School Magazine 2016 - 2017

Our Year 2016–2017

Downe House •

Our Year • 2016-2017

an adventure in education Downe House, Cold Ash, Thatcham, Berkshire RG18 9JJ T: 01635 200286 www.downehouse.net Downe House School

@DowneHouse1

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SCHOOL LIFE

25

ACADEMIC LIFE

42

CREATIVE

71 87 107

MUSIC

SPORT

158

CHARITY

191

HEAD CHAPEL SENIOR

HEAD GLOBAL AMBASSADORS

Florence Elliott

Chidimma Umeh

Alexandra Milne

DEPUTY HEAD SENIOR

DEPUTY HEAD CHAPEL SENIOR

India Laidlaw

Chiamaka Attuh

SENIORS

GAMES CAPTAINS

Deena Bhanarai

Jasmine Coulson

Camilla Farrell

Sandrine Heller

Katharine Garvin

Sophie Manners

Oi Ka (Natalie) Lam

DRAMA

122

174

HEAD SENIOR

Gemma Mountain

BEYOND THE CURRICULUM

163

SCHOOL OFFICERS 2016/17

TRIPS

AWARDS AND MORE

Emma Barrett-Fish

Modupe Lamikanra

Celine Harborne Olivia Harrison

HEAD OF MUSIC

Lara Kary

Anna Chalmers

Wing Pui (Tiffany) Chan

Lucy Harley

Georgina Witter

Charlotte Aldrich

Anna Goodman

HEAD OF DRAMA

LOWER SCHOOL SENIORS

Eliza Downes

Roseanna Bromley

AISHOLT Emily Crowston

Head

Olivia Clark

Deputy Head

Georgina Fenn

Deputy Head

Laura Conneely HEAD OF SPEECH AND DRAMA

Kirstin Gray

Rose Galbraith

Harriet Henry Jemima Oliver

AGN Rumbi Wasterfall

Head

HEAD AMBASSADORS

Minnie Royden

Imogen Hancock

Deputy Head

Isabelle Smith

Charlotte Simpson

Hebe Meredith

Deputy Head

Alyx Van der Vorm LITERARY SENIOR AMBASSADORS

Lucy Grace

Henrietta Allen

Head

Zara Chamberlain

Miranda Bird

Deputy Head

Charlotte Clover

PRESIDENT OF PHOENIX SOCIETY

Lydia Stonehill

Deputy Head

Georgina Dick

Georgiana Ward

HOLCOMBE

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HEADS OF LOWER SCHOOL DEPUTY HEAD OF MUSIC

Lucy Grace

SCHOOL OFFICERS

Poppy Winsor

Charlotte Orpen

AGS

MOVING ON

GLOBAL AMBASSADORS

Iona Jardine

Sophia Hill

Head

Janice Wing Tung Kwong

Rose Galbraith

Deputy Head

Melissa McAlpine

Gemma Mountain

Deputy Head

Honor Pattisson

TEDWORTH

Rebecca Radford

Oliva Holden

Head

Daisy Padovan

Deputy Head

Kezia Dubens

Deputy Head

Sereena Singh

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Lauren Griffith in just three words driven, compassionate and approachable

Isabelle Brown in just three words pragmatic, kindhearted and positive

INTRODUCING OUR HEAD SENIORS LAUREN GRIFFITH AND ISABELLE BROWN Lauren and I have been very close friends for nearly six years as we have been in the same Houses and involved in so many things together. We have played in the same lacrosse team since Remove and still play together in the 1st Team. Lauren is the girl in our year who everyone always expected to be Head Senior because she has dedicated herself to every aspect of School life, be it playing in the sports teams at weekends, creating the most magnificent artworks, playing her flute in the music groups or achieving academic excellence.

She manages to succeed in all these areas while remaining humble and very grounded. She is a role model for both younger girls and those in our own year group, including me, and that is why I am so honoured and excited to be her Deputy Head Senior.

We have already started working with our new team of Seniors and share some amazing visions which we are all very dedicated to making a reality. Lauren and I have loved being able to feed these ideas back to School Council and Mrs McKendrick in our meetings every Saturday. Starting in September, we plan to organise events to highlight the importance of good mental health for everyone and to encourage our community to connect more with the outside world. Another priority is to build more links between year groups to help with the transitions between the different stages of boarding. I have been at Downe House since Remove and have received so much support from all the staff and my peers in so many ways and being Deputy Head Senior is my way of giving back to the community. I am so excited to see what Lauren and I can achieve next year!

It feels like only yesterday that Isabelle and I were dressing up as the ‘Where’s Wally?’ duo for our Darwin Halloween party and I can’t believe that we are now entering our last year of School.

Having grown up together in Holcombe, I knew when we moved into Willis and began the Senior application process, Isabelle would make an excellent leader. Her positivity never ceases to amaze me and she encourages everyone else to be positive too. She matches this with ambition and determination to be the best she can be - whether on the sports pitch or in the classroom.

With the help of School Council and our new team of Seniors, we have pinned down two main aims for the year. The first is to raise awareness of mental health and try to dismantle the stigma surrounding an issue that affects so many people our age. The second is to encourage a more outward-looking approach to school life, and attempt to burst the “Downe House Bubble” particularly in the Lower School. To do this, we are hoping to build more ties with our local community as well as raising awareness for national and global issues in the press. We both feel that Downe House has given us so many opportunities - our Holcombe trip to Malawi, my Geography trip to Iceland and representing Downe House’s 1st Team on the American Lacrosse Tour. It feels only right that we now make a positive contribution to show our respect for the School.

Written by Lauren Griffith, Head Senior

Written by Isabelle Brown, Deputy Head Senior DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

FROM THE HEADMISTRESS, MRS EMMA MCKENDRICK As another year concludes, my pride in the School and the girls only continues to grow. Downe House is a very special place and that has been highlighted to me this year in three very distinctive ways.

The first was through our full Independent Schools’ Inspectorate Inspection in March 2017. I cannot pretend that it was not an anxious week for everyone but I am delighted that the Inspectors really did see and appreciate all that we value so highly about our girls. The following quotations from the report give an indication of this: ‘Exceptionally articulate, pupils express themselves confidently and persuasively’; ‘Pupils behave extremely well, displaying a genuine concern and respect for one another’; and ‘Pupils develop into young women with high levels of selfesteem, well prepared to face their futures, confidently and boldly.’

Our tremendous exchange students who have joined us from schools across the globe for extended periods of time, and who have experienced life here from the perspective of a pupil, have been unanimous in their praise. They have been taken aback by the friendliness of the girls and staff, by how stimulating and challenging they have found the lessons and by just how much has been on offer to them. They have become wonderful Ambassadors for Downe in their own countries.

SCHOOL LIFE

Finally, at the end of the Summer Term we said farewell to Mrs Maggie Richardson who served the School loyally as a teacher for forty-four years. Her valedictory speech to Common Room reflected wonderfully on her time teaching Modern Languages to generations of girls. As well as great humour and humility, what shone through was her love of her subject, her love of young people and her pride in being part of Downe House. It was a reminder to me of how blessed the girls are to have a Common Room and Support Team which are so dedicated to educating young people.

I hope that you will enjoy reading all the reports and articles in this magazine, so expertly put together

by Mrs Sue Lister and the Foundation team, and so share my pride in this very special place that is Downe House.

Mrs Emma McKendrick, Headmistress

school life

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HOUSE REPORTS

WILLIS Our year in Willis has been a fast-paced yet exciting and rewarding experience, and one with many achievements to honour. We have all enjoyed the freedom associated with the step up from Upper School to Sixth Form, as well as being together as a year group.

Term got off to a great start as we returned from the summer break to a new Willis Coffee Room, which everyone welcomed with great enthusiasm. The comfortable new refurbishment allows us to enjoy chilling and chatting on a daily basis. The new Willis Dining Room and entrance with a modern interior were also particularly pleasant surprises.

Organising and participating in the Remembrance Service in November was a proud moment for the Lower Sixth. Man I (Melissa) Chang and Alexandra O’Kane were two of many who helped to organise the musical talent of our year group and created a beautiful and poignant service. Lara Mun-Gavin and Jennifer Darko designed and painted a poppy, and parents and students alike donated to support the Poppy Appeal.

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Despite having left our Mixed Age Houses, House spirit continued into the leadership of House Drama and House Dance. The directors and choreographers took on the role of creating productions to showcase the talents of their Houses. Choreographers were given the stimulus ‘This Girl Can’, whilst directors were given the theme of ‘Disney’, and competition was fierce to create the winning show. Aisholt seemed to be on a winning streak, picking up the House Cup for both competitions.

It has been fascinating to see the diversity of societies created and continued this year. The famous Caledonian Society remains and the girls involved have reeled at a number of schools including Eton and Harrow. Other societies included the History Society, Politics Society, Cheese Society, Art and Photography Society and many more. The University Challenge Society, created by Molly Grafftey-Smith and Georgina Tarling is a new society where various teams show off their general knowledge in a gameshow-type competition. Other additions include the MUN (Model United Nations) Society and the Debating Society, both of which are useful for sharpening up our public speaking skills and knowledge of current affairs. At MUN, members role play as diplomats representing countries in a simulated session of the United Nations.

This year the team attended the Kingswood Bath BISMUN conference where Sophie Kelisky won a Highly Commended award for her work for the Health Committee. The 10 O’Clock News Club is also a new addition to our weekly routine and is a great way to catch up on the news.

Charity work has been an integral part of Willis life thanks to Catharine Wippell and her inspiring talk on Prostate Cancer. Her charity won the vote of the year group and the Willis Committee then came up with the idea of a Willis Charity Evening in aid of the Prostate Cancer Research Centre. We raised an incredible £10,000 by hosting a variety dinner SCHOOL LIFE

accompanied by performances. The act to win the most pledges won the prize, which went to Katherine Garnett who gave a stunning performance of ‘Feeling Good’, which by coincidence perfectly summed up the sentiments of everyone in the room. To the surprise of many parents, the evening culminated in a flash mob routine, which really encapsulated the team spirit of the whole event. Later in the year, we walked a charity ten-mile walk to continue aiding the Research Centre. Another highlight was Jameliah Adekunle’s Fashion Show ‘Spectrum’ which she produced and directed as part of her Extended Project Qualification.

The show attracted an audience of over 200 people and showcased both her own designs and that of her friends, modelled by Lower Sixth girls as well as ten boys from Stowe. The fashion show raised just over £1,000 for two charities, the Fashion and Textile Children’s Trust and Chance for Children in Ghana.

Her other passions of choreography and singing were combined with that of textiles to create a true spectrum of all the arts.

The Young Enterprise teams have also worked hard to form and run their businesses. Team WILD were successful in winning the best company in the West Berkshire area and then progressed to the Berkshire County Finals, showing innovation in their graphic designed t-shirts.

A particular highlight of the year was the Eton casino social in May at the Manor House, to bid farewell to one of the Etonian Housemasters. The girls and boys were treated to dinner and drinks, and then tested their casino skills against the opposing team.

To top it all, in the Summer Term positions of responsibility were announced. Particular congratulations to Lauren Griffith, Head Senior, and Isabelle Brown, Deputy Head Senior, who I am sure will lead the School positively and confidently.

This year has gone by in a flash, and it is strange to think we only have one year left; hopefully that will be just as enjoyable!

Eloise Percy-Davis, LVI

Wednesday 5 July saw the Upper Sixth saying goodbye to Downe House with the traditional release of balloons. The day started with the end of term assembly where every member of the year group received a book to celebrate their time at the School followed by a moving Chapel service and then lunch. What an outstanding year group this has been, not only extremely focused on their academic studies but also so supportive of one another during the trials and tribulations of final exams. There have been so many highlights that it is possible to mention only a few of them.

HOUSE REPORTS

YORK

The major events of the year included the Winter Ball, attended by parents, girls and staff.

The setting of Fulham Palace was perfect and everyone had a wonderful evening. Fundraising for charity has always been an integral part of the ethos of Downe House, and York saw several charities being supported. Events included the Father Daughter Charity Ball organised by Caroline Watkinson in aid of Prostate Cancer whilst Lucy Harley and Melissa McAlpine raised large amounts for other charities. The Lent Term finished with a fun afternoon on the sports field enjoying the inflatables followed by the Foundation Dinner, which marked the beginning of the exam season.

“As always with the end of the year, there are goodbyes to be said ... we said farewell to a wonderful set of young women.”

The girls have enjoyed a plethora of talks and debates during the year mainly through the Phoenix Society. Socially, the Caledonian Society continued to be extremely popular with the donning of evening dresses to enjoy events with Radley, Eton and Harrow. The Sixth Form bar also proved a popular place to unwind on a Wednesday evening together with homemade delights in House such as Miss Scott’s chocolate brownies or rocky roads.

As always in the Upper Sixth, the year has been dominated by university applications and final exams. The girls have received many fantastic offers from universities both here and abroad.

Undergraduate courses to be taken up include medicine, mathematics, sciences, politics, economics, history of art and languages as well as foundation courses within the area of art and design. With the offers comes, of course, the need to achieve the grades required. The year group has all worked extremely hard, with the House being eerily silent both during the day and in the evenings as the girls formed study groups in order to support one another.

As always with the end of the year, there are goodbyes to be said, and as we said farewell to a wonderful set of young women at the end of term, we also wished Miss Fordham and Miss Glover well as they leave Downe House to start new ventures in this county and in Australia. Thank you all for a wonderful year in York House.

Mrs Caroline Walton-Waters, Housemistress (York) and Teacher of Biology DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

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HOUSE REPORTS AGN

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At the start of the year we bid Mrs Lowe and Mrs Barnett farewell with heavy hearts, but welcomed our new Housestaff Mrs Wise, Miss Joice and Mrs Bowyer with full AGN spirit. The new Upper Fourth girls have been a fabulous addition to the House too, and they have settled in very well. We are extremely grateful to have them.

Very swiftly, after everyone got back into the swing of things, we hosted our annual AGN Fete in aid of our international link charity, Sparkes Home in Sri Lanka. The House families worked together across year groups to host the most amazing array of stalls, including cakes, candy floss and a delicious BBQ! We raised over £400 and the afternoon was a great success.

In October, the Lower Sixth organised AGN’s House Drama. We were all given our roles and our production team of Henrietta Ryan (Director), Claudine Collins (Assistant Director) and Beatrix Jackson (Production Manager) worked tirelessly for six weeks to put together a very successful performance of ‘The Jungle Book’. Although we were not victorious on this occasion, we gained some great prizes, including Best Supporting Actress which went to Sophie Elliot for her portrayal of Ka, Best Live Music Performance which went to Katie Hackman and Minna Crewdson, and Best Produced Show for which the Lower Sixth production team can take full credit.

Our last event of the Michaelmas Term was a House favourite, as we hosted our biennial charity ball in aid of Sparkes Home. The theme was ‘The Great Gatsby’ and we hosted The Oratory School as well as our parents for a black tie evening. We all enjoyed getting dressed up for the evening’s activities which included

SCHOOL LIFE

a raffle with donated prizes. We were delighted to raise over £3,500. The night ended on the dance floor with a fantastic eight-piece band that Miss Anger hired as a surprise.

The Lent Term brought another victory for AGN as Holly Evans led the House to win the disco-themed House Music competition. This was a great moment for AGN and we all felt our win was well deserved as we had worked so hard. Miss Anger is happy the trophy is quite rightly back where it belongs … in the AGN trophy cabinet!

The girls in AGN have loved the Global Schools’ Exchange Programme this year and it has been a pleasure hosting three exchange students: Chloe from South Africa, Fee from Germany and Ananya from India. We cannot wait to experience more new and diverse cultures, and to make new friends next year.

We are looking forward to welcoming Baby Wise into the AGN family, as Mrs Wise is expecting her first daughter! We wish her the best of luck and we look forward to meeting little Miss Wise.

Finally, it was with great sadness that we said goodbye to Miss Anger at the end of this year. Miss Anger embodies all that is AGN and we do not quite know how we are going to cope without her – we are in denial! We want to thank her for all she has contributed to the House over the past six years and are relieved to know she is just a short walk away in the Drama office! Despite having a hard act to follow, we know that Mr Treadaway will be an awesome addition to the AGN team and look forward to supporting him next year. Ad Astra!

Jennifer Darko (Head of House), Claudine Collins (Deputy Head of House) and Rose Hughes (Deputy Head of House), all LVI

This year has been another successful and fun-filled year for AGS. We welcomed our Assistant Housemistress, Miss Minns, and Resident House Tutor, Miss Prentice, who have both been an incredible addition to the House. In the Michaelmas Term, our first House outing to Marwell Activity Centre helped everyone get to know each other and provided an opportunity for old girls to meet new girls - it was a challenge but great fun! In House Drama, Grace Devereux and Jennifer Tett directed, and Bethany Perry produced the AGS version of ‘The Little Mermaid’.

It was a hilarious production that earned us the prizes for Best Actress for Emma Bracken and an Acting Award for Beatrice Phillips, as well as Best Set Design. Our Halloweenthemed House supper was a great success thanks to the Housestaff and our Michaelmas Term UV Shadow Heads of House, Catharina Benigni and Imogen Gregory. The postsupper dorm entertainment was incredibly entertaining as usual. We raised over £200 for the Riding for the Disabled Association in our Halloween-themed bake sale, with everyone returning to School with gory baked goodies to sell. Christmastime in AGS is one of the best times of the year and this year’s Secret Santa saw some thrilling giftgiving and gift-receiving, ending with our annual Christmas party and movie. With Mrs McClymont providing delicious snacks, it did not fall short of previous years.

Lent Term saw the Upper and Lower Fifth taking January exams but this did not dampen the mood in House and our next House supper was superhero-themed. AGS performed a rendition of ‘Blame it on the Boogie’ for House Music, a vocal ensemble, an instrumental ensemble and Antonia Holloway, our secret weapon, gave an outstanding performance as our House soloist. Our real life House Cluedo was launched by Lent Term Shadows, Katherine O’Shea and Amelia Bennett, and the AGS Culture Committee was also established with celebrations for Black History Month and then Chinese New Year. We also welcomed our exchange student Meg, visiting us from Australia - she became such an important member of the House and got involved in many activities, including the House Music vocal ensemble. On 19 March, 40 girls along with Mrs McClymont, Miss Minns and Mrs Ford took part in a sponsored 10km run and we raised over £5,000 for our House charity Hosanna Children’s Home. We also welcomed Asees, our Lower Fifth exchange student from India, and we learnt a lot from her.

Although we were sad to say goodbye to Henrietta Allen, who had done a fantastic job as Head of House for the year, we were delighted to welcome Elizabeth Michaelson as the new Head of House. Although the Upper Fifth had to tackle GCSEs in the Summer Term, our Upper Fifth leavers’ supper was something to look forward to and all the girls headed off to the Royal Oak for a delicious meal. The night was great fun, especially when we read out memories from our three years in AGS, which left us all laughing. Mrs McClymont’s cakes, flapjacks, cinema and dinner trips gave a good breather from the pressure of exam season. We all looked forward to Sports Day and thoroughly enjoyed the day, although sadly we were not able to match up to last year’s second place.

This has been a truly remarkable and enjoyable year in AGS. Esther Bolodeoku and Gabriella Franklin, UV DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

HOUSE REPORTS

AGS

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HOUSE REPORTS 8

AISHOLT The past year for Aisholt has been incredibly eventful filled with prizes that the girls have won and many great moments. The House has remained as vibrant and cheerful as ever and has maintained the spirit that it is known for throughout the School.

In September, we welcomed new Upper Fourth girls who were immediately thrown into Aisholt life with everything from House Drama rehearsals to helping repaint the mural in the kitchen. Prior to their entry in September, the Upper Fourth were invited for a ‘sleepover and games night’ so they could be familiarised with the House before they joined and the girls are now incredibly settled in their new House.

We have had such a successful year with winning prizes in House Sports events such as netball and lacrosse. Every year all the girls in Aisholt come together to perform their interpretation of the House Drama theme with this year’s theme being ‘Disney’. The girls worked incredibly hard and won the House Drama Cup with their play, ‘Beauty and the Beast’, directed by Saskia Wormsley and assisted by Matilda Pope and Hebe Ide. The play was phenomenal and all the hard work that every girl put in definitely paid off. The Lower Fifth was very busy with the House Gymnastics competition and the team was excellently led by Emily Manners, Georgina Day, Charlotte Nicholson and Lucy McCreery. House Music showed how the House has come together. It was fantastic to see all the hard work everyone had put in to the final performance. Many thanks to Jane Tung, Monique Leong and Jessica Pemberton for putting together such brilliant performances. Aisholt were also victorious in House Dance, which featured a phenomenal solo dance by Georgia Hewitson and an exceptional ensemble choreographed by Monique Leong. The House competitions are always such a wonderful opportunity for Aisholt girls across the year groups to work together. The huge success that Aisholt have enjoyed this year has led Mrs Boswell to become accustomed to having a full trophy cabinet so we will have to keep it up next year!

Aisholt has worked hard this year to raise money for our charities. We have continued to raise money for our overseas charity Reality Gives and our local charity Berkshire Women’s Aid, which supports women and their families seeking refuge from domestic violence. There have been numerous cake sales where baking talents have been displayed, and larger events such as the talent competition ‘Search for a Star’, all of which have helped Aisholt raise money for these charities. Mrs Boswell took a small group of girls to visit Berkshire Women’s Aid earlier this year and they did a wonderful job helping to organise welcome bags containing basic toiletries for women who have left their homes to seek safety. In August 2016, eighteen girls along with Mrs Boswell, Miss Myers and Mrs Rigby made their way to India to run workshops in Dharavi for children at the Royal City School and visit the charity. It was an extraordinary trip and I am sure the girls will never forget the memories that they made there.

In Aisholt, happiness is closely connected with food and fun, and we have enjoyed plenty of lovely treats this year including smoothies made by Mrs Rigby, Rocky Road made by Mrs Rodger, gingerbread by Mrs Boswell, and Miss Myers never failing to impress with her innovative baking which everyone loves to sample, including her famous macarons. The girls in Upper Fifth have also enjoyed their time doing ‘Come Dine with Me’ where the girls are placed in small groups and they cook for the rest of their year group and obtain a final score based on their entertainment and food.

Mrs Boswell and Miss Myers have been an incredible team and have made everyone’s year so positive. They are constantly willing to help and always make time when a girl needs them; Aisholt is a House filled with fun and kindness. Mrs Rigby and Mrs Rodgers always go the extra mile for any girl and the Housestaff help make every moment in Aisholt as enjoyable as it can be.

Emily Crowston, Head of House, UVI

SCHOOL LIFE

Aisholt is a House filled with fun and kindness

Holcombe House has been full of achievements and unforgettable memories once again. The year began with perhaps one of the most popular House events of the year - House Drama, this year directed by our newly appointed Head of House, Eliza Horn. After weeks of hard work, Eliza’s thrilling adaptation of Disney’s ‘The Lion King’ put us in welldeserved second place. The weeks flew by and suddenly House Music and House Dance were imminent. House Dance was an extremely enjoyable evening and our soloist Lucy Skrine wowed the audience with her unique hip-hop routine, followed by our group dance choreographed by last year’s solo winner, Jameliah Adekunle along with Sacha Martin. I particularly enjoyed taking part in the dance workshop when you learn a dance on the competition day and have a chance to make it your own.

Although it was extremely difficult, we had a blast performing it and watching the other Houses attempt it too. We were disappointed not to win House Music with our brilliant rendition of a Queen classic, alongside a great composition of 1980 classics by Catharine Wippell and we all loved taking part in the group song ‘I Will Survive’.

One of my favourite things about Holcombe is all the evening events that are organised by the Housestaff and Sixth Form girls, ranging from movie and popcorn nights through to our recent Healthy Eating Cookery Club making homemade guacamole! Our pub quiz and dorm entertainment competition both took place in the Concert Room and were really great evenings where the whole House came together and gave us all the chance to take a break from everything and to have a bit of fun and food, which is extremely important to us girls in Holcombe. It was very amusing when Mr Treadaway took to the microphone and began directing the quiz as well as providing us with constant commentary of the evening. The money spent at the pub quiz on ‘pub snacks’ went towards our fundraising for our House charity this year ‘The Charlie Waller Memorial Trust’. We are thrilled to have raised nearly £800 for them so far. This year Mrs Mears-Smith and Mr Treadaway have developed our charitable mind set with the ’Pay it Forward’ scheme. It started with all the year representatives choosing a person and anonymously doing something nice for them to just make their day that bit better; it didn’t have to be anything too big just something thoughtful like a little note or a mug of hot chocolate. This has gone down very well!

This year we have been so lucky to have Mr Treadaway as our Assistant Housemaster in Holcombe even if it is only just for a year. We wish him all the best as Housemaster of AGN next year.

Holcombe will miss Mr and Mrs Treadaway, and of course Ginger, very much. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them on behalf of the whole House for everything they have done for us and for inviting us to their flat regularly for a meal or some board games or even just a chat. I would also like to thank Mrs MearsSmith for enthusiastically organising all these fun and relaxing evenings with so much variety on offer. They have been a great team and made us very happy. It has been so nice to take an evening off revising and do an hour of yoga or paint nails during a pamper evening. We have also really enjoyed all the small things such as a simple game of Uno and a few pieces of toast on the landing which kept our minds off exams just for a bit.

The Holcombe girls have been through so much together this year, winning House Gymnastics being one highlight, and I am incredibly sad to be leaving the House but I know that I will always be ‘attached’ to Holcombe and I will stay involved with its winning ways during my Sixth Form years.

Iman Khalil, UV DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

HOUSE REPORTS

HOLCOMBE

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HOUSE REPORTS

TEDWORTH As ever it has been another eventful and jam-packed year in Tedworth. There have been many highlights from our House trip to South Africa, House Drama, House Music and House Dance as well as the usual feast of sporting competitions.

The Michaelmas Term is always a busy one and the first major House competition of the year is always eagerly anticipated and none more so than this year, given its Disney theme.

Eleanor Bishop, Anna Hewitt and Rosanna Craig managed to release the magical genie from the lamp to produce a thoroughly entertaining version of Aladdin. There were standout performances from Cecelia Kane as Aladdin and Christina Elliot as Abu. Although not winners overall, we managed to maintain our run of securing the prize for Best Lower School Dance thanks to Alexa Feather and Verity Hornby.

For myself, Miss Quarterman and 14 of the girls from across the Lower Fifth and Sixth, the standout experience of the year has without a doubt been the trip to South Africa during October half term. We spent six days at our link school, Tiger Kloof near Vryburg before enjoying some much-needed rest and relaxation at the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. We all have our favourite moments but the children we met at Thusanang School for the Disabled will stay with me forever.

We came back to reality with a bump to finish off the term with a very enjoyable outing to Winchester ice-skating rink and enjoying the Christmas market; the longest term of all seemed to have flown by.

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Lent Term is often described as a short but brutal one, bookended as it is by the mock examinations and completion of teaching for the UV. However, there was still plenty of fun to be had. House Music gave us all a boost in mid-February with its Disco theme and we were thrilled to win the Best House Choir prize under the direction of Katherine Garnett.

Our victorious streak continued into House Dance where Sophie Armitage took Best Solo and Eleanor Bishop Best Choreographer.

The Summer Term saw the much anticipated arrival of Sports Day. We had already won House Swimming so hopes were high especially given that the Housestaff consists of two PE Teachers.

All through the year, we have been lucky enough to welcome students into Tedworth through the Global Schools’ Exchange programme. We have had visitors from Australia and New Zealand, South Africa and America. Alice Peters was one of the inaugural exchanges from Downe House to Stoneleigh Burnham and had an amazing time. Victoria Aarons and Abriella Dolbear are looking forward to their experiences in Australia and South Africa respectively over the summer.

Whilst we were in South Africa we were also able to gain a deeper understanding of our House motto ‘Ubuntu’ and throughout this year I have been so proud of our Tedworth girls who really do epitomise this belief of being kind, compassionate, forgiving and caring to those around us.

Mrs Sarah Barnard, Housemistress (Tedworth), Teacher of History and Overseas Universities Coordinator

SCHOOL LIFE

HOUSE REPORTS 11

DARWIN This year Darwin has been home to a group of twenty Remove girls. The girls settled very well into our cosy house and some wonderful friendships quickly developed. We have lovely spacious dorms in Darwin, and the girls make their areas very homely by decorating their pin boards and putting up pictures and little strings of fairy lights.

It has been another busy year for us all, with many weekend trips, socials and many lively activities in House. When needed, the girls have enjoyed some relaxing evenings with craft activities and time to unwind. The House lends itself well to prep in the evenings, the girls are able to work quietly at the table in their dorms or they can work at a computer in the House prep room.

The Darwin girls are now looking forward to welcoming a new group of girls for the next academic year, and they will enjoy guiding the new Remove girls along as they start on their journey at Downe House.

Mrs Frankie Capps, Housemistress (Darwin) Our first year at Downe House in Remove has been a fascinating and unique experience for us all and we have had the opportunity to try numerous new things.

Even though it was a little hard to settle into a new

environment at first, the support Mrs Capps and Miss Scott-Kerley gave us was very reassuring and helpful and we have made many cheerful memories that we will cherish throughout our whole lives, for example, our trip to Gravity Force early in the first term, which is an amazing trampoline arena. All of us had great fun and we are extremely excited to go back there again sometime.

During the week in Darwin, we have a regular movie night, to relax, feel cosy and of course, eat a little tuck.

One of the Darwin girls’ favourite movies would probably be ‘Monte Carlo’ and we have watched it at least four times, we liked it so much!

Darwin raised a lot of money throughout the year by hosting many charity events. This term we arranged a Darwin Summer Fair with a variety of stalls including a lemonade stall, bracelet stall, candy floss and popcorn stall, ice creams and a donut eating challenge! Aside from raising lots of money, we also had great fun. All the money we raised went to The Teenage Cancer Trust and this is something that we love about the School, how we can help other communities. We are very happy at our decision to come here and we have loved our first year in Darwin!

Hyojin (Angela) Joo and Cleo Dutertre-Delaunay, Remove

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

HOUSE REPORTS

HERMITAGE It is said that your year as a Remove is one that you will never forget, from the friendships you make to getting to know your very first Housemistress at Downe House. I think I speak for all Remove girls when I say that this is true, and my first year has been one to cherish throughout my time at Downe House.

Throughout the year, the Hermites have made great progress both academically and pastorally. Through it all, we have been supported by our kind and caring Housestaff who dedicate their time to make sure that we are all okay. Miss Cawdron is our sweet and caring Pastoral Tutor who is always free when we need a shoulder to lean on. Mrs Williams, our Assistant Housemistress who joined us in the Lent Term, always works her hardest to make sure we all achieve our best. Our Housemistress, Mrs Collingwood, is the person that we can always go to whenever something is wrong. Finally Mrs Nash, who retired as Housemistress this year after a long and impressive career at Downe House, will be truly missed by all the Hermites throughout the School who have been lucky enough to have her guidance and support throughout their early and important years.

One of my most memorable activities this year was the Butterfly Lecture. This was an outstanding performance put together by the School staff at the end of the Michaelmas Term. Being our first year at Downe, all of the Remove were panicking in

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SCHOOL LIFE

fear of what ‘Mrs McKendrick’s speech on butterflies’ had in store for us. It was truly a great surprise and an enjoyable one, as we sat watching a very creative production of ‘Frozen’ with the whole School. We were amazed that the staff were able to put together such a well-rehearsed production without any of us being aware.

The year has also seen many unforgettable trips outside of School. The trip to Cadbury World, which the Remove took early in the year, entertained us all, and the Lower Fourth enjoyed their Wakefield Silver Award camping trip at the beginning of Summer Term.

We have also greatly appreciated the outstanding Medley Lectures presented by truly inspirational people who have all achieved amazing things in their lifetime.

The Lower Fourth girls in Hermitage have been some of the best we could ask for. They have guided and supported the Remove girls whenever needed and will be missed as they move to their Mixed Age Houses in September. Though we are sad to say our goodbyes, the Remove are extremely excited to become the new Lower Fourth and to be able to share our experiences with the incoming Remove.

Hermitage truly has become a home to us all since we were happily welcomed as new girls and our first year was an unforgettable one. I am truly excited to see what the next academic year has in store for us.

Taizya Adedeji, Remove

HOUSE REPORTS

HILL It has been an amazing experience being in Hill for these past two years. We have done many things to keep us busy each term including go karting, which I had never done before. We have made lots of things in House, such as doing mindfulness colouring, decorating jewellery boxes and baking yummy things, and we have done in-house activities such as yoga, which was especially good during the stress before exams. We have held many charity events including a very relaxing spa night, hair braiding and a 5km fun run.

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We have particularly enjoyed the weekends because they are always packed with amazing activities. My favourites have been enjoying the rides at Paulton’s Park, doing archery and high ropes at Marwell Activity Centre and our fabulous camping weekend, which goes towards the Wakefield Award.

The marshmallows around the open campfire were extremely tasty! In contrast to these activities, another real highlight of my year has been going to London to watch a theatre production of ‘The Railway Children’.

This year I was in the Lower Fourth and that meant that I had more privileges compared to last year. For example, during House meetings we get to sit on the sofas! We go to bed 15 minutes later and we get to go to the Post Office all year round! I will be very sad to say goodbye when I move into my Mixed Age House in September. I have made loads of amazing memories during my time in Hill House and these will stay with me forever.

Yasmine McLennan, Head of House, LIV

I started at Downe House in September with no boarding experience at all. I was very nervous but still very excited to meet new people and have new opportunities. Everyone in Hill House was very welcoming and whenever anyone felt homesick at all, there was always someone to help. It took a while to settle in, especially going to lessons because we could never find our classrooms, but after a few weeks we were used to everything and it was easy to find our way through the School.

There is always something to do in Hill, with activities or matches on Saturdays and then on Sundays we nearly always go out on a trip. My favourite trips were to Cadbury World; the shop there was great, and our trip to see ‘The Snow Queen’ at the theatre. Everyone has really enjoyed the Lower School barbeques where we could meet girls from different Houses.

Movie nights have also been nice, especially on a Wednesday because we have a long time to relax while watching a movie and we get to eat tuck!

When we get back from supper in the evenings there is time to do some prep, and then we have time to chat and have fun with our friends. I have particularly enjoyed Thursday evenings, when someone usually comes to our House and teaches us how to make things, such as dream-catchers and necklaces.

Clara Dutertre-Delauney, Remove DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

HOUSE REPORTS

VEYRINES The year got off to a really enjoyable start with the girls at Veyrines for the Michaelmas Term spending their first Sunday of the term at Walibi, a theme park near Agen, as guests of Hôpital Sourire. As we have done for a number of years, each term’s girls organised a number of events to raise funds for this organisation such as a House spa, film nights, theme days and, always the most enjoyable and profitable of all, our stall selling homemade cakes in Sarlat market. However, none of us could have predicted that the weather would be so hot in March that our produce melted and so cold and wet in May that we were nearly washed away!

Although it is a long way from Veyrines, the visit to Futuroscope each term is a highlight.

The Park has 3D and 4D cinemas along with other attractions which teach visitors about science and technology in a fun and interactive way. We were also delighted to welcome Miss Rawlinson and Miss Emeny from the Geography Department at Cold Ash who led a two-day field trip to Vulcania in the Auvergne. During the visit, the girls learned all about volcanoes and an unexpected but very exciting coincidence was finding out that Maurice and Katia Krafft, two world-renowned volcanologists featured in the exhibition, are relatives of Théa Hawtin, one of the girls present!

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There are many opportunities for girls to try their hand at different sports during their time in France and tree climbing, paddle boarding, canoeing, rock climbing, archery and aerial skills (trapeze, ropes and silks) were just a few of the activities enjoyed this year.

When it comes to House competitions, the girls never cease to amaze us with their ingenuity, imagination and ability to work as a team. Events such as MasterChef, Fashion Shows, Veyrines’s Got Talent and the Dorm Christmas Decorations Competition are really enjoyable, not least for the members of staff who look forward to seeing the finished creations but who then have the very difficult task of choosing the winners.

The year ended with two wonderful concerts and a play for the primary school pupils in nearby Saint-Cyprien, which the girls performed in French to a hugely enthusiastic audience.

Finally, we enjoyed welcoming back to Veyrines a number of former pupils who spent a term here. They were thrilled to have a tour of the school and talked very fondly of their time here, reminiscing about the dorm they had been in, the sorties and activities they had done and the friends they had made all those years ago. It is a wonderful privilege to think that we have seen this year’s Lower Fourth making just these kind of memories and perhaps they too will revisit old haunts at some time in the future.

Mrs Deborah Scotland, Head of Veyrines SCHOOL LIFE

HOUSE REPORTS 15

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY

AGN Head of House Rumbidzai Wasterfall Deputy Heads of House Hebe Meredith and Imogen Hancock Prefects Claudine Collins, Jennifer Darko, Sarah Darko, Rose Hughes, Beatrix Jackson and Henrietta Ryan LVI Games Captains Ella Houston and Jennifer Darko UV Games Captains Lettice Cornell and Lucy Cunningham LV Games Captains Fenella Bolwby and Kitty Shepherd-Cross Charity Reps Sabrina Sambhi and Arabella Woo Anti-Bullying Reps Lisa Lotte Scheuner, Beatrice Weaver, Madison James,

Zi Jin (Ariel) Mo, Hoi Lam (Jacqueline) Wong and Storm Halestrap House Music Directors Holly Evans with Jennifer Standbrook House Dance Choreographers Eloise Percy-Davis and Ella Houston Michaelmas Term 2016 Shadow Heads of House LV Reps UIV Reps

Minna Crewdson and Isabella Jones Jessica Bracken and Imogen Fowler Emily Harrow and Maryam Mammadova

Lent Term 2017 Shadow Heads of House LV Reps UIV Reps House Reporter Food Forum Reps

Annabel Shi and Sophie Elliot Alexandra Adderley and Charlotte Field Francesca Horton and Lisa Lotte Scheuner Madison James Christabel Graham, Alexandra Adderley and Ellen (Nellie) Gawne

Summer Term 2017 Shadow Heads of House LV Reps UIV Reps House Reporter Food Forum Reps

Lettice Cornell and Sabrina Sambhi Fenella Bowlby and Eliza Farquharson Ellen (Nellie) Gawne and Beatrice Weaver Madison James Christabel Graham, Alexandra Adderley and Ellen (Nellie) Gawne

AGS 16

Head of House Deputy Heads of House LVI Prefects

LVI Games Captains UV Games Captains LV Games Captains House Drama Producer House Drama Director House Drama Assistant Director House Music Directors House Dance Choreographer House Gymnastics Captains

Henrietta Allen Miranda Bird and Lydia Stonehill Sarah Wai-Ping Kwok, Elizabeth Michaelson, Molly Grafftey-Smith, Charlotte Benigni, Man I (Melissa) Chang and Poppy Huntington Charlotte Benigni and Bethany Perry Gabriella Franklin and Milly Hine Alice Weldon and Beatrice Phillips Beth Perry Grace Devereux Jennifer Tett Sarah Wai-Ping Kwok and Man I (Melissa) Chang Kei Kwan (Kate) Lau Alice Weldon, Emma Bracken, Olivia Lopes and Annabel Le Grice

Michaelmas Term 2016 Shadow Heads of House LV Reps UIV Reps

Catharina Benigni and Imogen Gregory Zoe Carruthers and Oluwatamilore Bolodeoku Ayobami Razak-Shittu and Jemima Harrison

Lent Term 2017 Shadow Heads of House LV Reps UIV Reps Food Forum Reps

Katherine O’Shea and Amelia Bennett Clementine Pemberton and Nina Paterson Grace Cooke and Imogen Dale Elodie Hersee, Annabel Le Grice and Alina Erkulova

Summer Term 2017 Head of House Deputy Heads of House Shadow Heads of House LV Reps UIV Reps Food Forum Reps

Elizabeth Michaelson Jennifer Tett and Molly Grafftey -Smith Esther Bolodeoku and Gabriella Franklin Elodie Hersee and Annabel Le Grice Saskia Dale and Lavinia Geddes Elodie Hersee, Annabel Le Grice and Alina Erkulova

AISHOLT Head of House Deputy Heads of House Prefects

LVI Games Captains UV Games Captains LV Games Captains House Drama Producer SCHOOL LIFE

Emily Crowston Georgina Fenn and Olivia Clark Monique Leong, Jessica Pemberton, Isabelle West, Saskia Wormsley, Sasha Coulson and Isabella Muir Natasha Somerville-Cotton and Mariella (Ella) Bennett Jessica Hayward-Cole and Rosie Blackburn Emily Manners and Gabriella Nelson Matilda Pope

Saskia Wormsley Hebe Ide Jessica Pemberton and Jane Tung Monique Leong Mariella (Ella) Bennett and Sasha Coulson

Michaelmas Term 2016 UV Reps LV Reps UIV Reps

Rosie Blackburn and Honor Sells Anchisa (Pim) Ittiphakorn and Georgina Day Sappho Novatin and Francesca Rhodes

Lent Term 2017 UV Reps LV Reps UIV Reps

Torrung (Mook) Rungjerdfa and Jantaluck (Kelly) Bhanarai Daisy West and Oluwanifemi (Nifemi) Olawuni Trinity Hill and Jessica Hayward-Cole

Summer Term 2017 UV Reps LV Reps UIV Reps

Kate Rollo and Morgan Kandrac Gabriella Nelson and Charlotte Nicholson Sophie Bott and Elizabeth Reynard

HOLCOMBE Head of House Deputy Head of House Deputy Head of House LVI Games Captains UV Games Captains LV Games Captains LVI Prefects

House Drama Producer House Drama Director House Drama Assistant Directors House Music Directors House Dance Choreographers

Sophia Hill Gemma Mountain Rose Galbraith Isabella Brown and Georgina Tarling Claudia Kandel and Tae-Chan Ellis Anna Neville and Jessica Chapman Annabel Roest, Skye Wilson, Rachael Litton, Isabelle Brown, Lauren Griffith and Ilaria Bevan Annabel Roest Eliza Horn Rachael Litton and Skye Wilson Emilie Cheung, Catharine Wippell and Alexandra O’Kane Sacha Martin and Jameliah Adekunle

Michaelmas Term 2016 UV Year Reps LV Year Reps UIV Year Reps

Tae-Chan Ellis and Amelia Smith Emily Hannis and Eliza Inglis Imogen Ridley and Tabitha Kendall

Lent Term 2017 UV Year Reps LV Year Reps UIV Year Reps

Claudia Kandel and Iman Khalil Jessica Chapman and Arella Szlapak Pollyanna Pressland and Lara Coppen-Gardner

Summer Term 2017 UV Year Reps LV Year Reps UIV Year Reps

Lucy Dyer and Cosima Davies Emily Barber and Enekole Mark Lucy Skrine and Chisengo (Elizabeth) Lukama

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TEDWORTH Head of House House Seniors LVI Games Captains UV Games Captains LV Games Captains House Drama Producer House Drama Director House Drama Assistant Director House Music Director House Gymnastics Captains

House Dance Choreographer

Eleanor Bishop Rosanna Craig and Anna Hewitt Alexa Feather and Verity Hornby Cecelia Kane and Alexa Wiggin Eva Bartlett and Abriella Dolbear Eleanor Bishop Anna Hewitt Rosanna Craig Katherine Garnett Abriella Dolbear, Olivia Pockney, Victoria Aarons and Jocasta Ferrigno Eleanor Bishop

Michaelmas Term 2016 Shadow Heads of House LV Year Reps UIV Year Reps

Cecelia Kane and Shalayna Assani Ottilie Whitbread and Anouk Davies Jemima Landale and Christina Elliot

Lent Term 2017 Shadow Heads of House LV Year Reps UIV Year Reps

Melissa Farquhar and Olivia King Abriella Dolbear and Victoria Aarons Rose Whitbread and Florence Stringer

Summer Term 2017 Shadow Heads of House LV Year Reps UIV Year Reps

Calypso Cox and Kirsty Depledge Emily Carpmael and Jocasta Ferrigno Tosin Adepoju and Molly Dubens

POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY

House Drama Director House Drama Assistant Director House Music Directors House Dance Choreographer Search for a Star Prefects

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

LOWER SCHOOL PRODUCTION

‘THE WORST WITCH’ In the summer of 2016, I was asked to direct the next Lower School Musical. I absolutely love writing music and songs and have always wanted to write something with a concept, rather than just a collection of individual songs. As the show was to be no longer than one hour, this was a great place to start.

It did not take me long to find a suitable storyline. As a child, I absolutely loved ‘The Worst Witch’ books by Jill Murphy, and I knew that the range of characters in the series would offer a wealth of performance opportunities for the girls. I was also hoping to write a new musical; many children’s stories have already been adapted but I wanted ours to be exclusive.

Revisiting the books and the 1986 film version were very enjoyable and provided a great deal of nostalgia.

The opportunity to design the set was also very exciting and I had some ambitious ideas for how the stage would look. Alongside writing the show, I spent the summer sourcing free empty carpet rolls and borrowing my dad’s power tools to make giant trees for the woods scenes. I even enlisted my husband to drive me to Essex to collect some worse-for-wear school lockers, which were later upcycled in silver, purple and glitter spray paint for the locker room scenes.

