Downe House School Magazine 2024-25

A message from our outgoing Head & Deputy Head Seniors

As your outgoing Head and Deputy Head Seniors, we want to wish you all the best of luck in your future endeavours. You have done so well and should be incredibly proud of everything you have achieved over the past school year. No matter what year you are in at Downe, your hard work and dedication never go unnoticed.

Looking back on our time here, we have made some of the most amazing memories — and we know that you will too. So, cherish your time together and continue creating lifelong memories, because it all goes by so fast! Be present. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, ask questions, and always remember to be grateful — because life can be so subtle that you may not even notice yourself walking through doors you once only hoped would open.

Thank you all for everything you have done for us. We would especially like to extend our gratitude to the members of staff who have helped us flourish during our time at Downe House.

Thank you for allowing us to be part of the Downe House community. We will miss you all!

With all our best wishes,

Emilia Lim, Head Senior and Anjola Bolodeoku, Deputy Head Senior

Headmistress’s Introduction

The quality of the educational experience we deliver at Downe is of utmost important to us, as is the breadth of opportunities open to the girls. The culture of the School is one of participating, and I never cease to be amazed by how our pupils do not hesitate to make the most of all that is on offer.

They are supported and encouraged by both their peers and their teachers to explore new interests and develop their considerable talents. One cannot fail but to be inspired by the relentless enthusiasm shown by the girls. Whether they are excelling in the classroom, in their music, sport, dance, drama, creative arts or contributing to the wider school and local community, they can always be relied upon to do so with grace, humility and a wonderful sense of fun too. The Downe House spirit and the way the girls support one another are very special, and I hope that you get a sense of this in the pages which follow.

In spite of some significant challenges for the independent school sector, it is more important than ever not to stand still but to continue to develop and progress. At Downe, we have maintained a strong focus on our programme of ‘Leadership for All’ which encourages every girl, regardless of character, to develop as leaders. Our Global programme which now

includes a significantly expanded Global Internship initiative, as well as a unique Global Schools Exchange programme, is unrivalled in any school in the UK. The development of our new Exploring Europe curriculum for the Lower School will ensure that every girl at every stage throughout her school journey develops an understanding of the world around her through first hand experiences. Our AI strategy and training have been at the cutting edge in schools. Finally, our Community Engagement initiative also helps all girls to get a sense of their immediate community and how they can best serve it.

In short, we remain committed to ensuring our young women leave Downe equipped for the world beyond and ready to play their part. I could not be more proud of all that they have achieved in 2024/5 with the support of our staff and their families. The world will be a better and richer place for their input.

Mrs Emma McKendrick

House Life

Willis

What a tremendous year this has been! Our girls have worked incredibly hard and there is much to celebrate.

Notwithstanding the many weekly activities, rehearsals and lessons that the girls are involved with all year, there have been a number of key signature and special events. These include the Remembrance Day service, which the girls organised so beautifully, the Michaelmas Concert, the St John’s Concert in Oxford and the Carol Service. The year ended with Founder’s Weekend and MAD Day. The sports teams have continued to excel, and girls have contributed on stage and behind the scenes in such amazing productions as Avatar and Little Women. As House staff, we are full of admiration for the way in which our girls have met the high standards we set for them, and it is always a joy to see the culmination of their efforts at these events.

We have been particularly impressed by the way in which the new School Officers have stepped up into their roles so brilliantly. Led by Hettie and Rose, the Seniors have all the potential to be one of the strongest teams we have had, and we look forward to seeing all that they achieve. We have been working on Public Speaking and the girls have done so well in their presentations to the school and to the wider community.

Our girls have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to their studies and have shown great enthusiasm and determination all year. It is safe to say that we are very proud of them all! We look forward to supporting them through the challenges of their final year at school.

The Willis House Team

It is hard to believe that this has been our final term in York House. Time has truly flown, and this past year has been one of celebration, hard work and unforgettable moments with the people who have made this place feel like home. We have been brilliantly supported in the transition to the next stage of our lives, ready for university and beyond.

The Michaelmas term feels like a lifetime ago now, when sending off our university applications was a nervewracking but exciting moment. The joy of receiving offers definitely made all the stress worth it. There was so much encouragement in York, from both friends and staff, and it was lovely to see everyone cheering one another on as offers rolled in.

As well as our university applications, members of York also showcased their talents in other areas. The Michaelmas Concert was a musical highlight, with The Snowman performance being particularly enchanting and magical in the leadup to Christmas. Things only became more festive from that moment, with a cosy Christingle service in the courtyard, a fiercely competitive gingerbread-house decorating competition, and a relaxing Christmas trip to Oxford. There was no better way to wrap up the term and head into the holidays.

Lent term arrived with mock exams and revision, but that didn’t stop us from having fun! Members of York thoroughly enjoyed attending Downe House’s very own funfair, complete with many exciting rides – giving us a much-needed break from revision. We also got stuck into cooking in preparation for life beyond Downe, with university cooking sessions including a spaghetti bolognese masterclass and some baking—brownie boxes and Welsh cakes for St David’s

York

Day were standout favourites. And of course, Happy Day stole the show. As it was our last one, we went all out with the 2000s-themed York costumes. It was a day filled with laughter, with highlights including the unforgettable “pie a teacher” event and an extremely competitive bench-ball match as the two sides of the House went head-to-head. The day also marked a return to A Level revision and a goodbye to the senior roles we have enjoyed immensely. We have learnt so much from these positions.

Summer term has meant the reality of our final days at Downe has truly begun to sink in. Between Mindfulness Monday yoga, Haribo tennis breaks, and soaking up the sun in the courtyard, we have tried to make the most of every moment before we leave, with a few final 18th-birthday celebrations thrown in for good measure. We have celebrated our time here in style with black-tie and cocktail dinners, reflecting on our journey and all we have achieved together. One of the most memorable highlights has been the school production of Avatar, which absolutely blew us away. With stunning costumes and incredible dancing, we were so proud of all the York girls who took part.

These past two years in York have been truly unforgettable - filled with laughter, chocolate tasting and quiz nights, Saturday-night pizzas and Strictly, and so much more. Our friendships will last long beyond our time at Downe. We have grown so much together, supporting one another through countless milestones, and we will most definitely miss the York House family when we leave. Thank you to everyone on our team who made it such a special two years—it is tough to say goodbye.

Jemima Booth, Head of York, Freya Hanbury, Head of Tedworth (both UVI)

As another vibrant year draws to a close, we take a moment to reflect on the many memories, achievements and shared experiences that have shaped life in AGN.

This year was a true celebration of our pupils’ talents, spirit and determination, with AGN making its mark in every arena. During Michaelmas term, we took to the stage in House Drama with our Lower Sixth seniors-led production of “Downe Hill”, which followed two pupils trying to expel their nasty housemistress. Our cast and crew dedicated themselves fully and delivered an engaging performance that was well-received by both staff and pupils alike.

Lent term saw a wide range of competitions that gave pupils the opportunity to shine across various fields. Innovation and teamwork were key in House Science and Lego. Our students impressed the judges with both creativity and problemsolving skills, earning a well-deserved win in House Science.

The highlight of the term, however, was House Music. AGN delivered a powerful and polished performance that showcased both musical talent and teamwork, impressing the judges and earning us Best Instrumental Performance and title of Best Overall House. The result was a moment of immense pride for everyone involved and could not have happened without our Lower Sixth Seniors.

Lent term ended on a high note with House Dance and Gym, where pupils displayed impressive skills and energy, showcasing a lively and well-rehearsed performance.

House Gym, led by Lower Fifths, was a display of leadership, collaboration and enthusiasm. Pupils from Remove to Upper Fourth were chosen by their skills and eagerness, and trained diligently for two months, before performing their self-choreographed routine, showcasing the passion and dedication of everyone involved.

Meanwhile, House Dance was a dynamic celebration of creativity and talent. Although challenging, pupils went

AGN

out of their comfort zone and worked diligently, delivering captivating performances on the stage of the PAC that reflected their passion and hard work.

Throughout the year, AGN has been alive with a variety of events that brought the House together in many ways. Our Christmas House Trip and party were standout moments filled with laughter and shared memories, which also allowed us to unwind after a busy term and head into the holidays feeling refreshed and connected.

Closer to home, highlights included our Friday tabletop treats, where we could wind down at the end of the week with a selection of fresh fruits and sweets – an enjoyable way to relax and recharge. Another firm favourite has been the iconic Toast Mountains, which are lovingly prepared by our matrons. This weekly tradition always brings smiles and satisfies hungry appetites. These small but meaningful rituals have quickly become part of AGN’s unique charm.

As we bid farewell to this school year, we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our Sixth Form Heads of House – Zoe Mareschal de Charentenay, Janice Lee and Alice Gillham. You have each brought so much energy and leadership to the House. Whether rallying us for the Inter-House competitions or offering kind support during your weekly visits, your impact to our House has been immeasurable. We are so grateful for everything you’ve done and wish you all the best in your future endeavours!

This year also marks the departure of our beloved Deputy Housemistress – Miss Briv, who will be joining Aisholt as their new Housemistress. Your warm encouragement, light-hearted spirit and unwavering support have been a cornerstone of life in AGN, shaping the experience of so many. We wish you every success in this exciting new chapter, and look forward to the friendly rivalry between our Houses in the years to come!

Hitomi Kotaka (Yip) & Johanna Schmitt (both LV)

AGS

AGS, as usual, started the year with a bang! The whole House headed to the New Forest for a day of team bonding in mixed-year groups. We tried everything from archery to the “leap of faith” and a climbing challenge. It was a brilliant way to connect as a House before lessons began.

In Michaelmas, AGS collaborated with Priors’ Court - a special school for children and autistic young people with complex needs, and our House charity - to produce a Christmas song. We met with their music staff and worked on instruments, lyrics and the track. We later recorded it and filmed a music video with their students. It was an amazing experience and everyone loved being part of it.

Charlotte Benson (UV)

The AGS Staff Christmas Tea and our Christmas party were festive highlights. We welcomed staff from across school for snacks and celebrations, followed by our party the next day — with games, karaoke, a catwalk and dancing! This year, Mrs Kingston continued ‘International Wednesday’, celebrating the cultures of countries including like India, Italy, Sweden and Hong Kong. We’ve danced reels, sung Swedish karaoke, and eaten everything from kilos of pasta to homemade dishes. Safe to say, it’s a very popular night!

‘Fabulous Friday’, run by the Upper Fifth, has also been a hit. From Pitch Perfect karaoke to UNO and T-shirt making, there’s always something fun (and snacks) involved. On Mondays, Miss Stonebridge leads Middle Ground — our discussion group exploring news and current events, helping us stay connected with the world beyond school. At the end of Michaelmas, AGS played a lethal game of Assassins — each person with a target and a weapon. It got competitive (even sibling betrayal!) and was so popular we played again in Lent term, even more intensely.

Henrietta Simpkin (LVI)

We enjoyed our first ever joint House Supper with AGN. We challenged each other to wear as much House colour as possible (we won) and then played a nail-biting game of dodgeball that ended in a tie. Rock-paper-scissors decided it — sadly not in our favour (so next year we’re coming back stronger!). House Music is always a highlight. This year, AGS showed real variety — from Fleetwood Mac’s Songbird to Cinema Paradiso and finishing with Hannah Montana’s You’ll Always Find Your Way Back Home. Huge thanks to Angelina and the Lower Sixth team for planning and rehearsals.

Margaret Tam (UV)

AGS@Home was a Mamma Mia-themed dinner, with plenty of dancing queens! We raised over £10,000 for Prior’s Court, and every year group performed — from music to drama to a surprise flash mob. In April, Phillipa Drysdale (UV) represented AGS in the Galbraith Debating Competition, debating the motion This house believes the age of the male is over. It was thought-provoking and fun to debate with girls across years. Even though we didn’t win we learnt so much. In Lent, Sage Lau and Lily Colville choreographed a dance based on The Elements for House Dance. It was amazing to see so much talent. AGS won Best Choreography!

Eloise Harrison (UV)

This year we had six socials with schools including Winchester, Eton and Radley. The Radley black-tie event, themed A Night at the Oscars, was a favourite — with a photo booth, great food, and the dance floor shaking during Fireball. A special thank you to the CCA team for making these amazing nights happen. Three AGS girls had their confirmations this summer on a sunny day — a lovely, reflective end to a busy year. We also had our first House Assembly with everyone from Remove to Upper Sixth. We celebrated achievements and thanked our wonderful seniors. We’ll miss you all! To mark the Upper Fifth’s last AGS night, we had dinner in Newbury, speeches, ice cream, dancing — and a House staff performance we’ll never forget. Thanks for three amazing years. Don’t miss us too much!

Olivia Tuite and Louisa Burges Watson (both UV)

Aisholt

This year in Aisholt House has been defined by a deep sense of belonging, shared purpose, and community spirit. From the first evening of sushi making with the new Upper Fourth to the final House Meeting’s ‘How to with Hilly’, the girls of Aisholt have supported one another through every challenge and celebrated each success together. At the heart of it all is our House motto—Ambulamus Cum Amicis—we walk with friends. It’s more than just words; it’s how we live every day.

We were delighted to welcome several new staff who quickly became integral to Aisholt life. Miss Burcher joined as Assistant Housemistress, bringing with her the much-loved Evie, Luna and Lottie. She introduced Wellbeing Wednesday, filled with thoughtful activities like homemade stress balls and clay crafting. Miss Serrano brought energy, laughter, and an increase in spontaneous Spanish, as well as the ever-popular game of Mafia. In January, we said goodbye to our beloved Rigs and warmly welcomed Mrs Jenkins (affectionately known as Jenks) whose kindness and toast mountains have quickly become adored.

Throughout the year, Aisholt came together for beloved traditions that made everyday moments special: Dorm Dinners, Cereal Saturdays, Nacho Nights, and Disney Sunday mornings in pyjamas. Summer brought fierce Swingball battles in the garden, and Bonfire Night lit up both the sky and our spirits. We ended exams with celebratory dinners out and celebrated in style at our House Supper, dressing up as what we wanted to be when we were younger.

House Competitions were a highlight once again. While we didn’t always take first place, our enthusiasm, unity, and sportsmanship stood out. House Drama began the year with ‘The Maid in the Manor’, expertly led by Serena Stewart and Sophie Lambourne (LVI) and brought to life by standout performances from Niamh Hallas (UIV) and Tabisa Iakovleva (UV). House Music followed, with creative direction from Polly Fowler, Georgia Ainscough, Zimo (Emily) Huang (LVI), Ojuolape Ayoola, Tabisa Iakovelva and Teri Adesida (UV).

Our rendition of Descendants, a House favourite, and a moving instrumental of ‘Interstellar’ featuring Emily Meng’s organ accompaniment—earned well-deserved awards: Mingxi Li (LV) for Best Accompanist and Zimo (Emily) Huang (LVI) for Best Conductor. In House Gym and Dance, Yichen (Angel) Dai (LVI), Annabel Coghill and Tee-J Mwenebungu (LV) led with strength and creativity, and we were proud of Yichen (Angel) Dai and Autumn Kirk (Remove) for winning individual prizes.

We also celebrated victories in House Maths, House Lego (again!), and the new House Investment competition, where the “Wolves of Wall Street” team triumphed—marking a strong year for logic, problem-solving, and teamwork.

As I leave the House and handover to Miss Brivio-Stone I am so proud to leave Aisholt as a place where friendships grow, traditions thrive, and every girl finds her place. As I look back on this year, we do so with gratitude to everyone who makes Aisholt the place it is, pride in every girl, and a sense of excitement for their continuing bright future.

Miss Rebecca Hillier, Housemistress (Aisholt)

Holcombe

Holcombe House has enjoyed one of its most successful years yet, winning multiple House competitions throughout the year. We began the year on a high note in the Michaelmas term with a memorable victory in House Drama.

The Lower Sixth poured their energy and creativity into producing an incredible play in such a short amount of time. Their dedication paid off as Holcombe won with the play The Stranger Within. Next came House Music, where the entire House showed loads of enthusiasm and teamwork. Everyone gave their all and our efforts were rewarded with first place for the House Choir. Getting to perform with pupils from all year groups, including the Lower School, was so much fun and one of my favourite parts of House competitions. House Dance was another standout moment. After weeks of rehearsals, the group and duo delivered a brilliant performance that secured us first place overall. House Gym was just as amazing, and they performed their routine flawlessly and again won overall. I was fortunate enough to be a captain for House Gym this year, and I found working alongside the younger years so much fun. Watching all their hard work come together in the final performance was so rewarding. Holcombe House has had an outstanding year, I’m so proud to be part of such a passionate, enthusiastic, and hardworking House.

Cecilia Harris (LV)

In the Michaelmas term, Holcombe held a House event called Holcombe at Home, a dinner in which parents and girls from all year groups come together to celebrate the House’s achievements with delicious food and fun quizzes. It was a wonderful chance for everyone to get to know each other better and we also enjoyed two lovely performances which displayed the House’s musical talent. Some parents kindly donated prizes for the raffle, including candles and pillows. It is safe to say everyone had a fantastic time and we are already looking forward to the next Holcombe at Home!

Zara Sutherland and Dissara Kurmarohita (UIV)

During the Michaelmas term, we had the opportunity to visit the local Winchcombe care home. It was a great experience as we worked together across different year groups to prepare for the visit. We spent a lot of time rehearsing Christmas hymns for the residents to enjoy. The residents were very friendly and welcoming and really appreciated our visit as we received many smiles. At the end of the visit, we got to go to McDonald’s as a treat, which was definitely a highlight!

Elizabeth Carter Shaw (UIV)

Tedworth

At the start of the year, stepping into the role of House prefects felt like a huge responsibility with big shoes to fill, but also a real opportunity to make a difference in House life. Helping out around Tedworth and taking part in House Family activities gave us the chance to connect with pupils across different year groups, getting to know them and offering support whenever needed.

We had always looked up to the prefects before us, admiring the confident way they led and the positive differences they made, so it still feels almost unreal that this year, it was our turn to step up and hopefully have that same kind of impact.

House Drama was definitely a highlight of the year, with auditions being the most challenging part. With time pressure tight between casting and production, it was an intense competition. As the team leading it, we felt a real responsibility to bring everyone’s ideas together and shape something that reflected the whole House. There were moments of doubt when we wondered if we could meet expectations, but throughout the exhausting rehearsals, we kept each other going. The process taught us so much about leadership, teamwork and resilience, and helped us appreciate the incredible talent in our Tedworth community. By the time the play came together, it felt truly special.

House Music brought its own challenges, especially with tight timings during exam season, which affected all year groups. Balancing rehearsals with demanding study schedules was stressful, and sometimes keeping up felt impossible. These shared struggles brought us closer and reminded us we were in it together, not just as competitors but as a family. This helped us turn stress into motivation and growth. Every rehearsal became more than just practice. It was a chance to reconnect and remember why we loved being part of House. When we won Best Choral and Best Presented House, it felt like a celebration of all the hours of work and passion poured into every note.

All these experiences, whether House Drama, Music, Dance or prefect duties, helped us grow in ways we never expected. The leadership we developed inspired us to apply for House Senior roles and prepared us to take on more responsibility and shape the future of the House. It gave us purpose and confidence, knowing we were trusted to guide others and carry on the traditions we value. This year has been incredibly busy for everyone, but the support we’ve received has made it truly special. The House spirit of Ubuntu — togetherness, unity and mutual support — is at the heart of everything. The rehearsals, the hard work, the celebrations have been about building a community where everyone belongs.

We are proud of what we achieved together and excited to see how the next year unfolds, with the spirit of Ubuntu in our Tedworth community guiding us forward.

Alexia Cheuk, Esmee Haefner and Imogen Baxter, Tedworth Seniors (all LVI)

I have really enjoyed my first year at Downe House, but specifically my time in House. Even as a day girl, I’ve always felt included in Tedworth, and this year I have definitely experienced the strong focus on team spirit and supporting one another! I was involved in House Drama and House Music, which were both so fun and it was a lovely chance to talk to others throughout the House and get to know them! I felt thoroughly immersed in the Tedworth team spirit, and all of the Sixth Form were so approachable. Coming from my old school, it was obvious to me how much more Houses mean to everyone at Downe, and I felt that the Tedworth girls demonstrated their pride in the House the most!

Arabella Heslop (UIV)

My first year at Downe House was very exciting as it was my first time going to a boarding school. Luckily, I made lots of new friends who I have made unforgettable memories with. At first, I felt really nervous about boarding, but the House staff made me feel very welcome. Additionally, there were many activities to distract me from feeling homesick. For example, competitions between House Families. This was a great opportunity to get to know the older girls from Tedworth. They are all super lovely! As well as that, at the beginning of the term, we went on a whole House trip. We did wall climbing and I had such an amazing time! As an overseas pupil, I don’t get to go home very often, so I stay in most weekends. We do so many fun things, such as cinema trips, shopping trips, escape rooms and many more. Before the end of the Michaelmas Term, the whole of Tedworth went into Reading to watch ‘Red One’, which was extremely fun. We also had the chance to do a little bit of shopping before we went to see the film. My friends and I ate lots of delicious food and did lots of Christmas shopping!

Talia Marshall (UIV)

Darwin

Darwin makes you feel at home. It’s cosy and everyone is so kind.

We’ve had such a wonderful time during our first year in Darwin and are so excited to move onto Lower Fourth and welcome the new girls next year. Darwin is a safe place, where everyone feels part of one big family. The memories we’ve made this year will stay with us forever. The laughs and the silly things we all do just add to the personality of the House. Mrs Hughes, Ms Scott-Kerley, and Miss Kirby are our biggest cheerleaders. They stand by us in everything we do and are always there to guide us.

Downe House, especially Darwin, is a second home. It’s warm and welcoming, with a constant sense of belonging. Whether you’re a day girl or a boarder, you can enjoy the excitement of weekend and evening activities. Thank you to everyone who has helped Darwin become the amazing home it is now!

Imogen Pugh, Strawberry Culliney, Grace Diji (All Remove)

Being a day girl has given me a new outlook. I didn’t know it was possible to feel so integrated into a boarding house while sleeping at home. I love the balance; it’s like having the best of both worlds. Even when I go home, I don’t feel like an outsider – I feel totally included. I have my own space and take part in everything from clubs to leadership roles.

My routine fits perfectly with the boarders. They wake up, and about 10 minutes later, I arrive ready for the House meeting. I’m there all day and do the same things as everyone else. I can choose when I go home – before dinner at 6pm or after co-curriculars at 8pm.

I love decorating my space, especially my pinboard. Thinking of new layouts for my photos is really fun, and my fairy lights add a special touch. I love being a day girl and wouldn’t change it for anything!

Imogen Pugh (Remove)

Evenings in Darwin are the best. Once lessons are done and dinner’s over, the fun begins! There’s always something happening—games in the common room, film nights with tuck, or just laughing with friends. Film nights are a favourite. We choose a good film, grab a bowl of tuck, and unwind before bed. Bingo night is another highlight. Everyone gets so tense when they’re close to winning, and then someone shouts “bingo!” really loud. It’s always funny, and we beg to play again.

In summer, when it gets hot, the teachers let us run through the sprinklers in the garden. We get soaked, but we’re laughing the whole time. After summer exams, we had a firepit and made s’mores. It was a lovely treat to end the week. There’s so much to do in the evenings, and I’m never bored. The memories I’ve made in my first year in Darwin are unforgettable.

Strawberry Culliney (Remove)

After a busy week, nothing beats finishing Saturday lessons and heading to weekend activities! One favourite was our year’s trip to Coral Reef in Bracknell. The sound of rushing water and colourful slides instantly lifted our mood. We raced to the Cannon, Storm Chaser, and Maelstrom slides. It was the perfect way to relax and have fun with friends.

Another great weekend was our trip to Oxford. We started with peaceful punting on the river, then enjoyed an afternoon of shopping. Bowling was also a highlight. We split into teams and cheered each other on. The laughter, friendly competition, and snacks made it such a fun afternoon.

Weekend activities at Downe House have been a true highlight. Whether it’s thrilling water slides, calm punting, or bowling fun, each one has brought joy, laughter, and amazing memories.

Grace Diji (Remove)

Hermitage

Hermitage isn’t just a boarding house - it’s a family. We focus on kindness and supporting one another. Everyone is very close, and we love doing House activities together which are run by our super friendly House Team.

When we began in Remove the team helped us to navigate new friendships and the challenge of starting a new school all together. This year, new girls joined us in the Lower Fourth and I enjoyed helping them feel part of the family. In Lower Fourth, we spent the Michaelmas term in Sauveterre. We had amazing experiences and learnt so many new things. Everyone had so much fun going on sorties to visit local markets and try all the yummy food. The term really helped us immerse ourselves in French culture and language as well as making memories that will stay with us for life.

Our weekends are always super fun with activities like afternoon tea, punting in Oxford or big events like the Funfair in January which was my favourite! This year after exams, the Lower Fourth went surfing near Tenby, and in the last week of term, we did lots of fun end-of-year activities, including a trip to Chessington theme park where I loved spending the day going on the rides with my friends!

Amrit Kaur Singh, Head of Lower School 24-25 (LIV)

Hermitage has lots of different activities to enjoy after a busy day of lessons, including team-building games outside, arts and crafts, singing karaoke with our friends and baking on a Friday night! There is never a dull or boring evening in Hermitage and the House team make it a real home away from home for us.

We also get to join our Upper School Houses for events like House Drama, Music and the Gymnastics and Dance Competition. These events are a huge highlight for us especially because we get to spend time with the older girls in our House to create something we can be proud of and show our house spirit! This year we have done many things to aid our charity, The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. This includes the Hermitage Bake Sale, Danceathon, Film Night and the Make-A-Difference Day Charity Walk. For the Bake Sale and the Film Night we were responsible for creating posters, getting movie choices and setting up the event as well as selling the baked goods. It was good fun and nice to do something that helped other people outside our community.

As an Academic scholar, I (Philippa) get to go to lots of different lectures and workshops called Twilight lectures. I’ve really enjoyed these as they are a good opportunity to broaden my knowledge of different topics and learn new things.

Sport is a key part of Downe and helps you to get to know people outside of your House or class who have the same

hobbies as you. I (Daisy) have loved captaining the U13 lacrosse team and the experience I’ve gained doing this has contributed to my acceptance onto the England Lacrosse Aspire programme this year with my sister. We have both loved our time in Hermitage and are lucky to have called this our home for the last two years!

Philippa Marsh and Daisy Aird, Heads of Hermitage (both LIV)

When we first arrived in Hermitage, we were very nervous about making new friends. The House team were very comforting and helped us realise that everyone felt the same nerves in the first few days even if some girls had boarded before! The team helped keep us busy with lots of different activities – Wednesday’s film and tuck night is our favourite! We also did some team building games during the first weekend including laser tag, shelter and fire building in the woods which were both great fun and helped us to get to know our new peers.

In the first few weeks of the Michaelmas Term, the Lower Fourth helped us to settle in before they headed off to France. It was nice because they quickly made us feel part of the Hermitage family and showed us how to celebrate birthdays with Wacky B’s and lots of cake!

Outside of Hermitage there are also lots of fun Co-Curricular clubs to do, such as, pottery, clay-pigeon shooting and paddleboarding after lessons finish. Cookery club is very popular in Hermitage, and we love tasting each other’s food!

A highlight of the Summer term was going on the Remove Residential trip to Calshot. It was great fun and we got to do activities like sailing, cycling in the velodrome and wall climbing. It really built up our confidence to try new things and gave us an opportunity to share dorms with girls from Hill and Darwin before we go to Sauveterre. The Calshot trip was a sign of our first academic year ending, but a whole new year of fun ahead of us in Hermitage as the new Lower Fourth. Melinka Drummond, Wenwen Li and Chloe Olsen, (All Remove)

Our first year at Downe House has certainly been one to remember. It has been packed with unforgettable memories, marking the start of our time at the School. Trips to the Murray Centre, sports fixtures with friends, swingball in the sun and water sports at Calshot are just a few of our favourite moments.

Being part of Hill has been a big part of the enjoyment. As none of us have boarded before, this year has been a challenging but rewarding journey, meeting staff, people and the occasional dog along the way. The House staff have also been so amazing - they have been great role models and helped us get through any harder times. Wacky-B’s have made Hill really feel like home – these are small presents we give to each other when it comes to our birthdays. We receive blankets, face masks, teddies, perfumes, and more, with everyone getting excited about the presents and cake and making you feel special.

Weekends are also a highlight, as we have such a wide range of activities, such as socials with Ludgrove (a local boys’ school), going to the waterpark and a pamper night with a film. These activities don’t just provide us with something to do on the weekends; they give us new experiences. One of our personal favourites was Bucklebury Farm Park; it was so much fun to see all the animals, and we even got to feed and stroke some deer!

We are all waiting in anticipation for our trip to Sauveterre next year. We are sure that it will be a term to remember,

Hill

and we hope that we will gain some understanding of French culture and language! We also have the chance to mix across our year group in which will help us make so many more friends outside of our own Houses. We are really looking forward to our Upper Fourth year and the next stage of our adventure here.

I think it is safe to say that this year at Downe House has been an exciting adventure that we will never forget. Of course, an exciting year always comes to an end, but we have enjoyed all the events that conclude the year. Founder’s Weekend, with all its activities, takes place at the end of the Summer term, and includes Sports Day, the musical, Founder’s Concert, the creative arts exhibition and delicious food for us all to enjoy together.

Each year we decide on a charity to support, and this year the Lower School have raised money for Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. Together with Hermitage and Darwin, we have held a Christmas fayre, a danceathon and a sponsored walk to raise money.

