sophia Hill was awarded the Acting Award for her blind ‘Mole’ which provided a great deal of humour. A fantastic achievement by the whole cast. Finally, AGS presented ‘The Sandman’ in which the winner of the Acting Award, Henrietta Allen transported us into the dream world. The story involved a considerable number of interesting characters whose performances were enhanced by the choreography in the dance numbers winning them Best Choreography. They were also awarded Best Lower School Direction and Best Sound a Lighting

which was a massive achievement. The performance was an excellent way to end the day, keeping us gripped until the final moments. We were delighted to welcome back Salli Pelling as our adjudicator. Salli is no stranger to Downe as she previously taught Speech and Drama amidst her extensive career as a West End performer, GCSE and A Level Examiner and most recently a Drama specialist in schools. Salli was delighted to be back at Downe House and enjoyed her day immensely. Her experience in the industry allowed a perceptive view of the performances which were welcomed with much praise. Salli was very pleasantly surprised by the standard of the girls’ productions and he commented on both their enormous creativity and skill as story tellers. She loved the various ways in which the girls represented key moments in the plays, using their main cast, dancers and Lower School girls effectively and often humorously. A number of girls received individual acting commendations and the highest accolade of Best Protagonist went to Eliza Horn who played Tiny in Thumbelina and Best Individual Performance for Rose Slater of Tedworth for her outstanding portrayal of Grandmother Vivaldi. As Head Drama Senior, Eleanor Fenn supported Salli throughout the day, introducing her to the audiences and assisting with the adjudication. Her Head of Drama Award went to Henrietta Ryan, with Amelia Yerburgh, the Australia Reindeer, as runner up. After much deliberation, the House Drama Cup for the Best Overall Performance went to Tedworth, for their production of ‘The Red Shoes’. AGN came a close second, winning the Cup for Artistic Endeavour for their performance of ‘The Wild Swans’. Miss Sarah Hannibal, Head of Drama

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 118

07/11/2014 17:15

119

DRAMA

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 119

07/11/2014 17:15

Public Speaking Competition In March a Public Speaking Competition was organised by Miss Hannibal for the Lower Sixth. We were invited to form teams consisting of a chairperson, speaker and a proposer of thanks. Four teams entered into the competition with varying topics and creative approaches. In the weeks leading up to the competition, we attended a variety of workshops which taught us vital elements of Public Speaking. My team’s topic was ‘How soon is too soon?’ and we explored the world of comedians and in particular how soon after an event happens does a joke become appropriate. I really enjoyed the freedom this competition gave us to discuss topics that we found interesting. Other teams focused on immortality, the English language and shortening the working week. 120

In preparation for the competition we were encouraged to try to be as creative as possible with our speeches. Some groups added comedy and others altered their layout to make it more unique, all of which made the speeches more

interesting. The skills we learned during this competition are valuable for future public speaking and transferable to other areas. The competition was adjudicated by Fru Hazlitt, Managing Director of Commercial Online and iInteractive at ITV. She gave us really helpful and honest feedback to work on and was a really influential person to meet for all she has done in the television industry. Well done to the winners Honor Loveridge, Emelia Hewlett and Henrietta Montgomerie who discussed immortality. It was wonderful that the competition was embraced by a variety of the year group, not just us thespians! Their speech was both well organised and insightful leaving the audience with lots to discuss. Overall it was a successful evening and a great opportunity to delve deeper into topics we may not otherwise have touched on. Mathilda Blythe, LVI, A Level Drama student

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 120

07/11/2014 17:16

Drama Workshops Cambridge Footlights The Cambridge Footlights came and performed their production Canada at Downe House School for the Upper School. There were only four actors, one man and three women, but throughout the performance they transformed themselves into a variety of completely different characters and acted out many original sketches.

a sense of regularity. It was about a machine that had been invented which lets one see ones death and people come and see theirs. For example, a couple came and asked to see theirs (of course, hoping that they would die in each other’s arms) but found out that they, in fact, kill each other in an argument.

My favourite sketch was at the start of the performance. It was remarkably simple and only about ten seconds long. One of the women said “Looking into a mirror that makes you ugly.” Immediately, the woman and the man faced each other. Looking back upon it, maybe I shouldn’t have laughed so much, but the actors had so much comedic talent that it was almost impossible not to. These few short sketches set the tone for the rest of the performance.

They also let the audience join in with a few of the sketches. There was a very witty ‘Sketch for one’ where one person was invited up on stage and watched what the actors were doing behind a curtain. On the other hand, there also was a ‘Sketch for all but one’ where, again, a person was invited up on stage and could not see what was happening.

Throughout the time, one scenario kept on reappearing, but different characters, and this was very clever as it added

All in all, it was an amazing way to spend a Tuesday night and we all will remember it for the rest of our lives. Gemma Mountain, LV, GCSE Drama Student

Drama Scholars’ Workshop with the Watermill Theatre On Wednesday 27 November we were lucky enough to have Beth Flintoff from the Watermill Theatre in Newbury entertain us with her fascinating workshop on ‘Directing’. This was a fantastic opportunity for us to learn advanced skills in an interactive way. We were particularly taken by the idea of balancing the space and working as an ensemble to generate creative ideas both in improvised and rehearsed states. I particularly welcomed this workshop at the start of the GCSE course as I was able to transfer the newly acquired skills into my curriculum lessons and subsequent examined assessments. I enjoyed working with other girls

from different years as it was a fantastic opportunity to gain insight into other original ideas and ways of working.

121

Caroline Watkinson, LV, Scholar

DRAMA

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 121

07/11/2014 17:16

National Youth Theatre Workshop Just before Christmas, around 20 Downe House girls from UIV to UV assembled in the Drama block, excited, for a one hour workshop led by Mrs Parker-Barratt on NYT auditioning. I had heard about it, and as I had intentions to audition for NYT, along with a number of my friends, I decided that it would be a good idea to attend it, although lots of people were just going along for fun or to prepare for another type of audition.

I felt that this workshop was very useful and I was more incentivised to apply for actually auditioning and getting the most out of the exciting day. It helped me through the process and gave me confidence for the audition. I had a great time throughout the day, but unfortunately, although I gave it my all, they were insufficiently impressed and I was rejected. However I am hoping to apply next year!

During the course of the workshop, we had the chance to discuss with Sixth Formers, who had successfully auditioned, about their audition day. The main point that came from each of them was to be ourselves during our auditioning day and not what we thought the people who were auditioning us wanted to see. We were also told to choose a piece that would suit us so that we could play to our strengths. It was only a 3-5 minute audition so we were told that we must create a good impression right from the beginning and also during the morning workshop.

Rose Galbraith, LV, Drama Student

122

National Youth Theatre: The Auditions When I eventually made it to Grey Coat Hospital, where I was to be auditioned, I was so relieved to have successfully reached my destination despite transport-threatening amounts of rain that up to then, I hadn’t had time to be nervous. Inevitably, this relief quickly passed, and the nerves hit. Fortunately I had been accompanied by fellow thespian and long-established NYT member Charlotte Scobie, who was not so much a calming presence as an over-excited companion. Nevertheless, her excited vibe clearly rubbed off on me, and by the time I entered the building I had stopped shaking enough to sustain a conversation with other nervous/excited auditionees.

still I loved it, receiving great tips and interesting re-direction, though still to this day I maintain that my assessor did not like me! Imagine my surprise when an email from ‘National Youth Theatre of Great Britain’ pinged through to my phone with good news. I was ecstatic and completely surprised. So I’d like to thank the Drama department for helping me feel sufficiently prepared for my audition. I did it! Sarah Creedy-Smith, LVI, Drama Student

The workshop is great fun. Having first auditioned last year, I had come to understand that when you forget that you do indeed look an idiot when miming a high-speed OAP doing their weekly shop and allow yourself to get stuck in, enjoying a workshop is easy. Having also been faced with some somewhat bizarre workshop activities in Drama lessons – ‘be the bamboo stick’ is now a standard command – I was not fazed. In fact, I was up for any opportunity to be a bit silly. Being a meerkat hunted by a lion? I embraced it. Creating theatre based on a single photo in no more than 10 minutes? Great fun. My individual audition was a little more intimidating, particularly when performing a monologue about pants to an actress off the telly (Waterloo Road, to be precise). Yet DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 122

07/11/2014 17:16

Splendid Workshop Splendid Productions is a theatre and education company. They create challenging, vivacious theatre for young people and also offer expert training in all areas of drama from practitioner theory to presentation skills. Genevieve Say came to Downe House and worked with Drama scholars, teaching them about physical theatre and expressions through gestures. It was a wonderful workshop and it allowed us to learn more about an innovative and more abstract style drama.

behind our choreography as there was no dialogue and we only conveyed our feeling through movement. At the end we joined with another pair to make a scene in which we the pairs could move through each other or even switch partners. The main idea was for there to be a slick series of movements that displayed emotion. I thought the workshop was very interesting as we introduced to a new area of drama and were able to have fun working together to create a new kind of performance.

Most of the workshop was based around working with others to create movements that conveyed different emotion. The key word of this workshop was ‘Complicité’ which is used when you and your partner have a mutual trust and focus on what you are doing. It almost always involves very strong eye contact between two participants. We learnt a series of lifts and rolls that were made very easy and slick by balancing the weight of the participants evenly. We also did exercises using big expressions on our faces and with are bodies. We then combined the two to create a piece of choreography that conveyed feeling of any sort. The audience should have been able to discover the story

Anna Hewitt, UIV, Drama Scholar

123

DRAMA

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 123

07/11/2014 17:16

The Sound of Music Director: Miss Sarah Hannibal Music Director: Dr Charlotte Exon ‘The Sound of Music’ is one of the most popular musicals of all time and is as popular today as it was when it premiered in Broadway in 1959.

124

I must start by congratulating the hugely talented Isadora Corfield for her cautious, yet passionate characterisation of the title role of Maria. Isadora communicated beautifully with the audience in each and every song, to the point where I truly did feel like I was in Salzburg in the midst of its scenic alpine backdrop during her rendition of ‘The Sound of Music’. Isadora was fortunate to have the support of a very capable and authoritative ‘Captain Von Trapp’ in the form of Ella Hockings. The audience could only watch with watery eyes as they played out their ‘will they, won’t they’ relationship in ‘The Sound of Music – Reprise’ with the utmost sincerity. There are some fantastic supporting characters in the musical, which gave many of the Downe House girls the opportunity to showcase their talents. The character of Elsa (Captain Von Trapp’s initial love interest) is a notoriously demanding role, not only in vocal range but also in characterisation, yet Timilehin Afolami seemed to have no issues with this and created the most elite air around the character, yet still managed to transmit a natural warmth which is essential for the character of Elsa. Timilehin’s comic timing with the aid of her sidekick Max, played by the wonderful Isabelle Smith, made for some light relief in a musical which we can forget is based only just before the start for the Second World War. The character of Mother Abbess is always a difficult role to portray and the role has been successfully executed by many outstanding musical theatre actresses, including Audra McDonald, Lesley Garrett and Peggy Wood. I

would now add Jessica Lea to that list for her humbling and convincing performance of the role. It is rare to hear such a beautiful rendition of the fiendishly sustained ‘Climb Every Mountain’ by such a young woman! Besides Maria and Captain Von Trapp, there is one other love story in this musical; the complex journey of Rolf and Liesl. Katharine Craig’s rather cocky teenage interpretation of the character of Rolf hit all the right notes, not least her smoky rich tones in her lower vocal register, but also her confident, yet gentle treatment of Mary Mayfield’s Liesl. Mayfield and Craig managed to create just the right amount of tension and hesitation needed to convey the teenage romance in their seamless version of ‘Sixteen Going on Seventeen’ which, I am sure struck home with many of the younger audience members! The score of ‘The Sound of Music’, composed by Richard Rogers is widely known for its intricate and challenging harmonies, especially for the Von Trapp Family however this did not stop the Downe House girls! I was incredibly impressed with the confidence and security conveyed during each of the Von Trapp family songs. Well done to the musical geniuses who took on the Von Trapp Children; Mary Mayfield, Sarah Creedy-Smith, Rose Galbraith, Henrietta Allen, Miranda Woodruff, Cece Kane and who could forget little Alice Burbage as young Gretl?

ballroom dancing and singing the Dixit Dominus in many harmony parts! One of the most exciting moments of the entire performance for me was the moment the orchestra struck their first note – how delightful it was to see Music and Drama coming together at Downe House! The orchestra, skilfully led by Dr Charlotte Exon was utterly mesmerising and not only gave the young singers great support musically and emotionally, but also an excellent opportunity to learn how to perform with a live orchestra. None of this could have been possible without the excellent leadership of Miss Sarah Hannibal, the productions director. ‘The Sound of Music’ is an enormous task for any director and to succeed at this level is an outstanding achievement. Miss Hannibal was supported by Mr Joe Hilton, whose sets and lighting have become legendary at Downe House, as well as Mrs Maggi Garfield the Wardrobe Mistress whose attention to detail is by any standard, exemplary (not a finger wave out of place!) and of course the entire Drama department. Miss Kayleigh Anger, Teacher of Drama and Speech and Drama, Housemistress of AGN

There were some wonderful comic cameo performances in this production. Matilda Blythe’s exasperated characterisation of Sister Berthe and Eliza Downes’ performance of the butler, Franz both had the audience falling off of their seats. The production as a whole would not have worked without the wonderful chorus who were expected to be multi-talented this year, singing classic musical theatre,

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 124

07/11/2014 17:16

The Sound of Music Pit Band

125

This was a first for Downe’s Chamber Orchestra and they made the difficult job of playing for a musical seem effortless. The role of a Pit Band is notoriously difficult with occasional jumps and perilous changes of speed. However the girls seemed to take this in their stride and had great fun accompanying the singers on stage. After half a term’s rehearsal of some two hours worth of challenging music, the band supported the cast of ‘The Sound of Music’ with assurance and seeming ease. The girls adopted a professional manner in rehearsals and were very responsive under the baton of Charlotte Exon. Joined by only a few Visiting Music Staff, their playing delighted the audience and will hopefully become a regular part of the musical landscape at Downe in the future. It was a delight to watch (and hear) them in action. Mr Stasio Sliwka, Teacher of Music

DRAMA

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 125

07/11/2014 17:16

Pride and Prejudice Director: Mr Terry Grant

126

The 1995 BBC production of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ attracted nine million viewers and Joe Wright’s 2005 film starring Matthew McFadyen and Keira Knightley took more than £76 million at the global box office. It was, therefore, a brave choice to stage a production of this much-loved 200 year old novel, but, as if it wasn’t adequately challenging, Mr Terry Grant (Director) was determined to use a white ‘thrust’ stage. It was with some trepidation that the Drama department supported his artistic vision, but all acknowledged his wisdom as the girls rose brilliantly to this considerable challenge. A ‘thrust’ stage is surrounded by the audience on three sides, therefore rendering the actors with the complication of performing equally to three sides. This is a trial for the most experienced performer, as a style of acting is required that needs mastering and time to acquire, yet the talents of the Lower School know no bounds and within a few rehearsals the girls grasped the idea. I would be at a loss to name a single most memorable performance of this production as so many actors triumphed in creating their characters to a tee, but as a girls’ school can struggle to convincingly play men on stage, let alone a senior gentleman of Mr Bennet’s lively mind, “sarcastic humour, reserve and caprice” (Jane Austen), huge praise should be awarded to Saskia Wormsely who succeeded beyond any expectation in playing Mr Bennet, aided by the clever prop of a smoking pipe which added to his deliberative style and gave weight to his seniority. Saskia was equally supported by a deliciously hideous, small-minded and excitable Mrs Bennet and her nerves, portrayed with zing by Eloise Tucker. Of the Bennet girls, selfless and selfinvolved alike, all were expertly played. Anna Hewitt secured the beauty of Jane, whilst the intelligent and most admired of all Austen’s heroines, Elizabeth

Bennet, was played in equally admirable fashion by Rosanna Craig. Molly Dewar from Remove, worked hard for one so young and convincingly played the awkward middle sister, Mary Bennet. The brilliantly matched teamwork of Rebecca Topping as Lydia and Daisy Spurrier as Kitty captured the foolish and flirtatious youngest Bennet sisters and delighted the audiences with their frivolity. The eligible Mr Bingley played by Laura Douglas-Hamilton, and the proud Mr Darcy played by Cecilia Hughes were equally admirable and utterly convincing, as was Claudine Collins who gave a charming performance as Wickham the debonair officer, accompanied by his dashing soliders; Katelyn Taylor, Alexa Feather, Jameliah Adekunle and Clara Silcock. Huge credit is due to the supporting roles and especially the wonderful warm performances from Rose Hughes and Bethany Perry as Mr and Mrs Gardiner. The delightfully pompous and absurd character of Mr Collins was completely conquered by Isabel Wood, whose tireless rehearsing required a deep study of this smug and insensitive creature. Eliza Horn’s Caroline Bingley, was “acerbic and peppery” (Miss Maria Von Weisenburg, Weissenberg Holcombe Housemistress) and Olivia Stakem, as Charlotte Lucas, grasped this complex role with a maturity beyond her years. On the lighter side, the award for ‘best comedy duo’ should go to Henrietta Ryan for her charicature Lady Catherine de Bourgh, ably supported by her sickly daughter, Lady Anne de Bourgh, played by Verity Hornby. These two could give The Two Ronnies a run for their money as a comedy duo, with a grandiose style of walking and hysterical bickering over Lady Anne’s ‘scratching’, which aptly reduced their status to that of Mrs Bennet’s somewhat vulgar social behaviours. Other supporting

roles played with professionalism and skill were Eliza Gibbons-West as Mrs Reynolds and Eleanor Bishop, who gave a polished performance as Georgiana Darcy. Further smaller roles of note were played by Julia Kennerley, Josephine Adams, Grace Devereux and Emilie Cheung as the servants, two of whom promptly cleared-up the smashed clever stage vase, and Remove, Natalie Cremin effectively played the Shopkeeper. A special mention is needed for the talented musicians, adding to the plentiful skills on stage; Sarah Kwok, “a musical human dynamo” (Mr Terry Grant) with Catherine Wippel and Alice Wills. Alongside the principal characters was a team of gallant men including; Isabella Huber, Daisy Shepherd-Cross, Sophie Kelisky, Jennifer Darko, Grace Soltero, Georgina Lloyd-Yorke, Holly Halestrap and Katherine Garnett, and elegant ladies; Charlotte Field, Omotara Edu, Evelyn Graham, Georgina Tarling, Sacha Martin, Alexandra O’Kane, Victoria Scobie and Sasha Villiers-Smith. One of the strengths of this ensemble was their tireless practice of part of the age-old dance ‘Jenny Pluck Pears’, which deserves a special mention and with thanks to Eloise Percy-Davis as the Dance Captain. As every cast is acutely aware, it is the people backstage that make the running smooth of every show and ‘Pride & Prejudice’ had a very special Stage Manager, Serena Richards, who ensured every prop was to hand and every cue was on time, even rescuing a technical hitch when the kites were stuck in the Brighton sky! In conclusion, “it is a truth universally acknowledged”, that a Downe House production, with the hard work and talents of the girls, must be a tremendous success! Mrs Lynette Gridley, Peripatetic Teacher of Speech and Drama

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 126

07/11/2014 17:16

“... it is a truth universally acknowledged�, that a Downe House production, with the hard work and talents of the girls, must be a tremendous success!

