From the House Drama Competition and Medley Lectures to Winter Sports Week, another busy term has drawn to a close at DowneHouse!
This latest edition of our School Newspaper captures many of the highlights from Michaelmas Term 2025 and features articles written by pupils from Remove through to the Upper Sixth. In this edition, readers will find coverage from each of the Houses, key school events, departments, alumnae and the wide rangeofclubsonoffer
We (Luli Burges Watson and Alice Bevan), are honoured to have taken over the reins from GeorgiaAinscoughandTabathaRidleyasCoEditors in Chief of the newly re-named, Lower Sixth led school newspaper: ‘The Low Downe’. They have done a fantastic job in continuing thelegacyofAliceBarberandYasminAird,the Founders of the Newspaper, and we certainly haveverybigshoestofill.
Fromsocialsandschoolproductionstofixtures and mini TED Talks, our editorial team has worked hard to include as much of Downe House life as possible within their respective sections The term began, as ever, with the highly competitive House Drama Competition (congratulations to Tedworth), and continued to showcase the school’s strengths in sport and music, alongside new charity initiatives. These fundraising events have ranged from a game of Assassins to the introduction of DH Beanies.
WewerealsodelightedtowelcomeformerDH parent Trinny Woodall, and DH alumna, Clare BaldingwhojoinedusforMedleyLecturesand shared their experiences with the school community
If you feel inspired to write for the Lent Term edition of ‘The Low Downe,’ please do get in touchusingouremailaddresses:
Revising for exams can be hard, but having a set of revision techniques can help a lot This could be writing flashcards to test yourself or usingawhiteboardtodoactiverecall.Iwould encourageyoutowritenotesaftereverytopic so that you don’t get overwhelmed when it comes to exams. But most importantly, doing pastpaperswillhelpyouunderstandthemark schemesbetterandintroduceyoutothetype ofquestionsyouwillbedoinginyourexam.
ByAlexandraDiezSanchez-Tabernero
WHERE TO BUY TUCK AND WHAT TO BUY
Whenbringingtucktoschool,it’sgoodtohave a mixture of food from savoury to sweet. Having both sweet and salty snacks is useful, andit’salsonicetobringthingslikesoupsora nice drink A small variety makes it easier to eat what you like throughout the day and keeps meals and breaks more enjoyable. You can obviously buy tuck from a supermarket near your home, but also the tuck shop in the Murray centre sells a variety of snacks and drinks!
ByRoseMorgan
DORM DECORATING TIPS
A very important activity at Downe is decorating your dorm The best things to put up on your pin board are fairy lights, pictures ofyourfriends,familyandanypets,aswellas tapestries.Youcanalsodecorateyourshelves and on your desk you can put small plants, lamps and pictures in frames You could also decorate your bed with pretty sheets, blankets, and teddies. All these things will makeyourdormfeellikehome.
ByAmayaHyare
WHAT TO WATCH ON TV WITH
FRIENDS
LOWERSCHOOL
On Monday 3rd November, the whole school gathered on the field for our annual fireworks display. Equipped with glowsticks and glowing headbands, everyone got involved with singing and toasting marshmallows. We also enjoyed a fantastic evening at the Ludgrove Social, arriving to a delicious supper of lasagnewhichwasfollowedbyalivelydisco.A wonderful time was had by all, and we look forwardtofuturesocials.
On Sunday 9th November, we had art and textiles workshops, focused on Remembrance Day. The textiles group created felt poppies, meanwhile the art workshop produced beautifully painted ones. Additionally, Friday 14th November marked the annual Remove Spelling Bee – where there was a fierce competitive spirit as words such as ‘benevolent’ and ‘repetition’ put our skills to thetest.
In Darwin we have been very busy with other aspects of school life such as enjoying the Holcombe House Supper, AGN At Home, decorating our Exploring Europe folders, completing current affairs presentations, celebrating birthdays in-House with doughnutsandcake,andofcourse,WackyB’s Not to mention relaxing in the common with bracelet making sessions and BINGO, and our weekly tv and tuck nights. Wickham were the winners of our dorm sticker competition and enjoyed a pizza evening as a treat Also this term, Darwin were the recipients of the Dorm Decorating Prize, and enjoyed a lie in and breakfast in House last week, which everyone enjoyed!
