SALVETE & VALETE

SALVETE We welcomed new members of staff in 2021

Mrs Jill Eckford – Teacher of Economics and Business Mrs Siobhan Allen – Teacher of Computer Science Mr Joshua Freeman – HsM and Teacher of Religious Studies Mr Chris Stowell – Teacher of Religious Studies Ms Alicia Carroll – Teacher of Music (Singing) Mr Denian Arcoleo – Teacher of Music (Classical Guitar) Miss Sarah Jane Sigley – Dance / RAD Ballet Teacher Miss Kate Ellis – Teacher of Art Miss Olivia Johnson – Resident Graduate Assistant (Sports) Mr Jack Knight – Resident Graduate Assistant (Sports) Mr George Maddams – Resident Graduate Assistant (Sports) Miss Rebecca Culverwell – Resident Graduate Assistant (Sports) Miss Bethany Ackerley – Resident Graduate Assistant (Performing Arts) Miss Jessica Doherty – Artist in Residence Mrs Nicola Mossman – House Parent Mrs Stephanie Filer – House Parent Mr Conor O’Rourke – Head of Tennis Development and Lead Coach

VALETE ALICE MADDALENA Alice has been clerk to the governors since March 2014. In that time she has served us, and guided us, with great skill and great hard work. Nothing has been too much trouble and she has been of immense help to all the governors, especially to Fr Leo, Adrian, and me, and to the chairs of the committees. Fr Leo, once described her skills behind the scenes as worthy of a courtier in an Italian Renaissance court. As a student and admirer of both Castiglione’s The Courtier and Machiavelli’s The Prince (a much misunderstood and maligned book), and having spent many years immersed in Italian Renaissance history, I can think of no greater praise for a clerk to the governors!

Most people think of the clerk to the governors as the person who takes the minutes. That is true,

and it is a much harder task than people realise, unless you’ve tried, requiring intellectual stamina and concentration, and accuracy of written English. Alice has been simply outstanding in these respects. I share with her a horror of misused, unclear, and infelicitous English! Alice and I also share the fact that our families came from northern Italy. We also share passionately the same outlook on national and international politics! I had the joy and privilege of being the Head Master of Alice’s daughter, Eleanor, as Downside did for her son, Henry.

Alice had more or less to create the job description of the Downside clerk. She did this with her high intelligence, diligence, and customary drive. Added to her natural gifts was her invaluable and broad experience in the legal world. When her successor was appointed in October the job description was a great tribute to Alice’s own legacy. The headline tasks of the job description go far beyond minute-taking. It is, I quote, • to provide advice to the governing body on governance, constitutional and procedural matters. • to provide effective administrative support to the governing body and its committees. • to ensure the governing body is properly constituted. • to manage information effectively in accordance with legal requirements. • The clerk is the ‘constitutional conscience’ of the governing body.

The job description then went on to list no fewer than 45 detailed responsibilities! I can’t think the Secretary General of the United Nations has as many. And each one – such as record-keeping – is not as simple as it might seem. I suggest with respect that ‘nothing is as simple as it might seem’ could be a secondary motto for Downside! After Apud Bonos Jura Pietatis one might put our secondary motto into Latin. How about nihil est tam simplex, ut videatur?

But Alice’s help has gone well beyond the governors. In serving the governors so well she has served the whole Downside community, and that has always been Alice’s fundamental motivation. Alice has always been devoted to all that Downside stands for. Downside has not only been greatly fortunate in Alice, Fr Leo’s approach to her to be clerk was a stroke of genius, but Downside has been truly blessed.

Alice generously stayed on during the separation and beyond. I can’t thank her enough for the guidance she has given me and to Vanessa during the hand-over.

On behalf of all the governors, present and past. It comes with our warmest thanks and very best wishes for every future happiness and blessing.