127

DRAMA

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 127

07/11/2014 17:17

Theatre Visits ‘A View From the Bridge’, Arthur Miller The Lower Sixth went to see ‘A View from the Bridge’ in London. We were particularly excited once we had discovered that this interesting play by Arthur Miller will be our set text for out A2 studies next year. We managed to find our seats with minimal social embarrassment and then the production opened not on a Red Hook tenement, but with a stark black box that lifted to reveal a bare thrust stage, bordered by a low Perspex wall. Over an unbroken two hours, the story of Eddie Carbone, the longshoreman whose unhealthy obsession with his seventeen year old niece leads to a catastrophic act of betrayal, gripped us from start to finish.

128

Overall, we relished the opportunity to see such a moving and thought provoking piece of theatre, we all especially enjoyed the last scene. We were lucky enough to meet some of the cast afterwards, although this consisted of chasing one up the stairs and asking for an autograph! This was a visceral, vital reinterpretation of a classic play, full of persuasive visual imagery that displayed the singular sensibility of Van Hove and his team, and is bound to linger long in the memory. Now my whole AS drama class cannot wait to study it for A2, especially after this excellent insight into the play. Anna Black, LVI, Drama Student

‘Blood Brothers’, Willy Russell At the beginning of the Michaelmas term all the Drama students went on a trip to see ‘Blood Brothers’ at the New Oxford Theatre. It was a highly anticipated trip and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. We all loved the musical aspect of the show and were impressed by the actors. I was personally very impressed by the actors’ ability to convincingly act as young children. They did by using their vocal skills and doing exaggerated gestures, it was simple yet effective. From seeing Blood Brothers, we all learnt lots of ways to better our acting. The show had us all on the edges of our seats and had most of us in floods of tears by the end. The cast managed to get us very attached to the characters and therefore the plot twist was all the more effective. Overall we all went away having learnt a lot on from the performance and I highly recommend it to anyone as incorporates comedy and drama through a musical. Henrietta Allen, LV Drama Scholar

‘Blithe Spirit’, Noel Coward In June we took 30 students from the LV and UVI to see ‘Blithe Spirit’, a comedy master piece from Noel Coward. This production stars Dame Angela Lansbury, legend of stage and screen , who has starred in decades of countless successes including; ‘Gypsy’, ‘Gaslight’, ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’, ‘Sweeney Todd’ and the crisp Jessica Fletcher in ‘Murder, She Wrote’ and who is still taking lead roles at 88 years old! Coward wrote Blithe during the Blitz and later commented, “I will ever be grateful for the almost psychic gift than enabled me to write Blithe Spirit in five days during one of the darkest years of the war” (Noël Coward). It is an irresistible combination of humour, intriguing characters, and interesting surprises and was first performed in the West End during the thick of World War II in 1941. The prospect of watching the talents of Angela Lansbury play one of my most favoured Coward characters was almost too exciting to believe, and I was not alone in my preperformance expectations of Miss Lansbury. Both Lansbury and this production still delight audiences of all ages today, as much as they did half a century ago, and there is no doubt that Miss Lansbury will be added to the list of revered actresses such as Margaret Rutherford, who have lived up to the expectation of playing the slightly bonkers, veteran medium and much loved Madame Arcati. Mrs Lynette Gridley, Peripatetic Teacher of Speech and Drama

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 128

07/11/2014 17:17

‘Dracula’ Bram Stoker On 14 October we watched a performance of Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’ at The Lights, Andover. This ‘Black-Eyed Theatre Company’ production was adapted by John Ginman, and directed by Eliot Giuralorocca. Upon walking into the theatre, I was drawn in by the innovative set, which was very different to how I imagined it to be. I had pictured an old fashioned, rural set but this couldn’t be further from what I saw. I really loved the modern aspect the crew brought to the piece, it kept the 19th Century play fresh and exciting to watch. They used physical

theatre, music and puppetry and a combination of naturalistic and nonnaturalistic acting to tell this epic story. The piece was only performed by 5 actors, but collectively they made it come alive. The skill of the individual actors was unquestionable and it was really interesting for us, as drama students to watch how effectively they used multi-rolling. A scene in the play that I found particularly effective was when Jonathon Parker was travelling to Transylvania. Wil Bryant, who played Jonathan, was sat on a stool. He jolted his stool around to

show how bumpy the train was, while the other actors circled him playing instruments, climbing up the ladders and jumping through archways, to create a visually interesting representation of the passage through the countries. The combination of physical theatre and music in this scene is a perfect example of how successfully they incorporated all aspects of drama in their performance. Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable play to watch. Mathilda Blythe, LVI, A Level Drama student

‘Mojo’, Jez Butterworth In January the Sixth Form drama students were taken to see ’Mojo’ in the West End. Set against the fledgling rock ‘n’ roll scene of 50’s Soho, this savagely funny play delves into the sleazy underworld and power games of London’s most infamous district. Things take a turn for the worst when the owner of a seedy Soho club is discovered sawn in half in two dustbins. What followed was a combination of strong plotting and zinging dialogue that made the play somewhat addictive and disconcerting. The owner’s cowardly employees blockaded themselves into the club to keep out of trouble, however this meant that there were absolutely no changes of location.

Evidently we were very excited about seeing them on stage, but both were noticeably outshone by their fellow actors (This didn’t stop us from chasing Rupert’s car though Piccadilly until he stopped at a traffic light and let us gush out the first comment that came to mind - ‘LOVED Harry Potter’.)

129

Jessica Lea, LVI, Drama Student

Although the script was very amusing, the scenes were tediously long and the action was static. The lack of a storyline was partially redeemed by some brilliant acting. Whishaw’s performance was superb, bringing a drop-dead arrogance and a chilling touch of the psycho to the late club-owner’s abused son, Baby. I think this taught many of us that amongst such a loud, energetic ensemble, restraint can be a powerful tool. Also acting in the show, and possibly attracting a majority of the audience to it, was Rupert Grint and Downton Abbey’s Brendan Coyle.

DRAMA

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 129

07/11/2014 18:21

A2 Exam Performances Drama Examination: ‘Life of the Refrigerator Door’ For their 30 minute A2 Devised performance the quintet of Upper UVI Drama students took inspiration in the style of Creative Adaptation from the Life of the Refrigerator Door by Alice Kupiers, a novel written entirely in series of notes. The post-it style conversations between a busy single parent and her teenage daughter adored set: three walls on which chalk-written messages represented quirkily entertaining and sometimes poignant jottings left for each other on the fridge door over nine months, plunging us into their chaotic world of work, school, groceries, boyfriends and ultimately doctors appointments

and terminal illness. The actors Florence Dowler, Eleanor Fenn, Madeleine Fletchers, Letitia Harkness and Clementine Melvin created the multi-dimensional personalities and delineated clearly the detailed relationships with each other from the get-go. As devised drama, it succeeded in being completely engaging and contained the all-important surprise element. By the end there were many moist eyes amongst the audience due in no small part to the honesty and commitment of the performers. Their outstanding work as an ensemble was recognised by the examiners who awarded each actor full marks

– an astonishing but well deserved achievement. Isobel Jones UVI, Geraldine James Award Holder

130

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 130

07/11/2014 17:17

AS Exam Performances ‘The Chrysalids’ This year the AS Drama students accepted the challenge of studying the theatre company Complicite and performing David Harrower’s ‘The Chrysalids’ in their exquisite performance style. This was a new and innovative way of working for the group who grew to love the physical way of working as a complete ensemble.

a considerable progression in their skills and approach to Drama. All of the students achieved top band marks and should be very proud of their achievements. Miss Maria von Weissenberg , Teacher of Drama and Holcombe Housemistress

‘The Chrysalids’ was a mature decision of text and not one often performed in schools. The play is set in Waknuk is a brutal society, an enclosed world that is surrounded by a vast wilderness beyond The Fringe. In this post nuclear society only those who are without mutation are allowed to live in the community of The Pure. Any person or animal with genetic mutations is banished to the Fringe where an alternative society has loosely formed in the shadows of the horrors of Waknuk. This is a play that deals with exclusion and inclusion, how society treats outsiders and the brutality a society can practice on its own citizens. The Chrysalids has poetic insights and reflections on how a society can brutalise itself in the quest for purity and the pursuit of a high and essentially wrong moral code. The wonderful LVI group interpreted the performance with some highly creative physical theatre work which demonstrated

131

GCSE Exam Performances This year we have celebrated a considerable number of successes across the cohort of GCSE Drama students. The LV and UV students have been stretched and challenged throughout the year and can be very proud of the achievements they have made. Across the two year course, the girls complete a total of four assessments, a combination of devised, scripted and improvised drama. This year, an incredible number of girls have secured full marks in their assessed performance work both for internally and externally examined work.

DRAMA

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 131

07/11/2014 17:17

132

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 132

07/11/2014 17:18

Key Stage 3 Drama This year, Lower School Drama students saw their skills develop as they approached new and challenging topics, culminating in an assessed performance at the end of each term. New skills were acquired by all Key Stage Three students in Drama this year, which, as they move forward in Drama at Downe House, will enable them a stronger understanding and knowledge of theatre and a higher level of ability. The Remove started the year with an introduction to Mime, during which the students learnt about creating mood and atmosphere within a scene. This was followed by Character studies, where the girls experimented with and practised using vocal and physical skills in order to portray various extremely contrasting characters. After concentrating on and developing a character each, the students worked in small groups to devise a scene featuring their characters interacting with one another. Detailed characterisations were visible in their performance work, and the scenes were very enjoyable to watch. The Lent Term focused on Physical theatre. The students practised different styles of movement through various exercises and then worked together to adapt and perform the story of Hansel and Gretel. The students then went on to devise their own play about a toy shop, which was then performed. They wrote short scripts and showed strong team work skills and creativity as they worked as an ensemble in their final Physical theatre performance. In the Summer Term, the Remove began working with scripts, learning about line learning, scene blocking, technical design and performance skills. Utilising the short play Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations, the students worked on and developed for performance, various scenes and elements of the play. These topics were relished by the students, and their skills as performers have developed over the year immensely.

133

DRAMA

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 133

07/11/2014 17:18

The LIV girls worked on a Theatre in Education project in the Michaelmas Term, which saw them learn about the many aspects and performance styles of Theatre In Education. They then worked together to devise their own “T.I.E.” play about a chosen theme. These plays were designed to teach young children about making the right choice in different given circumstances and the girls were very successful in doing so. In the Lent Term, the LIV began learning about various Theatre practitioners and their style of performance. They then performed well known stories as plays, utilising the rehearsal techniques and performance styles of their chosen practitioner. This project developed the students’ performance skills and gave them a new understanding and knowledge of working as an actor.

The Summer Term gave the girls the opportunity to work on scripts. They worked on rehearsal techniques, character portrayal, scene studies and performed excerpts from various plays after blocking and rehearsing in small groups. The UIV girls have produced some fantastic performances this year in Drama classes, during projects which have seen their skills and subject knowledge stretched and challenged. The girls were assessed at the end of each term, and the type of work and assessments were an introduction to how the girls would be working at GCSE level. They began the year by working in small groups in adapting, rehearsing and performing a chosen story from The Grimm Tales. This was followed in the Lent Term by studying

Artaud’s Theatre of Cruelty and Total Theatre; and Verbatim theatre. The girls worked through various exercises in order to explore each theatrical style, and then worked in groups to devise, rehearse and perform an original play in their chosen style of theatre. This was a very successful project for UIV and the girls showed a new level of commitment to performance in their work. In the Summer Term, the students studied Physical Theatre. They practised many different styles of movement and learnt exercises enabling them to create their own movement sequences. They then developed these sequences and created a complete Physical Theatre performance which related to a chosen theme. Mr Terry Grant, Teacher of Drama and Soeech and Drama

134

RADA Shakespeare Certificates The RADA Shakespeare Certificates are for those with a passion for drama and a desire to explore the English language. The examinations allow candidates to meet the challenge of performing Shakespeare’s work to experts in their field. Not only do they encourage a connection with Shakespeare’s works, they also develop communication skills and the ability to address an audience effectively. The RADA Shakespeare Certificates build confidence, improving presentation skills, public speaking, literacy and creativity. They are examined by highly qualified RADA Associates who uphold the highest standards of examination. Congratulations are due to all of our RADA Shakespeare students this year with some wonderful successes to be celebrated. Particular praise goes to Madeline Fletcher and Daisy Jones, both UVI, who received an almost perfect result in their RADA Shakespeare Gold Certificate Duologue

examination with a mark of 99 % Distinction. The RADA examination expectations are of an extremely high standard and therefore very well respected by industry professionals; so much so that professional actors and directors are often called upon to adjudicate. This year at Downe, we had the honour of renowned actress, Zoe Waites adjudicating the girls. She was such an inspiration to the girls and a very warm personality. The girls all commented on how she put them at ease in the examination room and gave some really useful feedback. To receive a mark of 99% is something that Madeline, Daisy and the Downe House community can be both inspired by and incredibly proud of. Mrs Emily Parker-Barratt, Peripatetic Teacher of Speech and Drama

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 134

07/11/2014 17:18

Trinity Speech and Drama Exams The Speech and Drama examinations this year have been a triumph and I have been honoured to have had the opportunity to be a part of the process. Girls across the school are allowed to opt for Speech and Drama as an extra-curricular activity and a considerable number of Downe House girls are well rewarded for their considerable determination to succeed and achieve. As a Trinity Speech and Drama candidate, you have the opportunity to work in small groups, a pair or a soloist undertaking lessons to obtain and develop the skills for Speech and Drama, Musical Theatre or Communication Skills. These are extremely valuable lessons in which the girls blossom under expert leadership and guidance to achieve their very best. This year saw some wonderful new material peformed by the girls and some spectacular performances which were highlighted in the Founder’s Weekend performances. Congratulations are owed to all of the girls for their excellent results but in particular to: Florice Cole-Fontayn, who received an outstanding result of 95 marks with Distinction

for her Trinity Grade 8 Individual Acting Skills exam, as well as Acting in Pairs students Lucy Phillips and Gemma Mountain who were awarded 96 marks with Distinction at Grade 5 and Amelia Yerburgh and Isadora Corfield for their 97 marks with Distinction at Grade 6. For many of the Removes, this year would have been their first Speech and Drama examination but they were all able to approach the day with great confidence and wonderful performances, with two of the Removes groups receiving 92 marks with Distinctions. They have already started thinking about their next examination pieces and planning with great fervour! All three Trinity examiners visiting Downe House expressed how hugely impressed they were with our girls - not just in their ability to achieve under pressure but with their confidence and passion for performance. I hope the girls are as proud of themselves as the Department are of them and I hope they are all looking forward to the new challenges that await them as they begin working towards their next grade. Miss Sarah Hannibal, Head of Drama

Remove

135

Grade Mark Grade Band

Sometimes You Have To Victoria Aarons, Oluwatamilore Bolodeoku, 2 91 Distinction Be A Little Bit Naughty Emma Bracken, Imogen Webber, Natalia Cremin Almost There

Helena Wormsley, Sasha Percy- Davies, 2 92 Distinction Emily Manners & Kitty Shepherd- Cross

Matilda Who Told Lies

Jessica Bracken, Annie Hazlitt, Lucy Sneader, 2 89 Distinction Holly Fenn, Charlotte Nicholson

New Pompei

Imogen Fowler, Grace Soltero, Katy Nicol

2

76

Merit

When I am Old

Eliza Inglis, Julia Kennerley, Annabel Le Grice

2

76

Merit

Red Riding Hood

Mathilde Hughes, Jessica Hewlett, Alexandra Kly, 2 92 Distinction Nina Paterson, Gabriella Nelson

I want It Now

Abriella Dollbear, Anouk Davies, Eliza Farquharson, 2 73 Pass Hannah Mason

Love Story

Tara Farquhar, Alice Peters, Alessandra Pidgeon, 2 89 Distinction Camilla Read, Alice Weldon, Charlotte Field

Lower IV

Grade Mark Grade Band

DNA

Charlotte Berry, Sophie Elliot, Isabel Fincham, 3 90 Distinction Alexandra Russell, Cosima Davies

When I Grow Up

Rosie Blackburn, Oluchi Emenike, Torera Bolodeoku, 3 88 Distcintion Celeste Percy, Imogen Simpson- Orlebar

DRAMA

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 135

07/11/2014 17:18

136

Little Women

Lettice Cornell and Florence Fanshawe

The King’s New Clothes

Jaira Vazquez Sanchez, Iman Khalil, Eva Percy, 3 79 Merit Lucy Dyer, Lottie Zeal, Minna Crewdson

White Feather

Dara Bolodekou, Olivia Kirkby, Honor Stevens, 3 90 Distinction Christabel Graham

Mobiles

Melissa Farquhar, Maya Huby, Chaemin Yoo, 3 85 Distinction Alexa Wiggin

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

Jessica Hayward-Cole, Lucy Phillips, Sabrina Sambhi, 3 88 Distinction Miranda Woodruff

Little Women

Georgina Pollock Jemima Cremin

3 3

85 82

Distinction Merit

The Garden

Nina Bugeja, Imogen Gregory, Alice Burbidge

3

92

Distinction

The Chocolate Affair

Calypso Cox, Lara Mountain, Ella Scott, Honor Sells

3

85

Distinction

3

85

Distinction

Upper IV

Grade Mark Grade Band

DNA

Daisy Spurrier, Isabel Wood, Olivia Stakem, 4 82 Merit Imogen Waller, Saskia Wormlsey, Eloise Bartlett

Matchmaker

Sacha Martin, Sarah Palmer, Josie Adams

4

Family Arguments

Claudine Collins, Katherine Garnett, Eliza Horn, 4 88 Distinction Monique Leong, Serena Richards

Blithe Spirit

Laura Douglas-Hamilton, Rose Hughes, Daisy Little, 4 72 Pass Eliza Gibbons-West, Eloise Percy- Davies

Sparkleshark

Charlotte Benigni, Lexi Milliken, Jennifer Standbrook, 4 72 Pass Jane Tung

Oliver

Hebe Ide, Georgina Lloyd Yorke, Catherine Wippell, 4 73 Pass Matilda Pope, Georgina Tarling

Anne of Green Gables

Verity Hornby, Jess Pemberton, Alexandra O’Kane

We All Fall Down

Ilaria Bevan, Clara Silcock, Cecilia Hughes, 4 91 Distinction Faith Norman, Poppy Huntington

The Nightmare

Amelia Bentley, Sapphire Graham, Isabella Huber, 4 75 Merit Grace Devereux, Louisa Ansell, Sasha Coulson

The Verdict

Sarah Kwok, Man I Melissa Chang,

Olivia Beresford- Richie, Georgia Lavelle

Arbeit Macht Frei

Eleanor Bishop, Sophie Kelisky, Araminta Swallow, 4 92 Distinction Rebecca Topping, Bethany Perry

DNA

Rosanna Craig, Anna Hewitt, Jennifer Darko 4 85 Distinction Omotara Edu, Holly Evans

Blithe Spirit

Emilie Cheung, Lara Mun- Gavin, Henrietta Ryan,

4

4

4

75

85

85

90

Merit

Distinction

Distinction

Distinction

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 136

07/11/2014 17:18

Lower IV Subject

Grade Mark Grade Band

Caroline Quillen

AIP

5

82

Merit

Georgie Fenn

AIP

5

79

Merit

Emma Barrett

AIP

5

82

Merit

Zoe Rice

AIP

5

81

Merit

Henrietta Allen

MTP

5

83

Merit

Georgina Dick

IAS

5

72

Pass

Lydia Stonehill

MTP

5

79

Merit

Charlotte Ledger AIP

5

83

Merit

Eleanor Nicolas

MTP

5

79

Merit

Honor Pattison

AIP

5

80

Merit

Poppy Winsor

MTP

5

77

Merit

Anna Goodman

IAS

5

80

Merit

Lucy Harley

MTP

5

77

Merit

Alexandra Thomas AIP

5

88

Distinction

Miranda Bird

MTP

5

78

Merit

Georgina Ford AIP 5 88

87

Distinction India Burney AIP 5 90 Distinction

Rose Galbraith MTS 5

Distinction

Isabelle Smith MTS 5 86 Distinction Rose Galbraith AIP

5

88

Distinction

Sophia Elger

IAS

5

79

Merit

CSS

5

82

Merit

Caroline Watkinson AIP

5

90

Distinction Charlotte Aldrich MTP

5

75

Merit

5

75

Merit

Sophia Hill

Miranda Bird AIP 5 90 Distinction Imogen Hancock MTP Kirstin Gray AIP 5 90 Distinction Katherine Garvin AIP

