FROM THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

The power and importance of community has been profoundly visible this year with a sense of ‘normal’ returning to the School corridors, communal areas, and on the sports field. The one-way system and year group bubbles previously required due to Covid-19 seem like a distant memory, allowing for a renewed appreciation of education and the ability to unite without limitations to grow even further.

This has also been a prevalent theme with OGs this year, who have returned to Downside in high numbers from across the world, enjoying tours of the School and Abbey Church with their friends and family once again. It is always a pleasure to welcome OGs and our Wider Community back to Downside, hearing various stories and memories from favourite teachers to sheep in the Gasquet! If you would like to schedule a visit, please contact the Development Office at development@downside.co.uk and we will

ensure you receive a very warm welcome. It is hard to believe that the Performing Arts Centre reopened five years ago following its refurbishment, making it even more significant that pupils returned to the stage this year without constraints “It is somewhere where the children utilising the Performing can clearly embrace the wonders Arts Centre and Fleischner of the stage and challenge Theatre to its full potential. themselves and fulfil ambitions.” We took this opportunity Current Parent to reflect and thank our generous donors on the impact this fantastic facility has provided and continues to provide in a short video. Old Gregorians who performed in the opening West Side Story production in 2017 shared their highlights alongside a current parent and Director of Music, Julian McNamara, who has seen first-hand the transformation this facility has provided for pupils, staff and guests who join us in the audience throughout the year. Thank you to all who enable projects, such as this, to be realised.

During West Side Story’s production, one of the Theatre’s major benefactors, Hans Fleischner (C45), gave a short speech that struck the hearts of everyone in the audience. During his speech, he urged pupils to ‘…go out into the world but to never forget their alma mater and when in a position to do so help their old school so that it could flourish and thrive for future generations.’ We are extremely grateful that Hans and his wife, Leslie, have so generously supported the School for many years, providing bursary funding for talented pupils, whilst enhancing our facilities.

Sadly, in November 2021, Hans died at the age of 94 having lived a happy and full life. With special permission from the Abbot, his ashes were buried in the Monastic Cemetery. Dom Leo Maidlow-Davis conducted the Interment of Ashes Service alongside family and friends who had travelled from the US and Austria to celebrate his life, including Christopher Jones-Parry (B46), one of Hans’ longstanding contemporaries. His obituary can be found in The Old Gregorian section.

As restrictions eased, the awaited Requiem Mass for the four Vice-Presidents of St Gregory’s Society who passed away during the last three years took place in the Abbey Church. Dom Leo Maidlow Davis, Chaplain of St Gregory’s Society, conducted a private service to honour their lives and the contribution they each made to the School and Old Gregorians. We are extremely grateful for the generous time and commitment given to the School by those who are appointed Council Members of St Gregory’s Society and Council and want to ensure their lives and contribution are celebrated.

In April, Dr Giles Mercer handed the mantle of Chair of Governors to Michael Bernard, with John Ludlow (C82) as Deputy Chair. Both Michael and John are fervently passionate about the future of the School, ensuring we are aligned to our core

purpose and vision, including development and fundraising. The Senior Leadership Team, together with the Governors, have reassessed the five-year strategy, setting ambitious and exciting goals. Following the departure of the Monastic Community in March to Southgate House, Buckfast Abbey, the value of our Benedictine ethos and spiritual thread that weaves throughout the School is even more important. We, as the School, Old Gregorians and Wider Community, have a responsibility and opportunity to nurture and build upon the firm foundations provided by the Monastic Community. As John so eloquently described “…the Monastic Community and School were a bit like a parent and child relationship. The parents have now departed, meaning the child must stand up and be counted, making space for the School, to grow into its own path.” We are once again humbled to have such loyal Old Gregorians, parents, past parents and a wider community who have so kindly supported the School “What I have now is a younger child especially as the cost of living who’s getting the biggest and best and other external factors all-round education I could ever ask have risen and could have for which would not have happened easily impacted the ability to without the Bursary Fund.” give. Fundraising and a culture Current Parent of philanthropy is central to our future and has been deep rooted in our foundations for many years. Your generosity allows for aspiring developments to facilities and life-changing access to a Downside education through the Father Laurence Bursary Fund. Our inaugural Giving Day in June was a huge success, with impressive participation across 41 countries, further demonstrating the strength of our whole community. From sending a Message of Hope, walking a few kilometres to help us travel 1814km in recognition of our founding year in Somerset, sharing our message on social media or contributing financially to one of our three areas of greatest need, we are extremely grateful and humbled. Together, we can offer the gift of

education to many more families, whilst restoring and renewing our majestic buildings.