We all hope that future Hill girls will have a first year like ours! Downe House has opened so many opportunities for us all, and we all feel so happy here.

Chloe Kelly-Higgins, Faramadeoluwa Makanjuola and Clementine Pilkington (All Remove)

Sauveterre

Autumn Term 2024 was a wonderful opportunity for the girls already established at Downe House to strengthen existing friendships, and a fantastic introduction for those newly joining the school to spend an extended period in the culturally rich and picturesque SouthWest of France.

The girls made excellent use of the local surroundings and park. From bushcraft lessons to relaxed swimming sessions, the extended summer temperatures allowed us to fully enjoy our beautiful rural setting. Our distinctive curriculum, enhanced by visits to sites of historical and cultural significance, offered a rewarding experience to them all. The first half of the term was filled with lots of activities, time spent appreciating nature, and opportunities to develop new friendships from other Houses. The girls also thoroughly enjoyed their time on the tennis courts, in the activity rooms, and playing a variety of sports with their peers.

The second half of term particularly appealed to those with a passion for art and photography, or a love of spending time in the snow, while our educational visits brought the rich history of the local area to life. Memorable trips included time spent in the Pyrenees, a visit to the historic UNESCO World Heritage site of Carcassonne, and the vibrant atmosphere (and shopping!) of Toulouse.

A particular highlight was the time spent getting to know pupils from a collège in Auch as well as our local primary school. The girls showed great interest, warmth, and kindness when interacting with the younger children and their peers in the local community.

Lauren

Ponchant, Head of Sauveterre

Academic Life

English

It’s been another exciting year for the English Department, with our students producing fantastic work and continuing to engage deeply with literature. Across the year, pupils have written nearly 3,000 essays, over 400 coursework pieces, and read more than 2,000 texts as part of their studies.

Our rich curriculum spans nearly 500 years of literature, introducing pupils to a diverse range of voices—from Shakespeare and Brontë to Michelle Obama and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Whether exploring classic themes or modern issues, our students are encouraged to think critically, write thoughtfully, and read widely.

Reading and writing are at the heart of all we do. This year, we had nearly 100 entries in the DHSA Short Story Competition. The theme was “A Century Apart: Tales of Yesterday and Tomorrow” and the winning stories were imaginative, reflective, and incredibly well-written. Congratulations to Charlotte Trew (Sixth Form and Clare Balding Prize winner), Helen Foulkes (Upper School) and Charlotte Ford (Lower School).

What drives us is the joy of sharing stories.

World Book Day was another memorable moment. Pupils took part in themed lessons, a costume competition and enjoyed live readings from staff in the Murray Centre. The day celebrated the joy of reading and brought the whole school together through literature.

We were also treated to brilliant live performances this year. Upper Fourth watched a dynamic version of A Christmas Carol performed by Quantum Theatre, filled with humour and heart. Meanwhile, A Level students travelled to Stratfordupon-Avon to watch Othello live at the RSC. They visited Shakespeare’s birthplace, explored the town and reflected deeply on how performance shapes meaning. One student

commented that seeing Iago portrayed so differently than expected sparked powerful discussion and brought new insight into the play.

Ultimately, what drives us is the joy of sharing stories and encouraging students to discover their own voice through literature. As Lydia O’Shea (LVI) says, “What I love most about studying English is the encouragement for deep engagement with literary work and the discussions of our reflections of the world around us and the periods of the works we study.”

Mrs Jessica Boswell, Teacher of English & Mrs Joanne West , Head of English

Maths

This year’s STEM Residency in the Murray Centre was our central display of the year, bringing mathematics to life with a fascinating focus on fractals. The space was transformed into an interactive showcase of maths in reality and in the abstract, with displays featuring Sierpinski triangles, Menger sponges, and the iconic Mandelbrot set. Videos, jigsaws, articles and practicals helped bring these abstract concepts to an accessible and engaging level.

Particular highlights included articles on the Mandelbrot set by Rhea Gupta, Sierpinski triangles by Praow Laohapongchana, and Fractals in Biology and Nature by Joline Lam. A special mention goes to Zimo (Emily) Huang for her stunning origami fractals, which demonstrated both mathematical precision and artistic creativity. These exhibits offered pupils a chance to explore the practical and often beautiful applications of mathematics beyond the standard curriculum.

It has been a busy year of exploration, creativity, and mathematical excellence — well done to all involved!

One of the most hands-on elements of the Residency was the collaborative construction of 3D Menger sponges. Visiting classes and teachers worked together to build these intricate structures, discovering the fascinating world of fractional dimensions through teamwork and tactile learning.

The STEM week also featured the Inter-House Maths Competition. With teams drawn from every section of the school, the knock-out rounds were closely contested. Aisholt edged past Tedworth, and AGS put in a strong showing to overcome both AGN and Holcombe. Despite AGS achieving

the highest scores in the knock-out stages and making a thrilling late push in the final, Aisholt’s steady consistency saw them crowned champions. Congratulations to all participants, and to the winning Aisholt team: Shanmei Pan, Lin Yi (Emily) Meng, Xiaoyu Hu, Zimo (Emily) Huang, Chada Laohapongchana, and Yunyi Jia.

Beyond the STEM Residency week, our students once again impressed in the UKMT Maths Challenges across the Junior, Intermediate, and Senior levels. Special congratulations to Jia Chun, who earned a prestigious Silver Medal for finishing in the top 50 nationally in the Hamilton Olympiad — an exceptional achievement given that about 1,800 entrants take part in this harder level, follow-on challenge after the Intermediate Maths Challenge.

Make a Difference (MAD) Day is a day in the summer term when we welcome primary school children to Downe House and challenge and entertain them in many departments.

In Maths, Downe House girls brilliantly managed the teams through a sequence of mathematical quests. Challenges included the Tower of Hanoi, skipping times tables and maths in Roman Numerals. Through this, DH girls have the opportunity to be on the other side, leading students through Maths rather than being led. Their positivity and engagement was contagious and an enormous part of the primary school children enjoying the day.

It has been a busy year of exploration, creativity, and mathematical excellence — well done to all involved!

Mr Oliver Wills, Head of Maths

Geography

Upper Fifth Field Trip, Surrey

We went to the River Tillingbourne with our wellies and waterproofs, prepared for a cold and wet day. We measured the river’s depth, width and velocity, working in groups to collect our data in three different sections of the river. It was really enjoyable studying in the outdoors. Once back at Juniper Hall, we presented and analysed our data. We were all exhausted after an excellent day of field work.

Sophie Chow (UV)

On the second day, we arrived in Leatherhead and began to investigate the success of the urban regeneration, measuring environmental quality and using systematic sampling to research different locations. We interviewed members of the public about the regeneration, in which one said, “The changes have made the area more bright and welcoming to new visitors and made it feel much safer”. After a long day outdoors, we returned to Juniper Hall to conclude our findings and wrote a “DEAL” paragraph to analyse our results and created a radar graph to compare sites. We had an amazing time and returned to Downe House feeling very well equipped.

Ava Sparrow (UV)

Geography Society

In the Geography Society, we were delighted to hear Victoria Watkins-Ball (parent), an ultra-marathon runner and former Citigroup trader, share her experiences running through some of the world’s most challenging places. Victoria began running in 2005, having last run on a track during senior school, to a 250km ultramarathon across the Sahara. Her talk gave an insight into the willpower required to endure extreme environments. Her adventures allowed us to understand the adaptations made when running in different climates.

Amelia Voûte (LVI)

Lower Sixth Field Trip, Devon

The Lower Sixth Geography field trip to Slapton in Devon was an unforgettable experience, enhanced by beautiful sea views and stunning scenery. We studied carbon sequestration techniques in the local woodland, coastal erosion and the effectiveness of sea defences, as well as evaluating the impacts of regeneration in Plymouth. A highlight of the trip was conducting our own small investigation in Totnes. Each day came with new fieldwork techniques broadening our knowledge for our individual NEAs. The evenings were spent developing our own NEA questions. The coast views, the wonderfully unique market at Totnes and the enchanting ancient forests allowed us to appreciate Geography and nature at its finest.

History & Politics

We have continued to give our pupils a truly global perspective this year. Our IGCSE pupils now follow a course which provides an in-depth understanding of twentieth-century history in Germany, Russia and the Middle East, as well as the Cold War. At A Level, we continue to focus on China and, in Politics, the USA.

We have enjoyed a number of trips this year. The Politics students went to a conference in London which was addressed by representatives from across the political spectrum from the Greens, via Labour, the Lib Dems and the Conservatives, to Reform UK. They also took went on a visit to the Houses of Parliament and the Supreme Court. Our team at the Model United Nations conference in Bath were successful in having a resolution passed by the General Assembly for the first time in many years.

Our Lower Sixth History students also once again spent a day at the Chalke History Festival near Salisbury – Glastonbury for Historians! We learned about topics as varied as Tudor queens, toxic historical marriages and crusading warfare, and picnicked in the sun.

Mrs Jennifer Grant, Head of History and Politics

Battle of Hastings with Remove

In June, all the Removes went on a trip to the battlefield of Hastings. We learnt William built Battle Abbey over the place where Harold Godwinson and William of Normandy fought to claim the English throne.

The drive was two and a half hours long but we all managed to get some sleep! When we arrived, we could see the walls of Battle Abbey and it was really magnificent. The buildings were larger than I had imagined and the activities were super fun. We started our day with a tour of the battlefield, and the view was amazing! It was clear how steep the slope would have been for the Norman cavalry, and the ground was very marshy back then. We could see that there were small ponds to our left and right, covered with algae.

Our next activity was our lunch break! There was a human sized hamster wheel, which I am sure was everybody’s highlight of the day. There were long queues of doubles and triples waiting to have a go!

The last activity was re-enacting the Battle of Hastings. We were split in half and one group took the role of Harold Godwinson’s side and the other Wiliam’s side. With our plastic shields, we fought till William won the throne of England. It was fun and adventurous and a great learning experience!

Beatrice Gillett and Wenwen Li (Remove)

Science

A Year in STEM: Celebrating Innovation and Curiosity

This has been another highly successful year for Science and STEM at Downe, with pupils offered a wealth of opportunities to enrich their learning beyond the classroom across all four disciplines—Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

Our weekly STEM Club has continued to thrive, inviting pupils not only to observe but also to engage in a wide array of hands-on practical activities, followed by discussions to explore and unpick the science behind them.

During British Science Week, we proudly launched the third edition of our pupils-led STEM magazine Origins, showcasing the exceptional talents and curiosity of our students in all things STEM.

In collaboration with Radley College, selected pupils from Lower Fifth and Lower Sixth attended a STEM Symposium where they worked in mixed-school groups to solve complex interdisciplinary problems. This was a fantastic opportunity for pupils to apply their knowledge in real-world contexts while collaborating with peers from outside our own classrooms.

The real highlight of the year was our STEM Residency— a week-long celebration of STEM for pupils of all ages. A standout moment was the Medley Lecture delivered by Professor Lewis Dartnell, who explored the fascinating links between human evolution and history. We were also delighted to welcome biomedical firm Stryker, who delivered a workshop on prosthetic joint technologies. The level of insight and innovation they brought was not only inspiring to our pupils but also to the staff involved.

Our younger pupils were particularly spoilt for choice during the week. Highlights included a visit from the Living Rainforest, where they learned about biodiversity and the impact of human activity on flora and fauna. In addition, Mr Kersley delivered a popular talk on the differences between human senses, which sparked plenty of discussion and interest.

It has been a joy to see so many engaged and enthusiastic young STEMists across the school this year, and we look forward to building on these successes in the year to come.

Mr Charlie Littledale, Head of Science

Quick Read?

Scan the QR code to read the third edition of our pupil-led STEM magazine Origins.

Biology and Chemistry trip to Bayer

In November, A Level Biology and Chemistry students visited the Bayer laboratories in Reading for an immersive day focused on forensic science. The workshop was really interesting and gave us the chance to learn both within and beyond our curriculum, using specialist equipment we would not normally access.

The day began with an introduction to Bayer, including their sustainability goals and work in crop science, digital farming, and regenerative agriculture. We also discussed the challenges posed by the Earth’s growing population and the increasing pressure on global food resources. As a major pharmaceutical company known for developing drugs such as Aspirin, Bayer also introduced us to their medical research, illustrating the breadth of their work and their motto: “Health for All, Hunger for None.” Many of us were particularly interested in the internships, work-experience days, and year-in-industry opportunities they offer.

Our lab session was led by a Bayer scientist and a student currently completing her placement year. We were presented with a fictional crime scene involving a shark that had eaten a human, and our task was to identify the victim by analysing DNA samples. After revisiting key concepts such as DNA structure and genotypes, we learned the basics of STR (short tandem repeat) analysis and PCR (polymerase chain reaction). Using these techniques, we compared DNA from the remains with samples from missing persons.

We prepared our PCR reactions using primers, free nucleotides, and an enzyme, Taq polymerase, and placed them in a thermocycler to run through repeated cycles of heating and cooling. While the machine processed our samples, we listened to an inspiring talk on prostate cancer for men’s health awareness month.

Finally, we loaded our samples of DNA solution into an agarose gel, allowed them to diffuse, and used blue light to observe the resulting DNA bands. By comparing these with allele ladders, we identified which missing person the shark had eaten.

The day was a great success and gave us an excellent introduction to STR and PCR analysis ahead of our studies next year. Thank you so much to Bayer Labs and the science department for this incredible opportunity and experience!

Sophie

Lambourne (LVI)

Lower Sixth Biology Field Trip

In October, Upper Sixth biologists spent a weekend at Juniper Hall in Surrey to complete the practical research for our ecosystem topic.

We arrived on Friday afternoon and immediately headed to a pond to estimate population sizes using the mark-releaserecapture method. After a surprisingly good dinner, we went out to do some small mammal trapping and learnt about the ethical issues involved.

The rest of the weekend focused on core practicals. In one investigation, we compared different sampling methods to determine which was most effective for estimating population size. In another practical, we designed our own experiment to test how an abiotic factor affects the morphology of a species. This involved using various pieces of equipment to measure abiotic conditions in a river and practising techniques to catch freshwater organisms. Highlights of the trip included identifying the mammals we trapped, kick-sampling in the river to collect shrimp, and decorating snails with luminous yellow “snailpolish”. The weekend was both fun and invaluable for our practical understanding of ecology.

Eve Brown (UVI)

History of Art

Art History Society Trip

In December, the Art History Society enjoyed a visit to London to see the much-anticipated exhibition Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael: Florence 1504.

The art historians were delighted by the large collection of preparatory drawings on display, shown alongside some of the paintings they inspired. The opportunity to compare works by Leonardo and Michelangelo — and to see how they influenced Raphael — was a real delight.

We also visited the Wallace Collection, where Mrs Tostevine gave an impressive impromptu talk on the Rococo and Fragonard’s The Swing, one of the case studies for our Nature topic. All in all, a fabulous day of art-historical treats!

Lower Sixth ARTiculation Competition

In January, the Lower Sixth took part in the ARTiculation competition.

This provides an opportunity to deliver a short presentation about a work of art, design, architecture or any visual media that really inspires. Thank you to all those who entered for working hard to create an informative and entertaining evening: Esmée Haefner - Wild (2021 Dutch short film); Henrietta Simpkin - Michael Landy’s Breakdown; Angel Dai - Sofonisba Anguisola; Cecilia Hon - Fragonard’s The Swing; Tiffany Cheong - Tom Daley’s fibre art; Tabitha BrewerBaz Luhrmann’s Red Curtain Technique; Charlotte Longe - Gericault’s Raft of the Medusa; Tabatha Ridley - Holbein’s Ambassadors; Sasha Novis - Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring

Charlotte Longe was highly commended for her careful analysis of composition and techniques. Esmée Haefner was highly commended for her primary research,

interviewing Wild’s director Jan Verdijk. Very well done to Tiffany Cheong, who was runner-up for her powerful advocacy for the mental well-being enabled by knitting. Congratulations to Cecilia Hon, overall winner for her enthusiastic subject knowledge and comprehensive analysis.

Lower Sixth Revision Trip

In May, the Lower Sixth Art Historians enjoyed an intensive day of revision at the Victoria and Albert Museum and Tate Britain.

They spent the morning honing their visual analysis techniques whilst looking at Renaissance artworks. In the afternoon, they were able to revise a key work by Chris Ofili: No Woman, No Cry, and also viewed works they will be studying in the Upper Sixth for their Nature topic.

Lilian said: ‘It was nice to see our case studies in person and see their sizes and textures.’ Sasha said: ‘I found the trip very useful for context for Michelangelo and Raphael.’

Upper Sixth Study Day

In April, Upper Sixth Art Historians enjoyed an intensive study day in London.

At the British Museum, they analysed the Benin Plaques and works by El Anatsui, and studied contextual material relating to their Japanese case studies. At the National Gallery, they focused on Turner, Monet, and the context of Renaissance Venice, as well as practising their analytical skills. After revising the contextual factors on the Fourth Plinth installation, they ended the day at the National Portrait Gallery studying Marc Quinn’s self-portrait cast from his own blood. Padmaja said: ‘Seeing the pieces up close highlighted details we sometimes missed in class, and the chance to apply visual analysis in person made the process more intuitive and enriching.’

Reports by: Diane Slocombe, Teacher of History of Art, Padmajaraje Gaekwad (UVI), Yichen (Lilian) Li and Sasha Novis (LVI).

Modern Languages

It has been another very productive and fun-filled year in Garden House, both for the individual languages and for Modern Languages as a faculty.

As usual, we began the year by selecting our Lower Sixth Language Ambassadors; this was a particularly difficult process this year with so much interest in the roles but we were delighted to have representation across all languages! We were then excited to kick the year off with our Murray Centre Residency which coincided with European Day of Languages. From guinea pig races to sending kindness cards in foreign languages, and from foreign language tongue twisters to a Spanish karaoke fiesta, the week really had it all and put MFL very firmly on the Downe House map!

One of our goals for the year was for Garden House, the home of Modern Languages at Downe, to be an inspiring place to study languages. We have now completed our refurbishment and are very excited to utilise the new space. With brighter colours, more practical teaching spaces and

inspiring display boards, the building now lives and breathes the values that languages represent: open-mindedness, creativity and tolerance.

In the Lent term, the new Exploring Europe programme for Lower School was announced. As well as introducing German in Remove, we are delighted that members of the MFL team will be playing a central role in the curriculum development and trips as part of the programme. Exciting times ahead!

Mrs Charlotte Sabnis, Head of MFL

Chinese

This year has been an exciting and rewarding one for the Chinese department, filled with enriching experiences and academic success. In the Michaelmas term, pupils enjoyed a memorable trip to London to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. The day was filled with cultural activities, including lantern displays and traditional mooncakes, giving those learning Chinese a deeper understanding of this important event in the Chinese calendar. Our Chinese New Year celebrations were a true highlight of the year, bringing the school community together. Pupils and staff alike enjoyed a variety of delicious traditional dishes, and we were thrilled to host Chinese Lion Dance performers whose incredible show brought colour, energy, and excitement to the festivities.

Academically, we are proud to celebrate the success of three pupils who sat their HSK (Chinese language) exams this year. Pearl (Ivie) Avwenagha and Dominica Prentice both passed HSK 3, with Cathy Wang achieving success at HSK Level 4a fantastic accomplishment for these dedicated students. We look forward to another vibrant year ahead, continuing to celebrate and share the richness of Chinese language and culture!

Mr Tim Breeze, Head of Chinese

French

It has been a truly enriching year in the French department, with a host of opportunities for pupils to explore the language and culture beyond the classroom. The year began with a Sixth Form trip to Lyon, where pupils immersed themselves in the city’s rich history and traditions. Later in the term, Remove pupils enjoyed a lively French Day with Ludgrove, testing their verb conjugation skills and experiencing French culture, including a delicious French meal. The Remove Christmas party brought global festive traditions to life, thanks to our enthusiastic Language Ambassadors. The Sixth Form also participated in Operation Language at Reading School, in which pupils explored careers in international organisations whilst putting their language skills to good use!

This year, our Upper Fourth penpal initiative with a school in Dijon really took off, with the pupils exchanging letters, gifts and food. The girls’ faces when they read their letters were second to none!

More recently, Mme Wallace and Miss Kiehl accompanied a group of Upper Fifth to Sauveterre where the pupils had intensive language lessons to help them prepare for the speaking exam as well as exploring this beautiful part of France.

Partnerships with other schools have formed a key part of our work this year. As well as taking our Upper Fourth to Radley College for a French play, two of our Lower Sixth, Yichen (Angel) Dai and Sophie Lambourne, proudly took part in the Joutes Oratoires at Marlborough College, debating complex topics entirely in French. In summary, it’s been a year full of language, laughter, and learning!

Mrs Isabelle Wallace, Head of French

German

We had another fun year in German, starting with a visit from Oxford University’s “Goethe Ambassador”, Clara Price. Clara shared her language journey with our Upper Fourth and Lower Fourth pupils, playing some fun games with them to encourage them to continue with the language. We also went to Radley College with our Sixth Form students to take part in a fun evening of debates, open mic, and a shared dinner. Students from several independent and state schools discussed the films they were studying, played card games, and our very own Esmée Haefner (LVI) even dared to read a short poem by Bertolt Brecht for the open mic session.

We like to bring learning to life in the German department –particularly in ways which involve food, and we have enjoyed marking significant dates in the German calendar. For St Martin’s Day in November, the Upper Fourth made table lanterns, whilst singing along to traditional folk songs, and for Nikolaus, the Lower Fifth and Sixth Form enjoyed baking sessions in Houses. At Easter, our Lower Fifth and Upper Fifth pupils enjoyed a typical German Easter egg hunt outside Garden House – it was amazing how quickly they spotted all the chocolate amongst the greenery, literally taking seconds! The early GCSE entrants got to bake Easter goodies - no one let me try a bit of their ‘Easter lamb cakes’, which makes me think they turned out rather well!

With the exciting news that German will soon be offered from Remove, we have also established a lovely partnership with the fabulous Schillergymnasium in Berlin - so watch this space for exciting future collaborations!

Ms Elke Von Mering-Ashton, Teacher in charge of German

Spanish

It’s been a vibrant year for the Spanish Department, filled with culture and creativity! We began the year with great energy during the MFL Murray Centre Residency in September. Our fantastic Spanish Ambassadors helped organise and run activities that brought Spanish language and culture to life around school, including fun games and a lively photo booth that was a big hit with pupils. The Upper Fourth had a colourful and enjoyable celebration of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), decorating traditional Mexican masks while listening to Spanish songs from the film Coco. The Lower Fifth and Upper Sixth students had an unforgettable evening in Oxford, where they experienced a stunning flamenco show that blended traditional flamenco with contemporary dance, followed by a delicious Spanish dinner. The patatas bravas were especially popular! With our A Level students, we enjoyed a screening of the Oscarwinning film Emilia Pérez in their House. They added to the evening by cooking a delicious homemade fajita dinner—¡delicioso!

With the summer exams over, we launched some engaging post-exam projects. The Upper Fourth got a taste of what’s to come at IGCSE with some special sessions led by our lovely Spanish-speaking assistant, Rocío. They also put their research and presentation skills to the test by presenting on a Spanish-speaking country of their choice. Meanwhile, Lower Fifth pupils created their very own podcasts on topics they’ve studied this year—as well as those coming up next year—so stay tuned… ¡vais a alucinar!

Mrs Beatriz Pampin-Torres, Head of Spanish

Computer Science

GCSE Course

It has been yet another successful year, with our pupils continuing to grow in confidence, developing excellent skills in Python programming and deepening their understanding of the key principles of Computer Science. A particular highlight was a visit to the National Museum of Computing, where we enjoyed a fascinating journey through the history of computing. Pupils saw working examples of historic machines such as the Colossus (the world’s first programmable electronic computer) and learned how early codebreakers helped shape modern technology.

A Level

This year marked the department’s first time delivering the AQA A Level Computer Science course. Pupils were given the opportunity to explore a broad range of topics including programming in Python, data structures, algorithms, computer systems, and the theory of computation. The course also introduced key concepts in networking, databases, and cybersecurity.

Micro:bits and Robots

Remove pupils were introduced to fundamental programming concepts using block-based coding platforms such as Microsoft MakeCode. They learnt how to write and debug simple programmes that control BBC micro:bits, exploring inputs, outputs, loops, and variables. Building on this, pupils applied their coding skills to control mini robotic cars, using the micro:bit as a programmable controller. Through these hands-on activities, they developed their understanding of algorithmic thinking, sequencing, and problem-solving, while gaining confidence in physical computing.

Bebras Success

Pupils in Upper Fourth and Remove took part in the BEBRAS Computational Thinking Challenge, a national competition that tests problem-solving skills through engaging, logicbased tasks. The challenge promotes computational thinking, encouraging students to break down complex problems, recognise patterns, and develop efficient solutions. Working individually under timed conditions, pupils tackled a series of progressively challenging puzzles. Many demonstrated strong analytical thinking, with several achieving scores in the top 10% nationally.

Python Programming

As a department, we continue to introduce textbased coding to all year groups through both lessons and workshop programmes. It has been fantastic to see pupils enthusiastically solving problems and producing workable solutions, often collaborating on set tasks and coding challenges.

Building PCs!

Lower and Upper Fourth pupils were given the exciting opportunity to build PCs! During lessons, they first deconstructed desktop computers, identifying each component before gradually learning how to connect and wire them to create a functioning machine. Working in groups, pupils investigated and documented their progress, producing detailed reports on their findings.

Media Technology

Pupils attended an engaging talk on the use of technology in film and media, exploring how digital tools shape modern storytelling. The session covered topics such as green screen effects, CGI (computer-generated imagery), animation, and the role of AI and motion capture in blockbuster productions. Real-world examples illustrated how technology enhances visual impact and fuels creativity in filmmaking. The talk highlighted the growing importance of digital skills in media careers and inspired pupils to think critically about the technology behind the films and content they enjoy.

Animation

Pupils explored the fundamentals of stop frame animation by creating short animated sequences using plasticine models. They learned how to plan and storyboard their ideas, then used digital tools to capture incremental movements, bringing their characters to life frame by frame. This handson project developed their understanding of frame rate, timing, and visual storytelling, while encouraging creativity, patience, and teamwork. The activity provided an engaging introduction to animation techniques used in films and media, such as those seen in Aardman productions.

Mr Graham Bradshaw, Head of Computing and ICT

Academic Scholars

The aim of the Academic Scholars’ Programme at Downe House is to enrich Award Holders’ intellectual lives through stimulating academic endeavours and to encourage them to share their love of learning with their peers.

A new highlight this year was the Academic Scholars’ Conference, designed as an interdisciplinary forum for the discussion of ideas. The theme, FUSION, invited projects across disciplines, inspired by Rowan Williams’ Being Human and C. P. Snow’s lecture The Two Cultures. Papers ranged from the intersection of Maths and Music in the solar system to the fusion of Physics with Gothic literature, demonstrating the scholars’ advanced research and intellectual curiosity.

Scholars also bonded across year groups through informal events, including the Academic Award Holders’ Christmas dinner, pizza evenings, and the termly Eton Book Club, where discussions spanned Eighteen: A History of Britain in 18 Young Lives by Alice Loxton, The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, and Fukuyama’s Liberalism and Its Discontents.

A huge thank you goes to Lydia Isadora Dyer (UVI) and JuEun Park (UVI), who, as Head of Academic Scholars Seniors, worked closely with Miss Killacky to expand the programme’s opportunities.

Twilight Lecture Series

The Twilight Lectures broaden horizons by presenting topics beyond the usual curriculum. In Michaelmas, Miss Killacky (English) introduced medieval manuscripts in her talk Doodling in the Middle Ages, revealing lively marginalia such as the famous snails. In Lent, Mr Kersley (Biology) explored

the science behind video gaming, from protein-folding to pandemic modelling and surgical dexterity, showing how games contribute to science and daily life.

Pupil Publications

The Train of Thought magazine, produced by the Lower Sixth editorial team (Joline Lam, Cheuk-Yi Cherie (Sage) Lau, and Lina Anand), also explored the theme of Fusion Essays spanned quantum physics, music, and philosophy, alongside reports on Scholars’ events.

Several essays were published externally in Devils’ Advocate and Scribbled Congratulations to Lina Anand (LVI), Pearl (Ivie) Avwenagha (LVI), and Gauri Langhae (LV).

Annual Enrolment of Scholars’ Supper

The annual supper in September 2024 welcomed new scholars and their families to the vibrant academic community at Downe House. The evening celebrated the commitment and aspiration that scholarship demands, recognising the Award Holders’ role in inspiring others while fulfilling their own potential.

This year, our Academic Scholars have worked with remarkable dedication, excelling in their subjects while acting as role models. They have embodied a genuine love of learning, curiosity across disciplines, and the ability to inspire others—qualities that define the Scholars’ Programme at its best.

Miss Madeleine Killacky, Head of Scholars

Creative Arts

Introduction

Another fantastic year has passed in the Creative Arts faculty, and we are proud to reflect on the incredible achievements of our pupils. From the classroom to the wider world, our young artists, designers and makers continue to grow in confidence and creativity, producing work that is both skilful and imaginative.

Practical creative subjects play a vital role in a balanced education - they encourage curiosity, nurture selfexpression, and develop the ability to think independently and inventively. In an increasingly complex world, these skills are not only valuable but essential.

This year, our curriculum has been enriched by a wide range of trips, workshops and collaborative projects that bring learning to life and ignite a lifelong love for the arts. From gallery visits to hands-on experiences with practicing artists, pupils have embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm and energy.

Above all, we are proud to say that this year has been filled with exploration, ambition, and a great deal of fun!