5

91

Distinction

Ella Monck AIP 5 88 Distinction

Upper V Subject

Grade Mark Grade Band

Arabella Cable

CSS

6

77

Merit

Antonia Church IAS

6

93

Distinction

Louisa Henry

6

78

Merit

Hannah Simpson AIP 6 79 Emma Wyatt IAS 5 92 Distinction - Orlebar

Merit

Imogen Luczyc- AIP 5 70 Pass Wyhowska

Iona Hanson AIP 5 89 Distinction Lucy Phillips AIP 5 96 Distinction Gemma Mountain AIP

5

96

AIP

Distinction

Oonagh Sargentson AIP

5

70

Pass

Daisy Padovan AIP

5

85

Distinction

Jemima Oliver AIP 5 87

Distinction

Poppy Holloway AIP

5

78

Merit

Molly Hunloke

AIP

5

78

Merit

Celine Harborne AIP

5

83

Merit

Araminta Moore AIP

5

83

Merit

Octavia Leahy

AIP

5

72

Pass

Claudia Kingham AIP

5

73

Pass

Florence Elliott

AIP

5

83

Merit

Eliza Downes

AIP

5

81

Merit

Henrietta Allen AIP

5

87

Distinction

Jasmine Coulson AIP

5

88

Distinction

Hebe Meredith AIP

5

93

Distinction

Sophia Hill AIP 5 92 Distinction

Hattie Muncey AIP

6

93

Distinction

Claire Turton

6

75

Merit

June Eric-Udorie MTS

6

90

Distinction

Timilehin Afolami MTS

6

85

Distinction

Isadora Corfield MTP

6

89

Distinction

Lucy Goodman MTP 6

87

Distinction

Lara Wigan

AIP

6

75

Merit

Cordelia Tahany

AIP

6

75

Merit

AIP

137

Ottilie Carter AIP 6 85 Distinction Isobel Wild

AIP

6

83

Merit

Emma Stonebridge AIP

6

82

Merit

Rose Slater AIP 6 87 Distinction Susanna Huth

AIP

6

81

Merit

Esther Adebajo

AIP

6

81

Merit

Timilehin Afolami AIP

6

82

Merit

Ella Armstrong

AIP

6

81

Merit

Emma Poole

AIP

6

72

Pass DRAMA

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 137

07/11/2014 17:18

Daisy Huntington AIP

6

71

Pass

India Roberts AIP 7 87 Distinction

Katarina Huth

AIP

6

78

Merit

Emily Dodd-Noble AIP

6

77

Merit

Sarah CreedySmith

Hannah Goodyear CSS

6

86

Distinction

Chelsea Austin- AIP 6 80 Ajaero

Merit

Eleanor Leeves

AIP

6

81

Merit

Flora Camps-Harris AIP

6

72

Pass

Isabella Dubens

AIP

6

76

Merit

Niamh Taylor

AIP

6

83

Merit

Autumn Davies

AIP

6

83

Merit

Amelia Milne AIP 6 85 Distinction Sasha Wendin

AIP

6

78

Merit

Minna Conybeare- AIP 6 81 Merit Cross

138

AIP 7 85 Distinction

AIP 7 92 Henrietta Montgomerie

Distinction

Charlotte Scobie AIP

7

93

Distinction

Charlotte Scobie IAS

7

94

Distinction

Anna Black AIP 7 90 Distinction Louisa Pattisson AIP

7

90

Distinction

Olivia Cave

AIP

7

81

Merit

Lara Wheeler

AIP

7

83

Merit

Naomi Vallance

AIP

7

70

Pass

7

75

Merit

Meredith Webber AIP

Upper VI Subject

Grade Mark Grade Band

Poppy Wilson

AIP

6

81

Merit

Matilda Bentley

AIP

6

80

Merit

Amelia Benson

AIP

6

81

Merit

Florice Cole- IAS 8 95 Distinction Fontayn

Anouska Royale AIP

6

95

Distinction

Amber Williams AIP

8

89 Distinction

Miranda Shaw AIP

6

93

Distinction

Charlotte Eden

AIP

8

83

Merit

Amelia Yerburgh AIP

6

97

Distinction

Flo Dowler

MTS

8

82

Merit

Isadora Corfield AIP

6

97

Distinction

Rosa Mayfield

AIP

8

83

Merit

Clare Maunder

CSS

6

94

Distinction

Harriet Pettit AIP 8 89 Distinction

Alexandra Kirk

AIP

6

72

Pass

Ngozi Emenike

AIP

6

70

Pass

Katarina Dixon- SS 8 82 Merit Ward Laura Findlay

Lower VI Subject

Letitia Harkness SS

Grade Mark Grade Band

IAS

8

90 Distinction

8

72

Pass

Sheena Anadkat SS

8

75

Merit

Su En Hoh

8

67

Pass

MTS

Yasmin Adeniran CSS

7

88

Distinction

Mathilda Blythe

MTS

7

80

Merit

Jessica Lea

MTP 7 86 Distinction

Rosie Tapner IAS 8 85 Distinction

Katharine Craig

MTP

7

81

Merit

Madeline Fletcher AIP

Charlotte Scobie MTS

7

77

Merit

Isabella Jones AIP 8 86 Distinction

India Roberts

7

82

Merit

Isabella Sainty AIP

8 91 Distinction

Ella Hockings IAS 7 93 Distinction

Clemmie Melvin AIP

8

95 Distinction

Natasha Seaton

AIP

7

81

Merit

Serena Ansell

AIP

8

76

Merit

Willa Prest

AIP

7

81

Merit

Laura Wills

AIP

8

73

Pass

7

87

Distinction

MTS

Helena Manson IAS

Florice Cole- MTS 8 78 Fontayn

8

Merit

88 Distinction

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 138

07/11/2014 17:18

Founders’ Weekend Mrs Rebecca Watson, Head of Extra-Curricular Drama

Lower School Speech and Drama Showcase Early on the Saturday of Founder’s Weekend all of the Speech and Drama students in Remove and Lower Four gathered in the Farr Centre to perform abridged versions of their examination pieces to an invited audience of their parents and peers. What followed was an extremely enjoyable hour and

a half of devised, scripted and musical theatre performances. The talent and range of work displayed by such a young group of performers was outstanding and it was a real pleasure to see how well the girls’ work was received by parents and students alike.

Upper School Speech and Drama Showcase The Upper School Speech and Drama Showcase took place on the Greek Steps again this year. Although a challenging venue acoustically, the atmosphere of performing in such a stunning space is second to none and the performers all enjoyed the opportunity to share their examination work and to really engage with their audience. As ever, an incredibly diverse collection of pieces was shared, from the harrowing holocaust

drama “Arbeit Macht Frei” to the moving “The Letter” song from the musical “Billy Elliot”, with a little bit of Shakespeare’s “King Lear” and “Much Ado about Nothing” on the way. I was bowled over by the great talent and professionalism of our Speech and Drama girls and it was a real pleasure to witness just a small section of the outstanding practical work that they have presented in their examinations this year.

Off Broadway For this year’s Founder’s Weekend Saturday night entertainment the Drama Department presented a selection of standalone pieces entitled “Off Broadway”. The Farr Centre was transformed into a fully functioning theatre for the weekend and ninety girls from the Upper Fourth, Lower Fifth and Lower Sixth were involved. As the name suggests, there was plenty of light hearted musical entertainment and a group of Upper Four girls kicked off the evening with their performance of “Bring on Tomorrow”, inspired by the film and west end musical, “Fame” and directed by Miss Leigh and Mrs Watson. Following a year in the lives of a group of starry eyed teenagers studying at the world famous High School of Performing Arts, “Bring on Tomorrow” included plenty of singing and dancing and just a little bit of romance. Under the watchful eye of their teacher, Miss Sherman, whose commanding presence was beautifully captured by Louisa Ansell, the students all make it to graduation day in one piece. The cast all rose to the challenge of simultaneously singing, dancing and acting and they embraced the style of the show with neon leg warmers and eighties dancewear. The girls achieved a very high standard of work, especially considering the incredibly short rehearsal period. Special mention has to go to the two solo singers, Katherine Garnett and Evie Graham, who both tackled their very challenging songs with great professionalism. Following “Bring on Tomorrow” the Upper Four Drama Scholars presented their twenty minute version of “The Tempest”, directed by Ms Gridley. This was very much an ensemble piece with just six girls playing all fourteen of the parts and the scene and costume changes all taking place in front of the audience. With beautifully interspersed music and visual projections the girls perfectly captured all of the different moods of the play, from the romance of Ferdinand and Miranda to the comedy

of Caliban, Trinculo and Stephano. Just before the interval, a group of Miss Parker-Barratt’s students presented “Auditions for… TBC”. In the vein of an Alan Ayckbourn or Victoria Wood sketch, two former stars of the stage and screen decide to bring their considerable talents to Hermitage and hold auditions for a future production in the village hall. Needless to say, a very mixed group of would be performers come to audition and great mayhem and hilarity ensue. Special mention has to go the hilariously eccentric “directors”, Sarah Creedy-Smith and Charlotte Scobie and Rose Galbraith, whose stunning performance of “Defying Gravity” brought the house down. The final performance of the main production was “At the End of the Day”, inspired by the musical “Les Miserables” and directed by Miss Anger. Telling the epic Victor Hugo story in just twenty-six minutes was certainly ambitious but the girls performed with great skill and passion and the final performance was extremely polished and highly enjoyable. A true ensemble piece, there were too many excellent performances to mention everyone, but special mention must go to Jean Valjean, superbly portrayed by Ella Hockings and Mrs Mckendrick, who had a cameo role in the Thénardiers’ “Master of the House” song. Following the main “Off Broadway” event, parents of the Lower Sixth and Lower Fifth exam students were invited to watch reprised performances of “Social Media”, “Apartments” and “The Chrysalids”. Sharing these GCSE and AS exam pieces to an invited audience after the main production gave the event a great sense of exclusivity and the venue felt extremely intimate, despite its size. The audience were completely bowled over by the quality of the exam performances and they were a fitting finale to another excellent year of practical work from the Drama Department.

139

DRAMA

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 139

07/11/2014 17:18

140

Music DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 140

07/11/2014 17:18

Introduction gilded choral splendour of our Carol Services through to a taste of the West End with our spectacular ‘Sound of Music’ production and ‘A Night At The Musicals’ orchestral evening, as well as a magical music tour to Prague with our younger choirs and instrumentalists.

Transforming musical lives is at the heart of the Music Department. Girls have achieved excellent ABRSM results across the board this year, won places in county and national ensembles and performed to an outstanding standard both as soloists and in our large ensembles. Indeed it has been an exciting year, from the

Our musical year culminated in a sparkling music celebration over Founder’s weekend with a series of musical events from the Founder’s concert and Festival Eucharist to the Vocal Showcase and Buskers’ Corner. Our new ‘Bring the House Downe’ Music Ensemble Competition was electric with over 30 entries, girls feverishly practising and organising their own ensembles. The finals over Founder’s weekend brought together ten exceptional performances which all, in their own way, ‘brought the House Downe’! Our Minority Instrument Scheme has continued to be an enormous

success ensuring a vibrant symphonic future! Indeed graduates from last year’s scheme have been busy passing their Grade 1 and 2 examinations this year. The National Symphony Schools’ Orchestras have claimed that the orchestra is on the brink of extinction. However, at Downe, I am delighted to say that the picture is quite different and the orchestral scene is thriving! This year has also seen the launch of our Twitter stream. You can catch up with all of our exciting news from the Music Department and follow us for live updates @DowneHouseMusic. Musical lives are being transformed; new musical doors are being opened and access to old musical doors being widened. Moreover girls are learning the skills to ensure independent lifelong musical transformation – the greatest journey and arguably the greatest musical lesson to learn. Dr Charlotte Exon, Director of Music

141

Music Award Holders Concerts We have now established a regular series of Recitals by our Music Award Holders. One Sunday each term, the Concert Room is the venue which showcases our talented musicians, performing solo pieces, often with piano accompaniment. These events are supported by parents and friends and with fine refreshments in abundance, each evening is a memorable treat. The fine acoustic and supportive audience encourages the girls to perform to a remarkably high standard and this year has undoubtedly been one of our best ever! Mr Malcolm Gunningham, Head of Music Technology and Jazz

MUSIC

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 141

07/11/2014 17:18

Heads of Music This year has been extremely busy for Downe musicians. One of our favourite highlights was undoubtedly ‘A Night at the Musicals,’ featuring two orchestras and many small ensembles. We also enjoyed working and performing with the Drama team, to produce ‘The Sound of Music’.

A special mention to Mr Sliwka for his impeccable playing of the organ for three long confirmation services, especially during the lovable hymn ‘Shine Jesus Shine’… Elizabeth Bosson (Head of Music) & Wai Yu (Deputy Head of Music), both LVI

We have had a number of open-to-all competitions in music, allowing everyone to get involved in the fight to be Musician of the Year (congratulations to the winners) and House Music (well done AGN for winning overall, but as members of Aisholt ourselves, we couldn’t fail to praise the Aisholt performances!) Summer term was exciting. The Music Scholars enjoyed the opportunity to play as an ensemble for the first time and performed well for Founder’s weekend. The entire weekend was a memorable event for all of the musicians who were involved in the Ensemble Competition, Vocal Showcase, School Concert and more. In our new roles, we want to make every rehearsal as enjoyable as possible and make our music community stronger. Furthermore, we want to promote the idea of building a new Music School which will have many advantages for everyone in the future. 142

Michaelmas Concert One evening in November last year, the Farr Centre was temporarily transformed into a warm and beautiful looking concert space with a sensitively lit and carpeted stage on which to highlight the amazing and diverse array of musical talent at Downe. Our AV department created a series of wonderful videos featuring the girls, and on the same large screen the audience was able to watch at close hand the hundreds of

“The Michaelmas concert this year was an amazing experience.” Katharine Furse, LIV

musicians who played live on the stage throughout the evening. What a feast of musical delights they gave us, from choral to instrumental and from the smallest scale to huge! Tiffany Chan, LV, exuded wonderful and reassuring confidence as she took to the stage (with only Mrs Couser on the piano), to give a spellbinding performance of Poulenc’s Sonata for clarinet. The Downe House orchestras were in fine

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 142

07/11/2014 17:18

fettle, from the rousing and excellently played ‘Crown Imperial’ and the ‘Theme from ET’, to the shimmering beauty of Ravel’s ‘Pavane pour une Infante Défunte’. The huge variety of material sung by the choirs was a real treat, from Elgar to Elton John, all performed with total commitment and musical excellence. Anyone lucky enough to hear the Michaelmas Concert 2013 will surely have departed with a happy heart and a head full of music! Dr Christian Alexander, Head of Lower School Music

143

Lower School Carol Service Amidst the packing and excitement of the end of term, the Lower School Carol Service took place at Douai Abbey. Whilst the abbey church is an oasis of tranquillity, the excitement of the girls was palpable. Who could fail to be moved by the sound of the girls’ voices filling the building with their wonderful carols, interspersed between all of the congregational favourites? At Downe we take pride in the fact that every girl from the Remove to the Upper Fourth has an integral part in the Service through singing in a choir. What a sound our girls made; from the magic of 200+ girls singing Caccini’s ‘Ave Maria’ very

quietly to hearing them in full voice in John Gardner’s ‘The Holly and the Ivy’ accompanied by an instrumental ensemble. Once Removed, Junior Choral and In-Harmony were all on fine form and enchanted the congregation as they narrated the Christmas Story through the music. A special mention to our Music Award Holders, who provided lovely instrumental music for the congregation before the start of the Service. I cannot think of a better way to end Michaelmas Term and prepare for the magic of Christmas! Mr Stasio Sliwka, Teacher of Music

MUSIC

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 143

07/11/2014 17:18

Upper School Carol Service The Senior School Carol Service is always a highlight of the term and an opportunity to hear the Christmas Story through the traditional Nine Lessons and Carols. Before the Service the congregation was treated to some outstanding instrumental music provided by Downe’s Music Award Holders in the Upper School. That first verse of ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ is always a special moment and it was sung wonderfully. Choral and Senior Choral were in good voice and the maturity and quality of their singing was in evidence throughout the Service. There were so very many musical highlights during the Service from the magical a capella sound of Senior Choral singing ‘In dulci jubilo’ to Choral’s vibrant singing of Handel’s ‘And the glory of the Lord’. It is always a particularly poignant occasion for the Upper Sixth, being their last Carol Service at Downe and one cannot helped but be moved by this special event for them. It made me reflect on all the wonderful talent that they have shared with us over their time at Downe. Mr Stasio Sliwka, Teacher of Music

144

“My highlight was the final Carol Service or singing ‘Let It Go’ in the Holcombe Singers “ Annabel Galbraith, UVI

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 144

07/11/2014 17:18

House Music Competition

The theme for this year’s House Music Competition was ‘Folk Songs of the British Isles’, which was an imaginative choice by Mr Gunningham and gave the House Conductors plenty of scope to try out some novel ideas, not only with regard to their arrangements, but also with costumes and choreography. Sea shanties and songs of unrequited love and lost lovers proved popular, although all were given a very up-beat treatment by the House Conductors! It was particularly good this year to see some harmony being introduced into the arrangements for the House songs, which provided interest as well as contrast, and really allowed the best singers in each House to strut their stuff. As usual, competition among the choirs, ensembles and solo performers was fierce and our adjudicator, Mr John Cotton, who is currently a Housemaster and Deputy Director of Music at Abingdon School, had the unenviable job of choosing a winner in each category, a task he undertook with great skill and good humour. Four out of the five Houses chose voice ensembles and an instrumental solo but AGN deviated from the normal pattern by presenting an instrumental ensemble and a voice solo, which proved an unbeatable combination, winning them the cups for Best Choir, Best Solo and Overall Winner. The standard of solo performance across the board was stunning and included the highly talented Lamise Saber, LV, who sang her way to

victory for AGN. The other soloists included Esther Adebajo, UV, (Tedworth) on the alto saxophone, Sarah Kwok, UIV, (AGS), Tiffany Chan, LV, (Holcombe) on the clarinet, and Monique Leong, UIV, (Aisholt) on the piano, all of whom turned in superb performances. In the final adjudication, Holcombe won Best Presented House for their assortment of beach wear to illustrate that even though their bonny lay over the ocean, they weren’t going to let that dampen their spirits too much! Tedworth won the Best Programme Design and Aisholt won the Best Ensemble with Elizabeth Bosson, ably assisted by Lauren Blair, and Katharine Lane, winning the silver baton for Best Conductor. Indeed, huge congratulations must go to all of the Lower Sixth Conductors, including Meredith Webber, and Victoria Crewe-Turrell, (AGN), who led AGN to victory, and Hetty Fairbanks-Smith, supported by Iona Miller, and Lara Wheeler, (Tedworth), Honor Loveridge, supported by Lucie Kiehl and Matilda Blythe (AGS) and Jessica Lea and Morolayo Lambo (Holcombe), for their commitment and flair in guiding and encouraging their Houses to produce such great performances. The standard has improved year on year since the House Music Competition was reintroduced in 2006, and the bar has definitely been set very high for next year.