ByDarwinHouse
g g the birthday Wacky B’s. They are always so thoughtful and personalised for each person anditreallymakesadifferencetoyourdayas thebirthdaygirl!
ByIzzySweeney
UPPER SCHOOL
AGS has had an excellent and busy term. We began the year with bonding activities, including the ‘It’s a Knockout’ challenges, which helped the UIVs get to know one another and encouraged mixing across year groups. AGS finished as the overall winning House. Our “green”-themed House supper followed, with costumes ranging from leprechauns to vegetables. After eating with our House families, we joined a Kahoot guessingbabyphotosandcreatednewHouse chants for House Drama. Although we didn’t win, the production was a great success, giving everyone from Remove to UV a chance to shine We were especially proud of Lara for winninganawardforhermonologue
Evening activities keep everyone involved, from International Wednesdays to Fabulous Fridays. We’ve celebrated cultures from BelgiumtoBotswanaandenjoyedcrafts,films, and even lacrosse stickwork AGS also supports the community through volunteering atPrior’sCourt.
It’sbeenafun,fulfillingterm
ByMintyWinkworthandLaraKendall
runningabakesale,playingwithchildrenand eventryingwheelchairtennis.OurAGN@Home event further strengthened community spirit anddoubledourfundraisinggoal,highlighted by inspiring guest speakers and wonderful musicalperformances.
ByTanitowulaAkeju
We have had a wonderful start to the MichaelmasterminTedworth,withlotsofvery funactivities.Tokickstartthetermwehadthe ‘It’s a Knockout’ activities on the first weekend, with strong performances from all teams, executing brilliant teamwork efforts to complete the challenges In the run up to House drama, Tedworth took a creative turn! Rehearsals were fun, and led well by the LVI, and we made very good progress throughout each one Everyone was so excited that we won, especially Miss Brown! Multiple times this term we have enjoyed our ‘midweek munchies’ evenings, trying snacks varying from curly fries to ice cream bars! The Sixth Formhavealsoledtwoglobalnightsthisterm, giving us the opportunity to eat the cuisine and learn about the culture from our chosen country. To add to Tedworth’s winning streak wealsowonthetermly‘DormDecoration’
As we moved into the second half of term, York has remained as energetic and busy as ever!Wegotbackfromhalftermreadytoget stuck into everything once again and Bonfire Night was the perfect way to kick things off Toasting marshmallows outside the Murray Centreandwatchingthefireworksonthefield was definitely a highlight. Calsoc has also carriedoninfullswing-wehostedEton,andit was lots of fun to get dressed up in black tie and dance with friends We also had a dinner party social with Radley, which was a great way to meet new people and have lots of laughs.
Another special moment this half of term was the Remembrance Service which was led by theLVI.Everyonegotinvolved,whetherthrough decorating poppies, doing a reading, or helping to choose the music It was a memorable occasion and everything came togetherreallywell.In-Houselifeisstillthriving, from waffle making to creating fruit platters and even nail painting, our evenings have been a nice way to unwind and relax. As well asthis,lotsofgirlshavestartedtrainingforthe upcoming half marathon and the recent sale of Downe House beanies to raise money for our chosen charity, Tommy's, has been very popular.
Looking ahead, excitement is building as preparation for the annual Christmas Fair ramps up, as well as rehearsals for the Carol Services, Mich term concert, and our House trip. Last weekend saw girls head to Battersea for ice-skating, which got many in the Christmas mood Everyone is looking forward toamuch-anticipatedexeat.Thereissomuch to look forward to and everyone is embracing the final few weeks of term with enthusiasm andexcitement!