The pages that follow celebrate the talent, dedication, and passion of our pupils - we hope you enjoy this snapshot of what has been an inspiring and rewarding year!

Cover artwork: Spiral 02 by Iona Neville (UVI), This page: Ophelia Fisher

(UVI)

Creative of the Month

Our Creative of the Month award continues to be a regular highlight in our whole-school assemblies, forming part of the faculty’s monthly report, which is composed and presented by our team of Creative Seniors.

Each month, a pupil is recognised from across the practical subjects, with the award rotating to ensure broad representation. Nominations are made by subject teachers, and students are celebrated for a range of attributes

including outstanding effort, artistic excellence, enthusiasm, and notable progress.

This academic year, we have proudly acknowledged an exceptional group of young artists who have gone above and beyond in their creative work. Each recipient has received a certificate and a prize in recognition of their dedication and achievements.

Congratulations to all our winners for 2024 - 25 - we are incredibly proud of your accomplishments!

Laurena Horatio Jones (UVI)

Pandora Rycroft (UIV)

Niamh Hallas (UIV)

Polly Fowler (LVI)

Poppy Pilkington & Tasmin Clegg (LVI)

Iona Neville (UVI)

Camille Aird (LVI)

On Kiu (Mini) Ku (UV)

Lower School Art Remove

Lower Fourth

Upper Fourth

Baoyi Dong

Siu Wai He Wilanla Dejsunthornwat

Clementina Colville

Siu Wai He

Isabella Warr

Inès du Chastel de la Howarderie

Isabella Lloyd George

GCSE Art

Aleksandra Cork

Gracie Nash

Willow Fisher

Eloise Harrison

Sophie Losschmidt

Lucie Mareschal de Charentenay

Sophie Skribot

Mia Bell

Louise Novatin

Lara (Isadora) Pears Newton

Tabisa Iakovleva

Saskia Andrews

Lahja Hart

Eliza Manson

Qianya (Zoe) Zhou

A Level Art

Astrid Davis

Ophelia Fisher

Octavia Hoare Nairne

Amelia O’Connor

Alice Morgan

Xin Yan (Annabel) Yang

Alice Barber

Award Holders

Award Holders’ Club

Initially, Award Holders will spend a term drawing from observation. These sketches tend to be still life such as shells, dried flowers and exotic plants. Painting using water colour or acrylic mediums, and use of oil pastel is explored often using photographs or working from imagination.

Mrs Jones encourages Award Holders to work on projects that are personal and of particular interest to them. There is a wide range of specialisms within the class, and often students will become inspired by seeing what another student is creating. All involved continuously carry out research into other artists’ practice over the course of the academic year and during holidays, developing a breadth of knowledge on styles, materials and techniques that are of personal relevance. A selection of work is available to see at the Founder’s Weekend Creative Arts display.

Glass Workshop

Our Creative Award Holders in the Remove to Lower Fifth were lucky enough to take part in a Sunday workshop led by the artist Shirley Eccles. Shirley has been working with glass for years and she expertly taught participants about the

properties and handling of glass and how it can be used to achieve a multitude of effects.

In the morning, everyone made an Op Art inspired dish using reeded tiles and stringers, which are thin strips of coloured glass, then after lunch it was time to design and make an original mosaic tile. The work was taken back to Shirley’s studio to be fused and slumped in her kiln, before being returned to school for the big reveal. Everyone was delighted with their outcomes and Shirley commented on how very talented Downe House girls are.

Textiles Workshop

In November, the Art Award Holders in the Lower and Upper Sixth attended a textiles workshop with Mrs Jones where we had the opportunity to experiment with a range of new textile techniques. The hands-on approach allowed us to explore new ways of working with textiles and pushed us to think creatively. The pieces we created during the workshop aligned well with ideas for our final pieces, making them a valuable addition to our sketchbooks.

Ophelia Fisher, Head Creative Senior (UVI)

British Museum

In June, our Creative Arts Award Holders visited the British Museum for a live sketching workshop with Isabel Carmona, a watercolour artist and urban sketcher based in Newbury. The day was split into three parts. First, we were taught to observe people as they moved amidst the museum setting, using either pen or pencil to capture their movements and poses from various viewpoints. Then we shifted focus onto the façade of the museum, using vibrant watercolours and bold contrasts to express architectural dynamism. Finally, we went inside to observe and illustrate the interior of the museum, noting the relationship between spaces, exhibits, and visitors, and how each interacted within the interior environment.

Overall, the experience was inspiring, teaching us to observe and interpret our surroundings. It gave the Award Holders a valuable insight into the art of live sketching, offering a new viewpoint into the process of making art.

Yichen (Lilian) Li, Deputy Head of Creative Arts (LVI)

Joseph Loughborough

In November, Mrs Mortimer ran a session with Award Holders in the Upper Fourth to Upper Fifth. After studying the monumental portraits of the artist Joseph Loughborough, the participants experimented with the media that Loughborough uses so that they could gain an understanding of the effects and marks that can be made. Following this, everyone embarked on a large-scale study using their own source photography and the responses created were made with charcoal, Indian ink, oil pastel and a metal powder called carborundum. Everyone was proud of what they achieved in just four hours.

Exhibitions

In December, we were proud to participate in the ‘First Framed’ exhibition at Arlington Arts Centre in Newbury - now in its second year. This exciting showcase celebrates the creative talents of students from local schools, and this year, Downe House contributed a selection of around 30 pieces spanning Fine Art, Textiles, 3D Design and Photography.

Several of our Lower Sixth students attended the private view to represent the School and experience seeing their work in a public setting. The exhibition drew excellent feedback from visitors, who praised both the quality and creativity of the work on display. It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to share their talents beyond the school walls and be part of the wider artistic community.

House Students Shine at GENerate 2025 Exhibition

Now in its third successful year, the GENerate exhibition at The Base Arts Centre in Newbury continues to grow as a celebration of exceptional young talent. This annual event brings together some of the finest student artwork from

schools across a 30-mile radius, and this year’s showcase was more impressive than ever, featuring contributions from 16 schools in the region. Downe House presented ten pieces of Fine Art, Textiles, Photography, and 3D Design, crafted by our exceptionally talented pupils.

In early January the private view of the exhibition buzzed with excitement as students, teachers, and parents gathered to mark its opening. It was a special moment for our Lower Sixth exhibitors, who were thrilled to see their creative efforts recognised and displayed in a professional gallery setting. Feedback from attendees was glowing, with many commending the diverse range of materials, techniques and concepts on display.

The GENerate exhibition is more than just a platform for showcasing creativity; it is a celebration of the power of artistic expression within education. It offers young people the opportunity to share their unique perspectives and engage with the wider artistic community, inspiring both those who exhibit and those who visit.

Mrs Kirsten Mortimer, Director of Creative Arts

To mark Remembrance Day 2024, our Upper Fourth pupils created themed artwork for a display in the Murray Centre.

The exhibition comprised acrylic poppy paintings and screen prints of female World War Two spies, and some of the Award Holders made lino prints of poppies using the jigsaw technique.

The display was much admired by staff, pupils and visitors and we would like to congratulate all who made artwork to mark this important occasion.

Downe

Exhibition at New Era Theatre

Lilian Li, Jasmine Durrant and several pupils from last year’s Upper Sixth displayed their artwork and photography in the foyer of the New Era Theatre in Newbury in the spring. The exhibition, titled Challenges, showcased selected pieces from students at five local schools and ran throughout May as part of the West Berkshire and North Hampshire Open Studios initiative.

In addition to theatregoers, the exhibition attracted a broad public audience, offering excellent visibility for our pupils’ work. The pieces received much admiration, and it was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the creativity and talent of our girls in a public setting. We are delighted to announce that Downe House has been offered a solo show at the venue during the Michaelmas term, and we look forward to selecting works for this forthcoming exhibition!

Royal Academy Young Artists

We would like to extend huge congratulations to Poppy Pilkington (LVI) on an outstanding achievement.

Her GCSE coursework piece, a beautifully crafted garment, was selected for the Royal Academy Young Artists’ online exhibition. This is a remarkable accomplishment, especially given the thousands of entries submitted from across the UK.

Even more impressively, Poppy’s work was also chosen for display in the Royal Academy galleries - an honour reserved for only a small number of entrants. The exhibition runs alongside the renowned Summer Show, making this a truly special moment for her and for Downe House.

Inspired by the layered textures of lichen, bark, and moss, this jacket explores the quiet complexity of natural surfaces. Using hand knitting, woven forms, natural dyeing, and free machine embroidery, Poppy built up depth through fabric layering and heat distortion techniques. The piece reflects how nature grows and weathers over time - subtle, textured, and always in process.

Yan Tung Cecilia Hon, Head of Creative Arts (LVI)

September Ceramics

September Ceramics, at City Arts in Newbury, is an annual exhibition of the work of local ceramicists.

Part of this event features an Up and Coming Makers Competition, and four Downe House pupils were selected to exhibit in the secondary-school age category.

Three Lower Fourth pupils exhibited their towers and temples which they made last year in Remove.

Emily Huang (LVI) exhibited the dramatic scuptural piece she had made for her GCSE art project on Everyday Life. The piece featured a pigeon and squid, modelled from clay and suspended in a glass cabinet to resemble a museum exhibit. Eily won first prize in both her age group and in the ‘people’s favourite’ - awards which were very well deserved.

Trips

Amsterdam

Over the Michaelmas exeat, 22 Art and Photography students and our teachers enjoyed a five-day trip exploring the art and culture of Amsterdam. It was a trip full of excitement for the three year groups involved, and a wonderful opportunity to mix, have fun, and inspire one another.

Highlights included a visit to a huge warehouse filled with artists’ studios, with each space decorated completely differently. We visited Straat, a street art and graffiti museum housed in a vast former warehouse, which contains more than 180 works by over 170 artists, from Keith Haring to Banksy. After a tour, we were given spray cans to make our own collaborative pieces. It was a brilliant experience.

We visited the Eye Museum, exploring photography, film and interactive exhibits where we made flipbooks, tried greenscreen effects and viewed decades of movie posters. Also, the Stedelijk Museum, home to modern and contemporary art and design; the Moco Museum, which features modern and street art; and finally the Rijksmuseum, the national museum of the Netherlands, home to masterpieces by Vermeer, Rembrandt and other Dutch masters.

In between the gallery and museum experiences, we did lots of sketching, took an incredible boat tour, strolled around the city, and everyone enjoyed hunting out quirky pieces at Europe’s biggest flea market.

A huge thank you to Mrs Lamont, Mrs Mortimer and Miss Bloor for organising such a successful trip. We made new friends, laughed endlessly and found so much inspiration in the art and beauty of Amsterdam.

Alice Barber (UVI)

Tate Britain

In February the Upper Fifth Fine Artists spent a day at Tate Britian where they conducted research for their exam unit projects. Our Art Historian, Ms Slocombe delivered excellent interactive talks to two groups, touring artworks that were relevant to the exam titles. After this there was time for further independent study and sketching, all of which contributed to the component two sketchbooks.

It was a fascinating and productive day and an excellent opportunity to engage with artwork first-hand – thank you, Ms Slocombe!

Mrs Kirsten Mortimer, Director of Creative Arts

Sandham Memorial Chapel

In September, the Upper Sixth visited the Sandham Memorial Chapel in Burghclere to look at the paintings completed by the artist Sir Stanley Spencer. The chapel was opened especially for us and a volunteer from the National Trust gave us an hour-long talk. We were given an insight into the history of the chapel and how it was built to honour the forgotten dead of World War One. It was very interesting to learn about the level of detail that can be created by using oil paints, and observe how hidden motifs within the paintings reflect symbolic imagery, depicting Sir Stanley Spencer’s own perspectives and narratives of the War.

Xin Yan (Annabel) Yang, Deputy Creative Senior (UVI)

It was a fascinating and productive day and an excellent opportunity to engage with artwork first-hand.

Workshops

Radley College Art Day

In the Michaelmas Term the Art department welcomed the 6-1 Art students from Radley college who joined our Lower Sixth artists for a one day workshop led by Mrs Mortimer. This is the fourth year of the partnership between the two Art departments and the venue alternates between Radley and Downe House.

The inspiration for the day was graffiti tags, and everyone designed their own before transferring it onto cardboard then cutting lines and shapes with a craft knife. Textured papers were also added, along with acrylic paint and dribbled PVA. This resulted in the creation of what is called a collagraph printing block.

At breaktime everyone had the opportunity to admire each other’s A Level sketchbooks and discuss ideas, then the rest of the morning was spent making colourful backgrounds to print onto.

In the afternoon, black ink was applied to the collagraph blocks, then they were printed onto the coloured backgrounds to make a textural print. It was great for our students to work together again, and there were some striking results.

Joël Penkman Workshop

In June, we had the opportunity to attend a full day workshop with Joël Penkman, a still-life artist with food as her subject. Most of her work is made using a medium called egg tempera, this is a paint made by mixing egg yolk with pigment and water.

Joël showed us her painting method, then we all had a go at creating a piece inspired by her work. We had so much fun trying this new medium and were lucky to see some of Joël’s original pieces, which she brought to show us. We were incredibly lucky to see one of her works in progress, which was a painting of some Love Hearts sweets.

Joël showed us how she started with a thin layer of ultramarine underpainting and added layers of thin vibrant colours on top to create depth, then we each selected sweets, biscuits or cakes to work from when painting our own pieces.

We loved working with the egg tempera and learned a lot about the techniques needed to use the paint. Overall, this was a great experience, and we thoroughly enjoyed it!

Sadie Stepanek & Amrit Kaur Singh (LIV)

Prep School Open Day

We just wanted to share a picture of these lovely bees and cards that some of us helped make in Textiles and Art during the Introduction to Lower School and New Girls’ Open Days. Everybody had great fun and produced some lovely pieces, and it was certainly a different way to promote the moto of “Bee a Downe House Girl!”

Yan Tung Cecilia Hon, Head Creative Arts Senior (LVI)

Screen Printing

At the end of the Michaelmas term, Fine Art and Photography students in the Upper Sixth took part in a Sunday screen printing workshop. We started by drawing our designs onto acetate and the Photography students used images from their photo shoots which were sent off to a print studio in Newbury to be exposed onto screens. A screen is a metal frame which is covered with a tightly stretched mesh.

The designs became a stencil on the screens through which we swiped ink using a squeegee and we printed onto some pre-prepared backgrounds.

Thank you so much to Mrs Mortimer and Miss Bloor for an amazing day in which we were all able to produce many prints and pieces that contributed to our portfolios.

Following the workshop, our favourite prints were selected and mounted and went on display in the Murray Centre for everyone to see.

Ophelia Fisher, Head Creative Senior (UVI)

Katie Cary Workshop

In the Lent Term, the Lower Sixth Art A Level classes had the fantastic opportunity to take part in a pattern-making workshop with Downe House alumna, Katie Cary, founder of Studio Humbug.

Katie shared her journey with us, from designing accessories and shoes, to launching her own textile and wallpaper brand in 2023. Her company, Studio Humbug, is all about celebrating colour and pattern – with bold stripes, soft squiggles, and playful designs like ‘Quercus’ and ‘Squiggle’. Everything is sustainably printed to order in Northern England, using eco-friendly inks that help reduce waste.

During the workshop, Katie talked us through her creative process and how she finds inspiration in everything, from patterned stripes to nature. We then had the chance to create our own patterns using repetitive collage and drawing techniques.

The session gave us a fresh perspective on how patterns can be both artistic and functional. It was really interesting to hear from an alumna who has since built a creative career on her own terms.

Yan Tung Cecilia Hon, Head Creative Senior (LVI)

Life Drawing

Creating a life drawing has been an important element for the art student since the Renaissance. Working from direct observation of the figure, traditionally nude, is one of the most challenging subjects in art education. With instruction and guidance from Mrs Jones on ‘Ways of Seeing’, Upper Sixth students were taken through a range of drawing exercises such as contour, continuous line and blind drawing, that examined shape, line, mark making, tone and proportion. Drawing materials included graphite, charcoal, marker pens, conte crayon and soft pastel, all the while building upon skills and honing hand eye coordination (both dominant and nondominant) then culminating in feather and ink studies. These drawings formed an essential component of an Arts portfolio and could be some of the most vibrant and varied drawings made from direct observation.

Oil Painting Techniques

Mrs Jones took the Upper Sixth Creative Arts students for a workshop that explored the versatility of oil paint. Pupils were encouraged to experiment with a wide range of techniques such as dry brushing, glazing, wet in wet, layering, blending, underpainting, impasto, sgraffito and scumbling using different brushes and tools for the application of paint. Throughout the workshop, the aim was to understand the properties of oil paint and painting mediums, in tandem with discussions about which techniques could be used as part of a composition. Examples were given of contemporary artists who adopted these practices, to enable pupils to carry out further research which they could then use in their A Level coursework. Finally, pupils began to explore using these methods in combination to generate images of dynamism and energy, and ultimately to create a unique final piece.

Working from direct observation of the figure, traditionally nude, is one of the most challenging subjects in art education.

Photography

Florence Smith

Florence Smith

Iona Neville

Iona Neville

Ophelia Bracken

Ophelia Bracken

3D Design

GCSE

Abigail Bowden

Maria Gomonova

Heidi Halestrap

Abigail Bowden

Constance Hutchings

Cymbeline Attwater

Emily Laing

A Level

Gabriella Ford

Luma Horatio Jones

Luma Horatio Jones

Gabriella Ford

Evie Pilgrim

Amelia Karoly

Nathalie Ross

Maria Gomonova

Lower School Textiles

Remove

Lower Fourth

Upper Fourth

Wilanla Dejsunthornwat

Emiliya Pankova

Sophia Rosa

Zhicheng Ye Alexandra Try

Zhiya Yin

Olivia Reynolds

Sophia Zhang

Sophie Ratzer

GCSE Textiles

Violet-Rose Penney Jing (Angela) Yang

On Kiu (Mini) Ku

Chloe Stewart

Eloise McNair Scott Downe

Xavi Codet

Camilla Spread

Nibena Ben-Noi

Clementine Flynn

Margaret Chiu

Music

Introduction

It has been another successful year for the Music Department at Downe House, with much to celebrate! With over 400 music lessons taking place each week, a busy co-curricular programme of choirs, orchestras and bands and an array of musical performances, there has been a great deal going on, with a significant proportion of the School community involved. We are fortunate to be able to provide

opportunities for girls across the school and at all levels - from those who are starting to learn an instrument, to those who are highly accomplished musicians.

Our students have performed in a number of wonderful concerts and events, both in school and at venues further afield. I hope that you will enoy reading about some of the highlights here.

Mr

Alexander Leadbeater, Director of Music

Music Award Holder Recitals

This year we have held two excellent Music Award Holder recitals at Downe House.

Our first Spotlight of the year took place in November in the Concert Room. The programme featured performances from ten of our music scholars: Jia Chun (clarinet), Charlotte Cunningham (voice), Xiaoyu Hu (flute), Natalie Hui (violin), Hitomi Kotaka (Yip) (harp), Gauri Langhae (saxophone), Mingxi Li (piano), Tatiana Montanari (violin), Margaret Tam (flute) and Tiffany Ying (piano). This recital had a wonderful array of contrasting pieces of music, including a choral work by Pergolesi, violin pieces by Dvorak and Ravel, solo flute pieces by Chaminade and Doppler and Piano works by Mendelssohn and Chopin. It truly was a wonderful evening of music, and the pupils all performed brilliantly throughout the concert.

The Lent term brought a second Spotlight concert, held in the Murray Centre Auditorium, and marking the debut of a newly installed baby grand piano in this performance space. Taking part were Ngon Tung Ellie Chen (viola), Xidan Zhang (violin), Noelle Hui (violin), Pimpassorn Nilchiansakul (violin), Esme Matthews (voice), Emily Liu (flute), Carmen Ren (viola), Mary Hata (piano), Tsz Yuet Natalie Luo (violin) and Vitra Ampornpisit (piano). This was once again an amazing concert, full of varied repertoire by composers such as Bach, Poulenc, Tchaikovsky and Chopin amongst others and the pupils again performed to a really high standard, and should be tremendously proud of their achievements.

A special mention must go to our incredible Principal Accompanist and Chapel Music Co-Ordinator Mrs Norman,

for her incredible accompanying in these concerts and for all her hard work in preparation for this event.

Mr Chris Gill, Head of Academic Enrichment & Mr Alexander Leadbeater, Director of Music

One of my biggest musical highlights this year was definitely the Music Award Holder recital that took place in Oxford, followed by a comprehensive tour carefully planned and led by Mr Gill around the historic city.

The recital took place at the University Church of Oxford which is a beautiful venue with amazing acoustics. The programme comprised of a group of brilliant musicians, ranging from singers to violinists to flautists. Serena’s voice performance of the piece ‘King David’ was especially memorable for me. Her expressiveness of emotions and engagement with the audience was truly inspiring.

After the recital, Mr Gill kindly took us on a tour and shared fascinating insights into the city. We visited key musical attractions such as the Holywell Music Room and the Blackwell’s Music Shop, as well as the Ashmolean Museum, where we saw the famous Stradivarius violin on display, made in 1716, and known as the ‘Messiah’.

It was truly an amazing opportunity to showcase the musicians’ hard work and talent, and I look forward to going back next year!

Hedy Dong, Music Award Holder, LVI

Young Musician of the Year Competition

This year’s Young Musician of the Year

Competition was once again an incredible experience. Held annually in the Lent term, pupils can showcase their musicality and soloistic potential at any level.

This was my third time entering the competition in the Virtuoso category finals, and at such a high level the competition was tough but remained friendly – the enthusiasm and encouraging atmosphere between pupils is always a highlight. We enjoyed a broad range of repertoire from Chopin to Chinese folk tunes. I chose to play the third movement of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, a highly technical challenge but certainly one that I thoroughly enjoyed.

We were all fortunate to receive invaluable feedback on our respective performances by our guest adjudicator Peter Stark, a renowned conductor from the Royal College of Music. Being awarded Virtuoso Young Musician for the second time was certainly an incredible and unexpected ending to the excitement of the day. The Young Musician of the Year Competition has provided many of us with a platform to express ourselves and demonstrate the skills we have honed

over the school year – it was yet again an unforgettable experience, and so special thanks must go to the Music Department and its staff for supporting every single one of us who participated.

Angelina Shek, Music Award Holder, LVI

Many congratulations to all students who entered this year’s competition.

Competition Winners:

Music Maker (Grades 1 - 3): Saskia Warr

Intermezzo (Grades 4 - 5): Carmen Ren & Petra McKay

Maestro (Grades 6 - 7): Emily Liu

Virtuoso (Grade 8+): Angelina Shek

Carol Service

Throughout my years at Downe House, the Carol Service has come to symbolise the start of Christmas: the beauty of the music, the readings and the setting of St Mary Abbots Church, blending into a wonderful and uplifting evening.

This year, our service started with the traditional carol Once in Royal David’s City, followed by Polyphonix singing Adam Lay Y Bounden, a fifteenth century text. The Choir later performed Rutter’s Shepherd’s Pipe Carol and wrapped up the service with Stopford’s ‘A Christmas Blessing’.

Prima Voce sang a delightful rendition of Christina Rossetti’s text In the Bleak Midwinter, arranged by Dan Forrest, as well as Tavener’s hauntingly beautiful The Lamb. In Harmony shone with There is No Rose by Britten and Once Removed warmed hearts with Rutter’s Star Carol. The choirs and congregation were accompanied by a professional brass quintet to fabulous effect. It was a wonderful way to start Christmas.

A few days later, Downe House hosted a second carol service for members of the school community. Polyphonix performed Stopford’s A Christmas Blessing, whilst Prima Voce sang In the Bleak Midwinter, and the whole school joined in with the carols. It was a wonderful opportunity to perform for the community, and all the girls sang admirably. A huge well done to all the girls who performed, and we are already looking forward next year’s Carol Concert.

Charlotte Foulkes (LVI)

Michaelmas Concert

This year’s Michaelmas Concert was a wonderful celebration of Music at Downe House, featuring superb performances from all of our instrumental and vocal ensembles, and involving over 170 musicians from all year groups.

Our Chamber Orchestra opened the concert with an exciting performance of three movements from Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition: a truly remarkable orchestral work. We then heard renditions of well-known classics by our Once Removed choir, Jazz Band, and Sinfonia ensembles with performances of Africa by Toto, Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen and the Doctor Who theme.

In Harmony gave tremendous performances of two contrasting pieces, Ave Verum and Fields of Gold, accompanied by a string quartet. Mrs Norman conducted the Polyphonix choir in a lovely performance of The Silver Swan by the composer Oliver Tarney, before Prima Voce concluded the first half of the concert with performances of two works by the composers Ola Gjeilo and Gabriel Fauré.

After the interval, Polyphonix returned to the stage with a tremendous performance of Bob Chilcott’s A Little Jazz Mass, before a wonderful performance of Howard Blake’s soundtrack to The Snowman by the Symphony Orchestra to conclude the evening.

Many congratulations to all students involved - it was a fantastic music event with performances of a very high standard throughout!

Mr Alexander Leadbeater, Director of Music

House Music

In February, the PAC was brimming with House spirit, as pupils from every year group gathered for House Music, dressed head to toe in their House colours.

This annual event is Sixth Form led and showcases all things musical, encompassing a wide array of performances that bring the entire Downe House community together.

The competition has three main categories: Vocal Ensemble, Instrumental Ensemble, and Whole House Song, and this year’s theme was ‘Music from the Movies’. The repertoire was diverse, ranging from Footloose to River Flows in You. It was incredible to watch everyone enjoying themselves so much, whether performing or supporting their Housemates. The Lower Sixth production teams worked diligently in the month leading up to this event, to ensure their Houses carried out their best performance.

The competition was judged by Georgie Robertson, Head of the Performing Arts at St Bartholomew’s School in Newbury, and a professional accompanist, and a member of the Newbury Symphony Orchestra. A huge congratulations to everyone who participated and delivered outstanding

performances, making the event such a success and an unforgettable experience.

Joline Lam, Head of AGN (LVI)

A huge congratulations to everyone who participated and delivered outstanding performances. Below are the winners from each category:

Best Programme Design: AGS

Best Presented House: Tedworth

Outstanding Individual Contribution: Yan Qi (Angelina)

Shek (AGS)

Best House Conductor: Zimo (Emily) Huang

Best Accompanist: Mingxi Li (Aisholt)

Best Arrangement: Enyi (Christina) Zhao

Best Production Team: AGS

Best House Choir: Holcombe

Best Vocal Ensemble: Tedworth

Best Instrumental Ensemble: AGN

Overall House Music 2025 Winner: AGN

St John’s Concert

St John’s Concert was a truly uplifting celebration of musical talent, marking both a poignant farewell and an exciting beginning. Held in the heart of the School’s musical calendar, the evening featured a rich and varied programme, showcasing the dedication and artistry of our young musicians. It also served as a beautiful final concert for the Upper Sixth students and a promising first major performance for the new Lower Sixth cohort.

The evening began with a commanding performance by the Chamber Orchestra, delivering the spirited first movement of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21. With confident phrasing and vibrant energy, the ensemble captured the vitality of Beethoven’s early symphonic style.

Prima Voce followed with a trio of moving choral works. Rutter’s For the Beauty of the Earth brought warmth and lyrical clarity, while McDowall’s Ave Maria offered a moment of quiet reflection and haunting beauty. The set concluded with the uplifting rhythms of Cantate Domino by Mark Hayes, performed with enthusiasm and poise.

The centrepiece of the concert was a collaborative performance by Polyphonix and the Chamber Orchestra of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, a deeply expressive setting of the 13th-century hymn. The full ensemble delivered each of the fourteen movements with emotional depth and technical finesse. Highlights included heartfelt solos by Isadora Dyer, Alice Barber, Serena Browne, and Isabella Hudson. This concert was not only a musical triumph but a symbolic one, honouring the Upper Sixth as they prepare to leave with

memories of a final performance to be proud of. At the same time, it warmly welcomed the Lower Sixth into the heart of the School’s musical life. The future of music at St John’s looks very bright indeed.

Honor McMyn (LVI)

Performing Arts

Avatar

Over the Michaelmas and Lent terms, 63 brilliant girls from across all year groups worked their socks off to bring the vibrant world of Pandora to the stage- and my goodness, did they deliver!

The cast was made up of dancers from the Dance Company, Dance Academy, Lower School Dance Academy, and our Extra-Curricular Contemporary and Ballet groups. It was such a joy to see pupils from so many areas of the school come together with such enthusiasm, dedication and energy.

From the moment the lights went down, and the music started, the audience was completely transported to the world of Avatar. Our ambitious set design really brought the magic of Pandora alive, with glowing scenery, imaginative staging, and some very clever visual effects! The dancers looked amazing, painted blue and dressed in the most incredible costumes - it was like the Na’vi had stepped right out of the screen and into our theatre! Every movement was thoughtful, expressive, and full of emotion. It truly felt like we were witnessing something very special.

The two performances were the perfect culmination of months of rehearsals, teamwork, and sheer love for dance. I couldn’t be prouder of each and every dancer who took part. The atmosphere backstage was buzzing with

excitement, and the support they showed one another was heartwarming. A special thank you must be extended to the production team who brought my vision to life and worked tirelessly to create a stunning set, glorious soundtrack and epic lights. A huge well done to everyone involved - you brought the magic of Avatar to life in the most beautiful way!

Ms Alice Smith, Peripatetic Teacher of Dance

Participating in Avatar was a truly rewarding experience, and I felt deeply honoured to take on one of the lead roles in such an ambitious and inspiring production.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Miss Smith and Miss Cowgill for their outstanding choreography. Their creativity, vision, and meticulous attention to detail infused each scene with energy and meaning, resulting in a production that was both dynamic and visually stunning.