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SCHOOL LIFE

LOWER SCHOOL PRODUCTION

Co-Director Mrs Leigh-Barclay and Choreographer Miss Vallance joined me for the launch and auditions. I was amazed at the number of girls that wanted to be involved. I still remember being asked at the launch by an enthusiastic — but slightly nervous — Remove girl whether it was OK if she had a more musical theatre singing voice, which was of course OK! This Remove was Susannah Wood, who ended up delivering a fantastic performance in the lead role of Mildred Hubble. I was also on a quest for a sassy bad witch, which I instantly found in Rosie Phillips, and a very cool and confident Grand High Wizard, for which Lauren Akinluyi fitted the bill perfectly.

We had a lot of fun rehearsing from October to February and I could feel the camaraderie of the cast getting stronger as the weeks went by. The ensemble was an impressive bunch, who all really committed to the scenes and formed their own characters. The First Year witches really got to grips with their comedy timing, which was particularly well illustrated by Rose Cornell’s kooky portrayal of Mildred’s best friend Maud Moonshine. Ethel (Hannah Perkins) and her crew of bullies were frightful. I would not like to encounter them in the locker room! The girls also worked hard on their roles as teachers, playing characters much older than themselves. Rosie Montague made a delightful, slightly eccentric Miss Cackle; Alethea Ings-Chambers was a charming, yet comical Miss Spellbinder; and Lyla Elichaoff was a fantastically strict and condescending Miss Hardbroom.

“It was a great success and a truly rewarding experience for all involved.”

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As we got closer to the performance and we rehearsed in costume, the show truly began to take shape. We had a very helpful group of stagehands, with Thea Davies and Louisa Neill taking on a lot of responsibility for their wings and supporting their backstage team brilliantly.

The girls’ performance was outstanding and I was so pleased with the response and acceptance of a new musical from the girls and from the audience.

It was a great success and a truly rewarding experience for all involved.

Mrs Natalie Warde, Teacher of Speech and Drama

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

HOUSE DANCE 20

HOUSE DANCE COMPETITION 2017 The theme for this year’s House Dance Competition was ‘This Girl Can’, which was very fitting given our ethos. We want all Downe House girls to believe that they can achieve anything they put their minds to and smash that ‘glass ceiling’!

The House Choreographers worked incredibly hard on their routines and as a result there was an imaginative mix of interpretations in the House routines, which allowed the dancers to showcase their talents across a range of dance styles.

Once again this year we were lucky enough to have an outstanding adjudicator: Kane D. Ricca came highly recommended and we were not disappointed. As the Founder of the #RhythmArmy brand, Kane is a top tap dancer and international choreographer based in London. The talent on show blew him away and his feedback was honest, constructive and very well received. We were so grateful to him for taking the time out of his incredibly busy schedule to come and judge House Dance. Our very own Miss Vallance helped judge alongside Kane and together they made a formidable judging pair.

For the Workshop Dance, Miss Vallance choreographed an incredibly tricky number and it was amazing to see all the dancers pick up the routine in such a short space of time.

No mean feat at all and on the night, AGS pipped the others to the post and won the cup for Best Workshop Dance.

At the end of the day, after a hard fought battle of talent, Aisholt won the trophy for best House, with Sophie Armitage (UIV) winning Best Solo and Eleanor Bishop (LVI) winning Best Choreographer. Aisholt won the trophy for the Best Group and their House Choreographer, Monique Leong (LVI), was Highly Commended.

Every single dancer who took part can hold their head up high and in my opinion, there were no losers this year, as the standard was higher than ever before. Huge congratulations to all who took part; it was a great night!

I am looking forward to what House Dance 2018 has to bring …

Mrs Genevieve Ford, Boarding Deputy

SCHOOL LIFE

“We want all Downe House girls to believe that they can achieve anything they put their minds to and smash that ‘glass ceiling’!”

House Drama has always by far been my favourite school event.

Therefore, I was so happy to be a part of it in my final year and I thoroughly enjoyed watching all the amazing performances.

It was interesting watching the plays from a different perspective, especially having directed one previously myself. I loved how differently all the Houses portrayed their stories, with some adopting a more traditional approach than others, for example Aisholt’s traditional cast compared to AGS’s Kardashians.

It was an absolute privilege spending the day with the external adjudicator Kim Pearce. Kim was the resident director on the tour of ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’, which is one of my favourite plays, so it was an honour to be able to quiz her all day about her career and learn from the useful advice and feedback she was giving on the performances. Having worked with Frantic Assembly, Kim was keen to focus on movement and use of the stage. I learnt how important it is to engage the whole cast and that it is the director’s role to make everyone feel included. Kim really enjoyed the day and was thoroughly impressed with the standard of all the performances.

Well done to all the winners and congratulations to Aisholt House for lifting the House Drama Cup. Eliza Downes, UVI Head of Drama

House Drama Prizes Trophy Winners House Drama Cup

Aisholt

Artistic Endeavour Cup

Holcombe

Best Actress Award

Emma Bracken (AGS)

Best Supporting Actress

Sophie Elliot (AGN)

Head of Drama Award for Most Promising Young Performer

Annissa Baber (Holcombe)

Acting Awards Holcombe

Iman Khalil

Tedworth

Cecelia Kane

Aisholt

Poppy Scales

AGS

Beatrice Phillips

AGN

Florence Fanshawe

HOUSE DRAMA

HOUSE DRAMA

House Drama Awards Best Adaptation

Eliza Horn (Holcombe)

Most Creative Staging

Grace Devereux (AGS)

Best Lower School Direction

Alexa Feather and Verity Hornby (Tedworth)

Best Choreography

Catharine Wippell and Jameliah Adekunle (Holcombe)

Best Live Music Performance

Katie Hackman and Minna Crewdson (AGN)

Best Set Design

Man I (Melissa) Chang, Jasmine Holland and Anna Sharrock (AGS)

Best Technical Direction

Isabella West and Kitty Henry (Aisholt)

Best Staging Solution

Anna Hewitt (Tedworth)

Best Costume

Grace Cornish, Flora Lindsay, Nutthapit Poolworaluk and Tabonga Yangailo (AGS)

Best Hair and Make-Up

Isabelle Brown and Sacha Martin (Holcombe)

Best Poster

Jenna Parkinson and Imogen Waller (Tedworth)

Best Programme

Jane Tung (Aisholt)

Best Lower School Programmes

Antonia McClintock (Holcombe) Sukhmani Bath (Tedworth) Emma Woodworth (Aisholt) Hoi Yiu (Danna) Cheung (AGS) Louisa Healey (AGN)

Special Awards Best Produced Show

AGN

Best Ensemble Performance

Aisholt

Best Comic Duo

Olivia Kirkby and Sappho Novatin (Aisholt)

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

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HOUSE GYMNASTICS

HOUSE GYMNASTICS Preparation was intense, the competition fierce and pride was at stake. In a real team effort, the girls worked hard and supported each other to make the House Gymnastics Competition one of the highlights of the Lent Term, bringing together all age groups.

The gymnasts competed on beam, vault and floor work to a packed audience in the Farr Centre, supported by their respective Upper Fifth House Gymnastics Captains.

The six-week rehearsal period created much anticipation.

Special congratulations go to Clara Dutertre-Delaunay for best individual floor performance and vault, Carina Bischoff and Cleo Dutertre-Delaunay for beam, and to the Tedworth girls Victoria Aarons, Sophie Armitage, Rose Cornell, Romilly Cox and Olivia Pockney for their group floor performance.

In addition, recognition was given to the Lower Fifth Captains Victoria Aarons, Abriella (Abby) Dolbear, Jocasta Ferrigno and Olivia Pockney for leading and supporting their teams during the course of the competition.

Lifting the cup this year was Holcombe, making Housemistress Mrs Mears-Smith very proud.

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Mrs Elizabeth Broyd, Head of PE

SCHOOL LIFE

On Wednesday 8 February, girls from Remove to Lower Sixth took to the stage for the annual House Music Competition.

This year’s ‘Disco’ theme was grasped with tremendous energy and enthusiasm by all of the participants and the audience too!

Our Guest Adjudicator was Alisdair Hogarth, British pianist and Director of The Prince Consort, and he had the difficult job of judging all the solos, vocal ensembles, instrumental ensembles and House choir performances.

HOUSE MUSIC

HOUSE MUSIC

The competition opened with last year’s winners, AGS. Antonia Holloway (UIV) gave a polished performance on oboe accompanied by Man I (Melissa) Chang (LVI). The vocal and instrumental ensembles were equally impressive, both arranged by students, including Melissa Chang’s arrangement of ‘Merry Go Round of Life’ which won a prize for best instrumental. Well done Melissa!

Next to grace the stage was Holcombe, who entertained us with Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. Girls had coordinated their torches much like the initial music video and surely had the audience in giggles. Catharine Wippell’s (LVI) arrangement certainly went down well as she won a prize for Best Conductor.

Another stunning solo performance came from Katie Hackman (UV), who accompanied herself on piano with Demi Lovato’s ‘Warrior’, winning her the prize for Best Solo.

Spirited renditions of disco classics from Abba, Village People, The Jacksons, Earth Wind and Fire and Gloria Gaynor also featured on the programme and the girls really got into the groove with their dance moves whilst the musicians showed off their instrumental skills.

Everyone was impressed with the sheer infectious joy and sparkle seen on stage as well as the very high quality of musicianship on show and the skilful arrangement of the pieces.

AGN were delighted to be crowned House Music Champions this year, but congratulations must go to all of the Houses for their fabulous performances and especially to the House Conductors for their excellent leadership.

Miss Charlotte Matthews, Graduate Music Assistant (Events and Administration)

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

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FINDING BALANCE

DOWNE HOUSE WELLBEING PROGRAMME This year saw the launch of the Downe House Wellbeing Programme ‘Finding Balance’. The aim of the Programme is to help the girls and staff to find balance and fulfilment in their busy lives. We want to help them to obtain the knowledge, skills and understanding to enable healthy lifestyle choices. Wellbeing is about much more than happiness; it is about understanding how our minds and bodies work and then learning to look after them through the challenging times of life. In addition to managing the demands from the academic side of life, we want the girls to be healthy, able to form good relationships, willing to take responsibility for themselves and their actions, manage risk and to be resilient.

There has been a wide range of wellbeing activities on offer. We have appointed two excellent yoga teachers; Emma Robinson who teaches early morning Vinyasa Flow and Yasmin Strong who teaches an evening Hatha Yoga class, as well as ‘Bedtime Yoga’, where girls are able to drop into their common room for a yoga session to unwind after a busy day. All classes have had excellent support from the girls, even at 6.40am! The staff yoga class has also been hugely popular, with a long waiting list.

As well as yoga, the girls in the Upper School and Sixth Form have had an opportunity to sign up to a six-week mindfulness course with a local teacher,

Jessica Raphael. The Sixth Form have also had the opportunity to partake in a wellbeing carousel over a closed weekend. Each boarding House has also been incredibly committed to running their own in-house wellbeing programme, putting on all sorts of activities from massage to mindfulness colouring and healthy smoothie workshops.

A booklet to help girls manage the holistic side of taking examinations has also been developed. It is designed to be read cover to cover or for girls to dip in and out of as the need arises, and is accessible for girls from the Remove to the Sixth Form.

We also took a group of girls to the Om and Base Festival in Oxford at the end of the year, which gave them the opportunity to take part in back to back yoga classes, to try guided meditations, mindfulness and relaxation classes as well as pranayama and chanting workshops.

Our wellbeing programme for this year culminated in the launch of the Wellbeing Tent at Founder’s Weekend. There was the opportunity for the girls, parents and staff to take part in three different yoga classes, try Thai Massage in the tent and have some nurturing green juice made by our very own chefs. The massage in particular was hugely well received and we will be hoping to expand on this at the next Founder’s Weekend 2018!

Mrs Genevieve Ford, Boarding Deputy

“Wellbeing is about much more than happiness; it is about understanding how our minds and bodies work and then learning to look after them through the challenging times of life.”

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SCHOOL LIFE

academic life

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GEOGRAPHY

LOWER SIXTH FIELD TRIP TO NORTH WALES The LVI Geography fieldwork had to be very different this year as the girls each carry out their own independent investigation which links to any part of the syllabus that they are interested in. This year the fieldwork had to ensure that the girls built up a variety of fieldwork skills that they could employ as part of their own investigation.

To this end we travelled to Betws-y-Coed, in North Wales, to a Field Studies Council field centre in the beautiful Conwy Valley.

Here we followed a four-day programme of fieldwork investigations that were linked to the topics that the girls had studied in the LVI. We arrived on a rainy Friday afternoon and were immediately put to task investigating the concept of place in Betws y Coed.

During the evening, the girls were then asked to present their findings to the rest of the group.

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The following day we set off to Llanberis.

We visited the National Slate Museum in the morning, where the girls learned about the history of the town and how the people who lived and worked there were responsible for the character of the village that remains.

They were then asked to look for evidence of how the town has been rebranded as an adventure sports location and asked to form an opinion as to how successful this has been.

For our final day of fieldwork we headed to Criccieth on the North coast. Here the girls were shown a variety of different coastal defence strategies and shown how to carry out a cost benefit analysis. We then investigated how effective these coastal defences were at preventing longshore drift by conducting beach profiles and sediment analysis.

We finished the day by visiting Black Rock Sands to look at the incredible cave formations, which had been exposed at low tide.

The girls really enjoyed the field trip and found that it brought much of what they had learned in our lessons to life. They are now looking forward to using their new skills in conducting their own research. The FSC tutors were incredibly knowledgeable and made the methods and statistics relatable and relevant whilst introducing new and innovative ideas to the students.

Miss Kathryn Rawlinson, Head of Geography

ACADEMIC LIFE

GEOGRAPHY

LOWER FIFTH GIRLS FIELD TRIP TO DINTON PASTURES The Lower Fifth girls set off for Dinton Pastures Country Park in blazing sunshine, sunscreen lotion at the ready! Our aims were to carry out a river investigation, to enjoy an orienteering activity and to assess how well the park is being managed for visitors and wildlife.

After a short journey we arrived. On leaving the lovely, cool, air-conditioned coach we realised quite how hot it was. In the opinion of most of the girls, it was far too hot to work! The teachers had other ideas, and with a great deal of persuasion and the promise of ice cream, everyone got to work. We split into groups to complete the three tasks planned for the day. Taking measurements in the river was popular as the area was shaded and we had wellingtons to wear so we could go in the river. Everyone had a role to play in the investigation, as we were working as a team collecting data on width, depth and velocity in the channel. On the investigative walk we observed ways in which the park is being managed for visitors, human and otherwise. The adventure playground was tempting but as everyone was so hot, few were brave enough to try it out. We were all grateful for the shade in the woods and in the bird hides around the lake. When we finally returned from our walk we were very keen to visit the cafĂŠ for cooling refreshments (and ice cream). It was hard to summon up enough enthusiasm for orienteering due to the extreme heat (it was 29Ëš), but once we had started it was challenging and great fun. And the reward at the end was ... more ice cream!

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Mrs Imogen Robson-Hemmings, Teacher of Geography

INFILTRATION INVESTIGATION To show how Geography is on our doorstep all of the time, girls in Remove conducted an investigation into infiltration rates at different locations around the School site.

They looked at a range of surfaces that are usually taken for granted as part of the daily commute around the School site. These included the woods and pavement outside the Geography classrooms, and the grassy slope outside Chapel where the water infiltrated so quickly that we could hardly fill the infiltrometer quickly enough to start our stopwatches before the water had disappeared! The investigation was part of our rivers topic and it has helped the girls begin to understand both the water cycle and the importance of different surfaces in causing or preventing flooding.

Mrs Nicola Patrick, Assistant Housemistress (Hill) and Teacher of Geography DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

SCIENCE

UPPER SIXTH BIOLOGY FIELD TRIP In October 2016, the UVI biologists spent a weekend at Juniper Hall, Surrey, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The aim of the visit was to complete two compulsory core practicals from the Ecology topic, the first on sampling methods and the second on species distribution. We were lucky with the weather and had two fabulous days in the field where we could really bring the subject to life in the outdoor classroom.

The girls were a fantastic group; they were good-humoured throughout and really made the best of the opportunities provided for first hand ecology research. The Juniper Hall staff were very impressed with their focus and diligence.

Miss Christina Pugsley, Head of Science and Head of Biology

REMOVE ENRICHMENT TRIP TO @BRISTOL On Sunday 23 April, girls in the Remove went to @Bristol on a Science enrichment trip.

With so many hands-on activities there was plenty to keep everyone engaged in a wide variety of science-based topics. From directing and producing their own cartoon films to testing out how efficiently their bodies were working, there was something for everyone. One of the favourite events was a 3D show about the Solar System in the Planetarium where it actually felt as though we were travelling through space at high speed.

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Mrs Yvonne Charlesworth, Director of Operations and Teacher of Physics

ACADEMIC LIFE

SCIENCE

SURPRISING SCIENCE FOR THE JUNIOR SCIENCE SOCIETY In September, Dr Matt Pritchard came to Downe House to entertain the girls from Remove and Upper Fourth with his Science Magic Show ‘Surprising Science’.

The show challenged the audience to think creatively like both scientists and magicians, to try to discover the sneaky scientific secrets behind some surprising illusions. The interactive show encouraged enquiry and critical thinking, using magic tricks to inspire the students’ imaginative engagement with scientific ideas. It was a hugely enjoyable evening for everyone and, although Dr Pritchard explained how some of the tricks worked, we were all left bewildered by many of the things we had seen.

Mrs Yvonne Charlesworth, Head of Operations and Teacher of Physics

RAT ATTACK! Once again Rat Attack proved to be hugely popular with girls on the Day of Discovery and was both a sell out and a great success.

Nearly forty girls took part in this full animal dissection workshop, learning how to lay out an organism for dissection, carry out the dissection of all organ systems and giving them an opportunity to view the organs in situ.

Miss Christina Pugsley, Head of Science and Head of Biology

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

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SCIENCE

PHYSICS OLYMPICS On Wednesday 14 June, eight Lower Fourth girls went to Wycombe Abbey to participate in a Physics Olympics.

There were five difficult challenges that required much brainpower and teamwork to complete, and everyone had a lot of fun. My particular favourite was ‘laser golf’, where we had to use our knowledge of light rays and reflection to place mirrors in the correct places for a laser beam to hit a target. Another challenge was to create a timer in which a bulb turned on after exactly 20 seconds.

We managed to think of a solution after much thought and worked together to make it happen. It was a very productive day. Our two teams, Neutron and Higgs, came third and fifth respectively, and both came first in one of the challenges. We all learned a lot about Physics and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Alice Pernthaller, LIV

GIFTED AND TALENTED SCIENCE AND DT CHALLENGE FINALS In January, following their success in winning the Berkshire finals, Rosie Love and Sophie Armitage represented Berkshire in a team with two boys from Pangbourne College, at the South of England finals at St Mary’s University of London. They were required to programme a buggy to complete some complex manoeuvres around a track so that it completed turns and reversed in order to make its way to the exit without hitting any barriers or travelling over red lines. It was a very complex problem and the team did exceedingly well to get their buggy almost all the way around the course.

It was an incredibly enjoyable day and, although they did not win, the girls are to be congratulated on an excellent effort.

Mrs Yvonne Charlesworth, Head of Operations and Teacher of Physics

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ROBERT WINSTON LECTURE On Thursday 8 June, a group of LVI biologists went to the Corn Exchange in Newbury to hear a talk by the esteemed biologist Professor Robert Winston. The theme was ‘Modifying humans: Where does genetics stop?’.

Professor Winston was very engaging and it proved to be a fascinating and thought-provoking evening which was enjoyed by all.

Miss Christina Pugsley, Head of Science and Head of Biology

ACADEMIC LIFE

RELIGIOUS STUDIES

RELIGIOUS STUDIES TRIP TO OXFORD

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All girls in the Lower Fourth went on a trip to a Hindu temple and a synagogue in Oxford. First we went to a beautiful Hindu temple; the building was covered with intricate Indian engraving and statues (which were crafted and imported from India).

There were grand carpets inside that came from all over the world. We learned about some of the deities worshiped by Hindus and did a quiz on some of the history of the building. We were fortunate enough to be able to experience a prayer service with the monks singing Hindu songs of worship and the lighting of candles.

We then went to a synagogue in Oxford where we met a really nice man who told us about the synagogue and the different denominations that worship there. He even let us hold a very delicate Torah which had been entirely written by hand in Hebrew! It was a really nice day especially being able to actually see people in their places of worship and to learn about them.

Ayanfeoluwa Adedeji, LIV

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

HISTORY OF ART

ART HISTORY SOCIETY On Sunday 4 December, girls from the Sixth Form visited the Pallant House Gallery in Chichester, to see an exhibition called ‘The Mythic Method: Classicism in British Art 1920 – 1950’.

This exhibition challenged perceptions concerning early 20th century art, demonstrating the importance of tradition and myth in avant-garde circles.

The exhibition began in the aftermath of the First World War, when many artists attempted to promulgate the qualities of order and civilization associated with ancient Greek and Roman cultures. The girls were able to view a variety of paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture, photography and illustrated books by artists such as Henry Moore, Ben Nicholson, Madame Yevonde and Wyndham Lewis, among many others.

Ms Diane Slocombe, Teacher of History of Art

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LOWER SIXTH ARTICULATION COMPETITION On Tuesday 24 January, girls in the Lower Sixth were invited to take part in a presentation competition ‘ARTiculation’, an annual event designed to promote the appreciation and discussion of art. The competition seeks to engage students with art, regardless of their background or experience, and to develop their confidence and ability to express their opinions, thoughts and conclusions.

Seven girls competed, presenting for between five and seven minutes on a work of art, design or architecture of their choice. The presenters and their topics were: Jennifer Tett – Jess Burgess Collins; Victoria Scobie – Urs Fischer; Holly Evans – John Singer Sargent; Rosanna Craig – Château Chenonceau; Ilaria Bevan – Leonardo da Vinci; Clementine Blackett-Ord – Chris Ofili; Catharine Wippell – James Ensor.

All the girls worked hard to present in an informative and very entertaining way. Mrs Toogood and Mr Wise kindly adjudicated for the evening and presented first prize to Holly Evans and the runner-up prize to Rosie Craig.

Ms Diane Slocombe, Teacher of History of Art

ACADEMIC LIFE

HISTORY OF ART

LOWER SIXTH STUDY TRIP TO LONDON On Tuesday 9 May, the LVI Art Historians visited two London art galleries to consolidate their Pre-U learning for their Analytical Studies and Historical Topics papers.

During the morning, the girls carried out analysis of ancient Greek artworks from the British Museum, focusing on particularly on the Parthenon Marbles and the recreation of the Nereid Monument, along with key examples of black and red figure Attic Vases. They were also able to study in detail the colossal Egyptian depiction of Ramesses II ‘the Younger Memnon’ featured on their Analytical Studies syllabus.

In the afternoon, the girls analysed early Renaissance works in the Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery, before examining various other works in the main galleries, such as Holbein’s ‘The Ambassadors’, Titian’s ‘Diana and Actaeon’, Constable’s ‘The Hay Wain’ and Ofili’s ‘Weaving Magic’ tapestry, for their Analytical Studies paper. During the afternoon, the girls enjoyed a visit to the Michelangelo and Sebastiano Exhibition, preparing for works they will study next year.

Ms Diane Slocombe, Teacher of History of Art

UPPER SIXTH STUDY DAY IN LONDON On Sunday 23 April, the UVI Art Historians took part in a special workshop, arranged by renowned company, Art History Abroad, in order to consolidate their study for the Pre-U Paper 3: The Nude.

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Ms Francesca Dytor and Ms Fania Weatherby devised a programme of revision focusing on works at the V&A and Tate Britain, with the aim of studying at first hand examples of the Nude directly pertinent to the Pre-U Course, and to draw links between all the thematic elements of the syllabus.

During the morning the girls toured the V&A, picking out key works to debate the characteristics of the Classical Nude as interpreted by Renaissance artists, and contrasting the debated terms ‘naked’ and ‘nude’, before examining feminist reinterpretations of the female nude. After lunch, the girls discussed Victorian reworkings of the Classical Nude and modernist adaptations of the Nude. The girls enjoyed a very busy, stimulating and refreshing revision of their classwork, while testing their ideas and deepening their understanding of the contrasting debates surrounding the Nude in art.

Ms Diane Slocombe, Teacher of History of Art

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

MODERN LANGUAGES

RUSSIAN SUCCESS FOR NINA This year, we were incredibly proud to announce that Nina Bugeja won a challenging competition organised by the Pushkin Institute for UK school students.

Nina, in the Upper Fifth and in Holcombe, decided to take up Russian just nine months before the competition as a new challenge and has gone on to study for her GCSE examination in May.

STUDY TOUR TO BEIJING 34

On 22 March, a group of girls from Downe House embarked upon an action-packed Study Tour to Beijing. The itinerary for the week focused on culture and language immersion, through student exchanges, visits to famous landmarks and museums, and trying authentic local cuisines.

The tour included visits to the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven, and the girls were fascinated by the ancient history that Beijing had to offer. They were also amazed with the contrast of modern Beijing, visiting the Art Gallery, the Bird’s Nest and the Water Cube at the Olympic Park. They also enjoyed learning to carefully write the strokes of Chinese characters in a calligraphy class, and the opportunity to meet Chinese students in class and spend time together over lunch at the Peking University High School.

A particular highlight of the week was enjoying the most delicious Beijing ZhaJiang Noodles, eaten by the locals during the lunchtime rush hour; we were the only Westerners in the restaurant!

The girls were exceptionally receptive to the Chinese language and culture and were incredibly proactive in practising the Mandarin they had learnt in class. They made the most of every opportunity available to them in Beijing and it was a pleasure to lead the trip.

Mr Cheng-Han Wu, Teacher of Mandarin

The British Council supported the competition to celebrate the Russia-UL Year of Language and Literature 2016 and aimed to build awareness of Russian literature and culture among British students. Nina is one of just three students nationwide to win an all-expenses paid oneweek Russian Language course at the Pushkin Institute School in Moscow.

Mrs Jane Basnett, Head of Modern Languages

SPANISH CINEMA TRIP In September, several LVI and UV Spanish students went to the Corn Exchange in Newbury to watch ‘Julieta’.

This was the latest movie by Pedro Almodóvar, a cinema director whom the girls study in depth in their A Level course. His movies tend to be quite controversial and the girls thoroughly enjoyed ‘Julieta’, despite it being different to the style of the movies we analyse in class.

Miss Leticia Garcia Niguez, Head of Spanish, House Tutor (Willis TR) and Oxbridge Mentor

ACADEMIC LIFE

On Tuesday 27 September, a group of enthusiastic LIV linguists set off to Marlborough College for a European Day of Languages quiz. We arrived at the venue just in time for some delicious tea and cake, to fuel us up ready for the challenge ahead of us.

Our girls overcame a series of obstacles including listening exercises, translations and activities using the Kahoot game-based learning platform, to reach the finals with Horris Hill. After several fierce rounds of tie-breakers, we came second overall but thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

MODERN LANGUAGES

EUROPEAN DAY OF LANGUAGES QUIZ

Mrs Jane Basnett, Head of Modern Languages

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LION DANCE TO CELEBRATE NEW CONFUCIUS CLASSROOM STATUS Much to the delight of the girls and staff, Lion Dancing was part of the celebrations to mark the success of our Chinese Department in winning the award of Confucius Classroom status. The award comes from the UCL Institute of Education as part of an initiative to encourage UK schools to develop the teaching and learning of Mandarin Chinese and the study of China across other areas of the curriculum.

We welcomed Mrs Xiaoming Zhu, the National Coordinator of the UCL Institute of Education to officially open and unveil the Confucius Classroom Plaque in Garden House. Mrs Zhu congratulated the School on becoming part of an elite number of just 45 schools with Confucius Classroom status across the UK. The official opening ceremony was followed by the Lion Dance accompanied by the music of beating drums and clashing cymbals traditionally performed to bring good luck and to mark special occasions. The Lion Dancers then moved across to the Dining Room to entertain all of the staff and students who were enjoying a delicious array of Chinese food for lunch as part of the Chinese New Year festivities. Mr Cheng-Han Wu, Teacher of Chinese

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

ENGLISH

COMPETITION SUCCESSES

Rosie Montague’s 500 Words 2017 Competition Entry - 366 Days

This year’s National Poetry Day Competition proved most successful and the standard of entries was excellent.

Nov 19 2000. As the train chugged slowly along the rails, it was clear that we were in no rush. We? The driver had no idea I was here, no idea how badly I wanted to arrive at wherever this railway was going, no idea how badly I wanted to distance myself from there.

Prizes were awarded to Hyojin (Angela) Joo (Remove), Chiara De sa Subiotto (LIV) and Morgan Kandrac (UIV).

In other competition news, Rosie Montague (LIV) earned a well-deserved place in the final of BBC Radio 2’s 500 Words competition, which received 132,000 entries, with her short story entitled ‘366 days’.

Nov 20 1999. I used to live in a dingy old flat in Zonguldak, Turkey, one of the 180,000 destroyed when it struck. The event that turned my life upside down, and killed nearly everyone I knew. The Duzce earthquake.

7.2 on the Richter scale. Life was good before; we earned enough money to keep ourselves alive. I already worked at thirteen; the town had a great market of rip-offs for the abundance of tourists visiting.

They came from the land of unlimited water and cleanliness and pavements of gold. But then destruction came, and I stopped deluding myself. I stopped everything. My whole life paused as chaos unfolded.

Some people help chaos to calm it. Some people take advantage.

Because in the middle of chaos, nobody notices two men helping a girl get up, leading her into a ‘first-aid’ van, then driving to help others. That girl never left the van.

Mrs Joanne Harrington, Head of English

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National Poetry Day Competition prize winner Hyojin (Angela) Joo

May 4 2000. Not the great start of the millennium I wanted. I spent the weeks remembering my previous liberty, which felt like a lifetime ago, or just going mad. I didn’t even know where we were. I didn’t know who ‘we’ were. I remember bouncing on the floor of a rattling vehicle for what seemed like forever, maybe two days or more… And now? I waited every day in a room, a cage, a prison with no windows. It was dim, dusty, and you could feel the humidity in the air. I guess it was so that I could imagine myself as a cliché character, or an attempt to relate to other prisoners, but I scratched a tally in the wall each time the light in the crack under the door flickered off, after I had been given my two bowls of rice daily quota. How was I ever going to get out?

Oct 9 2000. When would I leave this place? Were they planning on killing me? Would I ever have a life outside this hell? I needed to escape.

They had recently told me I was here until my father paid the ransom of £1,000,000. The flat cost £107.52. I had two options: life or death. A life staring at four walls, or a life of ‘freedom’. Maybe I didn’t want any life anymore. Maybe I’d given up.

Nov 12 2000. The flap in the door creaked open, and the bowl was shoved through. But this time, after I had eaten all of my food, there was a piece of paper left in the bottom of the container. Soggy, ink running, I could barely make out the partly illegible writing. ‘Tonight, they party in the town. Tonight, we leave.’

Rosie Montague, LIV

ENGLISH AT UNIVERSITY SEMINAR SERIES Monday evenings have seen a group of eager girls discuss the delights of literature at the ‘English at University’ seminar series.

From John Donne and George Herbert to William Wordsworth and John Keats, TS Eliot and Wallace Stevens, the girls have explored (in the words of Alexander Pope) ‘what was oft thought, but ne’er so well expressed’. The group has now started to read and discuss Arthur Miller’s ‘Death of a Salesman’. Girls applying to read English Literature at Oxbridge benefited from the Monday morning Oxbridge Literary Seminar, in which those much bigger questions, such as ‘What is Literature?’ have been tackled.

Mr Andrew Atherton, Teacher of English and Head of Oxbridge Applications

ACADEMIC LIFE

A number of brave UIV girls undertook the challenge of completing an essay based on André Letoit’s poem, and the task produced a number of remarkable and thoughtful responses. Among the most notable responses were from girls who commented that the poem reflects the liminal space between individual thoughts and that the spaces reflect the agonies of watching the one you love suffer.

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ENGLISH

UIV ESSAY CHALLENGE

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André Letoit [Koos Kombuis]

Mrs Joanne Harrington, Head of English

NEW INITIATIVES IN ENGLISH This year, the English Department introduced a number of initiatives to broaden the experience of girls in the Fifth Form.

Lent Term saw the introduction of our new lecture series, based on the set GCSE texts, contexts and their associated criticism. The girls enjoyed lectures based on topics such as ‘The role of Mr Collins in Pride and Prejudice’ and ‘Metaphor and Language in Follower’

by Seamus Heaney. Additionally, this year has seen the first series of literature revision sessions that included ‘Fifteen poems in six hours’ with Mr Atherton and ‘The presentation of the taboo in Wuthering Heights’ and Confessional poetry’ with Mrs Harrington.

In support of their preparation for the examination text ‘Othello’ the Upper Sixth, members of staff and girls from other years who were interested, enjoyed a National Theatre Live streaming of ‘Othello’, starring Adrian Lester.

In November, UVI girls travelled to London for a day of ‘Othello’ lectures. A wide range of topics such as ‘O thou weed, Who art so lovely and smell’st so sweet’, ‘Appearance and Reality in Othello’ and ‘Trust and Betrayal: Desdemona and the role of women in Othello’ were addressed, and the packed day provided a great deal to be discussed in lessons.

Mrs Joanne Harrington, Head of English

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We were in pairs for our final activity, in which we had to find two objects in the museum, give them characters

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For our next activity we were presented with several different objects and wrote a paragraph as though we were the object persuading the curator of a museum to put us in a central exhibition. I had a shy, rather awkward camel intestine jug, called Gerard. It was very entertaining seeing the different personalities everyone created!

NE HOU S OW

AT I

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DHSA After our workshop, we spent some time looking around the fascinating museum.

RS I ’ A SS O C We then made our way to the large Waterstones in the centre of Oxford where we had an hour to browse the bookshelves; it was lovely until I had to make the agonising internal struggle of choosing which books to buy, having realised the numerous volumes piled up in my arms would be far too expensive. We then sat down in the Waterstones café for a while, reading each other’s stories before proceeding to Bella Italia for dinner. We were joined by Katherina, a Downe House alumna and one of the DHSA judges who is reading English at Oxford University. It was very interesting talking to her and she was very eager to find out how Downe had changed since she left, and was keen to impart some pearls of wisdom and knowledge regarding life, school and writing.

Our evening was the cherry on the cake of a wonderful day, and we all enjoyed every minute!

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On 14 March, the winners of the annual DHSA Short Story Competition went on a trip to the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford. On arrival we were greeted by our instructor for a characterisation workshop we would be taking part in. For our first exercise, we were presented with some masks and asked to create a 30-second introduction for them as if they were at a party, which we would then present to the rest of the group. It was hilarious listening to everyone’s interpretations!

and write a dialogue about them overseeing something in the museum. Everyone had a different object and story, making it all the more interesting and fun to listen to.

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Every year the Downe House Seniors’ Association runs a short story competition and the winners enjoy a bespoke literary event. Started in 2015, the competition is open to all pupils and divided into three sections: Junior, Middle and Senior, organised by Mrs Jessica Boswell, a member of the English staff, and judged by a panel of DHSA members with interests and expertise in publishing. In addition, the best entry is awarded the Clare Balding Prize for excellent writing. This year the winners and runners-up headed to the Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford, which proved a rich source of imagination for our young writers and Poppy Scales writes:

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DHSA SHORT STORY COMPETITION 2017

The winners of the 2017 Short Story Competition were: Clare Balding Prize for Excellent Writing – Madison James, LV Junior category winner – Mary Hazlitt, Remove Middle category winner – Madison James, LV Senior category winner – Isabel Fincham, LVI

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

MATHS AND ECONOMICS

A PUZZLING TIME!

TRIP TO THE BANK OF ENGLAND

Everyone loves a good puzzle, and it was clear from the absolute concentration and focus of the Remove girls and our Year 7 visitors from local prep schools Elstree, Ludgrove, St Andrew’s Pangbourne and Brockhurst and Marlston that they were all thoroughly enjoying themselves at the Downe House Maths Puzzle Day.

On 21 February, UVI girls studying Economics, accompanied by Mrs Cahill and Mrs Akhtar, set off to London to enhance the economic theory we had learned in the classroom with particular focus on monetary policy.

Our first stop was the Bank of England were we spent time in the museum guided by a worksheet to help us to appreciate the importance of the Bank throughout history and we had the opportunity to hold a real bar of gold.

Along the way we picked up some fun facts:

Over 100 boys and girls took part in the event aimed at improving their logical thinking and reasoning as well as teambuilding skills. Above all they all had fun together solving puzzles and doing giant jigsaws - our thanks to the Mathematics Department and the Happy Puzzle Company for organising such a great day!

Remove girl, Angela, said “On Wednesday, we had a unique experience related to maths. All of the Remove came together and co-operated on solving maths puzzles. We all had an excellent time with the other schools and this was a fantastic opportunity to learn that maths is not just about calculations and it can be interesting and fun.”

Mr Robert Barnes, Head of Mathematics

• £20 is the most common denomination of banknote.

• £56.230 million is the total value of Bank of England banknotes currently in circulation.

• A bar of gold weighs 13kg.

We then had a tailored lecture on monetary policy, explaining the tools the Bank uses to achieve its inflation target of 2%, such as changing the interest rates and quantitative easing. It was a thoroughly enjoyable talk and helped to bring monetary policy to life.

Next, we had an exciting opportunity to visit Amplify Trading, that specialises in intra-day futures trades and now offers opportunities for people to train for the financial markets. We learned about the volatility of the markets and the importance of external events on our economy. It also reinforced the importance of keeping up to date with current affairs – as drilled into us daily by our teachers!

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It was a thoroughly enjoyable and informative day and all of us left dreaming of using economics and working in the City.

Sandrine Heller, UVI

CELEBRATING PI DAY When Lower Fifth pupil, Sabrina Wang, asked Maths teacher Mrs Lyons whether the School was celebrating Pi Day, it soon became an initiative taken up by the Maths Department and every year group across the School.

Originating from the USA where 14 March is transcribed as 3.14, sharing the same digits as ‘π’, Pi Day is a very good excuse to bring maths to the fore and celebrate not just the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, but the wonder of mathematics, numbers, memory and the way these concepts influence our lives.

In 2016 pi was calculated to 22.4 trillion digits and the world record for memorising pi currently stands at 70,030 digits. With this in mind, the

ACADEMIC LIFE

Lower Fifth have been challenged to memorise the digits of pi and so far Annie Hazlitt is the runaway winner, having memorised it to 280 decimal places.

The Maths Department has found that pi even occurs within film and TV, including an episode of ‘The Simpsons’, ‘Star Trek’ and Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Torn Curtain’, not to mention novels such as Umberto Eco’s ‘Foucault’s Pendulum’.

With an original approach, the Sixth Form have investigated using pi to assign a number to each key on a keyboard to produce a melody. For other year groups, there have been quizzes, challenges and a picture quiz to guess words and phrases using pi.

Not to be outdone, the Catering Team also put pi on the menu in the Dining Room to mark the occasion. And to top it off, there was the simple pleasure of icing an apple pie with the ‘π’ symbol. The most mysterious and important number in maths was celebrated in style!

Whether it is volunteering at a turtle conservation project in Greece, joining the British Army or simply perfecting culinary skills, the Gap Year Fair gave us an opportunity to learn about the different programmes offered to us not only during gap years but also during the holidays.

GAP YEAR FAIR 2017 Come and visit a range of Gap Year Companies SATURDAY 22 APRIL, 12.00 noon - 1.30pm IN THE FARR CENTRE FOR ALL LVI AND UVI

Higher Education Global Initiatives

A year out in the UK or overseas can be exciting, challenging and a valuable opportunity.

Gap Years enrich your life forever and broaden your view of the world...

They can even enhance your University application and make you more employable!

ORGANISATIONS REPRESENTED WILL INCLUDE: • Africa & Asia Venture

• Frontier

• Orchards Cookery School

• Alltracks Academy

• Gap 360

• Projects Abroad

• Army

• GapGuru

• Raleigh International

• Art History Abroad

• Go Mad

• Quest Professional

• At Your Service

• John Hall Pre-University Courses

• Ski le Gap

• The Avenue Cookery School

• LANACOS

• The Leap Overseas

• Burnett Global Education Limited

• Love the Oceans

• Volunteering Journeys

• Flooglebinder

• National Citizen Service

• The Wyld Cookery School

HIGHER EDUCATION

GAP YEAR FAIR 2017

Take the opportunities while you can and do your research well!

Nutthapit Poolworaluk and Tabonga Yangailo, LVI

HIGHER EDUCATION APPLICATIONS DAY On Wednesday 21 June, the whole of the Lower Sixth were off timetable to participate in the annual Higher Education Applications Day, when we officially kickstarted our university applications. The day began with a Personal Statement Workshop, where we were shown the tone, format and contents of exemplar personal statements and asked to begin collating our own experiences, wider reading and accomplishments into a rough first draft of our own personal statement.

This session was followed with a series of talks by speakers from various universities, including Bath, LSE, Durham, Edinburgh and Exeter. The speaker from Bath University focused on student experience, including the diverse range of clubs or societies on offer. This speaker used the experiences of individual students and alumni to illuminate certain aspects of life at Bath University. The speaker representing the University of Durham introduced the collegiate system to us and it was interesting to hear about the difference of being part of a college rather than just a year group. The Edinburgh University speaker focused more generally on studying in Scotland and explained the four-year system that is in operation there.

The speaker from LSE offered advice on applying to competitive universities, and how the expectations of a competitive university differ from those of a less competitive one. From the University of Exeter speaker we learned how to make the most of a university open day, a topic that was especially relevant as many of us planned to attend various open days over the weeks following these sessions.

After lunch, under the guidance of our tutors, the Lower Sixth started our online UCAS applications. Miss Clark gave us a talk on ‘How to Choose a University’ which included an explanation of the Russell Group, how to use league tables, and pertinent considerations when applying to specific universities. Finally, the company.

Foresight gave a presentation on the importance of selfbranding and their projections on the future job market.

Overall, the Higher Education Applications Day provided a summary of different aspects of student life, got us started on writing our personal statements and was a very productive experience for everyone who attended.

Kei Kwan (Kate) Lau, LVI

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

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HIGHER EDUCATION

OXBRIDGE ACADEMIC CONFERENCE

OXFIZZ INTERVIEW SKILLS WORKSHOP

In June, Downe House held its first Oxbridge Academic Conference.

The Oxfizz Workshop was an afternoon spent practising university interview skills, along with other skills such as learning how to do more effective further reading and how to broaden our knowledge and appreciation of our chosen subjects.

We were split into panels, depending on our subject choice, and were joined by students from Wellington College. The nature of these small groups not only enabled us to give detailed talks on topics we were passionate about but also encouraged tutorial-style discussions into topics that we may never have considered before. I took so much from the event, in regard to both my academic progress and my personal confidence.

Bethany Perry, LVI

The presenters were recent graduates of Oxford University, and had a lot of encouraging advice and useful tips. Everyone found the workshop engaging and incredibly helpful, and would recommend it to other students.

Isabella West, LVI

OXBRIDGE MOCK INTERVIEWS FOR UNIVERSITY AND HIGHER EDUCATION APPLICANTS On 12 November, we had an opportunity to join in some mock Oxbridge interviews.

The interviewers gave useful and specific feedback, which we have all found extremely beneficial. Candidates had the option of having a general interview and personal statement interview mimicking the actual process used at many universities. We all came away feeling much more prepared having taken on board all the helpful comments.

Henrietta Allen, UVI

SCHOOL INTERVIEW EXCHANGE We each enjoyed a twenty-minute interview with a teacher of our subject from another school, which enabled us to practise our interview skills, develop our ability to speak critically and engagingly about our subject, and gain some confidence in preparation for the fast approaching interview season!

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Alyx Van der Vorm, UVI

HIGHER EDUCATION EVENING “The Higher Education Evening helped us understand more about the Higher Education process at Downe and start thinking ahead to University and beyond.”

Sarah Darko, LVI “Both talks were incredibly informative and certainly the whole of LVI and our parents are significantly more prepared for the next few years ahead! Despite the hard work to come, it is very exciting to be preparing for a new chapter of our learning.”

Matilda Pope, LVI ACADEMIC LIFE

Oyster Society

In the Michaelmas Term, Angus Broadbent from the Broadbent Gallery came to talk to us about the many facets of working in the art world and his own career as a gallerist and art consultant.

Angus started the talk by demonstrating the process of selling a piece, and pitched to us a painting by the Scottish artist, Alan Davie. He discussed the particulars of the painting, the scale, the provenance, the importance of chronological lineage and documentation for the prospective buyer. He then went on to talk through the various different areas of the industry. He showed us how the demand for contemporary art and 19th century pieces has increased since the beginning of his career, when Old Masters were more coveted. This gave an insight into the changing tastes of the buying market and the evolution and progression of the art market.

AN INSIGHT INTO THE WORLD OF FASHION In May, I attended the fascinating talk ‘An Insight into the World of Fashion’ given by Downe House alumna, Pom Ogilvy. We all found her life story very interesting and were inspired by the wealth of experience she obtained before entering the world of fashion, having not gone to university. She has worked in all aspects of fashion including make-up, model agencies, textilebased courses and magazine writing.