ByCymbelineAttwaterandAmeliaKaroly
Althoughit’sthelongestterm,thisMichaelmas term has absolutely flown by for the UVI in Willis. It has been packed with highlights: the TrinnyWoodall,TheoClarkeandClareBalding Medley Lectures, where several UVI students had the opportunity to attend supper beforehand; the annual Radley vs Downe Houselacrossematch,whichendedinawellearned 9–0 victory for Downe, followed by a friendly UVI game with a slightly more balanced score. With most university applications now submitted, exciting offers beginning to come through, and coursework being finalised, it has been a busy but rewarding few months for the Upper Sixth As we look ahead to the Christmas holidays, we are also anticipating the final major event of the term: our last Butterfly Lecture. It’s hard to believe our final Michaelmas term at Downe Houseisdrawingtoaclose
ByCamilleAird
FROM COURTROOM TO COMPETITION: CLUB LIFE FLOURISHES THIS TERM!
RADLEY LACROSSE MATCH
CLARE BALDING MEDLEY LECTURE
ADVICE
MINI TED TALKS
across the Dune du Pilat in the Arcachon Bay, France. It has also been developed into sea defence structures and artificial reefs; its lower pHeasingtheattachmentofmarineorganisms anditsporosityabsorbingtheenergyandforce ofbreakingwavesandstorms
I really enjoyed researching and presenting about oyster shell-based concrete as it is an excellent example of how recycled waste products can have both sustainable applications and help mitigate the impacts of climatechange
ByEstelleAlldis-Kervella
importance to improve global education on thismattertoreducetheaccelerationofAMR Overall, I found this project eye-opening, worrying,butalsoinspiring,becauseitshowed me how further innovation and international cooperationareessentialtopreventafuture whereourcuresbecomeuseless
ByGauriLanghae
GLOBAL SCHOOLS EXCHANGE
On 15th October, we left Downe to go to St Paul’sSchoolinSaoPaulo,Brazil.Theflightwas 11 hours long, but we were all very excited for what was yet to come Upon arrival, we were greetedbyourhostfamilies,whoweresokind to us and made us feel like we were at home St Paul’s is a day school, where the school days end at 3pm which was very different for us and gave us time to explore Brazilian culture In Brazil, they have the highest Japanese population outside of Tokyo, which is why the food is so diverse. During our exchange,wetriedlotsofdifferentfoods,such as Pastel and Brigadeiro which were our favourites Pastel is a typical Brazilian street fooddish,filledwithcheesewhilstBrigadeirois like a chocolate truffle made with condensed milk, with sprinkles on top. Overall, I would recommend this exchange to everyone as it wassuchagreatopportunitytogetimmersed in the Brazilian culture This trip has given me so much confidence in meeting new people and I would like to thank all of the Global Partnershipsteam!
ByAmelieHedges
My mini TED Talk was about how the legal systems in the US and UK, although both derived from English common law, have developedverydifferently TheUShasawritten constitution, which separates power between government branches, and allows more lawsuits to protect individual rights. The UK, in contrast, has no single written constitution, places Parliament at the top, and relies on judges to guide trials Differences also exist in the legal professions, employment rights, and approaches to media and extradition. Overall, my presentation highlighted how history and culture have shaped each system: America prioritises individual rights and checks on power, while Britain emphasises tradition, efficiency,andgradualreform.