The rehearsal process was a genuine highlight. The atmosphere was consistently positive and collaborative, and it was incredibly exciting to witness the show gradually come to life. Performing Avatar on stage was a proud and unforgettable moment. It served as a powerful reminder of why I love dance, and of how special it is to be part of such a supportive, creative community here at Downe House.

Hing Ni Kuo, Dance Senior 25-26 (LVI)

House Drama

As if House Drama wasn’t already packed with sufficient drama, this year saw our Lower Sixth’s take on the role of guinea pigs for a bold new experiment: House Drama in TEN DAYS. Famed for their ability to compartmentalise, and brilliantly busy with a million other endeavours, we decided to condense the whole process, which gave it a thrilling intensity – but as predicted, no reduction in quality whatsoever.

The theme this year was ‘A Stranger Come to Town’. Essentially this idea draws from the concept that ultimately there are only a handful of plot formats out there – Romance, Revenge, The Quest, etc – and of course this one. We have a setting and a group of people and then a stranger arrives, which changes everything...

This stimulus gave rise to all sorts of brilliant concepts. The new Headteacher, a mysterious Maid who comes to the Manor, a bereaved couple who lost their son (or did they?), a hitchhiker at a ball and a returning father whose shellshock had rendered him so distant as to be a stranger. Brilliant plots

all, with rich characters, skilful use of tech, moving moments and a celebration of our new Removes. It really was a feast to behold.

Priscille Grace was our judge this year, a panellist for Central School of Speech & Drama auditions and recent performer at our local theatre the prestigious Watermill. She brought an infectious energy and joy to proceedings, complete with some really insightful feedback.

In the end, Holcombe were victorious, with their nuanced and thoughtful piece ‘The Stranger Within’, which dealt with some really mature and complicated ideas around the familial impact of war. Special mention should also go to Emilia Lazenby in the Upper Fourth, who treated everyone to an absolutely show-stealing performance as a brutally strict Scottish Headmistress on the road to self-reflection in Downehill.

I was delighted with the whole event – and the generosity of spirit really came through strongly this year, with teams applauding each other’s victories and proving that at the end of the day with theatre, it really is all about the taking part.

Mr Robert Castell, Director of Performing Arts

House Dance

The Lent Term concluded on a high note with the House Dance Competition 2025, a vibrant celebration of creativity, performance, and House spirit. The Performing Arts Centre buzzed with excitement as pupils took to the stage, delivering routines full of energy, creativity and precision. The competition was judged by Antonello Sangirardi, a former Rambert Company dancer who now tours the world sharing his expertise with dance groups. His insightful feedback and encouragement added an extra dimension to the event and inspired all the performers.

Each House presented both a large group and a small group performance, showcasing technical skill as well as expressive storytelling. The Lower Sixth choreographers guided rehearsals, shaped choreography, and motivated their teams throughout the term. Aisholt’s choreographer, Angel Dai, deserves special recognition for receiving the Head of Dance Award, praised for her organised, efficient and kind approach to her role.

Holcombe impressed with a polished team performance, taking home both the Small Group category and the title of Overall Winning House, AGS claimed victory in the Large Group category, while Tedworth was celebrated for Most Innovative Choreography. Every dancer brought their own flair to the spotlight, with a special mention for Hanna Suvansarang (LV, Tedworth), named Standout Performer for her expressive and confident routine.

We are incredibly proud of all those involved and extend heartfelt congratulations not only to the award winners, but to every pupil who contributed to such high-quality performances. Your dedication, creativity, and teamwork made this year’s competition truly exceptional.

Ms Alice Smith, Peripatetic Teacher of Dance

Academic Drama

We have had a wonderfully creative year in Academic Drama, our pupils have become well versed in various practitioner styles, theatre history, acclaimed literature and in the creation of new works. We are proud to have watched the current A Level and GCSE pupils grow in confidence, performance skill and technical ability.

The pupils have studied a wide range of texts, such as 1984, Blue Stockings, That Face, Lysistrata, Antigone as well as The Memory of Water, My Mother Never Said I Should, Five Kinds of Silence and Journey’s End.

Our Upper Sixth broke new ground at Downe, performing “La Nina” a wildly challenging and successful devised performance as part of their A Level course. Their audience was captivated by their bold use of space and intensity of emotion. The piece was designed to follow practitioner Antonin Artaud’s Theatre of Cruelty, which the students committed to whole-heartedly.

Our Upper Fifth performed three devised performances between the year group, exploring The Paper Birds and Artaud (the Upper Sixth proved to be inspiring girls!). The work they created was full of personality and there was a real sense of maturity and ambition on exam day.

Both exam year groups completed their scripted exams early in Lent term. The Upper Sixth displayed stunning

performances in their monologues and the invited audience loved the war time spirit and grit shown in Journey’s End. The Upper Fifth explored dark themes surrounding the human condition and performed with a sophistication beyond their years – I am supremely proud of their achievements in the last two years.

Our pupil’s written work in exams and coursework highlights their sophistication and how insightful they are as theatre goers. They continue to draw connections between current affairs and set texts, their ability to analyse and think critically will support their learning wherever they go next.

We are proud to have watched our A Level and GCSE pupils grow in confidence, performance skill and technical ability.

As always, we continue to look ahead to the future in Academic Drama, and we look forward to planning for and meeting the new Lower Sixth and Lower Fifth in September! Mrs Georgina Hughes, Head of Film and Academic Drama

Scholars’ Dinner

The annual Drama Scholars’ Dinner was undoubtedly a success.

The Scholars each chose their own pieces to perform to the audience of parents and Drama staff, and we were lucky enough to have held the event at The Watermill Theatre, where many talented actors and actresses have graced the stage. The Scholars put on an array of performances, from Ophelia Bracken’s Shakespearean monologue to Charlotte Cunningham’s rendition of Dead Mom from Beetlejuice.

The talent from all the girls was outstanding, with our Lower Sixth Geraldine James Scholars: Annabel Jackaman, Rosamund Harris, and Alice Gilchrist providing humorous and appreciative comments throughout. The audience’s enjoyment and engagement was clear, and their applause after each performance showed nothing less, with praises lasting until after we had reached the Theatre’s restaurant for dinner.

We reached The Watermill Theatre in the afternoon to begin our rehearsal process. We had the honour to speak to the wonderfully talented Lena Kaur, actress and writer who has appeared in on screen television shows like Hollyoaks and Torchwood and has been part of the renowned RSC, amongst other plays. She, herself, is in the midst of finalising her own play which will be performed at Soho Place in London, and we hope to see it and cheer her on! We were given thoughtful feedback from her, alongside reassurance and praise for our talent, which we were all deeply appreciative of. Over dinner, Lena informed us about her career and upcoming plans with

a display of passionate interest in representing the Asian community in her future work. As someone of South-East Asian descent, I was grateful to have been sat next to her and talked to her about my own interest in creating film and theatre, which was enthusiastically supported by her as we exchanged anecdotes.

Emilia Lim (LVI)

Film and Media

The Film and Media Department is still in its infancy, but I am pleased to say that this small department has already achieved a great deal in a short space of time.

In the lead-up to Christmas 2024, I offered pupils the chance to create a short film. They could choose any style and use any equipment, as long as it was inspired by Christmas. They were given two weeks, access to props and costumes, and a little guidance. What I received in return was far more than I could have hoped for! From a horror jump scare, a Home Alone spin-off, a Secret Santa disaster, ‘Christmas in the Dorms’ filmed in the style of The Office, to the tale of a very mysterious missing family, the creativity was remarkable. We were fortunate to welcome BAFTA Award-winner Oliver Roskill to our Merry Movie-Making Festival, where he kindly offered a Q&A session. Our pupils seized the opportunity to ask insightful questions about the industry and his experiences, and we remain deeply grateful for the time and enthusiasm he shared with us.

In the Lent term, we took our Drama scholars to Pinewood Studios as part of the Futures Festival. Here, our pupils gained first-hand experience of being on set with state-of-the-art equipment and enjoyed a full tour of the sound stages. We also secured places for them in seminars and Q&A sessions with leading industry professionals including Colin Trevorrow (Director of Safety Not Guaranteed and Jurassic World ) and Jany Temime (Costume Designer for six Harry Potter films, Skyfall, and Judy). The girls asked thoughtful questions and made the most of every opportunity to explore and network.

In the Summer term, the Lower Sixth A Level pupils took part in an outreach programme with the WI of Shaw-cumDonnington, beginning the process of making a documentary about - and for - them. Our plan is to share this film with the ladies of the WI in the Michaelmas term, showcasing the

work they do, the bonds they share, and the incredible life stories they told us. The Lower Sixth managed the camera, the microphone, and the interviews, sharing responsibility throughout. We integrated into their typical evening, learning from them and sharing a cup of tea and a biscuit. We look forward to welcoming them to school to share the words and messages we took away from that evening.

There is much more to come from Film and Media, particularly the new Acting for Screen offering for pupils as part of our Speech and Drama extra-curricular lessons. Mrs Georgina Hughes, Head of Film and Academic Drama

Sport

Lacrosse

As we complete another season of lacrosse, it is exciting to reflect on the success and hard work that have contributed to building our culture of participation, teamwork, and a winning mentality.

It has been an incredibly busy and successful season across all teams, with an impressive number of matches and tournaments played. We are proud to have fielded up to 14 teams each weekend, producing some excellent results.

Downe House started the season strongly, with the 1st, U15A, U14A, U13A and U12A teams all winning the Berkshire Schools Tournament. The U14A team secured a gold medal at the South West Schools Tournament, while the 1st, 2nd and U12A teams all came away with silver. The season concluded at the National Schools Tournament, which this year proved to be a great success for many teams. All players demonstrated real dedication and commitment throughout the four busy days of competition, achieving some truly inspiring results.

National Schools Results

1st Team: Top 8

2nd Team: Top 16

3rd Team: Semi finalists

U15A: Top 8

U15B: Top 12

U14A: Runners-up

U13A: Division 1 Semi-finalists

This year 14 Downe House girls represented the South West at the National Junior Regional Championships. We are also delighted to be well represented in national lacrosse performance programmes (across several nations).

National Representation

After playing lacrosse at Downe all these years, it feels so strange to think it’s all coming to an end. This season has been such a highlight - from finishing as runners-up at the South West Tournament to placing in the top eight in the country at National Schools. It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come. The effort and energy from every single team have been incredible, and the support from the coaches and from each other has made it all so special. From early morning practices to close matches, it’s been intense but so worth it. I’m so proud of everything we’ve achieved this year and over the years. I couldn’t have asked for a better final season!

Gabriella Ford, Lacrosse Captain 24-25 (UVI)

Hockey

As my time at Downe House comes to a close, I can look back on a remarkable season for our school hockey teams. Serving as captain has been an honour, and I have been impressed by the talent shown by players across all year groups.

One of the things that’s stood out has been the commitment shown by players. Hockey in the rain and running up and down the Farr Centre at 7am on a Monday is NOT fun. That kind of dedication has and will continue to play a huge role in the successes that we have as a team.

A special mention must go to our U16s, who this year made history by defending their county title for the first time. It was a fiercely competitive event, with some very tough opponents, but they rose to the occasion during every match. With several members also playing at county level, the standard of play was high.

At the other end of the school, the U12 team has had an outstanding debut season. From their very first match, the team showed real potential, not just in their results but in their attitude and enthusiasm for the game. With a series of wins in their tournament and some excellent individual performances, they’ve set a strong foundation for future years.

As I prepare to hand over the captain’s band, I feel hugely optimistic about what’s next for our teams. I’m sure Molly Bates will do a great job next year, with Cosima Islef and Isabella Neill by her side. To all the players, coaches, and supporters — thank you for making this year unforgettable. Eve Brown, Head of Games and Hockey Captain 24-25 (UVI)

Netball

As another busy year of netball comes to a close, it is so valuable to reflect on the last two terms and thank both the students and all staff involved in netball for their contributions this year.

There is no doubt the best way to start our new season is with new kit! Our seniors now have the option to play in a dress, or in a combination of shorts, skort, vest, t-shirt or long-sleeved shirt, whilst still looking and feeling smart and part of the team. The girls love their new Flyhawk kit and can feel comfortable and play well in it.

The Netball Tour to Dubai in October was a fantastic experience for everyone involved. It was a pleasure to take 24 senior netballers to experience a new culture and new style of play. They were certainly challenged in a number of areas (the 37 degree heat being one of them!) but all dealt with it admirably and had a truly memorable experience.

We have been fortunate enough to play block fixtures against both local and slightly less local opposition including Cheltenham Ladies College, RGS Worcester, St Benedict’s, Wellington College, St Swithun’s, St Helen & St Katharine, Bradfield, Lord Wandsworth College, Marlborough, St Edward's, Tudor Hall, The Oratory and St Mary’s Ascot. Adding a handful of Cup games, friendlies and an end of season tournament, we have been provided with excellent opportunities to learn and improve, and the girls have relished these.

As is the nature of sport, there are inevitably times when players are unavailable for fixtures. This season, the senior teams were particularly hard hit by illness and injury, often leaving teams short just a day or two before a match.

A huge amount of credit must go to every player who has stepped up and filled in for others. Players who usually represent the 3rd and 4th teams have frequently moved up one or two teams and performed in a way that shows they fully deserve that call-up. Additionally, our U15 and U14 players regularly stepped in to play for senior teams, often with very little prior training alongside those teammates.

I would like to personally thank Harriet Manning and Chantelle Eveleigh (UVI), Netball Captain and Vice-Captain 2024-25, for their contributions to the netball programme this year. Their enthusiasm and dedication have been unmatched and they have left DH Netball in a better place for it. They will be handing over to Imogen Baxter and Rhea Gupta (LVI), as Captain and Vice Captain respectively, who have already started their roles brilliantly. I am excited to work with them and continue to grow and improve the netball we offer at DH. Miss Madeline Gibbons, Head of Netball

Swimming

The swimmers have had another excellent season this year, maintaining their 80% win rate across their fixtures. Several girls have also achieved fantastic personal bests during the year, showing that their hard work is really paying off.

The season started strongly with wins against Bradfield for our U18 and U15 teams, with some very impressive relay times recorded. Our next fixture was the Berkshire Schools Relays, where all age groups performed well, with some standout swims from the Seniors. It was a tough first fixture for the Juniors, but their efforts were outstanding.

The second half of the Michaelmas term began well, with wins against St Helen and St Katharine for our U15 and U14 teams, and a very narrow loss for our U12s, who swam against a mixed U12 and U13 team. This was followed by another overall win against Queen Anne’s, including some excellent PBs from our U12s. We finished the Michaelmas term on a high, hosting three local state schools for our annual Four Schools Galathe team did brilliantly to retain their title and take home the shield once again.

The Lent term started in much the same way, with another win against Bradfield. Our next event was a big one - the GSA Invitational Gala at Wycombe Abbey – with our Juniors, Intermediates and Seniors all competing. We achieved some fantastic results, with both the Seniors and Intermediates finishing 2nd in their age groups. With strong support from the Juniors, Downe finished 2nd overall - the best result the school has achieved at this event, which featured eight notable schools.

The first half of term concluded with our Winter Swim Meet, held annually against St Mary’s Calne, St Swithun’s and The Downs. The U14s won their age group, and the U12s performed well to come 2nd, leading us to an overall victory and another shield win this year. The second half of term began with an overall win against Queen Anne’s, quickly followed by the Bath Cup, where our Seniors competed at the London 2012 Olympic Pool. Isabelle Regis, Lauren Ting, Rebecca Ang and Olivia Fane did a fantastic job, finishing just one second off the school record set last year.

Our season culminated in our annual tournament, the Independent Schools Gala, where we welcomed eight other schools. It proved to be a tough but exciting event, with some brilliant and closely contested races.

We also ran a number of excellent internal events this year, ranging from inter-house galas - organised and managed by our Captains - to workshops focused on technique and key race elements such as takeovers and turns. The swimmers thoroughly enjoyed these sessions and the chance to strengthen team bonds. We look forward to continuing these events next season.

A special thank you goes to Isabelle and Lauren for everything they have done as Captain and Vice-Captain, and congratulations to Rebecca Ang and Yuwen Ge, who will be taking over these roles for the season ahead.

Miss Katherine Kirby, Graduate Sport Assistant

Tennis

After a brilliant turnout at pre-season, we kick-started our summer fixtures with a double header against Wycombe Abbey in both cricket and tennis. A great start for our 1st team seniors, who edged a narrow victory and set the tone for a confident term ahead.

We aimed to field three to four senior teams, alongside three to four teams across the 15s, 14s, 13s, and 12s. Each team consists of three pairs ranked 1 to 3, so competition for places is fierce, especially in our current 14s, where nearly 80% of the year group takes private lessons.

Our Saturday fixtures are “friendly” in name only, with competitive matches against schools within an 80-minute radius. Wednesdays are reserved for official LTA matches, with smaller teams of four (singles and doubles). This year, our Lower Fourth team reached the semi-finals, narrowly losing to Charters School in a thrilling battle. Our Lower Fifth team, despite strong performances, didn’t make it through a tough group featuring Wellington and St Mary’s.

Over the course of the summer, we faced Wycombe Abbey, St Mary’s Calne, Bradfield, Marlborough, Godolphin, MCS, and St Mary’s Ascot. Across all year groups, we finished with a 56% win rate. While just shy of our 60% target, anything over 50% is a strong result and reflects the depth of talent we have.

We also introduced two exciting new events this term. The first was a Family Tennis Tournament, featuring 16 parentdaughter pairings in a round robin followed by a knockout stage. Huge congratulations to Isabella de Arcangelis and her father Gianluca, who triumphed in a brilliant final against India Evans and her mother Fleur. The standard from parents was

seriously impressive, and we hope to grow this event even further next year.

Secondly, our Racketathon tournament was a big hitfeaturing tennis, squash, and our new addition, Pickleball. The girls were low on energy as term ended, but once the event began, they came to life and loved the challenge of switching between sports. Definitely one to build on for next year.

To cap off the summer, four pairs represented Downe House at the ISTA Championships at Eton - our pinnacle event. Lucinda Boucher & India Evans reached the last 16 in the U19s, while Chloe Kelly-Higgins & Kiret Kular finished runners-up in the Plate of U13s, a brilliant result, especially being a year young!

A fantastic summer for racquet sports. We can’t wait to get started again in September for our technical term of coaching.

Mr Joshua Goodall, Head of Racquet Sports

Squash

It was another excellent year for squash at Downe House, with multiple teams competing across Key Stages 3, 4, and 5. Our U16 and U18 squads proudly qualified for the prestigious National Schools Squash Finals, held in March at the renowned Edgbaston Priory Club in Birmingham.

Key Stage 5 (U18)

Our KS5 team - Amber Hilton, Madeleine van den Berg, Alexia Cheuk, Alice Gilchrist, and Islay Leslie faced a tough opening match against Epsom College, which went right down to the wire. In a dramatic tie, the result came down to a single match point that could have tipped the balance either way. Despite the narrow loss, the team regrouped with determination and resilience, producing excellent performances to beat Edgbaston High School and Lincoln Minster School. Their efforts earned them the Plate title and a commendable 5thplace finish overall in the national rankings.

Key Stage 4 (U16)

The KS4 team - Grace Merchant, Lorna Meyrick, Eimear Planner, Constance Hutchings, and Fiona Merchant had a similarly competitive experience. They faced a formidable Gosforth Academy side in the first round and, although they were defeated, they bounced back strongly. With wins over Marlborough College and Bedford Modern, the team mirrored the KS5 outcome, securing 5th place nationally and demonstrating great teamwork and resolve.

These performances reflect the strength and depth of squash at Downe House. We now look ahead with confidence and ambition, aiming to return next year with even more age groups reaching the finals and with a clear goal in mind: to challenge for the national title.

Mr Joshua Goodall, Head of Racquet Sports

Basketball

It has been wonderful to see the basketball club continue to grow and gain a following under the captaincy of Zhi Ling (Lauren) Chu.

We had seven fixtures in total, beginning in September with a comfortable win for our U16 team against Park House, swiftly followed by the annual Eton social event for the seniors. Divided into two mixed teams, our girls more than held their own against the taller (and very confident) boys, scoring plenty of baskets through layups and outside shots despite some very physical defence. It was a superb standard of play, and great to see pupils taking on umpiring and officiating roles too.

The next two games were against Newbury Club, who only have four or five players. We helped boost their numbers in the first match and then combined to make three different teams in the second, forming a triangular tournament. This made the most of our large group of enthusiastic Lower Fourth players, who enjoyed a few days at DH before heading back to Sauveterre. It was a great learning experience and valuable practice in team communication.

The highlight of the season was, once again, our two matches against TASIS. The first was a one-sided affair as we were taken by surprise by the opposition’s speed and cohesion. Their experience and dedication to the sport outmatched us at first, but we rallied, grew into the game, and improved with each quarter. The match reminded us of the importance of teamwork - setting each other up for fast breaks and drives to the basket, rather than relying on solo efforts. We turned the tables in the second match and secured a convincing win through determination and team spirit. Audre Ovbiebo and Aleksandra Cork played in both matches and earned their Senior Colours this year for their continued dedication and

commitment to training, as well as their outstanding effort and performance in every match.

Our final fixture, against Kennet School, gave the U14 team a chance to shine and showcase both their individual flair and team cohesion. Overall, it has been a fantastic season of growth and development for our players.

Our girls more than held their own against the taller (and very confident) boys, scoring plenty of baskets through layups and outside shots

We are delighted to welcome Ka Yee (Kallie) Wong and Shanzay Siddiqui, who now take over the captaincy. They already have exciting plans to raise the profile of basketball even further, and we hope to increase the number of fixtures next year too.

Mrs Nicola Riddle, Teacher of PE

Cricket

The 2025 cricket season at Downe House was one of growth, grit, and glorious innings in the sun (mostly). From sun-soaked afternoons on the pitch to nail-biting final overs, the team really came together with passion, teamwork, and determination.

We’ve had so much fun this season, with key moments such as Alice Gilchrist's amazing caught-and-bowled against Marlborough, Issy Neill's insane innings against Wellington — her wristy pull shot carrying the team — and in our first

match of the season, Molly Bates' and Cosima Islef’s thrilling sprinting between the wickets, somehow managing to snatch three runs off the final ball.

This term, we've figured out the hard way that cricket is about more than just winning. While the scoreboard didn’t always reflect our effort, the Downe House team showed something even more valuable: fierce team spirit, enthusiasm, and the ability to have a proper laugh when plans went sideways. What we lacked in points, we more than made up for in progress. Every single player has improved massively over the season, growing more confident, more tactical, and more fearless with each game. We’re ending the year with a strong squad and an even stronger sense of self-belief heading into next season.

Behind the scenes, our training sessions have been consistent, focused, and full of energy. Whether it was working on batting techniques and shot selection in the nets, rotating through relentless fielding drills, or trying to master the perfect high catch under pressure and while squinting into the sun, the commitment was unreal. Yes, there were dropped catches. Yes, there were broken nails. But the atmosphere remained supportive and uplifting every week.

It’s been a season of small wins, steady progress and lots of laughter. A huge well done to everyone who picked up a bat, bowled a ball, or cheered from the side-lines this season — your energy made it what it was. And of course, massive thanks to our amazing coaches for their constant support, infinite patience, and for believing in us, even when we weren’t totally sure ourselves.

Here’s to a season of grit and giggles — and to smashing it even harder next year.

Rhea Gupta and Molly Bates, Captains (LVI)

Skiing

In January, the Downe House Ski Team enjoyed a successful four days of competition at the British School Girls’ Ski Races in Flaine, France.

The girls took to the slopes with skill, speed and style (wearing their very smart new DH-branded ski suits). The conditions in the Alps were challenging, but the girls showed real resilience and determination to record some outstanding team and individual results – returning with a large haul of medals and trophies, including team gold in the U18 slalom and two golds in U14 slalom events.

Congratulations go to all eight racers for representing the School so well and for the tremendous team spirit, which played no small part in achieving all those podium places.

Results

Jennifer Ford (LIV):

Gold - Non-Registered U14 Slalom

Gold (St Leonards Cup) - Non-Registered U14 Combined

Silver - Non-Registered U14 Giant Slalom

Charlotte Ford (LIV)

Bronze - Non-Registered U14 Giant Slalom

Flora Hay (UV)

Silver - Non-Registered U18 Slalom

Heidi Halestrap

Bronze - Non-Registered d U18 Slalom

A Team – Heidi Halestrap, Flora Hay, & Elizabeth Ford (all UV)

Chelski Trophy - Best Non-Registered Team Slalom

Cross Country

Cross Country: A Season of Growth, Grit, and Great Results.

Under the leadership of UVI Athletics Captain, Lauren Ting, this has been a memorable and rewarding season for the Downe House cross country squad—not only because of the many team and individual achievements, but because of the growing depth and enthusiasm within the group. It’s been particularly pleasing to see more pupils from all year groups— and of all abilities—getting involved and embracing early morning running club, come rain or shine. The Interhouse Cross Country competitions were as spirited as ever, showcasing the determination and camaraderie that define the squad.

The season began with a new and exciting event: the St Gabriel’s Cross Country Festival. This relay-style competition provided a brilliant, low-pressure introduction to racing, particularly for our younger runners. We entered U12 and U14 teams, and it was a fantastic opportunity for several pupils to represent Downe House for the first time. Chloe Olsen and Emilia Lazenby led their teams with enthusiasm and spirit, setting the tone for the season ahead.

We were proud to host the ESSA Cross Country Cup –County Round, with our Junior, Intermediate, and Senior teams placing 7th, 1st, and 3rd respectively. The Intermediate team progressed to the Regional Round, where they placed 8th overall. Amelie Perceval delivered an impressive 13thplace finish in a highly competitive field.

At the Berkshire Schools Cross Country Competition, our depth really showed. Despite some top runners away

at a lacrosse fixture, we still entered more teams than in previous years. The U17A team placed 3rd, with standout performances from Mia Olsen, Emma Davies, and Niamh Planner, who all finished in the top 20. Emma and Niamh were selected to represent Berkshire at the South East InterCounties, where they ran strongly — Emma placed 20th and later earned a place at the English Schools Championships, representing the county in a field of over 300 runners and fishing a commendable 188th.

A highlight for many remains the Radley Relays, where racing against boys’ teams brings out the best in our athletes.

We entered a record nine teams this year and came away with two silver medals: the Intermediate team of Alice Bevan, Olivia Fane, Mia Olsen, and Amelie Perceval, and the Senior team of Emma Davies, Daisy Mackinnon, Niamh Planner, and Hettie Simpkin.

The season concluded at the West Berkshire Schools event, where our U15 and U17 teams placed 1st, and the U13 team finished 2nd. Top individual finishers included Chloe Olsen, Daisy Aird, Mia Olsen, and Emma Davies, who won her race.

Looking ahead, Hettie Simpkin and Daisy Mackinnon have been appointed as Captain and Vice-Captain. They’re already inspiring others through new initiatives like Tread Mondays and a group entry for the London Landmarks Half Marathon. Their passion and leadership promise exciting things for the future of Downe House cross country.

Miss Charlotte Williams, Assistant Director of Sport

Athletics

Under the leadership of Athletics Captain, Emma Davies (LVI), engagement in athletics thrived this year. There were more opportunities than ever for girls of all abilities to compete, resulting in numerous successes, personal bests, and new school records to celebrate.

An impressive twelve school records and one Sports Day record were set. The School was crowned U15 and U17 West Berkshire Schools Champions, reflecting the depth of talent across year groups. At the Berkshire Schools Combined Events, three athletes placed: Amelie Perceval (U17) – 2nd, Ella Mackinnon (U15) – 1st, and Pandora Rycroft – 4th. Both Amelie and Ella went on to represent Berkshire at the South of England Combined Events Championships.

The Junior and Intermediate Track and Field Teams qualified in 5th place out of 85 schools in the region for the Southwest Regional “A” Final, a remarkable achievement. Twenty athletes were selected to represent West Berkshire at the Berkshire Schools Championships, with four (Emma Davies, Pearl (Ivie) Avwenagha, Aderinola Aderibigbe, and Amelie Perceval) finishing on the podium. Notably, Emma went on to represent Berkshire at the U20 ESSA English Schools Championships.

Emma (Bracknell AC) and Amelie (Newbury AC) also competed for their clubs at the Berkshire Track and Field Championships, both achieving podium finishes and setting new school records: Amelie – 1st in the U17 300m Hurdles, and Emma – 2nd in the U20 800m.

Miss Charlotte Williams, Assistant Director of Sport

New School Records

U19 800m: Emma Davies (LVI) 2:14.80 min

U19 400m: Emma Davies (LVI) 59.1s

U17 400m: Constance Hutchings (UV) 59.8s

U17 300m: Constance Hutchings (UV) 42.81s

U17 300m Hurdles: Amelie Perceval (LV) 47.4s

U17 Pentathlon: Amelie Perceval (LV) 2487 points

U15 100m: Pandora Rycroft (UIV) 13.24s

U15 80m Hurdles: Pandora Rycroft (UIV) 12.8s

U15 4 x 100m relay: Pandora Rycroft, Ella Mackinnon, Danielle Jibodu, AralolaOluwa Fatokun 55.62s

U13 Shot 2.72kg: Emilija Breddermann 8.56m

U13 Shot 3kg: Emilija Breddermann 8.09m

U13 High Jump: Elektra Purchas 1.30m (equalled school record)

Athletics in Numbers 1

Sports Day record broken 1

Athlete Competing at U20 ESAA English Schools Championships

2

Athletes represented Berkshire at the South of England Combined Events Championships 2

Teams (Junior and Intermediate Track and Field) qualified 5th out of 85 schools in the region for the Southwest Regional “A” Final

The athletics season was, as always, short and intense, but this year felt more rewarding than ever before. Athletics Club on Wednesday afternoons has been a hive of activity, and it’s been fantastic to have Emma Davies (School Athletics Captain) and Aderinola Aderibigbe (School Athletics ViceCaptain) contributing their time and expertise to coaching.