Pom shared stories from her time at Tatler as Fashion Assistant, and tales from her current position as Fashion Coordinator at British Vogue. These ranged from a photo shoot in the Olympic swimming pool at 4am to meeting Colin Firth. The talk was full of laughter and truly inspirational. I now have a much stronger interest in perhaps pursuing a job related to fashion in the near future.

HIGHER EDUCATION

AN INSIGHT INTO THE ART WORLD

Alexandra O’Kane, LVI

I enjoyed this talk immensely and came away with a deeper understanding of the variety and scope of the art sector.

Anna Goodman, UVI

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TAKING A GAP YEAR Ian Taylor, co-founder of Flooglebinder, a company that tailors conservation gap year travel, gave us an insight into what we could possibly experience during a gap year and has made others change their perspective on such time abroad.

OPPORTUNITIES IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS, HOSPITALITY AND EVENT MANAGEMENT On Monday 27 February, Rebecca Burnett and Cathy Tabbert from Burnett Global Education Ltd came to deliver a presentation on International Business, Hospitality and Event Management.

A second talk was by Chloe Hassal and Catriona Shannon from Morgan Stanley. Both women had different experiences on their gap years. Catriona talked about her time as an au pair in France, and Chloe about working during her gap year at a banking firm.

Ilaria Bevan and Isabelle Brown, LVI Other Oyster Society Talks included Medicine with Clare Ratnage, and Finance with Matthew Craston.

Rebecca gave an overview of the Swiss style of education and the multitude of global study opportunities specifically dedicated to hospitality training across Europe, Australia and Asia. The presentation was hugely insightful and opened new opportunities for us to explore, whilst underlining the importance of detail, presentation and communication within the workplace.

Anna Goodman, LVI DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

creative

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ART

BATTLE OF THE SOMME – UIV MIXED MEDIA PORTRAITS 2016 saw the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, and the Art Department was approached by the Royal British Legion to contribute to an exhibition to mark the occasion.

The exhibition took place on 22 October as part of the Armed Forces Race Day at Newbury Racecourse. The initiative involved 35 Upper Fourth students who researched individuals that were involved in the battle, before producing commemorative portraits on canvas using mixed-media. The canvases were exhibited alongside work from other schools in the local area, and the public response was extremely positive.

The British Legion was thrilled with the works that the girls created, and has already asked Downe House to contribute to the 2017 Poppy Appeal launch exhibition. The day raised nearly £7,000 for the 2016 appeal, which provides lifelong support for members of the armed forces and their families.

Mrs Kirsten Mortimer, Teacher of Art

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“The British Legion was thrilled with the works that the girls created, and has already asked Downe House to contribute to the 2017 Poppy Appeal launch exhibition.”

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

ART

The girls in Lower School have been working hard over the last academic year to brush up on their artistic skills and learn about different styles and techniques used by artists.

REMOVE

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Over the Michaelmas Term, the Remove developed studies which explored different media and monoprints. These were inspired by leaves and the designs of English artist William Morris. Continuing with a leafy theme, the Lent Term kept the girls busy exploring the ‘The Green Man’, a symbol of rebirth, who is often found carved in stone or wood in ecclesiastical buildings throughout Europe. The Remove also drew inspiration from the bizarre and imaginative portrait paintings of Italian artist Giuseppe Arcimboldo. The girls developed their own designs for their Green Men and Green Ladies, which they modelled as masks in terracotta clay. They worked incredibly hard on their sculpting skills and created a fascinating collection of different clay characters.

Recently, on sunnier English days, the girls have worked outside, painting small watercolours of views around School. They combined these paintings in their large oil pastel compositions, exploring the theme of ‘interior and exterior’, focusing on the use of colour and the work of Henri Matisse.

LOWER FOURTH In the two terms of LIV Art lessons at Downe House, the girls have created some excellent drawing collections in their sketchbooks and ceramic work inspired by natural forms. They have learnt the methods to construct coil, slab, cylinder and pinch pots, creating some very imaginative and sculptural work. Latterly, landscape painting has been the focus. The girls have explored painting techniques, working with colour and acrylic paint. They have looked at the work of Paul Cézanne and developed a landscape study inspired by the grounds of the School but in a ‘Cézanne’ style. One of the LIV class groups had a one-off opportunity to paint and decorate elephant stage props for India Day at Downe House this term. The girls worked in small groups and completed three highly decorative and colourful stage props.

Hannah Perkins, Rosamund (Rosie) Pegna, Heloise Friedlander and Honor Mathews

Celine Ibori, Soung Park and Mathilda Singer

Mrs Alison Keeling, Teacher of Art and Tutor Lucy Dollar

Tara Dyer, Tallis Montgomery and Marina Pownall

Linlin Chi Cicely Higgins

Sophie Loftus and Alice Pernthaller

Cosima Curzon and Kate Mulvany

Louisa Neill Cleo Dutertre-Delaunay

CREATIVE

Natural Form ceramics

Landscapes

Lu (Lulu) Tian

Jinghan (Tracy) Zhang

The girls challenged their ceramic skills to develop teapots, pitchers and pots inspired by birds. They looked at a number of artists including ceramics by Picasso. The project involved designing and planning a piece of ceramic that could have either a functional or a decorative use. The girls used a range of different glazing and decorative techniques to embellish their work. The variety of completed work was tremendous, with some characterful, innovative and beautifully made pieces. Over the last two terms, the girls have worked on their drawing skills, exploring portraiture. They have looked at the work of Kathy Kollwitz, Andy Warhol and Banksy. They developed tonal portrait studies in charcoal and oil pastel before reducing the size of their images and creating lino cuts which they printed using a variety of techniques. The last few weeks of the Summer Term have enabled the girls to work together in small groups to decorate the chairs and stools in the pottery room.

They developed a lively, quirky collection of colourful furniture influenced by Modern and 19th Century Art which will hopefully leave their mark for several years to come.

ART

UPPER FOURTH

Mrs Alison Keeling, Teacher of Art and Tutor

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REMOVE INDIAN ART UMBRELLAS It was with much enthusiasm that R3 embarked on an Art project to design and decorate umbrellas as props for India Day. Organised by Mrs Akhtar, India Day was part of the School’s global initiative, an exciting cross-curricular extravaganza celebrating all aspects of India, its culture and traditions. The girls started by producing imaginative designs for their umbrella using Indian imagery. They created motifs of elephants, peacocks and paisley patterns to trace onto plain umbrellas. They had to think carefully about how to translate their drawings into three-dimensional forms. The umbrellas were then coloured using promarker pens in an array of bright shades.

The girls were encouraged to refer to Indian source material to inspire their colour palettes and then outlined their patterns in gold. Sparkling jewels were added to create more visual impact and some of the girls chose to stitch fringes along the edges as a finishing flourish. The girls approached the work with energy and imagination and the finished umbrellas were beautiful, and made a dramatic statement when displayed together.

Mrs Sally Scott, Head of Art Faculty DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

ART

LOWER FIFTH

Cleopatra, Natalia Cremin

Witch, Anchisa (Pim) Ittiphakorn

Expressive Portrait, Georgina Marchand

Still Life - Shoes, Zi Yin (Ariel) Mo

Cleopatra, Sasha Percy-Davis

Witch, Ruyao Xu

Red Witch, Luoyi (Sunny) Li

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CREATIVE

Cleopatra, Yi Wei (Lily) Peng

Still Life - Shoes, Michelle Sung

ART

UPPER FIFTH

Fish Stall, Catharina Benigni

Tropical Beach, Shalayna Assani

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Gated Entrance, Charlotte Berry

Kid’s Clothing, Lettice Cornell

Archway, Jemima Cremin

The Youth of Today, Emily Duckworth

Opening, Lucinda Dunlop

Downe House PE Kit, Tae-Chan Ellis

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

ART

UPPER FIFTH

French Market, Isabella Evans

Reflections, Florence Fanshawe

Headwear, Gabriella Franklin

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Carnival, Storm Halestrap

Still Life, Katharine Furse

Vespa, Georgia Hewitson

French Street, Andreja Mirosevic-Sorgo

CREATIVE

Japanese Confectionary, Eva Percy

Church Door, Lucy Phillips

ART

UPPER FIFTH

Temple, Torpad (Yok) Rungjerdfa

Decorative Doorway, Phannaphat (Aommy) Totup

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Chinese Girl, You-Oceane Wang

Collioure, Audrey Wong

Shalayna, Miranda Woodruff

Fashion Through the Decades, Charlotte (Lottie) Zeal

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ART

LOWER SIXTH

Mackerel, Lara Mun-Gavin

Lilies, Xiaoyi (Vanessa) Mu

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Cockerel, Jane Tung

Mechanical Forms, Jenna Parkinson

Camden Town, Imogen Waller

CREATIVE

Eliza Downes

Jemima Oliver

Beetroots

Cows

Florence Palmer

ART

UPPER SIXTH

Dripping Flower

Fairies

Conversation

51 Cubist Still Life

Macbeth, Three Witches

Skulls

Fragmented Faces

Chapel

The Next Generation

Tea

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

ART

UPPER SIXTH Isabelle Smith

Poppy Winsor UPPER SIXTH SCREEN PRINTING WORKSHOP The UVI Art students spent a Saturday in January at ‘Squeegee and Ink Print Studio’ in Newbury, where they produced some prints for their A2 portfolios.

Beam of Light

Stripes

Expressive Reflection

52 Balinese God

They drew their designs onto acetates, which were photographically exposed onto a silk screen, and they used this as a stencil through which to pass ink.

The girls were very creative in their approach, printing on to some exciting backgrounds, and they experimented with adhering additional materials to the finished prints with a heat press.

The girls returned to school clutching some fabulous work, which was on display for all to see over Founder’s Weekend.

Mrs Kirsten Mortimer, Teacher of Art

Reflection

Camouflage

Screen Print - Reflection

Expressive Portrait

CREATIVE

ART

ART AWARD HOLDERS’ WORKSHOP WITH IAN MURPHY This year the Art Award Holders enjoyed an inspirational workshop with the artist Ian Murphy, known for his beautiful work inspired by architecture, exploring detail and texture. Murphy also has a strong belief in the value of Art Education and is enthusiastic and passionate about communicating this to pupils through school workshops.

Ian travels extensively and his paintings depict the great variety of cultures he has experienced; he has painted amber doorways in Morocco, grey canals in Venice, and sacred temples in China. One aspect, which remains constant in Murphy’s artwork throughout these different locations, is his love of architecture. His latest exhibition ‘Fragments’ illustrates close up details of architecture with paintings of intricate ironwork, a stone pillar and a grand door knocker, all of which give a subtle indication of the place they belong to.

The industrial landscape of Sheffield was Murphy’s artistic playground; he enjoyed depicting the rough, harsh and derelict features of the industrialised city. Drawing, and the need to discover visual experiences in the outside world, have always been at the forefront of Murphy’s artistic practice and he brought along lots of examples for the girls to see and touch. Murphy layers different textures in his painting, and particularly interesting is his use of text within his work. He glues newspaper under the surface to achieve an authentic feel or uses a laser cutter to create words with a precise edge. The words add another layer of narrative to the visual language of the painting, thus expressing the culture that is inherent in the location of the image and engrossing the viewer with each individual story.

“Believe that you have a passion for succeeding in whatever you set out to do.”

The girls then produced ink and graphite drawings of details of buildings using photographic source material. Ian introduced the girls to plenty of new techniques to enable them to express their ideas in a confident and fluent way. All agreed that it had been an exciting and worthwhile day and they left enthused about incorporating all that they had learnt into their future studies.

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“Be truthful to yourself, have a good work ethic, be persevering and just go for it!”

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

PHOTOGRAPHY

LOWER SIXTH AS PHOTOGRAPHY

Jennifer Darko, LVI

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Flora Lindsay, LVI

Emma Barrett-Fish, UVI

CREATIVE

PHOTOGRAPHY

UPPER SIXTH A2 PHOTOGRAPHY

Imogen Hancock, UVI

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Hebe Meredith, UVI Imogen Hancock, UVI

Olivia Clark, UVI

Roseanna Bromley, UVI

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

DESIGN TECHNOLOGY

LOWER FIFTH LAMP PROJECTS

Fenella Bowlby

Tara Farquhar

Eliza Farquarson

Imogen Fowler

Emily Hannis

Jessica Hewlett

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Annabel Le Grice

CREATIVE

Henrietta Miles

DESIGN TECHNOLOGY

Zi Yin (Aerial) Mo

Motolani Oladitan

Clementine Pemberton

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Alice Peters

Olivia Pockney

Kitty Shepherd-Cross

Sabrina Wang

Ottilie Whitbread

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DESIGN TECHNOLOGY

UPPER FIFTH GCSE CONTROLLED ASSESSMENTS

Sophie Bott Project: Family Games Storage Box Materials: oak/acrylic

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Calypso Cox Project: Rotating Storage Table Materials: sapele veneered MDF/aluminium/acrylic

Kirsty Depledge Project: Pet Accessory Storage Materials: birch plywood

CREATIVE

Hoi Laam (Karis) Cheung Project: Jewellery Unit Materials: plywood

Lauren Dunn Project: Hallway Compact Desk/Storage Unit Materials: MDF/birch plywood

DESIGN TECHNOLOGY

Christabel Graham Project: Jewellery Box with Mirror Materials: walnut/acrylic mirror

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Lucinda Hammond Project: Family Games Box Materials: walnut/lasered hardwood veneers

Imogen Gregory Project: Jewellery Storage Bedside Table Materials: pine/birch plywood

Alexandra Jardine Project: Laminated Book Stand Materials: birch plywood/lasered engraving laminate

Milly Hine Project: Storage Bench with Mirrors Materials: birch/plywood/glass mirror

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

DESIGN TECHNOLOGY

UPPER FIFTH GCSE CONTROLLED ASSESSMENTS

Isabella Jones Project: Occasional Table Materials: oak/aluminium/acrylic

Zara Karoly Project: Wireless Charging Station Storage Unit Materials: birch plywood with walnut fronts

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Andreja Mirosevic-Sorgo Project: Makeup Storage Unit Materials: oak/laser cut acrylic plastic

Alisia McKay Project: Outdoor Planter/Parasol Stand Materials: pine/birch plywood

CREATIVE

DESIGN TECHNOLOGY

Emma Talbot Rice Project: Jewellery Storage Box Materials: oak/ hardwood veneers/ acrylic

You-Oceane Wang Project: Storage Table with Hanging Rail Materials: birch plywood/ash frame/ aluminium/glass

Audrey Wong Project: Decorative Jewellery Box Materials: oak/cedar/ walnut/aluminium/ acrylic

Jennifer Wai Luen Yung Project: Go Chess Storage Table Materials: sycamore/acrylic/glass

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

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DESIGN TECHNOLOGY

LOWER SIXTH AS LEVEL COURSEWORK

62 Alexia Milliken Project: Orchid Display Shelf Materials: ash frame/hardwood mix

Katelyn Taylor Project: Mirror Storage Unit Materials: oak/toughened glass

CREATIVE

DESIGN TECHNOLOGY

UPPER SIXTH A2 LEVEL COURSEWORK

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Lavinia Falck Project: Bicycle Trailer Materials: aluminium/expanded PVC sheet Harriet Emery Project: Tennis Storage Unit Materials: bamboo manufactured board/aluminium

Kristin Gray Project: Barbeque Table Materials: hardwood sapele/aluminium

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

TEXTILES

TEXTILES FASHION SHOW AT FOUNDER’S WEEKEND The Textiles Fashion Show at Founder’s Weekend was a fantastic way to showcase the talents and hard work of the young designers here at Downe House. A professional catwalk in the Performing Arts Centre displayed the creations of girls from the Upper Fourth to the Upper Sixth.

A selection of UIV t-shirts was shown, creating a line-up of bold and colourful 80s inspired Punk. LV were asked to design and make a skirt inspired by current trends. The girls were able to get their first taste of completing the whole design process from researching trends to design and illustration and garment manufacture.

GCSE, AS and A Level coursework closed the show with a catwalk medley of one-off, innovative pieces.

Miss Amy Majerski, Head of Textiles

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CREATIVE

TEXTILES 65

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

TEXTILES

LOWER SCHOOL Remove In Remove the girls learned how to block print and make batik with organic cotton fabric. These hand-decorated fabrics were then patchworked and embroidered to create a lavender heart that could be sold as a Fairtrade Product.

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Lavender Heart, Clara Dutertre-Delaunay

Lower Fourth In Lower Fourth, students were asked to design and make a clutch bag in the style of Anya Hindmarch, inspired by Paris. The students learn how to make bold and graphic designs in appliquĂŠ on to a faux pvc fabric, a very complex skill to grasp. They did such a great job.

CREATIVE

Clutch bag, Celeste Percy

Students are asked to customise a t-shirt inspired by 80s Punk. Stencils are sprayed, safety pins added and jersey slashed to create striking outcomes.

TEXTILES

UPPER FOURTH

T-shirts customised by Omolade Pearse and Araminta Plumstead.

Araminta Plumstead

Omolade Pearse

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DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

TEXTILES

GCSE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY TEXTILES COURSEWORK Upper Fifth students worked to a range of set design briefs. Inspirational themes such as Culture, Japanese Streetstyle and the Swinging Sixties inspired a variety of original and innovative products.

Catharina Benigni

Minna Crewdson

Another striking example of the Swinging Sixties theme. An A-line shaped dress with triangular inserts using a 60s patterned print.

The Swinging Sixties theme can clearly be seen in this neoprene, A-line shaped dress with transparent PVC panels and bold, metallic eyelets.

Catharina Benigni

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CREATIVE

Minna Crewdson

Lower Sixth designers faced a challenging brief where they were asked to design a product that incorporated denim and surface decoration. Here are just two products of the completed projects.

Jameliah Adekunle

Flora Lindsay

Jameliah is a new student to Textiles but this did not prevent her from setting herself high level tasks.

She hand-dyed and machine quilted her denim fabric before constructing a challenging denim jacket.

The outcome is fantastic.

Recycled denim has been used to construct a new jacket using patchwork and distressed strips of denim, the outcome is stunning.

TEXTILES

AS PRODUCT DESIGN TEXTILES COURSEWORK

Flora Lindsay

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Jameliah Adekunle

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

TEXTILES

A2 PRODUCT DESIGN TEXTILES COURSEWORK Florence Palmer

Kezia Dubens

Florence looked to abstract art and the Japanese wave as inspiration for her bomber jacket that incorporates her own screen-printed fabric and hand-knotted macramĂŠ.

Kezia quilted the velvet fabric herself before constructing this beautiful, reversible jacket with silk edging and a ribbon fastening.

Florence Palmer

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CREATIVE

Kezia Dubens

music

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MUSIC

INTRODUCTION From Cathedral Evensongs and concerts to competitions and carol services, it has been a rich and exciting journey in the Music Department. With a wide range of solo and chamber work, a variety of choral and orchestral experiences and excellent ABRSM results, the department has been a vibrant and thriving hub of music making.

The talent and commitment of the girls has brought together a large number of musical events including a fine Michaelmas Concert, carol services and a record-breaking 180 entries to this year’s Downe House Young Musician of the Year Competition. Indeed the musical year would not be complete without a celebration of music over Founder’s Weekend with a sparkling series of musical events including the Founder’s Concert, Music Showcase and Buskers Corner. The weekend also embraced the finals of the fourth ‘Bring the House Downe’ Music Ensemble Competition where all 11 performances were truly outstanding across the board!

It is wonderful to see girls continuing to be represented on county and national platforms, including the National Children’s Orchestra, National Youth Choirs of Great Britain, Berkshire Youth Orchestra and the Junior Department of the Royal College of Music.

I wish to thank Anna Chalmers (Head of Music), Charlotte Aldrich (Deputy Head of Music), Violet Crawfurd (Head of Choral) and Rose Galbraith (Deputy Head of Choral) for their outstanding contribution to the Music Department this year.

We have twenty-seven very talented Music Award Holders and I would like to thank them all for their exceptional contribution and commitment to the musical life of the School this year.

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With now over 2,000 followers, our Twitter feed continues to capture all our exciting news, live updates and inspiring moments from the Music Department. Please do follow us @DowneHouseMusic.

Music is essentially about connection: connecting with the composer, connecting with our audience, connecting with each other. At whatever level of musical ability, girls have explored and experienced the significant power of music and have been equipped with musical skills and understanding to enable a lifelong powerful and meaningful connection with music.

Dr Charlotte Exon, Director of Music

HEADS OF MUSIC REPORT Music has been an integral part of our school lives and we feel incredibly privileged to take on the roles of Head and Deputy of Music.

We are both hoping to further our musical interests at university, where we plan to study Music and Music Technology respectively.

In the Summer Term we were busy with Founder’s Weekend preparations, including Bring the House Downe, our staff and student netball and rounders matches and taking part in some of the ensembles on offer. Out of the latter, the Music Scholars’ Ensemble was our particular favourite as this gave us the platform to practise leadership skills, including conducting and presenting.

Since taking over the positions of responsibility, we have made a conscious effort to ensure an all-inclusive experience for the younger girls. We are particularly grateful to be in a position to offer advice for our GCSE musicians as they work towards their exams. We have thoroughly enjoyed helping out in the Lower School premium practice sessions, establishing firm relationships with the girls. We look forward to the many concerts to come, as well as maintaining our support for the Music Department.

Man I (Melissa) Chang and Jane Tung, LVI Heads of Music

MUSIC

The Music Award Holders’ Recitals continue to be one of the many highlights of the musical year at Downe House. The first recital of the year brightened a dark and chilly November evening with some wonderful musical performances from musicians in Lower Fourth, Upper Fifth and Upper Sixth.

For our Upper Sixth musicians this was their final recital at Downe House and they certainly left us in no doubt of their exceptional musical talents. Wing Pui (Tiffany) Chan performed Chopin’s Nocturne in B major and perfectly captured the surprising and catastrophic coda. Rose Galbraith easily soared to the high final notes of Quilter’s ‘Love Philosophy’, a challenging song even for professional musicians. Oi Ka (Natalie) Lam’s performance of ‘Romance’ in D flat major by Sibelius clearly displayed exceptional virtuosity, especially in the cadenza in the middle of the movement.

Janice Wing Tung Kwong’s performance of the challenging competition work ‘Fantasie’ by Fauré would surely have impressed in the Paris Conservatoire Concours.

Our Upper Fifth and Lower Fourth musicians also impressed with movements from violin and horn concertos, character pieces by Tanka and Mendelssohn and solo songs by Schubert and Bennett.

Immense thanks must once again go to Mr Brayne for his unwavering support and expert accompaniment of our performers.

Mrs Amy McPherson, Assistant Director of Music

The second of our Music Award Holders’ Recitals, featuring musicians from Upper Sixth through to Remove, took place on a bright spring evening and certainly matched the high standards set by our Award Holders back in November.

MUSIC

MUSIC AWARD HOLDERS’ RECITALS

The concert began in the intimate setting of the Chapel to take advantage of the organ’s timbral contrasts, expertly used by Man I (Melissa) Chang in her performance of Buxtehude’s Chaconne in E minor. During this half we were taken on a journey of musical eras. Kylie Chan’s musical performance of Bach’s Cantata no. 156 from the Baroque era contrasted the poised performance of Devienne’s Flute Sonata in E minor from the Classical Era by Eliza Inglis. Romantic and 20th century works also featured, with Georgia Allison’s spirited performance of Kreisler ‘Tempo di Minuetto’ and Bloch’s mournful and melancholic ‘Jewish Song’ for cello performed by Antonia Holloway. Lucia Bugeja’s polished performance of Tournier’s Prelude no. 2 in F major and Molly Dewar’s performance of Schreck’s Bassoon Sonata op. 9 comprised the final two works in an exciting first half.

The second half featured no less impressive performances on marimba, violin, piano, viola and voice. It was fascinating to hear Jane Tung’s interpretation of Bach’s Violin Concerto in A minor, performed on marimba.

Soung Park’s virtuosic performance of ‘Polonaise de Concert’ by Popper received rapturous applause, as did Wai-Ping (Sarah) Kwok’s committed interpretation of ‘From my Native Country’ by Smetana and Poppy Furse’s haunting performance of ‘The May Night’ by Brahms.

Katherine Maloney’s atmospheric performance of Fauré’s Elégie certainly captured the audience’s imagination, while Angelica Singh’s stylistic performance of Field’s ‘Twelve O’Clock Rondo’ lightened the atmosphere, with the narrative of time passing.

Mrs Amy McPherson, Assistant Director of Music

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

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MUSIC

MICHAELMAS SCHOOL CONCERT The 2016 Michaelmas Concert was one of high calibre, enthusiasm and entertainment. Ensembles performed a wide variety of repertoire and genres, from Samba to Symphony, Whitacre to Winnetka, and the girls impressed an audience of over three hundred people.

The concert opened with a serene performance from Choral who sang the ‘Kyrie’ and ‘Gloria’ from Haydn’s ‘Little Organ Mass’. The sixtyfive-strong choir was supported by three Music Award Holders; Janice Wing Tung Kwong, Antonia Holloway and Angelica Singh, conducted by Dr Charlotte Exon.

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A select group of musicians then took to the stage for Chamber Orchestra, giving a lively performance of the first movement, ‘Adagio – Allegro’, from Haydn’s Symphony no. 104 in D; after which, Junior Choral sang two movements from Jonathan Dove’s ‘Seasons and Charms’. Any element of tranquillity was quashed by an energetic performance from Senior Choral with Ernst Toch’s ‘Geographical Fugue’, a four-part unaccompanied choral piece, stealing inspiration from the typical Baroque fugue. The energy continued with Big Band concluding the first half of the concert, playing popular jazz classic, ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’.

Whilst drinks and canapés were served, the audience was treated to the more academic side of the Music Department; Kei Kwan (Kate) Lau’s GCSE composition of ‘Forgetful Waters’ and Violet Crawfurd’s AS Music Technology arrangement of ‘Smells like Teen Spirit’.

Back by popular demand was the Lower Fourth Samba Band performing an exotic and bright Samba Revelation. Forty girls, choreographed by Dr Exon, brought real energy to the second half of the concert. Just when the audience were sensing that the Samba Band had finished, the sound of tambarams, agogo bells and caixas was heard in the distance. Much to the surprise of

MUSIC

the audience and the performers, members of the School Leadership Team, led by Mrs McKendrick, took to the stage to join the girls in the spirited rhythms of the Samba!

The youngest choir, Once Removed, featuring all fifty-five Remove girls, sang a warming ‘We are the Future’ composed by Douglas Coombes. Isobel (Izzy) Peddie and Susannah Wood were recently appointed Head and Deputy Head of this ensemble, under the guidance and leadership of Mrs Gilpin Jones.

Getting a feel for colder temperatures as we headed towards the festive season, Choral took to the stage again, singing Eric Whitacre’s ‘Seal Lullaby’. A beautiful visual was displayed on screen, thanks to our talented Audio Visual Department. The seasonal atmosphere continued with In Harmony, who sang Enya’s ‘Precious Moment’, delightfully accompanied by Downe House Pop Strings and complemented with a beautiful visual of autumnal trees in the background.

To conclude the concert, Symphony Orchestra performed an atmospheric Finale from Respighi’s ‘Pines of Rome’.

Beginning with a tense melodic string line, wind instruments gradually added to the texture, including lingering solos from Antonia Holloway on the cor anglais and Wing Pui (Tiffany) Chan on bass clarinet. Brass and percussion then burst through the atmosphere in a fanfare-like style, bringing the movement to a triumphant finish. Rapturous applause was a fitting end to the evening, which combined elements of musicality, creativity and enthusiasm from some 200 girls in all.

Miss Charlotte Matthews, Graduate Music Assistant (Events and Administration)

Regarded by many as one of the major highlights of the School Calendar, the Senior Carol Service followed the traditional form of nine lessons and carols in St Nicholas Church in Newbury.

MUSIC

SENIOR CAROL SERVICE

Man I (Melissa) Chang provided two contrasting pieces on the organ prior to the start of the service and played with admirable poise and sensitivity. Senior Choral and Choral offered a wide range of carols which included the first performance of Malcolm Archer’s setting of ‘There is no Rose’ specially commissioned by the School. Members of the Upper Sixth involved in their last carol service featured as soloists and special mention must be made of Violet Crawfurd, Rose Galbraith, Anna Chalmers, Olivia Harrison and Harriet Henry for all that they have contributed to the musical life of Downe House.

Dr Exon directed the choirs with accompaniments provided by Mr Brayne and the Shead Brass Ensemble.

Mr Christopher Brayne, Staff Accompanist and School Organist

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JUNIOR CAROL SERVICE There was eager anticipation as preparations were made for the Junior Carol Service in the vibrant space of Douai Abbey. Members of Remove, Lower and Upper Fourth were led by the combined choirs In Harmony, Junior Choral and Once Removed to tell the Christmas story ‘On Christmas Night’ in settings by composer, Bob Chilcott.

This cycle of eight carols incorporates the familiar texts and melodies with Bob’s creative and imaginative colours, and the choirs sang six of his settings during the course of the service. The work is scored for chamber ensemble and organ and it was fitting that some of our Music Award Holders, Eliza Inglis (flute), Antonia Holloway (oboe), Sophie Loftus (percussion) and Lucia Bugeja (harp), provided the accompaniment. Great credit goes to all the singers for conveying the mood of the season in such an accomplished manner and our thanks go to both the Shead Brass Ensemble and our organist, Mr Brayne, for their inspiring and uplifting playing throughout. Dr Exon guided the combined forces with consummate skill.

Mrs Amy McPherson, Assistant Director of Music DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

MUSIC

IN HARMONY SING EVENSONG AT GLOUCESTER CATHEDRAL On Monday 24 April, In Harmony had the most wonderful opportunity to sing Evensong at Gloucester Cathedral. As we arrived, we were stunned by the beautiful Cathedral and were very excited to get inside since we knew that parts of the building featured in the Harry Potter films. We were warmly welcomed and taken to a room where we practised for our Evensong.

After a great rehearsal, and feeling much more confident, we walked over to where the service was to take place. We met many important members of the Cathedral who explained to us how the service was going to work and where we needed to stand. After this, we were kindly allowed to have another rehearsal, this time in the Cathedral itself. Fortunately, the acoustic sounded extremely rich and all our harmonies were blending very well so we were able to finish the rehearsal early, leaving time for us to take photos of us where Harry Potter was filmed.

“It was the most amazing experience and all the members of the Choir felt honoured to have taken part.”

The time finally arrived for our performance. It had recently been St George’s Day and we focused our service on this, as well as singing a setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, written for Downe House

by Malcolm Archer.

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It was the most amazing experience and all the members of the Choir felt honoured to have taken part.

It was extremely exciting to do something different and to learn a new style of choral performance.

Mathilde Hughes, LV Head of In Harmony

WINCHESTER EVENSONG In the Lent Term, Downe House members of Choral had the amazing opportunity to sing in Winchester Cathedral. We were joined by the Radley Choir, which was in itself a new experience for us all – having tenors and basses as well as our own altos and sopranos. The event was made into almost a whole day, with rehearsals beforehand in the cathedral, working alongside the boys, monks and the Dean.

The evening was very special indeed with lots of parents joining in the congregation. We started the service by processing in, wearing cassocks, between the Dean and all the monks. The service was a unique experience and the sound within the cathedral was one that none of us had ever experienced before. The acoustics of such a large venue brought a new dimension to the sound of our pieces and seemed to reach a new level, filling the whole cathedral.

After such a lovely service we processed out, and greeted parents and various teachers. Some even got the chance to speak to the Dean and monks about their cathedral life, some of whom had been living it for more than 50 years. After saying our goodbyes, we were treated to supper with all the Radley boys at a local restaurant, bringing the evening to a well-deserved end! I know we would jump at the opportunity to take part in another event like this and it will be a story we will always be proud to tell.

Alexandra O’Kane, LVI - Head of Choral MUSIC

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ST JOHN’S CHURCH MUSIC SHOWCASE On Sunday 26 February, Downe House Music Department captivated members of the public with their musical talents in the Music Showcase at St John’s Church, Newbury. The concert opened with Senior Choral, In Harmony and Twice Removed combining to perform Caccini’s Ave Maria. Girls stood between the pillars whilst Senior Choral processed from the Organ loft in a matter of eight bars to the front of the church!

It was a delicate setting of the music and subtly competitive with the girls who took charge of the singers in their ‘pillar’! As Deputy Head of Choral, Rose Galbraith sang a solo, accompanied by the Head of Twice Removed Isobel (Izzy) Peddie; it was wonderful to hear the junior and senior voices together.

Senior Choral continued with performances of Howard Goodall’s ‘Love Divine’ and choral classic ‘Peace of God’ by John Rutter, concluding their performance with Snow Patrol’s ‘Run’, accompanied by Mrs Gilpin Jones.

The Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Dr Alexander, played ‘Five Romanian Folk Dances’ by Hungarian composer Bartók. There were some intricate solos throughout the orchestra, particularly from flautist Janice Wing Tung Kwong and clarinettist Wing Pui (Tiffany) Chan.

Twice Removed then serenaded us with ‘A Clare Benediction’ by John Rutter and ‘Lord, You Sometimes Speak in Wonders’, with a beautifully sweet solo from Remove, Rosie Phillips.

Led by Dr Exon, In Harmony sang ‘For the Beauty of the Earth’ by Philip Stopford and ‘Precious Moment’

by Will Todd. Bravo to all for a mature, musical performance.

Finally, over 50 girls took to the stage for Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Dr Exon, they had three pieces for their repertoire; Robert Sheldon’s ‘Resurgences’, Elgar’s ‘Chanson de Matin’ and the Finale from Respighi’s ‘Pines of Rome’. Antonia Holloway impressed with some fine cor Anglais playing in ‘Pines of Rome’, accompanied by a rousing brass section. The deep sounds of the bass drum and tam-tam were unleashed at the end of the piece, contrasting sharply with the delicate and eerie tonal colours heard in from the string section, ably led by Anna Chalmers.

Congratulations to all girls involved, it really was a sublime concert, raising over £1,100 for Christian Aid. Miss Charlotte Matthews, Graduate Music Assistant (Events and Administration)

AFTERNOON OF LIGHT MUSIC The audience at this year’s Afternoon of Light Music was treated to a wonderful mix of ensembles and musical styles, from solo instrumentalists and choirs performing TV theme classics to major repertoire from the Baroque era. The concert opened with Once Removed singing ‘We are the Future’, packing the stage to full capacity; later in the concert the smaller choir, Twice Removed sang the equally lovely ‘Lord, You Sometimes Speak in Wonders’.

There were solo performances by Alexandra Hamilton (violin) and Georgia Biggs (flute) respectively, playing the opening movement of one of Vivaldi’s violin concertos and ‘The Playful Pony’, and the Sirocco Flute Choir gave a carefully balanced and eloquent rendition of a March by Handel. Our two large training ensembles (Sinfonia Strings and Wind Band) performed independently toward the start of the concert before joining forces to close the event; Sinfonia Strings played Elgar’s famous ‘Nimrod’, and the Wind Band performed the equally famous theme from The Muppets, which the audience clearly enjoyed!

With such blossoming talent in these instrumental groups, it was no surprise that the final pieces were brim-full of energy, excellent musicianship and flair.

Purcell’s ‘Rondeau’ (from Abdelazer) and Handel’s ‘La Réjouissance’ (from his Royal Fireworks Music) ended the concert with much aplomb, and the audience (who had also been treated to a selection of delicious cakes), was obviously delighted by all the wonderful music they had heard that afternoon.

Dr Christian Alexander, Teacher of Music and Head of Composition

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

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MUSIC

LUNCHTIME CONCERTS After joining the School in September 2016, I was tasked with putting together the Lunchtime Concert series from October Long Exeat. The lunchtime concerts are an ideal opportunity for musicians as either soloists or ensembles to get together and perform in front of an audience in an informal environment. The music does not have to be perfect, we just require a sense of willing and we understand the term ‘work-in progress’! So far, we have had many girls prepare for their ABRSM examinations as well as Young Musician of the Year.

A great many instrumentalists and singers have performed and we welcome anyone to the stage.

Notable performances this year came from Lucia Bugeja, who set herself a target of performing in as many lunchtime concerts as possible throughout the Lent Term. She succeeded, each week playing on either harp or piano. All the choirs have also taken to the stage, with beautiful solos from Rosie Phillips in Once Removed too.

Congratulations to all who have been involved over the past year and special thanks to the teaching staff for their contributions.

Miss Charlotte Mathews, Graduate Music Assistant (Events and Administration)

PREP SCHOOLS’ ORCHESTRAL FUN DAY Early in the Michaelmas Term, the Music Department, along with Remove Ambassadors, welcomed around 130 musicians from 11 prep schools for the annual Prep Schools’ Orchestral Day. The theme this year would take us to the Proms with iconic pieces such as Handel’s ‘Music for the Royal Fireworks’, Tchaikovsky’s ‘1812 Overture’ and Elgar’s highly emotive ‘Nimrod’.

As soon as everyone was welcomed and seated within the orchestral setup, the day kicked off with a warmup before tackling the repertoire for the day in both full rehearsals and sectionals dotted around the school. After a lunch break, it was time to take our seats again for more rehearsals and a final run through before parents and friends arrived for the afternoon concert. The Downe House Symphony Orchestra amazed the audience with a performance of Elgar’s famous ‘Pomp and Circumstance’, ably assisted with special masterclass guests from the prep schools. The Prep School Orchestra also entertained the audience, making it almost unbelievable that the pieces had been brand new that morning. Mrs McKendrick and Dr Exon awarded prizes to the musicians of the day, including the coveted ‘Director of Music’s Musician of the Day’ prize. The whole concert then culminated in a rousing chorus of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ complete with the audience enthusiastically waving their union jack flags.

Miss Fiona Muir, Graduate Music Assistant

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On 20 May 2017, Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra took over St Nicolas Church, playing a selection of pieces from two of Russia’s greatest composers, Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev.

Having never been to an event like this before I did not know what to expect, but I was immediately captivated by the power and emotion of the performance and amazed at how the whole orchestra seemed to work as one to create such a strong and full sound. The incredibly talented Japanese pianist Noriko Ogawa joined the orchestra for a breath-taking performance of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto no 1, which had the whole audience on the edge of their seats in awe of the way in which she perfectly captured the spirit and atmosphere of every movement.

In the second half, we were taken on an emotional journey through Prokofiev’s masterpiece ballet ‘Romeo and Juliet’. After the last movement ended, it was as if the applause was never going to stop and, to our delight, we were treated to two encores. I feel extremely lucky to have seen one of Russia’s most prestigious orchestras in a more intimate venue than I am sure they usually perform, and it has opened my eyes to the power and grandeur of orchestral music.

MUSIC

THE NEWBURY FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE

Jessica Pemberton, LVI

REMOVE TRIP TO THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL It was a cold November evening when the Remove went see the Music for Youth School Proms. When we arrived, we rushed in to make the most of the music.

Over the course of the evening, we were treated to a wide variety of musical styles including a cappella choirs, wind bands, string ensembles, jazz bands and a massed orchestra and choir.

We were split into two groups so we could experience both ‘Promming’ (standing next to the performers in the Round) and sitting in the Circle.

I preferred the Circle because I had a better view even though there was a clearer sound next to the performers.

My favourite performance was the symphony orchestra playing ‘Pomp and Circumstance’ because we were learning it in the Downe House Symphony Orchestra.

At the end, hundreds of balloons fell from the ceiling to celebrate the end of the concert, making it an even more memorable occasion.

Kylie Chan, Remove Music Scholar

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MUSIC AWARD HOLDERS’ TRIP TO ‘SCHOOL OF ROCK THE MUSICAL’ On 25 January, the Music Award Holders were treated to a trip to the West End to watch the musical ‘School of Rock the Musical’. Like the film, it felt like a real rock concert and was breathtaking, especially the sets and lighting. At the beginning, we were informed that all the playing was live and performed by these magnificent children, ranging from talented singers to amazing guitarists. It was a marvellous trip with great songs guaranteed to remain stuck in your head for the next few weeks.

Antonia Holloway, UIV DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

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MINORITY INSTRUMENT SCHEME The Remove girls all enjoyed the opportunity to try a range of orchestral instruments at the launch of the Minority Instrument Scheme in the Lent Tem. This annual scheme enables a select group of Remove to receive lessons on a new instrument and the double bass, viola, violin, French horn and trombone were on offer with free instrument hire and teaching. 22 girls were selected and were quickly enrolled into group lessons that culminated in a concert to parents at the end of the Lent Term. Along the way, the girls regularly met to support one another through the experience. They overcame learning how to read new clefs as well as the specific techniques required for each instrument. The concert was a success, demonstrating the quick progress of every girl involved and this year the audience was treated to a full string and a full brass piece. It was a joy to see the stage full of double basses and brass instruments as well as hear of the girls’ satisfaction at gaining a new life skill. We wish those continuing with their instruments the best and look forward to seeing them progress through the School ensembles.

Miss Fiona Muir, Graduate Music Assistant

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BERKSHIRE STRING COMPETITION Following a video entry, I was pleased to make it through to the semi-finals of the Berkshire String Competition held in February this year at South Hill Park. I played ‘Chanson de Matin’ by Elgar, and a Beethoven ‘Romance’ for both rounds. I competed in the 13-15 age category with Robert Roscoe, Jonathan Burnett and Sean Law as adjudicators against peers from the Berkshire Symphony Orchestra and other local schools. My performances went well but with strong competition I was not successful in progressing to the final round. However, I was pleased with my feedback and grateful for the experience. An added bonus was that each competitor received a voucher for Phillip Brown Violins, the sponsor of the event. I enjoyed staying to watch inspiring performances by others on both violin and cello. Congratulations to Soung Park from Downe House who won her age category for cello and came second overall.

Georgia Allison, LV MUSIC

A record breaking year of over 185 entries saw competition rise to a feverish height when the Young Musician of the Year Competition took place in the Lent Term. Girls could enter in the Music Maker Class for those in the initial grades of 1-3, the Maestro Class for girls of intermediate level (grades 4-6) and the Virtuoso Class for girls from Grade 7 to Diploma level.

Initial rounds took place over five nights leading up to the semi-finals event, with categories for Wind, Brass and Percussion, Strings, Rock ’n’ Pop, Vocal and Keyboard. Each round had a visiting adjudicator, bringing their external performance knowledge to each class and helping the girls grow musically.

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THE YOUNG MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR COMPETITION – A ROUSING SUCCESS girl of only ten years of age. At the end of the evening, the winners were announced. Toluwase Agusto (violin) won Music Maker Class, Jiwon Moon (violin) and Alice Demeester (piano) both shared the Maestro Class, Faith Norman (voice and guitar) won the Rock ’n’ Pop class and Antonia Holloway (oboe) took the trophy for the Virtuoso Class for the second year in a row.

It was another fantastic success, with great support from the Visiting Music Teachers, accompanists and supporting administrative staff.

Miss Charlotte Matthews, Graduate Music Assistant (Events and Administration)

A number of girls from each class went through to the semi-final on 19 March, competing within a smaller category. Then, one girl from each class and category went through to the final in the evening. The Concert Room was jam-packed with staff visiting music teachers, accompanists and fellow girls wishing to support their friends. The visiting adjudicator for the day was Mr Alun Jones, Head of Chetham’s School of Music, the largest specialist music school in the UK. The finals were spectacular and Mr Jones definitely respected the musicianship on display. He notably commented on Man I (Melissa) Chang’s organ playing, saying she would be ‘worthy of any Cathedral Organ Scholarship in the country’, a credit to her teacher Mr Brayne.

Antonia Holloway’s performance was professional, displaying musicality and maturity and Alice Demeester’s Chopin piano piece was exquisitely performed, especially for a

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Antonia playing oboe in the Bring the House Downe Competition

“A sensational competition! I am incredibly proud of all the girls who took part in such a vibrant competition. I was impressed by the sense of musical integrity shining through all the performances. Congratulations to our winners: Antonia, Jiwon, Alice, Toluwase and Faith. Bravo to all the girls who took part.”

Dr Charlotte Exon, Director of Music DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

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BRING THE HOUSE DOWNE 2017 21 entries, 11 finalists, 7 prizes, 3 judges and 1 winner We have seen it all now. From djembe drummers to boomwhackers, from Celtic folk fusion to upside down marimba playing, this year’s Bring the House Downe Competition certainly did not disappoint!

On a hot, humid June evening, after weeks of practice, 21 initial ensemble entries became 11 finalists.

Over the next 10 days leading to the final, you could have been forgiven for thinking you were hearing strange sounds across campus. Is that an a cappella rendition of Tchaikovsky coming from Willis? Is that a percussion cover of Coldplay coming from the Concert Room?

For the final competition, we had the pleasure of welcoming Mr Dan Peters, Music specialist and Headteacher at Wolverhampton Grammar Junior School, to our adjudication board, alongside Mrs Bizior and one of our very own senior pupils, Rachael Litton.

The concert started as it intended to go on with Four Penny’s high quality and entertaining rendition of ‘The Jealousy Duet’. In Harmony and Once Removed shared stunning choral performances with us, as did The Willis Instrumental Ensemble, with an unexpected vocal piece. ThingamaJigs were the new kids on the block bringing a Celtic folk fusion to us for the first time. Conducted by Man I (Melissa) Chang, the Scholars’ Ensemble demonstrated a strong sense of musicianship in their piece arranged by Dr Alexander. Toni and Tori offered moving alternatives of some well-known chart songs and Marcello’s Children provided a beautiful performance of an oboe concerto.

