Founders Weekend programme 2025

FOUNDER’S WEEKEND

JUNE 2025

SATURDAY 28TH AND SUNDAY 29TH

Bringing e D ne H se c unity toge er

Welcome to Founder’s Weekend 2025

Along with the usual array of performances, productions and exhibitions that celebrate the achievements and talents of our pupils, you will ﬁnd a host of other activities to entertain and amaze! There really is something for everyone in the family to enjoy.

For information about everything that is happening and where to ﬁnd it, head to the Welcome and Information Desk in the Founder’s Festival Tent, outside the Murray Centre.

The Founder’s Festival Tent is also where you will ﬁnd lots of activities throughout Saturday.

Fun for all the family – garden games in the Cloisters, festival face painting in the stretch tent, and family tennis, crazy golf and pickleball will be available at various times throughout the weekend.

There will also be lots to see on the Founder’s Festival Screen in the Cloisters, where you can ﬁnd updates and reminders of activities and events throughout the day.

Founder’s Afternoon Tea – on both Saturday and Sunday, our legendary afternoon tea is served in the Marquee in the Cloisters.

Camper Café – barista-made co ee and other hot drinks will be available throughout the weekend. On Saturday, on the Sports Field (from 9am) and on the main campus from 1pm, and on Sunday on the main campus from 1pm.

Ice Queens of Hove – delicious tubs of luxury ice cream and sorbet served from their stylish and distinctive trike throughout the weekend. Main campus from 1pm on Saturday and Sunday.

We are committed to reducing waste and use of printed materials. In line with this commitment, all programmes for the performances and productions over Founder’s Weekend are available digitally. You will ﬁnd scan codes around the School and in venues which enable you to access each programme which includes director’s notes, the running order and a list of the performers.

I hope you have a wonderful Founder’s Weekend!

Mrs Philippa Toogood

Assistant Head (Operations)

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To access our wi-ﬁ, select DHS Guest: username: Founders25 and password: Welcome25

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A message from the Headmistress

A warm welcome to Founder’s Weekend 2025. This is one of the most special weekends in the Downe House calendar as all members of our communitypupils, sta , parents and alumnae - come together to celebrate all that the girls have achieved in the year. It would be very easy to take for granted the quality and variety of their work but I am in no doubt that all our visitors will be as proud and impressed as I am!

Everything that we achieve at Downe, we achieve together through hard work, determination, humility and collaboration. Girls across all ages work together supportively; our sta skilfully support and encourage girls to reach new heights; and of course the support of our parents and alumnae is invaluable. I would like to pay a particular tribute to Philippa Toogood who masterminds the logistics and indeed the programme for us and is already working on Founder’s Weekend 2026!

A ﬁrst-class education, in our belief, is one that embraces sport and the performing and creative arts alongside the academic and pastoral. I am in no doubt that you will see plenty of examples of every aspect in evidence, and I hope you will thoroughly enjoy the exhibitions, the performances and the opportunity to spend time together.

I wish you a very happy and enriching two days!

Every good wish,

Mrs Emma McKendrick

Olive

Willis Founder of Downe House

An extract from a letter written by our Founder to Old Seniors, inviting them to return for the annual Seniors’ Weekend in 1957:

“The School belongs to you all and to each one, and there is no one who has not given something to its life. Perhaps it has given something to you, though you may not recognise this and may sometimes feel surprise when a memory or an opinion rises unbidden in your mind. You have made friends at School and though circumstances may have parted you, no one will quite take their place.”

FOUNDER’S WEEKEND 2025

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

SATURDAY 28TH JUNE

9.30am–1pm

SPORTS FIELD

Sports Day

Come and support your daughters as they compete for their House in track and ﬁeld events in what is the all-important ﬁnal House competition of the year.

Digital Programme and School Records available

12.30pm-6.30pm

THE MURRAY CENTRE, POTTERY AND TEXTILES ROOMS

Creative Arts

Exhibitions

Scan me for performance programmes

12.30pm-4.30pm

THE TENNIS COURTS (OUTSIDE WILLIS HOUSE)

Family Tennis, Crazy Golf and Pickleball

The courts will be open and the nets will be up – so if you wish to challenge friends or family to a set or two of tennis or pickleball, or to test your skill on the fun crazy golf course – please help yourselves.

We are delighted to welcome you to the 2025 Founder’s Exhibition – a vibrant celebration of the outstanding creativity, skill and dedication shown by our pupils throughout the past year. This annual showcase brings together work from across our Creative Arts Faculty, which includes Fine Art, Textiles, 3D Design and Photography. The exhibition in The Murray Centre presents a rich and dynamic mix of these disciplines, o ering a window into the imaginative and thoughtful work produced by our GCSE and A Level students.

1pm onwards

THE CLOISTERS

Family Picnic Lunch

Bring along a picnic to enjoy in the beautiful School grounds, in and around the Cloisters.

10am–12 noon

Founder’s Fair at Sports Day

Join the girls from across all the Houses as they set up an array of stalls to tempt, amuse and entertain you – all to raise money for their House and link charities, here in the UK and abroad.