Running Club on Thursday mornings continues to go from strength to strength, with 20–30 girls attending regularly, and many in the Lower School which bodes well for the future.

Over 100 girls had the opportunity to represent the athletics team this season in a range of fixtures, including friendly Saturday meets at Dauntsey’s, Canford, and St Mary’s Ascot, the fast and furious St Gabriel’s Relays Festival, the Trinity Track and Field Festival (which we entered for the first time), and the Wednesday Dauntsey’s Lower School Invitational

3

Athletes placed at the Berkshire Schools Combined Events

12

New school records set

20

Athletes qualified to represent West Berkshire at the Berkshire Schools Championships

Meets. These fixtures are designed to support athletes of all experience levels, allowing them to enjoy the thrill of competition and strive for personal bests. A key focus this year has been to create more opportunities for girls who are keen to compete, extending beyond just the core track and field and district teams. This has been successfully achieved without compromising the desire to push the most able athletes in their pursuit of excellence.

The positive momentum from last year has continued, and there is still an ever growing appetite among the girls to push their limits and appreciate the broader benefits that athletics brings to performance across other sports. There is a genuine sense of pride in being part of Team Athletics, and with such enthusiasm and engagement, there’s every reason to believe next season will be even more successful.

House Sports

The Summer Sports Festival, which takes place during the final two weeks of the Summer Term, brings together pupils from every year group in a wonderful celebration of sport, teamwork, and House pride.

Houses competed against each other, in multiple year-group teams, in tennis, volleyball, cricket, football, and rounders. Each year group had their own captains, who played a role in selecting teams and making sure everyone had a chance to be involved. This was where House spirit really came to life, as pupils rallied behind their peers and supported their Houses with enthusiasm.

The excitement, noise, and colour that filled the pitches, courts, and sidelines created a competitive and uplifting atmosphere. Tutus, House colours, and face paint made bold appearances, turning the fields into seas of red, blue, yellow, green and purple. Whether winning or losing, teams encouraged one another and gave everything they had on the pitch.

The cricket matches created a buzz, with packed sidelines of the batters urging their runners to push for those extra points. The volleyball courts were equally intense when long rallies were played. Rounders involved the seniors only and was one of the most hotly contested events of the festival. The tennis matches across all year levels were another highlight, with the standard remarkably high – bringing out the best in both new and experienced players.

The Festival was a true celebration of competitive sport, but was also fun, inclusive, and inspiring. In the junior competitions, Aisholt were crowned winners of tennis, while Tedworth claimed victories in both cricket and football.

At the intermediate level, Holcombe dominated by winning tennis, volleyball, and cricket, with Aisholt taking football. Finally, in the senior category, Tedworth emerged victorious in tennis, cricket, and rounders, while Holcombe triumphed in both football and volleyball. Each win was hard fought, and every match added to the overall results.

What made the Festival so special was the sheer involvement of the whole school. Whilst winning is always enjoyable, the true victory lies in the shared experience, the friendships forged, and the sense of belonging that House competitions foster. At the end of the day, House spirit was the real winner.

House Gymnastics

The last day of the Lent Term ended with a vibrant celebration of creativity and skill as pupils came together for the much-anticipated House Gymnastics and Dance Competition. It was a truly memorable afternoon, filled with displays of incredible teamwork, performance prowess, and soaring House spirit.

The gymnastics section, held in the Farr Centre, saw each House present both a team and an individual routine— showcasing not only the physical talent of our gymnasts but also the artistry and leadership involved in choreographing and refining a performance.

The team events were led by the Lower Fifth captains, who took on responsibility for team selection, choreography, running rehearsals, and motivating their gymnasts week after week. The captains demonstrated real commitment, and their leadership and creativity resulted in some of the most polished and entertaining routines the competition has seen in recent years. Holcombe’s captains deserve a special mention—their team’s attention to detail and determination were recognised with victories in both the Team and Overall House categories.

The individual events carried a different kind of pressure, as gymnasts performed entirely alone in front of the whole school. It takes real courage to step onto the mat solo, but each competitor displayed confidence, precision, and creativity. Francesca Mitchell’s routine beautifully blended elements of ballet with gymnastics, while Ella MacKinnon wowed the crowd with her powerful tumbling passes. Imogen Pugh’s flawless execution earned her the well-deserved title of Individual Winner.

Scholars' Review

The Sport Award Holder Programme at Downe House continues to go from strength to strength, supporting athletes who not only excel in their chosen sports but also demonstrate outstanding leadership, character, and a genuine desire to fulfil their potential.

This year, 10 Scholars and 15 Exhibitioners (LIV–UVI) embraced a wide range of opportunities as part of the enhanced programme, serving as role models and ambassadors for Downe House sport.

A key development has been the growing expectation for award holders to lead by example—not just focusing on their own progress, but actively inspiring those around them. This cultural shift has created a strong sense of team spirit, a shared pursuit of excellence, and a deeper sense of accountability across the year groups. The girls have responded brilliantly, embracing their roles with maturity, drive, and pride.

In return, the programme has provided a comprehensive package of support, including tailored Strength & Conditioning sessions, individual mentoring, wellness monitoring, performance reviews, training logs and access to high-quality external speakers. A standout moment was the “Life in Pro Sport” talk delivered by Felicity “Fliss” Gibbons, a Crystal Palace Women’s Super League player. Fliss offered candid insight into her journey in professional football, speaking about the rise of women’s sport, the pressures of elite competition, and the importance of resilience and self-belief.

Another highlight was the annual Sports Scholars’ Basketball Trip—a dynamic and bonding experience that remains a

firm favourite on the calendar. The opening of our new gym, launched by alumna Anna Neville, has also enabled us to expand our provision. This state-of-the-art facility now supports not only our award holders, but also those on the newly established Performance Pathway (10 pupils) and Aspiring Athletes Programme (15 students), allowing even more pupils to pursue sporting excellence.

We also proudly hosted our inaugural More Than the Score Sports Dinner—an evening to celebrate the achievements of our Award Holders, Pathway Athletes and Sports Captains. Our guest speaker, Lucy Wray Mercey—former Wales Lacrosse captain, successful CEO, and co-owner of the new London Mavericks Netball franchise—inspired everyone present with her message about leadership, growth, and ambition.

This has been an exceptional year of growth and momentum for Downe House sport. With collaboration, determination, and a growing culture of excellence, our student-athletes are thriving—and the future looks brighter than ever.

Miss Charlotte Williams, Assistant Director of Sport

Sports Day

Bright sunshine and a warm breeze set the scene for this year’s Sports Day—a fantastic celebration of sport, House spirit, and summer fun. With the scent of suncream in the air and House flags fluttering, pupils, staff, and families gathered for a day full of energy, colour, and competition.

One of the standout moments came from Estelle AlldisKervella (LV), who broke the Intermediate Discus record with a brilliant throw of 23.07m—a real credit to the hard work she’s put in all season.

The Open 1500m was another highlight. Emma Davies (LVI), our incoming School Athletics Captain, led from the gun and held her lead with strength and focus. Daisy Aird (LIV) and Madeleine Watkins-Ball (UIV) pushed hard behind her to take second and third—an exciting race from start to finish.

We also saw a piece of school history in the Intermediate 100m, where Emma Kovalchuk, Maya Benson, Zara Kachingwe-Sisya, and Mariam Abubakar (all UIV) crossed the line together in a rare four-way tie for first!

Every pupil played their part in the day,, with many stepping in to cover events and give their all for their House. For one last time, Mrs Rayne orchestrated the day from the announcer’s box, her voice and energy keeping the whole event buzzing.

AGN had a clean sweep, winning the Junior, Intermediate, Senior and Overall titles—huge congratulations!

A brilliant day all round—well done to everyone who took part and made it so special!

Miss Charlotte Williams, Assistant Director of Sport

Outstanding Performance Awards

Junior: Taraoluwa Akeju and Sara Motyka (LIV)

Intermediate: Pandora Rycroft (UIV)

Senior: Emma Davies (UVI)

Alumnae Matches

Lacrosse

The Alumnae “Lydia Rayne Testimonial” Lacrosse Match 2025 drew a record crowd. Over 50 alumnae took to the field, supported by families, friends, partners, and pupils who created a lively atmosphere on the sidelines. The event’s popularity meant a second pitch was marked out, with two Downe House teams and two alumnae teams playing in a memorable celebration of Lydia Rayne’s 28 years of dedicated service.

Lydia has been a true stalwart of Downe House sport, building teams on strong values: discipline, hard work, laughter, and

fun. Her love of winning and fierce competitive spirit were the heartbeat of every team she led. This drive shone through in the testimonial matches, as the younger Downe players fiercely challenged the experienced alumnae. The games were played with passion, energy, and competitiveness— a fitting tribute to a coach who gave so much to the sport and school.

The afternoon ended with heartfelt thanks from current pupils and Miss Williams, moving Mrs Rayne to tears.

Hockey

It was a scorcher of a day, but the match was still played with high intensity throughout all four quarters. Downe set out in a determined mood with some crunching tackles from the defence of Cosi Islef and Flora Hay and some fine saves from keeper Charlotte Brougham ensuring the side stayed in the running. Some outstanding passing and linking then started to come together with hard work off the ball from Henrietta Simpkin, Isabella Neill, Molly Bates and Trinity Parkes, before Daisy Mackinnon then skilfully eliminated a player to slot the ball in the corner. The Alumnae team immediately stepped up, through the silky skills of Eve Brown who glided through a number of players to slip the ball for Charlotte Toogood (DH, 2019) to slot home.

One a piece at half time and both teams were determined to take the lead. Despite the heat, Elizabeth Stonor, Iona Russell, Sophia Cork and Charlotte Benson continued to throw everything into the game creating several opportunities until Charlotte found the net with a deceptive reverse strike. The final goal came from perseverance and end-to-end battling - seeing Downe clinch a third to consolidate their lead. Well played all, especially those who came out of retirement, a fantastic game all round.

Mrs Gillian Kearin, Teacher of PE

Beyond the Curriculum

Global Programme

Life at Downe House has always been about looking outwards as well as inwards. In the 21st century, education is about much more than lessons and exams – it is about preparing young people to step into a world that is fast-changing, interconnected and full of opportunity. We want every girl here to feel ready for that world, to grow into a confident and compassionate global citizen, and to carry with her the skills, friendships and experiences that will last a lifetime.

Our Global Programmes lie at the heart of this vision. Whether it’s taking part in our long-running Global Schools Exchange Programme, experiencing the world of work through a Global Internship, or learning from visiting staff through our Global Staff Exchanges, there are countless opportunities to connect with other cultures and perspectives. Each one adds a new dimension to school life and helps shape the way our community understands the wider world. From Newbury to New Zealand, from Germany to Japan, the message is the same: the world really is our classroom, and every girl has a place in it.

Ms Marya Akhtar, Director of Global Business Development

Global Schools’ Exchange Programme

Now in its ninth year, and with 15 partner schools across 12 countries, the Downe House Global Schools’ Exchange Programme (GSEP) continues to enable our Lower Fifth and Lower Sixth pupils to experience a different academic system, benefit from a unique cultural immersion, and develop confidence, resilience and independence – as well as gain friends for life.

This year’s 34 successful ambassadors went through a competitive application and interview process before being offered a place at a school that best suited their preferences, interests and personalities. The Global Partnerships Department briefed the girls before their travel and hosting experiences, providing all the guidance and support needed both while away and while hosting their partners here at Downe.

The 2024/25 cohort has been a credit to the School and to themselves – we are so proud of them! Being able to share their adventures has been a privilege and a joy, and their feedback has been wonderful to read.

Schools in our 2024/25 Programme

Heimschule Kloster Wald, Germany

Welham Girls’ School, India

Herschel Girls’ School, South Africa

Durban Girls’ College, South Africa

Mayo College Girls’ School, India

Methodist Ladies’ College, Australia

KEIO High School, Japan

Dr Nassau College, Netherlands

Beaulieu College, South Africa

Waikato Diocesan Girls’ School, New Zealand

Campus Manilla Gymnasium, Sweden

Trafalgar Castle School, Canada

St Stephens Girls’ College,, Hong Kong

Santa Catalina School, USA

St Pauls School, Brazil

“It was such an amazing experience — making new friends, exploring a new country, and experiencing school life so different from Downe. We’ll remember it for a long time.”

Over the Easter break, Tess and Lara travelled to Trafalgar Castle School in Whitby, just outside Toronto – a new school in our programme. They were warmly welcomed into the school, with the experience being felt both familiar and new: longer lessons, unique subjects like “Forces of Nature,” and a real sense of community. Weekends were packed with adventure. Lara explored Port Perry and downtown Toronto and climbed the CN Tower. Tess went full Canadian with a trip to see the Toronto Raptors play. The biggest highlight was a weekend at Niagara Falls – taking in the breathtaking views on the Canadian side, enjoying the buzz of Clifton Hill, and watching the sunset over the Falls while enjoying dinner with their host families.

Heimschule Kloster Wald, Constance, Germany – Imogen Coiley (LV) & Thanaya (Hanna) Suvansarang (LV)

“Our visit helped us gain confidence, experience German school life, and see how people in Germany live.”

Over Easter, Immie and Hanna spent 18 days at Heimschule KlosterWald in Germany. From the moment they arrived, their buddies and host families made them feel welcome, and they quickly settled into school life. Highlights included trying new sports such as handball and volleyball, and taking part in unique activities, including a carpenters’ workshop, a fashion show, and volunteering at a police station and local school. Outside school, they explored Ravensburg, climbed a traditional German castle, visited Europa Park, enjoyed the countryside, and went on trips in Switzerland and Austria.

Trafalgar Castle School, Whitby, Canada: Tess Prakitritanon (LV) & Lara Kendall (LV)

Global Internships Programme

This year, a total of 38 Sixth Form students took part in internship placements with one of 17 companies in the Programme. Most were based in the UK, but some took girls further afield — to overseas locations including Bangkok, Dubai, Hong Kong, Mumbai and Lusaka.

The Global Partnerships team set out to make the experience as true to life as possible, with the girls completing application forms, taking part in interviews, and in many cases attending an introductory meeting with their internship contact, either face to face or online. The range of internships spanned many sectors, from hospitality, law and PR through to finance, market research and computing. Each girl was matched to the internship that best suited her studies or career aspirations.

After the internship, the girls wrote to thank the companies and completed evaluation forms, while the companies provided their own feedback on how the girls had got on. The girls clearly rose to the challenge brilliantly, and the comments from the internship providers have been a joy to read.

Companies in our 2024/25 Programme

Allianz, Munich - Venture Capital

Avenel Equine Hospital, Australia - Veterinary Medicine

Collagerie, London - Retail

Cibus Capital, London - Finance

GeTeCe Group, Bangkok - Business Management

Halpern, London - PR and Marketing

Intuit Research, Hong Kong - Market Research

Jessica McCormack, London - Retail

KBH, Dubai - Law

Kyriba, Staines - Financial Services

Nurture Landscapes, Windlesham - Business Management

Orchard Global Asset Management, LondonFinancial Services

Techoraco, Washington DC - Event Management

The Red Pen, Mumbai - Education consultancy

30Thirty Capital, Lusaka - Venture Capital

Vodafone, Newbury - Technology

Yarrow Cookery School - Hospitality & Marketing

Feedback from the Downe House Internship Ambassadors

“The highlight for me was talking to people across the company and hearing about their different roles and career paths. Everyone was so open and generous with their time, which really helped me understand how venture capital and private equity work from multiple angles. One of the biggest things I took away was how important it is to be curious and proactive. Asking questions, showing initiative, and engaging with people made the experience so much more valuable and enjoyable.” Mia Corbett (LVI) - Cibus Capital (London)

“Our main tasks were to attend client meetings and write up project proposal drafts. Being part of the team was a rare and valuable experience. From my internship, I gained a clearer understanding of how company meetings work, and how to interact with colleagues, while also developing skills such as research and teamwork, which I believe will all benefit me in the future.” Mini Li (LVI) – Intuit Research (Hong Kong)

“Our internship was an incredibly rewarding experience that not only broadened our perspective but also provided us with practical skills to support our future career paths.”

Rhea Gupta & Scarlett Hayes (LVI) – KBH (Dubai)

“One of the highlights was learning new things each day and spending time with the team; it was great to learn from their experience and insights. I came away with a much deeper understanding of both the marketing and education sectors, and I really enjoyed being in such an international, dynamic office environment. Stepping outside of my comfort zone opened up new perspectives and showed me just how much there is to gain from trying something new!” Pascale Ashley (LVI) - The Red Pen (Mumbai)

“Over the course of the internship, I learned so much from dealing with different people, helping with the social media and advertising the event. I especially appreciated the opportunity to work alongside professionals who are passionate and dedicated to their work. The guidance, feedback and encouragement made a lasting impression on me and have greatly influenced my professional growth.”

Niamh Planner (LVI) – Techoraco (USA)

Feedback from the internship companies

“Scarlett worked within various departments of the firm, gaining valuable insight into legal practice, the operations of a law firm, and the responsibilities associated with different roles. Although the internship was brief, Scarlett displayed a high degree of professionalism, maturity, and initiative.”

Shahzad Farooq, Practice Manager, KBH

“Imogen worked really hard to understand all the elements of our business, and I felt she really got to grips with some of the more challenging aspects. She excelled at the presentation.” Annie Rainsford, Partner & General Counsel, Cibus Capital LLP

“Ansha and Dominica collaborated effectively as a team and also showed the ability to successfully manage tasks independently. Notably, they completed a comprehensive end-of-week assignment, which they presented to a panel of colleagues - including a senior HR leader. Their insights and recommendations were thoughtful and practical, and we are pleased to be considering several of their ideas for future implementation within the company.” Anna Cirillo, Executive Assistant, Kyriba

“It was really great to have you as part of the team – and you and the rest of ‘team DH’ made a great impression on our whole team and our customers, with your hard work, positive attitude and enthusiasm.” Ros Irving, CEO Telecomms & Technology, Capacity Media

Co-Curricular Activities (CCA)

The team behind our Co-Curricular Activities (CCA) programme is very proud to offer an extensive and hugely varied range of trips, events and activities, and with 372 items in the 2024/25 CCA calendar, this year was busier than ever. The CCA Department’s mission is to provide something for everyone: enabling girls to further their interests or try something new, to explore new places, to be challenged, to build confidence, and to have fun with friends. From our annual Fun Fair in the school grounds, to reeling with Radley, surfing in Pembrokeshire, conservation work in Kenya, clay-pigeon shooting, karaoke competitions, petting puppies and riding a bucking-bronco, it is hard to think of something that hasn’t been available to the girls to get involved in.

Mrs Hannah Pilgrim, Head of CCA

The fun fair weekend was amazing! There were lots of thrilling rides for us to go on with our friends and exciting stalls with the chance to win prizes. My favourite was the spinning Waltzer, and I went on it so many times. There was candy floss, and the hot chocolate was much needed for the chilly day. It was a great opportunity to socialise with prospective pupils and get to know them.

Willoughby Wren, Hermitage (Remove)

The fun fair, which came to Downe for the weekend, was definitely a highlight of the Lent term. There were exciting

rides, colourful stalls, and delicious food and drink, such as candyfloss and hot chocolate. Everyone had a great time playing games like ring toss and spending time with friends. A personal favourite for me was the big ride, which swung us upside down! For the UIV, there was also a social with Radley College, which everyone loved!

Madeleine Watkins-Ball, AGN (UIV)

I have loved being part of the equestrian team this year. We have had many training sessions and competitions, with the highlight being qualifying for the Le Mieux Team Eventers Challenge at Hickstead in the 85cm and 95cm classes. It has been great to have the opportunity to compete as a team, with everyone cheering each other on and creating such a supportive atmosphere, and we have gained valuable advice from the training sessions. It has also been a great way to get to know more people around school.

Daisy Mackinnon, Willis (LVI)

Inflatable Friday was so much fun! There were huge inflatables on the field, including a giant obstacle course, Hungry Hippos, Wipeout and a slide. I had such a good time jumping, sliding, and racing with my friends. Everyone was laughing and having the best time. The street food was delicious, and the ice cream van made the day even better.

Rose Morgan, Holcombe (UIV)

Pickleball club is really fun and helps us stay active while getting to be sociable with others. I had never played pickleball before and it was nice having the opportunity to try something new. Cookery club is also great fun because we make delicious food and learn new recipes.

Clementine Sanfor, Holcombe (UIV)

We thoroughly enjoyed the Winchester social, and the chance to chat informally and enjoy time with the Winchester boys. Our favourite part was the s’mores and the fire pits outside: they were delicious! We can’ wait for the next social!

Arabella Heslop, Tedworth & Abigail Kehoe, AGS (UIV)

We thoroughly enjoyed the Winchester social, and the chance to chat informally and enjoy time with the Winchester boys. Our favourite part was the s’mores and the fire pits outside: they were delicious! We can�t wait for the next social!

Arabella Heslop, Tedworth & Abigail Kehoe, AGS (UIV)

This academic year, I have taken part in many evening activities such as clay pigeon shooting, fun swim and knitting club. Clay Pigeon Shooting was a great opportunity to try something new and talk to girls in the Lower Fourth and Upper Fourth. I do fun swim with my best friend, and we get to hang out on an inflatable and relax. We also love singing along to our favourite songs. Evening activities are definitely something you should join, they are lots of fun and a great way to interact with new people!

Wenwen Li, Hermitage (Remove)

We hosted a glamorous black-tie social with Radley, and the theme was James Bond. The PAC was decked out with gold tinsel, balloons, and elegant touches that set the scene perfectly. There was something for everyone from the photo booth to the huge chocolate fountain. The DJ was amazing, and everyone loved dancing all night to great songs. We all really enjoyed getting to know the Radley boys better and we can’t wait to have another one soon!

Mia Olsen, Tedworth (LV)

Last summer, I was lucky enough to be a part of the second tour to Kenya. It was the most incredible experience, that exposed us to all aspects of Kenyan life. Once there, we dived right into helping to support the charity ‘Oceans Alive’. We spent time working on coral conservation projects, planting, and building coral nurseries to help protect the marine life. We also immersed ourselves into the local community, going to the market, playing a football match against the local girls’ team and a trip to a local school. In between, we went on a sunset dhow (a Kenyan boat) ride leading to a floating bar, as well as swimming and team building on the beach. We concluded our trip with a breathtaking two days of safari, with sightings of cheetah, lions, elephants, and hyena pups to name a few. It really was an amazing experience, and I would highly recommend anyone who gets the chance to take it and make the most of the opportunity!

Alexa Nash, Willis (LVI)

There is always something I look forward to on Saturday evenings. Every week, there’s an activity to do, such as baking, crafts, karaoke and even making slime! Last weekend we made pizzas, which was a lot of fun! There were a variety of toppings to choose from and loads of yummy cheese. We also have karaoke nights - I enjoy singing so much, my throat is usually sore afterwards!

Catherine Yam, AGS (UIV)

For this year’s Puppy Therapy event, eight adorable Cockapoos came to visit, bringing instant smiles and endless joy to everyone lucky enough to spend time with them. The puppies were incredibly cute, and I could have watched them for hours. Playing with the puppies was surprisingly calming

and helped me relax and take a break from a stressful exam period. I think everyone could use a little puppy therapy in their life!

Isabella Neill, Willis (LVI)

Community Engagement

At Downe House, community and compassion are at the heart of our ethos.

This past year, we were proud to raise over £35,000 for charitable causes—a reflection of the generosity and commitment of our pupils and their families, as well as our staff. From mufti days and bake sales to the Christmas Fayre and staff-led initiatives such as running the London Marathon and sponsored walks, the spirit of giving has been alive and well across our school community.

Our impact extends beyond fundraising. In May, we hosted a special cream tea event in the Murray Centre to thank the charities and local partners we’ve supported throughout the year. Over 50 guests attended, including representatives from local schools, West Berkshire Food Bank, and Prior’s Court. The event was opened by Mrs McKendrick, who shared our pride in the school’s ongoing involvement in local causes and our commitment to fostering generosity in every student.

Our partnership between AGS and Prior’s Court, a school for children and autistic young people with complex needs, continues to flourish. Several groups of girls visited to help with gardening and general upkeep of their beautiful

farm. Our music departments also collaborated to write and perform a Christmas song, with both schools singing together.

Also on the Christmas theme, we participated once again in the Newbury News Over 80s Christmas Parcel project - supporting a successful fund-raising collection in Newbury and helping to deliver lots of parcels within our local community.

AGN has continued its support of Swings and Smiles, a charity dedicated to supporting children with disabilities and their families through play, respite care, and outreach services.

Our annual Making a Difference (MAD) Day was a standout success, with over 300 children from local primary schools joining us for a day in the last week of the Summer term, for engaging and fun-filled lessons in Maths, Science, English, Business, Art and Music. At the same time, groups of our students went off-site to support local community organisations.

More than 40 of our students participated in community service placements this year. Their work ranged from supporting teachers in local schools to visiting elderly care homes - these visits brought real joy to residents, who enjoyed sharing their life stories with our thoughtful and attentive girls.

Whether through service, creativity, or learning, our students continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others—and we are proud to celebrate that legacy.

Mr Michael Liggins, Director of Community Engagement

Beyond the Curriculum

Duke of Edinburgh

Through volunteering, being physically active and acquiring new skills, the adventurous spirit is alive and thriving in the Downe House girl. Wonderfully, participation in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award continues to rise, as more pupils recognise the value of doing things outside the classroom and connecting with others through shared experiences.

With 96% of Lower Fifth pupils undertaking the Bronze Expedition this year, resilience and problem-solving skills in this year group are clearly abundant. The expedition brought with it the challenge of significant heat, sore feet, and carrying what, for some, seemed like an entire housenot just the kitchen sink - in order to survive.

Of course, none of it would have been possible without the amazing staff supporting them – our expedition instructors, Mr Webb, Mrs Pampin-Torres, Mrs Mulholland, and Mr Cockar. United by a love of the great outdoors, their support - from logistics and training to caring for everyone in often tricky conditions - was greatly appreciated.

At the top end, 48 Lower Sixth set out on their Gold DofE journey, with everyone taking on a different programme of activities. Expeditions were also varied: two cycling groups, four sailing crews, and five walking groups across a range

of national parks. At the end of summer, bragging rights began: the cyclists to Paris claiming victory with tales of tan lines and sore bottoms; the Welsh Valley bikers swore they saw more sheep than people (and possibly a Yeti); the walkers argued their blisters were spiritual and trekking was the proper way. Meanwhile, the sailors on the south and east English coastlines battled seagulls and questionable on-board cooking, while the crew who sailed to France came back fluent in “bonjour” - and smugness. Each group insists they had the best time. The debate continues… preferably over hot chocolate and properly cooked pasta.

DofE Awards Aplenty.

The sheer volume of DofE Awards completed is always astonishing – almost double the national rate. This remarkable achievement reflects the girls’ commitment and dedication the girls have to their activities across the broad spectrum of school life. It also comes as a result of the fantastic staff team who make it possible. A special thanks must go to Mrs Janet Stowell, whose administrative expertise has helped the Awards process run seamlessly for over a decademanaging DofE accounts and orchestrating the Upper Fourths’ volunteer day each year. Her dedication and service have been truly admirable, and we sincerely wish her every happiness in her retirement.

Mr Tony Riddle, Duke of Edinburgh Coordinator

Chapel Report

Chapel is a special place at the heart of our school community- a place where all are welcome to visit for rest and peace and prayer. It has been a joy and a privilege to be able to lead our services here over the year.

We have explored the themes of prayer, Black History Month, Interfaith Week, forgiveness, Racial Justice Sunday, new beginnings, being outward-looking and learning about different charity work. We have celebrated Harvest Festival and the vital work of the West Berks Food Bank, as well as joyful carol services. In the Summer term, we had three beautiful Confirmation services.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed through readings and prayers and music. It has been such a pleasure to work with the wonderful Chapel Seniors Keren, Zoe and Freya. I am so grateful for the super support of Mrs Norman and the music department and Miss Prentice, who leads Roots with such warmth and integrity. A huge thank you to the wonderful parent prayer group for their on-going faithful prayers for our school community. Our school reading from Philippians four reminds us to rejoice and to trust that the Lord is with us; it encourages us to pray and rest in that peace. My prayer is that you and our world may be blessed by that peace. May the God of peace be with you now.

Revd Anthea Platt, Chaplain

This year in Roots, our Christian faith group at school, we’ve journeyed through some of the Bible’s most inspiring and thought-provoking stories. We began the academic year by exploring the lives of extraordinary women— Esther’s courage to speak out, Ruth’s quiet loyalty, Judith’s formidability, Mary’s trusting obedience, Mary Magdalene’s transformation, and even Eve’s complex role in the story of humanity. Each week gave us fresh perspectives on faith, strength, and God’s presence in every kind of journey. In Lent, we turned to Jesus’ parables, where simple stories revealed profound truths about mercy, humility, forgiveness, and spiritual growth. We were especially moved by the Parables of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, the Prodigal Son, and the Sower—the last of which being the inspiration behind the name of our group. This Summer Term, we’ve been diving into Philippians, discovering how Paul’s joy and gratitude, even in the middle of suffering, can shape how we live and see the world today.