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After some tough decisions by our adjudicators, Quackers lifted the cup as 2017 winners of Bring the House Downe. The Marimbarites took home the Director of Music Prize for Most Promising Performance. By just two votes, Whacker Whacker Boom won the audience prize and Once Removed won the Parry Cup for Most Inspirational Choral Performance.

Congratulations to all who took part. Bring the House Downe 2017 was without doubt exciting, impressive and creative. I am already wondering who will win next year?

Miss Helen Maguire, Teacher of Music MUSIC

The Founder’s Concert witnessed the culmination of Downe House’s musical talent, with a spectrum of performances by ensembles from across the School.

The Founder’s Orchestra, conducted by the Director of Music and co-led by Catharine Wippell and Wai-Ping (Sarah) Kwok, opened the event with an energetic performance of Caprice no 24 by Jerome Naulais, followed by the quirky ‘Fiddle-Faddle’ by Leroy Anderson, which was led by violinists Georgia Allison and Wai-Ping (Sarah) Kwok.

Sinfonia propelled the concert onwards with Grieg’s famous ‘In the Hall of the Mountain King’; despite the increasing tempo, the girls kept pace to the end!

The weekend’s fine weather was then briefly dispelled

by In Harmony’s sensational rendition of ‘It’s Raining Men’, with the girls owning the popular 80s classic through their sassy choreography. Junior Choral and their conductor, Mr Adam Treadaway, continued to tantalise the audience with their performance of a traditional Macedonian work and Bill Withers’ ‘Lean on Me’.

The Scholars’ Ensemble, led by the eminent Head of Music, Man I (Melissa) Chang, performed a Bachinspired ‘Chorale and Tango’, arranged by Dr Christian Alexander. The performance paid testimony to the girls’ high level of musicianship and team spirit.

Having won first prize in Bring the House Downe, Quackers returned to the stage for a victory performance of the ‘Circle of Life’. Also returning to the stage for a second time was Once Removed, with another heart-warming rendition of ‘Colours of the Wind’ from Disney’s ‘Pocahontas’.

MUSIC

THE FOUNDER’S CONCERT

Choral offered a more reflective programme, comprising ‘Home Fires’ by Samuel Sim and ‘A Flower Remembered’ by John Rutter; both the choir and soloists demonstrated fine musicianship.

At no point was the audience left without musical entertainment; the complex changeovers between performances featured video recordings by the talented LVI music student Emilie Cheung, which celebrated the various accomplishments of the Music Department and individual musicians.

The concert ended on a poignant note, when the Director of Music invited members of the audience to participate in a dazzling performance of Gjeilo’s ‘The Ground’, accompanied by Mrs Judith Gilpin Jones on piano and a string quartet. Not only did the gesture reflect the inclusiveness of the Downe House Music Department, it captured the essence of Founder’s Weekend in toto.

Mr Taylor Thompson, Graduate Music Assistant

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DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

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FOUNDER’S WEEKEND MUSIC SHOWCASE Due to popular demand, the Music Showcase this year was divided into two smaller concerts, the ‘Prelude’ and the ‘Fugue’. Both concerts featured a range of exciting and stylistically contrasting musical performances from our chamber ensembles, the Sirocco Flute Choir and the Evelyn Rothwell Double Reed Group, the winners of the Young Musician of the Year Competition, Music Award Holders and our new Heads of Music and Choral.

Highlights of the concert included the Marcello Ensemble, fresh from their successful performance in Bring the House Downe. Tight ensemble work from the string quartet and continuo bass supported the virtuosic solo performance of Antonia Holloway.

Antonia McClintock’s expressive performance of Romberg’s Cello Sonata in E minor contrasted perfectly with Sophie Loftus’s spirited performance of ‘Los Tres Golpes’ by Cervantes. The incredibly accomplished performances of our Young Musicians of the Year, Music Maker winner Toluwase Agusto and Rock and Pop winner Faith Norman, reminded us of the exceptionally high standard of the competition.

Both concerts ended with one of our training ensembles. A rich sound from Sinfonia Strings helped to convey the characterful ‘Three Pieces for Children’

by Béla Bartók and Wind Band’s lively performance of ‘Colonel Bogey’s March’ cheerfully brought the concert to a close.

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Mrs Amy McPherson, Assistant Director of Music

MUSIC

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BUSKERS CORNER Buskers Corner attracted its biggest audience to date and there was a truly warm-hearted sense of enjoyment in the air on the Greek Steps. Our buskers provided the eclectic mix of ensembles, soloists and musical styles that we have come to expect at Founder’s Weekend, and the wonderful display of musicianship was an absolute treat.

Solo performances were given by Faith Norman, who sang a refined and intimate cover of Justin Timberlake’s ‘Cry Me A River’, and Emilie Cheung, who sang an English folk song. Emilie has performed at every Buskers Corner event but sadly, this was her final performance here. Alexandra Hamilton gave us a stunning selection of unaccompanied violin jigs and reels, and Holly Evans accompanied herself on the guitar performing one of her own songs, followed by two unaccompanied Irish folk songs; after which, Kylie Chan made her debut performance at Buskers Corner to much acclaim, playing a beautiful Waltz by Merikanto on the piano. Four impressive ensembles also performed: the Lower Fourth Samba Band kicked off the event with tremendous panache and excitement in an extended piece full of contrast and varying textures; and our Double Reed Group gave a lovely rendition of the opening movement from Haydn’s ‘Schoolmaster’ Symphony. Recently formed folk group Thingama Jigs played two beautiful Irish dances, and the Sirocco Flute Choir rounded off Buskers Corner 2017 with performances so enchanting they stirred up the first warm breeze of the afternoon, justifying the garden pegs the Estates Department had kindly acquired for us!

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Dr Christian Alexander, Teacher of Music and Head of Composition

BIG BAND BBQ It is a sunny day in July, the Cloisters are packed and the BBQ is in full flow. Then, out of nowhere, the glorious sound of the Big Band appears! Sixteen musicians, both students and teachers, performed a number of standard and more popular songs to a large crowd. This year the audience was treated to ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’, ‘Hey Jude’, ‘In a Sentimental Mood’ and many more.

The Big Band BBQ is always a joyous occasion for the players and the audience – to sit on the Greek Steps in the sunshine, listening to such great tunes, is a special part of Founder’s’ Weekend at Downe. It is a fantastic ending to what is a musically-packed weekend and creates memories that live with us for a long time. This is my favourite event of the weekend and one that holds a special place in many people’s experience of Founder’s Weekend. Bring on next year!

Mr Adam Treadaway, Teacher of Music DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

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MUSIC COLOURS AWARDED THIS ACADEMIC YEAR We were delighted to award the following girls their Music Colours during the year: Lower School Music Colours Remove - Kylie Chan, Alice Demeester, Isobel (Izzy) Peddie, Rosie Phillips Lower Fourth - Hoi Yiu (Danna) Cheung, Susannah Field, Heloise Friedlander, Sophie Loftus, Antonia McClintock, Jiwon Moon, Rosie Pegna, Marina Pownall Upper Fourth - Toluwase Agusto, Suzanna Brooke, Lucia Bugeja, Alexandra Hamilton, Antonia Holloway, Rosalind Wippell Upper School Music Colours Lower Fifth - Emily Carpmael, Molly Dewar, Imogen Fowler, Anna Hall, Annie Hazlitt, Eliza Inglis, Mathilde Hughes, Arabella Woo Upper Fifth - Maya Huby and Charlotte Toogood Barbirolli Music Colours Upper Fourth - Antonia Holloway Lower Sixth - Georgina Anastassopoulos Tubby, Man I (Melissa) Chang, Emilie Cheung, Holly Evans, Wai-Ping (Sarah) Kwok, Faith Norman, Alexandra O’Kane, Jessica Pemberton, Clara Silcock, Katelyn Taylor, Jane Tung, Catharine Wippell Upper Sixth - India Burney, Olivia Harrison, Harriet Henry, Oi Ka (Natalie) Lam

ABRSM AND TRINITY RESULTS Grade 1 - ABRSM Pass

Lyla Elichaoff (Singing), Ke Ni (Nico) Sun (Flute)

Merit

Eniayo Teniola Adeniji (Flute), Chiara De Sa Subbioto (Flute), Maryam Mammadova (Flute)

Merit

Distinction Toluwase Agusto (Violin), Fife Akinkubge (Violin), Georgina Marchand (Flute) Grade 2 - ABRSM Pass

Louisa Neill (Piano), Oluwanifemi Olawuni (Piano)

Merit

India Hinds (Alto Saxophone), Jasmine Wyles (Flute)

Distinction Lara Gillham (Singing), Phoebe Hughes (Singing) Grade 3 - ABRSM Pass

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Merit

Alexandra Adderley (Oboe), Jantaluck (Kelly) Bhanarai (Harp), Rose Cornell (Singing), Lucy Dollar (Alto Saxophone), Naomi Egoh (Singing), Mili Haywood (Piano), Mary Hazlitt (Singing), Rosamund (Rosie) Pegna (Singing), Hannah Perkins (Flute), Imogen Ridley (Singing), Ke Ni (Nico) Sun (Singing), Mia Viventi (Singing), Beatrice Weaver (Harp), Imogen Webber (Singing), Tabonga Yangailo (Piano) Charlotte Beveridge (Singing), Hoi Yiu (Danna) Cheung (Singing), Wan Hei (Victoria) Cho (Violin), Katharine Corbett (Singing), Louisa Healey (Singing), Tabitha Kendall (Singing), Alice Pernthaller (Singing), Safiya Shamji (Singing), Sabrina Wang (Violin), Jinghan (Tracy) Zhang (Flute)

Distinction Oluwatamilore Bolodeoku (Singing), Harriet Boucher (Singing), Rosie Phillips (Singing) Grade 4 - ABRSM Pass

Merit

Jessica Bracken (Piano), Emilie Cheung (Cello), Natalia Cremin (Singing), Jennifer Darko (Viola and Piano), Sarah Darko (Piano), Chiara De Sa Subbioto (Piano), Olivia Jackson (Violin), Julia Kennerley (Singing), Amelie Mandic-Tyler (Singing), Clementine McNair Scott (Singing), Motolani Oladitan (Singing), Alice Peters (Singing), Kate Rollo (Piano), Holly Skinner (Piano) Zoe Carruthers (Singing), Chioma Emenike (Singing), Annie Hazlitt (Singing), Alexandra Kiy (Bassoon), Honor Mathews (Singing), Soung Yi Park (Piano), Lisa Lotte Scheuner (Piano), Phannaphat Totup (Violin), Jaira Vazquez-Sanchez (Singing), Beatrice Weaver (Singing)

Distinction Lu Tian (Piano), Phannaphat Totup (Piano) Grade 5 - ABRSM Charlotte Berry (Singing), Eesha Bhide (Theory), Suzanna Pass Brooke (Alto Saxophone), Lucy Dyer (Theory), Tara Farquhar (Singing), Charlotte Field (Flute), Madeleine Hales (Piano), Madeleine Hales (Theory), Lara Kabir Jennings (Flute), Zara Karoly (Piano), Alexandra Kiy (Piano), Rosanna Love (Singing), Saskia Mactaggart (Singing), Sacha Martin (Theory), Soung Yi Park (Singing), Clementine Parr (Piano), Ella Scott (Singing), Anna Sharrock (Theory), Imogen Simpson-Orlebar (Violin), Lucinda Slack (Oboe and Piano), Honor Stephens (Singing and Theory), Natasha Tan (Theory), Alessandra Walsh (Theory)

MUSIC

Ilaria Bevan (Theory), Georgia Biggs (Flute and Theory), Kylie Chan (Viola), Gwyneth Choi (Flute), Gwyneth Choi (Theory), Lucy Dollar (Singing), Melissa Farquhar (Singing), Gabriella Franklin (Singing), Heloise Friedlander (Theory), Francesca Horton (Flute), Maya Huby (Singing), Alexandra Kiy (Theory), Luoyi (Sunny) Li (Theory), Fiona Muir (Piano), Isobel Peddie (Singing), Nutthapit Poolworaluk (Harp), Torpad Rungjerdfa (Piano), Henrietta Ryan (Theory), Alice Weldon (Theory), Poppy Wessely (Theory), Phoebe Whiting (Theory)

Distinction Lucia Bugeja (Theory), Sophie Elliot (Singing), Alexandra Hamilton (Theory), Francesca Horton (Theory), Gardiner Hunt (Singing), Ying Kwan (Lydia) Lam (Theory), Clementine Parr (Singing), Lucinda Slack (Theory) Grade 6 - ABRSM Pass

Jameliah Adekunle (Singing), Emily Carpmael (Clarinet), Lucy Dyer (Singing), Tae-Chan Ellis (Clarinet), Imogen Fowler (Piano), Alexandra Hamilton (Violin), Maya Huby (Violin), Florence McNair Scott (Piano), Sarah Park (Flute), Henrietta Ryan (Singing), Jennifer Standbrook (Singing), Araminta Swallow (Singing), Alexa Wiggin (Singing), Arabella Woo (Singing)

Merit

Molly Dewar (Piano), Imogen Fowler (Clarinet), Yi Wei (Lily) Peng (Piano), Emma Talbot Rice (Singing), Poppy Winsor (Singing)

Distinction Emilie Cheung (Singing), Katie Hackman (Singing), Anna Hall (Clarinet), Amelia Hughes (Singing), Sophie Loftus (Piano), Elizabeth Reynard (Singing) Grade 6 - Trinity Merit

Alexandra Hamilton (Tuba)

Grade 7 - ABRSM Pass

Katelyn Taylor (Singing), Charlotte Toogood (Flute), Jane Tung (Piano)

Merit

Charlotte Field (Singing)

Distinction Anna Hall (Piano), Mathilde Hughes (Singing) Grade 8 - ABRSM Pass

Clementine Lewins (Oboe), Emma Peddie (Piano), YouOceane Wang (Piano)

Merit

Georgia Allison (Piano), Anna Chalmers (Singing), Anna Riley (Piano), Angelica Singh (Piano), Isabelle Smith (Singing), Katelyn Taylor (Theory), Jane Tung (Singing)

Distinction Man I (Melissa) Chang (Organ), Antonia Holloway (Cello), Hye Lim Park (Violin), Lamise Saber (Singing) ARSM - ABRSM Distinction Angelica Singh (Bassoon)

drama

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DRAMA

“Actors are agents of change. A film, a piece of theatre, a piece of music, or a book can make a difference. It can change the world.”

Alan Rickman

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AN OUTSTANDING YEAR OF PERFORMING ARTS It has been my very great pleasure to have seen the girls thrive and develop throughout the year in the Drama Department. Such a huge range of work has been achieved both within and outside the Drama classroom and the girls have continued to produce outstanding practical work, which demonstrates not only their skills but their exceptional creativity.

The 2016-17 academic year began with the Disney House Drama Competition, showcasing some standout performances and demonstrating the artistic vision of the Lower Sixth directors and production teams. The performance calendar continued with the original musical production of ‘The Worst Witch’, performed by the Lower School in February, followed closely by the high-energy madcap political satire of the Upper Fifth in their new ‘Play in a Day’ venture entitled ‘Alternative Facts’.

The Summer Term began with a sixty-strong cast of Upper Fourth girls dazzling the audience with a glittering contemporary version of Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, an adaptation which brought the classic into the digital age with great success. Our Founder’s Weekend musical, inspired

by Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Into the Woods’, ended the year with an outstanding ensemble piece of theatre and many outstanding performances from our talented girls.

Throughout the year, the GCSE and A Level students have completed both practical and written examinations and have enhanced their awareness and understanding of theatre with a range of theatre trips, visiting theatre companies and practical workshops. Our Scholars and Exhibitioners have undertaken extra training through practical workshops and enrichment activities, and the Speech and Drama examination results remain outstanding, as testimony to the girls’ skill and creativity.

It has been a hugely successful year for the girls in all of their dramatic endeavours and I am delighted to share a selection of their triumphs and experiences with you in the following pages.

Miss Kyia Grandi, Acting Director of Performing Arts DRAMA

DRAMA SCHOLAR

MY YEAR AS A DRAMA SCHOLAR Being a Drama Scholar is a huge honour as it opens up a huge amount of opportunities to expand your knowledge of theatre. It also helps you to improve your own performing skills and to have clear dramatic intentions when you are acting. For me, one of the best things about being a Drama Scholar is that I am invited to go on extra trips to see some amazing plays. For example, last year we went to see ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’, which was absolutely incredible. I loved the show and it was very helpful be able to learn about the book and all the details behind the show before going to see it. When we came back to School after having seen it, we were able to group all the ideas and opinions of the class together, which was so useful. This allowed me to learn from my peers, broaden my knowledge of ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’ and to expand my knowledge of theatre and drama as a whole.

Another fantastic part of being a Drama Scholar is that you get to have a Drama mentor. This is a Drama Teacher who helps you to develop your interests and skills in Drama. Each Drama Scholar gets two thirty-minute sessions with their mentor every term, where you can talk about what you have achieved so far this year in terms of Drama and your aims for going forward. This is such a useful experience because you feel as though your mentor supports you and opens up new opportunities in terms of theatre and acting. Last year, we also had lunchtime Drama workshops every two weeks where we did many practical exercises to improve our skills.

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One of my favourite moments last year was when I got the role of Rapunzel in the Founder’s Weekend musical ‘Into the Woods.’ This was incredible because I was able to improve my confidence when singing and acting in front of an audience and experience what it feels like to be part of a huge production. I absolutely loved it, I was able to wear a beautiful costume, loads of fun stage make up, and I had to learn how to climb up to the top of my tower wearing a long Victorian skirt. I hope that this year I will get to audition for another play and have an equally fun experience as I did when performing in ‘Into the Woods.’

Emma Bracken, LV

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‘DINOSAUR PARK’ ‘Dinosaur Park’ was an entertaining adaptation of the film, ‘Jurassic Park’, with many weird and wonderful elements included within it. The standard of acting skills in the show was outstanding, with Western accents throughout and an extreme variety of physical movements making the show eye catching and interactive.

The actors also used audience participation, which made the show so exciting and added a somewhat comical touch.

The use of physical theatre really enhanced the performance and the style was unique. The actors drew the audience in, toying with our emotions and then suddenly cutting off the emotional attachment by immersing us in the world of dinosaurs, depicting these creatures using their physical skills. Other great moments included heartfelt songs and physical sequences to music, and portraying parts of the story through mime.

These sections really grasped my attention as the physicality of the actors and the message they were trying to convey was very clear.

I also loved the use of sound effects. One of the main characters, called Noah, used sound effects such as the noise of a baby and the sound of a breathing dinosaur to heighten the effect of the moment and I found this a great method of creating the perfect atmosphere on stage, as every sound he made was so accurate.

The cast used the set in imaginative ways such as using the plants on stage as doorframes, a jungle and even a car’s windscreen wipers.

Each actor used their acting and physical skills to maximum effect and with energy which made this play very enjoyable to watch.

Eliza Horn, LVI

DRAMA

‘DON’T WAKE THE DAMP’

‘THE THREEPENNY OPERA’

On 8 November, we were very lucky to be visited by the theatre company Kill the Beast to perform their award-winning comedy ‘Don’t Wake the Damp’.

On Thursday 8 September 2016, I went to see the ‘The Threepenny Opera’ at the National Theatre. Based on the work of Bertolt Brecht, adapted

by Simon Stephens and directed

by Rufus Norris, it was in the style of epic theatre and the genre was a political drama.

This performance was humorous and had a very positive atmosphere as well as many amusing songs, which contributed greatly to the storyline. The plot centres on a block of apartments, which contained a monster called ‘The Damp’ and how the apartment residents managed to defeat it. It was set in a futuristic time and yet it contained many flashbacks, mainly about one of the residents who used to be a famous TV actress but grew to be old and bitter. Though there was some incredible drama showcased, the songs performed are still going around in our heads as they were performed with such charisma and enthusiasm. Furthermore, they managed to use a very simple set with just three sides on wheels showing different pictures to form the appropriate background to the story.

Cecelia Kane, UV

My favourite actress in the play was Sharon Small who played Jenny Diver, a prostitute who falls in love with Mack the Knife and would do absolutely anything to save him. I really enjoyed watching her perform as she had a fun and exciting tone of voice that made every word she spoke very interesting and entertaining. I also felt very sympathetic for her when she was so in love with Mack that she would render any information to the antagonist, Mr Peachum.

I learnt a lot from the production, especially how cleverly it adapted lots of Brechtian elements such as ‘breaking the fourth wall’, and displaying to the audience that they are watching a play and they are not there to get away from reality but to learn a political message about current society. It was great to see a production in such a unique style and so different from anything I have seen before and I really enjoyed it.

Emma Bracken, LV

One of Ibsen’s most renowned plays, ‘Hedda Gabler’, has been inspiring directors for decades. Ivo van Hove’s version at the National Theatre, which we went to see on 9 January, proved to be no exception.

Although not exactly a traditional adaption, Ivo van Hove’s ‘Hedda Gabler’ stayed grounded on the theatrical conventions of Stanislavsky while incorporating elements of melodrama.

The bleak, starkly bare set with three high walls surrounding the stage helped to emphasise the muggy, heavy atmosphere, while Hedda’s prized piano, stripped to reveal its skeleton, vulnerably took centre stage. Hedda herself (played by Ruth Wilson) was dressed in a clinging, pale satin chemise, which accentuated her femininity as well as conveying a sense of her life, overwhelmed by men and expectation.

Ivo van Hove placed a special emphasis on the oppression of women in society and this was shown through examples of physical, vocal and subtextual techniques. Though the overall style was still naturalistic, Van Hove definitely pushed the boundaries to the extent of almost breaking the ‘fourth wall’ when Hedda pointed her gun out to the audience.

The overall effect was oppressive and claustrophobic, a truly modern example of a play that has generally only been interpreted with extremely traditional, Stanislavskian conventions.

‘THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG’ On 1 February, all of the Drama Scholars, GCSE and A Level girls went to the Duchess Theatre in London to watch ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’. The play is a comedy about a group of actors attempting to put on a play called ‘The Murder at Havisham Manor’, but nothing goes according to plan. Accidents happen such as people falling through or over props, props falling over, being in the wrong place at the wrong time and many more situations that are hilarious.

My favourite part of the play was when the whole set unexpectedly collapsed at the end. I also really enjoyed how the actors kept coming ‘out of character’ to contribute to the humour of the play. It was in the style of farce with elements of melodrama and slapstick, and in the genre of comedy. It was very funny and my favourite thing about it was how the actors incorporated the audience into the play, as it made everyone feel much more involved.

THEATRE TRIPS

‘HEDDA GABLER’ AT THE NATIONAL THEATRE

Everyone really enjoyed the performance and it really benefited all of us when working on our GCSE and A Level pieces. Thank you very much to Miss Grandi and Miss Bland for organising such a fun and successful trip for us all.

Tara Farquhar, LV

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Catharine Wippell, LVI

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

THEATRE TRIPS

‘TWELFTH NIGHT’ On 22 April, the Downe House Drama students made the journey to London to see the National Theatre’s production of Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’ directed by Simon Godwin. The show was an eclectic blend of tragedy and comedy.

As described by the National Theatre itself, the show truly was a ‘whirlwind of mistaken identity’.

Set in the country of Illyria, ‘Twelfth Night’ tells the story of an unlikely love triangle between Olivia, a rich Countess, and a Duke by the name of Orsino and Cesario his Page.

Cesario is really Viola, the twin of Sebastian (from whom she was separated in a shipwreck).

She finds herself the messenger between Orsino and Olivia, charged with conveying his messages of love. Orsino’s love for Olivia remains unrequited and Viola herself falls for him, whilst battling against Olivia’s advances.

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I particularly enjoyed Tamsin Greig’s portrayal of the female character of Malvolio. As Malvolia, she was vibrant and engaging. It was a challenge to adopt a famous male character and mould it into a female role, but I felt that Greig achieved this almost effortlessly. The play explores the theme of gender fluidity and sexual orientation by casting Malvolio, one of the principal characters, as a woman. Malvolia is tricked into revealing her love for her Mistress, Olivia and this leads to Malvolia’s eventual humiliation.

The National Theatre’s set was amazingly intricate and aesthetically conveyed the opulence and wealth of Shakespeare’s chosen aristocratic characters – Olivia and the Duke, Orsino. I was especially impressed by the use of a mini jacuzzi-like feature onstage and the incorporation of a large staircase as a main component of the principal pyramid-like set structure.

Annabel Roest, LVI

‘THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHTTIME’ During the Summer Term, the Drama GCSE students and Scholars were fortunate enough to go and see ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’. The play, adapted from the 2003 novel of the same name by Mark Haddon, has won multiple awards, including seven Olivier awards and a Tony since it opened.

The story is about Christopher, an extremely intelligent fifteen-year-old boy who struggles with behavioural issues due to being autistic. The play, although beginning with the killing of his next-door neighbour’s dog, actually opens up into a sensitive and poignant story about a family struggling to cope with the pressure of looking after their son.

The acting throughout was painfully acute and very moving, especially the moments in which we truly saw the extent of Christopher’s difficulties when dealing with the complexities of his condition and the effect on all the characters.

However, the more tragic moments were entirely surpassed by the bumbling charm and humour of the story as a whole.

The staging of the play was also excellent, with complex lighting and sound effects creating a unique atmosphere, which could not have been more appropriate for the play. The set was an incredible framework of squares and lights, all of which seemed to change throughout the performance to fit with what was happening.

The mathematical squares of the scenery seemed to represent how Christopher himself saw the world with such calculation and logic, and to have this realised in physical form brought us even further into the story.

Overall, this was a brilliant play – incorporating elements of mystery, family drama and the touching relationships between characters – the expert design and deliverance of this production made it a fascinating and exciting piece to watch.

Molly Dewar, LV

DRAMA

MUSICAL THEATRE

PREP SCHOOLS’ DAY OF MUSICAL THEATRE Each year, the Drama Department at Downe House hosts students from local prep schools for ‘A Day of Drama and Musical Theatre’. The aim of the day is to give an experience of what it is like to perform in a production at Downe House, working, rehearsing and finally getting onstage in the Performing Arts Centre. Wonderfully, we were joined by an extremely large cohort on 25 April this year, with 145 girls coming from nine different schools to create a show based on the much-loved musical, ‘The Lion King’.

This was the first time I was part of the team helping to run a prep schools’ day and with so many keen girls, it had the potential to be a little overwhelming. However, the day was brilliantly masterminded by Rebecca Watson and executed by the ever-calm and professional Drama teachers. I was delighted and so impressed, not only by how excited and engaged the girls were, but also by the sheer scale of their achievement in creating such a wonderful performance in only five hours!

When the girls arrived in the morning they were divided into groups with girls from other schools, each being given a brightly coloured t-shirt for their respective group. The day then started with some warm-ups led by the Drama staff, including an ‘over/ under’ race to see which group could pass a ball between every team member the quickest; it was a close call between the purple and the red teams!

After learning the first ensemble song, ‘The Circle of Life’, the girls split up into their respective groups to go to the first workshops of the day. Each rehearsal was focused on something different, from African dancing to improvisation and to creating beautiful visual sequences with physical theatre. Many of the girls already knew the musical, some had even seen it in the West End, and so were able to explore different techniques and new ways of telling the story.

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After the first workshop, the girls enjoyed lunch in the Main Dining Room before returning for two more workshops to prepare for the performance. In the afternoon, the audience began to arrive and soon the girls had an excited crowd of almost one hundred parents waiting to see what they had prepared. The show was full of energy and fantastic performances!

Some particular highlights were the stampede scene, which the girls created with a stunning movement sequence, and of course the finale where the whole company sang ‘The Circle of Life’.

The day was a wonderful success with the girls leaving Downe House singing and dancing, and I am really looking forward to seeing what the girls can achieve next year!

Miss Gabriella Rose, Peripatetic Teacher of Dance and Drama DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

EXAMINATIONS

“The girls performed an emotive and comedic scene, which captured the wry humour of the piece with great aplomb.”

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UPPER SIXTH A2 PRACTICAL EXAM

LOWER SIXTH WORKSHOP PERFORMANCE – SCRIPTED

On 14 March, the A2 Drama students performed their final piece of practical work of the course. The girls devised a creative adaptation of ‘Gone Girl’ by Gillian Flynn, which follows the ups and downs of the married life of Amy and Nick, and culminating with Amy’s mysterious disappearance.

On Friday 5 May, the Lower Sixth A Level Drama students presented a workshopped performance of a selection of scenes from Shelagh Stephenson’s play ‘The Memory of Water’ and Laura Wade’s ‘Colder Than Here’. The performance took place in the Drama Studio with a small audience of invited parents and Sixth Form girls. This was a non-examined performance, designed to give the girls an experience of presenting their workshopped pieces to an audience in order to complete their rehearsal process.

This provided the girls with a great challenge due to the psychological plot twists and multifaceted characters. They chose to multi-role all characters and utilise elements of physical theatre and naturalism to highlight the warped sense of reality that exists within the piece.

The Performing Arts Centre was full to the brim, as the audience had heard about what a special piece of theatre they were about to witness, and the GCSE students were eager to gain inspiration for their own work. Each A2 student took on three or more contrasting characters, which was a credit to their versatility and talent as actors. The acting skills, technical elements and set design all contributed to what can only be described as an outstanding performance and special thanks must be given to Mr Alex Boswell and his team for investing time in the A Level work.

We were thrilled that all students achieved full marks for their performances and the Moderator commented that it was the most impressive piece of A2 theatre he had seen for many years. This is a particular triumph for the girls, as they also achieved full marks for their performance work in their AS year. Huge congratulations go to Henrietta Allen, Eliza Downes, Florence Elliott, Rose Galbraith, Lucy Grace, Araminta Moore and Gemma Mountain.

Miss Kyia Grandi, Acting Director of Performing Arts

DRAMA

The ‘Colder Than Here’ group worked with Stanislavski’s techniques and applied a style of naturalism to their piece.

This play is a close study of the emotional dynamics within a family that is struggling to deal with the terminal cancer of the mother. Anna Hewitt, Henrietta Ryan and Grace Devereux all gave commanding performances, creating a poignant and painful depiction of their characters in a very mundane and easily recognisable everyday setting that resonated with their audience.

Three groups explored ‘The Memory of Water’, applying the techniques of theatre practitioner Max Stafford-Clark in order to explore the style of realism. This play deals with the tumultuous relationship between three adult sisters after the death of their mother. Using a combination of dark comedy and carefully observed dialogue, the scenes offered the girls an opportunity to explore reallife relationships. Annabel Roest, Eliza Horn and Claudine Collins performed an emotive and comedic scene, which captured the wry humour of the piece with great aplomb.

Catharine Wippell and Faith Norman explored both the tender and tempestuous side of the sisters’ relationship with great skill, and Jameliah Adekunle bravely performed a monologue in which she captured the tormented nature of the youngest sister, Catherine.

All girls are to be highly commended for their work and will be able to write about this workshopping of material for their non-examined assessment piece in the Upper Sixth.

Miss Kyia Grandi, Acting Director of Performing Arts

At the start of the Summer Term, some of the Lower Fifth GCSE Drama students took their devised practical exam.

The girls were split into groups and were given stimulus material such as song lyrics and the theme of ‘Freedom and Captivity’. The girls workshopped the material to develop their emerging ideas and made decisions about the characters, plot and settings. The final performances included devised work based on imaginary friends, suppression of the true self, the effects of Stockholm syndrome and the racial/social divide. The girls explored a variety of styles and chose to apply ‘Theatre of Cruelty’ and ‘Epic Theatre’ to the pieces to enhance and support their group aims. The girls also sourced their own soundtracks and created lighting plots to add to the atmosphere of the performance work. There were many outstanding performances on the night but special mention must go to Jessica Chapman and Gabriella Nelson for their powerful and emotive performances.

Miss Kayleigh Anger, Housemistress AGN and Teacher of Drama

UPPER FIFTH GCSE PRACTICAL EXAMINATIONS To complete their highly successful GCSE course, the Upper Fifth girls performed their final practical examination for the visiting moderator at the end of the Lent Term.

The girls approached this unit by setting themselves new challenges and researching a wide array of stimuli and playwrights. The options that the Upper Fifth could take were Acting, Improvisation or Devised Thematic Work, and choosing the right material was key for this final opportunity.

EXAMINATIONS

LOWER FIFTH GCSE DEVISED PERFORMANCES

The girls were able to draw upon the diverse techniques that they have practically explored in lessons as well as the professional acting they have seen when visiting the theatre to aid their work for the written component.

The groups and pairs worked hard to complete their pieces.

They were passionate about the styles they had chosen and had researched thoroughly to successfully portray the relevant characters and context of each unique piece. These final pieces included scripted scenes from Polly Stenham’s ‘That Face’ where a private school initiation goes horribly wrong, extracts from ‘Be My Baby’ by Amanda Whittington, which sheds light on teenage pregnancy in 1960s Britain, Steven Berkoff’s ‘Metamorphosis’ and ‘The Trial’ which explored a new physically demanding style of acting for those involved. The devised work covered stimuli such as an article about the notorious Notting Hill Carnival, focusing on some of the crimes that can occur during these festivities, and historical records about Helen Keller and the way in which this young deaf girl and her teacher developed revolutionary ways in which to communicate. The external examiner was highly impressed by the girls’ skills and commitment to each performance.

It has been a very successful year for the Upper Fifth, with a large proportion of the cohort achieving full marks in at least one of the practical pieces of work they undertook. This is a wonderful achievement and we are truly proud of the skill development and progress made by our Upper Fifth. This year’s outstanding successes included Sophie Elliot, Olivia Kirkby, Cecilia Kane, Katie Hackman, Lettice Cornell and Miranda Woodruff. We extend our congratulations to all the girls involved.

Miss Rhiannon Bland, Teacher of Drama and KS3 Coordinator

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

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PRODUCTIONS

REHEARSING THE SCHOOL MUSICAL ‘INTO THE WOODS’ On 1 July 2017, the Lower Sixth and Lower Fifth performed a School musical based on Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Into the Woods’. In this production we took Sondheim’s original idea and explored it through dance, movement, singing and acting. Rehearsals began in January. It was a process of collaboration and playful creativity from the very beginning and I have rarely worked with such a fully-engaged cast. Much of the vision for this show developed through ideas offered by the girls and they took great ownership of their work.

One of the key artistic conventions for this production was the use of animals to help tell the story. The ensemble were keen to get involved in bringing the puppets to life on stage, so through collaboration we decided to develop the theme of wooden structures for the puppets, inspired by the National Theatre’s production of ‘Warhorse’. The technical elements of this show were innovative and challenging. Thanks to the perseverance and skill of Mr Alex Boswell and his technical team, we were able to have Jack (Ottilie Whitbread) abseiling down his contemporary metalframed beanstalk, and our Giant (Gabriella Nelson) projected using a live feed from an adjacent room to appear in grizzly three-dimensional reality on stage.

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Trinity Guildhall examined the performance for the Grade 4 ‘Performance Arts in Production’ certificate, and the entire cast gained a high Distinction. The examiner was bowled over by the girls’ work, commenting that she was very impressed with the professionalism of the cast. I fully congratulate all involved on their achievement.

Miss Kyia Grandi, Acting Director of Performing Arts

DRAMA

THE PUPPETS Puppets helped us tell the story of ‘Into the Woods’.

Jack’s cow, named Milky White, played an important role in the first half of the play and was designed by Miss Grandi and Mr Nash. Mrs Warde made a very lifelike head for Milky White, and along with the bare framed body she was an extremely striking puppet.

I was happy to help with the design of Cinderella’s birds.

Their design was purposefully similar to that of Milky White, using a bare wooden frame with some standout features. I thought the exposed ‘ribcage’ effect would help the birds fit in well with the production, with a darker and eerier undertone. We chose to contrast the wooden structures with the use of brightly coloured feathers, creating a juxtaposing effect. This reflected the changing nature of the story from a happy fairy tale to all going a bit wrong. With the help of Mr Nash and Miss Grandi, we designed the body of the birds as well as the wings and, when we were happy with the drawings, Mr Nash went to work on the final product. Mrs Warde designed the feathers for each type of bird, which made the birds seem very life-like and looked spectacular when the lights hit them.

The overall image and movement of the birds were impressive to watch, and involving puppets in the show gave us all a new experience of performing with puppets on stage.

Grace Devereux, LVI

Based on Stephen Sondheim’s musical of the same name, this was a hugely challenging undertaking for a school production but one that succeeded on every level. The quality of the production was breathtaking and there were so many notable performances from the principals.

It really was a game of two halves, the first being a jolly romp through fairy tale land with all the stories we know and love, and the happily-ever-after ending.

However, after the interval things turned dark and disturbing as the characters were forced to face the consequences of their moral choices.

The story begins with the Baker and his wife, who are desperate to have a child and set out to break the curse of the wicked witch. Anna Hewitt and Henrietta Ryan gave powerful and convincing performances and their pain and determination was felt by all. Anna’s beautiful rendition of ‘Moments in the Woods’ just before her character’s haunting death moved me greatly. As the Baker, Henrietta’s heartfelt final song ‘No More’ was deeply touching and she communicated her character’s suffering with great skill. Eliza Horn gave a captivating performance as the Witch. Her journey from wizened old hag to regaining her youth and beauty was expertly performed and she gave a spellbinding interpretation of the humanity within the character through her relationship with her daughter, Rapunzel (Emma Bracken), particularly in the stand out song ‘Stay with Me’.

Cinderella (Catharine Wippell) wishes to attend the King’s Festival and despite the predictable efforts of her stepmother and ugly stepsisters, she finally gets her Prince. Victoria Scobie, as the Wicked Stepmother, was funny and terrifying in equal measure and the ugly sisters were suitably repellent. Jack (Ottilie Whitbread) tries to help his mother by selling his cow for a handful of beans and finds gold in the Giant’s land at the top of the beanstalk. Tara Farquhar, as a charming but naïve Little Red Riding Hood, eventually frees her grandmother (a hilarious comic cameo from Ilaria Bevan) from the sleazy French Wolf played by Katherine Garnett.

tower but could not escape her fate. We were left with the poignant reminder that happy ever after never really happens and that we should always think very carefully about what we wish for before we act.

This strong and dynamic cast had clearly worked hard throughout the rehearsal period to create an outstanding piece of theatre. The principal characters were all very clearly drawn and three dimensional, with a convincing humanity amidst the fairy-tale sheen.

Miss Gabriella Rose’s sound design complemented the piece perfectly, and the conflicts and resolutions of the story were reflected in Sondheim’s occasionally jarring and sometimes melodic musical composition.

The complex rhythms and occasionally clashing tones provided a challenging and exhilarating musical thread throughout the piece. The quality of the singing was excellent and the girls tackled the complex score with outstanding success. It was, at times, easy to forget that I was watching a school production.

The carefully designed and detailed props and costumes enhanced the whole piece and the set was innovative in its handling of the challenges of so many different locations including Jack’s beanstalk and Rapunzel’s tower, which were placed at the back of the auditorium. Every scene had something at which to marvel. Puppets were used to great effect to represent Jack’s cow and the birds of the Forest and the ensemble proved to be skilful puppeteers. There was a huge amount of effort, energy and skill in this production and the result was a stunningly impressive ensemble piece. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the performance and would like to extend my thanks and praise to the entire cast as well as the creative team behind it.

Mrs Michelle Scott, Assistant Headmistress (Foundation)

All of our heroes get what they want in the end but the happy endings turn sour. Jack’s reckless chopping down of the beanstalk, in seeking to make amends to his mother (Eleanor Bishop,) brings about the arrival of the Giant’s wife seeking revenge for her husband’s death and the inhabitants of fairy tale land are terrorised. The princely duo played by Annabel Roest and Rosanna Craig were extremely entertaining and provided excellent comic relief in their rendition of the song ‘Agony’, which bemoans their troubles in getting a girl!

Rapunzel, who has finally been rescued from her evil witch of a mother by a handsome prince, realises that he is not quite as charming as she thought and the Giant eventually crushes her to death. Before being trampled, Emma Bracken sang beautifully from her DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

PRODUCTIONS

BRILLIANT NEW INTERPRETATION OF ‘INTO THE WOODS’

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PRODUCTIONS

ALTERNATIVE FACTS – AN UPPER FIFTH ‘PLAY IN A DAY’ At the end of Lent Term, the Upper Fifth performed a ‘Play in a Day’. We had three days in total to prepare and perform the play on the theme of ‘Alternative Facts’. We spent a full day preparing and rehearsing various sketches and then had a dress rehearsal before the night of the performance. We thought Alternative Facts would be a good theme for the play because of the multiple news stories at the time based around the topic. The play consisted of multiple sketches ranging from a scene from Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ to an adapted version of a Monty Python sketch entitled ‘Ladies Wot Lunch’. Between the sketches, we had short transition performances based on popular internet memes and poking fun at the ‘La La Land’ Oscar Award Ceremony mistake by replacing the nominees with Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. We also performed two musical numbers which were parodies of famous songs. One song was entitled ‘Alternative Facts’ and the other was called ‘Fact Checker’ which was sung to the tune of ‘Match Maker’ from ‘Fiddler on the Roof’. Despite having only a very short time in which to devise and perform the play, the Upper Fifth did an amazing job at pulling everything together from scratch and the audience of parents and fellow pupils really enjoyed it. It was a fun way to end the term and definitely provided some comic relief for the year group before we started our GCSE exam term. Special thanks go to the Drama Department for helping us to bring it all together.

Kirsty Depledge, UV

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DRAMA

PRODUCTIONS 99

A MID-SPRING NIGHT’S DREAM In April, I had the pleasure of directing sixty members of the Upper Fourth to create our own unique version of William Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’ It has always been one of my favourite plays, with the combination of the mortal Athenian court and the immortal fantasy world, a variety of unique characters, including the hilarious mechanicals and following a theme expressing that ‘the course of true love never did run smooth.’

Other outstanding performances included the charming Lysander, played gallantly by Antonia Holloway, the somewhat vain Demetrius, so charismatically performed by Saskia Mactaggart, and Ellen (Nellie) Gawne who triumphed with excellent comic timing as an eccentric Bottom.

Clementine McNair Scott portrayed an elegant Helena who blossomed with independence at times, and Poppy Scales and Rosalind Wippell acted as a fantastical regal duo as Oberon and Titania.

I enjoy challenging myself to create innovative adaptations of classic plays and, despite this production remaining traditional in many ways, I modernised the script, added in more poetry within the language, created new characters whilst altering the perspective on others. I also included a collection of songs and dances to reinforce the ‘magic’ within the plot. For example, Annissa Baber, who portrayed a memorable version of Hermia, was moved around the stage by the nightmare dancers to Emily Browning’s adaptation of ‘Sweet Dreams’. The singers gave their rendition of Emma Heesters’ ‘Let Me Love You’ when Helena was distraught by Demetrius’ unrequited love, and Christina Elliot concluded the play as a young, cheeky, female Puck entering on her fairylightbedecked bicycle singing Lana Del Rey’s ‘Once Upon A Dream’.

The works of William Shakespeare can be timeless, with many of the messages being particularly relevant in our modern society and new adaptations are frequently performed. Interpreting Shakespeare in a contemporary way makes it easily accessible for those approaching Shakespeare for the first time. In this production, there were frequent references to social media with Helena and Demetrius’ relationship represented in an ‘it’s complicated’ mode through video clips and Facebook profiles. Constance Pope and Imogen Ridley appeared on ‘Facetime’ as Egeus, Hermia’s father, and Henry, Hermia’s younger teenage brother.

Well done to all the girls, who worked extremely hard over the course of five months to bring this new script to life in a visually pleasing and entertaining way.

Miss Rhiannon Bland, Teacher of Drama and KS3 Coordinator DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

STAGE DOOR LECTURE

OLIVER BENNETT STAGE DOOR LECTURE During this Stage Door Lecture, we were able to participate in a drama workshop led by Oliver Bennett, a graduate from RADA. We learned the definition of an objective and an action - an objective being what a performer is trying to achieve in a scene and an action being how a performer achieves their objective.

We explored the objective of a person trying to get another person to sit on a chair, and we watched a demonstration of charm used as the action. In a second demonstration of the same objective we were asked to identify a different action and it was clear that force was the action. Using this information, we paired up to act out two different scenarios and I enjoyed acting with different people in my year. Next, we were given the scenario of someone walking into a room, packing items into a bag and leaving and some of us were asked to volunteer in these scenarios. We were shown the difference between performing an action to exaggerate to the audience and performing an action in a more realistic way.

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My favourite part was acting in a scenario where I played the part of someone packing their things to leave for holiday and then receiving bad news from their sister. At the end, we had the opportunity to ask Oliver Bennett some questions and he gave us advice on applying to drama school and auditioning.

Overall, it was a very helpful and engaging session.

Elizabeth Bolodeoku, UV

DRAMA

I am delighted to report that it was another very successful year for the Speech and Drama Department in 2016/17.