145

Mrs Teresa MacColl, Boarding Deputy

“The atmosphere during house music was incredible!” Ella Houston, UIV

MUSIC

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 145

07/11/2014 17:19

Royal Albert Hall Prom In November, 3,000 young musicians, aged 7 – 21 were given the opportunity of a lifetime, to perform on stage at one of the world’s most iconic venues at the Music for Youth Schools Prom concerts. The concerts provide a unique showcase of exemplary music education, allowing young musicians of all ages and musical interests to express their talent on a large scale and represent the excellence and innovation taking place in young people’s music-making. On Wednesday 13 November the Remove were lucky enough to attend one of these concerts, many experiencing the awe and wonder of entering this great venue for the first time. The theme was ‘Innovation’ which looked at new ways of doing things, presenting original compositions and new slants on old classics and global influences. Needless to say a good time was had by all and all returned to School enthused about their own ability to make music! Mrs Judith Gilpin Jones, Head of Lower School

146

Cookie Concerts There have been a number of exciting new initiatives within the Music Department this year but none more mouthwatering than the advent of the Cookie Concerts. This series of weekly lunchtime concerts has been a huge success, tempting large audiences with the promise of a bite-size, informal musical performance accompanied by coffee, cookies and cake. Homemade cuisine – thanks to the wonderful Catering team – has been the perfect complement to an eclectic mix of home-grown musical talent and the programmes have been inventive and wide-ranging throughout, including everything from Sixth Form musicians keen to trial sections of their Pre-U Performance programmes to our younger girls taking to the stage for the first time, all in the wonderful acoustic of our Concert Room.

Aside from moments of individual brilliance – of which there have been many – there have been plenty of opportunities for our ensembles to take to the stage and the Cookie Concerts have played host to the debut performances of Jazz Jam, Clarinet Choir, Sinfonia Strings and Wind Band, as well as offering an outlet to the vibrant sounds of various Lower IV Samba Bands. Perhaps the highlight, however, came in Lent Term when Downe’s two choral superpowers – In Harmony and Senior Choral – combined for a performance of Bob Chilcott’s ‘A Little Jazz Mass,’ accompanied not only by our resident Jazz Trio but by the first ever live Twitter feed (#DowneHouseMusic). Whether classical or pop, jazz or world, the Cookie Concert has proved to be a welcome addition to the weekly musical activity. Dr Ian Taylor, Assistant Director of Music

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 146

07/11/2014 17:19

“I have thoroughly enjoyed many of the events organised by the music department this year.” Janice Kwong, LV

Minority Instruments Scheme The success of our Minority Instruments Scheme could scarcely have been imagined on a noisy Friday afternoon in January 2013 when MIS1 was launched. Since then no fewer than four of our original cohort have achieved their ABRSM Grade 1 qualification – many at Merit level – and Emily Biggs, LIV, has successfully taken her Grade 2 on the Double Bass. Sinfonia Strings now boasts a viola section consisting entirely of girls from the MIS Scheme and the Double Reed Group has blossomed thanks to a number of new recruits on both the oboe and the bassoon. The manner in which all of the MIS girls approached the challenge of learning a new instrument was remarkable and their success was a testament to their skill and determination. It was with a sense of unabashed excitement, therefore, that MIS2 was launched in January 2014, and sixteen Removes began lessons on instruments ranging from the viola to the double bass and the oboe to the French Horn. Bidding to outdo last years’ cohort, nearly all have continued into a second term and many are already taking part in our large

and small ensembles. As parents and teachers enjoyed an informal presentation at the end of the Lent Term, it was clear that, even after only a handful of lessons, those Grade 1 exams were not too far away! Dr Ian Taylor, Assistant Director of Music 147

Music Competitions The annual Music Competitions are now firmly established as a week-long celebration of music making, which sees the Piano, Vocal and Instrumental Competitions all taking place under the watchful eye – and careful guidance – of our team of handpicked visiting Adjudicators. This year was no different and the decision to structure each competition by ability for the first time resulted in some truly hard-fought classes, including Wai Yu’s, LVI, spell-binding performance of Beethoven’s Tempest Sonata and Sophia Elger’s, LV, spectacularly virtuosic rendition of Pablo Itturalde’s ‘Pequena Czarda.’

Congratulations go to all the girls who took part, particularly those who reached the Finals. To the backdrop of a packed Concert Room and after a spectacular Prize Winners’ Concert, Finals Adjudicator Mr Alun Jones named Molly Dewar, R, (Piano), Violet Crawfurd, LV, (Voice) and Holiday Wallis, UVI, (Violin) as overall Musicians of the Year, with Elizabeth Tatham, UIV, receiving the Director of Music’s prize for the most promising contribution to the competitions. Dr Ian Taylor, Assistant Director of Music MUSIC

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 147

07/11/2014 17:19

Palmer Society Evensong This year’s Palmer Society Evensong was particularly moving as it was the fiftieth anniversary of Olive Willis’s passing away. The music reflected this with the Introit ‘Lux aeterna’ written most fittingly by a notable woman composer – Nadia Boulanger. The occasion was also marked by the premiere of a new set of Preces and Responses written by Bernard Barker which incorporated the School’s hymns into the music. Junior Choral was on fine form and their numbers alone filled almost half the Chapel. It was wonderful to hear them

148

singing such wonderful music, much of which has particular associations with Downe, in the Chapel that Olive Willis knew so well. After the service, a supper concert was held in Willis House, with guests entertained by some of our current Music Scholars. This was a very special occasion for the girls and for the many guests whose association with Downe is so special. Mr Stasio Sliwka, Teacher of Music

Prep Schools’ Orchestral Fun Day The Annual Preparatory Schools’ Orchestral Fun Day took place at Downe House on 1 October. In the region of 140 girls (and boys!) took part in the event which included Full Orchestra, Wind Band, String Orchestra and Sectional rehearsals and in addition, everyone participated in a Samba Band. Downe House girls in the Remove also participated in the event and played host to pupils from The Oratory Preparatory School, Marlston House School, Leaden Hall School,

Garden House School, Farleigh School, Bute House, Ashfold School, Lambrook and Broomwood Hall. As ever, the young musicians impressed with their enthusiasm and energy. After an exciting and productive day of music making, intermixed with copious supplies of good food and drink, proceedings came to a close with a short concert for parents and friends. Mr Malcolm Gunningham, Head of Music Technology and Jazz

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 148

07/11/2014 17:19

DH Rock and Pop The girls at Downe have embraced the world of Rock & Pop this year. From September they started meeting up in the mornings before lessons under the guidance of Mr Marlow and Dr Alexander, and they have certainly thrived. Various small groups consisting of girls from Remove through to Upper Sixth gather with guitars, drums

and fine voices to develop their own versions of their favourite songs, or even develop their own material. In the Lent term they all worked together to give a small-scale and informal concert, which culminated (or at least concluded!) with everyone involved singing and playing together The Beatles’ ‘Hey Jude’. It’s been a great

year for Rock & Pop at Downe. We have another larger-scale concert pencilled in for the end of the next Michaelmas term and I know the girls will be gearing up towards this exciting and fun event. Dr Christian Alexander, Head of Lower School Music

149

Music Technology Situated in a room between our two music classrooms is a hidden gem; the Downe House recording studio. Although conveniently tucked away, this room rather deceptively houses our excellent mixing desk and computer software, enabling A Level Music Technology students to record and

edit their coursework, producing popular songs and movie sound tracks. Increasingly it is also being used by girls in the Lower School as they develop their skills in composing and performing. Mr Malcolm Gunningham, Head of Music Technology and Jazz

MUSIC

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 149

07/11/2014 17:20

Broadway Comes to Downe! For one night only, the orchestras of Downe House came together for an epic Broadway experience in a dazzling ‘A Night At The Musicals’, taking their audience on a voyage through some of the greatest musicals in history! Some 150 musicians were involved in this vibrant and dynamic journey into the heritage of some of the world’s finest music theatre composers. The Symphony Orchestra opened the show with highlights from Les Misérables and Wicked skilfully led by Isabella Chan, UVI. The Symphony Orchestra gave a warm and vibrant performance with a particularly sparkling performance from the percussion section fantastically led by Jane Tung, UIV, and supported by an outstanding performance by Helena Manson, LVI, on drums.

Wind Band and the Flute Quintet led by Felicity Burton, ULI, brought numbers from Chicago to the stage with colourful musical imagination and flair. Big Band did not disappoint with an exciting performance of numbers from the Chorus Line and Sophisticated Ladies with a super alto saxophone solo by Meredith Webber, LVI. Its sister jazz group, Jazz Jam, were hot on their heels with a touching performance of the title music from Mame. You may have also mistaken Once Removed for the cast of Matilda. They gave a very stylish performance of ‘When I Grow Up’ from the award winning show with soloists Tara Farquhar, R, and Annie Hazlitt, R, as two very convincing Matildas!

150

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 150

07/11/2014 17:20

The Phantom of the Opera, complete with dry ice, was brought to the stage by Sinfonia Strings who gave a very sinister and driving performance ably led by Alice Wills, UIV. The cellos led by Jameliah Adekunle, UIV, were in particularly fine menacing form! The Chamber Orchestra took centre stage for the finale of the evening, performing highlights from the 1959 hit Broadway show ‘The Sound of Music’. The Chamber Orchestra was truly on fine form with a professional, tight and sparkling performance to rival any Broadway

pit band. Indeed the adept realisation of the colour of the flute and clarinet scoring by Livia Russell (principal flute), UV, Janice Kwong (flute and piccolo), LV, So-Eun Kim (principal clarinet), UIV, and Wing Pui (Tiffany) Chan (clarinet), UV, was one of admirable musical integrity and authority. Exceptional orchestral performances were given by each member of the orchestra, expertly led by Annabel Galbraith, UVI.

151

Dr Charlotte Exon, Director of Music

“I enjoyed playing in ‘The Sound of Music’ orchestra.” Tiffany Chan, LV

MUSIC

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 151

07/11/2014 17:20

Founder’s Weekend

152

Bring the House Downe A much awaited new event at Founder’s Weekend proved not to disappoint. With the announcement of an Ensemble Competition, the Music School and indeed the whole school became a frenzy of music-making all aiming to win the coveted title of Winner of Bring the House Downe! With 35 entries, a first round was held the week before Founder’s Weekend in order to choose ten finalists to battle it out at Founder’s Weekend. The adjudicators; Mr Alun Jones (husband of our own Mrs Gilpin-Jones), Mrs Areti Bizior and our Head Senior Natasha Seaton, had the unenviable task of choosing the ten finalists. Amid a frenzy of tweeting all the ensembles took to the stage with a sense of fun, commitment and enjoyment to win one of the ten places

in the final! The final itself saw just as much rivalry and fun with all the ensembles working feverishly to win that title. The audience also had the opportunity to vote in this nailbiting event. As the judges were deliberating and the votes being counted, it was the turn of staff to entertain and even compete against each other. Finally the announcements were made; first place – The Robinson Singers, second place – In Harmony, the audience vote – North of Tomorrow and the Staff Prize – Three’s Aloud. This event is sure to become a firm fixture at Founder’s Weekend. I wouldn’t be surprised if the girls (and staff) already had plans in motion for next year! Mr Stasio Sliwka, Teacher of Music

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 152

07/11/2014 17:20

“My highlight was the final Carol Service or Singing ‘Let It Go’ in the Holcombe Singers“ Annabel Galbraith, UVI

Buskers’ Corner The dark clouds and torrential rain that welcomed everyone to Founder’s Weekend this year finally gave way, just in time for the first of our two Buskers’ Corner sessions (one on Saturday afternoon and the other on Sunday). This informal gathering of musicians from Downe was started at Founder’s Weekend 2013 and it is a wonderfully relaxed platform upon which to celebrate the diversity of talent and love of performing that can be found here; from classical to folk to pop, from solo performer to fairly large ensemble, from beginner to experienced musician, it was all on display. The proceedings kicked off with a beautifully sung

unaccompanied folk song (which takes great courage!), after which we heard the Double Reed Ensemble, Cello Trio, Jazz Jam and lots of our Rock & Pop groups (to name but a few). Those passing by or seated at the heart of the School were charmed by the beating pulse of Tchaikovsky, trad. Jazz, contemporary pop hits and saxophone improvisation, as well as a number of classic hits from the past. Anyone who was there will have seen first-hand the absolute enjoyment on the girls’ faces and the huge support all around for these lovely performances. What a treat! Dr Christian Alexander, Head of Lower School Music

153

Vocal Showcase On the Saturday afternoon of Founder’s Weekend the Concert Room reverberated to the vibrant sounds of the Vocal Showcase, a rich celebration of both the quality and diversity of vocal and choral music currently flourishing at Downe House. Participants ranged from the youngest to the older members of the school and the packed audience enjoyed both solo and ensemble performances. The programme was deliberately inclusive and, amongst the soloists, the styles ranged from jazz and pop to opera and musicals: Wai Yu’s performance of an aria from Mozart’s ‘Don Giovanni’ accompanied by a small chamber orchestra was a particular highlight, as was June Eric-Udorie’s heartfelt

rendition of ‘Losing My Mind’ from Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Follies’. The choral ensembles were well represented too, with The Robinson Singers, making their first appearance since winning the Bring the House Downe competition under the direction of Elizabeth Bosson, and the highly successful Prague Choir giving their first ever performance on English soil! Thanks go to all of the girls involved, to their teachers and their accompanists. On this evidence – and indeed on the evidence of Founder’s Weekend as a whole – singing, in all its forms, remains alive and well at Downe House. Dr Ian Taylor, Assistant Director of Music

MUSIC

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 153

07/11/2014 17:21

Festival Eucharist 154

We were fortunate to have the Precentor of Christ Church, Rev John Paton, to preach at this year’s Festal Eucharist to mark the Feast of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. It was an oasis of calm amidst the buzz of Founder’s Weekend. This year it was the turn of Choral to provide the music and what a treat it was. The Mass setting was Gounod’s ‘Messe Solennelle de Sainte Cécile’ and it was unashamedly operatic in tone. Choral were on fine form and their tone was rich

and warm. The anthem was Parry’s iconic ‘I was glad’ as sung at coronations and most recently at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. The Service was a truly memorable occasion and Choral’s singing resulted in an invitation to sing Evensong at Christ Church, which has caused much excitement amongst the girls. Mr Stasio Sliwka, Teacher of Music

Big Band BBQ Downe House was at its best in Sunday afternoon’s sunshine. After all the hard work and excitement of the weekend, it was time to relax and enjoy the sun and a wonderful barbecue accompanied by Big Band. The Greek steps and lawns were thronged with people socialising and enjoying the wonderful music - what a perfect way to end this spectacular weekend. Big Band were on fine form, entertaining the crowds with a seemingly endless programme of popular music, punctuated by loud and enthusiastic applause. They were also joined by a number of soloists whose singing rivalled any competition from ‘Britain’s Got Talent’! What better way could there be to end another wonderful Founder’s Weekend? Mr Malcolm Gunningham, Head of Music Technology & Jazz

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 154

07/11/2014 17:21

“I really enjoyed going on the Music Tour to Prague.” Rose Galbraith, LV

“My highlight was my Pre-U recital.” Holiday Wallis, UVI

Founder’s Concert The Concert is undoubtedly one of the musical highlights of Founder’s Weekend. This year’s concert didn’t disappoint with all of their school’s main ensembles performing featuring some two hundred and fifty girls. With many of the choirs and orchestras being restructured this year, the concert provided the opportunity to display what a formidable musical force Downe House girls are: Founder’s Orchestra got the concert to a rousing start with Whitney’s Variations on a Theme of Handel followed by popular Highlights from Les Misérables. Their playing was confident and assured. It was then the turn of Choral to take the stage with the Allegri’s famous Miserere Mei with understated virtuosity being displayed by the soloists. The mood changed in their rendition of Verdi’s macabre setting of The Witches’ Chorus from his opera Macbeth. It was then turn of the Music Scholars’ Ensemble to take the stage under baton of the new Head of Music Elizabeth Bosson. Their playing of Three Renaissance Dances showed what a wealth of musical talent these girls have. The clarity of Maxwell Davies’ scoring came through in the girls’ playing with a sense of style and control in evidence. Chloe Flynn then delighted the audience with her playing of Variations on a Them by Rossini composed by Chopin. Her playing was agile and made the challenges of the piece seem effortless. It was then the turn of the Remove to take to the stage en Masse with Once Removed peforming Only Time accompanied by

DH Rock & Pop. Their singing was confident and touched all present. They were followed by another vocal group; The Robinson Singers named after their Founder Jessie Robinson. Their controlled and musical singing under the direction of Elizabeth Bosson the day before made them winners of Bring the House Downe and they demonstrated their talents with their rendition of Let it be. Yet more vocal items followed with Junior Choral singing Clear the Line and Joshua Fight de Battle ob Jericho with polish. To finish they were joined by Choral for a piece well known to Downe; The Rhythm of Life. The sound of 130 girls singing with gusto echoed around the Farr Centre. It was then the turn of Sinfonietta to take the stage with a distinctly Spanish programme of Andalucia and then Aragonaise from Carmen. Their playing was full of energy and a real sense of flair was in evidence. Not to be outdone Founder’s Strings playing of the Pizzicato Polka by Strauss brought a taste of Vienna to all present making everyone want to dance! In Harmony followed with a moving performance of Solitude and delightful rendition of Make You Feel My Love with a stunning solo sung by Violet Crawfurd. Big Band finished the proceedings with a rousing performance of Bad and whetted the musical appetite for their playing later in the afternoon at the Barbeque. Mr Stasio Sliwka, Teacher of Music

155

MUSIC

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 155

07/11/2014 17:21

ABRSM results Grade 1 Pass

Zara Edmiston (Piano), Minna Leatham (Bassoon)

Merit

Jennifer Darko (Viola), Emma Dobby (Viola), Iona Hanson (Flute), Eliza Joll (Harp), Annabel Le Grice (Singing), Daisy Shepherd-Cross (Harp), Imogen Webber (Alto Saxophone), Tabonga Yangailo (Piano)

Distinction

Lucy Bergstrom (Harp), Tamilore Bolodeoku (Singing), Melissa Farquhar (Clarinet), Honor Stephens (Singing), Kyara Uchida (Harp)

Grade 2 Pass

Sarah Darko (Piano), Jennifer Darko (Piano),

Merit

Emily Biggs (Double Bass), Esther Bolodeoku (Piano), Elizabeth Bolodeoku (Piano), Elizabeth Bolodeoku (Violin), Esther Bolodeoku (Violin), Oluchi Emenike (Violin), Alexandra Kiy (Piano)

Distinction Evelyn Graham (Singing), Grade 3 Pass

Jameliah Adekunle (Singing), Ilaria Bevan (Piano), Emily Crowston (Trumpet), Georgina Day (Singing), Grace Devereux (Singing), Henrietta Johnston (Flute), India Laidlaw (Trumpet), Ella Scott (Flute), Clara Silcock (Singing), Caroline Watkinson (Flute), Poppy Winsor (Flute)

Merit

Emily Carpmael (Clarinet), Emilie Cheung (Singing), Phoebe Evans (Singing), Eliza Gibbons-West (Alto Saxophone) Francesca Lahiri (Piano), Faith Norman (Singing), Ella Scott (Singing), Amelia Smith (Piano), Isabelle Smith (Flute), Jennifer Standbrook (Singing)

Distinction

Alice Burbidge (Singing), Katherine Hackman (Singing)

