FROM THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

Like most reports within this year’s edition of The Raven, it is difficult not to mention the continued impact that Covid-19 has had on the world and how we have become so accustomed to virtual meetings, gatherings and events to ensure we stay connected to one another in some way. Yet, it has also been a time to reflect and offer support to others in need, from handwritten cards, phone calls to those isolating and volunteers offering their career experience and expertise through the Careers on Demand programme.

The Development Office welcomed Paige Owen, Development Assistant, in September 2020 and despite being unable to meet Old Gregorians and our wider community faceto-face, she has fully immersed herself in getting to know the School and how the community works. Many of you will hear from her in the monthly OG Newsletter and through the OG social media platforms. Following on from “Where am I Wednesday” posts on the OG Official Facebook Group, “Memory Lane Monday” has focused on archive photos, which many of you have interacted with.

“Please would you pass on my thanks Following another year that and gratitude to all who participated and has required a vast amount made the event happen. Seeing so many of flexibility and imagination, vignettes of the School brought back many I would like to thank her for memories. It was delightful to see the her positive input and editing music and choral strengths have persisted the content for this year’s and grown since I left in the mid-60s.” edition of The Raven and The Old Gregorian Old Gregorian section. In the coming months, there will be many occasions to meet Paige in person as events begin to resume. Whilst we were unable to gather at the annual St Gregory’s Society London Dinner, several virtual gatherings took place including the Virtual Carol Service, which became a highlight of the year at a poignant moment where distance between us felt

It is 76 years since I left Downside in 1945, with just one other survivor from my Downside “gang” remaining, Christopher Jones-Parry (B46). After travelling the world to over 70 countries and all seven continents, I am now largely confined to our home base in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but enjoy a week or two on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, a few weeks in the Philadelphia area with relatives, and five months in Southern Florida. Following an accident in 2009 my tennis, squash, skiing, and annual European ski holidays ended; however, I still enjoy the symphony and hockey games, family, and friends and lots of books.

I await the arrival of every Raven, looking for rugby and cricket results, and staying informed and connected to Downside. I am extremely happy to contribute annually to the bursary fund, enabling current pupils to benefit from the education and benefits I had growing up at Downside. Hans Fleischner

profound and many were shielding. Ingenious green screen technology and artistic direction from Zeyus Media resulted in an outstanding service which brought the whole school and wider community together through online live streaming with a truly global connection.

Locations within the Abbey Church and School, which are not often seen by the wider community were included as the unique situation allowed us to become creative and really appreciate the beauty of our surroundings, from the Old Chapel, bagpipes on top the Roberts Tower to the Crypt by candlelight and the Lady Chapel. The feedback was humbling and the support from so many through online donations to the Bursary Fund and Abbey Church meant that just under £2,000 was raised. Thank you to all who joined us.

Petre Society Member Donors and OGs in isolation were sent personalised handwritten Christmas cards by pupils, who reflected on returning to school after experiencing remote learning and what their highlight of the Term has been, whilst OGs who do not receive the monthly newsletter were invited to update their details, to which

“I am delighted that I can watch the we had a fantastic response, Carol Service again as I thought it truly with the majority wanting to be excellent, such high standard of singing kept up-to-date with news and and I loved the aerial views of the school. event information. I found the finale with the CCF Band so The Careers on Demand appropriate and moving.” programme was launched in

Petre Society Member the Michaelmas Term within the OG LinkedIn Group, showcasing various business industries, top tips, and advice from OGs and the wider community. The past 18 months have proved challenging with unexpected circumstances surrounding work environments, allowing for a moment of contemplation or perhaps a change

in career path or focus. Hearing from like-minded professionals and their experiences provides a means for virtual learning and the opportunity to network. Thank you to all who have volunteered their time and participated in the programme so far. If you would like to get involved, please email Paige at powen@downside.co.uk.

Finally, Downside has always been blessed with a loyal and supportive community of parents, current and past, alumni and wider friends, who over many years have donated to various projects from the restoration of the Allen Bath, sailing boats for CCF to the Compton Organ and many more, enhancing the Downside experience for all who attend the School.

The Father Lawrence Bursary Fund has also received a significant level of support since its establishment in 2009, equating to over £3 million, enabling more than 700 pupils from deserving families the opportunity to access a Downside education, irrespective of their financial circumstances or backgrounds.

The impact our donors make to the lives of pupils and their families is substantial and difficult to put into words alone and whilst it could have been anticipated that this year’s financial support from our kind donors would be limited due to the implications of Covid-19 and the global pandemic, this has been far from the truth. The immense and unfailing generosity from seasoned donors alongside 26 new, first-time donors, resulted in £1,086,968 raised for the Bursary Fund this year, which has been the area of greatest need for the School.

One donor, who should be mentioned is Hans Fleischner (C45), whose vision to ‘pay-forward’ the generosity he himself received as a pupil and support future generations has been visible in numerous projects over many years including the refurbishment of the Fleischner Theatre, which reopened in 2017 and this year specifically, with an extraordinarily generous donation of $1 million for the Bursary Fund. This is an extremely humbling donation amongst many others which demonstrates the confidence and faith our community has in the School and its future.

I would like to thank all our donors as without your kindness we would be unable to facilitate so many talented and ambitious pupils the opportunity of receiving a Downside education and becoming part of the Gregorian community. Having seen firsthand the impact of pupils returning to Downside following various lockdowns and being reunited with their friends within the life of a boarding school, it reaffirmed that Downside is truly more than just a place of education.

I look forward to meeting many more of you as our events programme reignites and please do contact me at jnewman@downside.co.uk should you have any questions or wish to visit the School for a tour.

Jessica Newman Development Manager

Jessica Newman Paige Owen