We are incredibly proud of the talent on display, and of the commitment shown by our pupils as they progress through their individual artistic journeys. Our Creative Seniors will be on hand over the weekend to answer any questions you may have and share insights into the work on display.

Don’t forget to head over to the upstairs Art Room (AR1), where you will ﬁnd a selection of work by some of the school’s younger emerging artists - proof that creativity at Downe House takes root early.

1.30pm

BIG SCREEN STAGE, THE CLOISTERS

Sports Day Presentations

As you enjoy your lunch in the Cloisters, we will take a moment to celebrate the achievements of this morning’s Sports Day. Mrs McKendrick takes to the stage in front of the big screen to present awards and medals to our winners.

2pm-4pm

Bringing e D ne H se c unity toge er

THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE Performance

of Little Women

Romantic Meg, timid Beth, strongwilled Amy, and the spirited, ﬁery Jo — Little Women follows the lives of the March sisters as they come of age in genteel poverty during the American Civil War.

Emma Reeves’ celebrated adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel was ﬁrst staged at the Lilian Baylis Theatre in 2002 and later revived at the Duchess Theatre in 2024.

2.30pm-3.30pm

COOKERY ROOM

Cookery Event

Pop in to cookery where the girls will making their own delicious snacks – sweet or savoury, healthy or a little indulgent! Using a wide array of ingredients, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian, giving them the freedom to experiment and express their creativity.

They can follow a recipe or let their imagination run wild by using the “mystery ingredients” to create something entirely their own. This activity is all about creativity, choice, and tasty fun!

3pm-4.30pm

THE MARQUEE IN THE CLOISTERS Founder’s Afternoon Tea

A sumptuous selection of sandwiches, cakes and scones, served with tea, co ee and cold beverages.

5pm-6.30pm

THE FARR CENTRE Founder’s Concert

We are celebrating all things musical at Downe House today! The Founder’s concert will include performances by the Sinfonia and Symphony Orchestras, Jazz Band and all four of our choirs – Once Removed, In Harmony, Polyphonix and Prima Voce. Today’s concert involves nearly 200 girls, with performances of choral and instrumental works across a range of music styles from Mendelssohn to The Beatles, and it promises to be wonderful musical event!

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES SUNDAY 29TH JUNE

10am-12 noon

THE SPORTS FIELD Alumnae Matches

Following the success (and alumnae victory!) of last year’s Founder’s Weekend anniversary lacrosse match, head over to the Sports Field to watch members of our alumnae community go headto-head with our current Lacrosse team.

This year’s match will also mark a sad day for DH Sport, the retirement of Lydia Rayne, who after 28 years’ service, dedicated to inspiring so many girls, has decided it is time to focus on her golf handicap.

10.30am-1pm

MAIN DINING ROOM Brunch

Welcoming members of our School community, young and old, to start their day with a delicious and relaxed brunch. (Pupils brunch is 10.30am-11.30am in MDR).

12 noon-3pm

THE TENNIS COURTS (OUTSIDE WILLIS HOUSE)

Family Tennis, Crazy Golf and Pickleball

The courts will be open and the nets will be up – so if you wish to challenge friends or family to a set or two of tennis or pickleball, or to test your skill on the fun crazy golf course – please help yourselves.

12.30pm

THE MURRAY CENTRE, POTTERY AND TEXTILES ROOMS

Creative Arts Exhibitions

We are delighted to welcome you to the 2025 Founder’s Exhibition – a vibrant celebration of the outstanding creativity, skill and dedication shown by our pupils throughout the past year. This annual showcase brings together work from across our Creative Arts Faculty, which includes Fine Art, Textiles, 3D Design and Photography. The exhibition in The Murray Centre presents a rich and dynamic mix of these disciplines, o ering a window into the imaginative and thoughtful work produced by our GCSE and A Level students.

We are incredibly proud of the talent on display, and of the commitment shown by our pupils as they progress through their individual artistic journeys. Our Creative Seniors will be on hand over the weekend to answer any questions you may have and share insights into the work on display.

Don’t forget to head over to the upstairs Art Room (AR1), where you will ﬁnd a selection of work by some of the school’s younger emerging artists - proof that creativity at Downe House takes root early.

11.15am-12.35pm

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THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE Founder’s Musical Production of Addams

Family

The story starts with the Addams Family meeting Wednesday’s potential in-laws, the Beinekes. Although Lucas has proposed, Wednesday hasn’t told her mother, Morticia, leading to secrets and tension. The Beinekes—Mal, Alice, and Lucas—join the Addams family for an evening ﬁlled with games, stories, and mischief, all inﬂuenced by the quirky Addams’ ancestors. What’s meant to be a simple, informal night turns into a chaotic and revealing experience for everyone involved.

2pm-3.15pm

THE FARR CENTRE – TICKETS REQUIRED

The Choirs of Downe House perform Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater

Join us for a fantastic programme of instrumental and choral music. The Chamber Orchestra open the concert with Tchaikovsky’s tremendously exciting Romeo and Juliet overture, before the Polyphonix choir performs Pergolesi’s wonderful piece ‘Stabat Mater’. This piece combines chorus movements (sung by Polyphonix) with a number of solo and duet movements which will be sung by Downe House pupils. Our String Ensemble, along with some of our Visiting Music Teachers, will be accompanying this choral work. It promises to be a fantastic afternoon of music!