ByEmmaKovalchuk
On the weekends, we had the chance to explore more of California. We all visited San Francisco,wenttoMontereyBayAquarium,
ART TRIP TO ST IVES
During the first short exeat, Creative Art Scholars from Lower Fifth to Upper Sixth, along with Upper Sixth Fine Art students, enjoyed an inspiringweekendinStIves.Thetripcombined practical workshops with the charm of Cornwall’s coastline. The first day took the grouptoPenleeHouseMuseumandGalleryin Penzance, where they sketched a “fish wife” and learnt about the Newlyn School, even meetingavisitorwhoserelativehadmodelled for artists of the era. They then explored Hew Locke’s immersive installation, Armada, at the Newlyn Gallery and completed creative exercises inspired by it On the second day, they went to a workshop with the St Ives School of Painting with abstract landscape artist Laura Kent, sketching around the town before developing large, layered ink and collagepiecesinthestudio
The final day included a tour of Tate St Ives featuring works by artists such as Barbara HepworthandastrikingexhibitionbyLilianLijn,
ART WORKSHOP WITH RADLEY
OurarttriptoRadleyCollegewasaninspiring and practical day We began with short talks on four sculptors: Constantin Brancusi, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, and Emily Young, presented by the boys, which helped us understand different approaches to form and carving. The main focus of the day was soapstone carving We gradually shaped our pieces by responding to the material and carving direct without a clear design. We also hadlunchatRadley,followedbyagallerytour and a talk with the artist Erin Rosalie, who shared insights into her practice We were then able to finish off our sculptures before sandingthemtocreateasmooth surface,
FASHION IN THE FOUNDING YEAR OF DOWNE HOUSE
1907, the founding year of Downe, marked a turning point in women’s fashion As a society we drifted from the rigid, structured clothes of the Edwardian Era to the softer, freer shaped attire which conveyed a more fluid expression offeminism
The start of the century saw trends of Sshaped corsets constructed to dramatise and exaggerate an hour-glass shape. However, by 1907 in regard to the designer Paul Pioret, the lookwasbeingreplacedbyastraighter,higher waisted silhouette that brought emphasis on narrow waists and broad shoulders and hips. Pioret’s designs echoed freedom and movement as he took on a new approach to dress making that focused on the drapery of fabrics rather than traditional tailoring One of hisdesignsthatwereparticularlymonumental washis‘Josephine’eveningdress.Constructed from an ivory silk satin and beholding an empress silhouette, the dress depicted a return to the Directoire and Neo-classical styles of the early 1800s The fitted, higher waisted bodice was embellished with a large silk fabric rose and met with a loosely fitted blacknetshawl.
Day dresses considered modesty and practicality,andclothingwascharacterisedby long, elegant skirts and high-necked blouses. A tailored blouse, known as the shirtwaist, became a symbol of modern working women as it was paired with a walking skirt, for optimum movement and productivity. One groundbreaking trend that took on the early 1900swastailoredwalkingsuitswhichwasthe first time that women were able to embrace masculinetailoringandstructures
Eveningdressesremainedlavishandfollowed similar silhouettes However, where day dresses consisted of blowsy, high collared bodices - evening gowns had more fitted bodices with low cut necklines. Dresses were made from rich fabrics such as silk, satin and chiffon Which dominantly consisted of softer tonessuchasivory,lilacandpaleblue
Not only were women’s attire and dresses lavishly extravagant but so were their accessories. Large, ornate hats, heavily adorned with feathers, ribbons and flowers showedapresenceofthelingeringEdwardian Style. Outfits were also paired with gloves, parasols and handbags, in order for a refined and respected appearance. Hairstyles were voluminous, often arranged in the Gibson-girl hairstyle, which was an upswept look known foritsface-framingtendrilsandlargesoftbun or chignon at the back. Fashion was becoming more individualised and freer with theabilityforselfexpression
ByLinneaGraham-Stark
CREATIVE PERSON OF THE MONTH: HANHAN LIANG
This term in Art, I have been developing my sketchbook around the theme of perspectives and distortion, a focus I established after an initial period of brainstorming Combined with an illustration based on a photograph that I took in the Louvre, which linked to my theme through its shifting spatial viewpoints. I then began developing an oil piece following an oil paintingworkshopswhereIexperimentedwith a variety of different techniques. I also undertook an extensive charcoal project, researching eight artists and experimenting withprocessesusingcharcoalandgraphite
HOUSE DRAMA
This year ' s House Drama competition brought together all five Houses for an inspiring afternoon of performances , during which eachHousepresenteda20minuteplaybased on the theme 'minute by minute' From the compelling original scripts to the innovative staging,everyHouseshowcasedtheverybest ofwhattheyhadtoofferandcertainlydidnot disappoint After an incredible high standard set of performances and a beyond challenging judicial decision, Tedworth emerged as the winning House, claiming their victory for the first time in 23 years. They have shared how thrilled they were that all their hardworkpaidoff,explainingthattheprocess had brought them closer as a House and helped them develop valuable skills that they will carry forward. The Performing Arts staff praised the exceptional quality across all Houses,notingthateverystudentworkedwith
SPOTLIGHT ON STAGE: PERFORMING ARTS IN A CREATIVE NEW YEAR
A vibrant and ambitious season is unfolding as our school’s Performing Arts department prepares to present an exciting range of productions across theatre, dance, and musical theatre. Among the first highlights of the year are The Birthday Party, Beetlejuice, Legally Blonde, and even a short version of Hamilton andwithmanymoreperformances alreadyintheworks,thisseasonisturningout tobeoneofourmostfulfillingchapters.