Giles Mercer Chair of Governors

DAN McLEAN Dan McLean joined Downside in September 2019 as the House Master of Roberts House and Teacher of Religious Studies. Dan brought enthusiasm and energy to both roles, embracing the quirks and joys of a fully active life living and working in a busy boarding school. Dan worked with the Roberts staff team and the boys to create a homely environment. Recognising the importance of fine food and dining experiences in enhancing the School experience, Dan commissioned a beautiful oak table and transformed the dining space in the House. He then cultivated some fine cooks among the boys and Roberts enjoyed a range of foods from all around the world.

Dan instilled a sense of pride in the Roberts boys, actively encouraging them to participate in House events and competitions and celebrating successes. He spoke knowledgeably about the Downside architecture and history, always fascinated by the School traditions and eager to maintain a sense of stewardship in the House, from encouraging the ball game to installing a new stained glass window, made by Mr Jamie Clark. Dan was instrumental in establishing the Corps of Drums for the CCF with new drums emblazoned with our affiliated regiment, The Irish Guards.

Dan has had to adapt to many changes throughout his two years at Downside due to the pandemic, including the School closure in his first year. Dan stepped up, volunteering to care for the sons of key workers who had to board in a very quiet school, making their stay as enjoyable as possible. Dan is not one to shy away from a challenge and enjoyed embracing technology to keep the Roberts community connected, producing weekly assemblies online and a newsletter which touched on everything from saints to poultry. Dan also kept parents and boys in touch via social media, posting photographs and updates regularly, often showing us the latest culinary creations.

Although Dan leaves us after a relatively short time, he has made an enormous contribution to the community. We wish him well as he moves onto his new role as Deputy Head at Chavagnes International College in France.

Claire Murphy Director of Pastoral Care

DANIEL GIBBONS Daniel Gibbons arrived at Downside as Director of Studies in September 2011, at a time when the School was facing a number of challenges. He hit the ground running, as might be expected of an athlete of his considerable calibre, and set a demanding pace from the outset. Academic standards needed addressing and Daniel did not shy away from tackling the issues. His impact was immediate. As a member of the leadership team, he played a significant role in delivering the necessary change. The middle leadership structure was strengthened, and Daniel worked with the Heads of Faculty to develop a culture of high expectation and accountability in the delivery of the academic curriculum. He was pivotal in introducing a purposeful quality assurance and meaningful feedback cycle which provided stable foundations for substantial improvement during his time at the School.

Downside’s pupils benefited not just from Daniel’s leadership of the academic life of the School, but also from his teaching of Geography and Economics, both of which he taught to the highest standard and depending on the School’s needs at the time. He was very much a team player, prepared to give of his time wherever he could and enjoyed contributing to the broader life of the School, supporting the cross-country and athletics programmes in particular.

Daniel also played an important part in collaborating with the other EBC (English Benedictine Congregation) Schools in sharing ideas and developing the Catholic and Benedictine culture of our schools. The retreats we took part in at Douai, Ampleforth, St. Benedict’s and Worth (he never made it to Glenstal unfortunately!) were the breeding ground for exciting growth and change at our schools whilst also providing an opportunity for the development of some enduring and positive relationships. I am delighted that he has moved on to a headship of his own. I have no doubt that Daniel will continue to demonstrate the courage, commitment, and determination he showed at Downside over the last ten years, and I hope that his experience here will stand him in good stead.

Andrew Hobbs Head

DEREK DENHAM Derek joined the School in August 1994, following the retirement on health grounds of Jim Harwood. Derek had been involved in the motor trade most of his working life, up to this point, managing large dealership workshops, as well as teaching Motor Vehicle Technology at Radstock Technical College. He also worked for the Probationary Service supervising Community Service programmes on Sunday afternoons, until I managed to persuade the then Head Master, that his talents would be much better utilised at Downside, allowing the Workshops to be opened to GCSE and A level students during

the Lent Term, and to any non-design students for the remainder of the academic year.