September saw the inaugural RADA Shakespeare trip to Stratford-upon-Avon to see ’King Lear’ and to take part in a practical voice workshop with one of the company’s voice directors. This was a trip that the girls found greatly rewarding and it provided an excellent support for the RADA examinations which took place at the beginning of December.

There were three examination sessions this year, with the older girls taking their RADA examinations in December and Trinity in March, and the Lower School and Upper Fourth girls taking their examinations just before Long Exeat in the Summer Term.

The results for this year were absolutely stunning. Several girls were awarded the highest level for their RADA examinations, which is an outstanding achievement of which they should be very proud. The Trinity results also make very pleasant reading, with a great number of girls achieving very high distinctions.

Particular congratulations must go to Rose Galbraith, Head of Speech and Drama, who achieved 98/100 for her Grade 8 Musical Theatre examination. The group results in the summer were every bit as fabulous, with an 80% Distinction rate.

Congratulations to every single girl who took a Speech and Drama, Communication Skills or Musical Theatre examination in 2016/17. These incredible results are testimony to all of their hard work and are thoroughly deserved.

Mrs Rebecca Watson, Head of Extra-Curricular Drama

FOUNDER’S WEEKEND SPEECH AND DRAMA SHOWCASE At Founder’s Weekend 2017, the Drama Department showed some of the best bits of the last two terms from our Speech and Drama students. All the girls achieved an impressive Distinction in their Trinity examinations this year. There was a wealth of talent on show, ranging from Remove to Lower Sixth, with the students presenting a collection of devised, scripted and musical theatre performances.

There was a spectacular variety of repertoire, with captivating solo musical numbers including Annie Hazlitt’s moving rendition of ‘Home’ and Anna Hewitt’s charming version of ‘The Trolley Song’. Catharine Wippell delivered an intense and highly emotive Lady Macbeth, showing an excellent command of the stage. This heightened piece contrasted with the Lower Fourth’s scripted extract from Jim Cartwright’s contemporary youth play, ‘The Mobile Phone Show’, a very real account of how mobile phones affect our social interaction in today’s society.

The Upper Fourth and Lower Fifth delighted us all with an exciting Smörgåsbord of scripted performances, demonstrating an insight into the range of repertoire worked on this year. Lower Sixth students Henrietta Ryan and Claudine Collins demonstrated the highest quality of acting with their extract from ‘A Brief History of Helen of Troy’, giving the audience an unsettling examination of complacency in culture and the politics of beauty. Annabel Roest with ‘Flash Bang Wallop!’ and Beatrice Phillips and Alice Weldon with ‘A Hard Knock Life’ delivered high energy and comedic performances, showing excellent stagecraft and choreography to entertain their audience. The Remove delighted us with their devised piece ‘Mrs Mathers’, showing huge promise for the future of Performing Arts at Downe House. This showcase rounded off another highly successful year for the Drama Department.

Mrs Natalie Warde, Teacher of Speech and Drama

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

SPEECH AND DRAMA

SPEECH AND DRAMA

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SPEECH AND DRAMA

HEAD OF SPEECH AND DRAMA REVIEW I was so happy to have been appointed Head of Speech and Drama last year and to have had the opportunity to help as a Senior in this dynamic Department – one that I have been passionately involved in since joining Downe House. And what a great year it’s been for the department! The School performances included ‘The Worst Witch’, ‘A Mid-Spring Night’s Dream’ and ‘Into The Woods’, where students were given the chance to fully immerse themselves in the Drama community and enjoy the exciting process of everyone coming together to put on a play.

This year saw the creation of the Speech and Drama Showcases, which gave students the opportunity to perform speeches, songs or duologues in an informal environment to their peers and teachers. These could be in preparation for Trinity and RADA exams, formal performances … or maybe just for fun! There was a great response to these Showcases; lots of students wanted to grasp the opportunity to perform, and it was wonderful to see so many people coming along to support their friends, encouraging the team spirit of the Drama Department.

In the Lent Term, I created The Shakespeare Quiz. This was open to all and was intended to be a fun interaction with Shakespeare’s characters and themes. I wanted to put together a quiz that gave pupils a taste of his plays, and for some of the younger students this may have been their first exposure to Shakespeare. In fact, our overall winner was a member of Remove.

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RADA STUDENTS’ SHAKESPEARE EXPERIENCE In September, everyone planning to take a RADA exam in December visited Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare, to have a tour of The Other Place, to take part in a drama workshop for vocal skills and to see a performance of ‘King Lear’. During the tour, we went backstage and saw the various rehearsal rooms and the main stage, which is used for new plays or presentations.

We also saw the costumes used in previous performances, which are all tailor made for each actor or actress. The workshop was very useful practice for when we will take our exams because it showed us easy ways to learn lines and practise pieces. We worked on putting expression into every word; even words we would usually not focus on such as ‘Oh!’, and this in turn helped us understand the piece better.

After some free time spent looking around Stratford and dinner at Pizza Express, we went to see ‘King Lear’ at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. The Royal Shakespeare Company, which aims to bring Shakespeare’s plays to life, produced the performance and they certainly achieved this. It was a great experience because it showed us how Shakespeare DRAMA

could be performed and it was interesting to see how the professionals can bring a play to life on a simple stage, especially for those of us who were not familiar with King Lear. The actors communicated their lines so clearly, it was easy to follow. A dark and tense atmosphere was created from the instant we walked into the theatre as there were actors already on stage dressed in hooded clothing and not moving, making the audience instantly aware of the tone of the piece.

One of the most memorable moments was in the scene where they set up a large glass box on stage in order to interrogate someone. It added a very interesting effect and made the blood spatters look much more realistic and horrifying. Overall, it was a superb performance, expertly created, and the acting was phenomenal as it was clear that the actors really felt and understood everything they were saying, which can be difficult to achieve with Shakespeare. Each of us took away something from the performance that will help to improve our RADA pieces, whether it is changes to our voice, movement, or just an increase in passion for Shakespeare.

Kirsty Depledge and Gemma Mountain, UV and UVI

Rose Galbraith, Head of Speech and Drama UVI

RADA SHAKESPEARE CERTIFICATES AWARDED BRONZE

Exam

Grade Band

Yeargroup

Isabel Fincham

Solo

Pass

Upper Fifth

You-Oceane Wang

Solo

Pass

Upper Fifth

Esther Bolodeoku

Duo

Pass

Upper Fifth

Lettice Cornell

Duo

Pass

Upper Fifth

Cosima Davies

Duo

Pass

Upper Fifth

Kirsty Depledge

Duo

Pass

Upper Fifth

Lucinda Dunlop

Duo

Pass

Upper Fifth

Lucy Dyer

Duo

Pass

Upper Fifth

Sophie Elliot

Duo

Pass

Upper Fifth

Florence Fanshawe

Duo

Pass

Upper Fifth

Imogen Gregory

Duo

Pass

Upper Fifth

Hebe Ide

Duo

Distinction

Lower Sixth

Isabella Jones

Duo

Pass

Upper Fifth

Cecelia Kane

Duo

Pass

Upper Fifth

Iman Khalil

Duo

Pass

Upper Fifth

Olivia Kirkby

Duo

Pass

Upper Fifth

Victoria Scobie

Duo

Distinction

Lower Sixth

Ella Scott

Duo

Pass

Upper Fifth

Miranda Woodruff

Duo

Pass

Upper Fifth

Charlotte (Lottie) Zeal

Duo

Pass

Upper Fifth

SILVER

Exam

Grade Band

Yeargroup

Jennifer Darko

Solo

Pass

Lower Sixth

Eliza Gibbons-West

Solo

Pass

Lower Sixth

Verity Hornby

Solo

Pass

Lower Sixth

Honor Pattison

Solo

Distinction

Upper Sixth

Henrietta Allen

Duo

Pass

Upper Sixth

Ilaria Bevan

Duo

Pass

Lower Sixth

Miranda Bird

Duo

Pass

Upper Sixth

Eleanor Bishop

Duo

Distinction

Lower Sixth

Claudine Collins

Duo

Pass

Lower Sixth

Jasmine Coulson

Duo

Pass

Upper Sixth

Sarah Darko

Duo

Pass

Lower Sixth

Grace Devereux

Duo

Pass

Lower Sixth

Eliza Downes

Duo

Distinction

Upper Sixth

Florence Elliott

Duo

Distinction

Upper Sixth

Katherine Garnett

Duo

Pass

Lower Sixth

Katharine Garvin

Duo

Pass

Upper Sixth

Kirstin Gray

Duo

Pass

Upper Sixth

Anna Hewitt

Duo

Distinction

Lower Sixth

Eliza Horn

Duo

Distinction

Lower Sixth

Araminta Moore

Duo

Pass

Upper Sixth

Gemma Mountain

Duo

Pass

Upper Sixth

Jemima Oliver

Duo

Pass

Upper Sixth

Matilda Pope

Duo

Pass

Lower Sixth

Henrietta Ryan

Duo

Distinction

Lower Sixth

Clara Silcock

Duo

Pass

Lower Sixth

Isabella Smith

Duo

Pass

Upper Sixth

Caroline Watkinson

Duo

Pass

Upper Sixth

Saskia Wormsley

Duo

Distinction

Lower Sixth

GOLD

Exam

Result

Yeargroup

India Burney

Duo

Pass

Upper Sixth

Rose Galbraith

Duo

Pass

Upper Sixth

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

SPEECH AND DRAMA

The Department continues to provide endless opportunities to participate, whether in a performing capacity, behind the scenes or as part of the audience, all within a nurturing atmosphere, helping to build self-confidence. The Drama Department is such a vibrant and exciting area of Downe House life and I feel very fortunate to have spent five years growing within its community.

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SPEECH AND DRAMA

TRINITY SPEECH AND DRAMA RESULTS GRADE 2 Eleanor

Matilda Harris, Mary Hazlitt, Lara Mulvany, Eloise O’Donnell, Mirabel Summerfield

Group Devised

95

Distinction

Grandpa's Attic

Rosie Phillips, Cordelia Reeve, Agnes Rose

Group Devised

95

Distinction

Mr E’s Mansion

Dariya Andreeva, Cora Green, Konstanza Haefner, Hermione Heseltine

Group Devised

95

Distinction

Mrs Mathers

Beatrice Campbell, Rose Cornell, Alice Hack, Amelie Mandic-Tyler

Group Devised

96

Distinction

Red Riding Hood

Thea Davies, Ziqi (Jade) Fang, Lara Gillham

Group Devised

95

Distinction

Snow White

Tate Halestrap, Cicely Higgins, Omenasan Irikefe, Daisy Matthews, Lucy Morrison

Group Devised

95

Distinction

The Cereal Killer

Fara Akinkugbe, Lauren Akinluyi, Ayomide Awosika, Carina Bischoff

Group Devised

90

Distinction

The Swap

Poppy Spiegelberg, Miranda Tromans, Susannah Wood, Jasmine Wyles

Group Devised

85

Distinction

Matilda

Amy Jiang, Neelan May Muge, Emilia Nelson, Isobel (Izzie) Peddie

Musical Theatre

97

Distinction

Matilda 2

Taizya Adedeji, Fife Akinkugbe, Kylie Chan, Charlotte Beveridge

Musical Theatre

85

Distinction

On the Rocks

Rosie Montague, Charlotte Pearson, Poppy Wessely

Group Devised

90

Distinction

Overboard

Tara Dyer, Heloise Friedlander, Celine Ibori, Honor Mathews

Group Devised

90

Distinction

The Orphanage

Lyla Elichaoff, Sophie Kelly, Alethea Ings-Chambers, Olivia Monckton

Group Devised

90

Distinction

Magic Mirror

Ashley Iguh, Amelia Maughan, Antonia McClintock, Emma Woodworth

Group Devised

87

Distinction

Adventure Camp

Soung Park, Rosamund (Rosie) Pegna, Hannah Perkins, Mathilda Singer

Group Scripted

88

Distinction

Adventure Camp 2

Georgia Dunkerley, Madelaina Lavelle, Honor Neville

Group Scripted

82

Merit

Alice in Wonderland

Ayanfeoluwa Adedeji, Louisa Healey, Yasmine McLennan

Group Scripted

92

Distinction

The Crazy Sexy Cool Girls Fan Club

Ceara Bastin, Madeleine Hales, Margot Ridley, Mia Viventi, Phoebe Whiting

Group Scripted

90

Distinction

The Mobile Phone Show

Harriet Boucher, Cosima Curzon, Kate Mulvany, Alice Pernthaller, Matilda Wilkinson

Group Scripted

95

Distinction

Innocent?

Emily Glover, Francesca Horton, Gardiner Hunt

Group Devised

88

Distinction

Ne Mem Bon

Florence McNair Scott, Poppy Scales, Beatrice Weaver, Tun Yin (Angie) Wong

Group Devised

90

Distinction

The Attack

Lara Coppen-Gardner, Katharine Corbett, Francesca Rhodes

Group Devised

90

Distinction

The Choice

Tosin Adepoju, Romilly Cox, Nok Sze (Sisi) Li

Group Devised

95

Distinction

The Proposal

Sophie Armitage, Imogen Dale, Phoebe Hughes

Group Devised

90

Distinction

Blythe Spirit

Louisa Fiertz, Priya Kooros, Lu (Lulu) Tian

Group Scripted

75

Merit

Daisy Pulls It Off

Saskia Dale, Constance Pope, Lua Vazquez Sanchez

Group Scripted

96

Distinction

Five Kinds of Silence

Wan Hei (Victoria) Cho, Olivia Jackson, Imogen Ridley, Rosalind Wippell

Group Scripted

95

Distinction

Mal De Mere

Vivienne Eisenhardt, Sappho Novatin, Liberty Wilson

Group Scripted

90

Distinction

Mother Figure

Chioma Emenike, Lavinia Geddes, Antonia Holloway

Group Scripted

92

Distinction

Pygmalion

Morgan Kandrac, Saskia Robbiati, Lucy Stebbings

Group Scripted

82

Merit

Pygmalion 2

Olivia Lamb, Chelsea Huang, Matilda McDougall, Daisy Williams

Group Scripted

70

Pass

Relics

Toluwase Agusto, Lucia Bugeja, Lisabel Thistlethwayte

Group Scripted

90

Distinction

Shakers

Anabella Horsfield, Jemima Landale, Maria Manduka, Omolade Pearse

Group Scripted

85

Distinction

Shakers 2

Lara Kabir-Jennings, Rosanna Love, Chisengo (Elizabeth) Lukama

Group Scripted

96

Distinction

Sleeping Beauty

Suzanna Brooke, Molly Dubens, Ke Ni (Nico) Sun

Group Scripted

80

Merit

The Séance

Tabitha Kendall, Lily Mathews, Kate Rollo

Group Scripted

85

Distinction

The Séance 2

Florence Hack, Sofia Kobzar, Clementine McNair Scott

Group Scripted

83

Merit

The Séance 3

Christina Elliot, Jemima Harrison, Anjolaoluwa Omotola, Ayobami Razak-Shittu

Group Scripted

87

Distinction

Toad of Toad Hall

Faridah Are, Grace Cooke, Maryam Mammadova, Po Lam (Natalie) Wong

Group Scripted

90

Distinction

We Lost Elijah

Astrid Ashdown, Annissa Baber, Honor Hamwee, Lisa Lotte Scheuner, Saskia Walton

Group Scripted

85

Distinction

Speech & Drama

91

Distinction

GRADE 3

104

GRADE 4

Sabrina Wang

DRAMA

Mark

Grade Band

Acting in Pairs

GRADE 6

Mark

Grade Band

Charlotte Berry

95

Distinction

Esther Bolodeoku

89

Distinction

Acting in Pairs

Oluwatamilore Bolodeoku

94

Distinction

Emma Bracken

91

Distinction

Lettice Cornell

86

Distinction

Zoe Carruthers

86

Distinction

Calypso Cox

92

Distinction

Jessica Chapman

91

Distinction

Jemima Cremin

82

Merit

Natalia Cremin

92

Distinction

Cosima Davies

86

Distinction

Molly Dewar

95

Distinction

Kirsty Depledge

88

Distinction

Abriella (Abby) Dolbear

80

Merit

Davina Drummond

82

Merit

Tara Farquhar

94

Distinction

Sophie Elliot

87

Distinction

Eliza Farquharson

85

Distinction

Oluchi Emenike

95

Distinction

Holly Fenn

94

Distinction

Florence Fanshawe

86

Distinction

Anna Hall

80

Merit

Imogen Gregory

79

Merit

Mili Haywood

86

Distinction

Cecelia Kane

91

Distinction

Tilly Hughes

83

Merit

Olivia Kirkby

95

Distinction

Jade Jacomb

88

Distinction

Georgina Pollock

88

Distinction

Madison James

80

Merit

Ella Scott

86

Distinction

Julia Kennerley

95

Distinction

Holly Skinner

89

Distinction

Alexandra Kiy

86

Distinction

Honor Stephens

89

Distinction

Emily Manners

92

Distinction

Miranda Woodruff

75

Merit

Lucy McCreery

82

Merit

Charlotte Zeal

87

Distinction

Gabriella Nelson

82

Merit

Communication Skills

Anna Neville

82

Merit

Nina Bugeja

87

Distinction

Charlotte Nicholson

94

Distinction

Naomi Egoh

81

Merit

Nina Paterson

92

Distinction

Sabrina Sambhi

71

Pass

Sasha Percy-Davis

92

Distinction

Individual Acting Skills

Alice Peters

87

Distinction

Isabel Fincham

83

Merit

Safiya Shamji

82

Merit

Harriet Sasson

76

Merit

Imogen Webber

86

Distinction

You-Oceane Wang

87

Distinction

Helena Wormsley

92

Distinction

Musical Theatre Pair Rosie Blackburn

93

Distinction

Motolani Oladitan

78

Merit

Torera Bolodeoku

94

Distinction

Alessandra Walsh

80

Merit

Lauren Dunn

93

Distinction

Georgia Hewitson

96

Distinction

Communication Skills

Individual Acting Skills Victoria Aarons

70

Pass

Trinity Hill

93

Distinction

Alina Erkulova

72

Pass

Andreja Mirosevic-Sorgo

86

Distinction

Annie Hazlitt

95

Distinction

Lara Mountain

93

Distinction

Lucy Phillips

86

Distinction

94

Distinction

Musical Theatre Pair Emily Carpmael

90

Distinction

Jaira Vazquez Sanchez

Beatrice Phillips

87

Distinction

Musical Theatre Solo

Lucy Sneader

90

Distinction

Kirsty Depledge

93

Distinction

Alice Weldon

87

Distinction

Katherine Hackman

92

Distinction

Cecelia Kane

94

Distinction

Chee Sum (Tiffany) Lai

86

Distinction

Ella Scott

87

Distinction

Imogen SimpsonOrlebar

87

Distinction

Miranda Woodruff

87

Distinction

Musical Theatre Solo Annie Hazlitt

89

Distinction

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

SPEECH AND DRAMA

GRADE 5

105

SPEECH AND DRAMA

GRADE 7

Mark

Grade Band

Mark

Grade Band

Ilaria Bevan

85

Distinction

Henrietta Allen

76

Merit

Eleanor Bishop

88

Distinction

Emma Barrett-Fish

96

Distinction

Claudine Collins

85

Distinction

Miranda Bird

90

Distinction

Sasha Coulson

85

Distinction

Roseanna Bromley

87

Distinction

Sarah Darko

85

Distinction

India Burney

92

Distinction

Grace Devereux

85

Distinction

Jasmine Coulson

76

Merit

Katherine Garnett

89

Distinction

Georgina Dick

96

Distinction

94

Distinction

Anna Hewitt

88

Distinction

Eliza Downes

Eliza Horn

86

Distinction

Florence Elliott

94

Distinction

Hebe Ide

83

Merit

Rose Galbraith

92

Distinction

Alexia Milliken

85

Distinction

Katharine Garvin

90

Distinction

Matilda Pope

89

Distinction

Kirstin Gray

90

Distinction

Henrietta Ryan

85

Distinction

Araminta Moore

83

Merit

Victoria Scobie

83

Merit

Gemma Mountain

96

Distinction

Clara Silcock

88

Distinction

Charlotte Simpson

87

Distinction

Saskia Wormsley

86

Distinction

Caroline Watkinson

90

Distinction

Celine Harborne

92

Distinction

Hebe Meredith

82

Merit

Merit

Honor Pattisson

94

Distinction

Individual Acting Skills

Communication Skills Bethany Perry

82

Merit

Individual Acting Skills Grace Cornish

106

GRADE 8 Acting in Pairs

Acting in Pairs

80

Jennifer Darko

83

Merit

Musical Theatre Pair

Holly Evans

90

Distinction

Eliza Downes

96

Distinction

Eliza Gibbons-West

67

Pass

India Laidlaw

83

Merit

Sasha Villiers-Smith

80

Merit

Jemima Oliver

96

Distinction

Musical Theatre Pair

Poppy Winsor

83

Merit

Rosanna Craig

87

Distinction

Musical Theatre Solo

Isabella Craig

87

Distinction

Charlotte Aldrich

92

Distinction

Anna Hewitt

90

Distinction

Henrietta Allen

96

Distinction

Victoria Scobie

90

Distinction

Miranda Bird

92

Distinction

Clara Silcock

80

Merit

India Burney

83

Merit

Jane Tung

74

Pass

Violet Crawfurd

94

Distinction

Rose Galbraith

98

Distinction

Merit

Isabelle Smith

83

Merit

Lydia Stonehill

94

Distinction

Musical Theatre Solo Emilie Cheung

82

Anna Hewitt

93

Distinction

Alexandra O’Kane

93

Distinction

Annabel Roest

93

Distinction

Catharine Wippell

88

Distinction

DRAMA

sport

107

SPORTS DAY

SPORTS DAY At last ‌ a sunny Sports Day, the first in seven years! There was fantastic House spirit and competitiveness all round, and the athletes performed to an excellent standard, especially in the heat, breaking several School records.

The effort from all the competitors to try their best was impressive and the overall standard of athletics across the School has risen considerably during the year. Congratulations go to all the girls who took part and well done to Holcombe House on winning the Cup and being crowned overall House Champions, ending the long reign of AGN. A great day all round.

Mrs Lydia Rayne, Director of Sport

SPORTS DAY HONOURS 108

Junior Cup

Honor Neville and Freya Illingworth

Intermediate Cup for Outstanding Performance

Kitty Shepherd-Cross

Junior Winners

AGS

Intermediate Winners

Aisholt

Senior Winners

Holcombe

Sports Day 2017 House Champions

Holcombe

SPORT

SPORTS DAY 109

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

SPORTS SCHOLARSHIPS 110

SPORTS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME Throughout the course of the 2016/17 season, our Scholars have gone from strength to strength and their hard work has shown on the pitch, court and track!

Strength and conditioning training has helped to develop power, speed and agility and the early morning fitness sessions have helped to develop the girls’ cardiovascular endurance.

The focus, drive and passion the girls have shown for their sports has been great to see and the achievements that have come as a result have been amazing. Throughout the year we have held small group sessions where we have focused on different topics including university sport and goal setting.

We have also been fortunate to welcome as guest coaches and speakers Shaunagh Craig, Lydia Greenway, Toby Garbett and Annabel Croft, and the girls have learned a great deal from each of these inspirational sportspeople.

In the Summer Term the girls shone on the tennis courts and athletics track, and it was fantastic to see so many of them competing for their Houses on Sports Day. The girls continued to work hard in the Summer Term, and most recently we have focused on recovery with our Scholars.

On 22 June we organised a ‘Day in the life of an elite athlete’ for our UIV and LV Scholars which consisted of strength and conditioning in the morning, an intense training session with Mr Goodall in the afternoon and a recovery session in the evening. They also received nutrition cards to help them think about what they should be eating to help fuel their bodies and kept a food diary throughout the day there were very mixed reviews about the recovery shakes they had with breakfast!

Their evening session consisted of foam rolling and ice baths, which the girls seemed to enjoy!

At the end of term, it was time to say goodbye to all of the Scholars and Exhibitioners who were leaving us: Camilla Farrell, Melissa McAlpine, Sophie Manners, Rebecca Radford, Charlotte Clover, Georgina Witter, Jasmine Coulson, Octavia Leahy, Lucinda Clark, Iona Jardine, Daisy Padovan and Lucy Cunningham. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication over the years and we wish you the very best of luck for the future. Keep in touch!

Please do keep up to date with our Scholars’ training and achievements through our Twitter account @DHSport1.

Miss Katie Quarterman, Teacher of PE SPORT

LACROSSE

LACROSSE REPORT The 1st Team lacrosse season was fantastic! We had a wonderful set of girls who bonded well to make a superb and very talented team. In the Michaelmas Term they were crowned winners of the Berkshire Schools Tournament, and made South West Regional Champions. This stood the girls in good stead for the Lent Term and the impending National Schools Tournament. The preparations for the tournament were intense with the girls regularly practising, and with early morning fitness training featuring heavily throughout the year. The nature of the tournament is cruel with only 15 minutes per game to seal the win.

We came through some tough games and were ‘the team to watch’, beating Berkhamsted, St Catherine’s, Stowe, Godolphin and many other top schools to reach the semi-final against Benenden; a team we had beaten earlier on in the season in a full length match.

Unfortunately, we lost to a golden goal to the team that would eventually win the tournament.

This has been the best season for the 1st Team at Downe House for many years. The statistics speak for themselves with 18 wins across the two terms.

Everyone who was involved would agree that this really was a season and a team to remember.

Overall, the senior teams have won the majority of their matches. The 2nd Team won the South West Regional Tournament and the 3rd and 4th Teams were unbeaten in the Michaelmas Term.

The U15 Team won the Berkshire County Tournament and continued to have a very successful season securing victories over all the strong schools in the South. In the Nationals, they reached the semi-finals and they have done extremely well to claim their place as one of the top four teams in the country!

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The U14s won the Berkshire County Tournament and were silver medallists in the South West Regional Championships as well as the U15s and U12s. The U13s reached the quarter-finals in the Nationals.

The fantastic success is due to the strength and depth in the senior teams, and is testimony to how hard they have all worked to perform to their best. Well done girls!

Mrs Lydia Rayne, Director of Sport

Lacrosse Team Honours 2016/17 1st Lacrosse

National Schools Semi-Finalists South West Regional Champions Berkshire Schools Champions

2nd Lacrosse

South West Regional Champions

U15 Team

National Schools Semi-Finalists South West Regional Silver Medallists Berkshire Schools Champions

U14 Team

South West Regional Silver Medallists Berkshire Schools Champions

U13 Team

National Schools Quarter-Finalists

U12 Team

South West Regional Silver Medallists

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

HOCKEY

HOCKEY We have had a very busy and successful season in Hockey this year, which started off with the U18s going through to the semi-finals of the Berkshire Tournament. And this success was quickly followed by the U15s winning the Berkshire Tournament just a few weeks later, which is a first for a Downe House U15, so many congratulations go to them!

Well done to Arella Szlapak (LV) for being selected for the Berkshire Hockey Team, which is notoriously difficult to be selected for in that age group.

Among victories to be proud of were 1st Squad winning against St Mary’s Ascot at the start of the season and the U18 Team winning the West Berkshire League. The time has come for many of the 1st Team members to say goodbye to their Downe House hockey careers, all of whom have hugely enjoyed being able to build strong friendships through hockey as well as to represent the School over the last five years. While it will be sad to leave, a massive well done has to go to Sasha Villiers-Smith for being made Captain for the 1st Team next year!

A huge amount of effort has gone into organising matches and training, which has often meant going out in the dark while it was raining, all of which was overseen by Mrs Broyd, so thank you very much to her and we wish her the best on her maternity leave.

Rebecca Radford, UVI Hockey Captain

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SPORT

Arella Szlapak, LV

NETBALL

NETBALL The new year started with two scorching days of preseason training for the Seniors, getting the Netball season off to a flying start with wins over Holyport College. At the beginning of term, we were delighted to welcome England Performance Pathway coaches Shaunagh Craig and Nikki Lloyd for a series of workshops and, working with almost every team across the School, they inspired an ethos of working hard and a ‘no supermans’ mantra. It was a fantastic opportunity for the girls to question and reflect upon their gameplay decisions. Working together and communication on court were our focus for the season, as well as our ongoing aim to develop future umpires.

Newly introduced statistic sheets for matches kept the girls performing to their best. The U15A Team had a notably strong season, only once losing to Headington School. The U16As went one better, without conceding a full fixture across the two terms, and being placed 3rd at the GSA invitational tournament at St Swithun’s, Winchester. On the same day, a newly formed U19A Team produced top quality netball to secure a confident tournament win. With such success already, we can expect to see more from the U19As next season.

Outstanding individual players were recognised each term with a new collection of trophies, awarded from gathered statistical data for shooting and defending.

The trophies were presented to: Annabel Roest, Jennifer Darko, Faridah Are, Sukhmani Bath, Sophie Bott, Imogen Dundas, Rosalind Wippell and Suzanna Brooke.

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Other season highlights included an outing to watch the England Netball Team play Jamaica at the Copper Box in December, fancy dress netball to music on Happy Day and a hugely successful trip to the International Netball Festival at Disneyland Paris for the U14s and U15s. My personal highlight was certainly the end of season tournament with teams across the School competing alongside each other in a handicapped draw. The potential in the U14 teams was clear, and together with the talented U13 players they will surely keep Downe House Netball winning into the future.

Miss Laura Vickery, Head of Netball and Resident Tutor (Willis)

St Swithun’s Tournament winners

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

TENNIS AND SQUASH

TENNIS As the Summer Term began, tennis was well and truly all around us. We had training and match plays in our team sessions with Mr Allen and Mr Goodall, as well as extra practice sessions after school run by the coaching team to give us all the opportunity to play and improve our skills. With a term packed with fixtures and tournaments there was never a dull moment. We started with a victory against Bradfield College, with the senior teams dropping only a few sets, and went on to win matches against schools including Queen Anne’s and Cheltenham Ladies College. The Juniors also had a successful term with the A, B, C and D Teams having wins across the board over the course of the term. It was great for us to see so many future stars amongst the teams.

We bid a sad farewell to the Upper Sixth in their last match against St Mary’s Calne, at which Camilla Farrell, former Tennis Captain, and her partner Georgina Witter won all three of their matches, deservedly finishing their season on a high; fitting testimony to all their hard work and dedication for the past three years in the Senior teams.

Towards the end of the term four pairs participated in the ISTA Tennis Championships; U14s Suzanna Brooke and Jemima Landale, U15s Anna Neville and Fenella Bowlby, U19s Skye Wilson and Mariella (Ella) Bennett along with Claudia Kandel and me, Verity Hornby. The tournament was incredibly tough but all pairs made it into the Plate Competition on the second day, and with almost every match won, we were all back for the third day too. Against some incredibly tough opponents from some serious tennis schools, Fenella and Anna, and Claudia and I made it to the Finals and both pairs were runners up by very small margins. Overall the standard of tennis was extremely high and we will definitely be looking to take both plates in the tournament next year!

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Jemima and Suzanna at the ISTA Tennis Championships

Amongst all the fixtures and tournaments, the tennis squads were incredibly lucky to be visited by Annabel Croft, who spent the afternoon playing and talking tennis, and telling us about her life as a tennis player and broadcaster.

Annabel also ran an extremely useful training session focusing on various skills within our game. It was amazing to be taught by another pro, alongside Mr Goodall our former GB number 2 and Davis Cup Player. Huge thanks to Mr Allen the Head of Tennis who made all of this possible.

It has been a triumphant year for Tennis at Downe House and we must thank the coaching team and sports staff for their constant support; especially Mr Allen, Mr Goodall and Mrs Rayne. We were so sad to say goodbye to Mr Allen, Head of Tennis. He has been such an integral part of tennis at Downe for us all and he will be sorely missed. We wish him the best of luck in his new job and for the future!

Verity Hornby and Alexa Feather, LVI Tennis Captains

SQUASH It was a great opportunity for me to be the Head of Squash this year, especially as both the 1st and 2nd teams were bidding for a place at the Squash National Schools competition in Manchester at the end of the season.

Throughout a season with a lot matches both teams played consistently well. The 2nd team only narrowly missed out on a National Schools place by one game, but were rightly proud of their season overall. The 1st team did qualify for the National Schools Plate Trophy and played strongly through to the quarter finals. It was a tight semi-final, but we were beaten by strong opposition and so played out for 3rd place, which we won. Placing 3rd overall in the competition was a great achievement for us all.

A particular highlight of the year was our trip to see England’s top players training ahead of the British Open in March.

We have had some amazing experiences in squash this year, and I was so very happy that I could captain our team at the Nationals.

India Burney, UVI Head of Squash SPORT

Nina Bugeja with Laura Massaro, England No 1 ranked player

Every weekend during Summer Term there was an Athletics event, either against other schools or as part of a countywide event. The school matches have been very successful and every year group has been victorious during the term, and there have been some fantastic achievements throughout the season.

Congratulations to Kitty Shepherd-Cross for her success at 1500m. Kitty won the U17 Berkshire Schools Championship and went on to compete in the English Schools Athletics Championship in Birmingham in July, where she ran a personal best of 4.35.54 and as a result was selected to compete for England at the SIAB (Schools International Athletics Board) Track and Field International in Dublin in July. It is an amazing achievement for Kitty to be winning in this category at the age of 15. She is a strong athlete and, having witnessed her previous achievements in biathlon and cross country, we are certain she has an exciting future.

Well done to Ella Houston, who won the U19 High Jump at the West Berkshire Schools Athletics Championships, and to the U14 Team for becoming West Berkshire Champions, winning by 40 points at Palmer Park in May. It was a new Junior School long jump record this year for Freya Illingworth, with an impressive distance of 4.58m.

The Intermediate Athletics Team competed in the regionals of the English Schools Track and Field Cup at Millfield in June, having qualified as one of the top eight school teams in the South West. The team scored the second highest number of points recorded at Downe House for twenty years. Overall, our score ranked us number 10 in the country with outstanding performances from the very talented team of Lower Fifth girls: Kitty Shepherd-Cross, Fenella Bowlby, Arah Elombi, Anna Neville, Cecilia Boscawen, Alice Weldon, Georgina Marchand, Eva Bartlett, Suzanna Brooke, Clementine Black, Alexandra Hamilton and Francesca Rhodes.

The U12 Athletics Team was crowned West Berkshire Schools Champions in June, following which seven Remove girls were selected to represent West Berkshire at the Berkshire Championships. It was an impressive performance by the girls, with Lucy Dollar being placed 2nd overall in the long jump competition and setting a personal best distance of 4.23m.

With so many outstanding and promising athletes, the future of athletics at Downe House looks very bright indeed.

ATHLETICS AND CROSS COUNTRY

ATHLETICS

Mrs Lydia Rayne, Director of Sport

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Kitty Shepherd-Cross

Freya Illingworth

Lucy Dollar

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SWIMMING AND BIATHLON

SWIMMING AND BIATHLON The year started with five Downe House athletes putting in some valiant performances at the Biathlon Time Trials in Abingdon. School Swimming Captain Charlotte Clover came 2nd in the U19 county round, gaining her a place on the podium for a silver medal and qualification for the British Modern Biathlon Championships in Solihull, where she finished 11th in the country.

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In the other age groups, Kitty Shepherd-Cross came 4th in the U15s and India Hinds, Yasmine McLennan and Gwyneth Choi all performed exceptionally well in the U13 and U14 categories. Yasmine came 10th and India 11th in the U13s and Gwyneth placed 8th in the U14s.

It was great to have our older athletes leading the way and being an inspiration for the younger girls.

This was a competitive day and our girls gained a great deal from participating. We are very proud of their results.

It has been an exceptional year in the pool too and all age groups have had interschool competitions.

The number of personal best times produced has been impressive, as have the results with four new School records: U14 50m Backstroke

Emelia Shippey

U13 25m Backstroke

Madeleine (Maddi) Hales

U13 4 x 50m Gwyneth Choi, Freestyle Relay Alice Hack, Yasmine

McLennan and India Hinds U13 4 x 25m

Madeleine (Maddi) Hales, Alice Hack,

Medley Relay

Gywneth Choi and Yasmine McLennan

In February, we hosted the Winter Swim Meet. The U12 Team lifted the trophy while the U14 Team finished 2nd.

In March the 1st, U15 and U13 Teams attended the South East England Girls’ School Association Gala. The 1st Team finished 2nd overall, while Downe House was 3rd overall out of 12 schools.

The Summer Term saw us hosting the Independent Schools’ Relays Gala. Twelve schools attended, with Downe House finishing 3rd overall. The highlight was a new Gala and School record by our U13 Medley Team of Madeleine (Maddi) Hales, Alice Hack, Gwyneth Choi and Yasmine McLennan.

The year ended as it started, with Downe House hosting two biathlon competitions. The Remove all took part in an internal biathlon, where they swam 100m and ran 1600m.

Overall champion was Lucy Dollar, with Emilia Nelson being placed 2nd and Alice Demeester 3rd. The following week we hosted St Helen’s and St Katherine’s, and Holybrook.

Yasmine McLennan finished 3rd overall in the U13 age group, while Clemmie Black was 3rd and Emelia Shippey 4th in the U14s.

Lastly, congratulations to AGS House on lifting the Junior House Swimming trophy this year. Well done to everyone who took part.

My special thanks must go to Swimming Captains Charlotte Clover and Rumbidzai Wasterfall for their dedication and support over the years.

Mrs Paula Machin, Head of Swimming and Teacher of PE

SPORT

WINTER SPORTS

WINTER SPORTS The Downe House Ski Team competed at two events this year: the British Schoolgirls’ Races held in Flaine in February and the Artemis Interschool Ski Challenge, held in Pila in March. There were fantastic individual and team successes in both events.

The girls excelled themselves and achieved the best ever results in the School’s history of competing at the British Schoolgirls’ Ski Races at Flaine. The A Team was made up of Miranda Drummond, Katy Nicol and Clementine Black and the B Team comprised Emily Glover, Lulu Halestrap and Matilda McDougall. Each of them contributed to an impressive list of prizes.

Downe House A took silver medal for Best Combined School, also taking silver in Giant Slalom Combined and Slalom Combined. Downe House B won bronze in the Best B Team competition, which meant all the girls came away with medals!

In Slalom, Clementine Black was placed 1st and Lulu Halestrap 2nd in the U14 non-registered category, with Downe House A coming 2nd overall. In Combined, Miranda Drummond took 3rd in the U16 category, and Lulu Halestrap also took 3rd place in her category U14 (non-registered). There was also an impressive 3rd place for the Best B Team.

The girls also competed in the Artemis Interschool Ski Challenge, and all our skiers deserve hearty congratulations, especially those who had never raced before! Downe House came joint 16th out of 117 schools, which is a huge achievement, and individually Miranda Drummond came 5th in the U16 Slalom.

The team was made up of Miranda Drummond, Catherine Nicol, Lulu Halestrap, Poppy Wessely, India Hinds, Tallis Montgomerie, Georgia Dunkerly and Tate Halestrap.

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Miss Jessica Huxtable, Graduate Sports Assistant

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SPORTS MASTERCLASS

PREP SCHOOLS’ SPORTS MASTERCLASS DAY In May, the PE Department hosted the first ever Prep Schools Sports Masterclass at Downe House as part of the ongoing programme of Prep School Days, which aim to share the expertise of Downe House teachers in different disciplines, to showcase the sports facilities and to provide expert coaching in a range of sports.

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Despite the forecast of heavy rain, the day went ahead outdoors as planned and was thoroughly enjoyed by all those who took part. Just under 40 girls from four prep schools: Garden House, Falkner House, Marlston House and Kitebrook, came for the day and chose three different sessions from the selection on offer, including lacrosse, athletics, squash, tennis, swimming, hockey and netball. All the girls had fun learning new sports as well as playing some of their old favourites.

It was wonderful to see such enthusiasm and excitement among the girls, particularly for the sports that they had not tried before such as squash and lacrosse. The taster sessions will stand them in good stead for when they go on to senior school, as they will be more confident with the basics of these new sports. A was a superb team effort on behalf of all the sports staff, and it was very rewarding for us to introduce the children to new skills and games.

We are very much looking forward to hosting another Sports Masterclass next year with even more participants!

Miss Natasha Bott, Teacher of PE (Lacrosse) SPORT

U15A Lacrosse Squad

1st XI Hockey Squad

U15A Hockey Squad

THE TEAMS

1st Lacrosse Squad

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1st Netball Squad

U15A Netball Squad

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THE TEAMS

1st Tennis Squad

U15A Tennis Squad

1st Squash Squad

U15 Squash Squad

Senior Swimming Squad

Gymnastics Squad

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SPORT

U15 Athletics Squad

U15 Schools Cup Athletics Squad

1st Cross Country Squad

THE TEAMS

1st Athletics Squad

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U15A Cross Country Squad

2016-2017 Sport Captains

These photographs have been reproduced by kind permission of Gillman & Soame photographers and can be ordered by visiting www.gsimagebank.co.uk/downe-house with the log in token downehouse2017.

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

beyond the curriculum

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MEDLEY LECTURES

JUNIOR MEDLEY LECTURE “Believe in yourself” says Mountaineer, Mollie Hughes at Junior Medley Lecture One of the world’s youngest mountaineers, who conquered Everest at the age of only 21, came to deliver a Medley Lecture at Downe House on 1 December.

Mollie described her amazing personal journey when she discovered her passion for mountain climbing during a school trip to climb Mount Kenya when she was 17. She then devoted her spare time to raising money and training for expeditions each summer in the Himalayas and French Alps, Ecuador and Africa. The decision to climb Everest came during her dissertation on ‘The Psychological Experience of Climbing Mount Everest’ and she then spent a year hunting for sponsorship, climbing, and training to prepare for the arduous and demanding climb to the summit of Mount Everest at the age of 21.

Mollie’s message for her audience was that ordinary people can do extraordinary things and that the key to achievement is setting clear goals and really believing that you can reach them.

It was a thoroughly inspiring and thought-provoking evening, and our thanks go to Mollie Hughes for sharing her journey with us and to current parent, Mr David Gregory, who very kindly arranged for Mollie to give the talk.

A collection raised £115 for Mollie’s chosen charity, Supporting Nepal’s Children, which gives children in Nepal greater choices in life through access to quality education.

JOHN SIMPSON JOINED US FOR OUR SENIOR MEDLEY LECTURE Renowned Foreign Correspondent and BBC World Affairs Editor, John Simpson CBE came to Downe House in the Lent Term to give a Senior Medley Lecture.

Ms Kate Raines, Communications Manager To a packed audience in the Farr Centre, John gave us an intriguing insight into his remarkable career and the sometimes downright dangerous lifestyle of a foreign correspondent.

John reflected on how the world has changed since 1966 when he first joined the BBC and described many of the great events, to which he was an eyewitness, and which have changed the course of history. From the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan to the Soweto Uprising, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Americanled invasion of Iraq, John clearly relishes the challenge of reporting from the midst of the action.

John very kindly answered many questions from the audience of pupils, parents, staff and friends ranging from his thoughts on whether democracy has a future to whether he felt fearful when he interviewed Saddam Hussein.

We were grateful for the generosity of our audience who donated over £1,000 for Stop Ivory, a charity chosen by John, which aims to secure a sustainable future for African elephants in the wild, in a world without the ivory trade.

Our sincere thanks to John for such an entertaining and thought-provoking evening and special thanks to Lord and Lady Norton for making the lecture possible.

“Believe in yourself”

Ms Kate Raines, Communications Manager DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

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DAY OF DISCOVERY

DAY OF DISCOVERY 2017 On Tuesday 21 March, the girls enjoyed an inspiring day of enrichment activities aimed at broadening horizons.

While girls in the Remove and Lower Fourth headed to the Mary Rose in Portsmouth, girls from the Upper Fourth – Upper Sixth abandoned their timetables and enjoyed a selection of seminars, workshops and masterclasses. Over 120 different sessions were offered over the course of the day.

From synchronised swimming to ballroom dancing, sushi making to yoga, criminal law to hearing about the work of Save the Children – there was something for everyone to experience and explore.

The day ended with an ‘Any Questions’ style debate in the Performing Arts Centre.

Mr James Hanbury chaired the panel and we were fortunate to have a wonderful selection of panellists who were tasked with answering a range of topical questions from the girls.

We extend our sincere thanks to the outstanding array of speakers, including Downe House parents, alumnae and staff.

A wonderful end to the Lent Term!

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Mrs Michelle Scott, Assistant Headmistress (Foundation)

BEYOND THE CURRICULUM

DAY OF DISCOVERY 125

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YOUNG ENTERPRISE 126

YOUNG ENTERPRISE This year, three teams represented Downe House in the Young Enterprise Company Programme local competition, spending an academic year making all the decisions about their enterprise, from deciding on the name and product to creating a business plan, managing the student company finances and selling to the public at trade fairs.

‘Off-Cut’ upcycled used beer and wine bottles into candles, pen holders and other useful household items, ‘Tease’ manufactured t-shirts with transferable ‘emoji’ motifs and ‘Wild’ sold long sleeved casual fashion tops. All teams were profitable and, after making a five minute sales pitch, fully loaded with profit projections, each won a financial ‘investment’ from a panel of ‘Dragons’. This added to funds raised from selling shares and sales at House Drama. Each of the teams used a variety of marketing tools and it was exciting to see their logos appear on Facebook and Twitter, as well as in prominent roles at internal School events. The teams all had stalls at the Kennet Centre in Newbury for a whole day in February, where they honed their ‘hard sell’ tactics.