One of the most treasured parts of Roots has been the sense of community it has built. One Upper Sixth student shared how the group has helped her grow in her faith and find inspiration in Scripture. A Lower Fourth pupil said that Roots brightens her week and reminds her that she is not alone. Another Lower Fourth said that she found new friendships from the very first session she attended, and a member of Staff appreciated the relaxed and inclusive atmosphere, where the barriers in year groups are broken down and true fellowship is experienced. Whether through games,

reflection, discussion, or prayer; Roots has offered, and will continue to offer, a space for all to grow spiritually and support each other.

Roots is open to all—whether you’re a committed Christian or just curious. Everyone is welcome. A heartfelt thank you to the staff and parents who pray for us and support us behind the scenes. We’re excited to see how our girls continue to grow Roots next year!

Miss Ruth Prentice, Teacher of Religious Studies, Leader of Roots

Reflections from the Chapel Seniors

Over the past year, we have had the privilege of being Chapel Seniors alongside Keren.

Even though we’re both Heads of House, we decided to take on this role too — and it’s been so much more rewarding than we ever expected. Our public speaking skills have improved massively, especially in front of big congregations, and we’ve both gained so much confidence.

Freya: Chapel has become a really positive and safe space for me. I look forward to reading in the services each week, and one of the best parts of this role is the freedom we’ve had to propose our own ideas, which have mostly been accepted (though, again, we are sorry about the glowstick incident! We’ve loved every moment, especially dancing and singing to the hymns, as you all may know.

Zoe: Growing up in a Catholic home in France, I always loved going to church with my family on Sundays. When I first arrived at Downe, I was nervous — my parents were in a different country, and I couldn’t go home very often. But having the chapel services here gave me a real sense of comfort and familiarity; it made Downe feel more like home. Coming from such a different background and school was challenging at first, but being a Chapel Senior helped me find

my confidence. I’ve developed my leadership skills, grown so much as a person, and learnt a lot about myself along the way.

We’re so grateful to have had the chance to be Chapel Seniors this year. It’s given us memories we’ll never forget and skills that we’ll carry with us long after we leave Downe. Thank you to everyone who supported us, and especially to the fabulous Rev and to all of you who joined us each week and made Chapel such a special place. We’ll miss it more than we can say, but we’re excited for the next group of Seniors to make it their own.

Zoe Mareschal de Charentenay and Freya Hanbury, Chapel Seniors (UVI)

Arriving at my new position, awkwardly buried in an oversized blue gown and loaded with nerves, I had no idea what a rich and fulfilling journey lay ahead of me. I applied for the position of Head Chapel Senior in Lower Sixth out of my love for the serene and peaceful atmosphere of the chapel building. But serving in this role taught me so much more: I became familiar with the order of services, the history of our chapel, and its charming and discreet passageways. (You’ll never know where they are unless you become a chapel senior! So what are you waiting for?)

Of all the amazing things, the most wonderful and humbling aspect of this journey has undoubtedly been the exploration of faith and courage. I learned how to pray, how to read a gospel in front of a crowd and eventually had my baptism and confirmation in Downe House Chapel. I learned to notice the Spirit in the kindness I receive and to see Christ in the faces of people at Downe. It has been a unique experience to help in the chapel and to work with Revd Platt, Freya, and Zoe—10/10 recommend!

Keren Feng, Head Chapel Senior 24-25 (UVI)

Downe House Society

Over 4000 pupils, alumnae and parents (past and present) form the Downe House community’s global professional and social network. The Downe House Society exists to inspire and support our pupils, as well as being a wonderful social and professional network for all its members. In the 2024/25 academic year, the girls were able to benefit from a diverse and inspiring programme of events involving parents and alumnae, including lectures, workshops and careers talks.

Medley Lectures

Dr Gino Yu and Chinat Yu

Downe House parent Dr Gino Yu and his son, Chinat Yu, delivered a fascinating lecture on navigating our Artificial Intelligence future. Dr Yu is a retired Associate Professor of Digital Entertainment and Game Development at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Chinat Yu is a Stanford University graduate, now working as a researcher and educator with expertise in AI technologies. Pupils were encouraged to keep a curious and open mind, and challenged to consider their own intentions in leveraging the incredible power of AI to create a better world.

Professor Lewis Dartnell

As part of our STEM residency, award-winning author and research scientist Professor Lewis Dartnell spoke about

his latest book, Being Human. His research focuses on astrobiology and the search for microbial life on Mars. He captivated the audience with examples of how our biology has shaped both history and society. His enlightening talk concluded with a lively Q&A session, during which pupils asked questions ranging from what an alien might look like to whether they would enjoy music.

DH Society Welcome Dinner

Alumna Hannah MacInnes (DH 2001) returned to speak to our Upper Sixth pupils and their parents at the DH Society Welcome Dinner. Hannah is a broadcaster, journalist and podcast host known for her insightful interviews with global changemakers, including Bill Clinton, Dame Jane Goodall and Dame Jacinda Ardern. She encouraged our girls to change the world, to be open to every opportunity and not to worry too much about making decisions about their future careersreminding them that many paths will open along the way.

DH Society Alumnae Awards

We presented this year’s Alumnae Awards at a sumptuous event for new parents, held at the House of Lords in June. Our four award winners are remarkable trailblazers who have each given back in different ways:

Chantal Bryan OBE (DH 1995) was recognised for her work with Teach Us Too, a charity she set up with her son, Jonathan, dedicated to improving opportunities for children with significant disabilities to access high quality, effective literacy education, as a right..

Theo Clarke (DH 2003) has been a prominent advocate for women since her election in 2019 as MP for Stafford. After sharing her own traumatic birth experience in Parliament, she chaired the UK’s first ever national inquiry into birth trauma, and launched her book and podcast, Breaking the Taboo, to spark vital conversations on women’s health

Winky Skevington (DH 1994) began teaching and living in the local community of Kiminini, Kenya, during her gap year. Determined to improve education and raise living standards, she founded and continues to run The Hummingbird Initiative, working with local communities on sustainable projects.

Louise Thompson (DH 2008) has founded several successful businesses and developed a loyal following through her candid social media posts on wellness and motherhood. She is also an ambassador for Crohn’s & Colitis UK and a dedicated supporter of Young Lives vs Cancer and the Birth Trauma Association.

DH Links Events

DH Links runs a programme of careers-focused networking events, offering pupils practical and professional advice. This year, we were fortunate to host talks by speakers from a wide range of industries, all sharing their expertise and insights.

Author Talk

Josie Ferguson (DH 2001) returned to Downe House in September to speak about her work as an author. Her debut novel, The Silence in Between, was shortlisted for Waterstones’ Debut Fiction of the Year. Josie shared how she is drawn to uncovering untold stories that are “lost in the cracks of time,” often focusing on women whose lives might otherwise have been just a footnote in history.

Human Resources & Recruitment Talk

An exceptional panel of global business leaders joined us to share their decades of experience in human resources and recruitment: Charlotte Fildes (DH 2004) is Head of Talent at KPMG; Alexandra Buxton (current parent) is Culture and Talent Director at Fortnum & Mason; and Fleur Evans (current parent) is an Executive Search Consultant specialising in FTSE Board appointments. The panel provided an overview of HR’s evolving role, discussed how the world of work is changing, and offered practical tips for securing a dream job. They emphasised the importance of making a strong first impression, asking great questions, listening and observing, and being the person who always goes above and beyond.

TV, Film & Theatre Talk

In the Lent term, we welcomed three alumnae to share their experiences in the creative industry: Sophia Hill (DH 2017) is a Producer and Newsreader at GB News; Lucy Phillips (DH 2019) is an assistant agent at theatrical agency, Sharkey & Co; and Cathy Wippell (DH 2018) is a film executive and actor who wrote and starred in an award-winning short film which she is now developing into a feature film.

Artificial Intelligence Talk

Lower Sixth students attended an informative talk on Artificial Intelligence delivered by Georgina Pollock (DH 2019), who has a master’s degree in AI and Data Ethics and is now a Consultant at Deloitte; Mrs Caroline Andrewes (current parent) is a current parent and founder of Medivys; and Mr Guy Parry-Williams (current parent) is Managing Director of Imedia8 Ltd. Our speakers encouraged pupils to find their niche, stay curious and keep pace with technological changeensuring they stay ahead of what’s to come.

Miss Megan Aubrey, External Relations Manager

Library

It’s been a busy and brilliant year in the Library, with pupil engagement at its highest since 2019! With over 3,200 book loans, staff and pupil alike have shown incredible enthusiasm for reading. Our shelves continue to grow with new titles, and we’ve even added popular magazines like National Geographic, World of Interiors, and Vogue to offer a wider reading experience.

To support curriculum and wider interests, we worked closely with Heads of Department to align our physical and digital collections with pupil learning. Our library inductions helped everyone learn how to access the best resources—both on our shelves and online.

We were proud to celebrate our alumnae authors in a display showcasing 11 published writers who once walked the halls of Downe House. The Scholastic Book Fair was another highlight, allowing us to purchase exciting new fiction titles thanks to excellent student participation.

World Book Day grew into a three-day celebration this year, with activities across the school. Lower School pupils dressed up in house themes (villains, heroes, and in-betweeners), and everyone took part in fun displays and guessing games like “Which teacher is behind the book cover?” Bestselling author Lisa Williamson gave an inspiring talk followed by a book signing that proved so popular, we had to restock!

We were thrilled to run another year of the DHSA Short Story Competition but kept the celebration going in the library with a special writing workshop and lunch for winners. Pupils were able to reflect on their stories and enjoy being part of the writing community.

This year, we reintroduced the Honours Reading Passport, challenging Remove, Lower Fourth and Upper Fourth pupils to read across 12 different genres. It’s been a huge success, with 16 passports completed since January. We also ran the BookBuzz initiative with the Remove, who received a book to read, review and discuss. Well done to Allegra Pettyfer (winner), and runners-up Imogen Pugh, Clementine Pilkington, Phoebe Grant and Faramadeoluwa Makanjuola!

Lower School Reading Ambassadors made a real impact this year. They promoted books in their Houses, helped with displays, wrote reviews, and even mastered the Dewey Decimal system to support other students.

Open mic poetry evenings became a popular fixture, thanks to Literary Senior Iris Owen. These events created a welcoming space for pupils and staff to read aloud, share their love of poetry, and enjoy sweet treats. Huge thanks to Iris for leading these with such passion.

Finally, our Graduate Library Assistant, Miss Vandenham, brought a creative spark with her craft workshops. Using old books, Lower School students created hedgehogs, rings, and other imaginative pieces. Her energy and creativity brought a fresh dynamic to the Library this year.

Reading for pleasure is more important than ever. In a digital world, making time for books helps pupils relax, build empathy, and spark imagination. We’re proud of the reading culture that continues to grow at Downe House and can’t wait to see where the next chapter takes us.

Miss Dani Kirby, Murray Centre Manager

The Murray Centre

The Murray Centre is a true hub of activity for pupils and staff alike, and it’s been amazing to see how it is used for such a wide variety of events.

From intimate society meetups, weekly Murray Music Moments and creative pop-ups to larger events like the Founder’s Weekend Creative Arts Exhibition, the Academic Conference and the Annual Gift Fair, the space has proven just how flexible it really is. With its range of adaptable rooms and spaces of all sizes, the Murray Centre has become the ‘go-to place’ for everything from residencies to open mic evenings- and whatever your vision, we’ll do our best to help make it happen (as long as the calendar agrees!)

The Academic Residency Programme is now a wellestablished and exciting part of the Murray Centre. It’s so valuable for pupils to see what other departments are up to and gain insight into different areas of school life. This year, we welcomed residencies from Modern Foreign Languages, STEM, and Performing Arts. We’ve also launched what we now call Pop-Ups, our shorter ‘mini residencies’ that pop up throughout the year with creative displays and hands-on activities. So far, we’ve had an Eco, Love Your Pet, LGBTQ+, International Women’s Day and Safer Internet Day Pop-Ups. We’re looking forward to seeing even more next year as they’re a fantastic way for pupils and staff to engage with a wide range of important themes. This year’s residencies were full of creativity and collaboration and have been a wonderful way to spark curiosity in pupils across the school.

Miss Dani Kirby, Murray Centre Manager

Respect Project

The Respect Project, which brings students from Radley College, Ludgrove and Downe House together on many mutually beneficial projects, has had another very successful year. Many thanks to our core team of five Upper Sixth Respect Ambassadors – Muna Ubosi, Charlotte Broadbent, Clara Rainsford, Daisy Vincent and Mwansa Banda – for all their energy, ideas and leadership.

The Project provides pupils from across the partner schools with direct and meaningful experience of working with the opposite sex, preparing them for life beyond school while retaining the integrity and value of single sex education. Relationships of respect are created through academic, co-curricular and social interactions.

A great deal has been achieved this academic year, which is the third year that the Respect Project has been running. Some of the highlights so far this year have included:

• New and expanded collaborative Symposia between Radley and Downe for the Humanities, STEM and Modern Foreign Languages; these involve pupils from the Lower Fifth and the Lower Sixth exploring topics well beyond the syllabus.

• A wide range of social activities, including in-house dinners, Caledonian Society and bowling evenings.

• A fabulous Geography Conference for all Upper Fourth pupils in Radley and Downe, hosted all over the grounds of Downe House, including field work in our woodland.

• Downe House hosted many of the Radley boys at our amazing and extensive funfair which appeared on our campus and included dodgems, roller skating, rollercoasters and much more.

• Our Lower Fifth enjoyed an excellent Study Skills session with their Radley peers; the Upper Fives also benefited from a special Financial Skills session with Radley’s Fifth Form (Year 11s).

It has also been wonderful to see our Lower School benefitting from their own close collaboration with the allboys prep school Ludgrove. They have embarked on a joint Respect Project looking at teenagers’ well-being, mental health, personal relationships, social media and how to be a good role model.

Another excellent initiative this year has been several new all-girls Respect Project events, led by our team of Sixth Form Respect Ambassadors. These are designed to help our own pupils build mutual respect and talk about matters of personal importance to them. The Ambassadors have visited the Upper and Lower School Houses to provide supportive advice, in group sessions, on a wide range of topics.

Mr Matt Godfrey, Deputy Head

Wellbeing

The Downe House Wellbeing programme enjoyed a wonderful start to the academic year, with the opening of our new Wellbeing Garden.

The garden was a project designed and completed by the Wellbeing Committee to provide a space for staff and pupils alike to relax, recharge and connect with nature. The committee also celebrated International Day of the Girl, Stress Awareness Day and World Kindness Day with a range of fun activities to get everyone thinking about how they can be kinder to themselves and support those around them.

The Lent Term brought our now yearly tradition of turning Blue Monday into Rainbow Monday with lots of colours and

some delicious rainbow food in the dining room. February then saw our first ever Love Your Pet Week with pupils and staff providing photos of their pets for a display in the Murray Centre. The ‘Guess The Owner’ competition for staff pets was particularly popular and showed the array of furry and scaled friends we can count among the DH family.

The Summer Term sunshine not only brought people flocking to the Wellbeing Garden to catch some rays but also culminated in the incredibly popular mindful rock painting activity at Founders Weekend. Over 100 rocks were decorated on the day, and many were donated to the Wellbeing Garden where they now have pride of place.

Mrs Ellen Llewellyn, Director of Pupil Wellbeing

Founder’s Weekend

Events & Activities

The last weekend in June saw us celebrate our annual Founder’s Weekend with an array of creative, sporting, musical and dramatic performances showcasing the hard work and talent of the entire Downe House community.

The weekend is the highlight of the school year, and it was wonderful to see the whole community come together to show what a special and unique place Downe House is.

Huge thanks to all those who joined in our celebration of the year and made it such a memorable weekend. Congratulations to all our athletes, performers, artists and musicians who worked tirelessly in preparation for the event.

The weekend began with our annual Sports Day, where a very high level of athletic talent was on display across a range of disciplines from javelin to high jump, and 100m to 1500m, all well supported by an enthusiastic crowd cheering on their Houses. Congratulations to AGN who were the overall victors. Sports Day also allowed each of our five Houses to sell a range of goodies to raise money for their House charities, both local and international, giving back to the wider community by baking, creating and challenging supporters to a variety of fairground games. On Sunday, over 40 alumnae gathered on the school playing fields to play in lacrosse and hockey matches and to mark the retirement of Lydia Rayne, Director of Sport for over 20 years.

A huge variety of artistic talent could be found in the Murray Centre and Art Block, where work from pupils across the year groups was on display. The carefully curated exhibition in the

Murray Centre took visitors on a journey through different colours and disciplines, with some outstanding work on display from the different specialisms of the Creative Arts Faculty. Visitors were both inspired and challenged by large scale pieces of fine art, photography, textiles and 3D Design. An innovative use of display techniques, scaffolding and lighting highlighted each piece of extraordinary work. Credit is due to all of those who had their work displayed as well as the staff team who curated such a wonderful showcase. It was a huge pleasure to continue to welcome visitors to the exhibition until the end of term.

Not content with one production, this year the newly christened Performing Arts Department encouraged pupils from across the school to participate in a range of dramatic and dance endeavours. Our musical production of The Addams Family allowed our Remove to Lower Fifth pupils to take centre stage. With upbeat song and dance routines, a lively script and some excellent comic timing, audiences were treated to a fun-filled experience which left smiles all round. The creative use of the staging and some outstanding make-up and costume only added to this excellent production. Our senior pupils who make up the Acting Company challenged themselves with their choice of the classic Little Women. A small cast made a very big impact telling the story of the March sisters with poise, pathos and care making sure that there was not a dry eye in the House by the end of each performance. Both productions were supported fully by our outstanding AV and Production team and pupil members of our thriving Tech Club. We were also treated to spoken-word and dance performances during tea time on both days, with pupils showcasing the work that they have created this year.

Over 400 pupils and visitors gathered in the Farr Centre for our Founder’s Concert. This musical journey from ABBA to Prokofiev demonstrated the range of musical interests and talents of our students, with all year groups and abilities represented in the diverse and engaging programme. The Symphony Orchestra closed the concert with their abridged rendition of Peter and the Wolf, narrated by our Headmistress, which was greeted by huge enthusiasm from the audience. On Sunday, our most experienced musicians treated the community to the Overture from Romeo and Juliet followed by a performance of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater where they were joined by a small group of parents and staff. Huge credit must go to the Music Faculty for their endless encouragement of all performers. The Festival Tent offered the perfect stage for more of our musicians and performers to treat the community to some excellent tunes to accompany the end of weekend BBQ.

Well done to all involved over the weekend, it was a wonderful celebration of the Downe House community.

Mrs Philippa Toogood, Assistant Head (Operations)

Founder’s Weekend would not happen without the incredible support of many departments at Downe House. From Sunday brunch to Founder’s Tea, all were kept well-fuelled by our outstanding catering team. The school site looked incredible thanks to our Estates and Grounds teams and multiple productions showed exceptional quality due to the unfailing work of our AV and Production teams.

Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater

Sunday’s afternoon concert opened with a tremendous performance of Tchaikovsky’s famous Romeo and Juliet Overture by the Chamber Orchestra. The orchestra rose to the challenge of performing this incredibly exciting and dramatic work, which provided a wonderful opening to the concert.

The remainder of the concert consisted of a performance of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, sung by the Polyphonix choir and accompanied by a string ensemble formed by string players from the Chamber Orchestra and some Visiting Music Teachers. The Polyphonix Choir worked so hard in rehearsals throughout the term in preparation for this concert and performed to a very high standard.

One of the great aspects of this large-scale choral work is that it consists of many solo and duet movements, which in this concert were performed by our pupils in Lower Fifth and Lower Sixth. Special mentions must be made of those who sang so brilliantly: Honor McMyn, Sophie Lambourne, Charlotte Foulkes, Cosima Islef, Henrietta Simpkin, Aderinola Aderibigbe, Hedy Dong, Hitomi Kotaka (Yip), Violet Barker and Isabella de Arcangelis.

It was wonderful for the Polyphonix Choir to be joined by Downe House teachers and parent singers for this performance. Likewise, our string players from the Chamber Orchestra were joined by professional musicians in the ensemble, providing our advanced musicians with invaluable insight into professional orchestral playing.

It was an incredibly busy weekend for all of our musicians, many of whom were also involved in both the drama productions and sports event, yet they delivered outstanding performances of which they should all be incredibly proud!

Addams Family

When you’re an Addams, you’ve gotta have a lotta passion!

My actors have shown themselves to be passionate and hugely talented. The cast have worked so hard to create a joyfully creepy show that pulls you in a new direction. Our rehearsals over the last six months were full of laughter and brilliance. The cast have all put their own spin on their characters, building on the innate humour of the script with camaraderie and impeccable timing. We rehearsed in the PAC with no set, no costumes and a simple piano accompaniment. The greatest challenge was to imagine the balcony, moving stairs and huge amount of set pieces that the girls were to navigate around. When the incredible set was installed, we all breathed a sigh of relief and then a huge intake of breath as we set about organising the logistics!

I have been continually impressed by the work ethic and focus the cast have shown. When hiccups arose, they simply picked themselves up and supported each other. That is where our success lay. Our show nights were full of energy and excitement which was infectious, much like Fester’s rash... The audience were delighted, and I know from lots of conversations with parents, staff and pupils in the audience that everyone felt the same energy and excitement as the girls performed their hearts out on stage. It would not have been possible (and that is no exaggeration) without Chris Gill and Imogen Cowgill, without whom the music and choreography would have been decidedly lacklustre. I am very proud to have created the show with two such talented staff and 66 wonderful pupils!

Mrs Georgina Hughes, Head of Film and Academic Drama

Little Women

The Downe House Acting Company is a relatively new venture for the Performing Arts Department, started by my predecessor Chris Gould in 2023, with a debut performance of Marvin’s Room in the spring of 2024. I was very keen to keep the Company going because, because it allows Sixth Form students the opportunity to work in a way that one would expect to find in a Drama School or company of young professionals.

All A Level Drama students are invited to join, but any Sixth Form students can audition for a place on the team and I was delighted to have four talented Lower Sixth students join the ranks this year, along with a couple of Lower Fifth scholars and one Upper Fourth scholar to make up the numbers.

After a few initial weeks of exploring acting styles and techniques, we embarked on the rehearsal process of a play called The Watsons by Laura Wade. Dutiful but clearly reluctant, our talented troupe gently made it known that the play was not for them – and in fact ‘please can we do Little Women instead because we love it and we’re obsessed with

the film’. Well, sceptical though I was, I read the excellent adaptation of the novel by Emma Reeves and truly loved it –faithful to the book but with a really atmospheric approach, this was more a series of vignettes than a continuous play, but it packed an emotional punch and told the story beautifully.

Rehearsing Little Women was an absolute blast, really one of my happiest chapters in the job to date. The cast turned up as professionals, full of insights and smart responses to the text, with a willingness to try ideas out and take a few risks. We had a huge amount of fun and also found real emotional truth in the more stirring scenes.

I was also delighted to have the support of Jasmine Durrant, Dominica Prentice and Lina Anand, who formed our design and technical team, bringing initiative and endless creativity to the process. The performances were beautiful, aesthetically sophisticated and with wonderfully observed moments from a cast who totally understood the nuances of their characters.

The lesson, I suppose, is that next time I might consult the students before I start the rehearsal process – it turns out they have some pretty good ideas.

Mr Robert Castell, Director of Performing Arts

Creative Arts

The 2025 Founder’s Exhibition was a vibrant celebration of the artistic talent and creativity flourishing at Downe House. Showcasing work from Remove to Upper Sixth, the exhibition spanned the Art Department and the Murray Centre, offering a dynamic and diverse display of student achievement across all year groups and creative disciplines.

In the Art Department, visitors enjoyed an inspiring range of work, including drawing and painting, architectural models, Art Deco-inspired clocks, and textile landscapes. Highlights also included decorative ceramic plates, Microsoft Surface covers, and an impressive array of show-stopping ceramic planters, crafted by our younger students - a testament to the emerging talent among our up-and-coming creators.

Meanwhile, the Murray Centre hosted a carefully curated collection of Fine Art, Textiles, 3D Design, and Photography from our GCSE and A Level pupils. The exhibition brought together a wide spectrum of styles and media, beautifully interwoven to reflect the breadth and depth of creativity at Downe House.

Visitors over the Founder’s Weekend, as well as members of the public who attended the open days that followed, were full of praise for the quality, originality, and ambition of the work on show. We are immensely proud of what our pupils achieved and look forward to seeing how their creativity continues to evolve in the year ahead.

Mrs Kirsten Mortimer, Director of Creative Arts

Performances for a Summer’s Evening

On the final evening of Founder’s, the community comes together under the stretch tent to enjoy a variety of performances from all corners of the school. A firm favourite with staff, pupils and parents, it gives everyone a chance to let their hair down and experience the festival vibe and joy of our community coming together.

The Flute Quartet got the party started with a fantastic performance, even whilst battling pesky gusts of wind, before one of our Lower Sixth Form bands gave great renditions of Killing Me Softly, Kiss me and This Love - real crowd favourites! We were then treated to a wonderful display of talent by our Head of Music, Yan Qi (Angelina) Shek, performing the third movement of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto - the skill on display was jaw dropping! Next up was one of our Deputy Heads of Music, Isabella de Arcangelis, who took to the stage with our very own Director of Per-forming Arts, Mr Castell, and Angelina once more to sing Valerie, Don’t Know Why and Flowers from the hit musical Hadestown

Our second band, also made up from Lower Sixth students, then took to the stage to perform Emily Huang’s own arrangements of Laufey’s From the Start and Take Five! The traditional last performance came from Jazz Band, performing some jazz standards including, for the first time this year, Rosina Gill-Wagner singing. The evening came to a close following an ABBA medley and everyone finished off their ice creams and barbecue food still singing Dancing Queen away in their heads. A lovely way to conclude another fantastic Founder’s Weekend.

Mr Alexander Tostdevine, Teacher of Music and Music Outreach Lead

Founder’s Concert

The Founder’s Concert this year offered real variety to the Downe House community.

From Beatles and ABBA to the sounds of Mendelssohn and Prokofiev, a multitude of talent was on show - despite the sweltering heat! Prima Voce kicked things off with a rendition of Tota pulchra es from Durufle’s Four Motets before Sinfonia darkened the mood with their performance of In the Hall of the Mountain King. Next up came Once Removed, singing two Beatles songs; first the classic Hey Jude before donning some fun eyewear for Here Comes the Sun. Jazz Band notched the tempo up again with their tight rendition of Ain’t No Mountain

High Enough by Ashford & Simpson before In Harmony turned us all into Dancing Queens and singing Mamma Mia for the rest of the weekend! Polyphonix took to the stage to perform Gjeilo’s Ubi Caritas, Brooke’s Sweet and Low and the choral favourite, Adiemus by Jenkins. Symphony Orchestra then took their places to perform Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, complete with narration by the Headmistress, which delighted the audience. A great concert and one that showed the remarkable power of music to enrich lives! Well done one and all.

Mr Alexander Tostdevine, Teacher of Music and Music Outreach Lead

Moving On

Moving On

Mrs Lydia Rayne, Director of Sport

Lydia Rayne served as Director of Sport with distinction and heartfelt dedication, leaving an indelible mark on Downe House’s sporting legacy. Lydia’s foremost passion was Lacrosse and under her guidance, the 1st team won their first-ever national championship in 2001. She led the team to further national titles in 2003, 2006, and 2007, firmly establishing Downe House as a lacrosse powerhouse. Beyond Lacrosse, Lydia was passionate about Athletics, Cross Country, and Basketball. She introduced Athletics into the curriculum – leading Downe to reach Athletics Track and Field cup finals five times, expanded the netball programme and transformed hockey into a more structured sport at the School.

Known for her energy, fun spirit, and loyalty, Lydia was famous for loudly cheering her teams on, her competitive drive, and her high expectations of the girls. After 28 years, she leaves a wonderful legacy and inspires future generations to pursue sport with passion.

Mrs Genevieve Ford, Deputy Head (Pastoral)

Miss Rebecca Hillier, Housemistress (Aisholt)

Rebecca can truly be described as the soul of Aisholt House. She joined the Upper School Team three years ago and has been a brilliant mentor and a support for many girls in Aisholt and beyond, showing an unfailing commitment to the growth and well-being of every girl in her care. Rebecca managed the daily rhythms of House life with fun, energy and compassion, creating a home-away-from-home filled with warmth, instilling strong values and dispensing encouraging words daily. Rebecca was a wonderful colleague, and whilst we are all sad to see her go, we are grateful for the legacy she leaves behind in Aisholt—one of integrity, service, and respect. We wish her all the best in her next adventure, which we hope is filled with the same joy and fulfilment she has given to others.

Mrs Anna Dourountakis, Assistant Head (Upper School)

Mr David Organ, Maintenance Supervisor (Electrical)

David spent 20 years at Downe House offering support to thousands of pupils and staff in his roles as Maintenance Supervisor and Senior Electrician. As with many “unsung heroes” working behind the scenes at Downe, he was instrumental in keeping the School’s operation running. Whether ensuring the boarding house fire drills were compliant or guaranteeing sufficient electrical power for girls to run their multiple devices concurrently, David carried out his duties with exceptional care. He was diligent, empathetic to those he managed and always ready to laugh at himself if the need arose (as it did when he sat on a girl’s hair straighteners and not only burnt himself but set off the fire alarm he had just been testing). He retires to spend time with his wife and dog and to enjoy time at the races. He will be missed by the team and the community as a whole, and we wish him all the very best.