The year begins withthe short version of The Birthday Party This darkly comic play follows Stanley, a man living quietly in a seaside boarding house until two mysterious visitors arriveandunsettleeverything.Whatbeginsas an ordinary morning turns into an eerie, unpredictable birthday celebration filled with tensionandunansweredquestions Performed in our newly built DS1 space, the production will also lead into DS1’s official opening event, which is an exciting milestone supported generouslybydonorsandfamilies.
Laterintheseason,thedancedepartmentwill bepresentingBeetlejuice.PerformedbyDance Academy, Dance Company, and all other dance classes, the showcase dives into Beetlejuice’ssupernaturalworld.AfterBarbara and Adam’s sudden deaths leave them stuck between worlds, they encounter the outrageous Beetlejuice, who entangles them in a chaotic, ghostly adventure. With bold choreography, humour, and high energy, the performance will no doubt promise a vivid andmemorableexperience
Adding to the excitement is the upcoming production of Legally Blonde, the beloved musical following Elle Woods as she unexpectedly finds strength, confidence, and purposeinherjourneythroughlawschool Full of humour, colourful characters, and showstopping musical numbers, the production is poisedtobeamajorhighlightoftheyear.
Also on the horizon is a short version ofHamilton, offering students the chance to bring one of the most influential and rhythmicallydaringmusicalsofthedecadeto the stage. With its fast-paced storytelling and iconic score, this condensed adaptation will give performers and audiences an exciting tasteoftherevolutionaryBroadwayhit
Beyond these announced shows, the Performing Arts department is exploring an even more ambitious project: a large scale collaborative piece that may be presented at the end of this year Although still in early consideration, this production aims to combine every corner of the department into one spectacular, diverse performance, somethingtrulynewforourschool
And this is only the beginning. With more musicals, plays, and showcases set to be revealedinthemonthsahead,thestageisset for a year bursting with creativity, collaboration, and unforgettable moments The curtain is rising on a season richer and moreimaginativethanever,filledwithstories, movement, music, and possibilities. All that’s leftnowistowatchitallunfold.
ByKerryLu
NETBALL SWIMMING
HOCKEY LACROSSE
INDIVIDUAL PRACTICE AWARDS
October - Zhiya Yin, Olivia Reynolds, Katy Yao andLuliBurgesWatson
November - Kallie Wong, Tabitha Ridley and TrinityParks
ACHIEVEMENTS OUTSIDE SCHOOL
NEWS BEYOND DOWNE
ZOHRAN MAMDANI
On 4th November, Zohran Mamdani, a member of the Democratic Party in American politics was elected to be mayor of New York City. Mamdani has been described as charismatic and young, being one of the youngest mayors for the East Coast State in overacentury Hebuilthiscampaignoverthe possibility of new social-welfare policies; a plan for universal public childcare; construction of affordable housing units; and the raise of minimum wage. Recently, with the use of social media, he asked supporters for donationstohelpfundhistransitionintooffice, and in this they have managed to raise more than$2,000,000towardshis$4,000,000goal–inaweek!Overall,Mamdani’selectionmarksa historicshiftforNewYork,signallinganewera
PLAID CYMRU IN WELSH POLITICS
THE RELEASE OF THE EPSTEIN FILES
TheEpsteinscandalhasenteredanewphase withtheEpsteinFilesTransparencyAct,signed byPresidentTrumpinNovember2025 Thelaw forces the Justice Department to release all unclassified records on Jeffrey Epstein within 30daysandgiveCongressanunredactedlist of officials and other prominent figures mentioned in those files. It blocks the government from hiding information just to avoid embarrassment, which strengthens transparencyandlimitstheabilityofpowerful people to escape scrutiny. The release of these files has also fuelled wider debates about how trafficking cases are handled, including time limits for prosecution and plea dealsthatcanprotectwealthyoffenders.