Grade 4

156

Pass

Amelia Bentley (Violin), Deena Bhanarai (Piano), Charlotte Clover (Piano), Freya Esam (Singing), lslay Kingham (Singing), Morolayo Lambo (Singing), Clare Maunder (Clarinet), Amelia Milne (Singing), Alexandra Milne (Singing), Gabriella Nelson (Guitar), Charlotte Orpen (Oboe), Sophie Partridge-Hicks (Singing), Araminta Swallow (Singing), Sasha Villiers-Smith (Piano), Poppy Wilson (Singing)

Merit

Jameliah Adekunle (Singing), Angela Chan (Singing), Emilie Cheung (Singing), Autumn Davies (Singing), Imogen Fowler (Clarinet), Zara Karoly (Piano), Ella Monck (Singing), Alexandra O’Kane (Singing), Eloise Percy-Davis (Piano) Henrietta Ryan (Singing), Alexandra Thomas (Singing), Emma Wyatt (Singing)

Distinction

Molly Dewar (Piano), Sarah Palmer (Singing), Nutthapit Poolworaluk (Harp)

Grade 5 Pass

Lucy Astor (Flute), Matilda Bentley (Oboe), Rosie Blackburn (Singing), Ngozi Emenike (Piano), Charlotte Field (Theory), Letitia Harkness (Flute), Olivia Harrison (Theory), Beatrix Jackson (Oboe), Henrietta Johnston (Theory), Sophie Kelisky (Theory), Sophie Kelisky (Piano), Clementine Lewins (Oboe), Mary Mayfield (Theory), Charlotte Nicholson (Alto Saxophone), Sophie Ordish (Flute), Sarah Orpen (Piano), Jessica Pemberton (Theory), Viviana Radway (Singing), Annabel Roest (Theory), Olivia Scott (Theory), Imogen Simpson-Orlebar (Descant Recorder), Sereena Singh (Theory), Isabelle Smith (Singing), Flora Tudhope (Piano), Georgiana Ward (Singing), Alice Wills (Violin), Poppy Winsor (Singing), Catharine Wippell (Singing)

Merit

Emilie Cheung (Theory), Charlotte Field (Singing), Victoria Fleming (Theory), Lucy Goodman (Theory), Lauren Griffith (Theory), Olivia Harrison (Singing), Anna Hewitt (Theory), Adetoun Karunwi (Theory), Lucie Kiehl (Singing), India Laidlaw (Singing), Anastasia Law (Singing), Justina Lee (Theory), Nutthapit Poolworaluk (Theory), Shivani Singh (Theory), Elizabeth Tatham (Piano), Katelyn Taylor (Theory), Charlotte Williams (Theory)

Distinction

Clementine Swallow (Singing), June Eric-Udorie (Theory)

Grade 6 Pass

Anna Chalmers (Violin), Lucy Cunningham (Piano), Alice Palmer (Piano), Lucy Phillips (Piano), Oonagh Sargentson (Flute), Meredith Webber (Flute)

Merit

Sophie Bashall (Singing), India Burney (Singing), Georgina Galbraith (Singing), Natalie Lam (Flute), Lucinda Penney (Singing), Alexandra Thomas (Piano)

Distinction

Elizabeth Bosson (Singing), Melissa Chang (Organ), Rose Galbraith (Singing), Violet Crawfurd (Singing),

Grade 7 Pass

Kelly Min (Clarinet)

Distinction Wai Yu (Organ) Grade 8 Pass

Livia Russell (Flute)

Merit Poppy Barrett-Fish (Singing), Katharine Craig (Singing), Arabella Newton (Alto Saxophone), Sophie Stuart-Menteth (Singing) Distinction

Helena Benthall (Singing), Tiffany Chan (Piano), Rose Galbraith (Violin)

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 156

07/11/2014 17:21

Sport 157

MUSIC

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 157

07/11/2014 17:21

Lacrosse The First Team’s Lacrosse season started off with a cold, wet tournament in Caterham where we faced tough competition. All of the top schools in the country were gathered with their new team for the season. Unfortunately, we were fielding a depleted team, missing two key players to existing injury. Luck was not with us and by the end of the day’s play we also had a broken nose, a twisted knee and a severe cramp to deal with! We left feeling somewhat deflated. The rest of the season progressed with small improvements evident with every match that was played. The team began to gel in training and to work together. As they started to win, their passion and confidence grew. We started winning crucial matches and succeeded as champions of the 7 Schools Invitational Tournament,

beating Wycombe Abbey (to whom we lost earlier in the season) in the last match! Lent Term brought the National Schools’ Tournament. The team was training harder than I’ve ever seen before and Captain Eleanor Hillier’s leadership was inspirational. It was the start of the tournament that we had all been waiting for. The girls were ready and the supporters were biting their nails on the sidelines, knowing that this year we really had a chance. The first day was brilliant. The girls were in complete control and they sailed through the group stages. The tournament structure changed for the second day and we played four initial matches. We had a tough draw, playing St Catherine’s in the first match. They had beaten us earlier in the year and were a team with speed, skill

and determination, but still, we won 3-1! It was the start that we needed and we went on to win 5 matches in a row. In previous years, this would have meant we were in the semi-final, but not this year... we had another match to play against Moreton Hall. In a fifteen minute game, we had two yellow cards, which left us two players down. The other team remained calm and came away with a win. It was a discouraging way to go out of the competition for Downe House. The girls performed brilliantly and were very unlucky to go out before the semi. The eventual tournament winners were St Catherine’s, so we can proudly say that we beat the winners! An unforgettable season that will inspire future teams at Downe House. Miss Rebecca Thomas, Teacher of PE and First Team Coach

158

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 158

07/11/2014 17:21

Lacrosse Results 2013-2014 The year has been a successful one for our Lacrosse teams, although different teams have demonstrated different strengths. The First team performed very well in the Lent Term tournaments, with mixed success in individual matches. The Under 15s and Under 14s both proved to be very successful throughout the season, winning the majority of their matches. Congratulations to the Under 15 A and B teams, who both reached the finals of the Rathbones National Schools Lacrosse Championships. The U15 A team narrowly lost to Guildford High in the final, but the U15B team beat St. Paul’s in the final to become National Champions! I have been thrilled with the hard work and perseverance that the girls have demonstrated across the age groups. Overall, we have had a strong season and I foresee exciting times ahead! Mrs Lydia Rayne, Director of Sport 159

SPORT

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 159

07/11/2014 17:21

160

Athletics The season started with the Berkshire Pentathlon at Palmer Park. 10 girls from the Upper IV and Lower IV took part and there were some very promising results. Ella Houston, UIV, was placed 2nd, Lara Bracher, UIV, 6th, Natasha Somerville-Cotton, UIV, 8th and Amelia Hughes, LIV, 10th in Berkshire. The Junior and Intermediate teams took part in the English Schools Track and Field Cup. The first round took place at Palmer Park, Berkshire, in

May. Our Junior team won the first round and the Intermediate team came second. Both scores were high enough to qualify for the regional round at Millfield in June. The Junior team did exceptionally well and was placed 2nd and the Intermediate team came 4th. The scores were the highest set by both teams and the girls came extremely close to qualifying for the Nationals, in which the top 12 teams in the country compete, but they were just pipped at

the post. A superb effort and we have high hopes for next year! We had a fantastic finish to the Athletics season in our last meet, at Marlborough, where we competed against 3 other schools. We won the U14 age group by 40 points and 6 School records were broken in the process. Well done to all of the athletes on a really strong year Mrs Lydia Rayne, Director of Sport

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 160

07/11/2014 17:21

Cross Country A successful season for the Cross Country girls. In January the first Open Cross Country team took part in the Knole Run. Everybody completed the 3 mile course and everyone was well placed, in a field of 230 competitors. Downe came 5th of the 38 teams competing, narrowly missing a place. Charlotte Clover, LV, was placed 3rd overall and received a bronze medal. There was further success for the Downe House team when they competed in the Berkshire Schools Cross Country Championships at Wellington College in the Lent Term. The U13 team came 5th out of 12 teams and Kitty ShepherdCross, R, won the U13 competition - an excellent achievement! The other top placed girls from Downe were: Lara Bracher, UIV, 17th in the U15’s, Charlotte Clover, LV, 6th in the U17’s and Annabel Clover, LVI, 3rd in the U19’s.

Biathlon Our Biathletes have had a super season. Following regional heats, the girls qualified for the British Schools’ Modern Biathlon Finals at the London Aquatic Centre, in the Olympic Park. The biathlon was the first public event to be held in the pool after the Olympics and the final started in the impressive 10 lane 50m Olympic pool. Kitty ShepherdCross (U12’s) had worked on her start and breathing and improved her entry time by an amazing 4 seconds over the 50m. Claudia Kandel’s 100m swim was next and her hard work produced

Kitty Shepherd-Cross

Mrs Lydia Rayne, Director of Sport

a 2.5 second improvement in the Under 13 age group. Finally Charlotte Clover entered the water in the Under 15 200m swim. With a new tactic of going out faster and using her good endurance, Charlotte improved her time by an incredible 10 seconds! In the running, Kitty was in the very competitive fastest heat for her 800 metres and unfortunately got boxed in at the start, but still managed one of the top 10 times. Claudia ran well in her heat, producing a good time. Charlotte was last to run - again seeded in the

Charlotte Clover

Results: Inter House Cross Country Winners REMOVE Kitty Shepherd-Cross LIV Lettice Cornell UIV / LV Charlotte Clover UV / LVI Annabel Clover Berkshire Schools U13: 1st Kitty Shepherd-Cross U15: 9th Lara Bracher U17: 6th Charlotte Clover U19: 3rd Annabel Clover Newbury Schools U13: 1st Kitty Shepherd-Cross, Team 2nd U15: 3rd Lara Bracher, Team 1st U17: 1st Charlotte Clover, Team 2nd U19: 1st Annabel Clover, Team 1st

161

fastest heat for the Under 15’s. She paced it well, producing the 6th fastest time and a 4 second improvement on her entry time. All three girls should be congratulated on improving their placing from their qualifying positions. Kitty improved from 23rd to 19th in the country. Out of an original 282 competitors, Claudia finished 51st, improving 4 places. Charlotte performed brilliantly all day to improve from 31st to 11th in the country! Miss Paula Machin, Head of Swimming and PE Teacher

Claudia Kandel, Middle SPORT

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 161

07/11/2014 17:21

Netball Captains’ Report

162

Netball kicked off the Michaelmas term with players from the UV-UVI taking part in Pre-Season Training. This allowed everyone to partake in some much needed fitness training after the long summer break. The 1st – 4th Teams are made up of the top three year groups of the School, which not only allows the best players to progress to the top from UV, but is also great for inter-year bonding on the court. Internal trials had also taken place in the first week back at School and so on the 7th September, the 1st and 2nd team travelled to St James Malvern with the U15 A and B teams. The 1st team had a great start to the season with a triumphant win, 33-13. Credit to Adetoun Karunwi who earned herself Player of the Match – this was the first match of an incredibly successful season for Adetoun who ended up being Player of the Match in over ten matches! The 2nd team drew 13-13 against St James; although not a win, the match saw some great play from defence, in particular Esther Adebajo. During the season the 2nd Team gained wins over Heathfield (14-

5), Stowe (23-9), Bloxham (20-11) and Queen Anne’s (15-10). The 3rd Team, although a very young team, had a very successful season too with victories over Pangbourne College, Dauntseys (11-7) and Wellington College (24-3); these results stand the senior teams in good stead for next season. The 14th September saw four U12 teams go to Cheltenham Ladies College. The U12 C’s came away triumphant with a 8-7 win and Gabriella Nelson as Player of the Match. This was the start of a good season for the U12’s, who secured seven wins over the two terms. The U12 A and B teams also took part in an Invitational Tournament on the 9th November. The A team won against St Mary’s Calne, St Hugh’s and St Mary’s Ascot, finishing 7th out of 12 teams. Anna Neville (whose incredible Netball skills saw her joining the 1st Team for their weekly training) received an award as one of the best shooters of the tournament, earning herself her first of six matches as Player of the Match over the season. The A team also had wins against Queen Anne’s, St Mark’s, Wycombe

Abbey and Godstowe. The U12 team, as well as the U15 team, all also returned home with Gold medals from the South West Berkshire Tournament, a fantastic achievement. The U13’s should also be congratulated for their Silver medals in the same competition. For both the U12 and U13 it has been a victorious season, especially against Dauntsey’s who were beaten by every Downe team. The U13’s gained wins over St Helen’s and St Katherine’s, Marlton House, Wycombe Abbey, Queen Anne’s and Bradfield College. The U16 A’s had a great season, a highlight being their 7-0 victory over St Swithun’s. This was a great match under tournament conditions with very strict umpiring against them in preparation for the tournament that same weekend. The team gelled really well and a special thank you must go to Minnie Royden and Georgie Fenn for stepping in last minute to play. Isobel Wild stood out with her fantastic shooting and Esther Adebajo and Eleanor Leeves were also mentioned for maintaining a strong defence against the opposition.

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 162

07/11/2014 17:22

Huge congratulations go to the U14 A team who, after placing 2nd in the county, made it through to the 2nd Round of National Schools! The team secured strong wins against King Edward VII (11-0) and Ryde School (84). Well done to Monique Leong and Sasha Coulson for both being Player of the Match and Cecelia Hughes as the most consistent and outstanding player of the tournament for Downe! U14’s had victories over the St Helen’s and St Katherine’s, St Swithun’s, Queen Anne’s, Bradfield College Wellington College and Dauntseys. The U15’s won this season against Bloxham, Padworth College, Bradfield College, Lord Wandsworth College, St Helen’s and St Katherine’s and St Swithun’s during the season in various teams. The Senior Netball teams had a successful season with 18 wins between the 1st, 2nd and 3rd team. Highlights include the 3rd team’s victory over Bloxham 19-14, a fast paced game with Downe winning each quarter and Ngozi Emenike as Player of the Match, and their other huge win against Wellington College 24-3 with Madeleine Davies being commended for her great play. The 2nd team also found themselves victors over St Mary’s Ascot in September 23-17. The game was described by their coach, Miss Vickery, as having ‘lovely fluid movement down the court’ and that ‘the team worked brilliantly to support each other’. It must have been this

support that led them to also winning 36-13 against St Catherine’s Bramley, a tremendous result. The 1st team secured several wins over the season and played in three tournaments. The Michaelmas Term saw wins against St James Malvern (3312), Heathfield (13-9), St Catherine’s Bramley and a game against the Staff that saw the teachers win 6-3. Despite this loss, the 1st team bounced back and managed to secure a tight win against the Staff in Lent Term! Both games were hugely enjoyed by everyone. Highlights for the 1sts include winning 24-17 against Stowe, a tough game to be very proud of. Winning the South West Berkshire Tournament, hosted by Kennet, on March 12th was a rewarding end to a tough season. A special mention to Serena Ansell for her fantastic play at Centre, helping the team secure three wins and a draw overall. We also enjoyed the annual InterHouse Netball Competitions for the Juniors and Seniors. With each House assembling A-C teams, this is always a great opportunity for those of all abilities to play and for inter-year bonding to take place. This year in the Junior Section, Tedworth came out on top in the A and B teams, narrowly beating Aisholt who came 2nd but who won of the C Teams. Aisholt also triumphed in the Senior Section with their A team coming 1st, with Tedworth winning from the B Teams. Well done to all who took part and of course the winners!

At the end of the Lent Term, the Remove and their parents came together for their annual tournament at Downe. This was umpired by girls from the Upper V, Upper VI and Mrs Capps helped orchestrate the whole event, so we are extremely thankful to all of them for their generous help. Despite a little rain (and even hail at one point) all players were keen to see the tournament through and when the sun finally came out, we enjoyed watching a competitive and exciting final. Thank you to everyone who came and took part, despite the weather. Finally, an exciting milestone during this season was the Upper V Netball tour to La Manga, Spain. Mrs Riddle and Mrs Alberts accompanied eight girls, who enjoyed five days of intense training and tournaments. The girls were lucky enough to learn a variety of new and different skills from different coaches but also to spend their free time on the beach and doing various activities in their hotel, including Karaoke and Netball’s Got Talent! The team commented that they had a wonderful time and that the trip has given them more confidence in Netball along with a chance to improve their skills.

163

All in all it has been a fantastic year for Netball, one which we hope has encouraged more girls to play the sport at Downe and helped improve their confidence on the court. Well done everyone on a very good season! Hester Wolton, UVI and Anabel Elliot, (Netball Captains), UVI

SPORT

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 163

07/11/2014 17:22

Swimming It has been a pleasure to be part of the Downe House swimming team, especially with the many successes we have had throughout the year. In September we held a 24 hour swimathon in aid of the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust. It was a huge success, with the team managing to raise £9,309.97 (our target was £5,000)! It was a fantastic event to organise, with girls outside of the teams also keen to take part. A special mention must go to Annabel Clover, LVI, for swimming much further than anyone else! Special mentions also go to Charlotte Clover, LV, Claudia Kandel, LIV, and

Kitty Shepherd-Cross, R, for qualifying for the National Finals of the Schools Biathlon in April, held at the Olympic Park. The girls all produced excellent performances on the day, with personal bests achieved. Charlotte achieved an incredible 11th in the country. In May the Independent Boarding Schools Relay Competition was held at Downe House. 14 schools took part, with Downe finishing 2nd overall. A Bronze medal went to the U13 freestyle team: Emily Manners, R, Amelia Hughes, LIV, Sasha Percy-Davis, R, and Claudia Kandel. Bronze medal also to the senior medley relay team of Jessica Ledger, UV, Felicia Tchen, UV, Natasha

Seaton, LVI, and Emilia Hewlett, LVI. Finally Sophie Stuart-Menteth, UVI, and Annabel Clover joined Natasha and Emilia to also get a bronze in the freestyle relay. In the last match of the year, Claudia Kandel swam for the U15 team and also broke the School’s U13 50m front crawl record. She swam an amazing 31.00s breaking the 10 year old record by nearly half a second. I hope that the year to follow is just as positive! Jessica Radford, UVI, Captain 1st team

164

Hockey It has yet again been a busy and successful season for all of the Hockey teams at Downe. The 1st XI have continued to work hard and develop as a squad and although we have come up against some very tough opposition, we have had some very competitive battles! The team are always a threat in the Berkshire Cup competition and this year was no different, as we reached the Semi Finals for the second consecutive year. The U16s, predominantly made

up of the U15 squad, were also very successful, which bodes well for the future. The 2nd XI had some big victories against Pangbourne College and Cheltenham Ladies College. The U15s continued their success from the previous season and qualified for the Indoor regional final which was a fantastic experience for them all and a first for Downe in the Indoor format of the game. The U14s came together at the start of the season, some of them having not played hockey for a

few years, and are proving themselves with strong victories over many of the local schools in West Berkshire. Downe House continues to have girls selected for the Berkshire County Team, and this year Molly Adams, UV and Jessica Ledger, UV, played for the U17 side and Rebecca Radford, LV, for the U15s. Amazing achievements all round. Sophie Shipton, UVI, Captain

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 164

07/11/2014 17:22

165

Gymnastics This year, Gymnastics has gone from strength to strength, with more girls attending gym club and more girls representing Downe House in a variety of competitions. For the GISGA two-piece competition which was in November, Downe House entered all 3 age groups; U13, U15 and the Senior Team, which was a first. For many of the Juniors, this was their first ever competition. Congratulations to them as they all performed brilliantly! A special mention for the Seniors, who had an amazing two-piece competition. Emily Lyle, UVI, achieved 1st place, Adetoun Karunwi, LVI, got 4th and the whole team came 2nd overall! The main GISGA competition in March was a very important day for the team, as it was the last GISGA competition for team stalwarts Linh Moran, UVI, who has competed in

the competition for 5 years and Emily Lyle, UVI, who has competed in the competition since she was 9. Both were recognised by the GSA for their outstanding contribution to Gymnastics. House Gym this year was also an amazing event with each House putting on a wonderful display of their different talents. The individual Floor routines didn’t disappoint and a special mention goes to Hebe Ide, UIV, and Imogen Webber, R, for being the most improved gymnasts after their floor routines. The overall standard was very high, with the LV captains’ award going to Holcombe, but Tedworth managed to claim the overall House Cup. Adetoun Karunwi, LVI, Captain SPORT

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 165

07/11/2014 17:22

Squash It has been a good season for Squash at Downe House. Our Under 15 and Under 19 B teams both achieved second place at the National Schools Squash Championships. Playing at the National Squash Centre in the Manchester Arena, the girls did exceptionally well, particularly because our B teams were playing the other schools’ A teams! Both of the Trophy Competition finals were extremely close, with our teams losing 3-2 to the Nunthorpe Academy (U19) and 3-2 to Jarrow School (U15).