Bringing e D ne H se c unity toge

3pm-4.30pm

THE MARQUEE IN THE CLOISTERS Founder’s Afternoon Tea

A sumptuous selection of sandwiches, cakes and scones, served with tea, co ee and cold beverages.

4pm CHAPEL Chapel Service

A short reﬂective service and prayers of thanks led by our Chaplain, Rev’d Anthea Platt in the Chapel.

4.30pm-6.30pm

THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE Performance of Little Women

Romantic Meg, timid Beth, strongwilled Amy, and the spirited, ﬁery Jo — Little Women follows the lives of the March sisters as they come of age in genteel poverty during the American Civil War.

Emma Reeves’ celebrated adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel was ﬁrst staged at the Lilian Baylis Theatre in 2002 and later revived at the Duchess Theatre in 2024.

6pm-8pm

AISHOLT TERRACE/THE CLOISTERS Founder’s BBQ

Rounding o a full day and a wonderful weekend of events and activities, Downe House families, pupils and sta can enjoy a sumptuous BBQ in the Cloisters.

6pm-8pm

OUTSIDE MURRAY CENTRE & BIG SCREEN

Live Performances for a Summer Evening

In the Founder’s Festival Tent and streamed live onto the Cloisters Festival Screen.

A wonderful way to end a busy Founder’s Weekend, enjoying some delicious BBQ food whilst listening to some wonderful performances of music and poetry playing in the Stretch Tent and streamed live onto the Founder’s Festival Screen in the Cloisters, so you can enjoy the music wherever you choose to sit.

FOUNDER’S FESTIVAL TENT

OUTSIDE THE MURRAY CENTRE

Saturday

All Day

Welcome and Information Desk

Come along and see the Founder’s Weekend team who can answer questions about the activities and events happening throughout the weekend.

12 noon - 5pm

Development Stand

Meet the Development and External Relations team and learn about their work for the Downe House Foundation (DHF), our charitable trust. You can also purchase beautiful merchandise from our new School shop, with proﬁts going to the DHF.

2pm-3.30pm

Face Painting and Face Stickers

Sunday All Day

Welcome Desk and Information Point

Screen (mirroring the big screen)

12 noon-3pm

Development Stand

Face Painting and Face Stickers

1pm-2pm

Rock Painting with the Wellbeing Committee

Come and decorate a rock to take home or donate to our Wellbeing Garden.

6.30pm

Live Performances for a Summer Evening

A selection of performances of music, dance and spoken word by some of our wonderful sta and pupil performers (also streamed onto the Cloister Festival Screen).

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FOUNDER’S FESTIVAL SCREEN & STAGE IN THE CLOISTERS

The following performances are being streamed live onto the Festival Screen for you to enjoy in the Cloisters:

Saturday 1.30pm

Sports Day presentations

3pm

Avatar Dance Showcase screening

5pm-6.30pm

Founder’s Concert

Sunday 1pm

Avatar Dance Showcase screening

2pm-3.15pm

The Choirs of Downe House perform Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater

6pm-8pm

Live Performances for a Summer Evening

Keep an eye on the big screen for announcements and updates throughout the weekend.

OUR COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY

Our c itment to recycling

We are pleased to work with Grundon, our single waste provider. Their total waste management service provides the safe and reliable collection, treatment and disposal of some 12 di erent waste streams. They provide all the waste services we need under one roof which helps the School achieve our recycling and sustainability goals. In 2024 the School produced some 213,401kgs of waste, 55.2% of which was recyclable waste, that’s 22,001kgs more recycling than general waste which is a great achievement. Our aspiration is to ensure our percentage of recycling remains higher than our general waste volumes in 2025 and we’ve certainly go o to a great start!

On a positive note, the waste we cannot recycle is transported to a Grundon Energy from Waste facility to provide energy to the National Grid. Next time you switch on a light at home, just think, that electricity could have been generated from Downe House rubbish! Over the course of 2024, we have generated 35,726 more kWh of electricity for the National Grid than we did in 2023, what an achievement with no waste going to landﬁll!

We need your help over Founder’s Weekend to try and improve on the great work we already do by recycling what you can into the dedicated waste recycling stations around the site. The more we can recycle, the greater impact we can have on supporting the environment. Remember - reduce, reuse, recycle!

Mr

Dougie Brown,

Head of General Services

Bringing e D ne H se c unity toge er

YThis year we will be making a charitable donation to the West Berks Food Bank who work to combat poverty and hunger across our county. This charity is a lifeline for those families who ﬁnd themselves in crisis. A percentage of the donations you have already made will be going directly to West Berks Food Bank to help those who need it most.

Thank you to all those who have already supported Founder’s Weekend with a donation. If you wish to contribute, please scan the QR code below.

Creative Arts Exhibiti

Every year our Creative Arts faculty o er an Open Studios experience, which enables members of the public to come and view the Creative Arts Exhibition set up for Founder’s Weekend.