Derek’s workshop talents and organisation skills shone through from day one. He reorganised the Department, significantly improved the fabric of the building, and was a fantastic professional and approachable member of the design team. His workshop skills were truly outstanding, and both myself, and Simon Potter, are indebted to him for all the help and advice he gave us over the years working out exactly how to realise the many complex projects examination students often seemed to come up with. He taught Year 5 and Year 6 Plunkett/ St Olivers students for several years and proved to be a fantastic support during academic lessons, particularly with all things computer, CAD/CAM, and workshop related. Derek gave freely of his time and was never one to clock watch. His official working hours were 8.30am to 5.30pm, yet he was always in school for 8.00am, and often did not leave till 6.00pm, and even later when the workshops were exceptionally busy. Derek, until very recently was never ill, and his constant presence in the Department allowed me to get fully involved with both Games and more especially the CCF, for which I owe him a great debt of thanks. Nothing was too much trouble to Derek. He was available to make running repairs to students’ electrical devices and shoes, Mr Field and Mr Hicks were regular visitors, and Father Michael would often ask him to manufacture three-dimensional wooden Downside crosses to adorn the pieces of furniture he made for the School.

Derek has served the Downside community for 27 years, and during that time has done much to shape and develop the Design Department. He has proven to be a great work colleague, and a very dear friend, and I wish him well in his retirement. I am sure he will keep in touch with the School, from time to time; after all you never ever really leave Downside!

As you may already know myself and Simon Potter will be running the Bath Half Marathon to raise funds for Parkinsons in March 2021, to indirectly support Derek and his family, and I would like to think that we can significantly add to the £1570 already raised. If you would like to donate, please do visit my Just Giving page.

Neill Barrett Head of Art and Design

DOM ANSELM BRUMWELL OSB In his remarkable novel A Whispered Name, the author William Brodrick, an ex-monk turned lawyer, writes about Anselm, an ex-lawyer turned monk. One of the key moments as Anselm is seeking his vocation is an apparently chance encounter with an aged monk, a veteran of the First World War, whose green Cortina is stuck in a ditch. Anselm asks him what the monastic community does, and the monk replies enigmatically, ‘We tend a fire that won’t go out’. Anselm helps him to get back on the road, and then says ‘I came across you by accident; what would you have done if I hadn’t turned up?’ The monk thought for a moment and said, ‘Nothing happens by accident’.

I first met our Fr Anselm in December 1994 at a carol service for a non-denominational comprehensive school then called Ravenscroft in Barnet, North London, which just happened to be my PGCE placement. Anselm just happened to have been a pupil of the RS teacher who was supervising me. Anselm was then called Marc, and was just finishing Modern Languages at Durham University just as I was finishing my training as a teacher. Who would have thought then that I would spend 18 years teaching in the same department in the same school with Anselm as a monk? Occasionally, what appears mere coincidence does indeed seem to touch a wider pattern of providence.

To begin with, in 2003, Fr Anselm taught the Old Testament at A Level, a subject that has now disappeared from all syllabuses of Religious

Studies. Since then, Anselm has been teaching the New Testament at A level, mostly John’s Gospel, latterly a combination of Luke and John, now in the only New Testament syllabus remaining. An exact and exacting teacher, Anselm imported a precision to the exegesis of Scripture from his linguistic background as a French and German student; he also has a mastery of Hebrew and Greek that has led to his students being exposed to a depth of linguistic background that must be increasingly rare at this level, but adds a real depth to the experience of Religious Studies in the School. For many years, pupils from Downside have gone on to study Theology at the best universities, aided by the unusual depth of background in the texts of the New Testament that Anselm was able to provide. At one point there were 30 pupils studying the subject at A Level.