The squads all played very well throughout and there were outstanding performances from Nina Bugeja, LIV, who although a LIV plays at number 1 for the Under 15s, Emilia Hewlett, LVI, and Oonagh Sargentson, LV. Congratulations are also due to Victoria Crewe-Turrell, LVI, who played in the Berkshire Under 17 Closed Squash competition and won! Mr John Payne, Teacher of PE

Tennis

166

Tennis has grown in popularity over the last year. The girls have had the benefits of extra court usage, extra coaches and numerous extra squads and have used their spare time to practise. We have had great success in matches with other schools. The U15s and U14s have performed very well in all matches with only the odd defeat between them. Overall the standard throughout both year groups is very encouraging for the future. Highlights of the year include; our U15A team making it to the Berkshire finals, our U15B winning the Berkshire Division 2 and our U15 pair, Camilla Farrell and Melissa McAlpine, both LV, getting through to the last 16 in the country in the Independent Schools’ Tennis Association tournament, held annually at Eton College. Downe House Tennis is proud to be able to offer tennis opportunities to girls of all standards with high level coaches, including former British number two, Josh Goodall, whose Davis cup and Wimbledon experiences have been invaluable to all. The girls continue to be able to play throughout the year in a range of lessons, squads, team events and organised competitions to suit their needs. Mr Tim Allen, I/C Tennis, PE Teacher GSA Annual Tennis Tournament. DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 166

07/11/2014 19:25

British Schoolgirls’ Ski Races The 55th British Schoolgirls’ ski races took place in Flaine, France last term. 35 schools took part with 48 teams and 144 schoolgirl racers. Downe House fielded a team of 6 girls who had a wonderful time, taking part in the Giant Slalom, the Slalom Relay and the Slalom. Although the girls didn’t come away with any prizes this year, their skiing was excellent and the girls enjoyed themselves. We love the extremely professional looking race suits! Holly and Zara said that ‘Even though we came back with no awards, we still had an amazing time. It also boosted our confidence and skills!’ Congratulations to Holly Halestrap, Storm Halestrap, Zara Edmiston, Emma Dobby, Islay Kingham and Rose Galbraith. (Thank you to Mr Dobby for the fabulous photographs) Mrs Frances Capps, Hill Housemistress and Teacher of PE

167

Sports’ Day We had an excellent day of sport, with many fantastic performances throughout the age groups and some incredible individual wins. The standard of Athletics was excellent and many records were broken. Congratulations to AGN, the winning house, with 66 medals in total, including 33 golds. Stand out athlete of the day was Ella Houston, UIV, who had an amazing day, winning 4 medals. Ella set a new School Record with her overall High Jump win, achieving 1.62 metres. This won her the Charlotte Williams Cup, for best jump of the day. Ella also won the overall Long Jump and set a Sports Day record for the Intermediate Pentathlon (2701 points). Congratulations Ella!

Special mention also to Amelia Hughes, LIV, who set a new School Record in the overall Javelin (24.63m) and also won the Junior Pentathlon (2219 points). Eliza Joll, LIV, set a new School Record for overall Discus with a throw of 23.58m and Charlotte Clover, LV, won the overall 800m as well as the Reston Cup, for the 1500m. Adetoun Karunwi, LVI, set a new School Record for the Senior Shot Put, with a throw of 9.33m.

Pentathlon Winners Intermediate age group: Ella Houston Natasha Somerville-Cotton Lara Bracher

Junior age group: Amelia Hughes Kitty Shepherd-Cross Lucy Cunningham

It was great to see how well everyone performed, across the ages and the houses. Many thanks to the PE Department for all of their hard work, and indeed to everyone who helped make Sports Day such a success. Mrs Lydia Rayne, Director of Sport SPORT

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 167

07/11/2014 17:22

Sports’ Day

168

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 168

07/11/2014 17:22

169

SPORT

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 169

07/11/2014 17:23

The Teams Lacrosse

Cross Country

> 1st Lacrosse

> 1st Cross Country

> U15 ‘B’ Lacrosse

> U15 Cross Country

> U15 ‘A’ Lacrosse

> U19 Cross Country

170

These photographs have been reproduced by kind permission of Gillman & Soame photographers and can be re-ordered by visiting: http://www.gsimagebank.co.uk/downe-house/ Login Token: downehouse2014.

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 170

07/11/2014 17:23

Athletics Gymnastics

> Athletics

> Gymnastics

Tennis

> Inter Track and Field Schools Cup

171

> 1st Tennis

> School Cup Athletics

> U15 ‘A’ Tennis

> U15 Athletics SPORT

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 171

07/11/2014 17:23

Netball Swimming

> 1st Netball

> 1st Swimming

172

> A15 Netball

> U15 ‘A’ Swimming

> U15 ‘A’ Netball

> U16 ‘A’ Netball DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 172

07/11/2014 17:23

Hockey

Squash

> 1st XI Hockey

> 1st Squash

173

> U15 ‘A’ Hockey

> U15 ‘A’ Squash

Skiing

> Ski Team

SPORT

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 173

07/11/2014 17:23

174

Awards and More A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 174

07/11/2014 17:23

Prize Giving Year Subject Award

Nominee

R

Chemistry

Progress and Effort Prize

Alexandra Adderley

R

Hill

The Moore Cup

Alexandra Adderley

R

ICT

Excellence and High Achievement

Alexandra Adderley

R

Maths

Progress and Effort Prize

Alexandra Adderley

R

Art

Progress and Effort Prize

Jessica Bracken

R

Drama

Excellence and High Achievement

Molly Dewar

R

Music

Progress and Effort Prize

Abriella (Abby) Dolbear

R

Biology

Excellence and High Achievement

Imogen Fowler

R

Design & Technology

Excellence and High Achievement

Imogen Fowler

R

English

Excellence and High Achievement

Imogen Fowler

R

Geography

Excellence and High Achievement

Imogen Fowler

R

History

Excellence and High Achievement

Imogen Fowler

R

Geography

Progress and Effort Prize

Eliza Inglis

R

Classics

Progress and Effort Prize

Jade Jacomb

R

RS

Progress and Effort Prize

Jade Jacomb

R

Biology

Progress and Effort Prize

Julia Kennerley

R

Drama

Progress and Effort Prize

Julia Kennerley

R

English

Progress and Effort Prize

Julia Kennerley

R

ICT

Progress and Effort Prize

Julia Kennerley

R

Modern Languages

Progress and Effort Prize

Julia Kennerley

R

Chemistry

Excellence and High Achievement

Alexandra Kiy

R

Classics

Excellence and High Achievement

Alexandra Kiy

R

Modern Languages

Excellence and High Achievement

Alexandra Kiy

R

Music

Excellence and High Achievement

Alexandra Kiy

R

Art

Excellence and High Achievement

Hayeong (Justina) Lee

R

Maths

Excellence and High Achievement

Hayeong (Justina) Lee

R

Hermitage

The Lunn Cup

Anna Neville

R

Physics

Progress and Effort Prize

Anna Neville

R

PE

Progress and Effort Prize

Charlotte Nicholson

R

Design & Technology

Progress and Effort Prize

Catherine Nicol

R

Physics

Excellence and High Achievement

Catherine Nicol

R

PE

Excellence and High Achievement

Kitty Shepherd-Cross

R

History

Progress and Effort Prize

Imogen Webber

R

RS

Excellence and High Achievement

Imogen Webber

LIV

Biology

Progress and Effort Prize

Catharina Benigni

LIV

Maths

Excellence and High Achievement

Lucy Cunningham

LIV

Modern Languages

Excellence and High Achievement

Lucy Cunningham

LIV

Physics

Excellence and High Achievement

Lucy Cunningham

LIV

English

Excellence and High Achievement

Cosima Davies

LIV

History

Progress and Effort Prize

Cosima Davies

LIV

Art

Excellence and High Achievement

Lucinda Dunlop

LIV

Biology

Excellence and High Achievement

Sophie Elliot

LIV

Drama

Excellence and High Achievement

Sophie Elliot

LIV

Geography

Excellence and High Achievement

Sophie Elliot

175

AWARDS AND MORE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 175

07/11/2014 17:23

176

LIV

ICT

Excellence and High Achievement

Sophie Elliot

LIV

Design & Technology

Progress and Effort Prize

Oluchi Emenike

LIV

Darwin

The Berwick Cup

Florence Fanshawe

LIV

History

Excellence and High Achievement

Melissa Farquhar

LIV

Maths

Progress and Effort Prize

Gabriella Franklin

LIV

Music

The Elizabeth Pickering Prize

Katharine Furse

LIV

Classics

Progress and Effort Prize

Christabel Graham

LIV

Music

Whitehouse-Vaux Cup (Most Promising Musician

Katharine Hackman

in the Lower School)