ByKatieChanandEloiseMcNairScott
ARTIFICIAL PHOTOSYNTHESIS
In clean energy research, artificial photosynthesisisquicklybecomingoneofthe most promising developments. Artificial photosynthesis mimics how plants use sunlight to turn water and carbon dioxide into energy, but with engineered photocatalysts that drive similar reactions more efficiently. These solar-powered systems can produce clean fuels and store energy in chemical bonds, making it usable even when the sun isn’t shining - this could offer a potential solution to the energy crisis and increasing carbon emissions: machines breathing in carbon dioxide and exhaling energy-rich compounds - how futuristic! Although cost and durability challenges remain, rapid advances suggest this technology could soon revolutionise renewable energy and combat climatechangebyturningCO₂intoavaluable resource.
ByGauriLanghae
UNEMPLOYMENT RATES HIT 5%
y this support will actually materialise at the nextgeneralelectionissomethingonlytime willtell.
ByLaraHallas
NIGEL FARAGE AND THE GROWTH OF REFORM
AUSTRALIA’S SOCIAL MEDIA BAN
Are you a screenager? Well, if you are, stay away from Australia! As of 20th November, Australiancitizensunder16havebeenbanned from using social media Yes, that means no more TikTok, no more Snapchat, and no more Instagram. Platforms that fail to comply with the law could face penalties of up to A$49.5 million, which could seriously impact their business As a result, companies have been forcedtointroducestrongprivacyprotections, including verifying users ' ages by requiring ID and photographs. The law will be reviewed after two years of implementation Elon Musk (founder of X), however, strongly criticizes this law. He argues that it is a “back doorway to control access to the internet”. The Australian Prime Minister responded to Musk by saying, “It’s about protecting young Australians through their development” What do you think?ShouldthislawbeintroducedinBritain?
ByJessieTayabaliandSerenEvans
ALUMNA PROFILE:
CAROLINE MEYRICK (RYCROFT)
DH 1958
Carolineiscurrentlyagrandmother,sisterand aunttovariousDowneHousealumnae,aswell as being an alumna herself Life at Downe for Caroline started in the Lent term of 1958, and inthisarticle,shedescribeshowitfelttocome back to Downe for the first time since leaving: “My first visit to Downe as it is now was a complete surprise as the physical buildings are so different Very professional, carefully laid out - and with signposts to interesting special departments. When I first arrived in 1958, everything was grey and so much smaller” Withtheeffectoftime,Downeandits departments have expanded and developed to provide more enriching facilities, but unsurprisingly, one area of the school has stayed just the same: “then I walked on through and found that the view from the terrace and the cloisters was just the same” Whenaskedaboutherkeymemories,Caroline said “running down the cloister steps, often because I was late after a music lesson”, a situation I am sure many of us students find highlyrelatable
Another core memory of Caroline is playing lacrosse in the cold winter months. After playing hockey at her old school, Caroline explained “I wasn’t expecting balls at head height,andwehadnoneoftheprotectionthat you have now, so my front teeth were lost earlyon”,asvictimstolacrosseballs!Caroline continued to say, “Even though my games career was a disaster, it’s so exciting that the rest of my family have loved all the Downe sport and that they’ve reached such a high standard and had so much help and encouragement.” Despite this, Caroline still went on to be Head Senior during her final yearatDowne.
Unsurprisingly, a key theme within Caroline’s time at Downe was friendship: “Downe was such a complete experience and many of the thingsthatittaughtushavestayedwithme
and been a vital part of my life. We spent the whole term there with very few breaks, so friendships were truly important. We were allowedbicyclessowecouldgooutexploringas long as we were back by a certain time at the weekend That, and the freedom of the woods, meantthatIdon’trememberfeelingshutaway from the world and meant that friendships enduredlongafterweleft.”