Pupils engaged in activities and challenges, including an 18th Century Bake Off, making signature bakes from the Bristol Gregorian Cooking book, the Art Department created a collage of historic photographs with excerpts from The Raven and the kayaking group formed 1814 using their bodies and kayaks. The Inter-House Chess Tournament took place at the Giving Day Hub on the giant outdoor chess set, kindly funded by the 2019 Annual Fund, with Roberts winning overall.

When we reached 150 donors, Mr Hobbs faced the ice-bucket challenge in true Somerset style with Lord Jesus may the support, gifts, and prayers lovingly given by the Downside Community enable us to build a sustainable future for our School and inspire our pupils and their families.

May the community of togetherness continue to live through Downside for the next 1814 years and more!

the use of a tractor bucket! The full video can be found on our YouTube channel.

At the end of the 36 hours, just under £90,000 was raised from across 16 countries, with 97 firsttime donors, which is an extraordinary achievement. Thank you to all who participated in some way to our first Giving Day.

Alongside one-off donations, we are blessed with generous donors who choose to sponsor individual pupils, such as Sports Scholars, which over the last few years has resulted in outstanding pupils, raising the standard of ability and skill within sports at Downside. One example is Khalik, an Upper Sixth Sports Scholar, who signed a contract with Bath Senior Academy this year, we wish him all the best for the future and look forward to watching his career grow.

Finally, the events calendar resumed in September with the Under 35s Drinks event in London. Always a lively gathering, with many new faces joining us this year and often the first event that our new Old Gregorians attend. This was swiftly followed by St Gregory’s Society AGM at Downside School and Downside Association’s Super Saturday, a new event which began prior to Covid-19. The aim is to bring our whole community together in celebration of our sports teams, including an OG fixture, which this time was the Old Gregorian Football Club who enjoyed a competitive match against the School. Thank you to the Downside Association for their continued support and always providing a smile when welcoming our parents, wider community, and guests back to Downside.

The St Gregory’s Society Old Gregorian Dinner at the East India Club was extremely popular and the Carol Service in London, whilst quieter due to Covid-19, got us in a festive mood as the calendar year drew to a close. Thank you to the Holy Redeemer, Chelsea for accommodating us during such challenging times.

Dinners continued across the world where possible, including Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Kenya, whilst in the UK, the Edinburgh Dinner, various anniversary reunions and professional networking opportunities returned.

Whilst most events returned in-person, the value and ease of virtual gatherings must not be forgotten, especially with our wider community spanning the globe. In March we held our first Online Q&A session with the Head and Abbot, responding to key questions surrounding the future of the School and Monastic Community. We are grateful to all who attended and look forward to future sessions where we can share our vision with openness and transparency. It is also with thanks to Fr John Tabor (C91), who continued the virtual Lectio group this year, meeting regularly online to share and contemplate the word of God together.

There are many Old Gregorian Sport Societies to get involved with and it was a pleasure to see Downside Wanderers Cricket Club back on the glorious Downside pitch for numerous matches. The Old Gregorian Golfing Society also resumed their fixtures, including an excellent match against the School. The first OG Netball match also took place against the School during the March Downside Association Super Saturday, expanding the OG Sport Societies on offer. We hope to have an OG Rugby Team up and running and an OG Chess Society. Let us know if you’d like to be involved in any of these.

Thank you to all who have supported the School during the last year, whether in time or financially, we look forward to seeing you at one of this year’s events.

Jessica Newman Director of Development

Jessica Newman Paige Owen