LIV

ICT

Progress and Effort Prize

Charlotte Harrabin

LIV

Physics

Progress and Effort Prize

Jessica Hayward-Cole

LIV

Design & Technology

Excellence and High Achievement

Georgia Hewitson

LIV

Music

Excellence and High Achievement

Georgia Hewitson

LIV

RS

Excellence and High Achievement

Georgia Hewitson

LIV

English

Progress and Effort Prize

Claudia Kandel

LIV

PE

Excellence and High Achievement

Claudia Kandel

LIV

Physics

Progress and Effort Prize

Claudia Kandel

LIV

Music

Progress and Effort Prize

Clementine Lewins

LIV

Geography

Progress and Effort Prize

Eva Percy

LIV

RS

Progress and Effort Prize

Eva Percy

LIV

Modern Languages

Progress and Effort Prize

Faith Pitchford

LIV

Classics

Excellence and High Achievement

Sabrina Sambhi

LIV

Chemistry

Excellence and High Achievement

Ella Scott

LIV

Art

Progress and Effort Prize

Imogen Simpson-Orlebar

LIV

PE

Progress and Effort Prize

Imogen Simpson-Orlebar

LIV

Chemistry

Progress and Effort Prize

Emma Warley

LIV

Drama

Progress and Effort Prize

Miranda Woodruff

UIV

RS

Excellence and High Achievement

Georgina Anastassopoulos

Tubby

UIV

History

Excellence and High Achievement

Lara Bracher

UIV

PE

Excellence and High Achievement

Lara Bracher

UIV

PE

U15 Athletics Colours

Lara Bracher

UIV

Maths

The Elizabeth Anne Beel Memorial Trophy for

Isabelle Brown

Mathematical Endeavour

UIV

PE

U15 Athletics Colours

Isabelle Brown

UIV

Modern Languages

Excellence and High Achievement

Gwendoline Choi

UIV

RS

Excellence and High Achievement

Gwendoline Choi

UIV

ICT

Progress and Effort Prize

Grace Cornish

UIV

Modern Languages

Progress and Effort Prize

Grace Cornish

UIV

Music

Progress and Effort Prize

Jennifer Darko

UIV

Art

Progress and Effort Prize

Holly Evans

UIV

Biology

Excellence and High Achievement

Eliza Gibbons-West

UIV

English

Excellence and High Achievement

Eliza Gibbons-West

UIV

Geography

Excellence and High Achievement

Lauren Griffith

UIV

Chemistry

Excellence and High Achievement

Clarissa Hahn

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 176

07/11/2014 17:23

UIV

ICT

Excellence and High Achievement

Clarissa Hahn

UIV

Drama

Progress and Effort Prize

Anna Hewitt

UIV

Drama

Excellence and High Achievement

Eliza Horn

UIV

Biology

Progress and Effort Prize

Verity Hornby

UIV

PE

Excellence and High Achievement

Ella Houston

UIV

PE

U15 Athletics Colours

Ella Houston

UIV

PE

U15 Athletics Colours

Isabella Huber

UIV

Chemistry

Progress and Effort Prize

Cecilia Hughes

UIV

Maths

Progress and Effort Prize

Rose Hughes

UIV

PE

U15 Athletics Colours

Cecilia Hughes

UIV

Design & Technology

Food Technology Prize

Francesca Lahiri

UIV

RS

Excellence and High Achievement

Francesca Lahiri

UIV

Geography

Progress and Effort Prize

Flora Lindsay

UIV

Classics

Progress and Effort Prize

Sacha Martin

UIV

Chemistry

Excellence and High Achievement

Jessica Pemberton

UIV

Modern Languages

Progress and Effort Prize

Jessica Pemberton

UIV

Maths

Excellence and High Achievement

Nutthapit Poolworaluk

UIV

Modern Languages

Excellence and High Achievement

Nutthapit Poolworaluk

UIV

Physics

Progress and Effort Prize

Nutthapit Poolworaluk

UIV

Physics

Excellence and High Achievement

Matilda Pope

UIV

History

Progress and Effort Prize

Serena Richards

UIV

PE

U15 Athletics Colours

Annabel Roest

UIV

PE

U15 Athletics Colours

Natasha Somerville-Cotton

UIV

Chemistry

Progress and Effort Prize

Olivia Stakem

UIV

PE

U15 Athletics Colours

Georgina Tarling

UIV

PE

Progress and Effort Prize

Katelyn Taylor

UIV

Art

Excellence and High Achievement

Jennifer Tett

UIV

RS

Progress and Effort Prize

Eloise Tucker

UIV

Biology

Excellence and High Achievement

Alice Wills

UIV

Classics

Excellence and High Achievement

Alice Wills

UIV

English

Excellence and High Achievement

Alice Wills

UIV

Music

Excellence and High Achievement

Alice Wills

UIV

English

Progress and Effort Prize

Skye Wilson

UIV

Physics

Excellence and High Achievement

Saskia Wormsley

LV

Art

Excellence and High Achievement

Amelia Binns

LV

Physics

Progress and Effort Prize

India Burney

LV

Music

Excellence and High Achievement

Anna Chalmers

LV

Geography

Progress and Effort Prize

Wing Pui (Tiffany) Chan

LV

Modern Languages

Excellence and High Achievement

Wing Pui (Tiffany) Chan

LV

Physics

Excellence and High Achievement

Wing Pui (Tiffany) Chan

LV

English

Progress and Effort Prize

Charlotte Clover

LV

PE

Excellence and High Achievement

Charlotte Clover

LV

Music

Progress and Effort Prize

Emily Crowston

LV

Drama

Excellence and High Achievement

Eliza Downes

LV

Art

Progress and Effort Prize

Sophia Elger

177

AWARDS AND MORE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 177

07/11/2014 17:23

178

LV

Junior Olive Willis Prize

Sophia Elger

LV

Drama

Priestley Cup for Most Promising Young Performer

Florence Elliott

LV

PE

U15 Tennis Colours

Camilla Farrell

LV

Junior Olive Willis Prize

Camilla Farrell

LV

Speech & Drama

The Speech and Drama Musical Theatre Award

Rose Galbraith

LV

PE

U15 Athletics Colours

Katharine Garvin

LV

Junior Olive Willis Prize

Katharine Garvin

LV

PE

U15 Tennis Colours

Lucy Grace

LV

Biology

Progress and Effort Prize

Kirstin Gray

LV

Chemistry

Progress and Effort Prize

Lucy Harley

LV

English

Excellence and High Achievement

Olivia Harrison

LV

Modern Languages

Progress and Effort Prize

Olivia Harrison

LV

PE

U15 Tennis Colours

Olivia Harrison

LV

Lucasta Partridge-Hicks Trophy

Olivia Harrison

LV

Chemistry

Progress and Effort Prize

Aurelia Holloway

LV

Biology

Progress and Effort Prize

Si Yoon Kim

LV

Classics

Progress and Effort Prize

Si Yoon Kim

LV

Maths

Progress and Effort Prize

Claudia Kingham

LV

PE

U15 Athletics Colours

Islay Kingham

LV

Biology

Excellence and High Achievement

Janice Wing Tung Kwong

LV

ICT

Excellence and High Achievement

Oi Ka Lam

LV

Maths

Excellence and High Achievement

Oi Ka Lam

LV

History

Progress and Effort Prize

Octavia Leahy

LV

Physics

Progress and Effort Prize

Charlotte Ledger

LV

Junior Olive Willis Prize

Charlotte Ledger

LV

PE

Progress and Effort Prize

Imogen Luczyc-Wyhowska

LV

RS

Progress and Effort Prize

Marina Lykiardopulo

LV

PE

U15 Athletics Colours

Katherine Lyons

LV

PE

U15 Athletics Colours

Katherine Maloney

LV

PE

Junior Victor Ludorum Sports Cup

Sophie Manners

LV

PE

U15 Athletics Colours

Sophie Manners

LV

PE

U15 Tennis Colours

Sophie Manners

LV

Design & Technology

Excellence and High Achievement

Hebe Meredith

LV

Drama

Progress and Effort Prize

Gemma Mountain

LV

ICT

Progress and Effort Prize

Gemma Mountain

LV

Art

Bathurst LV Art Award

Honor Pattisson

LV

PE

Excellence and High Achievement

Rebecca Radford

LV

PE

U15 Athletics Colours

Rebecca Radford

LV

Junior Olive Willis Prize

Oonagh Sargentson

LV

Junior Olive Willis Prize

Isabelle Smith

LV

Design & Technology

Progress and Effort Prize

Lydia Stonehill

LV

PE

U15 Tennis Colours

Lydia Stonehill

LV

Classics

Excellence and High Achievement

Alexandra Thomas

LV

RS

Excellence and High Achievement

Alexandra Thomas

LV

PE

U15 Athletics Colours

Chidimma Umeh

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 178

07/11/2014 17:23

LV

Chemistry

Excellence and High Achievement

Alyx Van der Vorm

LV

English

The Gosse LV English Prize

Alyx Van der Vorm

LV

Geography

Excellence and High Achievement

Alyx Van der Vorm

LV

History

Excellence and High Achievement

Alyx Van der Vorm

LV

Junior Olive Willis Prize

Emma Wyatt

UV

Chemistry

Excellence and High Achievement

Esther Adebajo

UV

Drama

Excellence and High Achievement

Timilehin Afolami

UV

Design & Technology

Excellence and High Achievement

Eleanor Armstrong

UV

Design & Technology

Textiles Prize

Eleanor Armstrong

UV

Drama

Progress and Effort Prize

Amelia Benson

UV

Geography

Excellence and High Achievement

Lauren Brolly

UV

Holcombe

The Barnes Cup

Madeleine Davies

UV

History

Excellence and High Achievement

June Eric-Udorie

UV

RS

Excellence and High Achievement

June Eric-Udorie

UV

Design & Technology

Progress and Effort Prize

Freya Esam

UV

Physics

Progress and Effort Prize

Freya Esam

UV

History

Progress and Effort Prize

Charlotte Evans

UV

Aisholt

The Houghton Cup

Georgia Findlay

UV

Physics

Excellence and High Achievement

Victoria Fleming

UV

Science

BA Crest Gold Award

Elinor Fleming

UV

Physics

Excellence and High Achievement

Isabella Hancock

UV

Chemistry

Progress and Effort Prize

Emilia Hill

UV

English

Progress and Effort Prize

Cecily Hornby

UV

Physics

Progress and Effort Prize

Cecily Hornby

UV

Chemistry

Progress and Effort Prize

Lara-Lily Hurd

UV

RS

Progress and Effort Prize

Nurshat Izbassar

UV

AGN

The Austin Cup

Henrietta Johnston

UV

PE

Progress and Effort Prize

Jessica Ledger

UV

PE

Senior Swimming Colours

Jessica Ledger

UV

Tedworth

The Gwatkin Cup

Jessica Ledger

UV

Geography

Progress and Effort Prize

Eleanor Leeves

UV

Modern Languages

Progress and Effort Prize

Lucy Leventhorpe

179

UV

Art

Progress and Effort Prize

Clare Maunder

UV

RS

Overall Prize at GCSE

Clare Maunder

UV

Music

Progress and Effort Prize

Alice Palmer

UV

Geography

GCSE Investigation

Lucinda Penney

UV

Biology

Progress and Effort Prize

Amelia Porter

UV

English

Excellence and High Achievement

Livia Russell

UV

Music

Excellence and High Achievement

Livia Russell

UV

Design & Technology

Resistant Materials Prize

Ione Sandberg

UV

PE

Excellence and High Achievement

Alexandra Somerville-Cotton

UV

Classics

Excellence and High Achievement

Emma Stonebridge

UV

Art

Excellence and High Achievement

Clementine Swallow

UV

Classics

Progress and Effort Prize

Clementine Swallow

UV

Modern Languages

The Maitland French Prize

Felicia Tchen

AWARDS AND MORE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 179

07/11/2014 17:23

180

UV

Biology

Excellence and High Achievement

Emily West

UV

Maths

Excellence and High Achievement

Emily West

UV

Modern Languages

Excellence and High Achievement

Emily West

UV

PE

Senior Tennis Colours

Lara Wigan

UV

Maths

Progress and Effort Prize

Katherina (Kitty) Zeal

LVI

English

Progress and Effort Prize

Yasmin Adeniran

LVI

Social Science

Economics Progress and Effort Prize

Yasmin Adeniran

LVI

Speech & Drama

The Speech and Drama Communication Skills Award

Yasmin Adeniran

LVI

PE

Senior Athletics Colours

Yasmina Atta

LVI

Geography

The Natasha Butcher Cup for Geographical Research

Marta Barcelรณ Fontirroig

LVI

History

Progress and Effort Prize

Marta Barcelรณ Fontirroig

LVI

Social Science

Business Studies Progress and Effort Prize

Marta Barcelรณ Fontirroig

LVI

Social Science

Politics Progress and Effort Prize

Anna Black

LVI

Art

The Power Carlier Prize for Artistic Endeavour in the LVI Lauren Blair

LVI

PE

Senior Athletics Colours

Lauren Blair

LVI

Art

History of Art Progress and Effort Prize

Mathilda Blythe

LVI

Music

Excellence and High Achievement

Elizabeth Bosson

LVI

PE

Senior Tennis Colours

Matilda Burles

LVI

Drama

Excellence and High Achievement

Sarah Creedy-Smith

LVI

Social Science

Politics Excellence and High Achievement

Sarah Creedy-Smith

LVI

Design & Technology

Progress and Effort Prize

Victoria Crewe-Turrell

LVI

Art

History of Art Excellence and High Achievement

Clara de Montfort

LVI

Art

Progress and Effort Prize

Cong (Rachel) Ding

LVI

Physics

Progress and Effort Prize

Cong (Rachel) Ding

LVI

Physics

British Physics Olympiad - AS Challenge Commendation Cong (Rachel) Ding

LVI

Modern Languages

Progress and Effort Prize

Hetty Fairbanks-Smith

LVI

PE

Senior Tennis Colours

Hetty Fairbanks-Smith

LVI

Physics

British Physics Olympiad - AS Challenge Commendation Elinor Fleming

LVI

Geography

Progress and Effort Prize

Emily Flindall

LVI

Art

Julia Newton Photography Award

Marina Hacking

LVI

Design & Technology

Excellence and High Achievement

Marina Hacking

LVI

Maths

Progress and Effort Prize

Ella Henry

LVI

Modern Languages

World Languages Cup for Exceptional Linguistic

Ella Henry

Achievement

LVI

Geography

Excellence and High Achievement

Emilia Hewlett

LVI

Modern Languages

Excellence and High Achievement

Emilia Hewlett

LVI

PE

Senior Swimming Colours

Emilia Hewlett

LVI

PE

Senior Tennis Colours

Emilia Hewlett

LVI

Drama

Progress and Effort Prize

Ella Hockings

LVI

RS

Progress and Effort Prize

Lauren Holmes

LVI

PE

Excellence and High Achievement

Adetoun Karunwi

LVI

PE

Senior Athletics Colours

Adetoun Karunwi

LVI

Physics

British Physics Olympiad - AS Challenge Commendation Morolayo Lambo

LVI

PE

Senior Athletics Colours

Katy Lane

LVI

Physics

British Physics Olympiad - Bronze 1 Award

Katy Lane

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 180

07/11/2014 17:23

LVI

Science

BA Crest Gold Award

Katy Lane

LVI

Classics

Progress and Effort Prize

Anastasia Law

LVI

Physics

British Physics Olympiad - Commendation

Jessica Lea

LVI

RS

Excellence and High Achievement

Honor Loveridge

LVI

Biology

Excellence and High Achievement

Arabella Newton

LVI

Chemistry

Excellence and High Achievement

Arabella Newton

LVI

Physics

Excellence and High Achievement

Arabella Newton

LVI

Physics

British Physics Olympiad - Bronze 1 Award

Arabella Newton

LVI

Science

BA Crest Gold Award

Arabella Newton

LVI Physics

British Physics Olympiad - AS Challenge Commendation Louisa Pattisson

LVI

Biology

Excellence and High Achievement

Alice Pearson

LVI

Physics

British Physics Olympiad - Bronze 2 Award

Alice Pearson

LVI

Science

BA Crest Gold Award

Alice Pearson

LVI

Chemistry

Progress and Effort Prize

Nutchanun Poolworaluk

LVI Physics

British Physics Olympiad - AS Challenge Commendation Nutchanun Poolworaluk

LVI

English

The Rich LVI English Prize

Willa Prest

LVI

History

LVI History Prize

Willa Prest

LVI

Classics

Excellence and High Achievement

Meitao Qu

LVI

AGS

The Doherty Cup

Georgina Revell

LVI

PE

Senior Athletics Colours

Georgina Revell

LVI

PE

Senior Tennis Colours

Emily Rowse

LVI

Speech & Drama

The Speech and Drama Trinity Award

Charlotte Scobie

LVI

PE

Senior Athletics Colours

Natasha Seaton

LVI Physics

British Physics Olympiad - AS Challenge Commendation Natasha Seaton

LVI

BA Crest Gold Award

Science

Natasha Seaton

LVI Physics

British Physics Olympiad - AS Challenge Commendation Shivani Singh

LVI

Social Science

Business Studies Excellence and High Achievement

Daisy Smail

LVI

Physics

British Physics Olympiad - Bronze 2 Award

Lara Spearman

LVI

Science

BA Crest Gold Award

Lara Spearman

LVI

Social Science

Economics Excellence and High Achievement

Flora Tudhope

LVI

PE

Sports Science Progress and Effort Prize

Naomi Vallance

LVI

PE

Senior Tennis Colours

Honor Weatherall

LVI

PE

Senior Tennis Colours

Olivia Webb-Bowen

LVI

PE

Progress and Effort Prize

Meredith Webber

LVI

Art

Excellence and High Achievement

Florence Wildblood

LVI

English

Excellence and High Achievement

Florence Wildblood

LVI

RS

The Mary Midgley Prize

Florence Wildblood

LVI

Biology

Progress and Effort Prize

Louvinia Wong

LVI Physics

British Physics Olympiad - AS Challenge Commendation Louvinia Wong

LVI

Music

Progress and Effort Prize

Wai Yu

LVI

Music

The Jo Butcher Prize

Wai Yu

LVI

Maths

Excellence and High Achievement

Zhen Zhen

LVI

Physics

British Physics Olympiad - Bronze 1 Award

Zhen Zhen

LVI

Physics

British Physics Olympiad - Round 1 and Senior Physics Zhen Zhen

181

Challenge Award AWARDS AND MORE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 181

07/11/2014 17:23

182

UVI

History

Progress and Effort Prize

Tiffany Aldrich

UVI

RS

Progress and Effort Prize

Tiffany Aldrich

UVI

Art

The Russell Photography Award

Isabella Arnott

UVI

Duke of Edinburgh

Gold Award

Isabella Arnott

UVI

Duke of Edinburgh

Gold Award

Emily Asprey

UVI

Physics

Physics Prize

Katherine (Katie) Barbour-

Smith

UVI

Maths

Progress and Effort Prize

Poppy Barrett-Fish

UVI

Biology

The Margaret Gill Biology Prize

Sophie Bashall

UVI

Chemistry

Progress and Effort Prize

Sophie Bashall

UVI

Duke of Edinburgh

Gold Award

Sophie Bashall

UVI

Chemistry

Rippon Chemistry Prize

Helena Benthall

UVI

Chemistry

Royal Society of Chemistry Olympiad - Silver

Helena Benthall

UVI

Music

The Julia Dowson Cup

Helena Benthall

UVI

Design & Technology

Leiths Basic Certificate in Food and Wine - Merit

Camilla Bradstock

UVI

English

Progress and Effort Prize

Camilla Bradstock

UVI

Social Science

Politics Excellence and High Achievement

Camilla Bradstock

UVI

Chemistry

Royal Society of Chemistry Olympiad - Bronze

Isabella Wing Tung Chan

UVI

Chemistry

Royal Society of Chemistry Olympiad - Bronze

Florice Cole-Fontayn

UVI

Design & Technology

Leiths Basic Certificate in Food and Wine - Merit

Florice Cole-Fontayn

UVI Drama

The Van Oss Cup for Music, Drama and Musical Theatre Florice Cole-Fontayn

UVI

Owen Sixth Form Prize

Eleanor Dewhurst

UVI

Head Senior Prize

Eleanor Dewhurst

UVI

Biology

Progress and Effort Prize

Miriam Ayomide Disu

UVI

English

Excellence and High Achievement

Katharina Dixon-Ward

UVI

Drama

The Kate Edey Cup for All Round Contribution

Florence Dowler

Modern Languages

to Drama

UVI

Social Science

Business Studies Progress and Effort Prize

Florence Dowler

UVI

Biology

The Margaret Gill Biology Prize

Charlotte Eden

UVI

Chemistry

Royal Society of Chemistry Olympiad - Silver

Charlotte Eden

UVI

Modern Languages

Progress and Effort Prize

Victoria Ellison

UVI

Drama

Head of Drama Award

Eleanor Fenn

UVI

Classics

Progress and Effort Prize

Laura Findlay

UVI

Drama

Progress and Effort Prize

Madeleine Fletcher

UVI

Speech & Drama

The Speech and Drama RADA Award

Madeleine Fletcher

UVI

Music

The Maclean Prize

Annabel Galbraith

UVI

RS

Excellence and High Achievement

Polly Goodman

UVI

Drama

Progress and Effort Prize

Letitia Harkness

UVI

Social Science

Politics Progress and Effort Prize

Amelia Hayward-Cole

UVI

Physics

Progress and Effort Prize

Tara Hiley

UVI

Design & Technology

Leiths Basic Certificate in Food and Wine - Merit

Eleanor Hillier

UVI

Geography

Excellence and High Achievement

Eleanor Hillier

UVI

PE

Excellence and High Achievement

Eleanor Hillier

UVI

Chemistry

Royal Society of Chemistry Olympiad - Silver

Su En Hoh

UVI

History

Excellence and High Achievement

Isobel (Daisy) Jones

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 182

07/11/2014 17:23

UVI

Social Science

Economics Excellence and High Achievement

Isobel (Daisy) Jones

UVI

Speech & Drama

The Speech and Drama RADA Award

Isobel (Daisy) Jones

UVI

Biology

Excellence and High Achievement

India Kary

UVI

Geography

UVI Geography Prize

India Kary

UVI

Music

The Steen Cup

So-Eun Kim

UVI

Design & Technology

Progress and Effort Prize

Harriet Le Grice

UVI

Design & Technology

Leiths Basic Certificate in Food and Wine - Distinction Emily Lyle

UVI

Design & Technology

Leiths Basic Certificate in Food and Wine - Merit

Rosa Mayfield

UVI

Drama

Excellence and High Achievement

Clementine Melvin

UVI

Design & Technology

Elizabeth Palmer Cup for Technology

Matilda Moir

UVI

Design & Technology

Leiths Basic Certificate in Food and Wine - Distinction Matilda Moir

UVI

Modern Languages

Excellence and High Achievement

Saoirse Mai (Linh) Moran

UVI

Music

The Glanville Prize

Saoirse Mai (Linh) Moran

UVI

Geography

Progress and Effort Prize

Olivia (Libby) Morgan

UVI

Chaplain

The Parsons Chapel Cup

Brenda Njiru

UVI

Chemistry

Excellence and High Achievement

Brenda Njiru

UVI

Chemistry

Royal Society of Chemistry Olympiad - Silver

Brenda Njiru

UVI

Design & Technology

Leiths Basic Certificate in Food and Wine - Merit

Catriona Peat

UVI

Design & Technology

Leiths Basic Certificate in Food and Wine - Merit

Harriet Pettit

UVI

Design & Technology

Leiths Basic Certificate in Food and Wine - Merit

Jessica Robinson

UVI

Duke of Edinburgh

Gold Award

Jessica Robinson

UVI

Music

The Eileen Fairbank Cup

Jessica Robinson

UVI

PE

Sports Science Excellence and High Achievement

Jessica Robinson

UVI

Design & Technology

Excellence and High Achievement

Molly Ropner

UVI

Speech & Drama

The Speech and Drama Cup for Overall Excellence

Isabella Sainty

UVI

Liliana Heather Prize

Isabella Sainty

UVI

PE

Victor Ludorum Sports Cup

Eloise Sarre

UVI

Music

The Bedwell Singing Prize

Sophie Stuart-Menteth

UVI

PE

Progress and Effort Prize

Sophie Stuart-Menteth

UVI

Social Science

Economics Progress and Effort Prize

Sophie Stuart-Menteth

UVI

Chemistry

Excellence and High Achievement

Natalie Yee Thing Tan

UVI

Chemistry

Royal Society of Chemistry Olympiad - Silver

Natalie Yee Thing Tan

UVI

Maths

Excellence and High Achievement

Natalie Yee Thing Tan

UVI

Maths

Sixth Form Prize

Natalie Yee Thing Tan

UVI

Physics

Excellence and High Achievement

Natalie Yee Thing Tan

UVI

PE

Sports Science Excellence and High Achievement

Rosie Tapner

UVI

The Olive Willis Prize

Rosie Tapner

UVI

Modern Languages

The Salter Prize

Octavia Wallace

UVI

Duke of Edinburgh

Gold Award

Holiday Wallis

UVI

Music

The Marjorie Gunn Music Prize

Holiday Wallis

UVI

Design & Technology

Leiths Award

Laura Wills

UVI

Classics

Excellence and High Achievement

Hester Wolton

UVI

Foote Research Prize

Hester Wolton

UVI

Business Studies Excellence and High Achievement

Francesca Younger

Social Science

183

AWARDS AND MORE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 183

07/11/2014 17:23

New Girls 2013 Remove Victoria Aarons

Garden House School

Alexandra Adderley College 17

184

Tamilore Bolodeoku

St Saviour’s School (Nigeria)

Emma Bracken

Maltman’s Green School

Jessica Bracken

French International School

Emily Carpmael

Chiswick and Bedford Park

Zoe Carruthers

Kensington Preparatory School

Natalia Cremin

St Swithun’s Junior School

Anouk Davies

Thomas’s (Fulham)

Georgina Day

Swanbourne House School

Molly Dewar

The Manor Preparatory School

Abriella Dolbear

Hoe Bridge School

Tara Farquhar

Francis Holland

Eliza Farquharson

Bute House Preparatory School

Holly Fenn

Fulham Prep School

Charlotte Field

St Andrew’s School, Pangbourne

Imogen Fowler

The Unicorn School

Annie Hazlitt

Fulham Prep School

Jessica Hewlett

Cranford House

Mathilde Hughes

Charlotte Nicholson

Headington School

Catherine Nicol

Pembridge Hall

Nina Paterson Lambrook Sasha Percy-Davis

Mougins School

Alice Peters

Upton House School

Alessandra Pidgeon

Knightsbridge School

Olivia Pockney

Finton House School

Camilla Read

St Margaret’s School

Kitty Shepherd-Cross Swanbourne House School Lucy Sneader

Knightsbridge School

Grace Soltero

Norland Place School

Imogen Webber

Thomas’s (Battersea)

Alice Weldon

The Royal Masonic School for Girls

Helena Wormsley

Falkner House

Lower IV Charlotte Berry

Knightsbridge School

Thomas’s (Fulham)

Calypso Cox

Kellett School

Eliza Inglis

Daneshill School

Jemima Cremin

St Swithun’s School

Jade Jacomb

Milikan Middle School

Cosima Davies

Broomwood Hall

Julia Kennerley

Wellington School, Ayr

Katharine Furse

Queen Mary’s School

Alexandra Kiy

Eagle House School

Amelia Hughes

Farleigh School

Annabel Le Grice

Hurlingham School

Lara Mountain

International School Sao Lourenco

Justina Lee

Port Regis School

Georgina Pollock

British Embassy School, Ankara

Emily Manners

Thomas’s (Clapham)

Martha Rutherford

Farleigh School

Hannah Mason

MEF International School

Emma Warley

St Mary’s, Calne

Henrietta Miles

Shrewsbury High

Chaemin Yoo

Tormead School

Gariella Nelson

Cayman Prep and High School

Anna Neville

Pembridge Hall

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 184

07/11/2014 17:23

Upper IV

Lower VI

Josephine Adams

Cranford House

Yasmin Adeniran

Jumeirah English Speaking School

Eloise Bartlett

Farleigh School

Noor Al Ozeir

Garden International School

Olivia Beresford-Ritchie Marlston House School Clementine Blackett-Ord Thomas’s (Clapham) Melissa Chang

The International School of Macao

Gwendoline Choi

German Swiss International School

Laura Douglas- Hamilton

St Hugh’s School

Zara Edmiston Sandroyd Omotara Edu

Grange School

Alexa Feather

Putney High School

Sapphire Graham

Beaudesert Park

Clarissa Hahn

Collegio Vescoville Sant’Alessandro

Eliza Horn

Thomas’s (Clapham)

Ella Houston

Marlston House School

Cecilia Hughes

Farleigh School

Hebe Ide

Godstowe Preparatory School

Sarah Kwok

St Stephen’s Girls College

Georgia Lavelle

Notting Hill and Ealing High School

Monique Leong

Godstowe Preparatory School

Flora Lindsay

Marlston House School

Sacha Martin

Godstowe Preparatory School

Alexandra O’Kane

Marlston House School

Sarah Palmer

Godolphin and Latymer School

Jenna Parkinson

Broomwood Hall

Marta Barceló Bellver International College Fontirroig Matilda Burles

Putney High School

Rachel Ding

Suzhaou High School of Jiangsu Province

Alexandra Lee Anglo Chinese School (International) Louvinia Wong

Shatin College

Wai Yu

Casterton School

Jane Zhen

The High School Affiliated to the Renmin University of China

185

Bethany Perry Lambrook Nutthapit Poolworaluk Bangkok Patana School Annabel Roest

Kenton College Preparatory School

Jitiratn Rojchuphan

Godstowe Preparatory School

Daisy Spurrier

Farleigh School

Olivia Stakem

Benenden School

Jennifer Standbrook Godstowe Preparatory School Katlyn Taylor

Abberley Hall

Jennifer Tett

St Michael’s Prep School

Sasha Villiers-Smith

Mowden Hall School

Isabella West

Marlston House School AWARDS AND MORE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 185

07/11/2014 17:23

Downe through the Generations Lots of our current girls have mothers, grandmothers and aunts who have been pupils. Here we celebrate a fine tradition of educating young women.