Caroline also explains how her experiences at Downe helped support her future career, and how valuable that experience was. “In a wider sense,IthinkDownetaughtmetobemoreopen mindedthanyoumightexpect,andtobehappy abouttryingoutnewideasandwaysofworking As now there were inspiring staff who encouraged us to think differently, and they set meonascienceanduniversitypathwhichwas unusual then. They taught us loyalty too and I definitelyseethatinmygranddaughters
ByOliviaFane
PUPIL HIGHLIGHTS
SOPHIE DE ARCANGELIS
This year, Sophie has thrown herself into school life She took on a firefighter role in HouseDramaandlovedthewholeexperience, especiallyworkingwiththecastanddirectors. She also began the sports scholarship programme, which she finds challenging but incredibly rewarding, helping her grow fitter and more confident Alongside this, Sophie has recently taken up lacrosse and has already seen improvements in her stamina andendurance.
CARLOTA SOLIS
Carlotaachievedasolointhechoirthisterm,a momentthatreflectshercommitmentandlove forsinging Whenshefoundoutshegotthesolo, she felt proud because it meant that her practice had really paid off. To her, it’s not just aboutsingingbyherself,it’saboutbelievingthat she can do it and being brave enough to try somethingnew
At our school, giving back is a core part of who we are. Throughout the year, students and staff take part in a wide range of charitable activities from mufti days and sponsored events to donation drives and volunteering opportunities This page highlights some of the brilliant work happeningacrossourcommunityandthecauseswesupport
NIGHT SHINE WALK
This year, Grace Chassagne took on the Night Shine Walk in Manchester with a powerful purpose and an inspiring determination. Joined by two of her aunts, her uncle, and her cousin, Grace walked in support of Cancer Research UK, raising vital funds specifically for brain cancer research. Grace’s remarkable fundraising efforts: over £6,000 in total, will help support crucial research and treatment advancements
LONDON LANDMARKS HALF MARATHON
InApril2026,agroupofover50staffandSixth Form pupils will be taking part in the London Landmarks Half Marathon in aid of Tommy's charity. Tommy’s fund medical research into the causes of baby loss and premature birth as well as providing support and trusted information for families experiencing this We arehopingtoraise£16,450forthecharityand we have begun this effort by selling DH beanies of which all proceeds go to charity (youmayhaveseentheseonyourwayround school).
We also held a bake sale at the end of November on the pitches which also contributed to this large sum. We are all very excited to begin the training process in January.
If you are yet to get yourself a DH beanie, please message simpkinh@downehousenet andyourbeaniewillbedeliveredtoHouse!
ByHettieSimpkin
The West Berks food banks are run by The TrussellTrust,acharitywhichsupportspeople intimesofcrisis Individualsmayneedtoseek help for several reasons. They may be disabled, and their benefits may have been delayed. They may have had to suddenly leave their homes because of domestic violence Ourfoodbankworkswitharangeof local agencies who meet people at risk of going hungry. The Trussell Trust says that "Today,oneinfouryoungchildrenintheUKare at risk of needing a food bank" One of the waysDowneHousehasrecentlysupportedthe workofthisimportantcharityisbyhelpingthe HungryHolidayscampaignduringthesummer which supports children over the summer holidayswhowouldgohungry Asafollowerof Jesus, I am challenged and motivated by Jesus' words in his parable in the Gospel of Matthew25:35-40:
MRS MCKENDRICK’S CLOSING COMMENTS
and the Law Society to name but a few. WatchingtheLawSociety’sfirstmocktrialwas fantastic,asitwaslisteningtotheGeography Society’sspeaker,RebeccaStephens,MBE,the firstBritishwomantoclimbMountEverestand theSevenSummits.OurthreeMedleyLectures featuring Trinny Woodall, Theo Clarke and ClareBaldingwerealsoenrichmenthighlights and seeing members of the Sixth Form interview,question,andentertainourMedley visitors so well was very special. However, a real highlight was the new Friday Lunchtime TEDTalkswithsomanygirlstalkingaboutsuch interestinganddiversetopics.Ilookforwardto more!
No Michaelmas term would be complete withouttheMichaelmasConcertandtheCarol ServiceOurmusiciansdidusproudwith