The year culminated with the Area Final at the Arlington Arts Centre, competing against six other teams. Here they showed off their stalls and made four minute presentations about their companiestheir story from inception to the present day. All three companies gave a fantastic effort, enjoyed the evening and ‘Wild’ became overall winners, taking them to the County Final at the Green Park Centre in Reading.

2016/17 was a fantastic year for Downe House Young Enterprise business and we would like to thank our Business Advisors, Phil Laybourne and Adrian Waters, for all their help and support. Young Enterprise is a wonderful experience of fun and learning and they helped ensure our energies were efficiently channelled!

Mr Alexis Pavlou, Teacher of Economics and Business

BEYOND THE CURRICULUM

GLOBAL SCHOOLS’ EXCHANGE PROGRAMME 2016–17

GLOBAL INITIATIVES

EUROPE NORTH AMERICA Stoneleigh-Burnham School, USA Westover School, USA

AFRICA Beaulieu College, South Africa Durban Girls’ College, South Africa Herschel School, South Africa

Adolf-Schmitthenner Gymnasium, Germany Campus Manilla Gymnasium, Sweden

ASIA Mayo Girls’ School, India Welham School, India

AUSTRALASIA Methodist Ladies’ College, Australia St. Hilda’s School, Australia Waikato Diocesan School for Girls, New Zealand

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GLOBAL INITIATIVES

GLOBAL SCHOOLS’ EXCHANGE PROGRAMME – OUTGOING EXCHANGES “We recognise the importance of educating our girls for life in a global community, where international and intercultural understanding are key skills.”

Ms Marya Akhtar, Director of Higher Education & Global Initiatives This Global Initiative offers a new and rewarding experience for our girls to explore different communities and cultural differences. All of our exchange students have been challenged to embrace these differences and invited to share new perspectives with the greater Downe community when they return so that the wider community benefits from their experiences.

Beatrix Jackson and Ella Houston, LVI, Welham School, India, October 2016

“We were lucky enough to be visiting India at the time of Diwali, the festival of light, and two of the Welham girls kindly took us home for the weekend to celebrate with their families. It was an incredible experience and the whole city was lit up with fairy lights and fireworks. We were only out there for two short weeks but we ended up making some amazing friends and unforgettable memories.” Beatrix “It was an amazing experience; I learned so much about the culture and gained confidence. One of the biggest changes for us was probably the food and we definitely found it rather different to home. We enjoyed a variety of meals, with some particularly interesting ones including a breakfast of Southern Indian dosas which were a type of pancake with spicy pickle and curd!” Ella

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BEYOND THE CURRICULUM

Jessica Pemberton and Omotara Edu, LVI, Campus Manilla Gymnasium, Stockholm, Sweden, Spring 2017

“They took us to museums where we learnt about some of the history of Sweden which I enjoyed and found really interesting.” Jessica “I definitely think I have grown in confidence as well as in my global awareness, patience, understanding and intellect.” Omotara

GLOBAL INITIATIVES

Nutthapit Poolworaluk and Wai-Ping (Sarah) Kwok, both LVI, Waikato Diocesan Girls’ School, Hamilton, New Zealand, Spring 2017

“We embraced the Kiwi lifestyle by getting involved in outdoor activities: Sarah climbed the Whakapapa Mountain and we both did a 10k bike trail in Rotorua.”

Nutthapit “We had the opportunity to explore New Zealand: we went to Hobbiton, Rotorua, Waihi Beach and the iconic Zuru Nightglow, which is the biggest festival in Hamilton where people from all over New Zealand come to see the hot air balloons.”

Wai-Ping (Sarah)

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Lucy McCreery and Georgina Day, LV and LVI, Beaulieu College, Johannesburg, South Africa, Spring 2017

“I took up subjects I don’t take in England like Afrikaans, which was interesting.” Lucy “Whilst on exchange, I developed my communication skills, as I had to adapt to many different scenarios with people I didn’t know.” Georgina

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

GLOBAL INITIATIVES

Alice Peters and Clara Silcock, both LVI, Stoneleigh-Burnham School, Massachusetts, USA, Spring 2017

“The school went out of their way to make us feel welcome and we were included in everything. We joined their choral group and enjoyed the poetry festival. I would recommend anyone to go on a global schools’ exchange trip.” Alice “I have made several, hopefully, long-term friends; the exchange has improved my self-confidence. I would have liked to stay longer since it was such a great experience.” Clara

INCOMING EXCHANGE STUDENTS This year we have enjoyed welcoming exchange students from many of our partner schools to Downe House. Whilst here, the girls join in every aspect of academic and school life. As well as a full academic timetable, the girls have joined in many of the co-curricular activities on offer.

They have immersed themselves in House life too, and all of the exchange students have a Downe House buddy in the boarding house whose role is to help them to integrate into school life right from the start. It has really helped our visitors that, before they arrive in the UK, they are able to email each other and ask a few questions about boarding life.

The girls are happy to tell anyone who asks how much they love their time at Downe House …

“There is always something happening and someone to talk to – by the end of the first week, I knew every girl’s name in my boarding house and everyone was so friendly and welcoming.

I have particularly enjoyed the sport and the Hip Hop classes, and I think the school facilities and grounds are amazing. A few weeks ago my exchange buddy invited me to spend the weekend at her home in London and we had a great time!” Chloe from South Africa

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Anna Hall and Zoe Carruthers, LV Westover School, Connecticut, USA Spring 2017

“We both enjoyed the experience and we’ve experienced a lot and learnt many new things. We recommend going on an exchange because it’s a really great way to meet new people and learn about a different way of life and just to learn to adapt to a new place.” Anna and Zoe

BEYOND THE CURRICULUM

“It’s been an amazing, once-in-alifetime opportunity and although I’m looking forward to catching up with everyone back home, I will be so sad to leave all my new friends. I love that there’s always something going on here, whether it’s hanging out in the boarding house or joining in all the activities – I have so many fun memories to take home with me. I have played in a musical ensemble and I took part in the House Music Competition. I have loved being involved in House Hockey, House Music and other events and I hope to stay in contact with not only the other girls but also the Housestaff.”

Meg from Australia

GLOBAL INITIATIVES

“I wouldn’t know where to start in explaining how different it is to my school back home but we have quickly adapted to the different approach to teaching and learning and it’s been so much fun!”

Georgia from New Zealand “I have made so many wonderful friends here at Downe, with whom I’m sure I’ll keep in contact in Australia.” Shelby from Australia “My time spent in AGS has been some of the best weeks I’ve ever experienced. Being part of the AGS House was such an important part of my stay.”

Meg from Australia

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“The girls are happy to tell anyone who asks how much they love their time at Downe House.”

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GLOBAL INITIATIVES

INDIA DAY A GLORIOUS CELEBRATION OF INDIA’S CULTURE India Day was filled with a wonderful blend of history, dance, yoga and sports workshops to give the Remove girls and the boys from Cothill School a glimpse into the culture of this exotic nation.

We were delighted to have Mr Dinesh Patnaik, the Deputy High Commissioner of India, to inaugurate the day with a special video message. This was followed by our first keynote address from Mr Rob Lynes, the Regional Director of the UK British Council. His talk was very informative and gave an insight into the evolution of India from its early stages as a British colony to the wonderfully diverse and progressive country it is today.

The students were then entertained with an upbeat folk dance by the Asian Bhangra Dance group. This set the mood for the rest of the day and had all the students and staff dancing along.

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Workshops included Yoga, Indo-British Ties, Kwik Cricket and also a very popular Bollywood Dancing session. The highlight of the day was the sumptuous Indian lunch, with the Main Dining Room decorated in shades of orange, green and white to celebrate the day. We had a wide selection of Indian cuisine, including the traditional Saag Aloo, Tarka Dal and Melon Rasayana for dessert. During lunch, the students had the opportunity to have a henna tattoo, which was very popular with both girls and boys.

We were fortunate to have two girls who are part of the Downe House Global Schools’ Exchange Programme with us on the day: Asees and Ananya from Mayo College in India, and they performed a dance for us in the afternoon. It was a great opportunity for them to share a piece of their culture with us and we were immensely grateful to them.

We were delighted to have a closing address given by Baroness Flather, JP DL FRSA of Windsor and Maidenhead.

She shared her journey to becoming the first Asian peer in the House of Lords, and talked about the contrast between British and Indian cultures. It was a truly inspiring speech and a fitting end to a spectacular day.

Nutthapit Poolworaluk and Tobonga Yangailo, LVI Head Global Ambassadors BEYOND THE CURRICULUM

“India Day was a fun-filled day, with lots of things to learn about India.

It was very well organised, making it a very successful day.”

Fara, Remove

GLOBAL INITIATIVES

“India Day was very enjoyable, especially the Bollywood dancing. It was fun having the boys there.”

Konstanza, Remove

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CHAPEL 134

A YEAR IN CHAPEL One of the pleasures of the past year has been an increased association with our Diocesan Cathedral: Christ Church in Oxford. We have now held three Confirmation Retreats there, incorporating a tour of the Cathedral itself, a visit to the College Picture Gallery, use of a splendid room for a final question and answer session (the Retreat always takes place a few days before the termly service itself) and tea on High Table. The staff in the Cathedral Education Department have been extraordinarily kind to us and, with the chaplaincy having also organised the first Sixth Form Philosophy and Theology Study Day at Christ Church including a seminar conducted for us by Professor Nigel Biggar, one of the Cathedral Canons, we feel that we have created a relationship that will endure long into the future.

Within School, our three termly themes for Chapel services this year have been ‘Creation and Creativity’ (Michaelmas), ‘Seven to Shun and Five to Follow’ (Lent) and ‘Words to Live By’ (Summer). The second of these, an exploration of the seven deadly sins, balanced by five of the virtues, was a cause for some misgiving on the part of the Chaplain until it actually got underway and we realised that ‘sin’ is always so much more interesting than virtue! But this aspect of Chapel life would not prosper were it not for the willing support of members of staff speaking at the midweek services and elsewhere. The same goes for the involvement of the pupils themselves, with an increased emphasis on their leading acts of worship. This came to expression most clearly in our Summer Term, where five of the services explored the mottos of the five Upper School Houses and, with only a little guidance from the Chaplain, the individual services were planned and conducted by members of those individual Houses. The Founder’s Day Service at the very end of the Summer Term was conducted entirely by pupils of the School, and we were delighted to have as our guest preacher then The Rev’d Prof Jane Shaw, Dean of Chapel at Stanford University, who gave us a fascinating insight into the pre-1920s arrival of the School in Cold Ash by tracing some of the history of the ‘School of Silence’, an Anglican lay contemplative order, that occupied the site for some ten years before the School’s relocation from Kent.

Otherwise, significant occasions continue to be marked, with the food contributions from our Harvest Service going to the work of the West Berkshire Food Bank; the usual and excellent organisation of the Remembrance Day Service by the members of the Lower Sixth; the grandeur of the two Carol Services with the large-scale massing of choral forces under the auspices of the Music Department.

And this year, for the first time, we had the appearance of a Jesse Tree, supplied for us by our grounds staff, in Chapel for the whole of the Advent Season. This gave us the opportunity to add different symbols to it each Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday as we moved closer to Christmas itself.

Next year’s Chapel Report will be written by my successor in post, the Reverend Anthea Platt, and we welcome her and ask for God’s blessing on the beginnings of this new stage in the life of the School.

Reverend Andrew Taylor, School Chaplain

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AN EXCITING YEAR OF CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES It has been an incredibly busy and exciting year of co-curricular activities and the girls continue to flourish in all that they do.

Evening and weekend activities have proved to be as popular as ever. The UIV year group kicked off the Michaelmas Term with three weeks of bonding activities on a Friday evening. This enabled them to get to know girls in other Houses over football and wall climbing. The Weekend Programme across all three sections continues to have good uptake, with a wide variety of trips on offer from visits to Harry Potter World to Snotubing, circus skills to theatre trips. In line with the School aims to promote wellbeing, we have also been promoting wellbeing activities and trips such as taking a group of girls to the Om and Base Yoga Festival, country walks and cycle rides, as well as smoothie-making workshops.

Our DHDance provision continues to go from strength to strength and culminated in another astonishing Dance Showcase at Founder’s Weekend. It was a spectacular triumph for all involved!

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There has been an amazing array of overseas trips this year and an incredibly successful Lower School joint trip to China with Ludgrove School. We have also seen girls heading off to Auschwitz and Ypres with the History Department, playing tennis in Portugal, netball in Paris and skiing in Flaine and Pila. There have also been language trips to Florence, Cadiz and Beijing. Another highlight was the trip to Costa Rica this summer which gave the girls a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The girls have continued to show their stamina and determination and we congratulate all of those involved in The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme for a very successful year. Our thanks also go to the Upper Fourth girls who demonstrated great collaborative skills and the ability to be outward looking during this year’s Volunteering Day. The Co-Curricular Department was very proud to receive a special mention in the School’s outstanding ISI Report for excellent provision of activities and cocurricular learning opportunities and this is testimony to the girls’ commitment and the support of the Housestaff and wider School community.

Mrs Genevieve Ford, Boarding Deputy and Designated Safeguarding Lead

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LOWER SCHOOL TEAM-BUILDING DAY To start the academic year off, we organised some team building activities both on and off site, ranging from target shooting for the Lower Sixth, high ropes, canoeing, problem solving and raft building for the Upper School to presentation and learning tasks for the Lower School. At the end of the day, all the girls came together for a well-earned whole School BBQ in the Cloisters. The perfect end to a very busy day!

Mrs Charlotte Walker, Co-Curricular Administrator

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CYCLING AND WALKS Cycling has been a new activity that the Co-Curricular Department has invested in over the year. With the purchase of ten high-spec new bikes, we have been able to encourage the girls to get outdoors on bike rides and enjoy the natural world around them. A highlight of this new initiative was an Upper School bike ride, led by Mr Tony Riddle, in the stunning Bracknell Forest. After this early success, the next few years will undoubtedly see a development in the cycling programme and its potential to promote exercise and wellbeing in the great outdoors.

This year has also seen a greater emphasis on rambling. From canal walks along the Kennet (with a well-deserved break for ice cream and to feed the ducks) to countryside hikes (where climbing trees is a must), girls from across the School have been encouraged to get outside and enjoy the company of their peers and the wildlife around them. It has been a great pleasure over the year to introduce girls to the beautiful countryside situated right on the School’s doorstep.

Mrs Michelle Trigwell, Co-Curricular Administrator

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DANCE SHOWCASE AT FOUNDER’S WEEKEND Downe the Rabbit Hole This year, our dancers took us on a rather fantastical journey that plunged Downe House student ‘Alice’ into a dazzling world of kaleidoscopic fantasy and romantic adventure.

Inhabiting the strange universe of the classic ‘Alice in Wonderland’, she dreamed herself into the company of the Queen of Hearts, the Mad Hatter, the White Rabbit and many other wonderfully fanciful friends along the way. So much growing and shrinking, and all because of a challenging day at school and a magical book!

Our DHDance students have exceeded all of our expectations to bring this sparkling performance to the stage. All have been on their own personal journeys through a tremendous amount of hard work, blood, sweat and tears to achieve such high standards of technique and performance.

As ever, the Showcase was extremely well supported, and our thanks to all those families and friends who joined us for a wonderful afternoon. All five genres taught at the School were presented on stage, allowing the girls to demonstrate the vast amount of talent and ability. We are so proud.

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Junior Ballet: Sophie Armitage (UIV) Senior Ballet: Eleanor Bishop (LVI) and Eloise Percy-Davis (LVI)

CO-CURRICULAR

I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to the DHDance students who were presented with Cups for Outstanding Effort and Achievement:

Junior Contemporary: Rosie Phillips (Remove) Senior Contemporary: Louisa Healey (LIV) Junior Hip Hop: Nok Sze (Sisi) Li (UIV) Senior Hip Hop: Esther Bolodeoku and Elizabeth Bolodeoku (UV) Junior Modern Theatre: Cora Green (Remove) Senior Modern Theatre: Alice Weldon (LV) Junior Tap: Rose Cornell (Remove) Senior Tap: Catharine Wippell (LVI) Campbell Cup awarded for Outstanding Performance in Dance: Louisa Healey (LIV) Each year, we award the Campbell Cup for Outstanding Performance in Dance to the most deserving girl. This year it was presented to Louisa, who is totally dedicated, attends multiple classes each week and whose sparkling performance on stage, especially in her role as the Red Queen, rivals that of any professional. My most sincere congratulations to Louisa.

Her performance and her attitude to dance is exemplary and she is a wonderful example to her peers.

Congratulations to all of our girls for the vast amount of time and effort they contributed to make this a truly magical adventure through Wonderland ‌ curiouser and curiouser!

Miss Claire Bowden, Show Director and DHDance Coordinator

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POPULARITY AND SUCCESS FOR EQUESTRIANISM AT DOWNE Equestrianism has been growing at Downe House throughout this year, with girls excelling in their lessons and whilst representing Downe House in competitions and polo matches.

of contention at this stage, two superb jumping performances brought them right up the order for overall 7th place.

Girls have regularly been competing in NSEA competitions and events and polo matches for the School. Well done everyone on all your successes!

These are some of the highlights:

At the SUPA Senior Schools Polo Arena Nationals, Emma, Millie and Milly Hine were a new team and hadn’t played together before so they competed in the intermediate section with the aim of having an enjoyable day as a team. Their first match was against Wellington College B Team which they won 3-1 to go through to the semi-finals against Stowe. At 3-2 they won through to the finals again Marlborough College B Team. It was a tough match but we managed to come out winning 3-1, making us the overall winners of our section, which was very exciting for us all.

Swalcliffe NSEA ODE saw a newly-formed team of Imogen Webber, Mili Haywood (both on new horses), and Lucy Dollar, in her first ODE competition for the School. All three girls produced personal best dressage scores, and clear show jumping rounds, which is far from easy in the sloping ring at Swalcliffe.

The scores were all up and the team had won! Lucy and Cherry Berry also won their section overall! So despite some very inclement weather this was a hugely successful day.

There have been individual successes in non-school equestrian competitions too. Congratulations go to Lucy Dollar for qualifying for the Pony Club Championships, and to Imogen Webber, Camilla Read, and Mili Haywood for success in several BE events.

Camilla Read in the Lower Fifth won the Under 18 category at the Aldon Horse Trial in March 2017, leading in the dressage and with clear rounds in the show jumping and cross-country. We could not be more proud of her!

At the Stonar Schools Mini ISODE in May, Lucy Dollar competed as an individual and did a sterling job of representing the School. Lucy and Cherry are becoming a solid partnership and despite having to battle appalling weather all day and a much more difficult BE100 dressage test, they produced a solid performance for 36 penalties. Whilst initially out

Well done to everyone for achieving so much this year.

With teams competing at the forthcoming Stonar Schools ISODE and elsewhere, and a lot of interest in riding and polo, the future looks even brighter for Downe House equestrians.

It is always a delight to hear how much the girls enjoy their regular riding lessons at Wellington. This year the demand has increased so significantly that we have added a second evening of riding lessons on a Tuesday to the regular Wednesday slot.

BEYOND THE CURRICULUM

Miss Clare Chamberlayne, Equestrian Coordinator

CO-CURRICULAR

EVENING AND WEEKEND ACTIVITIES At Downe House, we pride ourselves on running a holistic co-curricular programme for all our girls. We are passionate that educating young people is not just about inspiring pupils academically but also giving our students the opportunity to enhance social and life skills outside the classroom that will equip them for the future.

We offer an array of weekend activities to ensure that there is always something for everyone. This year we have included culturally enriching activities such as a theatre trip to London to see Matthew Bourne’s ‘The Red Shoes’ and ‘Wonderland’. There were also plenty of sporting activities including Go Karting, Adrenalin Duo, Woodland Laser, Sno-Tubing, indoor Skydiving, Zorbing and many more. Trips to Thorpe Park and the Royal County Show are always very popular and are guaranteed to be a fun day out.

The girls also enjoy the many free activities that take place at weekends, from learning to bake beautiful cakes, to country walks on a Sunday morning, DVD and popcorn, and pamper evenings and, of course, we must not forget the social evenings which have again been a firm favourite.

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Mrs Michelle Trigwell and Mrs Natalie Chandler, Co-Curricular Administrators

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DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD

100% Success Rate

Gold Expeditions Go Wild

For the third year in a row, the number of girls completing their Awards was over 100. An incredible 90 Bronze Awards and 13 Gold Awards were achieved.

100% of the UV group that finished their expedition last year went on to complete their full Bronze Award.

With the national average of those completing their award at less than 50%, Downe House’s success is something for all to be incredibly proud of and to celebrate. This achievement has only come from the hard work, commitment and perseverance of all the girls, and of course it would not happen without the support and encouragement from the D of E staff team. Thank you and well done to all. It most certainly has been an incredible year!

What more could you possibly want? Tasty midge porridge, ominous-looking hills, boot-sore feet, all the camping essentials on your back and glorious sunshine. Yes, another tough and resilient LVI group took on some wild countryside in England and Wales for their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition.

Training began with a night-time navigation exercise on a dark November night, before three teams formed to battle the elements on Dartmoor for their practice.

There were obscure stone tor shapes, wide-open landscapes, rolling valleys, bogs and wetland, and plenty of opportunity to get some fresh air. It was certainly more fun than the Easter traffic trudge to Princetown, although Eliza Horn made the return journey more entertaining by getting on Radio 1’s going home song.

Dartmoor’s weather was relatively kind which helped the experience, however on the assessed expedition in the Brecon Beacons, things got a little hot and steamy. With temperatures reaching nearly 30 degrees on several clear-sky days, the main challenge for all groups was to avoid sunburn and try to source and carry enough water. The Sgwd yr Eira waterfall was a welcome cooling off spot and the cloudless days ensured that views from the heights of Pen y Fan were magical.

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It certainly took hard work, grit and determination to get through the four-day self-sufficient journey.

Getting them through the tough times was the essential morale-boosting food, great team camaraderie and support for each other. I am sure this experience will be one they remember for life.

Residential variety As part of the Gold Award, girls must complete a fiveday residential course. The UVI group elected to do an impressive variety of residential experiences. This included Charlotte Clover doing a French language course, Harriet Emery doing Marine Engineering, Rose Galbraith getting involved with the National Youth Choir, Celine Harborne consolidating learning new skills on a cooking course, and Iona Jardine taking on a sailing adventure. All had an amazing experience.

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Mr Tony Riddle, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Coordinator and Teacher of PE

Bronze Expedition Once again, the majority of the Lower Fifth took on the mighty two-day self-sufficient Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition.

Through Berkshire’s muddy, rolling valleys for practice, and rambling over the Marlborough hills, all that were healthy and able pulled through. The fun that they had showed through in the presentations given at the end of year, and they were a delight to see.

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ANNUAL VOLUNTEERING DAY FOR THE UPPER FOURTH At the end of the Summer Term, our Upper Fourth girls in small groups did their bit to give a little back at a range of organisations that are local to the School. This year, girls helped at the local Food Bank and charity shops, and assisted at nurseries and the Mary Hare School for the profoundly deaf. They were also found painting canals for the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust, carrying out maintenance at Thirtover Place, Girlguiding Residential and Activity Centre, and helping at the Riding for the Disabled Association in Hampstead Norreys. There was environmental work too, at Greenham Common, Rushall Farm and the Living Rain Forest. The team busking in Newbury and Thatcham raised over £500 for the charity Swings and Smiles! It was a wonderful day that gave the girls an insight into the special places and people around us who help to offer so much to the community.

Well done girls!

Mr Tony Riddle, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Coordinator and Teacher of PE

INFLATABLE FRIDAY To celebrate the last day of school before the Upper Sixth girls departed for study leave, ‘Inflatable Friday’ returned for an afternoon of fun.

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With Hungry Hippos, a rodeo bull and a 110-foot assault course, the girls really did have a great time and, of course, who could resist the candyfloss and popcorn stands as well as a hog roast and vegetable paella. After all their fun, the Upper Sixth girls then left to prepare for the Foundation Dinner with their parents to celebrate their many successes.

Then it was the turn of the remaining year groups to come up to the field to enjoy time on the inflatables. A great afternoon was had by all.

Mrs Charlotte Walker, Co-Curricular Administrator

BEYOND THE CURRICULUM

FOUNDATION OFFICE

WINTER BALL On Saturday 21 January, the Upper Sixth Winter Ball, held at the historic Fulham Palace, was a spectacular success - bringing together 160 girls, invited guests, parents and staff.

Fulham Palace was transformed into a winter wonderland, with imaginative floral displays, flickering candles, lit fires and dimmed coloured lights. The format of the Winter Ball was very special, as Fulham Palace is unique in that it has a number of rooms, used for different parts of the evening.

The Winter Ball kicked off with a Prosecco and canapĂŠ reception in the Drawing Room, followed by a winter feast of bowl foods, exquisite desserts, a smorgasbord of cheeses, breads and fruit, and lastly, as the evening drew to a close, bacon butties were served.

The dancing started at 10.00pm in the Great Hall, and the DJ kept everyone entertained along with the photo booth! Our guests enjoyed the evening, and special thanks to the Foundation Office for organising such a spectacular night to celebrate the Upper Sixth year.

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Mrs Mel Stimson, Head of Sixth Form and Teacher of Politics

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• 2,500 cakes, all made in the Downe House kitchens • 8 music events • Over 1,000 eggs in the baking process • 9 workshops • 50 kilos of buttercream • 11 exhibitions

• 36 punnets of strawberries for the scones • 72 cucumbers • 12 stalls at the Founder’s Fair • 30 kilos of prawns • 363 girls performing • 2,000 rounds of sandwiches • Over £1,000 raised for charity at the Founder’s Fair

FOUNDER’S WEEKEND 2017 Bringing the Downe House community together On Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 July, the Downe House community gathered for our annual Founder’s Weekend celebrations. Now in its seventh year, the weekend was infused with entertainment from start to finish. The weekend was blessed with fantastic weather throughout, and opened with a very moving Founder’s Service in the Farr Centre, concluding with the phenomenal Dance Showcase ‘Downe the Rabbit Hole’. Every aspect of the School was on display and it was wonderful to see so many of the Downe House community enjoying all that was on offer.

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FAREWELL TO THE CLASS OF 2017 On Wednesday 5 July, we celebrated the end of an era for the Upper Sixth. The day commenced with a Prizegiving Ceremony in the Farr Centre. Our special guest for the assembly was Downe House alumna Dr Clare Michell (DH 2002).

A Leaver’s Service followed in Chapel and then a delicious three-course lunch was enjoyed by all in the marquee.

The sun shone throughout the day as we said farewell to this wonderful group of girls. We look forward to tracking their lives beyond Downe House.

Mrs Michelle Scott, Assistant Headmistress (Foundation)

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A YEAR IN PICTURES Reunions, Receptions and Celebrations A chance to meet up, catch up and re-connect, including 5, 10, 21 and 25 year reunions, parents’ drinks receptions and the 10 Year Vision Comedy Evening.

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FOUNDATION DINNER

FOUNDATION DINNER On Friday 5 May, girls from the Upper Sixth, their parents and Downe House staff enjoyed their Foundation Dinner before the girls headed off on study leave.

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“We believe the Centre for Learning will help us to continue to strive for excellence in all that we undertake.”

YEAR

Mrs Emma McKendrick, Headmistress

The Vision To provide a multi-purpose and innovative space that will enhance the learning experience for every Downe House girl - a 250-seat auditorium, a contemporary library, teaching and learning areas as well as gallery space for the creative arts, a new School shop and a café to bring all members of the community together.

The Appeal

FOUNDATION OFFICE

THE NEW CENTRE FOR LEARNING

To raise £6.5 million to cover the total project costs from foundations to fixtures and fittings. The remaining funds have been donated by the Downe House community in response to an active fundraising campaign since February 2016. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported the Appeal so far.

A Year on Site…

August 2016 Going, going, gone …

AUGUST 2016 Going, going, gone…the iconic Downe House Water Tower was demolished.

SEPTEMBER 2016 Beard Construction starts the extensive groundworks and foundations.

The 110 Step Challenge is launched to celebrate the 110 years of Downe House.

NOVEMBER 2016 The Centre for Learning Appeal Fund reached £5.8 million thanks to the generous donations from the Downe House community.

DECEMBER 2016 Phase 2 starts and it’s full steam ahead on the groundworks and foundations.

APRIL 2017 The official start of the 18 month building project.

MAY 2017 We reached a milestone in the Centre for Learning Appeal by raising £6 million.

JUNE 2017 Excitement as the huge yellow standing crane arrives on site.

JULY 2017 Work continues on the drainage infrastructure and two labyrinths to provide structural support and ventilation and energy-efficient cooling.

AUGUST 2017 The footprint of the building was completed, and work started on laying the ground floor slabs and construction of the West elevations.

The Future Opening in Michaelmas 2018, the Centre for Learning will be a vibrant heart within the School campus and a space to bring the School community together as never before.

Thank you for your support in building our future together For more information about the Centre for Learning project, please visit our website www.downehouse.net/10YRVision or contact the Foundation Office via email: foundation@downehouse.net or telephone: 01635 204719.

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DH LINKS

DH LINKS is a joint venture between the Foundation Office and the Higher Education Department, offering networking links and a focal point for any current pupils, recent leavers or alumnae who want to share or receive career-based knowledge, guidance and information.

Over the last twelve months, three DH LINKS Cluster Groups have taken place in the following industries; Medicine and Healthcare, Law and Entrepreneurs/Business.

Entrepreneurs/Business Cluster Group “The entrepreneur evening was fantastic as both an opportunity to network with some inspirational entrepreneurs and businesses, and also as a platform for current students to pitch their ideas, get feedback on how to take their plans forward and meet potential mentors. There was a great buzz and excitement in the room and I certainly wasn’t ready to leave at the end.”

Harriot Pleydell-Bouverie (DH 2003)

“The most wonderful thing was to see how in reality you can do whatever you want with your career as long as you have drive and desire for success.”

Georgina Dick, UVI

“I’d love to see the DH LINKS entrepreneur networking group grow, both for the Downe House girls to tap into the knowledge and contacts base, and for us alumnae to connect with likeminded workaholics.”

Rosanne Cobb (DH 1994)

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Law Cluster Group “We all had such a great time at the DH LINKS event in London and it was really useful to be able to discuss different job roles within the legal profession. It was lovely to have a small group, and the conversations we all had at the event were incredibly useful.”

Skye Wilson, LVI “I now definitely want to pursue law as a career in the future.” Shalayna Assani, UV

BEYOND THE CURRICULUM

“Not only was it a great networking opportunity but it was also interesting to speak to alumnae about their journey towards a career in law … I am so grateful for the work experience I may be able to take from it.” Bethany Perry, UV

DH LINKS

Medicine and Healthcare Cluster Group “It was lovely to meet other medics within the Downe House community and be part of the evening! I am very happy to offer any advice through email, and I passed a number of the girls my details on the night for potential work-shadowing placements.”

Dr Kathryn Wessely, current parent “I remember the end of Sixth Form being such an uncertain time, and it was great to be able to encourage girls considering a medical application to give it a go!” Pandora Bibby (DH 2012)

DH LINKS IN NUMBERS There have been 144 DH LINKS enquiries in 2017 11 Cluster Groups to date, with an average of 20 guests 265 members in the LinkedIn DH LINKS group and 9 LinkedIn sub groups The DH LINKS database has 500 alumnae and parents registered Over 1,000 matches have been made since 2013 Since its launch 1 in 7 alumnae have offered support to the DH LINKS programme 20% of current parents have offered support to the DH LINKS programme since 2016

CAREER INSIGHT DAY AT MAYER BROWN On Monday 21 November 2016, a group of Upper Fifth & Lower Sixth girls had the opportunity to explore what a career in corporate law might involve.

The girls spent at Mayer Brown’s London office in the heart of the city, where they heard from a variety of employees about their career paths and what their current roles entail. This unique event, hosted exclusively for Downe House, brought to life the world of work and enabled the girls to see first-hand what a large global law firm is like. Our sincere thanks go to Mr Alistair Graham, current parent, for making the event possible and hosting us so well.

If you are interested in hosting a Career Insight Day, please contact Mrs Alexandra Barlow in the Foundation Office, foundation@ downehouse.net.

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DH LINKS

DH LINKS WORK-SHADOWING PLACEMENTS DH LINKS has been delighted to match a number of current girls and alumnae with workshadowing placements both in the UK and globally. Girls from the Upper Fifth through to the Upper Sixth have benefited from placements with our alumnae and parent community. The girls have hugely valued the opportunity to explore their career interests further, and have taken on the challenges and responsibilities that they have been assigned.

INDUSTRY: ARCHITECTURE Alumna: Juliette Blackshaw (DH 2000) Pupil: Zara Karoly During the summer holidays, I did a week’s work experience at an architecture and urban design firm called Farrells. Well known for its abstract and obscure buildings such as MI6 Headquarters, Royal Albert Dock and Dubai Park Square, the company inspired me with its focus on masterplans and environmentally friendly infrastructure; going the extra mile to make the world a better place to live in.

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I had a mentor for the week to guide me and give me helpful advice on the project I had been assigned; I was given a plot of land and asked to research the nearby area in order to design a new building that would suit the surrounding environment. I found it very interesting and challenging as I had so many different ideas, but I had to consider the people who would use the building as well as its suitability for the given location.

On the last day, I was taken into the modelling workshop to be shown how to use the tools and equipment they use to model buildings. I was able to try the 3D printer, which was an amazing experience! I created a model of the building that I had been designing all week, and it was exciting to watch it ‘come to life’. Altogether, I really enjoyed my week at Farrells. I enjoyed experiencing what working in an office is like and what it was like to commute into work every day!

Zara Karoly, UV

BEYOND THE CURRICULUM

INDUSTRY: LAW Current Parent: Alexander Bastin Pupil: Shalayna Assani DH LINKS organised a fantastic opportunity for me to shadow a Barrister, Mr Alexander Bastin (Current Parent) of Hardwicke, as my career interest lies specifically in Law. On my first day, I went to Mr Bastin’s Chambers in Lincoln’s Inn, Central London, where the majority of lawyers’ chambers are located. When I arrived, Mr Bastin gave me a deeper understanding of his property litigation specialism and his career path. In the morning, I read over some of his previous cases and in the afternoon, I went to the Royal Courts of Justice. There I had a look around and found out more about the historical aspect of the legal profession and how it has changed and progressed over many decades.

During the next few days I visited various courts including Edmonton County Court, City of London Magistrates’ Court and, on my last day, the Central Criminal Court, also known as the Old Bailey! I learned a lot about court procedures and the various job positions: the judge, the clerk, the defendant and the prosecutor. Most importantly, I learned that for a defendant it is always better to have a lawyer to represent you rather than trying to defend yourself as it will make your argument much stronger.

My favourite part of the week was attending the Central Criminal Court. I went into the public gallery of a courtroom and had the opportunity to listen to an ongoing murder case. I have always been interested in criminal law and it was hugely beneficial for me to gain an invaluable insight into this specialised area.

Shalayna Assani, UV

Alumna: Charlotte Agnew (DH 2005) Pupil: Lucinda Hammond At the beginning of the summer holidays I went to the Cotswolds for work experience with Charlotte Agnew (DH 2005), a Downe House alumna, who is now a professional event rider with her own business in producing top event horses. I have a strong passion for horses and this was the most incredible opportunity for me as it gave me an insight into possible future career options, such as going into veterinary science or a related course.

I started the week helping the staff with daily jobs around the yard, such as looking after and cleaning out the horses. Later in the week I was fortunate to be able to head out with Charlotte to local show jumping and cross-country arenas where I helped as a groom whilst she schooled her horses. I even had the opportunity to ride three of her horses, which was absolutely amazing and has always been a dream of mine!

Working for Charlotte was very different from any of the work I have done with horses before due to the level and expense of the horses, and it was great to see the professional way Charlotte’s business is run.

Although it was supposed to be work experience it was one of the best weeks I’ve ever had, even though it did test my ability to get up at some very early hours! I am extremely grateful to Charlotte for giving me this fantastic opportunity.

Lucinda Hammond, UV

INDUSTRY: MEDICINE Former Parent: Dr Susan Barry Pupil: Man I (Melissa) Chang During the summer holidays I undertook two days’ work experience with General Practitioner (GP) Dr Susan Barry (Former Parent) at a medical clinic in Putney, London. I was keen to find opportunities that would give me a feel for what the profession is truly about and I was introduced to Dr Barry through DH Links as I was finding it extremely difficult to gain a placement in other clinics where I had no personal contact. This was an incredibly valuable experience, which allowed me to get a real glimpse of life as a GP. During my two days at the clinic, I had a variety of opportunities to understand the role of a GP, as well as other supporting roles played by all members of staff at the clinic. I began by shadowing Dr Barry and one of her colleagues, sitting in on appointments to observe doctor-patient interactions.

After each patient, we would discuss the approach taken when talking to patients of different socio-economic backgrounds, medical conditions and emotions. This allowed me to critically evaluate how a GP can make patients feel comfortable, and highlighted to me the importance of empathy and communication skills as strong qualities required of a doctor. I then had opportunities to speak to and shadow receptionists, and I began to understand how the clinic functioned.

Dr Barry kindly spent some time each day to reflect on and discuss what I had learned and seen, which was incredibly helpful for consolidating my experience.

This also provided a very good platform for me to understand the practical differences between training to be a GP and any other medical speciality in the final few years of medical school. In my two days at Dr Barry’s clinic, I felt extremely welcomed by all members of staff and I could not be more grateful to have had such an authentic experience of life as a GP. I hope to study medicine in the future and I have no doubt that I will consider going down the route of General Practice.

Melissa Chang, LVI

Our thanks go to the following parents who have offered their support by signing up to DH LINKS over the last year.

Mr N Woo Mr D Szlapak Mr M Webber Mr R Manners Professor Sir John and Lady Cunningham Ms S Kabir Sheikh Mr C Bischoff Mr M Hersee Mr & Mrs C Duckworth Mr M Le Grice Mr G Weldon Mr R Waller Mr M Furse Mrs M Black Mr C Norman Miss N Da Gama-Rose Mr R Pope Major A McDougall Mr M Coppen-Gardner Mrs R Drummond Mr T Douglas-Home Mr C O’Shea Dr K Wessely Mrs N Hamwee Mrs S Clover Mr D Pemberton Mrs S Barber Mrs K McClintock Major General Talbot Rice Mr T Harrabin Mr D Sharrock Mr & Mrs G Aarons Mrs M Sanchez Mr A Bastin Mr G Dunlop Mr A Christov Mr C Evans Ms V Lam Mrs L Mathews Mr M Wippell Mr R West Mr G Dutertre Mr J Pernthaller

DH LINKS

INDUSTRY: EQUESTRIAN

Mr & Mrs S Montague

HOW TO GET INVOLVED To offer your support for DH LINKS with: - Work shadowing or internships - Careers talks - Hosting a Cluster Group - Career advice and guidance via email or telephone please email Mrs Alexandra Barlow at foundation@ downehouse.net or visit the Foundation section of the Downe House web site.

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charity

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This year has seen a phenomenal amount of fundraising throughout the School with £41,675 raised for 33 charities. As well as the House Charities, this year’s Charity Committee, led by Jennifer Darko and Rose Hughes along with House representatives, has been very busy. The Committee organised a School vote in which Save the Children was selected as the Whole School Charity of the Year. The wide range of fundraising activities and challenges which the girls have undertaken are both imaginative and inspiring. Thank you girls.

Mrs Alison Ilott, Charities Coordinator Sparkes Home Hôpital Sourire HopeAsia’s Hosanna Children’s Home Great Ormond Street Hospital Swings and Smiles Macmillan Cancer Support Berkshire Women’s Aid Muscular Dystrophy UK Tiger Kloof Supporting Nepal’s Children The Riding for the Disabled Association Fashion and Textile Children’s Trust Chance for Children in Ghana Reality Gives Afghan Connection Prostate Cancer Research Centre Stop Ivory Ed Club Movement Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust Save the Children Plan UK The Watermill Theatre Mind, The Mental Health Charity Charlie Waller Memorial Trust World AIDS Day Teenage Cancer Trust Grenfell Tower Appeal Hope and Homes for Children Royal British Legion Bishop of Oxford Outreach Street Child Music as Therapy Global Action Nepal

SINGING AND DANCING THE NIGHT AWAY FOR CHARITY On Saturday 25 February, Lower Sixth Willis girls, their parents and Housestaff came together to raise a fantastic amount of money for the Prostate Cancer Research Centre (PCRC), a charity championed by Catharine Wippell who had previously given an insightful assembly on why this was her nominated charity. The whole year group was inspired and began planning a night of entertainment, all in aid of this worthwhile charity.

CHARITY

CHARITIES SUPPORTED IN 2016-2017

“All the girls did a fantastic job and thanks must go to all the very generous parents and staff who have helped them raise over £10,000.”

All guests were treated to a fabulous three-course dinner interspersed with a variety of different acts, including dancing, singing and comedy. The evening was hosted by Annabel Roest and Anna Hewitt, who were appropriately dressed for the occasion in boxer shorts with bow ties and DJs. Their challenge for the evening was to encourage and persuade parents to pledge money for their favourite act. The act to earn the most pledges won a prize, which in the end went to Katherine Garnett who gave a stunning performance of the Nina Simone classic, ‘Feeling Good’ which, by coincidence, perfectly summed up the sentiments of everyone in the room.

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It was a wonderful evening that culminated in a surprise flash mob in which the whole year group took part in a dance routine to a medley of songs, encapsulating the team spirit of the whole event. All the girls did a fantastic job and thanks must go to all the very generous parents and staff who have helped them raise over £10,000.

The PCRC develops new therapy for men with advanced prostate cancer – their immediate goal is to increase survival for the next generation of men, and their vision is a cure for the disease that kills over 11,000 men every year in the UK. Mrs Tara Reeve, Housemistress (Willis), Teacher of Russian and Current Affairs

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

CHARITY

AGN FUNDRAISING ‘GREAT GATSBY’ STYLE One of the highlights of this term’s social calendar was the long-awaited (by AGN girls at least!) ‘Great Gatsby’ themed ball which was a huge success and raised over £3,500 for the AGN International Link Charity, Sparkes Home, Sri Lanka, which provides a much needed home for 40 girls aged from six years upwards in the village of Kallar on the East coast of Sri Lanka To raise funds for Sparkes Home, AGN House organised a Silent Auction inviting bids for a variety of gifts ranging from an Anya Hindmarch pencil case and Fortnum & Mason hamper to the loan of a BMW ‘R Nine T’ motorbike and two days’ work experience shadowing a Queen’s Counsellor. A huge thank you to all AGN parents who so kindly donated to the Silent Auction and to all those who made such generous bids!

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Guests at the ball included boys from The Oratory School, AGN staff and a group of our supportive parents who all joined in the fun of dressing up in Gatsby-esque flapper dresses, feather headpieces, slicked hair and plenty of sharp suits.

Everyone enjoyed a delicious dinner followed by dancing to leading party band, Pandora’s Jukebox.

Mrs Kayleigh Anger, Housemistress (AGN) and Teacher of Drama

THE GIFT OF TIME Girls have helped in the office of the Charlie Waller Trust helping the charity to raise awareness of their fantastic work to enable people to understand and talk openly about depression. For Arella Szlapak, Grace (Nosa) Inneh and Mathilde Hughes this included stuffing over 450 books and letters into envelopes. Well done girls!

CHARITY

Girls and staff from AGS House were delighted to raise almost £5,200 for HopeAsia’s Hosanna Children’s Home in Myanmar in March by completing a 10km fun run and by holding cake sales in March.

CHARITY

FUN RUN FOR CHILDREN’S HOME

A huge THANK YOU goes to everyone who sponsored and cheered on the staff and girls. It is a wonderful reminder that the little things we can do can make such a difference to the lives of other people.

Mrs Sofia McClymont, Housemistress (AGS), World of Work Coordinator and Teacher of PSHE

Huge congratulations to Sixth Former Melissa McAlpine who successfully ran the London Marathon 2017 and raised £2,500 in aid of Phabkids, a charity which aims to promote and encourage children and adults with and without physical disabilities to make more of life together.

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DEBUT ALBUM FOR HOLCOMBE SINGERS ‘We are Young’ is the debut album of the Downe House ensemble group, Holcombe Singers. The album was released in May with the hope of raising money for the group’s three chosen charities – Marie Curie Nurses, The Queen Elizabeth Foundation and Malawi Open Arms, the Holcombe House International Charity.

The Holcombe Singers is an entirely pupil-led, auditioned ensemble group which performs in the ‘a cappella’ genre. For the last couple of years, I have had the huge pleasure of leading the group, supported superbly by India Burney and Wing Pui (Tiffany) Chan.

We are currently a group of twelve girls of mixed ages, all of whom show incredible ability and enormous commitment and loyalty.

Please email foundation@downehouse.net if you are interested in purchasing a CD. Rose Galbraith, UVI DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

CHARITY CHARITY FASHION SHOW In May, Lower Sixth Former Jameliah Adekunle organised and hosted a fantastic fashion show entitled ‘Spectrum’, raising over £1,000 for charity. With an audience of over 200, Spectrum showcased Jameliah’s own designs and those of her friends who are also doing A Level Textiles, as well as Young Enterprise teams, Wild and Tease and a small t-shirt brand started up by Evelyn Graham in the Lower Sixth. The show also featured guest brands including Isolda, Libelula, InLycra, Monsoon and Accessorize who kindly lent clothes for the event.