Remove

Molly Adams Grandmother Elizabeth Farrer Aunts Corty, Jane & Sarah Culverwell

Georgina Day

Mother Aunt

Henrietta Church Carolyn Church

Minna Conybeare- Mother Camilla Robb Cross

Annie Hazlitt

Mother Aunt

Fru Hazlitt Gillian Hazlitt

Emily Dodd-Noble Grandmother

Diana Lewis

Julia Kennerley

Mother

Ghislaine Galbraith

Lucy Goodman

Mother Aunt

Pamela Blount Catherine Blount

Henrietta Miles

Aunt

Sara Miles

Lara-Lily Hurd

Aunt

Jessica Hurd

Anna Neville

Mother Aunt

Pippa Gilbert Emily Gilbert

Lucinda Penney

Grandmother

Christine Porter

Ione Sandberg

Grandmother

Aline Duncan

Emily Biggs

Mother Grandmother Aunt Great Aunt

Rosemary Harrison Audrey Hird Sheila Harrison Sylvia Willoughby

Rosie Blackburn

Mother Grandmother Aunt

Serena Bailey Patricia Gordon Fiona Bailey

Lower VI

Eliza Joll

Grandmother

Thalia Gough

Amelia Hughes

Mother

Camilla Brooks

Cassiopeia Aunt Nicola Blackett- Ord Blackett-Ord

Zara Karoly

Great Aunt

Susan Birch

Lower IV

186

Upper V

Imogen Simpson- Mother Orlebar Aunt

Julia Dopheide Patricia Dopheide

Upper IV Clementine Aunt Nicola Blackett-Ord Blackett-Ord

Hannah Simpson- Mother Orlebar Aunt

Julia Dopheide Patricia Dopheide

Poppy Wilson Aunts

Victoria, Alice, Beatrice & Henrietta Lynne

Anna Black

Mother

Penelope Reeves

Katharine Craig

Mother

Joanna Gardner

Arabella Joll

Grandmother

Thalia Gough

Jessica Lea

Aunt

Kitty Harvey

Louisa Pattisson Aunt

Jennie Every

India Roberts

Mother

Johanna Franklin

Great Aunt

Jennifer Rowse

Aunt Grandmother Great Aunt

Georgina Asprey Katrina Culverwell Bridget Culverwell

Mother

Joanna Gardner

Emily Rowse

Cecilia Hughes

Mother

Camilla Brooks

Upper VI

Elizabeth Colby

Emily Asprey

Skye Wilson Aunts Victoria, Alice, Beatrice & Henrietta Lynne Catharine Wippell Mother

Emma Wirgman

Lower V Georgina Galbraith Aunt

Ghislaine Galbraith

Rose Galbraith

Ghislaine Galbraith

Aunt

Katherine Garvin Grandmother

Clare McLeod

Honor Pattisson

Jennie Every

Aunt

Rebecca White

Matilda Burles

Rosanna Craig

Elizabeth Tatham Grandmother

Mother

Florence Dowler Aunt

Catherine Dowler

Charlotte Eden Mother Aunts Grandmother Great Aunt

Victoria Deshon Alexandra and Julia Deshon Anne Capel Robin Moody

Annabel Galbraith Aunt

Ghislaine Galbraith

Polly Goodman

Mother Aunt

Pamela Blount Catherine Blount

Catriona Peat

Grandmother Aunt

April Cobbold Sally-Anne Peat

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 186

07/11/2014 17:23

Scholarships, Exhibitions & Awards Remove

Scholar

Exhibitioner Award

Bracken, Emma

Art

Bugeja, Lucia

Music Exhibition

Carpmael, Emily

Academic

Dewar, Molly

Music

Inglis, Eliza

Academic

Neville, Anna

Sport

Nicol, Catherine

Academic

Read, Camilla

Academic

Shepherd-Cross, Kitty Sport

Lower Fourth

Scholar

Exhibitioner Award

Berry, Charlotte (new)

Art

Carter, Calypso

Academic

Cunningham, Lucy

Music

Fanshawe, Florence

Art

Fincham, Isabel Academic Furse, Katharine (new) Music Hewitson, Georgia

Academic

Huby, Maya

Academic

Mountain, Lara (new)

Art

McKay, Alisia

Academic

Smith, Amelia

Art

Woodruff, Miranda

Art

Upper Fourth

Exhibitioner Award

Scholar

187

Anastassopoulos Tubby, Academic Georgina Bevan, Ilaria

Academic

Bracher, Lara

Sport

Brown, Isabelle

Sport

Chang, Melissa (new)

Art

Choi, Gwendoline (new) Academic Collins, Claudine

Drama

Craig, Isabella

Academic

Douglas-Hamilton, Laura (new)

All Rounder

Feather, Alexa (new)

Sport

Griffith, Lauren

Academic

Hewitt, Anna

Drama AWARDS AND MORE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 187

07/11/2014 17:23

Horn, Eliza (new)

Drama

Hornby, Verity

Drama

Houston, Ella (new)

All Rounder & Sport

Huber, Isabella

Music Art

Hughes, Amelia

Music Exhibition

Kelisky, Sophie

Drama

Kwok, Sarah

Music

Lahiri, Francesca

Academic

Litton, Rachael

Academic

O’Kane, Alexandra (new)

Art

Pemberton, Jessica

Academic

Perry, Bethany (new) All Rounder Pope, Matilda

Academic

Prentis, Sophie (new)

Sport

Roest, Annabel (new) Academic

188

Ryan, Henrietta

Drama

Scobie, Victoria

Art

Tarling, Georgina

Drama

Wippell, Catharine

Drama

Art

Wills, Alice

Academic

Wormsley, Saskia

Drama

Lover Five

Scholar

Exhibitioner Award

Allen, Henrietta

Drama

Academic

Chalmers, Anna Chan, Tiffany

Academic

Music

Coulson, Jasmine

Sport

Crawfurd, Violet

Music

Downes, Eliza

Drama

Elger, Sophia

Music

Eversfield, Isabel

Sport

Farrell, Camilla

Academic

Sport

Galbraith, Rose

Music

Grace, Lucy

Sport

Hanson, Iona

Art

Harrison, Olivia

Academic

Harborne, Celine

Academic

Drama

Holloway, Poppy

Academic

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 188

07/11/2014 17:23

Kim, Rebecca

Art

Kwong, Janice

Music

Lam, Natalie

Music

Academic

Leahy, Octavia

Sport

Maloney, Katharine

Music

Manners, Sophie

Sport

McAlpine, Melissa

Sport

Padovan, Daisy

Sport

Phillips, Lucy

Academic

Quillen, Caroline

Academic

Radford, Rebecca

Sport

Rice, Zoe

Drama

Sargentson, Oonagh

Head’s Award

Singh, Sereena

Academic

Smith, Isabelle

Art

Thomas, Alexandra

Academic

Thomas, Elvira

Academic

Tung, Jane

Music Exhibition

Ward, Georgina

Academic

Wasterfall, Rumbidzai

Academic

189

Art

Watkinson, Caroline Drama Winsor, Poppy

Art

Upper Five

Scholar

Adams, Molly

Sport

Afolami, Timilehin

Drama

Armstrong, Eleanor

Drama

Bergstrom, Sarah

Exhibitioner Award

Art

Brolly, Lauren

Academic

Conroy, Violet

Drama

Corfield, Isadora

Art and Drama

Dodd-Noble, Emily

Art

Fleming, Victoria Goodman, Lucy

Head’s Award

Drama

Hill, Emily

Academic

Johnston, Henrietta

Art

Maunder, Clare

Art

Milne, Amelia

Academic AWARDS AND MORE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 189

07/11/2014 17:23

Min, Kelly

Music

Russell, Livia

Music

Shaw, Miranda

Academic

Swallow, Clementine

Academic

Tahany, Cordelia

Drama & Sport

West, Emily

Academic

Wigan, Lara

Academic & Sport

Yerburgh, Amelia

Drama

Academic

Lower SIxth

Scholar

Exhibitioner Award

Blackett-Ord, Cassiopeia

Sixth Form

GCSE

Bosson, Elizabeth

Sixth Form

GCSE

Geraldine James (Drama)

GCSE

Music

Craig, Katharine Creedy-Smith, Sarah

Academic, Sixth Form & GCSE Geraldine James (Drama)

De Montfort, Clara

Art

Fairbanks-Smith, Hetty Henry, Ella 190

GCSE

Academic

Hewlett, Emilia

All Rounder

GCSE

Hockings, Ella

Geraldine James (Drama)

GCSE

Kiehl, Lucy

Languages

Lane, Katie

GCSE

Law, Anastasia

GCSE

Lea, Jessica

GCSE

Loveridge, Honor

GCSE

Academic & Sixth Form

Manson, Helena

GCSE

Montgomerie, Henrietta

Head’s Award

Newton, Arabella

GCSE

Academic & Sixth Form

Pattisson, Louisa

GCSE

Pearson, Alice

GCSE

Prest, Willa

GCSE

Academic

Qu, Meitao

GCSE

Scobie, Charlotte

Geraldine James (Drama)

GCSE

Seaton, Natasha

Academic

GCSE

Singh, Shivani

Sixth Form

Academic

Spearman, Lara

GCSE

Tudhope, Flora

GCSE

Wildblood, Florence

Sixth Form

Academic & Sixth Form

GCSE

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 190

07/11/2014 17:23

Whitbread, Roseanna

All Rounder

Yu, Wai

Music

Upper SIxth

Scholar

Barrett-Fish, Poppy

GCSE

Exhibitioner Award Music

Bashall, Sophie

Academic & Sixth Form

Benthall, Helena

Academic

Sixth Form

Bruce-Gardner, Lucy Art Burton, Felicity

Music

Dewhurst, Eleanor

Sixth Form

Dixon-Ward, Katharina Sixth Form Eden, Charlotte

Academic

Sixth Form

Elliot, Anabel

Head’s Award

Fletcher, Madeleine

Geraldine James Award

Galbraith, Annabel

Music

Goodman, Polly

Academic

Graveson, Harriet

Academic

Jones, Daisy

Sixth Form

Geraldine James Award

Kary, India

Sixth Form

Kim, So-Eun

Music

Academic

Kirk, Alexia

Languages & Sixth Form

Moran, Linh

Music

Nield, Kendall

Academic & Sixth Form

Njiru, Brenda

Sixth Form

Robinson, Jessica

Music

Sainty, Isabella Sarre, Eloise

Beckwith

191

Head’s Award

Sixth Form

Shipton, Sophie

Head’s Award

Stuart-Menteth, Sophie Music Wallis, Holiday

Music

Wolton, Hester

Sixth Form

Wallace, Octavia

Academic

AWARDS AND MORE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 191

07/11/2014 17:23

University Destinations

192

Surname

Name University

Course

Al Saud

Al Johara

SOUTHAMPTON

Foundation - Humanities, Arts & S. Sciences 2014

Aldous Sophia

EXETER

Modern Languages

2014

Aldrich Tiffany

EXETER

History

2014

Anadkat Sheena

ST. ANDREWS

English and Theological Studies

2014

Ansell Serena

EXETER

Art History and Visual Culture

2014

Barbour-Smith Katherine OXFORD

Engineering

2014

Barrett-Fish Poppy

WARWICK

Economics

2014

Bashall Sophie

QUEEN MARY LONDON

Medicine

2014

Black Katya

UNIVERSITY OF WEST OF ENG

Business and Events Management

2014

Bonsor Eleanor BRISTOL

English

2014

Bradstock Camilla

EXETER

Politics and French

2014

Brown Isabel

EXETER

Politics and International Relations

2014

Burton Felicity

SHEFFIELD

Medicine

2014

Callender Tessa CAMBRIDGE

Geography

2014

Campbell-Harris Alexandra UCL

Modern Languages

2014

Chan

Pharmacy

2014

Clover Catherine LEEDS

Politics

2015

Cole-Fontayn Florice

LIVERPOOL

Veterinary Science

2014

Coleman Iona

BRISTOL

French and Spanish

2014

Craig Amy

ST. ANDREWS

Medicine

2014

Cuthbert-Brown Isabella

EXETER

Politics and International Relations

2014

Dewhurst Eleanor

DURHAM

Modern Languages

2014

Disu Ayomide

SWANSEA

International Relations

2014

Dowler Florence

OXFORD BROOKES

Drama/Film Studies

2015

Downes Annabel

LEEDS

History of Art

2015

Elliot Anabel

SOUTHAMPTON

Economics and Politics

2015

Ellison Victoria

BRISTOL

History of Art and Italian (4 years)

2014

Elvidge Farran

IMPERIAL

Mechanical Engineering

2014

Enoch Charlotte

EXETER

Business and Management

2014

Farrow Amber NEWCASTLE

Architecture

2014

Fenn Eleanor

BRISTOL

Theatre and Film

2014

Fenton Beulah

MANCHESTER

Biomedical Sciences

2014

Findlay Laura LIVERPOOL

Classics

2015

Fothergill Odette

Biological Sciences

2014

Isabella UCL

EXETER

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 192

07/11/2014 17:23

Galbraith Annabel

NEWCASTLE

Combined Honours

2014

Gibson Niamh

EXETER

Medical Sciences

2014

Goodman Polly

OXFORD

Theology and Religion

2014

Graveson Harriet

NEWCASTLE

Financial Mathematics

2014

Harkness Letitia

EXETER

History and French (4 years)

2014

Harwood Serena EXETER

Geography

2014

Hayward-Cole Amelia

NEWCASTLE

Politics and Sociology

2015

Hiley Tara

SHEFFIELD

Landscape Architecture

2014

Hillier Eleanor BRISTOL

Geography

2014

Hoh

Chemistry

2014

Jones Isobel CAMBRIDGE

History

2014

Kary India OXFORD

Geography

2014

Kim So-Eun

EXETER

Liberal Arts with Study Abroad (4 years)

2014

Kirk Georgina

ST. ANDREWS

International Relations

2014

Le Grice

LEEDS

History of Art and Italian A

2015

Leahy Anna

EDINBURGH

Sustainable Development

2014

Lyle Emily

OXFORD BROOKES

Business Management/Sociology

2015

Mayfield Rosa BRISTOL

Psychology

2015

Melvin Clementine EXETER

Art History and Visual Culture

2014

Mills Olivia

Film and Literature

2014

Moran Saoirse EXETER

Psychology

2015

Morgan Olivia LIVERPOOL

Geography

2015

Nield Kendall

History and Italian A

2014

Njiru Brenda CAMBRIDGE

Engineering

2014

Palmer Alice

EXETER

English and Drama

2014

Pattisson Mary

LEEDS

English & Philosophy

2014

Peat Catriona EDINBURGH

Geography

2014

Perry Danielle

NEWCASTLE

Business Management

2014

Pettit Harriet

EDINBURGH

Accounting and Finance

2014

Poolworaluk Nutthaphat LSE

Management

2014

Radford Jessica

LEEDS

Politics and Sociology

2015

Rausing Lucy

EDINBURGH

History of Art

2014

Rayner Florence

BRISTOL

French and Russian (4 years)

2014

Roberts Jessica

NEWCASTLE

Modern Languages

2014

Robinson Jessica

NOTTINGHAM

Physiotherapy

2015

Su En

Harriet

QUEEN MARY LONDON

WARWICK

LEEDS

193

AWARDS AND MORE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 193

07/11/2014 17:23

194

Ropner Flora

MANCHESTER

Philosophy and Criminology

2014

Ropner Molly

LEEDS

History of Art

2014

Russell-Parsons Charlotte EXETER

Liberal Arts

2014

Sainty Isabella

History of Art

2014

Shipton Sophie LEEDS

Politics

2015

Showering Grace

OXFORD BROOKES

History of Art

2014

Straker Lucinda

EDINBURGH

Social Anthropology

2014

Stuart-Menteth Sophie

ST. ANDREWS

Modern History

2014

Tan Natalie

OXFORD

Materials Science

2014

Tapner Rose

GREENWICH

Film & TV Production

2015

Turton Katherine MANCHESTER

History of Art

2014

Walker Georgina

OXFORD

Fine Art

2014

Wallace Octavia

EXETER

Flexible Combined Honours

2014

Wallis Holiday

KINGS COLLEGE LONDON

Liberal Arts

2014

Wang Nashuyuan WARWICK

Film Studies

2014

Watt Alice

QUEEN’S BELFAST

Medicine

2014

Wills Laura

BRISTOL

History of Art and Spanish

2015

Wolton Hester BRISTOL

Classics

2014

Wright Amelia

Politics and Arabic

2014

Younger Francesca MANCHESTER

Business Studies

2015

Yusifli Sona

Politics of the International Economy

2014

EDINBURGH

EXETER

KINGS COLLEGE LONDON

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-14

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Text.indd 194

07/11/2014 17:23

School Officers 2013/14 Head Senior

Games Captain

Eleanor Dewhurst

Eloise Sarre

Deputy Head Senior

Head of Drama

Isabella Sainty

Eleanor Fenn

Seniors

Head of Music

Helena Benthall Isabel Brown Eleanor Hillier Polly Goodman Kendall Nield Octavia Wallace

Sophie Stuart-Menteth So-Eun Kim

Head Ambassador Isobel Jones Jessica Roberts

Aisholt Brenda Njiru Florence Dowler Sona Yusifli 2

Head Deputy Head Deputy Head

AGN Katherine Barbour-Smith Tiffany Aldrich Harriet Pettit

Head Deputy Head Deputy Head

AGS Jessica Robinson Tara Hiley Emily Lyle

Head Deputy Head Deputy Head

Holcombe Anabel Elliot Florice Cole-Fontayn Annabel Galbraith

Head Deputy Head Deputy Head

Tedworth Hester Wolton Madeleine Fletcher Lulu Straker

Head Deputy Head Deputy Head

Ambassadors Venetia Armitage Isabella Arnott Charlotte Eden Su En Hoh India Kary Nutthaphat Poolworaluk Rosie Tapner Amber Williams Laura Wills

195

Heads of Lower School Felicity Burton Matilda Moir

Lower School Seniors Catherine Clover Victoria Ellison Harriet Le Grice Olivia Morgan Amelia Wright

Literary Senior Katharina Dixon-Ward

Editor of School Magazine Alexia Kirk

AWARDS AND MORE

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Cover.indd 2

07/11/2014 17:51

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-2014

DOWNE HOUSE Hermitage Road, Cold Ash, Thatcham, Berks RG18 9JJ t 01635 200286 www.downehouse.net www.bainesdesign.co.uk A60004

A60004 Downe House Magazine 2014 Cover.indd 1

DOWNE HOUSE 2013-2014

07/11/2014 17:51