Anselm was also a thorough teacher at GCSE level and below, with a love of old-fashioned chalk, writing in a flowing script that has not really been improved upon by the advent of new technology. But there are also a surprising number of other roles that Anselm has undertaken during his time in the School: a chaplain on the SLT from 2004-5; Barlow House Master 2009-12; Italian A Level with Julianna Secchi, Latin, Greek and German; Hebrew classes as a co-curricular activity at one point with the Third Form (he was once a member of three departments at one time). He played the 2nd Violin faithfully in the orchestra from 2004-2019 and was a tutor in Smythe, Roberts and Barlow at different points. He also contributed for four years to the governing body of St Gregory’s school and at various points was both a Trustee, Secretary of the Trustees and a Governor of Downside. For five years he compiled the Raven magazine, at one point apparently constructing a cross country report ex nihilo when it was not turned in. I have always thought Anselm more a teacher than a pastoral figure, yet it should not be forgotten that he has been hearing confessions before Mass in the Abbey Church for many years. Beyond the School, Anselm loves travelling to Germany and for many years attended the International Jewish Christian Bible week in the summer where he was able to indulge his love of both Hebrew and German in the study of the Old Testament. For many years it was a standing joke as to whether, if he did not become Pope, he might actually become an orthodox rabbi instead.

It goes without saying that I am personally deeply indebted to Anselm for 18 years of unpaid labour in the Religious Studies Department: he has always been utterly reliable and I know that whatever he undertakes will be done with careful preparation and engagement. I am also personally indebted to him for bailing me out on two different trips to Rome of the eight we have been on together; once getting a pupil out of Italy when a visa had gone into the hold of the aircraft, and once getting a pupil into Italy without a passport; he also took over a couple of times from the guides in explaining the sights of Rome from the coach, being in some cases far more knowledgeable about the sights of the city.

Anselm is of course the last teaching Downside monk, which is surely some kind of historical marker, given that monks have been teaching since 1606. It has to be said that the shadow of the IICSA enquiry hangs over these last few years. After having worked on an updated trust deed for the combined Abbey and School, Anselm was also required to help oversee two new Trust deeds for the separated entities, as the Abbey relinquished control of the School in the light of the IICSA report. Although I have never discussed this in any detail, I have no doubt that this was galling work, at the same time that it must have been a very difficult period in the monastic community, or what became left of it. It seems to me that Anselm clearly wished to be gone, something that only accelerated as the decision by the community to leave Downside reached a conclusion, so that all that remained was to hand in his notice for a job for which he had only been paid for a year.

This is an unsatisfactory end to so many years of devoted service. In a previous age it may well have been that Anselm would have ended up as a Head Master, for this was the route of monk House Masters traditionally. As a trustee and an ordinary teacher Anselm saw things both from the top and the bottom of the hierarchy, certainly an unusual position to be in. There can be few people who have suffered so much from the recent history of the place due largely to the errors and sins of others. So it is with a great deal of sadness, both at the manner and fact of his ceasing teaching, that I say these words about the leaving of Fr Anselm from Downside.

But it should be said finally that the work of Dom Anselm in the School was not in the end his main work during the years he was here. For many years now he has been carrying the bulk of the monastic office, leading the singing of the Opus Dei (which he always, perhaps rightly, regarded as the key to the monastic life). Hearing him sing perhaps the last Exsultet of the Downside community in the Abbey Church at Easter was a salutary reminder of this essential focus of the life of a monk. For those of us who are married, teaching can only be a part of a vocational life. For a monk, teaching can only be a part of the monastic life. ‘Accept this Easter candle, a flame divided but undimmed, a pillar of fire that glows to the honor of God. Let it mingle with the lights of heaven and continue bravely burning to dispel the darkness of this night! May the morning Star which never sets find this flame still burning: Christ that Morning Star who came back from the dead, and shed his peaceful light on all mankind, your Son who lives and reigns for ever and ever.’ As the fictional old monk said, Anselm helps tend a fire that won’t go out, not here, not anywhere he and the Downside community may finally end up.

Hugh Walters Head of Theology & Head of History JAMIE CLARK Jamie has worked at Downside for two years teaching in both the Art and Design departments. In this time he has involved himself in many aspects of the life of the School. Jamie has assisted in the delivery of the APC programme to Third Form cadets and he has also demonstrated bush craft techniques to Second and Third Form students, and has recently qualified as a Level Three Outdoor First Aider. Creatively Jamie has assisted Sixth Form Art students in the decoration of the Pascal candle and created two stained glass windows for Roberts House. Jamie is leaving Downside to take up a post as Head of Art at Chaffyn Grove Preparatory School and we wish him every success in his new role.