Mr Alasdair Heath, Director of Estates & Services

Mr Phillip Powell, Kitchen Porter

A true unsung hero of the Downe House community, Phil leaves after 18 years at the School, having served as Kitchen Porter, Staff Minibus Driver, and most recently Store Person. Ever-reliable, always eager to help, and with a terrific sense of humour, Phil was an incredibly popular and well-liked figure. Often seen driving around the school in a van laden with fruit, biscuits and other goodies, Phil ensured all the boarding houses were well nourished. His job required resilience in all weathers - unloading the vast quantities of food needed to keep the school fed and often working in Arctic conditions in the kitchen freezers. The whole catering department and wider school community wish Phil the very best in his future endeavours.

Mr Phillip Weston, Head Chef

Mrs Jessica Boswell, Teacher of English

Jess has worked in a variety of roles at Downe during her time with us, four years as Housemistress of Aisholt and three as teacher in charge of Early Career Development. I have always really enjoyed visiting Jess’s lessons. Her ability to bring so much passion to a class and hold the girls in the palm of her hand is nothing short of magical. Central to Jess’s character is the deep-seated care that she brings to every situation. Jess is leaving Downe to join Leighton Park School, and our loss is their gain.

Mr Hugh Grant, Deputy Head (Academic)

Mrs Joanne West, Head of English

Jo joined Downe House in 2016 and has been Head of English since 2018, building the department into a tightly run team, with the pupils at the centre of all they do. Jo has a remarkable ability to create a nurturing atmosphere in the classroom, allowing the girls to grow their ideas from the smallest beginnings into a full essay. Jo’s work with guide dogs is well known, not least because of the occasional canine additions to chapel. Jo will leave many holes behind at Downe, when she leaves to work at an online school.

Mr Hugh Grant, Deputy Head (Academic)

Mr William Lane, Head of History and Politics

What can be said about Mr Lane? A good place to start would be the high esteem his students hold for him. His knowledge of all things historical and his passion for the subject is regularly brought up in conversation with the girls. Will joined Downe House in 2014 as Head of History and Politics, uniting two subjects and making J-Block his own. During his time with Downe he has helped make the most of the subjects, from trips to Moscow and reenactments of the shield wall in Hastings to chairing a Medley Lecture with Lord Heseltine in 2022. I know that Will’s expertise will be missed, and we wish him well in his future endeavours.

Mr Hugh Grant, Deputy Head (Academic)

Mrs Justine Rigby, Matron (Aisholt)

This year we said goodbye to our beloved Matron, Justine Rigby (Rigs), who left Aisholt in December after an extraordinary 22 years of service. Justine was not only a wonderful colleague, but the heart of Aisholt – every girl knew and admired her care, warmth, and fierce dedication to their wellbeing. Everything Justine did was grounded in love and an unwavering commitment to putting the girls first. Justine was also phenomenally efficient—blink, and she’d be across the room with three tasks done and a cup of tea in hand. Whether wielding a screwdriver, climbing her loyal set of steps, or restoring order with calm, she made everything feel right again. Her impact extended beyond Aisholt, volunteering her time and expertise across the school with laughter and enthusiasm. We are deeply grateful to Justine for her decades of care and service. Aisholt is not the same without her, but her legacy lives on in the girls and colleagues she supported.

Miss Rebecca Hillier, Housemistress (Aisholt)

Mr Phillip Evans, Director of Timetabling and Examinations

Phil has worked at the School since 2009, taking on several roles in that time, including Head of RS and, more recently, Director of Timetabling and Examinations. His ability to juggle the many facets of a hugely complex school timetable in his head, whilst maintaining his dry sense of humour, will be greatly missed. Phil’s walk with Mr Reynolds along the Camino Portugues to raise funds for young people and their families exemplified his quietly undertaken work for others. Throughout his time at the School, Phil has remained Downe House through and through.

Mr Hugh Grant, Deputy Head (Academic)

The staff featured on these pages served Downe House for 10 years or longer. Other members of staff who left the School in 2024/25 will be featured in Cloisters, our annual alumnae magazine.

2025 Leavers

School Officers 2024/5

HEAD SENIOR

Emilia Lim

DEPUTY HEAD SENIOR

Anjola Bolodeoku

SENIORS

Tanaya Budhwani

Hetty Hack

Harriet Manning

Sewon (Victoria) Min

Amelia O’Connor

Adesola Odeyemi

Iris Owen

Isabelle Regis

Georgina Ritchie

AISHOLT

Hope Black (Head)

Mwansa Banda (Deputy Head)

Daisy Vincent (Deputy Head)

AGN

Zoe Mareschal de Charentenay (Head)

Alice Gillham (Deputy Head)

Janice Lee (Deputy Head)

AGS

Gabriella Ford (Head)

Adekunbi Karunwi (Deputy Head)

Chantelle Eveleigh (Deputy Head)

HOLCOMBE

Alice Morgan (Head)

Keira Chua (Deputy Head)

Varuni Rameshwar (Deputy Head)

TEDWORTH

Freya Hanbury (Head)

Clara Rainsford (Deputy Head)

Muna Ubosi (Deputy Head)

HEAD CHAPEL SENIOR

Keren Feng

CHAPEL SENIORS

Freya Hanbury

Zoe Mareschal de Charentenay

GAMES CAPTAIN

Eve Brown

HEAD OF ACADEMIC DRAMA

Ophelia Bracken

HEAD OF DANCE

Keira Chua

HEAD OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR DRAMA

Amelia Clark

Harriet Slipper

HEAD OF CREATIVE ARTS

Ophelia Fisher

DEPUTY HEADS OF CREATIVE ARTS

Astrid Davis

Xin Yan (Annabel) Yang

HEADS OF ACADEMIC SCHOLARS

Isadora Dyer

Ju-Eun Park

HEADS OF STEM

Yuchen (Rebecca) Gao

Janice Lee

DEPUTY HEAD OF STEM

Kaiyan Xiao

HEADS OF MUSIC

Serena Browne

Isabella Hudson

HEAD OF CHORAL

Lydia Isadora Dyer

HEAD OF INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

Ruoxi (Jasmine) Yang

HEAD AMBASSADORS

Alice Barber

Isabella Laing

AMBASSADORS

Charlotte Broadbent

Neriah Chanda

Linxin (Sophia) Guo

Ammara Khurram

Davida (Seyi) Opaleye

Florence Smith

Rachael (Zion) Unachukwu

HEAD GLOBAL AMBASSADORS

Yasmin Aird

Ka Ching Anna Pang

GLOBAL AMBASSADORS

Bernice Chan

Georgina Dawson

Padmajaraje Gaekwad

Hang Ki Katie Lam

Michelle Lee

Ciara Lynch

Desola Omonijo

Amelia Simpson

Waheeda Wasterfall

HEAD OF YORK

Jemima Booth

HEADS OF LOWER SCHOOL

Alice Aird

Emily Gray

LOWER SCHOOL SENIORS

Petchnapa (Nampetch) Bennett

Olivia Cole

Isabella Hudson

Iona Neville

Rose Rollo

LITERARY SENIOR

Iris Owen

SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHER

Iona Neville

PRESIDENTS OF PHOENIX SOCIETY

Nga Yee (Amelia) Tam

Hao Yin (Helena) Yuan

HEAD OF COMMUNITY SERVICE

Isabela dos Horatio Jones

Aiko Nivatanonda

ENVIRONMENTAL AMBASSADORS

Laurena Horation Jones

Ravisada (Aiko) Nivatanonda

DIGITAL AMBASSADOR

Astrid Davies

NAME

Leavers’ Destinations

INSTITUTION COURSE

Yasmin Aird University of Bristol English and Russian

Alice Aird Durham UniversityDeferred Business and Management

Isabela dos Reis Anselmo USA - University of Chicago Business Economics

Mwansa Banda USA - University of Miami Liberal Arts

Alice Barber City and Guilds of London Art School Art Foundation

Hope Black University of BristolDeferred English

Anjolaoluwa (Anjola) Bolodeoku USA - University of Michigan Economics and Political Science

Jemima Booth The University of Edinburgh Biological Sciences (Biochemistry)

Ophelia Bracken USA - New York Liberal Arts

Charlotte Broadbent University of Glasgow Business and Management (SocSci)

Eve Brown University of Birmingham Biochemistry

Serena Browne University of St Andrews Art History and Italian (year abroad)

Bernice Chan Post Qualification Admission

Neriah Chanda University of Nottingham Cancer Sciences

Zhi Ling (Lauren) Chu USA - University of California, San Diego Liberal Arts

Keira Chua Post Qualification Admission

Amelia Clark University of Exeter Computer Science

Olivia Cole University of Exeter Politics and International Relations

Astrid Davis The University of Manchester Earth and Planetary Sciences

Georgina Dawson Cardiff University Biochemistry

Lydia (Isadora) Dyer University of Oxford History

Chantelle Eveleigh Post Qualification Admission

Keren Feng University of Oxford Classics

Ophelia Fisher The University of Edinburgh Fine Art

NAME INSTITUTION COURSE

Gabriella Ford University of Exeter Geography

Padmajaraje Gaekwad Durham University Business and Management

Yuchen (Rebecca) Gao Imperial College London Physics

Alice Gillham University of Nottingham Chemical Engineering (with placement)

Emily Gray The University of Edinburgh Business and Economics

Linxin (Sophia) Guo University of Exeter English and Creative Writing with Employment Experience Abroad

Henrietta (Hetty) Hack University of BristolDeferred Post Qualification Admission

Freya Hanbury Durham University Economics and Management with placement

Octavia Hoare Nairne University of Exeter English Literature and Creative Writing

Laurena (Luma) Horatio Jones Loughborough University Energy Engineering (with placement year)

Isabella Hudson Canada - McGill University Undeclared - Arts and Sciences

Yunyi (Michelle) Jiang King's College London Global Health and Social Medicine

Adekunbi Karunwi Loughborough University Mechanical Engineering

Ammara Khurram Univeristy of Reading Finance with Foundation

Blanca Laidler University of Bath Politics and International Relations

Isabella (Bella) Laing University of Exeter History

Hang Ki Katie Lam USA - Barnard College Liberal Arts

Michelle Lee Europe - EHL Hospitality Business & Hotel Management School International Hospitality Management

Janice Lee Imperial College London Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry and a Year in Industry

Emilia Lim Univeristy of St Andrews English

Qinxin (Mia) Liu USA - University of California, San Diego Liberal Arts

Harriet Manning University of Oxford Biochemistry

NAME

INSTITUTION COURSE

Zoe Mareschal de Charentenay University of St Andrews - Deferred

French and Management (year abroad)

Sewon (Victoria) Min University College London Philosophy and History of Art

Alice Morgan University of BristolDeferred History

Iona Neville Post Qualification Admission

Ravisada (Aiko) Nivatanonda University of Bristol Psychology in Education

Amelia O'Connor Post Qualification Admission PQA

Adesola Odeyemi Loughborough University International Business (with placement year)

Desola Omonijo University College London Geography (International)

Davida (Seyi) Opaleye Imperial College Biochemistry with French for Science

Iris Owen USA - Northeastern University Liberal Arts

Ka Ching Anna Pang The London School of Economics and Political Science Law (Bachelor of Laws)

Ju-Eun Park Post Qualification Admission

Chanidapa (Ham) Pitchayasaowapak Brunel University London Medicine

Xin (Emily) Pu University of Bristol International Foundation Year Programme

Clara Rainsford Durham UniversityDeferred Modern Languages and Cultures (with Year Abroad)

Varuni Rameshwar Royal Holloway Biomedical Sciences

Isabelle Regis The University of Edinburgh Biological Sciences (Biochemistry)

Georgina Ritchie Newcastle University Combined Honours

Rose Rollo University of ExeterDeferred Marketing and Management with Industrial Experience

Adrija Rumbauskaite University of St Andrews Medicine

Amelia Simpson University of Exeter Law

Anastasia Sitorus University of Aberdeen Biological Sciences

Harriet Slipper University of Exeter History

Florence Smith University of Bristol Veterinary Nursing and Companion Animal Behaviour

Ruihan (Apple) Sun Post Qualification Admission

NAME

INSTITUTION COURSE

Nga Yee (Amelia) Tam University College London Human Sciences

Lauren Ting

Canada - University of Toronto Life Sciences

Charlotte Trew University of Bath Pyschology

Munachiso (Muna) Ubosi USA - Northwestern University Political Science

Rachael (Zion) Unachukwu University College London Education, Society and Culture

Jin Vanasin University of Bath Modern Languages (French advanced & Spanish advanced)

Daisy Vincent Post Qualification Admission

Cathy Wang The University of Manchester Liberal Arts (with international year)

Chen Wang USA - University of Pittsburgh Liberal Arts

Siyu (Phoebe) Wang University College London Information in Society

Yevedzo Wasterfall University of Warwick Politics and International Studies

Cecily Whittaker Royal Holloway Geoscience with year abroad

Yi (Wendy) Wu Courtauld Institute of Art History of Art

Kaiyan (Kayla) Xiao Imperial College Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry and a Year in Industry

Xin Yan (Annabel) Yang University of Bath Psychology

Ruoxi (Jasmine) Yang University College London International Social and Political Studies

Yujia (Rachel) Yuan University College London Anthropology

Hao Yin (Helena) Yuan University College London Biological Sciences

Yina (Elina) Zhong University College London Biomedical Sciences

We are very proud of the superb results achieved by our pupils in their 2025 public examinations. Details of our GCSE and A level results are available on the Downe House website or via the QR code.

Awards & More

Congratulations to all our prize winners

YEAR NAME

SUBJECT

AWARD

Remove Lily Bingham Music Music Practice Award

Remove Lily Bingham Excel in Exams Excellence in Examinations

Remove Lily Bingham S&D

Remove Lily Bingham Physics

Remove Emilija Breddermann Music

Remove Ngon Tung Ellie Chen Music

Remove Grace Diji History

Progress & Effort in Speech & Drama

Excellence in Physics

Progress & Effort in Music

Whitehouse-Vaux Cup (Most Promising Musician in the Lower School)

Progress & Effort in History

Remove Grace Diji Excel in Exams Excellence in Examinations

Remove Baoyi (Bonnie) Dong Excel in Exams Excellence in Examinations

Remove Baoyi (Bonnie) Dong Maths

Excellence in Maths

Remove Baoyi (Bonnie) Dong MFL Excellence in MFL

Remove Baoyi (Bonnie) Dong PE

Remove Baoyi (Bonnie) Dong RS

Progress & Effort in PE

Progress and Effort in RS

Remove Beatrice Gillett Music Excellence in Music

Remove Beatrice Gillett Drama

Progress & Effort in Drama

Remove Beatrice Gillett Food Excellence in Food & Nutrition

Remove Phoebe Grant Excel in Exams Excellence in Examinations

Remove Phoebe Grant Computing Excellence in Computing & ICT

Remove Siu Wai (Josie) He Physics

Remove Tsin Yuet (Kirsty) Ho Classics

Remove Sophia Joiner Art

Remove Chloe Kelly-Higgins MFL

Progress & Effort in Physics

Progress & Effort in Classics

Progress and Effort in Art

Progress & Effort in MFL

Remove Chloe Kelly-Higgins PE Excellence in PE

Remove Chloe Kelly-Higgins Food

Remove Kiret Kular English

Remove Faramadeoluwa (Faramade) Makanjuola Excel in Exams

Remove Faramadeoluwa (Faramade) Makanjuola RS

Remove Faramadeoluwa (Faramade) Makanjuola Geography

Remove Claudia Monckton Maths

Remove Claudia Monckton Textiles

Progress & Effort in Food & Nutrition

Progress & Effort in English

Excellence in Examinations

Excellence in RS

Excellence in Geography

Progress & Effort in Mathematics

Progress and Effort in Textiles

Remove Lily Okeibunor Music Ensemble Award

Remove Lily Okeibunor Biology

Remove Annabel Parry-Williams Geography

Remove Annabel Parry-Williams 3D Design

Remove Allegra Pettyfer History

Excellence in Biology

Progress & Effort in Geography

Excellence in 3D Design

Excellence in History

Awards and More

YEAR NAME

Remove Allegra Pettyfer

SUBJECT

Excel in Exams

Remove Allegra Pettyfer Classics

Remove Allegra Pettyfer English

Remove Allegra Pettyfer Biology

Remove Allegra Pettyfer Chemistry

Remove Zoe Phillips

Excel in Exams

Remove Zoe Phillips Computing

Remove Imogen Pugh Art

Remove Imogen Pugh Chemistry

Remove Sophia Rosa S&D

Remove Sophia Rosa 3D Design

Remove Pimvalunn (Preem) Tangsrichareonporn

Excel in Exams

Remove Saskia Warr Drama

Remove Saskia Warr Textiles

Remove Emma Zhang Biology

LIV Uwailomwan (Uwai) Aighe History

LIV Uwailomwan (Uwai) Aighe Excel in Exams

LIV Uwailomwan (Uwai) Aighe Drama

AWARD

Excellence in Examinations

Excellence in Classics

Excellence in English

Excellence in Biology

Progress & Effort in Chemistry

Excellence in Examinations

Progress & Effort in Computing & ICT

Excellence in Art

Excellence in Chemistry

Excellence in Speech & Drama

Progress and Effort in 3D Design

Excellence in Examinations

Excellence in Drama

Excellence in Textiles

Progress & Effort in Biology

Excellence in History

Excellence in Examinations

Progress & Effort in Drama

LIV Daisy Aird HM Gold Wakefield Award

LIV Daisy Aird PE

LIV Imogen Aird Geography

LIV Taraoluwa (Tara) Akeju Excel in Exams

LIV Vivian Bakewell PE

LIV Aleksandra Bekker Excel in Exams

LIV Aleksandra Bekker Geography

LIV Aleksandra Bekker RS

LIV Aleksandra Bekker Biology

LIV Aleksandra Bekker Chemistry

LIV Aleksandra Bekker Computing

Excellence in PE

Progress & Effort in Geography

Excellence in Examinations

Progress & Effort in PE

Excellence in Examinations

Excellence in Geography

Excellence in RS

Excellence in Biology

Excellence in Chemistry

Excellence in Computing & ICT

LIV Alisa Belotskiy HM Moore Cup (Hill)

LIV Eloise Brennan Food

Excellence in Food & Nutrition

LIV Yifei (Fay) Chang Music Music Practice Award

LIV Clementina Colville Art

LIV Victoria Davies Excel in Exams

LIV Victoria Davies Biology

Progress and Effort in Art

Excellence in Examinations

Progress & Effort in Biology

YEAR NAME

SUBJECT

LIV Jessica Evans Physics

LIV Jennifer Ford Excel in Exams

AWARD

Progress & Effort in Physics

Excellence in Examinations

LIV Jennifer Ford HM Gold Wakefield Award

LIV Jennifer Ford Classics

LIV Beatrice (Bea) Hepsworth HM

LIV Beatrice (Bea) Hepsworth MFL

LIV Beatrice (Bea) Hepsworth Textiles

LIV Beatrice (Bea) Hepsworth Biology

LIV Noelle Hui Music

Excellence in Classics

Berwick Cup (Darwin)

Progress & Effort in MFL

Excellence in Textiles

Progress & Effort in Biology

The Julia Dowson Cup

LIV Amrit Kaur Singh HM Lunn Cup (Hermitage)

LIV Amrit Kaur Singh Art

LIV Emily Liu Maths

LIV Emily Liu Music

LIV Philippa Marsh Excel in Exams

LIV Philippa Marsh English

LIV Philippa Marsh 3D Design

LIV Tilly McClymont Maths

LIV Tilly McClymont S&D

LIV Tilly McClymont PE

LIV Tilly McClymont Biology

LIV Sarah Merson RS

LIV Francesca Mitchell Music

LIV Sara Motyka HM

LIV Sara Motyka Drama

LIV Uwekhai Okhai-Akhigbe Excel in Exams

LIV Uwekhai Okhai-Akhigbe MFL

LIV Laashja Pirathapan Food

LIV Thanyarat (YaYa) Roengsukpipatthana

Excel in Exams

LIV Thanyarat (YaYa) Roengsukpipatthana Physics

LIV Sadie Stepanek Art

LIV Elizabeth (Libby) Sutherland S&D

LIV Elizabeth (Libby) Sutherland Computing

LIV Sophia Toland History

LIV Sophia Toland 3D Design

LIV Willoughby Wren English

LIV Willoughby Wren Chemistry

Excellence in Art

Excellence in Mathematics

Excellence in Music

Excellence in Examinations

Excellence in English

Progress and Effort in 3D Design

Progress & Effort in Mathematics

Excellence in Speech & Drama

Excellence in PE

Progress & Effort in Biology

Progress and Effort in RS

Progress & Effort in Music

The Capps Cup - for showing resilience during the LIV residential and fully embracing the activities on offer

Excellence in Drama

Excellence in Examinations

Excellence in MFL

Progress & Effort in Food & Nutrition

Excellence in Examinations

Excellence in Physics

Excellence in Art

Progress & Effort in Speech & Drama

Progress & Effort in Computing & ICT

Progress & Effort in History

Excellence in 3D Design

Progress & Effort in English

Progress & Effort in Chemistry

Awards and More

YEAR NAME

SUBJECT AWARD

LIV Zhicheng (Isabella) Ye Classics

UIV Zhiya Yin Textiles

UIV Temiloluwa (Temi) Akinkugbe Excel in Exams

UIV Vitra (Ada) Ampornpisit Music

UIV Vitra (Ada) Ampornpisit Biology

UIV Emmeline Anderson Maths

UIV Emmeline Anderson

Excel in Exams

UIV Emmeline Anderson Chemistry

UIV Emmeline Anderson Physics

UIV Emmeline Anderson Computing

UIV Maisie Brown Excel in Exams

UIV Maisie Brown Geography

UIV Eulalia Camilleri S&D

UIV Elizabeth Carter Shaw English

UIV Inès du Chastel de la Howarderie RS

UIV Helen Foulkes Classics

UIV Anna Gomonova Physics

UIV Niamh Hallas Computing

UIV Arabella Heslop PE

UIV Arabella Heslop Textiles

UIV Danielle Jibodu English

UIV Zara Kachingwe-Sisya Geography

UIV Abigail Kehoe Chemistry

UIV Emma Kovalchuk Excel in Exams

UIV Ting Ni (Vivian) Kuo

Excel in Exams

UIV Katherine Langworthy Food

UIV Katherine Langworthy History

UIV Emilia Lazenby Drama

UIV Emilia Lazenby S&D

UIV Emilia Lazenby Textiles

UIV Kloy Lotharukpong 3D Design

UIV Tsz Yuet (Natalie) Luo

Excel in Exams

UIV Tsz Yuet (Natalie) Luo Music

UIV Ella Mackinnon PE

UIV Zara Mahmood MFL

UIV Kai Yi Jada Mak Excel in Exams

Progress & Effort in Classics

Progress and Effort in Textiles

Excellence in Examinations

Excellence in Music

Excellence in Biology

Excellence in Mathematics

Excellence in Examinations

Excellence in Chemistry

Excellence in Physics

Excellence in Computing & ICT

Excellence in Examinations

Excellence in Geography

Progress & Effort in Speech & Drama

Progress & Effort in English

Progress and Effort in RS

Progress & Effort in Classics

Progress & Effort in Physics

Progress & Effort in Computing & ICT

Progress & Effort in PE

Excellence in Textiles

Excellence in English

Progress & Effort in Geography

Progress & Effort in Chemistry

Excellence in Examinations

Excellence in Examinations

Excellence in History

Excellence in History

Excellence in Drama

Lynette Gridley Memorial Trophy for Outstanding Contribution to Speech and Drama

Progress and Effort in Textiles

Progress and Effort in 3D Design

Excellence in Examinations

Ensemble Award

Excellence in PE

Progress & Effort in MFL

Excellence in Examinations

YEAR NAME

SUBJECT AWARD

UIV Mullinya (Ava) Mathisariyapong Biology

UIV Esme Matthews Music

UIV Esme Matthews Classics

UIV Rose Morgan Food

UIV Pimpassorn (Prim) Nilchiansakul Music

UIV Pimpassorn (Prim) Nilchiansakul 3D Design

UIV Camilla Parry-Williams Drama

UIV Sophie Payne S&D

UIV Ilaria Rosa Drama

UIV Ilaria Rosa Biology

UIV Pandora Rycroft Maths

UIV Pandora Rycroft Art

UIV Sophie Segger History

UIV Bianca Squire Biology

UIV Zara Sutherland Excel in Exams

UIV Isabella Warr Art

UIV Madeleine Watkins-Ball Excel in Exams

UIV Madeleine Watkins-Ball RS

UIV Florence Wilton Food

UIV Catherine Yam Excel in Exams

UIV Catherine Yam MFL

LV Estelle Alldis-Kervella Excel in Exams

LV Estelle Alldis-Kervella English

LV Estelle Alldis-Kervella Geography

LV Estelle Alldis-Kervella 3D Design

LV Jemima Ashton Drama

LV Grace Brennan S&D

LV Grace Brennan Art

LV Jia Chun Excel in Exams

Progress & Effort in Biology

Ensemble Award

Excellence in Classics

Food Technology Prize

Progress & Effort in Music

Excellence in 3D Design

Progress & Effort in Drama

Excellence in Speech & Drama

Priestley Cup for Most Promising Young Performer

Progress & Effort in Biology

Progress & Effort in Mathematics

Excellence in Art

Progress & Effort in History

Progress & Effort in Biology

Excellence in Examinations

Progress and Effort in Art

Excellence in Examinations

Excellence in RS

Excellence in Food & Nutrition

Excellence in Examinations

Excellence in MFL

Excellence in Examinations

The Gosse LV English Prize

Excellence in Geography

Progress and Effort in 3D Design

Progress & Effort in Drama

Progress & Effort in Musical Theatre

Progress and Effort in Art

Excellence in Examinations

LV Jia Chun Foote Foote Essay Prize - 1st Place

LV Jia Chun Maths

LV Jia Chun Music

LV Jia Chun Classics

LV Jia Chun RS

LV Jia Chun English

LV Jia Chun Physics

Excellence in Mathematics

Evelyn Barbirolli Woodwind Prize

Excellence in Classics

Excellence in RS

Excellence in English

Excellence in Physics

Awards and More

YEAR NAME

SUBJECT AWARD

LV Imogen Coiley Drama

LV Imogen Coiley Biology

LV Charlotte Cunningham S&D

LV Anna Dawson Paul English

LV Mirabelle Edet Physics

LV Seren Evans Foote

LV Rosina Gill-Wagner Foote

LV Rosina Gill-Wagner MFL

LV Cecilia Harris Drama

LV Elsie Heath-Pampin Food

LV Amber Hilton Maths

LV Amber Hilton PE

LV Isabelle Hsia PE

LV Xiaoyu (Alice) Hu Excel in Exams

LV Xiaoyu (Alice) Hu Music

LV Xiaoyu (Alice) Hu Computing

LV Yuhan (Chloe) Ji Excel in Exams

LV Yuhan (Chloe) Ji Geography

LV Yuhan (Chloe) Ji Textiles

LV Sara Kamijo-Kinmont Art

Progress & Effort in Drama

Progress & Effort in Biology

Excellence in Musical Theatre

Progress & Effort in English

Progress & Effort in Physics

Foote Essay Prize - Joint 3rd Place

Foote Essay Prize - 2nd Place

Excellence in MFL

Excellence in Drama

Progress & Effort in Food & Nutrition

Progress & Effort in Mathematics

Heidi Cooper Squash Cup

Progress & Effort in PE

Excellence in Examinations

The Elizabeth Pickering Prize

Excellence in Computing & ICT

Excellence in Examinations

Progress & Effort in Geography

Progress and Effort in Textiles

Excellence in Art

LV Hitomi Kotaka (Yip) Music Ensemble Award

LV Hitomi Kotaka (Yip) 3D Design

LV Gauri Langhae Excel in Exams

LV Gauri Langhae Music

LV Mingxi (Mia) Li Music

LV Zourui (Ray) Li MFL

LV Petra McKay S&D

LV Mia McLennan S&D

LV Fiona Merchant RS

LV Ian (Valerie) Ng S&D

LV Shiyun (Audrey) Peng Computing

LV Amelie Perceval PE

LV Amelie Perceval Food

LV Johanna Schmitt Classics

LV Johanna Schmitt Biology

LV Selma Schmitt Chemistry

Excellence in 3D Design

Excellence in Examinations

Music Practice & Ensemble Award

Excellence in Music

Progress & Effort in MFL

Progress & Effort in Speech & Drama

Excellence in Speech & Drama

Progress and Effort in RS

Excellence in Communication Skills

Progress & Effort in Computing & ICT

Excellence in PE

Excellence in Food & Nutrition

Progress & Effort in Classics

Progress & Effort in Biology

Progress & Effort in Chemistry

YEAR NAME

SUBJECT

LV Elizabeth Squire PE

LV Elizabeth (Libby) Stonor Textiles

LV Nga Yan (Meagan) Tam History

LV Nga Yan (Meagan) Tam Excel in Exams

LV Nga Yan (Meagan) Tam Foote

LV Nga Yan (Meagan) Tam Classics

LV Cecily Whitbread Foote

LV Araminta (Minty) Winkworth History

LV Muqing (Lucy) Yang Excel in Exams

LV Muqing (Lucy) Yang Biology

LV Muqing (Lucy) Yang Chemistry

AWARD

Junior Victor Ludorum Sports Cup

Excellence in Textiles

Excellence in History

Excellence in Examinations

Foote Essay Prize - Joint 3rd Place

Excellence in Classics

Foote Essay Prize - Joint 3rd Place

Progress & Effort in History

Excellence in Examinations

Excellence in Biology

Excellence in Chemistry

LV Tiffany Ying Art Bathurst Art Award

LV Gabrielle Yue Music The MacLean Prize

UV Cymbeline Attwater Classics

UV Cymbeline Attwater Computing

UV Cymbeline Attwater English

UV Cymbeline Attwater 3D Design

UV Man Kei (Kelly) Au Physics

UV Charlotte Benson Music

UV Charlotte Benson S&D

UV Alice Bevan PE

UV Abigail Bowden Chemistry

UV Louisa Burges Watson PE

UV Louisa Burges Watson PE

UV Margaret Chiu Food

UV Sophie Chow Biology

UV Sophie Chow Computing

UV Phillipa Drysdale S&D

UV Olivia Fane HM

UV Olivia Fane MFL

Excellence in Classics

Progress & Effort in Computing & ICT

Excellence in English

Excellence in 3D Design

Excellence in Physics

Excellence in Music

Progress & Effort in Musical Theatre

Excellence in PE

Excellence in Chemistry

UV Interntional Sports Honour (Scotland Lacrosse)