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Lower Sixth Form girls modelled the clothes as well as ten boys from Stowe who bravely agreed to model the menswear! In between the catwalks, there were singing and dancing acts as well as poetry performances.

Proceeds from the night were split between ‘The Fashion and Textile Children’s Trust’ which provides financial support to parents and carers working in the fashion industry who work long hours with very low pay, and ‘Chance for Children in Ghana’ which works to keep children off the streets of Accra and surrounding villages.

“My aim was to combine all of the arts that I am interested in, including dancing and singing with my passion for fashion, and I wanted to make one of my own collections a reality.

A friend of my mother who is also an experienced seamstress very kindly took my designs and the fabrics I chose, and produced 20 outfits in just two weeks - I am so grateful to her as it really added an extra flair to the show for me. I could not have done it without my friends – about 40 people were involved in the event and I had so much help from my teachers, the AV Team and the Foundation Department.

It was an amazing experience.”

Jameliah Adekunle, LVI CHARITY

ARMED FORCES FUND It was a very special night at the movies on 16 March 2017 for those parents who attended the Leicester Square film premiere of ‘Another Mother’s Son’ in support of the Armed Forces Fund. Downe House joined with Radley and St Mary’s Calne to raise funds for the AFF who support the education of sons and daughters of servicemen and women of all ranks killed or wounded while serving their country.

The stars of the red carpet, Jenny Seagrove, Ronan Keating and Julian Kostov, were happy to be snapped with excited audience members.

A generous number of tickets had been allocated to the fundraising cause and further donations were made on the night.

The evening was made unforgettable by a personal connection to Downe House, as our very own Darwin Housemistress, Mrs Capps, was overjoyed to meet up with old school friend and star of the film Jenny Seagrove – they last saw each aged 10!

Ms Kate Raines, Communications Manager

trips

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BELGIUM UPPER FOURTH HISTORY TRIP TO THE YPRES BATTLEFIELDS 164

On Saturday 20 May, the Upper Fourth set off for Belgium for a tour of the battlefields and cemeteries around the town of Ypres where so many important and decisive battles were fought during the First World War.

these soldiers being honoured like that, given all they had been through. Whilst we were there, Alexandra Hamilton laid a poppy wreath in memory of her Greatgreat-grandfather, Leslie Hamilton, and all the soldiers who died in the World Wars.

We got there late that night, so stopped off at our hotel and headed out to have dinner before bed, so we would be refreshed for our 7.30am start the next day.

After Tyne Cot, we went to a German cemetery where 44,000 soldiers lay. It was slightly sadder as there was a huge mass grave for 22,000 unidentified men, and grave markers with up to ten soldiers in each grave.

We first went to the trenches and it was amazing to walk through them knowing what had happened there 100 years ago. They still had original ammunition and barbed wire used in the Great War. Then we went to Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery and saw the graves of 12,000 soldiers, many of whom are unidentified. Their graves simply say ‘Known unto God’. It was a beautiful place and it was nice to see

Our last stop was the Menin Gate, which is a giant monument with the name of every Commonwealth soldier whose burial place is unknown. I found it very moving to see the sheer number of names inscribed on it. It was an amazing and thought-provoking trip that we all really enjoyed and we are grateful to the History Department for organising it.

TRIPS

Phoebe Huntington, UIV

CHINA

LOWER FOURTH TRIP TO CHINA WITH LUDGROVE SCHOOL A group of Lower Fourth Downe House girls, and boys from Ludgrove School, set off for China for an amazing tour, which included Beijing, the Great Wall of China, a Panda-breeding Centre in Chengdu and Shanghai – a very memorable trip for everyone, as Antonia McClintock writes: On Sunday 2 April 2017, we met the Ludgrove boys bright and early at Heathrow Airport for an amazing trip.

We were off to China! As we landed in Beijing in the morning, tired and sleepy, we got our first sight of the vast city.

It has six ring roads and 1000 years of history behind it. We went to the Temple of Heaven, The Forbidden City and we even climbed the Great Wall of China. It was a long, steep trek up, but when we eventually made it to the top the views were stunning. A highlight of the trip was the Huaqing hot springs in Xi’an, a beautiful traditional Chinese garden with rivers flowing through and stepping stones on top, making a very picturesque landscape.

We also went to the Panda Breeding Centre in Chengdu, which has 90% of the world’s pandas, and we learned that pandas are not the most active animals in the world; in fact, all they do is sleep and eat! Finally, to finish the tour, we went to Shanghai, which is the more modern side of China. We looked out at the skyscrapers from The Bund and went up The Oriental Pearl TV Tower where the views were stunning. You could see over the whole city.

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Then we went to YK Pao School, which is an American/Chinese school in Shanghai.

It was set up ten years ago and all of the students speak fluent English. The facilities were amazing and we sat in on various classes. The approach to teaching was very different - the teacher gave out the worksheets and left us to get on with it. The work was also much more hands on and practical than the work we do at Downe.

To round off the whole trip, we went to a phenomenal acrobatic show. The tricks and lifts performed were insane, including locking eight motorcycles in a cage! I will never forget this trip as it has been an amazing insight into China and its culture.

From sticky rice to smoggy streets, we saw so many diverse things and we will all treasure it in our memories for years to come.

Antonia McClintock, LIV

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COSTA RICA 166

COSTA RICA 2017 Costa Rica was the destination for Downe House’s first joint Biology and Geography curriculum enhancement trip this July. The trip, run by Miss Ellie Clarke along with Mr Mike Lamb from Wilderness Expertise, took 24 girls from Upper Fifth and Lower Sixth on a 16-day action-packed expedition across Costa Rica, from the Caribbean to the Pacific Coast. Miss Kathryn Rawlinson (Head of Geography) and Mr Chris Llewelly (Teacher of PE), also accompanied the trip.

We began our adventure in Tortuguero on the black sand beaches of the Caribbean. Here the girls explored by boat the jungle lagoons that surrounded our fabulous lodge accommodation. We were very lucky and managed to see an incredible variety of animals including two- and three-toed sloths, white-faced capuchin monkeys, spider monkeys and caimans living in their natural habitat. We also saw a huge number of birds. These were too numerous to list, but included Costa Rica’s iconic toucans and scarlet macaws.

During the evening the girls were given the opportunity to watch giant green turtles making their journey from the sea to the back of the beach to lay their eggs. Given the protected status of the turtles, we were escorted in small groups to watch them create their huge nests and then carefully lay their precious eggs. While we were watching this magical event, a spectacular lightning storm began which lit up the beach. This provided a very dramatic backdrop to this incredibly special event.

Despite most of the girls being very cold and wet and covered head to toe in black sand by the end of the evening, many of them said that this was their favourite activity and one that they would remember for the rest of their lives.

From Tortuguero we headed into Costa Rica’s interior to stay at a field centre in the Sarapiqui rainforest.

Here we headed out into the jungle (along Costa Rica’s longest aerial walkway) to learn how chocolate was made by native Costa Ricans.

The girls also got an opportunity to eat a lot of the chocolate that was created!

TRIPS

From Sarapiqui we drove to Arenal, which is a volcano in the northern lowlands of Costa Rica. Here the girls spent a couple of days trekking on trails alongside old lava flows. Our close experience with the local wildlife continued and on one of the walks, we saw an eyelash viper hiding in the vegetation next to the trail.

COSTA RICA

Some of the Lower Sixth decided to use this field centre as a location for their A Level fieldwork and were allowed to spend some time collecting data from which they will investigate carbon storage in this ecosystem.

We then travelled up to one of the most famous locations in Costa Rica, the Monteverde Cloud Forest. In addition to trekking in the forest the girls took the opportunity to give something back to the local community. They spent a very energetic morning clearing the trails and drains of leaves with huge rakes.

We met a number of tourists from all over the world who took the time to stop and tell the staff and our girls how impressed they were with their efforts!

Another highlight of the trip was visiting Café Colibri, where we saw hundreds of hummingbirds of all different kinds visiting the various feeders that the café had put out. A very special moment was watching these tiny (yet fearless) birds working as a team to attack a bright green viper that was hiding in the vegetation, waiting for his opportunity to strike.

From Monteverde we headed to the Pacific Coast and the spectacular Manuel Antonio National Park. A day on the beach was combined with more close encounters with Costa Rican wildlife. Here giant iguanas sunbathed on beautiful white beaches, while cheeky capuchin monkeys and racoons tried their best to steal our lunches!

The trip finished in the capital San José.

Here we took a walking tour of the city where our guides introduced us to the history of the city and also their hopes for the future. The girls enjoyed seeing the graffiti art and learning about the rebranding of San José.

Both the staff and pupils thoroughly enjoyed this amazing experience and feel that we have learned a great deal from this visit.

Miss Kathryn Rawlinson, Head of Geography

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ENGLAND

EXCITING ACTIVITY WEEKEND FOR REMOVE AT CALSHOT The Remove girls travelled to the Calshot Activities Centre near Southampton for a fun-packed weekend taking part in a host of activities, many of which they had never tried before and ranging from watersports to velodrome cycling.

They stayed in dorms with a girl from another House to help them to meet and bond with girls they didn’t already know very well, in preparation for their term in Veyrines next year. The Centre is in a prime location on the shores of the Solent, giving access to one of Britain’s best sailing areas, and during the weekend all of the girls did dinghy sailing, windsurfing and kayaking and everyone capsized at least once!

The girls also enjoyed rock climbing on the indoor climbing wall, snowboarding on the artificial indoor snow slope, track cycling in the indoor velodrome as well as low ropes, team swing and archery.

Cleo Dutertre-Delaunay said, “I have many enjoyable memories of Calshot and it was a good opportunity to bond and make friends. One of my favourite activities was snowboarding because it was a new experience. It was more challenging than I thought it would be and it demands a lot of hard work to stop yourself falling down, but it was very entertaining! Overall I think that everyone adored snowboarding and that they will cherish this experience forever.”

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Ms Kate Raines, Communications Manager

TRIPS

FRANCE

MICKEY MOUSE WELCOMES DOWNE HOUSE TO DISNEYLAND FOR THE INTERNATIONAL NETBALL FESTIVAL U15 and U14 Netball Teams travelled to Paris on tour, competing in an International Netball Festival alongside over 100 teams from different schools and clubs. Between matches there were extra training sessions, with the highlight being a circle defence session with Surrey Storm Coach Talissa Haynes. After a very successful final day, the teams came away with the most impressive trophies. The U15 Team finished 2nd in the Shield Competition and both U14 Teams came 3rd in their respective tournaments. The U14A Team did notably well, winning all but one match throughout the entire tour.

DH Alumna Catherine Powell is PrÊsidente of Disneyland Paris and she made sure our Disneyland Paris experience created truly magical memories. After meeting Catherine and having the opportunity to ask questions about what it is like to have that dream job in Disneyland, she led us towards the castle where Mickey Mouse, in full 25th Anniversary wizarding outfit, saw us coming and beckoned us towards the castle. A very special VIP photo shoot followed and, just when we thought it couldn’t be any more incredible, the girls were given VIP fast passes allowing them to go off and experience the very best of Disneyland. Thank you Catherine for such an incredible insight into life at Disneyland. We look forward to welcoming you to Downe House in the future with the same warmth and kindness you showed us.

Miss Laura Vickery, Teacher of PE and Resident Tutor (Willis)

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POLAND

HOLOCAUST EDUCATION TRUST TRIP TO POLAND On 7 March 2017, Annabel Roest and Anna Sharrock visited Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland, a place that marked the end of 1.1million Jewish lives and played a huge part in the Nazi’s ‘Final Solution’. Of the 6 million Jews who died in the Holocaust, 1.1 million were mercilessly murdered at AuschwitzBirkenau. The trip was organized by the Holocaust Educational Trust, an organisation which aims to empower and educate youth on the Holocaust and the importance of breaking down the idea of prejudice within society.

Here Annabel has shared her own personal experience of the trip: Before the trip we attended an orientation seminar in Reading to meet our group and group leader, and to be briefed on what exactly the trip entailed. We also heard the testimony of holocaust survivor Rudi Oppenheimer, who shocked us with the horrors he endured at the German Concentration Camp, Bergen Belsen. We spent time within our groups reflecting on Jewish life in Europe before the war and considering why we were visiting authentic Holocaust related sites in Poland. Hearing the witness Testimony really did help us try to understand the scale of human loss.

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We had a 3:30am start on the day to travel to the airport for our plane to Krackow Airport.

Having arrived in Poland, we travelled to O´swi˛ ecim, a typical Polish town in which 58% of the population before the war was Jewish.

It was given the name Auschwitz when the Nazis invaded Poland. There are currently no Jews living there today. Auschwitz 1 was the camp that he used mainly non-Jewish prisoners, including members of the Polish political and religious opposition to the Nazi regime, gay men and Jehovah’s Witnesses, as well as Soviet Prisoners of War. Birkenau was the purpose-built extermination camp and the main centre for Jewish and Roma/Sinti (or Gypsy) prisoners.

After our tour around the camp, we attended a service given by a Rabbi and had the opportunity to light a memorial candle on the train tracks by the platform where the arriving Jews were sorted into those fit for work and those who were destined to die at the hands of the SS in the gas chambers. Perhaps one of the most poignant moments of the day was the Rabbi’s address. He spoke about the strength of one word, four letters: HATE. And then of another word, still with four letters, that has the power to reverse the first: LOVE. Our thanks go to Mr Lane and to the Holocaust Educational Trust for what was a life-changing trip which we will never forget.

Annabel Roest, LVI TRIPS

PORTUGAL

TENNIS TOUR TO PORTUGAL Towards the end of the Easter holidays a group of Lower Fifth and Upper Fourth girls flew to Portugal with Mr Allen, Mr Goodall and Miss John-Davis for the annual tennis tour. We were staying in Pine Cliffs Resort which was amazing. We shared huge apartments in groups of four to six, there were multiple swimming pools for us to enjoy in our breaks, and we within walking distance of the beautiful beach.

Most importantly of course, there were lots of tennis courts and we were coached by great coaches from the Annabel Croft Tennis Academy.

We started the days early with some form of fitness training this consisted of beach runs or strength and conditioning. We followed this by a delicious breakfast and then we had some time to ourselves to enjoy the resort. At 11 o’clock, we started tennis for the day with two hours before lunch. Each session was focused on a different skill and included lots of match play. It was really fun because we were split into three teams of mixed ability and mixed age. Throughout the week we were able to score points for our teams by winning games and other little competitions, and then at the end of the week one team won a prize.

After lunch most of us went to the beach to swim in the sea before returning to the courts for more tennis in the early evening. We went out for a meal each evening, and one of the highlights was going to the nearby port of Vilamoura for supper and shopping.

Another fun event was the quiz that we had one evening - it was very entertaining as it got rather competitive! On the penultimate day of the tour, we played a match against a local tennis club, which was really enjoyable as we got to play competitively against some different people. We returned home the next day after a busy morning of tennis, ready for the exciting term of tennis that was to come! Overall, it was great fun, we learned lots, improved our tennis and came away with some nice tans!

Jemima Harrison, UIV

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SOUTH AFRICA TEDWORTH GIRLS HELP TIGER KLOOF IN THE COMMUNITY 172

During the November Long Exeat, a group of girls from Tedworth House set off for South Africa to visit Tiger Kloof School, the international link charity with which Downe House has close ties.

Girls from the Lower and Upper Fifth and the Lower Sixth flew to Johannesburg first and began their trip by gaining some context to their host country by visiting the Apartheid Museum in Soweto, and Nelson Mandela’s House.

They then travelled on to Tiger Kloof in Vryburg, which is a five-hour drive from Johannesburg. The main purpose of the trip was to get involved in Tiger Kloof’s extensive programme of community work and so, during their visit, the girls spent time at the Thusaneng Disabled School in the Huhudi township, which proved a thought-provoking experience. Whilst there, they joined in with football, took part in singing sessions and played games with the children who attend the school.

children in the township and the other called Maggie’s Soup Kitchen which caters for homeless adults. In the kitchens, they helped to prepare e’Pap, a hot stew which is a type of porridge served in a cup, and also assisted with serving the food.

All of the girls agreed that it was an unforgettable experience which took them well outside their comfort zones. It also served to make them more aware of their own role back in the UK in raising money to support the important work of Tiger Kloof in taking care of the many deprived children and adults living in poverty within its community.

Tiger Kloof was founded in 1904 by the London Missionary Society to educate local children and, although it closed down in the Sixties as a result of the Bantu Education Act, it reopened in 1995 and now caters for 670 pupils aged 3-18 including 180 boarders in the senior school. The school is true to its Christian ethos and undertakes many projects in its local community.

During the week the girls spent three days volunteering at the soup kitchens supported by Tiger Kloof, one for Mrs Sarah Barnard, Housemistress (Tedworth), Teacher of History and Overseas University Coordinator

TRIPS

SPAIN

GCSE SPANISH STUDENTS VISIT CADIZ During the February Long Exeat, a group of Lower Fifth pupils set off for Cadiz in high spirits, keen to immerse themselves in Spanish language and culture. Mornings were all about linguistic lessons in the K2 Internacional Spanish Language School. The girls approached their learning with enthusiasm that quickly translated into a marked improvement in their confidence in speaking and fluency with the language. Every morning their lessons finished with a ‘speaking treasure hunt’ in which girls had to find information on given topics from the local people.

Every afternoon there was a cultural trip planned including a particularly popular flamenco dancing lesson during which everyone threw themselves into the intricacies of the traditional dance. There was also a very enjoyable trip to ‘El Mercado’ where the girls practised their Spanish on the friendly local market traders. Sightseeing around Cadiz and a special visit to the magnificent Real Alcázar de Sevilla completed a most enjoyable and worthwhile trip.

Staying in homes with families turned out to be the highlight of the trip, as the gaditanos were extremely friendly and welcoming. The families really engaged with the girls making them feel at home and well looked after.

Our thanks to the teaching staff involved who accompanied the girls to Cadiz.

Miss Leticia Garcia Niquez, Head of Spanish, House Tutor (Willis) and Oxbridge Mentor

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DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

awards and more

174

The examination results season always provides a moment for us to stop and reflect on just how wonderfully well our girls have done. 2017 was no different and I could not be more proud.

Our LV, UV, LVI and UVI examination candidates have achieved outstanding results once again this year and they deserve the highest praise for their achievements.

Members of the UVI leave us to take up places at top universities across the world with 88% going to Russell Group universities and a further 10% to world-class universities in the US, Canada and Hong Kong. With 90% of the grades at A* to B, or equivalent, they are well placed for success. Their grades really are testament to the girls’ diligence and commitment to their studies. They will, I have no doubt, be great assets to their universities. At GCSE, the girls achieved a record 60.4% of A* grades with over 84% reaching A*/A grades. All candidates should be extremely proud of their achievements and I know are very grateful to their teachers, Housestaff and, of course, their parents for all their support during their studies. As they move on to the next stage of their education, they should do so with well-founded confidence. I would like to congratulate all the girls on so many personal triumphs but the following candidates particularly:

“Pupils develop into young women with high levels of selfesteem, well prepared to face their futures confidently and boldly.”

Girls who achieved 3 A*/A or D1 – D3 grades and above at A Level and/or Pre-U:

Independent Schools Inspectorate inspection report, March 2017

Henrietta Allen (3), Chiamaka Attuh (3), Anna Chalmers (4), Huen Tung (Angela) Chan (3), Ling Yee (Lindley) Chan (3), Wing Pui (Tiffany) Chan (5), Georgina Dick (3), Florence Elliott (3), Camilla Farrell (4), Celine Harborne (3), Olivia Harrison (3), Sandrine Heller (3), Olivia Holden (3), Lara Kary (4), Wing Tung (Janice) Kwong (5), India Laidlaw (3), Oi Ka (Natalie) Lam (7), Sophie Manners (3), Alexandra Milne (3), Jemima Oliver (3), Honor Pattisson (3), Rebecca Radford (3), Minnie Royden (3), Charlotte Simpson (3), Sereena Singh (5), Isabelle Smith (4), Yan Jing (Amy) Tse (4), Alyx Van der Vorm (4), Yu (Sophia) Wang (4), Georgiana Ward (3), Rumbidzai Wasterfall (3), Georgina Witter (3), Ming Yang (4)

It was a source of great pride for everyone at the School this year to read the results of our Inspection which took place during Lent Term. I am always keen that, when they visit, Inspectors see the School and appreciate all the things that we value so highly, as they really are. We could not have been more pleased with the way in which the inspection team has captured the ethos of the School in the report.

In particular they have caught the essence and spirit of the girls, the way in which they approach their studies, the relationships that they enjoy with each other and the staff, and their enthusiasm for the world around them and their future lives. In every area our educational provision was awarded the top ‘excellent’ grade.

Girls who achieved 8 A* grades and above at GCSE:

Mrs Emma McKendrick, Headmistress

Amelia Bennett (8), Rosie Blackburn (9), Elizabeth Bolodeoku (9), Esther Bolodeoku (9), Nina Bugeja (11), Calypso Carter (10), Hoi Laam (Karis) Cheung (10), Katherine Cochrane (9), Calypso Cox (9), Minna Crewdson (9), Lucy Cunningham (10), Cosima Davies (9), Davina Drummond (9), Emily Duckworth (8), Sophie Elliot (10), Tae-Chan Ellis (10), Oluchi Emenike (9), Isabella Evans (9), Florence Fanshaw (10), Melissa Farquhar (9), Isabel Fincham (10) Christabel Graham (10), Charlotte Harrabin (9), Georgia Hewitson (11), Trinity Hill (8), Maya Huby (10), Isabella Jones (10), Cecelia Kane (8), Sumin Kim (8), Alisia McKay (8), Hye Lim Park (8), Elizabeth Reynard (10), Anna Riley (9), Alanah Roberton (8) Sabrina Sambhi (9), Honor Sells (8), Amelia Smith (10), Emma Talbot Rice (10), Tsz Ki (Serena) Tong (10), Jaira Vázquez Sánchez (10), YouOceane Wang (12), Jennifer Wai Luen Yung (11)

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

EXAM AND INSPECTION SUCCESS

EXAM RESULTS 2017

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PRIZES 176

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR PRIZE WINNERS Year

Subject

Award

Nominee

R

Chemistry

Top Performer

Fife Akinkugbe

R

Design & Technology

Top Performer

Fife Akinkugbe

R

French

Top Performer

Fife Akinkugbe

R

Classics

Progress and Effort Prize

Lauren Akinluyi

R

Darwin

The Berwick Cup

Dariya Andreeva

R

Geography

Progress and Effort Prize

Dariya Andreeva

R

PE

Progress and Effort Prize

Ayomide Awosika

R

Drama

Progress and Effort Prize

R

Biology

Progress and Effort Prize

Romilly Behagg Carina Bischoff

R

Music

The Elizabeth Pickering Prize

Carina Bischoff

R

Biology

Progress and Effort Prize

Lin Lin Chi

R

Maths

Top Performer

Lin Lin Chi

R

Drama

Colours

Rose Cornell

R

Geography

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Thea Davies

R

Modern Languages

Progress and Effort Prize

Thea Davies

R

Classics

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Alice Demeester

R

PE

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Lucy Dollar

R

English

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Clara Dutertre-Delaunay

R

Biology

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Cleo Dutertre-Delaunay

R

Chemistry

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Cleo Dutertre-Delaunay

R

Drama

Colours

Cleo Dutertre-Delaunay

R

History

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Cleo Dutertre-Delaunay

R

Physics

Top Performer

Cleo Dutertre-Delaunay

R

RS

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Cleo Dutertre-Delaunay

R

RS

Top Performer

Cleo Dutertre-Delaunay

R

Art

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Tiffany Ferrand

R

English

Progress and Effort Prize

Tiffany Ferrand

R

RS

Progress and Effort Prize

Cora Green

R

Music

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Konstanza Haefner

R

History

Progress and Effort Prize

Tate Halestrap

R

Art

Progress and Effort Prize

Hyojin (Angela) Joo

R

Chemistry

Progress and Effort Prize

Hyojin (Angela) Joo

R

ICT

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Hyojin (Angela) Joo

R

Maths

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Hyojin (Angela) Joo

R

Music

Progress and Effort Prize

Hyojin (Angela) Joo

R

Physics

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Lucy Morrison

R

Design & Technology

Progress and Effort Prize

Louisa Neill

R

ICT

Progress and Effort Prize

Louisa Neill

R

Maths

Progress and Effort Prize

Louisa Neill

R

History

Top Performer

Isobel (Izzy) Peddie

R

Physics

Progress and Effort Prize

Isobel (Izzy) Peddie

R

Design & Technology

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Rosie Phillips

R

Drama

Colours

Agnes Rose

R

Biology

Top Performer

Mirabel Summerfield

R

Modern Languages

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Mirabel Summerfield

R

Biology

Progress and Effort Prize

Georgina Williams-Bulkeley

R

Drama

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Susannah Wood

LIV

Biology

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Lucy Barrie

LIV

Chemistry

Progress and Effort Prize

Lucy Barrie

LIV

Classics

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Lucy Barrie

LIV

Wakefield Award

Gold

Lucy Barrie

LIV

History

Progress and Effort Prize

Georgia Biggs

LIV

Chemistry

Top Performer

Hoi Yiu (Danna) Cheung

LIV

Maths

Top Performer

Hoi Yiu (Danna) Cheung

AWARDS AND MORE

Subject

Award

Nominee

LIV

Physics

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Gwyneth Choi

LIV

RS

Top Performer

Gwyneth Choi

LIV

Wakefield Award

Gold

Gwyneth Choi

LIV

Music

Progress and Effort Prize

Gina Cukrowicz

LIV

Wakefield Award

Gold

Chiara De Sa Subiotto

LIV

Art

Progress and Effort Prize

Georgia Dunkerley

LIV

Biology

Progress and Effort Prize

Georgia Dunkerley

LIV

Maths

Progress and Effort Prize

Georgia Dunkerley

LIV

Music

Progress and Effort Prize

Susannah Field

LIV

Wakefield Award

Gold

Eleanor Gibbs

LIV

Wakefield Award

Gold

Lara Harries

LIV

Classics

Progress and Effort Prize

ThĂŠa Hawtin

LIV

Wakefield Award

Gold

Louisa Healey

LIV

Design & Technology

Progress and Effort Prize

India Hinds

LIV

Wakefield Award

Gold

Indi Hine

LIV

Drama

Progress and Effort Prize

Freya Illingworth

LIV

English

Progress and Effort Prize

Freya Illingworth

LIV

Modern Languages

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Freya Illingworth

LIV

PE

Progress and Effort Prize

Freya Illingworth

LIV

Wakefield Award

Gold

Freya Illingworth

LIV

History

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Sophie Loftus

LIV

Maths

Top Performer

Sophie Loftus

LIV

Physics

Progress and Effort Prize

Sophie Loftus

LIV

Wakefield Award

Gold

Sophie Loftus

LIV

RS

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Honor Mathews

LIV

Biology

Progress and Effort Prize

Amelia Maughan

LIV

Drama

Colours

Amelia Maughan

LIV

Biology

Top Performer

Antonia McClintock

LIV

Drama

Colours

Antonia McClintock

LIV

ICT

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Antonia McClintock

LIV

Maths

Top Performer

Antonia McClintock

LIV

Music

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

Antonia McClintock

LIV

Wakefield Award

Gold

Antonia McClintock

LIV

Biology

Progress and Effort Prize

Yasmine McLennan

LIV

Hill

The Moore Cup

Yasmine McLennan

LIV

Wakefield Award

Gold

Yasmine McLennan

LIV

Art

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Kate Mulvany

LIV

Design & Technology

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Kate Mulvany

LIV

Geography

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Kate Mulvany

LIV

History

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Kate Mulvany

LIV

PE

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Honor Neville

LIV

ICT

Progress and Effort Prize

Hannah Perkins

LIV

Biology

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Alice Pernthaller

LIV

Chemistry

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Alice Pernthaller

LIV

Classics

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Alice Pernthaller

LIV

Drama

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Alice Pernthaller

LIV

English

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Alice Pernthaller

LIV

French

Top Performer

Alice Pernthaller

LIV

History

Top Performer

Alice Pernthaller

LIV

Maths

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Alice Pernthaller

LIV

Music

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Alice Pernthaller

LIV

Physics

Top Performer

Alice Pernthaller

LIV

RS

Progress and Effort Prize

Alice Pernthaller

LIV

Wakefield Award

Gold

Alice Pernthaller

LIV

Drama

Colours

Marina Pownall DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

PRIZES

Year

177

PRIZES 178

Year

Subject

Award

Nominee

LIV

Wakefield Award

Gold

Marina Pownall

LIV

Hermitage

The Lunn Cup

Margot Ridley

LIV

Geography

Progress and Effort Prize

Lucinda Slack

LIV

Modern Languages

Progress and Effort Prize

Lucinda Slack

LIV

Music

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Lucinda Slack

LIV

Wakefield Award

Gold

Lucinda Slack

LIV

Wakefield Award

Gold

Emma Woodworth

UIV

Modern Languages

Top Performer - Chinese

Toluwase Agusto

UIV

RS

Top Performer

Toluwase Agusto

UIV

ICT

Progress and Effort Prize

Faridah Are

UIV

Biology

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Clementine Black

UIV

Physics

Top Performer

Clementine Black

UIV

PE

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Suzanna Brooke

UIV

ICT

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Wan Hei (Victoria) Cho

UIV

Maths

Top Performer

Wan Hei (Victoria) Cho

UIV

RS

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Wan Hei (Victoria) Cho

UIV

Drama

Colours

Grace Cooke

UIV

Maths

Progress and Effort Prize

Lara Coppen-Gardner

UIV

Geography

Progress and Effort Prize

Molly Dubens

UIV

Design & Technology

Food Technology Prize

Vivienne Eisenhardt

UIV

History

Progress and Effort Prize

Vivienne Eisenhardt

UIV

Drama

Colours

Christina Elliot

UIV

Maths

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Chioma Emenike

UIV

Maths

Top Performer

Chioma Emenike

UIV

Biology

Progress and Effort Prize

Florence Hack

UIV

RS

Progress and Effort Prize

Honor Hamwee

UIV

Biology

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Jemima Harrison

UIV

French

Top Performer

Jemima Harrison

UIV

Modern Languages

Top Performer - Spanish

Jemima Harrison

UIV

Drama

Colours

Antonia Holloway

UIV

Music

The Evelyn Barbirolli Woodwind Prize

Antonia Holloway

UIV

Speech & Drama

The Lynette Gridley Memorial Trophy

Antonia Holloway

UIV

Modern Languages

Top Performer - Italian

Francesca Horton

UIV

Art

Progress and Effort Prize

Chelsea Huang

UIV

Biology

Progress and Effort Prize

Chelsea Huang

UIV

Classics

Progress and Effort Prize

Gardiner Hunt

UIV

Design & Technology

Progress and Effort Prize

Tabitha Kendall

UIV

Biology

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Priya Kooros

UIV

RS

Top Performer

Priya Kooros

UIV

Art

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Li Hui (Lily) Lin

UIV

Geography

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Chisengo Lukama

UIV

Drama

Progress and Effort Prize

Saskia Mactaggart

UIV

Music

Progress and Effort Prize

Saskia Mactaggart

UIV

Physics

Progress and Effort Prize

Saskia Mactaggart

UIV

Biology

Progress and Effort Prize

Maryam Mammadova

UIV

Chemistry

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Maryam Mammadova

UIV

Chemistry

Top Performer

Maryam Mammadova

UIV

Physics

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Maryam Mammadova

UIV

Chemistry

Progress and Effort Prize

Matilda McDougall

UIV

Modern Languages

Top Performer - German

Sappho Novatin

UIV

Modern Languages

Progress and Effort Prize

Anjolaoluwa Omotola

UIV

Classics

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Araminta Plumstead

UIV

Drama

Top Performer

Araminta Plumstead

UIV

English

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Araminta Plumstead

UIV

French

Top Performer

Araminta Plumstead

AWARDS AND MORE

Subject

Award

Nominee

UIV

History

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Araminta Plumstead

UIV

History

Top Performer

Araminta Plumstead

UIV

Modern Languages

Top Performer - French

Araminta Plumstead

UIV

RS

Top Performer

Araminta Plumstead

UIV

Design & Technology

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Ayobami Razak-Shittu

UIV

PE

Progress and Effort Prize

Francesca Rhodes

UIV

Drama

Colours

Poppy Scales

UIV

Music

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Poppy Scales

UIV

Drama

Colours

Lisa Lotte Scheuner

UIV

Classics

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Angelica Singh

UIV

Maths

The Elizabeth Anne Beel Memorial Trophy for Mathematical Endeavour

Beatrice Weaver

UIV

Drama

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Rosalind Wippell

UIV

Modern Languages

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Rosalind Wippell

UIV

English

Progress and Effort Prize

Tun Yin (Angie) Wong

LV

Design & Technology

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Victoria Aarons

LV

Biology

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Georgia Allison

LV

Modern Languages

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Georgia Allison

LV

Modern Languages

Top Performer - Spanish

Georgia Allison

LV

Physics

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Georgia Allison

LV

Lucasta Partridge-Hicks Trophy

Georgia Allison

LV

Junior Olive Willis Prize

Emily Barber

LV

Classics

Progress and Effort Prize

Eesha Bhide

LV

Geography

Progress and Effort Prize

Oluwatamilore Bolodeoku

LV

Chemistry

Progress and Effort Prize

Cecilia Boscawen

LV

Foote Essay

2nd Prize

Fenella Bowlby

LV

PE

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Fenella Bowlby

Junior Olive Willis Prize

Fenella Bowlby

LV LV

Drama

Priestley Cup for Most Promising Young Performer

Emma Bracken

LV

Foote Essay

Highly Commended

Emily Carpmael

LV

Music

Progress and Effort Prize

Emily Carpmael

LV

Business and Communication Systems

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Jessica Chapman

LV

Drama

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Jessica Chapman

LV

Drama

Colours

Molly Dewar

LV

Drama

Top Performer

Molly Dewar

LV

English

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Molly Dewar

Junior Olive Willis Prize

Abriella (Abby) Dolbear

LV LV

Chemistry

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Arah Elombi

LV

Drama

Progress and Effort Prize

Alina Erkulova

LV

Physics

Progress and Effort Prize

Alina Erkulova

LV

Design & Technology

Top Performer

Eliza Farquharson

LV

RS

Progress and Effort Prize

Holly Fenn

LV

Modern Languages

Top Performer - German

Charlotte Field

LV

Classics

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Annie Hazlitt

LV

Drama

Colours

Annie Hazlitt

LV

Design & Technology

Progress and Effort Prize

Elodie Hersee

LV

Geography

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Elodie Hersee

LV

Biology

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Chao Heng (Gemma) Ho

LV

Chemistry

Top Performer

Chao Heng (Gemma) Ho

LV

Foote Essay

Highly Commended

Chao Heng (Gemma) Ho

LV

History

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Chao Heng (Gemma) Ho

LV

History

Top Performer

Chao Heng (Gemma) Ho

LV

Music

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Chao Heng (Gemma) Ho

LV

RS

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Chao Heng (Gemma) Ho

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

PRIZES

Year

179

PRIZES

Year

Subject

Award

Nominee

LV

RS

Top Performer

Chao Heng (Gemma) Ho

LV

Chemistry

Progress and Effort Prize

Mathilde Hughes

LV

English

The Gosse LV English Prize

Eliza Inglis

LV

Music

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Eliza Inglis

LV

PE

Progress and Effort Prize

Eliza Inglis

LV

Art

Progress and Effort Prize

Jade Jacomb

LV

Modern Languages

Top Performer - French

Jade Jacomb

LV

Foote Essay

1st Prize

Madison James

LV

History

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Alexandra Kiy

LV

Maths

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Alexandra Kiy

LV

Modern Languages

Top Performer - Chinese

Alexandra Kiy

LV

Physics

Progress and Effort Prize

Alexandra Kiy

LV

Modern Languages

Top Performer - Italian

Annabel Le Grice

LV

Art

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Olivia Lopes

LV

Biology

Progress and Effort Prize

Enekole Mark

LV

Drama

Colours

Lucy McCreery

LV

English

Progress and Effort Prize

Zi Yin (Ariel) Mo

LV

Drama

Colours

Gabriella Nelson

LV

PE

Junior Victor Ludorum Sports Cup

Anna Neville

LV

Business and Communication Systems

Progress and Effort Prize

Motolani Oladitan

LV

Foote Essay

Highly Commended

Motolani Oladitan

LV

History

Progress and Effort Prize

Motolani Oladitan

LV

Maths

Progress and Effort Prize

Nina Paterson

LV

Biology

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Yi Wei (Lily) Peng

Junior Olive Willis Prize

Yi Wei (Lily) Peng

LV

180

LV

Modern Languages

Progress and Effort Prize

Alice Peters

LV

Art

Bathurst LV Art Award

Michelle Sung

LV

Maths

Top Performer

Michelle Sung

LV

Physics

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Sabrina Wang

LV

Modern Languages

Top Performer - Chinese

Imogen Webber

LV

Biology

Progress and Effort Prize

Alice Weldon

Junior Olive Willis Prize

Alice Weldon

LV LV

Junior Olive Willis Prize

Daisy West

LV

Classics

Progress and Effort Prize

Ottilie Whitbread

LV

Foote Essay

Highly Commended

Arabella Woo

LV

Foote Essay

3rd Prize

Helena Wormsley

LV

Chemistry

Progress and Effort Prize

Ruyao Xu

UV

Art

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Catharina Benigni

UV

Design & Technology

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Catharina Benigni

UV

Aisholt

The Houghton Cup

Rosie Blackburn

UV

Design & Technology

Progress and Effort Prize

Sophie Bott

UV

Geography

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Sophie Bott

UV

Classics

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Nina Bugeja

UV

English

Progress and Effort Prize

Nina Bugeja

UV

Modern Languages

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Nina Bugeja

UV

RS

Progress and Effort Prize

Jemima Cremin

UV

Chemistry

Progress and Effort Prize

Davina Drummond

UV

English

Progress and Effort Prize

Emily Duckworth

UV

AGN

The Austin Cup

Sophie Elliot

UV

Chemistry

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Sophie Elliot

UV

Drama

Colours

Sophie Elliot

UV

Physics

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Sophie Elliot

UV

RS

Overall Prize at GCSE

Sophie Elliot

UV

RS

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Tae-Chan Ellis

UV

Speech & Drama

The Speech and Drama RADA Award (2)

Florence Fanshawe

AWARDS AND MORE

Subject

Award

Nominee

UV

Classics

Progress and Effort Prize

Isabel Fincham

UV

History

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Christabel Graham

UV

Aisholt

The Houghton Cup

Jessica Hayward-Cole

UV

PE

Progress and Effort Prize

Trinity Hill

UV

Music

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Maya Huby

UV

PE

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Amelia Hughes

UV

Drama

Colours

Cecelia Kane

UV

Drama

The Van Oss Cup for Music, Drama and Musical Theatre

Cecelia Kane

UV

Tedworth

The Gwatkin Cup

Cecelia Kane

UV

Holcombe

The Barnes Cup

Iman Khalil

UV

Maths

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Sumin Kim

UV

Drama

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Olivia Kirkby

UV

Biology

Progress and Effort Prize

Minna Leatham

UV

History

Progress and Effort Prize

Katherine O'Shea

UV

Classics

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Hye Lim Park

UV

Modern Languages

Progress and Effort Prize

Georgina Pollock

UV

English

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Elizabeth Reynard

UV

Business and Communication Systems

Progress and Effort Prize

Torpad (Yok) Rungjerdfa

UV

Biology

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Sabrina Sambhi

UV

Chemistry

Progress and Effort Prize

Sabrina Sambhi

UV

Geography

GCSE Investigation

Sabrina Sambhi

UV

Drama

Progress and Effort Prize

Holly Skinner

UV

Music

Progress and Effort Prize

Honor Stephens

UV

Physics

Progress and Effort Prize

Honor Stephens

UV

Art

Progress and Effort Prize

Tsz Ki (Serena) Tong

UV

Geography

Progress and Effort Prize

Phannaphat (Aommy) Totup

UV

Modern Languages

The Maitland French Prize

You-Oceane Wang

UV

Maths

Progress and Effort Prize

Miranda Woodruff

UV

Business and Communication Systems

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Jennifer Wai Luen Yung

LVI

EPQ

Progress and Effort Prize

Jameliah Adekunle

LVI

Modern Languages

Top Performer - German

Jameliah Adekunle

LVI

RS

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Eleanor Bishop

LVI

Music

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Man I (Melissa) Chang

LVI

Classics

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Emilie Cheung

LVI

RS

The Mary Midgley Prize

Gwendoline Choi

LVI

RS

Top Performer

Gwendoline Choi

LVI

Biology

Top Performer

Isabella Craig

LVI

Art

History of Art Progress and Effort Prize

Rosanna Craig

LVI

Art

Julia Newton Photography Award

Jennifer Darko

LVI

Drama

Colours

Grace Devereux

LVI

Modern Languages

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Omotara Edu

LVI

PE

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Alexa Feather

LVI

Social Science

Economics Progress and Effort Prize

Alexa Feather

LVI

Speech & Drama

The Speech and Drama RADA Award

Katherine Garnett

LVI

Biology

Progress and Effort Prize

Evelyn Graham

LVI

English

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Lauren Griffith

LVI

Geography

The Natasha Butcher Cup for Geographical Research

Lauren Griffith

LVI

PE

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Lauren Griffith

LVI

Social Science

Politics Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Lauren Griffith

LVI

Social Science

Politics Progress and Effort Prize

Kitty Henry

LVI

Speech & Drama

The Speech and Drama Trinity Award

Anna Hewitt

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

PRIZES

Year

181

PRIZES 182

Year

Subject

Award

Nominee

LVI

Classics

Progress and Effort Prize

Jasmine Holland

LVI

Drama

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Eliza Horn

LVI

Modern Languages

Top Performer - Spanish

Poppy Huntington

LVI

English

Progress and Effort Prize

Hebe Ide

LVI

Social Science

Politics Progress and Effort Prize

Hebe Ide

LVI

Music

Progress and Effort Prize

Wai-Ping (Sarah) Kwok

LVI

Music

The Marjorie Gunn Bow

Wai-Ping (Sarah) Kwok

LVI

Social Science

Business Studies Progress and Effort Prize

Georgia Lavelle

LVI

Design & Technology

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Flora Lindsay

LVI

Social Science

Business Studies Excellence and High Achievement

Flora Lindsay

LVI

Geography

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Rachael Litton

LVI

Maths

Progress and Effort Prize

Elizabeth Michaelson

LVI

PE

Progress and Effort Prize

Elizabeth Michaelson

LVI

Physics

Progress and Effort Prize

Elizabeth Michaelson

LVI

Design & Technology

Progress and Effort Prize

Alexia Milliken

LVI

Chemistry

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Jessica Pemberton

LVI

Maths

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Jessica Pemberton

LVI

Maths

Top Performer

Jessica Pemberton

LVI

Music

The Jo Butcher Prize

Jessica Pemberton

LVI

Physics

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Jessica Pemberton

LVI

AGS

The Doherty Cup

Bethany Perry

LVI

Art

History of Art Excellence and High Achievement

Bethany Perry

LVI

English

The Rich LVI English Prize

Bethany Perry

LVI

RS

Progress and Effort Prize

Bethany Perry

LVI

Speech & Drama

The Speech and Drama Communication Skills Award

Bethany Perry

LVI

Biology

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Matilda Pope

LVI

Chemistry

Progress and Effort Prize

Matilda Pope

LVI

Chemistry

Top Performer

Matilda Pope

LVI

Economics

Top Performer

Matilda Pope

LVI

Social Science

Economics Excellence and High Achievement

Matilda Pope

LVI

Drama

Progress and Effort Prize

Annabel Roest

LVI

Drama

The Kate Edey Cup for All Round Contribution to Drama

Henrietta Ryan

LVI

Art

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Victoria Scobie

LVI

History

Progress and Effort Prize

Anna Sharrock

LVI

Modern Languages

Progress and Effort Prize

Araminta Swallow

LVI

Modern Languages

Top Performer - French

Araminta Swallow

LVI

History

LVI Prize

Elizabeth Tatham

LVI

History

Top Performer

Elizabeth Tatham

LVI

Art

The Power Carlier Prize for Artistic Endeavour in the LVI

Jennifer Tett

LVI

Art

Progress and Effort Prize

Jane Tung

LVI

Geography

Progress and Effort Prize

Isabella West

LVI

Drama

Colours

Catharine Wippell

LVI

Music

The Marjorie Gunn Bow

Catharine Wippell

LVI

Speech & Drama

The Speech and Drama Musical Theatre Award

Catharine Wippell

LVI

History

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Saskia Wormsley

LVI

Modern Languages

Top Performer - Chinese

Tabonga Yangailo

UVI

Music

The Eileen Fairbank Cup

Charlotte Aldrich

UVI

Drama

Colours

Henrietta Allen

UVI

Speech & Drama

Progress and Effort Prize

Emma Barrett-Fish

UVI

English

Progress and Effort Prize

Deena Bhanarai

UVI

Music

The Maclean Prize

India Burney

UVI

Chemistry

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Anna Chalmers

AWARDS AND MORE

Subject

Award

Nominee

UVI

Music

The Julia Dowson Cup

Anna Chalmers

UVI

Physics

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Anna Chalmers

UVI

Music

The Glanville Prize

Wing Pui (Tiffany) Chan

UVI

PE

Sports Science Progress and Effort Prize

Olivia Clark

UVI

Duke of Edinburgh

Gold Award

Charlotte Clover

UVI

Modern Languages

Progress and Effort Prize

Charlotte Clover

UVI

Social Science

Politics Progress and Effort Prize

Jasmine Coulson

UVI

Music

The Bedwell Singing Prize

Violet Crawfurd

UVI

Speech & Drama

The Speech and Drama Musical Theatre Award

Violet Crawfurd

UVI

Drama

Colours

Eliza Downes

UVI

Drama

Head of Drama Award

Eliza Downes

UVI

Design & Technology

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Kezia Dubens

UVI

Drama

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Florence Elliott

UVI

PE

Progress and Effort Prize

Florence Elliott

UVI

Head Senior Prize Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Gold Award

Florence Elliott

UVI UVI

Design & Technology

Elizabeth Palmer Cup for Technology

Lavinia Falck

UVI

Social Science

Business Studies Excellence and High Achievement

Lavinia Falck

UVI

Modern Languages

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Camilla Farrell

UVI

PE

Victor Ludorum Sports Cup

Camilla Farrell

UVI

Social Science Economics Excellence and High Achievement Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Gold Award

Camilla Farrell Rose Galbraith

UVI

Drama Colours Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Gold Award

UVI

Music

Jennifer Davies Music Prize

Rose Galbraith

UVI

Speech & Drama

The Speech and Drama Cup for Overall Excellence

Rose Galbraith

UVI

Design & Technology

Resistant Materials Prize

Kirstin Gray

UVI

Social Science

Business Studies Progress and Effort Prize

Kirstin Gray

UVI

Art The Russell Photography Award Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Gold Award

Imogen Hancock

UVI UVI

History

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Celine Harborne

UVI

Speech & Drama

Outstanding Improvement

Celine Harborne

UVI

RS

Progress and Effort Prize

Lucy Harley

Stuart Alexander Cup

Lucy Harley

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Olivia Harrison

UVI UVI

UVI

Harriet Emery

Georgina Galbraith Rose Galbraith

Celine Harborne

UVI

Classics

UVI

Modern Languages Owen Sixth Form Prize Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Gold Award

Olivia Harrison

UVI UVI

Physics

Progress and Effort Prize

Sandrine Heller

UVI

Social Science

Economics Progress and Effort Prize

Sandrine Heller

UVI

Design & Technology

Leiths Award

Harriet Henry

UVI

Modern Languages

Progress and Effort Prize

Sophia Hill

UVI

Biology

Progress and Effort Prize

Iona Jardine

UVI

Biology

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Janice Wing Tung Kwong

UVI

Music

The Steen Cup

Janice Wing Tung Kwong

Lilian Heather Prize

India Laidlaw

UVI UVI

PRIZES

Year

Sandrine Heller

The Olive Willis Prize

India Laidlaw

UVI

Biology

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Oi Ka (Natalie) Lam

UVI

EPQ

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Oi Ka (Natalie) Lam

UVI

Physics

Physics Prize

Oi Ka (Natalie) Lam

UVI

Maths

Progress and Effort Prize

Modupe Lamikanra

UVI

Chemistry

Progress and Effort Prize

Octavia Leahy

UVI

Music

The Marjorie Gunn Music Prize

Katherine Maloney

UVI

Geography

Progress and Effort Prize

Sophie Manners

UVI

Modern Languages

The Salter Prize

Sophie Manners DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

183

PRIZES AND DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARDS

Year

Subject

Award

Nominee

UVI

PE

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Sophie Manners

UVI

PE

Sports Science Excellence and High Achievement

Sophie Manners

UVI

Geography

UVI Prize

Melissa McAlpine

UVI

PE

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Melissa McAlpine

UVI

Stuart Alexander Cup

Melissa McAlpine

UVI

Drama

Progress and Effort Prize

Gemma Mountain

UVI

Design & Technology

Progress and Effort Prize

Charlotte Orpen

UVI

Biology

Progress and Effort Prize

Daisy Padovan

UVI

Design & Technology

Textiles Prize

Florence Palmer

UVI

Geography

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Honor Pattisson

UVI

Social Science

Politics Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Honor Pattisson

UVI

Speech & Drama

The Speech and Drama RADA Award

Honor Pattisson

UVI

History

Progress and Effort Prize

Caroline Quillen

UVI

English

Progress and Effort Prize

Rebecca Radford

UVI

Chemistry

Progress and Effort Prize

Charlotte Simpson

UVI

Biology

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Sereena Singh

UVI

RS

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Sereena Singh

UVI

English

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Isabelle Smith

UVI

Headmistress

The Ogilvie-Jones Head Ambassadors' Cup

Isabelle Smith

UVI

Chaplain

The Parsons Chapel Cup

Chidimma Umeh

UVI

Biology

The Margaret Gill Biology Prize

Alyx Van der Vorm

UVI

Chemistry

Rippon Chemistry Prize

Alyx Van der Vorm

UVI

Headmistress

The Ogilvie-Jones Head Ambassadors' Cup

Alyx Van der Vorm

UVI

Maths

Excellence and High Achievement Prize

Alyx Van der Vorm

UVI

Maths

Sixth Form Prize

Ming Yang

184

DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARDS Congratulations to everyone that achieved their Awards from 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017.