Erica Williams Head of Art

JESSICA ORMEROD After nearly ten years of service to the School, we sadly said goodbye to Jessica Ormerod at Christmas.

Her unfailing dedication to the School was apparent in everything she undertook in the Admissions Office and in all areas of the School. Her “can do” attitude, professionalism and knowledge of the School was greatly valued by colleagues and prospective parents over the years. Having been a parent at the School with William (S10), Charlie (S12) and Thomas (S14), Jessica would often describe herself as part of the furniture. Jessica was not just part of the furniture!

When Jessica joined the School, she worked under Gordon Pearce who was then the Director of Marketing and gave her time to marketing the School as well as handling the admissions enquiries. In the following years, the Admissions Office was beautifully looked after by Anastasia Hatvany who joined the School in 2012. Together they recruited pupils from all over the world and built relationships that continue today. Jessica and Anastasia then welcomed Dave Bryson into the department as Director of Admissions in 2015

and shortly thereafter, Anastasia made the decision to move to pastures new. Jessica handled the changes with a smile, always helpful and willing to adapt. In the last few years, Jessica accepted more change, when I joined the School. With the School adapting to the separation between the Downside Abbey General Trust and the School, again Jessica was supportive, professional, and determined not to let change get in the way of pupil recruitment. Her kindness and determination mean that the high pupil numbers being seen in 2021 were very much due to her efforts over the years, and we need to thank her for this. She will be greatly missed by all, and I would like to express my gratitude for her hard work and welcoming me to the School in a truly Benedictine way.

Jessica leaves the School to build her consultancy services business.

Issy Hartnell Director of Admissions and Marketing

KIRSTIE KERNUTT Kirstie joined Smythe as a Houseparent in November 2017, quickly establishing herself as a key part of the pastoral team. The role of the Houseparent is often defined by the character of the individual, and Kirstie – or Miss K as the boys knew her – brought a motherly affection to her work, cherishing each of our pupils for their individual strengths, but never afraid to challenge them over their individual idiosyncrasies… always with good humour. Usually working afternoons, but in the House all day every Saturday, Kirstie saw the boys at their most relaxed; they valued her company both for casual conversation, and, when need arose, for advice. One describes her as a ‘fantastic listening post’: she listened without judgement and steered these young men along the journeys they were on. The difference that she has made to many of their lives cannot be understated. The Study is the heart of Smythe House, where Bakery is distributed and community happens: it was here that Kirstie loved to spend time with the boys, discussing everything from politics to festivals, football to childbirth – she was unflappable, even when their questions or views were at times surprising. Her willingness to bake – sometimes with, but more often simply for, the boys – on Saturday mornings was very much appreciated too, bringing a homeliness to the House, and filling the gaping stomachs of teenagers.

Kirstie was an excellent colleague working closely with Lisa, the other Houseparent in Smythe: they became very close friends during Kirstie’s time with us. Her input into the pastoral care and development of the House was also very much valued by me, as House Master: insight, wisdom, and attention to detail often ensured that we could react to our pupils’ needs that bit quicker thanks to Kirstie’s involvement. Kirstie was always willing to go the extra mile for the boys, attending all House events – whether to endure their singing, cheer on their rugby, or just enjoy a glass of wine with them at the Leavers’ Ball. She was also happy to be deployed elsewhere in the School as need arose, at various times working in Reception, the Health Centre, and as an Invigilator – her contributions will be missed beyond the House. Nevertheless, it is her work in Smythe that is to be celebrated, and it was a great pleasure to award her House Cap on her final day with us at the end of the Lent Term.

Kirstie leaves us to take up a more senior pastoral role – entirely befitting her talents and expertise – as Parent and Family Support Advisor at Stanchester Academy and for its nine feeder primary schools. We wish her every success in this… but very much regret her departure from the House. It has been at Downside that Kirstie has met the man whom she describes as her ‘forever after’, and we all wish her and Daniel every happiness for the future.

John Storey House Master of Smythe