Progress & Effort in PE

Excellence in Food & Nutrition

Excellence in Biology

Excellence in Computing & ICT

Excellence in Speech & Drama

Barnes Cup (HOLCOMBE)

Excellence in MFL

UV Phoebe Hanlon HM Gwatkin Cup (TEDWORTH)

UV Xinge (Queena) Hu Drama

UV Rosie Ilott Geography

UV Ikei (Luciana) Jiang Maths

UV Amelia Karoly History

UV Amelia Karoly PE

Progress & Effort in Drama

Excellence in Geography

Progress & Effort in Mathematics

Progress & Effort in History

Progress & Effort in PE

Awards and More

YEAR NAME

SUBJECT

UV Amelia Karoly 3D Design

UV Audrey King Geography

UV Kateryna (Katya) Kryvoruchko Biology

UV On Kiu (Mini) Ku Maths

UV Jia Rui (Kerry) Lu S&D

UV Eliza Manson HM

UV Eliza Manson Art

UV Lucie Mareschal de Charentenay HM

UV Lucie Mareschal de Charentenay MFL

UV Eloise McNair Scott S&D

UV Tatiana Montanari Music

UV Nina Mutton Biology

UV Gracie Nash Art

UV Audre Ovbiebo RS

UV Eimear Planner History

UV Scarlett Porter S&D

UV Philippa Robertson-Kellie Drama

UV Iona Russell RS

UV Ottavia Ryan English

UV Ottavia Ryan Chemistry

UV Yiling Shi S&D

UV Ava Sparrow MFL

UV Ava Sparrow Chemistry

UV Ava Sparrow Physics

UV Camilla Spread Textiles

UV Chloe Stewart HM

UV Margaret Tam Music

UV Natalie Teng Music

UV Florence Waller Classics

UV Florence Waller Biology

UV Jing (Angela) Yang Textiles

UV Oneira Yu Food

LVI Ameera Abubakar MBA

LVI Aderinola (Rinola) Aderibigbe MBA

LVI Aderinola (Rinola) Aderibigbe S&D

LVI Camille Aird Art

AWARD

Progress and Effort in 3D Design

Progress & Effort in Geography

Progress & Effort in Biology

Excellence in Mathematics

Excellence in Communication Skills

Houghton Cup (AISHOLT)

Excellence in Art

Austin Cup (AGN)

Progress & Effort in MFL

Excellence in Musical Theatre

Ensemble Award

Progress & Effort in Biology

Progress and Effort in Art

Excellence and Overall Prize in RS at GCSE

Excellence in History

Progress & Effort in Speech & Drama

Excellence in Drama

Progress and Effort in RS

Progress & Effort in English

Progress & Effort in Chemistry

Progress & Effort in Communication Skills

The Maitland French Prize

Progress & Effort in Chemistry

Progress & Effort in Physics

Progress and Effort in Textiles

Doherty Cup (AGS)

The Eileen Fairbank Cup

Progress & Effort in Music

Progress & Effort in Classics

Progress & Effort in Biology

Excellence in Textiles

Progress & Effort in Food & Nutrition

MBA Course - Merit

MBA Course - Distinction

Progress & Effort in Musical Theatre

The Power Carlier Prize for Artistic Endeavour in the LVI

YEAR NAME

SUBJECT

LVI Lina Anand Politics

LVI Lina Anand Politics

LVI Lina Anand Excel in Exams

LVI Pascale Ashley MBA

LVI Pascale Ashley Food

LVI Pearl (Ivie) Avwenagha Excel in Exams

LVI Pearl (Ivie) Avwenagha Chemistry

LVI Emily Bailey MBA

LVI Eleanor Barlow Textiles

LVI Imogen Baxter EPQ

LVI Lucinda Boucher Excel in Exams

LVI Lucinda Boucher PE

LVI Lucinda Boucher Geography

LVI Amelia (Mimi) Brake Economics

LVI Tabitha Brewer English

LVI Anna Brooks MBA

LVI Anna Brooks Food

LVI Zhi Yu Tiffany Cheong S&D

LVI Alexia Cheuk RS

LVI Wing Yu (Hailey) Chiu History

LVI Wing Yu (Hailey) Chiu Business

LVI Tamsin Clegg MBA

LVI Tamsin Clegg Excel in Exams

LVI Mia Corbett MBA

LVI Mia Corbett

Excel in Exams

AWARD

Excellence in Politics

Excellence in Politics

Excellence in Examinations

MBA Course - Distinction

Excellence in Food & Nutrition

Excellence in Examinations

Progress & Effort in Chemistry

MBA Course - Distinction

Progress and Effort in Textiles

Progress & Effort in EPQ

Excellence in Examinations

Excellence in Physical Education

Progress & Effort in Geography

Progress & Effort in Economics

Progress & Effort in English

MBA Course - Distinction

Excellence in Food & Nutrition

Excellence in Communication Skills

Progress and Effort in RS

Progress & Effort in History

Excellence in Business

MBA Course - Distinction

Excellence in Examinations

MBA Course - Distinction

Excellence in Examinations

LVI Mia Corbett PE LVI Interntional Sports Honour (Ireland Lacrosse)

LVI Sophia Cork MBA MBA Course - Distinction

LVI Josephine Cull MBA MBA Course - Distinction

LVI Yichen (Angel) Dai S&D

LVI Emma Davies MFL

LVI Isabella de Arcangelis MBA

LVI Isabella de Arcangelis Music

LVI Shaojun (Hedy) Dong Excel in Exams

LVI Shaojun (Hedy) Dong Music

LVI Shaojun (Hedy) Dong Psychology

LVI Jasmine Durrant Art

Prorgress & Effort in Communication Skills

Excellence in MFL

MBA Course - Distinction

Ensemble Award

Excellence in Examinations

Progress & Effort in Music

Excellence in Psychology

Progress and Effort in Art

Awards and More

YEAR NAME

SUBJECT AWARD

LVI India Evans Business

Progress & Effort in Business

LVI Polly Fowler Photography The Julia Newton Photography Award

LVI Polly Fowler Psychology

LVI Yuwen Ge Physics

LVI Tingli (Tiffany) Gong Biology

LVI Jemima Gross Art History

LVI Elisabeth (Lilybee) Gwyn-Jones MBA

LVI Esmee Haefner Drama

LVI Esmee Haefner PE

LVI Esmee Haefner MFL

LVI Rosamund (Rose) Harris History

LVI Rosamund (Rose) Harris Drama

LVI Rosamund (Rose) Harris English

LVI Scarlett Hayes MBA

LVI Cosima Islef MBA

LVI Cosima Islef Politics

LVI Yunyi (Astrid) Jia Physics

LVI Hing Ni (Melody) Kuo 3D Design

LVI Joline Lam Excel in Exams

LVI Joline Lam EPQ

LVI Joline Lam Biology

LVI Joline Lam Chemistry

LVI Sophie Lambourne S&D

LVI Cheuk-Yi Cherie (Sage) Lau S&D

LVI Cheuk-Yi Cherie (Sage) Lau Classics

LVI Islay Leslie Food

LVI Yichen (Lilian) Li Art History

LVI Yichen (Lilian) Li Art

LVI Vernados Lin Excel in Exams

LVI Yuchen (Lisa) Liu Music

LVI Daisy Mackinnon MBA

LVI Alishba Mahmood Maths

LVI Eloise (Ellie) Minson MBA

LVI Alexa Nash MBA

LVI Isabella Neill Food

LVI Sasha Novis Food

Progress & Effort in Psychology

Excellence in Physics

Progress & Effort in Biology

Progress & Effort in Art History

MBA Course - Distinction

Progress & Effort in Drama

Progress & Effort in PE

Excellence in MFL

Excellence in History

Excellence in Drama

The Rich LVI English Prize

MBA Course - Distinction

MBA Course - Distinction

Progress & Effort in Politics

Progress & Effort in Physics

Progress and Effort in 3D Design

Excellence in Examinations

Excellence in EPQ

Excellence in Biology

Progress & Effort in Chemistry

Progress & Effort in Speech & Drama

Progress & Effort in Musical Theatre

Excellence in Classics

Excellence in Food & Nutrition

Excellence in Art History

Excellence in Art

Excellence in Examinations

Ensemble Award

MBA Course - Distinction

Progress & Effort in Mathematics

MBA Course - Merit

MBA Course - Merit

Progress & Effort in Food & Nutrition

Progress & Effort in Food & Nutrition

YEAR NAME

SUBJECT AWARD

LVI Lydia O’Shea History

LVI Lydia O’Shea RS

LVI Poppy Pilkington MBA

LVI Poppy Pilkington Textiles

LVI Dominica Prentice MBA

LVI Annabel (Annie) Reeve PE

LVI Emily Regis MBA

LVI Emily Regis Excel in Exams

LVI Tabatha Ridley Excel in Exams

LVI History Prize

Excellence in RS

MBA Course - Distinction

Excellence in Textiles

MBA Course - Distinction

LVI Interntional Sports Honour (Wales Lacrosse)

MBA Course - Distinction

Excellence in Examinations

Excellence in Examinations

LVI Ansha Shankar MBA MBA Course - Merit

LVI Yan Qi (Angelina) Shek Music

LVI Dhyaana Shourie S&D

LVI Dhyaana Shourie English

LVI Dhyaana Shourie Food

LVI Natalie (Tilly) Sideso MBA

LVI Natalie (Tilly) Sideso PE

LVI Henrietta Simpkin Excel in Exams

Marjorie Gunn Music Prize (BOW)

Excellence in Speech & Drama

Excellence in English

Excellence in Food & Nutrition

MBA Course - Distinction

Excellence in PE

Excellence in Examinations

LVI Henrietta Simpkin MBA MBA Course - Distinction

LVI Henrietta Simpkin Music

LVI Henrietta Simpkin Geography

LVI Liberty Spry

Excel in Exams

LVI Liberty Spry Maths

LVI Liberty Spry Chemistry

LVI Anna Stopford Geography

LVI Maria Taraban MFL

LVI Imogen Thompson Economics

LVI Annabel Trew Excel in Exams

LVI Amelia Voûte MBA

LVI Ka Yee (Kallie) Wong PE

LVI Song Heng (Claudia) Wu MBA

LVI Song Heng (Claudia) Wu Music

LVI Sophia Zhu Excel in Exams

UVI Alice Aird Business

UVI Alice Aird Geography

UVI Alice Barber Music

UVI Alice Barber HM

Ensemble Award

Natasha Butcher Cup for Geographical Research

Excellence in Examinations

Excellence in Mathematics

Excellence in Chemistry

Excellence in Geography

Progress & Effort in MFL

Excellence in Economics

Excellence in Examinations

MBA Course - Distinction

LVI Interntional Sports Honour (Hong Kong Lacrosse)

MBA Course - Distinction

Ensemble Award

Excellence in Examinations

Excellence in Business

Progress & Effort in Geography

Excellence in Music

The Ogilvie-Jones Head Ambassadors’ Cup (Joint)

Awards and More

YEAR NAME

SUBJECT AWARD

UVI Alice Barber Drama

UVI Hope Black History

UVI Hope Black Drama

UVI Hope Black English

UVI Anjolaoluwa (Anjola) Bolodeoku S&D

UVI Anjolaoluwa (Anjola) Bolodeoku HM

UVI Jemima Booth Economics

UVI Jemima Booth Biology

UVI Ophelia Bracken Drama

UVI Ophelia Bracken Food

UVI Eve Brown PE

UVI Eve Brown PE

UVI Serena Browne Music

UVI Serena Browne Art History

UVI Serena Browne Food

Excellence in Musical Theatre

Progress & Effort in History

Excellence in Drama

Progress & Effort in English

Speech and Drama Cup for Overall Excellence

Lilian Heather Prize

Excellence in Economics

Excellence in Biology

Head of Drama Award

Progress & Effort in Food & Nutrition

Excellence in PE

The Watson Captain Trophy - Capitain of Games

Jennifer Davies Music Prize

Excellence in Art History

Excellence in Food & Nutrition

UVI Serena Browne Food Leiths Award

UVI Zhi Ling (Lauren) Chu PE

UVI Olivia Cole S&D

UVI Georgina Dawson Biology

UVI Lydia (Isadora) Dyer History

UVI Lydia (Isadora) Dyer RS

UVI Lydia (Isadora) Dyer Music

UVI Lydia (Isadora) Dyer S&D

The Cheung Cup for dedication to Volleyball

Progress & Effort in Speech & Drama

The Margaret Gill Biology Prize (Joint)

Excellence in History

Excellence and Mary Midgley Prize for RS

The Bedwell Singing Prize

Excellence in Speech & Drama

UVI Keren Feng HM Parsons Chapel Cup

UVI Keren Feng Drama

UVI Keren Feng EPQ

UVI Keren Feng Classics

Excellence in Communication Skills

Excellence in EPQ

Excellence in Classics

UVI Ophelia Fisher HM Leiths Award

UVI Gabriella Ford PE

UVI Gabriella Ford PE

UVI Gabriella Ford PE

UVI Gabriella Ford 3D Design

UVI Yuchen (Rebecca) Gao Maths

UVI Yuchen (Rebecca) Gao Chemistry

UVI Yuchen (Rebecca) Gao Physics

UVI Emily Gray Economics

Excellence in Physical Education

Victor Ludorum Sports Cup

UVI Interntional Sports Honour (England Lacrosse)

Progress and Effort in 3D Design

Progress & Effort in Mathematics

The Rippon Chemistry Prize

The UVI Physics Prize

Progress & Effort in Economics

YEAR NAME

SUBJECT AWARD

UVI Emily Gray Geography

UVI Henrietta (Hetty) Hack Politics

UVI Freya Hanbury HM

UVI Octavia Hoare Nairne Art

UVI Laurena (Luma) Horatio Jones Maths

UVI Laurena (Luma) Horatio Jones 3D Design

UVI Laurena (Luma) Horatio Jones 3D Design

UVI Laurena (Luma) Horatio Jones Physics

UVI Isabella Hudson Music

UVI Isabella Hudson Psychology

Independent Investigation Prize for Geography

Excellence in Politics

Parsons Chapel Cup - Runner Up

Excellence in Art

Elizabeth Anne Beel Memorial Trophy for Mathematical Endeavour

Elizabeth Palmer Cup for Technology

Excellence in 3D Design

Progress & Effort in Physics

The Steen Cup

Progress & Effort in Psychology

UVI Isabella (Bella) Laing HM The Ogilvie-Jones Head Ambassadors’ Cup (joint)

UVI Janice Lee Maths

UVI Janice Lee Chemistry

UVI Janice Lee Physics

UVI Emilia Lim Drama

UVI Emilia Lim HM

UVI Ciara Lynch PE

UVI Harriet Manning PE

UVI Harriet Manning Chemistry

UVI Harriet Manning Biology

UVI Zoe Mareschal de Charentenay HM

UVI Sewon (Victoria) Min Classics

UVI Alice Morgan HM

Sixth Form Maths Prize

Excellence in Chemistry

Excellence in Physics

Van Oss Cup for Music, Drama and Musical Theatre

Head Senior’s Prize

Progress & Effort in PE

Excellence in PE

Excellence in Chemistry

Excellence in Biology

Parsons Chapel Cup - Runner Up

Progress & Effort in Classics

The Hill Cup for Leadership in Holcombe House

UVI Iona Neville Photography The Russell Photography Award

UVI Amelia O’Connor Business

UVI Amelia O’Connor Food

Progress & Effort in Business

Excellence in Food & Nutrition

UVI Amelia O’Connor HM Leiths Award

UVI Adesola Odeyemi MFL

UVI Desola Omonijo RS

UVI Davida (Seyi) Opaleye Biology

UVI Iris Owen EPQ

UVI Ka Ching Anna Pang Maths

UVI Clara Rainsford MFL

UVI Rose Rollo Geography

UVI Harriet Slipper Drama

UVI Harriet Slipper Drama

The Salter Prize for French

Progress and Effort in RS

Progress & Effort in Biology

Progress & Effort in EPQ

Excellence in Mathematics

Excellence in MFL

Excellence in Geography

Progress & Effort in Drama

Kate Edey Cup for All Round Contribution to Drama

Awards and More

YEAR NAME

SUBJECT

UVI Charlotte Trew Psychology

UVI Munachiso (Muna) Ubosi Politics

UVI Munachiso (Muna) Ubosi MFL

UVI Jin Vanasin MFL

UVI Daisy Vincent Geography

UVI Cathy Wang Music

UVI Cathy Wang MFL

UVI Yi (Wendy) Wu Drama

UVI Yi (Wendy) Wu Art History

UVI Kaiyan (Kayla) Xiao Chemistry

UVI Ruoxi (Jasmine) Yang Music

UVI Ruoxi (Jasmine) Yang English

UVI Xin Yan (Annabel) Yang Art

UVI Xin Yan (Annabel) Yang Biology

UVI Yujia (Rachel) Yuan Music

UVI Yina (Elina) Zhong Chemistry

LV Estelle Alldis-Kervella HM

LV Anna Dawson Paul HM

LV Alexandra Diez Sanchez-Tabernero HM

LV Rosina Gill-Wagner HM

LV Cecilia Harris HM

LV Xiaoyu (Alice) Hu HM

LV Yuhan (Chloe) Ji HM

LV Mia McLennan HM

LV Thanaya (Hanna) Suvansarang HM

LV Araminta (Minty) Winkworth HM

UVI Jemima Booth HM

UV Phillipa Drysdale HM

UVI Isabella Hudson HM

UVI Munachiso (Muna) Ubosi HM

UVI Jin Vanasin HM

AWARD

Excellence in Psychology

Progress & Effort in Politics

Progress & Effort in MFL

World Languages Cup for Exceptional Linguistic Achievement

UVI Prize for Geography

Progress & Effort in Music

The Owen Sixth Form Prize for French

Progress & Effort in Musical Theatre

Progress & Effort in Art History

The Rippon Chemistry Prize

Ensemble Award

Excellence in English

Progress and Effort in Art

The Margaret Gill Biology Prize (joint)

Marjorie Gunn Music Prize (cup)

Progress & Effort in Chemistry

Junior Olive Willis

Junior Olive Willis

Junior Olive Willis

Junior Olive Willis

Junior Olive Willis

Junior Olive Willis

Junior Olive Willis

Junior Olive Willis

Junior Olive Willis

Junior Olive Willis

The Camilla Farrell Cup for Academic and Sporting Excellence

Lucasta Partridge Hicks Cup

Olive Willis

Stuart Alexander Charity Cup

Dame Deborah James Trophy

SPEECH AND DRAMA

NAME

Remove

Lily Bingham

Strawberry Culliney

Wilanla Dejsunthornwat

Baoyi Dong

Wenwen Li

Faramadeoluwa

Makanjuola

Claudia Monckton

Zoe Phillips

Elektra Purchas

Saskia Warr

Alice Cazenove

Wilali Dejsunthornwat

Ngon Tung Ellie Chen

Melinka Drummond

Phoebe Grant

Siu Wai He

Phoebe McEwen

Lily Okeibunor

Annabel Parry-Williams

Allegra Pettyfer

Elizabeth Rollo

Sophia Rosa

Kaiying Wu

Chloe Kelly-Higgins

Arianna Alamouti

Lower Fourth

Taraoluwa Akeju

Lottie Denman

Imogen Aird

Sofia Faissola

Yuanyin Du

Shion Jo

Xinyan Piao

Jennifer Ford

Sadie Stepanek

Clementina Colville

Sydney Dell

Yihan Huang

Vivian Bakewell

AralolaOluwa Fatokun

Willoughby Wren

Jessica Evans

Jessica MacPhee

Emily Liu

Shanmei Pan

Eloise Brennan

Tilly McClymont

Elizabeth Sutherland

Vedika Mehta

Uwekhai Okhai-Akhigbe

Charlotte Ford

Amaya Hyare

Alexandra Try

Zhicheng Ye

Sara Motyka

Philippa Marsh

Zhiya Yin

Sophia Toland

GRADE EXAM TYPE BAND

Grade 2 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 2 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 2 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 2 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 2 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 2 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 2 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 2 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 2 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 2 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 2 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 2 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 2 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 2 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 2 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 2 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 2 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 2 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 2 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 2 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 2 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 2 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 2 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 2 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 2 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 3 Acting Group Distinction

NAME

Upper Fourth

Isla Erskine Crum

Eulalia Camilleri

Yuheng Ouyang

Isabella Lloyd George

Amelie Hedges

Isabel Elder

Isabella Filo

Francesca Shakespeare

Katherine Langworthy

Catherine Yam

Kloy Lotharukpong

Vanda Memari

Yuhan Chiu

Maya Benson

Mullinya (Ava)

Mathisariyapong

Florence Wilton

Zhaowei Yin

Temiloluwa Akinkugbe

Dissara Kurmarohita

Maisie Brown

Emmeline Anderson

Viveen Parker

Camilla Parry-Williams

Danielle Jibodu

Georgiana Sokol

Sophie Ratzer

Niamh Hallas

Efe EsiovwaThompson

Ilaria Rosa

Leya Bell

Madeleine WatkinsBall

Gisella Perhar

Carmen Ren

Emma Kovalchuk

YiQing (Nancy) Ke

Elizabeth Carter Shaw

Emilia Lazenby

Zhiya Xu

Sophie Payne

Isabella Warr

Olivia Reynolds

Xinzhi Piao

Helen Foulkes

Talia Marshall

Tsz Yuet Natalie Luo

Anna Gomonova

Eva McPherson

Jemima RobertsonKellie

Mariam Abubakar

Isabella Foster

Charlotte Ayliffe

Bianca Squire

Sophia Darroue

GRADE EXAM TYPE BAND

Grade 4 Acting Group Merit

Grade 4 Acting Group Merit

Grade 4 Acting Group Merit

Grade 4 Acting Group Merit

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4

Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

Grade 4 Acting Group Distinction

NAME

Lower Fifth

Petra McKay

GRADE EXAM TYPE BAND

Grade 5 Acting Pair Merit

Grace Brennan Grade 5 Acting Pair Merit

Ameerah Abidoye Grade 5 Acting Pair Merit

Lara Kendall Grade 5 Acting Pair Merit

Thanaya (Hanna)

Suvansarang

Grade 5 Acting Pair Distinction

Cecily Whitbread Grade 5 Acting Pair Distinction

Trinity Parkes

Grade 5 Acting Pair Distinction

Morenikejimi Anjorin Grade 5 Acting Pair Distinction

Imogen Coiley

Grade 5 Acting Pair Distinction

Marvellous IdowuTitus Grade 5 Acting Pair Distinction

Mia McLennan

Tess Prakitritanon

Grade 5 Acting Pair Distinction

Grade 5 Acting Pair Distinction

Lara Hallas Grade 5 Acting Pair Distinction

Eloise Poland Bowen Grade 5 Acting Pair Distinction

Cecilia Harris Grade 5 Acting Pair Distinction

Grace Brennan Grade 5 Musical Theatre Solo Distinction

Ian Ng Grade 5 Communication Skills Solo Distinction

Upper Fifth

Phillipa Drysdale Grade 6 Acting Solo Distinction

Louisa Burges Watson Grade 6 Acting Pair Merit

Violet-Rose Penney

Grade 6 Acting Pair Merit

Jing (Angela) Yang Grade 6 Acting Pair Merit

Xiaoyi (Naima) Qin Grade 6 Acting Pair Merit

Imogen Daley

Louise Novatin

Grade 6 Acting Pair Merit

Grade 6 Acting Pair Merit

Philippa RobertsonKellie Grade 6 Acting Pair Distinction

Eimear Planner Grade 6 Acting Pair Distinction

Oladunni Are Grade 6 Acting Pair Distinction

Isabella Gharagozlou Grade 6 Acting Pair Distinction

Rosie Ilott Grade 6 Acting Pair Distinction

Scarlett Porter Grade 6 Acting Pair Distinction

Iona Russell Grade 6 Musical Theatre Solo Merit

Chloe Stewart Grade 6 Musical Theatre Solo Distinction

Eloise McNair Scott Grade 6 Musical Theatre Solo Distinction

Charlotte Benson Grade 6 Musical Theatre Pair Distinction

Tabisa Iakovleva Grade 6 Musical Theatre Pair Distinction

Saskia Andrews Grade 6 Musical Theatre Pair Distinction

Nibena Ben-Noi Grade 6 Musical Theatre Pair Distinction

Tanitoluwa Akeju Grade 6 Musical Theatre Pair Distinction

Ottavia Ryan Grade 6 Musical Theatre Pair Distinction

Yiling Shi

Maria Gomonova

Grade 6 Communication Skills Solo Merit

Grade 6 Communication Skills Solo Merit

Kateryna Kryvoruchko Grade 6 Communication Skills Solo Merit

Jia Rui (Kerry) Lu Grade 6 Communication Skills Solo Distinction

Lower Sixth

Daisy Mackinnon

Grade 7 Acting Solo Merit

Yuwen Ge Grade 7 Acting Solo Merit

Vernados Lin Grade 7 Acting Solo Merit

Niamh Planner Grade 7 Acting Solo Distinction

Esmee Haefner Grade 7 Acting Solo Distinction

NAME

Sophie Lambourne

Annabel Jackaman

Dhyaana Shourie

GRADE EXAM TYPE BAND

Grade 7 Acting Solo Distinction

Grade 7 Acting Solo Distinction

Grade 7 Acting Solo Distinction

Rosamund Harris Grade 7 Acting Solo Distinction

Serena Stewart Grade 7 Acting Pair Distinction

Isabella Withey Grade 7 Acting Pair Distinction

India Evans Grade 7 Acting Pair Distinction

Annabel Reeve Grade 7 Acting Pair Distinction

Zhi Yu Tiffany Cheong Grade 7 Communication Skills Solo Distinction

Sophia Zhu Grade 7 Communication Skills Solo Distinction

Yichen (Angel) Dai Grade 7 Communication Skills Solo Distinction

Lina Anand

Lily Colville

Ameera Abubakar

Charlotte Foulkes

Cheuk-Yi Cherie (Sage) Lau

Oluwakoyinsola Akeju

Aderinola Aderibigbe

Upper Sixth

Olivia Cole

Lydia Isadora Dyer

Hui Wang

Anjola Bolodeoku

Isabella Hudson

Yi (Wendy) Wu

Iris Owen

Alice Barber

Keren Feng

Grade 7

Musical Theatre Solo Merit

Grade 7 Musical Theatre Solo Merit

Grade 7 Musical Theatre Solo Distinction

Grade 7 Musical Theatre Solo Distinction

Grade 7 Musical Theatre Solo Distinction

Grade 7 Musical Theatre Solo Distinction

Grade 7 Musical Theatre Solo Distinction

Grade 8 Acting Solo Merit

Grade 8 Acting Solo Distinction

Grade 8

Grade 8

Grade 8

Grade 8

Grade 8

Grade 8

Musical Theatre Solo Merit

Musical Theatre Solo Distinction

Musical Theatre Solo Distinction

Musical Theatre Solo Distinction

Musical Theatre Solo Distinction

Musical Theatre Solo Distinction

Grade 8 Communication Skills Solo Distinction

LAMDA SHAKESPEARE

NAME GRADE EXAM TYPE BAND

Lower Sixth

Sophie Lambourne

Esmee Haefner

Dhyaana Shourie

Daisy Mackinnon

Sophie Lambourne

Annabel Reeve

India Evans

Rosamund Harris

Level 2

Level 2

Level 2

Level 2

Level 3

Level 3

Level 3

Level 3

LAMDA Award Distinction

Shakespeare for Performance Distinction

Shakespeare for Performance Distinction

Shakespeare for Performance Distinction

Shakespeare for Performance Merit

Shakespeare for Performance Merit

Shakespeare for Performance Merit

Shakespeare for Performance Distinction

MUSIC COLOURS

Lower School Music Colours

Ngon Tung Ellie Chen

Kaiying Wu

Baoyi Dong

Vedika Mehta

Uwailomwan Aighe

Laashja Pirathapan

Yifei Chang

Upper School Music Colours

Vitra Ampornpisit

Tsz Yuet Natalie Luo

Carmen Ren

Esme Matthews

Xidan Zhang

Pimpassorn Nilchiansakul

Alexandra Li

Gabrielle Yue

Dissara Kurmarohita

Lin Yi (Emily) Meng

Zara Hughes

PRATICAL MUSIC AND THEORY

Barbirolli Music Colours

Yan Qi (Angelina) Shek

Charlotte Foulkes

Henrietta Simpkin

Hedy Dong

Yuchen Liu

Isabella de Arcangelis

Violet Barker

Song Heng (Claudia) Wu

Wing Yu (Hailey) Chiu

Honor McMyn

Awards and More