BRONZE AWARDS Shalayna Assani, Catharina Benigni, Amelia Bennett, Lucy Bergstrom, Charlotte Berry, Emily Biggs, Rosie Blackburn, Elizabeth Bolodeoku, Esther Bolodeoku, Sophie Bott, Calypso Carter, Hoi Laam (Karis) Cheung, Katherine Cochrane, Lettice Cornell, Calypso Cox, Jemima Cremin, Minna Crewdson, Lucy Cunningham, Kirsty Depledge, Davina Drummond, Emily Duckworth, Imogen Dundas, Lucinda Dunlop, Lauren Dunn, Lucy Dyer, Naomi Egoh, Sophie Elliot, Tae-Chan Ellis, Oluchi Emenike, Isabella Evans, Florence Fanshawe, Melissa Farquhar, Isabel Fincham, Gabriella Franklin, Christabel Graham, Imogen Gregory, Storm Halestrap, Lucinda Hammond, Charlotte Harrabin, Jessica Hayward-Cole, Georgia Hewitson, Trinity Hill, Maya Huby, Amelia Hughes, Alexandra Jardine, Claudia Kandel, Zara Karoly, Iman Khalil, Sumin Kim, Olivia King, Olivia Kirkby, Chee Sum (Tiffany) Lai, Minna Leatham, Clementine Lewins, Andreja Mirosevic-Sorgo, Lara Mountain, Anastasia Mullen, Hye Lim Park, Celeste Percy, Eva Percy, Lucy Phillips, Faith Pitchford, Georgina Pollock, Elizabeth Reynard, Anna Riley, Alana Robertson, Torpad (Yok) Rungjerdfa, Alexandra Russell, Martha Rutherford, Sabrina Sambhi, Harriet Sasson, Ella Scott, Honor Sells, Imogen Simpson-Orlebar, Holly Skinner, Amelia Smith, Honor Stephens, Emma Talbot Rice, Tsz Ki (Serena) Tong, Charlotte Toogood, Phannaphat (Aommy) Totup, Jaira Vazquez Sanchez, You-Ocean Wang, Charlotte Watt, Hoi Lam (Jacqueline) Wong, Jennifer Yung and Charlotte (Lottie) Zeal (all UV), Imogen Waller (LVI), Olivia Clark and Charlotte Simpson (both UVI).

GOLD AWARDS – DOWNE HOUSE ALUMNAE Venetia Armitage (DH 2014), Matilda Bentley (DH 2016), Anna Black (DH 2015), Lauren Brolly (DH 2016), Henrietta Johnston (DH 2016), Sophie Ordish (DH 2016), Emma Peddie (DH 2016), Willa Prest (DH 2015), Naomi Tan (DH 2016), Rosie Thistlethwayte (DH 2016), Victoria (Clare) Turton (DH 2016), Sasha Wendin (DH 2016) and Emily West (DH 2016).

AWARDS AND MORE

REMOVE

Scholar

Lucy Dollar

Sports Scholarship

Selina DouglasHome

Academic Scholarship

Exhibitioner

Zia Mylne

Sports Exhibition

Georgina WilliamsBulkeley

Art Exhibition

Susannah Wood

Academic Exhibition

Honor Neville

Sport Scholarship

Alice Pernthaller

Academic Scholar

Clementine Robertson

Sports Exhibition

Emelia Shippey

Sports Scholarship

Angelica Singh

Academic Scholarship and Music Scholarship

Ke Ni (Nico) Sun

Art Exhibition

Lu (Lulu) Tian

Art Exhibition

Liberty Wilson Jinghan (Tracy) Zhang

Drama Exhibition Art Scholarship

LOWER FIFTH

Scholar

Lucinda Slack

Headmistress's Exhibition

Fenella Bowlby

Sports Scholarship

Poppy Wessely

Sport Exhibition

Annie Hazlitt

Drama Exhibition

Emily Manners

Sports Exhibition

Georgina Marchand

Sports Exhibition

LOWER FOURTH Scholar

Exhibitioner

Hoi Yiu (Danna) Cheung

Academic Exhibition

Louisa Healey

Drama Scholarship

Alethea IngsChambers

Drama Scholarship

Sophie Loftus

Academic Scholarship

Amelia Maughan

Drama Scholarship

Yasmine McLennan

Drama Scholarship

Soung Park

Academic Scholarship and Music Scholarship

Rosamund (Rosie) Pegna

Headmistress's Award

Music Exhibition

Alice Pernthaller

Drama Exhibition

Mia Viventi

Drama Exhibition

UPPER FOURTH

Scholar

Saskia AbouKhater Robbiati

Exhibitioner Drama Exhibition

Clementine Black

Sports Scholarship

Suzanna Brooke

Academic Scholarship and Sports Scholarship

Olivia Lamb

Sports Exhibition

Nok Sze (Sisi) Li

Drama Scholarship

Araminta Plumstead

Academic Scholarship and Art Scholarship

Sports Exhibition

Pollyanna Pressland

Sports Exhibition

Francesca Rhodes

Sports Exhibition

Gabriella Nelson

Exhibitioner

SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS

SCHOLARSHIP & EXHIBITION AWARDS (AWARDED FOR SEPTEMBER 2016)

Drama Scholarship

Gabriella Parkinson

Art Exhibition

Yi Wei (Lily) Peng

Art Exhibition

Sasha PercyDavis

Drama Exhibition

Arella Szlapak

Sports Exhibition

UPPER FIFTH

Scholar

Anna Riley

Music Scholarship

Exhibitioner

LOWER SIXTH

Scholar

Georgina Anastassopoulos Tubby

Academic Scholarship

Exhibitioner

Gwendoline Choi

Academic Scholarship

Isabella Craig

Academic Exhibition

Lauren Griffith

Academic Scholarship

Anna Hewitt

Geraldine James Drama Award

Eliza Horn

Geraldine James Drama Award

Jessica Pemberton

Academic Exhibition

Nutthapit Poolworaluk

Academic Exhibition

Elizabeth Tatham

Academic Exhibition

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

185

UNIVERSITY DESTINATIONS 186

CLASS OF 2017 UNIVERSITY DESTINATIONS We are thrilled for our 2017 leavers who have deservedly achieved some exceptional A Level and Pre-U results. Among them are some truly amazing individual successes, a testimony to the talent, hard work and dedication of the girls and the teachers who have supported them.

It was an outstanding year for girls in the Class of 2017 and their results have allowed them to take up places at the world’s top universities.

Name

University/Institution

Course

Charlotte Aldrich

Swansea

Classical Civilisation

Henrietta Allen

Durham

English Literature

Eleanor Armstrong

Exeter

Modern Languages

Lucy Astor

Oxford Brookes

Philosophy

Chiamaka Attuh

Nottingham

Natural Sciences

Deena Bhanarai

Tufts, USA

Liberal Arts

Lauren Brolly

Exeter

Geography

Roseanna Bromley

Queen Mary

French and Politics

Arabella Cable

Manchester

Archaeology and Anthropology

Anna Chalmers

Cambridge

Natural Sciences

Zara Chamberlain

Oxford Brookes

Biological Anthropology

Huen Tung (Angela) Chan

King’s College London

Religion, Philosophy and Ethics

Ling Yee (Lindley) Chan

University of Hong Kong

Law

Wing Pui (Tiffany) Chan

University College London

Economics

Olivia Clark

Bristol

Social Policy with Criminology

Jasmine Coulson

Newcastle

Politics

Violet Crawfurd

Bristol

Anthropology

Georgina Dick

Exeter

Liberal Arts

Eliza Downes

Guildford

Drama Foundation

Kezia Dubens

Parsons, USA

Art Foundation

Florence Elliott

Edinburgh

Social Policy and Politics

Freya Esam

Leeds

Fashion Technology

Uchechukwuka (Sandra) Etuokwu

Cardiff

Biomedical Sciences

Lavinia Falck

Loughborough

Information Management and Business

Camilla Farrell

Durham

Combined Honours in Social Sciences

Georgina Fenn

Leeds

Environment and Business

Georgina Galbraith

Newcastle

Combined Honours

Rose Galbraith

Durham

Music

Katharine Garvin

Exeter

Art History and English

Anna Goodman

Exeter

English and Modern Languages

Lucy Grace

Edinburgh

Philosophy and English Literature

Kirstin Gray

Edinburgh

Business Management

Imogen Hancock

University of the Arts, London

Photojournalism and Documentary Photography

Celine Harborne

Durham

Philosophy

Olivia Harrison

Oxford

Spanish and Linguistics

Sandrine Heller

Bentley, USA

Liberal Arts

Harriet Henry

Manchester

International Business, Finance and Economics

Emilia Hill

Exeter

Archaeology

Sophia Hill

Exeter

Modern Languages (German)

Olivia Holden

Edinburgh

Geography

AWARDS AND MORE

University/Institution

Course

Newcastle

Animal Science

Lara Kary

Durham

Geography

Alexandra Kirk

Bristol

History of Art

Janice Wing Tung Kwong

University College London

Medicine (6 years)

Oi Ka (Natalie) Lam

University of Hong Kong

Medicine (5 years)

Modupe Lamikanra

New York University

Liberal Arts

Octavia Leahy

Edinburgh

Neuroscience

Eleanor Leeves

London School of Economics

Government

Marina Lykiardopulo

Oxford Brookes

Politics

Katherine Lyons

Parsons, USA

Art Foundation

Katherine Maloney

Newcastle

Nutrition and Marketing

Sophie Manners

Durham

Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity

Melissa McAlpine

Edinburgh

Geography

Hebe Meredith

Bath

Politics and International Relations

Alexandra Milne

University College London

Science and Society

Araminta Moore

Newcastle

Media, Communication and Cultural Studies

Lucy Mortlock

Reading

Environmental Management

Eleanor Nicholas

University of the Arts, London

Psychology of Fashion

Jemima Oliver

Leeds

History of Art

Sophie Ordish

Newcastle

Combined Honours

Charlotte Orpen

Durham

Marketing and Management

Daisy Padovan

Exeter

Human Biosciences

Polina Parr

Warwick

Biochemistry

Florence Palmer

Leeds

Art Foundation

Lucinda Penney

Edinburgh

Sociology and Politics

UNIVERSITY DESTINATIONS

Name Iona Jardine

187

Caroline Quillen

Haverford College

Liberal Arts

Rebecca Radford

Exeter

Geography

Olivia Rosengarten

Heriot-Watt

Civil Engineering

Lamise Saber

Edinburgh

Theology

Charlotte Simpson

Durham

Biological Sciences

Sereena Singh

Imperial College London

Medicine

Isabelle Smith

Edinburgh

French and Italian

Emma Stonebridge

Nottingham

Modern Language and Business

Lydia Stonehill

Edinburgh

History of Art

Clementine Swallow

Edinburgh

History of Art

Felicia Tchen

King’s College London

Biomedical Sciences

Yan Jing (Amy) Tse

Durham

Economics with Management

Meryem Uzunay

Nottingham

Neuroscience

Alyx Van der Vorm

Harvard, USA

Liberal Arts

Yu (Sophia) Wang

Imperial College London

Physics

Georgiana Ward

Durham

Philosophy and Psychology

Rumbidzai Wasterfall

Durham

Combined Honours in Social Science

Caroline Watkinson

Newcastle

Sociology

Sasha Wendin

Exeter

Sociology and Criminology

Amelia Whiting

Edinburgh

Geography with Environmental Studies

Poppy Winsor

Edinburgh

History or Art

Georgina Witter

Edinburgh

Geography

Ming Yang

University College London

Mathematics DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

WELCOME NEW GIRLS 188

NEW GIRLS 2016/17 We were delighted to welcome the following girls into the Downe House community during the year.

REMOVE

Joined us from

Lucy Morrison

Lambrook

Taizya Adedeji

Bjørns International School

Neelan-May Muge

St Helen's School, Northwood

Fife Akinkugbe

St Christina's School

Lara Mulvany

Fara Akinkugbe

St Christina's School

Pre Fleuri Ecole Alpine Internationale, Switzerland

Lauren Akinluyi

Old Vicarage School

Zia Mylne

Orchard House School

Dariya Andreeva

British School of Barcelona

Louisa Neill

Thorngrove School

Ayomide Awosika

St Saviour's School, Nigeria

Emilia Nelson

Marlston House School

Romilly Behagg

Chandlings

Eloise O'Donnell

Pembridge Hall

Charlotte Beveridge

ESF Island School

Isobel (Izzy) Peddie

Marlston House School

Carina Bischoff

Broomwood Hall

Rosie Phillips

Francis Holland, SW1

Maggie Calder

Lambrook

Cordelia Reeve

Cheam School

Beatrice Campbell

Pembridge Hall

Agnes Rose

St Gabriel's School, Newbury

Kylie Chan

Prince's Mead School

Poppy Spiegelberg

Orchard House School

Linlin Chi

Beijing Fang Cao Di School

Mirabel Summerfield Moor Park School

Rose Cornell

Thomas's (Fulham)

Miranda Tromans

Heathfield

Thea Davies

Thomas's (Fulham)

St Andrew's School, Woking

Alice Demeester

Institut International Notre Dame du Lac, Geneva

Georgina WilliamsBulkeley Susannah Wood

Old Vicarage School

Lucy Dollar

Marlston House School

Jasmine Wyles

Hall Grove School

Selina DouglasHome

Bute House School LOWER FOURTH

Joined us from

Clara DutertreDelaunay

The British School in The Netherlands

Nathalia Armah

St Augustine's Priory

Sukhmani Bath

Cleo DutertreDelaunay

The British School in The Netherlands

Francis Holland (Sloane Square)

Ziqi (Jade) Fang

Dulwich College, Beijing

Hoi Yiu (Danna) Cheung

St Stephen's Girls Primary School

Tiffany Ferrand

Thomas's (Fulham)

Gina Cukrowicz

Antwerp International School

Lara Gillham

St Andrew's School, Woking

Susannah Field

Cora Green

Holy Ghost Primary

St Andrew's School, Pangbourne

Alice Hack

Thomas's (Kensington)

Indi Hine

Marlston House School

Konstanza Haefner

Harrow International, Hong Kong

Freya Illingworth

Tanglin Trust Junior School

Sophie Kelly

Kennedy School, Hong Kong

Tate Halestrap

Geneva English School

Annabel Lawson

Tanglin Trust Junior School

Matilda (Tilly) Harris

Old Vicarage School

Sophie Loftus

The British School of Paris

Mary Hazlitt

The New School, Roma

Rosie Montague

Hermione Heseltine

Winchester House School

King's College, The British School of Madrid

Cicely Higgins

St Catherine's Prep School Bramley

Tallis Montgomerie

Thomas's (Battersea)

Jiwon Moon

Yongin Sinbong Elementary School, Korea

Soung Park

Godstowe Preparatory School

Rosamund (Rosie) Pegna

St Joseph's Institute International Elementary School, Singapore

Omenasan Irikefe

St Saviour's School, Nigeria

Amy Jiang

The British School of Beijing

Hyojin (Angela) Joo

NLCS Jeju

Daisy Lamb

Marlston House School

Amelie Mandic-Tyler

Newton Preparatory School

Marina Pownall

Benenden School

Daisy Matthews

Norland Place School

Emma Woodworth

Singapore American School

Eliza McCullough

Twyford Preparatory School

AWARDS AND MORE

Joined us from

LOWER FIFTH

Joined us from

Solange AdeogunPhillips

Godstowe Preparatory School

Eesha Bhide

Brighton College Abu Dhabi

Bangkok Patana School

Maria do Carmo Calem

British School, Oporto

Jantaluck (Kelly) Bhanarai

Michelle Sung

Suzanna Brooke

Winchester House School

International School of Monaco

Grace Cooke

Abberley Hall

Alessandra Walsh

Vivienne Eisenhardt

Lambrook

Harrow International, Hong Kong

Nicole Fok

German Swiss International School

Sabrina Wang

Tsing Hua International School, Beijing

Ellen (Nellie) Gawne

Francis Holland (Sloane Square)

LOWER SIXTH

Joined us from

Chelsea Huang

The High School Affiliated to the Renmin University of China

Ying Kwan (Lydia) Lam

St Leonards-Mayfield School

Anna Sharrock

Cheadle Hulme School

Sofia Kobzar

Danube International School, Vienna

Natasha Tan

Kinabalu International School

Nok Sze (Sisi) Li

Wellesley House

Rachel (Freya) Thistlethwayte

St Mary's, Shaftsbury

Li Hui (Lily) Lin

YK Pao School (Changning District)

Chisengo (Elizabeth) Lukama

Cokethorpe School

Maryam Mammadova

Classical Gymnasium Number 160, Azerbaijan

Sappho Novatin

Godstowe Preparatory School

Anjolaoluwa Omotola

Grange Secondary School, Lagos

Araminta Plumstead

Port Regis School

Pollyanna Pressland

Twyford Preparatory School

Yitong Qiu

St Mary's, Calne

Lisa Lotte Scheuner

Beaudesert Park Preparatory School

Angelica Singh

Marlston House School

Lucy Stebbings

Notting Hill and Ealing High School

Ke Ni (Nico) Sun

Wellesley House

Georgia (Hope) Thistlethwayte

Farleigh School

Lu (Lulu) Tian

Godstowe Preparatory School

Rose Whitbread

Sandroyd

Liberty Wilson

Sylvia Young Theatre School

Tun Yin (Angie) Wong

German Swiss International School

Po Lam (Natalie) Wong

St Paul's Convent School (Secondary Section)

Jinghan (Tracy) Zhang

Port Regis School

WELCOME NEW GIRLS

UPPER FOURTH

189

DOWNE HOUSE MAGAZINE

GENERATIONS

DOWNE THE GENERATIONS LOWER FIFTH

REMOVE

Mother

Katherine VivianNeal

Gillian Hazlitt

Grandmother

Daphne Bacon

Grandmother

Mary Goodenough

Aunts

Aunt

Diane Spiegelberg

Mother

Lucia & Alice Vivian-Neal Henrietta Church

Aunt

Carolyn Church

Mother

Fru Hazlitt

Aunt

Gillian Hazlitt

Mother

Ghislaine Galbraith

Tiffany Ferrand

Aunt

Flora Ferrand

Mary Hazlitt

Mother

Fru Hazlitt

Aunt Louisa Neill Poppy Spiegelberg

Cecilia Boscawen

Georgina Day Annie Hazlitt

LOWER FOURTH Georgia Biggs

Lara Harries Honor Neville

Mother

Rosemary Harrison

Alice LloydEvans

Susan Hampton

Aunt

Sheila Harrison

Great-aunt

Sylvia Willoughby

Olivia Lopes

Aunt

Melinda Lopes

Mother

Sophy Maclean

Henrietta Miles

Aunt

Sara Miles

Pippa Gilbert

Anna Neville

Mother

Pippa Gilbert

Aunt

Emily Gilbert

Mother

Rosemary Harrison

Annabel Pilling

Grandmother

Audrey Hird

Victoria Pilling

Aunt

Sheila Harrison

Diana Lewis

Great-aunt

Sylvia Willoughby

Mother

Serena Bailey

Grandmother

Patricia Gordon

Aunt

Fiona Bailey

Mother

Janet Murray

Great-aunts

Ann, Frances & Rosemary Murray

Emily Duckworth

Mother

Iona Ballantine

Amelia Hughes

Mother

Camilla Brooks Susan Birch

Mother

Emily Gilbert UPPER FIFTH

Mother

Katharine Corbett Mother Aunt

190

Heather Galbraith

Grandmother

Audrey Hird

UPPER FOURTH

Kitty Dodd-Noble

Great-aunt

Grandmother

Aunt

Clementine Black

Julia Kennerley

Grandmother

Mary Hancock

Georgia Duckworth

Mother

Iona Ballantine

Alexandra Hamilton

Mother

Phoebe Hughes

Mother

Camilla Brooks

Elsa Karoly

Great-aunt

Susan Birch

Jemima Landale

Greatgrandmother

Heather Wood

Clementine McNair Scott

Grandmother

Anna Colquhoun

Charlotte Purchas

Emily Biggs

Rosie Blackburn

Katherine Cochrane

Zara Karoly

Great-aunt

Greatgrandmother

Ruth Greenwell

Olivia King

Aunt

Natasha King

Grandmother

Anna Colquhoun

Imogen SimpsonOrlebar

Mother

Julia Dopheide

Greatgrandmother

Ruth Greenwell

Aunt

Patricia Dopheide

Aunt

Selena Robertson

Kate Rollo

Grandmother

Jill Macrae

Poppy Scales

Aunt

Emma Scales

LOWER SIXTH

Liberty Wilson

Aunts

Victoria, Alice, Beatrice & Henrietta Lynne

Clementine Blackett-Ord

Aunt

Nicola BlackettOrd

Rosalind Wippell

Mother

Emma Wirgman

Rosanna Craig

Mother

Joanna Gardner

Cecilia Hughes

Mother

Camilla Brooks

Elizabeth Tatham

Grandmother

Elizabeth Colby

Skye Wilson

Aunts

Catharine Wippell

Mother

Victoria, Alice, Beatrice & Henrietta Lynne Emma Wirgman

Georgina Galbraith

Aunt

Ghislaine Galbraith

Rose Galbraith

Aunt

Ghislaine Galbraith

Katharine Garvin

Grandmother

Clare McLeod

Honor Pattisson

Aunt

Jennie Every

Florence McNair Scott

Alana Robertson

UPPER SIXTH

AWARDS AND MORE

moving on

191

MOVING ON 192

Mrs Julia Aitken, Teacher of Learning Skills

Mrs Jennie Bowden, Teacher of Food Technology and Leiths

Julia has taught at Downe for only one year, yet she has added huge value to the Learning Skills Department and the girls in her care have gained enormously from her energy, enthusiasm and highly skilled teaching. In everything she does, Julia is highly professional, detail orientated and, above all, caring in her approach. She has been outstanding in her ability to communicate effectively with parents and staff alike in order to secure the best possible outcomes for individual girls. We are extremely sorry to lose her as she moves with her family to Dorset, but at the same time, grateful for the very significant impact she has made, due to her warmth, commitment to the girls and her friendship.

Jennie arrived in the Summer Term 2016 and immediately made an impression. It was clear from the start that she had a great passion for food and she shared this enthusiasm to great effect with the girls, inspiring a love of cooking. Her boundless energy and lively demeanour encouraged the girls to experiment with flavour combinations, with some interesting results!

She had a natural rapport with the girls, enabling those that lacked a little confidence to make great strides in the kitchen. Jennie has decided to return full time to her catering business and, although we are sad that she is leaving, we wish her every success in the future.

Mrs Paula Bell, Director of Pupil Progress

Miss Seema Singh, Head of Design Technology, Coordinator of Leiths and Tutor

Mr Tim Allen, Head of Tennis

Miss Joanne Clarke, Teacher of Geography

Tim started at Downe House in September 2009 as Head of Tennis. Since then, he has forged a very successful tennis development programme, successfully recruiting and leading a team of five coaches to coach over four hundred pupils.

He has organised successful tennis tours every Easter, and Master Classes in Tennis for prep schools. He has contributed to all activities in the PE Department and we will miss his enthusiasm, motivation and dedication in striving to offer the best tennis programme in the country.

Tim leaves us to move to a school in Suffolk as Head of Boys’ Boarding and we wish him and his family every success and happiness in the future.

Since joining Downe House in 2014, Joanne had an enthusiastic approach to teaching. She was responsible for keeping the department up to date with the latest teaching and learning strategies and had confidence in the use of new technology in the classroom. Joanne’s organisational skills will be greatly missed; she has organised numerous field trips all with meticulous attention to detail.

Joanne has shared her passion for geography, and her interest in Africa and development issues, with students from Remove through to Sixth Form, assisting students who have chosen a development-related EPQ. She gave generously of her time outside the classroom, working closely with the Learning Skills Department to ensure that best possible support was given.

As an Academic Tutor, she was known for her well-structured tutorials that support the girls within the challenges of a busy schedule. Joanne was also an integral part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award team, supporting and advising girls on their training weekends and final expeditions in all weather conditions! Joanne will be greatly missed but we wish her well in her exciting new role as Head of Geography at Queen Anne’s, Caversham.

Mrs Lydia Rayne, Director of Sport

Miss Kathryn Rawlinson, Head of Geography

Miss Gabrielle Collie, Learning Support Assistant Gaby arrived at Downe House in September 2014, fresh-faced on graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in English and Communications, and instantly made a remarkable impression. She stepped up to the demands required of her immediately and, with her calm and approachable manner, she charmed both girls and staff alike. Gaby has proved to be an extraordinary member of the Learning Skills team and made a concerted effort to share her specialist knowledge of hearing impairment throughout the School, to help promote inclusion. Her commitment, reliability and diligence can be regarded as a legacy of professionalism for our girls to aspire to. Becoming a Speech and Language Therapist has been her ambition and, with her unfaltering determination, she has become successful in securing a highly sought-after place on a Master’s degree at Reading University.

Mrs Paula Bell, Director of Pupil Progress

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Gemma joined Downe House in September 2015 as Assistant Housemistress of York South and Teacher of Business Studies. She also had responsibility for running the very popular Young Enterprise Scheme and supported the Lower Sixth in setting up a number of very economically viable small businesses, which culminated in them taking part in area competitions. In House, she supported the girls through the trials and tribulations of the transition from GCSE to the more demanding A Levels, and the girls welcomed her friendly and easy-going manner.

Gemma took maternity leave from Lent 2016 and then returned for a final term in the summer of 2017. We wish her well as she leaves to bring up her young family.

MOVING ON

Miss Gemma Fordham, Assistant Housemistress (York South) and Teacher of Business Studies

Mrs Caroline Walton-Waters, Housemistress (York South)

Mrs Katherine Foster, Teacher of Mathematics Kate joined the Mathematics Department in September 2012 as a part-time Teacher of Mathematics, stepping down from her previous full time role as Head of Mathematics at Park House. She came highly recommended, and did not disappoint – quickly becoming a valued member of the team. During her time with us, we all benefitted from her many strengths and talents, as well as her mathematical expertise, which we were more than happy to utilise, particularly on the statistics part of the Further Mathematics Pre-U course. We all enjoyed Kate’s dry sense of humour and admired her endless patience with her girls; both colleagues and girls benefiting from her extensive experience and calm approach. She will be deeply missed, but we wish her every happiness in her retirement.

Mr Robert Barnes, Head of Mathematics

Miss Anne-Marie Gane, Teacher of PE Anne-Marie has been with us at Downe House for 11 years and in that time she has been involved in a huge range of sports and activities, and accomplished so much. She has coached the 3rd, U15A and U14A Lacrosse Teams and a number of Senior and Junior Tennis Teams over the years, and they have achieved great success in many matches and tournaments. Her enthusiasm for golf and outdoor education has enabled her to organise golf lessons for the Upper School over four years, lead the ski racing trips and be a key member of the Downe House staff at the Remove Calshot activity residential trip. Anne-Marie is always willing to help out in any extra activity and she is able to teach all subjects in PE. She has been an invaluable member of the Department and we will miss her greatly as she embarks on her well-deserved retirement. We are delighted that she lives nearby and may be able to help out on match days when she is free! We wish her a very happy and not too exhausting retirement!

Mrs Lydia Rayne, Director of Sport

Miss Kathryn Glover, Assistant Housemistress (York) Kathryn joined York House in September 2015 and was a fantastically enthusiastic and positive character from day one. The girls quickly grew to love her sense of humour and seemingly endless stories of adventures both in the UK and back in her home country of Australia.

Kathryn filled her time at Downe House not only as an Assistant Housemistress and Sixth Form Tutor but also in the Music Department where she was able to support girls both in the classroom and beyond, through performances and individual qualifications. Kathryn will be greatly missed in York House but we understand the draw of Australia and her desire to spend some quality time with her family, not to mention the slightly warmer weather! We wish her the best of luck in her future endeavours.

Miss Ellen Clark, Housemistress (York) and Higher Education Advisor

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MOVING ON

Miss Jessica Huxtable, Graduate Sports Assistant

Mr Khurram Mahmood, Resident Sports Coach

Jessica was the first ever Sports Graduate at Downe House to be involved with the development of overall fitness in the School.

She has helped run the Sports Scholarship Programme by setting a fitness schedule to meet the needs of each of our Sports Scholars. Jessica has also helped coach and umpire the swimming and netball teams respectively. She has contributed greatly to the PE Department, always able to help out or lead a variety of sports. She has been a popular member of the team and we will all miss her. We wish Jessica well as she embarks on her post-graduate teaching degree at Bath University.

Khurram has been a dedicated hockey coach at Downe House for two years. He has given individual coaching to pupils and extra practices for teams to improve their skills and drills in hockey.

He has also been involved in encouraging the development of cricket and it was wonderful to see the U16 Team victorious in their first ever match. He has always been willing to help within the wider PE Department and the School whenever possible. We will miss Khurram with his kind, polite and helpful manner, and we wish him every success and happiness in the future.

Mrs Lydia Rayne, Director of Sport

Mrs Lydia Rayne, Director of Sport

Mr Matthew Ilott, Head of Co-Curricular Activities

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Matt spent only one year at Downe House but his love of the outdoors and general joie de vivre was apparent from the outset. He threw himself into life at Downe and found himself working closely on DHDance in his first few months, as well as organising a plethora of activities from wall climbing to zorbing. Never one to shy away from a challenge, he organised a funfilled day for the School with inflatables and a massive hog roast in very little time. He very quickly realised that every day at Downe is different! Under Matt’s direction the girls have taken a huge range of overseas trips from Myanmar to India and Malawi to Ypres, allowing them to experience different cultures and meet people from all walks of life. I know Matt’s AGN tutees will remember him for his great enthusiasm and support. Matt leaves us to start his own business and we wish him all the very best in the future.

Mrs Genevieve Ford, Boarding Deputy and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Miss Laura Myers, Assistant Housemistress (Aisholt) and Student Exchange Coordinator Laura has given a huge amount to Downe in her four years here. She has been involved in every aspect of School life from teaching PE and PSHE, to coaching a netball team, tutoring girls, managing the Global Exchanges Program and, of course, her role as Aisholt Assistant Housemistress. Laura’s enthusiasm, excellent sense of humour, dedication and kindness have touched all the girls she has come into contact with and enriched their lives in so many different ways. She will be remembered for her tears over ‘The Great British Bake Off’, getting the girls passionate about her beloved football with her ‘sweetstake’, her unmatchable baking skills and her ability to make anyone smile, no matter how bad their day. We wish Laura all the best as she goes on to her role as Housemistress at St George’s, Ascot; the girls there are exceptionally lucky that she is joining them and I know they will thrive under her care.

Mrs Jessica Boswell, Housemistress of Aisholt

MOVING ON

Laura joined Downe House 14 years ago in September 2003 as a Teacher of Geography and there was no doubt from the outset that she was an excellent teacher whose subject knowledge and classroom skills were extremely strong. Indeed her students always affectionately remember her meticulously planned lessons, her encouragement, her enthusiasm and her strong desire for them to achieve their full potential.

It was Laura’s interest in the individual pupil that prompted her to explore higher education and careers guidance and, after training and achieving the highest levels of accreditation, she was soon a key adviser for university choices and took on responsibility for the postqualifications applicants, as well as the creative arts applications. On results days, she always knew what was needed without being asked, always followed through and made the girls and parents feel secure. She was also instrumental in setting up DH LINKS, a powerful programme which brought together all sections of the community to support our Sixth Formers and young graduates as they consider and embark on their careers.

MOVING ON

Mrs Laura Ogilvie-Jones, Director of Admissions, School and Professional Links and Teacher of Geography

Laura does not like to sit still and, after many successful years in higher education guidance, she moved on to become Director of Admissions where she characteristically made a significant difference. She enhanced our links with Prep Schools, represented the School at home and abroad and supported all our School events.

There is much more I could write about Laura’s contribution to Downe House as a member of the Foundation team and the Sixth Form Tutor team but, suffice it to say, Laura will be greatly missed. She has given a huge amount to the School and to the girls and done it with great humility, care, dedication and professionalism. We now wish her and her husband, Will, every success and great happiness in their move to Edinburgh.

Mrs Emma McKendrick, Headmistress

Maggie Richardson, Teacher of Italian Maggie’s association with Downe House goes back to 1973. During her 44 years, she has inspired, taught and encouraged generations of girls to have a love of languages, initially French but, in recent years, her focus has been Italian.

In the classroom, Maggie not only has an outstanding command of her subject matter but exudes warmth and encouragement. Her love of young people, enjoyment of their company, and realism about the ups and downs of adolescence, mean that she builds excellent relationships with girls, and alumnae often ask after Mrs Richardson. Their love of her lessons and of her as a person have never been in doubt, regardless of whether they had a talent for languages or not.

Part of engendering that love for languages often comes from taking language learning out of the classroom. Maggie has done this several times and her legendary annual trip to Florence is one of the highlights for the GCSE girls and, indeed, the staff who go with her. Her own knowledge which she shares, as well as the programme with the British Institute mean that the girls come back marvelling at how far they have walked, how many things they have seen and how much they have learnt.

Outside the Languages Department, Maggie has supported many girls and their families in her role as a Tutor. Her empathy, care and dedication to her tutees were humbling. She wanted to tutor because she loved it, not because she had to.

Downe House has been richly blessed to have Maggie as part of the community for so many years, as a teacher, tutor and as someone who embodies the joy of teaching and working with young people. What a loss she will be to us, but I wish her a long, healthy and happy retirement.

Mrs Emma McKendrick, Headmistress

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MOVING ON

Claire Roberts, Teacher of Chemistry, Sixth Form Tutor and Oxbridge Mentor Although Claire was only at Downe House for two years, she made a great contribution to teaching in the Chemistry Department. Her excellent subject knowledge and desire to stretch her students to produce the very best they could, meant that her students were very well prepared for their examinations. I know that her Sixth Form students in particular valued her expertise and all the extra time that she was willing to give them outside of lessons to consolidate their learning. As a Sixth Form Tutor and Oxbridge Mentor, Claire prepared the girls for their next steps beyond Downe House and into Higher Education. We are very sorry to lose Claire but understand her wish to spend more time playing tennis and researching her family history as well as being able to be with her family. We wish Claire a long and happy retirement.

Mrs Yvonne Charlesworth, Director of Operations and Head of Science

The Reverend Andrew Taylor, School Chaplain Andrew joined us having been a University Chaplain and also with experience of working in a parish. He was used to dealing with a whole variety of people and the ease with which he got alongside the different sections of the School community was easily apparent. However, Andrew knew that being a School Chaplain was both different and demanding, and it was a task which he approached during his time at Downe House with commitment, dedication and a real desire to make a difference to the lives of the girls and staff in the community.

Andrew’s services were always well planned, carefully considered and it was easy to see the amount of thought that had gone into each, whether it was a weekly service or a special occasion such as Confirmation. He sought particularly to engage the girls more in taking part in the worship and leading it, and last term we greatly enjoyed the services that each of the Mixed-age Houses planned and delivered.

As well as our regular services in Chapel, Andrew reviewed and reformed the Confirmation preparation and has left the legacy of an excellent programme with a retreat from which the confirmands gain a great deal. The Services themselves are extremely special and I know how much these are valued.

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More generally, Andrew was appreciated for his care for the people in the community, his willingness to contribute to the broader life of the School whether that was offering to talk about music and jazz, to arrange talks, visit houses or support colleagues and girls through grief and difficult times. He is a man of great integrity and humility and I would like to thank him for all that he has brought and contributed to Downe House and I wish him well for the future.

Mrs Emma McKendrick, Headmistress

Mr Cheng-Han Wu, Teacher of Chinese It seems hard to believe that Cheng was with us at Downe House for just two years, so much did he achieve. Cheng was a wizard in the classroom. He built success on some very simple principles, respect being the most important. It was a joy to observe girls learning Chinese in Cheng’s classroom. There was a clear passion for the language and this was undoubtedly due to the teacher. Cheng had his techniques and method for teaching tones, which are very important in Chinese. Ask any girl from Lower Fifth to Upper Sixth to explain tones and they will surely show you some physical movements and mention smurfs (honestly, ask!).

Outside the classroom, we must thank Cheng for our Confucius Classroom status. This prestigious award from the Chinese Government provides us with another Chinese teacher, which means continued support for the girls’ Chinese learning. Another benefit is money to promote Chinese, and who will ever forget the Lion Dance enjoyed by the whole School in the Main Dining Room last year?

Cheng goes off to Singapore to lead the Chinese Department at Dulwich College and we wish him every success there. We thank him for all that he has done: enthusing pupils and instilling in them a belief in their ability, playing an instrumental part in China Day and running a trip to China. We wish Cheng and his young family all the very best for the future.

Mrs Jane Basnett, Head of Modern Languages

MOVING ON

contents 3

SCHOOL LIFE

25

ACADEMIC LIFE

42

CREATIVE

71 87 107

MUSIC

SPORT

158

CHARITY

191

HEAD CHAPEL SENIOR

HEAD GLOBAL AMBASSADORS

Florence Elliott

Chidimma Umeh

Alexandra Milne

DEPUTY HEAD SENIOR

DEPUTY HEAD CHAPEL SENIOR

India Laidlaw

Chiamaka Attuh

SENIORS

GAMES CAPTAINS

Deena Bhanarai

Jasmine Coulson

Camilla Farrell

Sandrine Heller

Katharine Garvin

Sophie Manners

Oi Ka (Natalie) Lam

DRAMA

122

174

HEAD SENIOR

Gemma Mountain

BEYOND THE CURRICULUM

163

SCHOOL OFFICERS 2016/17

TRIPS

AWARDS AND MORE

Emma Barrett-Fish

Modupe Lamikanra

Celine Harborne Olivia Harrison

HEAD OF MUSIC

Lara Kary

Anna Chalmers

Wing Pui (Tiffany) Chan

Lucy Harley

Georgina Witter

Charlotte Aldrich

Anna Goodman

HEAD OF DRAMA

LOWER SCHOOL SENIORS

Eliza Downes

Roseanna Bromley

AISHOLT Emily Crowston

Head

Olivia Clark

Deputy Head

Georgina Fenn

Deputy Head

Laura Conneely HEAD OF SPEECH AND DRAMA

Kirstin Gray

Rose Galbraith

Harriet Henry Jemima Oliver

AGN Rumbi Wasterfall

Head

HEAD AMBASSADORS

Minnie Royden

Imogen Hancock

Deputy Head

Isabelle Smith

Charlotte Simpson

Hebe Meredith

Deputy Head

Alyx Van der Vorm LITERARY SENIOR AMBASSADORS

Lucy Grace

Henrietta Allen

Head

Zara Chamberlain

Miranda Bird

Deputy Head

Charlotte Clover

PRESIDENT OF PHOENIX SOCIETY

Lydia Stonehill

Deputy Head

Georgina Dick

Georgiana Ward

HOLCOMBE

197

HEADS OF LOWER SCHOOL DEPUTY HEAD OF MUSIC

Lucy Grace

SCHOOL OFFICERS

Poppy Winsor

Charlotte Orpen

AGS

MOVING ON

GLOBAL AMBASSADORS

Iona Jardine

Sophia Hill

Head

Janice Wing Tung Kwong

Rose Galbraith

Deputy Head

Melissa McAlpine

Gemma Mountain

Deputy Head

Honor Pattisson

TEDWORTH

Rebecca Radford

Oliva Holden

Head

Daisy Padovan

Deputy Head

Kezia Dubens

Deputy Head

Sereena Singh

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Our Year 2016–2017

Downe House •

Our Year • 2016-2017

an adventure in education Downe House, Cold Ash, Thatcham, Berkshire RG18 9JJ T: 01635 200286 www.downehouse.net Downe House School

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