Downe House
- web site: www.downehouse.co.uk
- telephone: +44 (0)1635 200286
This website is best viewed by CSS 2 compliant browsers, please wait a moment whilst the page graphics load. If you continue to see this message after a few seconds please contact us
Two delegations from Downe House travelled to Bath for the weekend of 2nd - 4th March with Mr Fuller, Miss Williamson and Miss Naylor
On arriving in a cold and rainy Bath , we were apprehensive as to what Model United Nations had in store for us all. We arrived on the Friday night at Kingswood School , where the event was being held, and the atmosphere was electric with over 700 students from 150 different schools crowded into the school's sports hall. After the opening ceremony, we soon split off into our different committees in order to represent our particular countries, China and Guinea for the two Downe House delegations. This was daunting for some of us who were separated from everyone else in our group.
Our first task was lobbying and trying to gain support from the other delegates for our various resolutions in order for them to have a chance of being passed. We were forced to make decisions that would be in our country's best interest which often meant signing other delegate's resolutions also. Lobbying was perhaps the most social part of MUN as it provided us with a chance to build alliances with the other delegates and their countries in our committee.
Throughout the weekend we were able to debate and vote on resolutions aiming to solve a wide variety of issues taken from our world today. This even involved a last-minute crisis situation, revealed on the Sunday, which called for an emergency resolution to be drawn up. Overwhelmed by the importance of the necessary use of etiquette expected in the debates, standing up to talk for the first time was a nerve-racking experience. However, once over the initial shock, it wasn't that bad. Unless, of course, you were one unlucky delegate who was evicted by security for declaring war on Russia or, in another case, for wearing the wrong sort of trousers! In addition, some rather interesting resolutions cropped up over the course of the weekend which included Saudi Arabia 's suggestion that women throughout the world should have the same rights as cattle and another in attempt to evict any male delegates wearing ugly ties.
When not at Kingswood, we were being wined and dined at, what seemed to us, to be one of Bath 's finest hotels which meant we looked forward to our wholesome breakfasts each morning. This was a contrast to some of the other schools at MUN, many of which were staying in youth hostels around Bath and this made us very grateful for our luxurious accommodation. We had the opportunity to explore Bath on the Saturday evening where we had a very tasty dinner at Pizza Express, a good choice for all.
MUN weekend was a great experience, not only providing us with an insight as to what really happens in the United Nations but it was also an opportunity to share views about current events and problems and to meet new and interesting people. Downe House's teams were especially successful throughout the conference with a special mention to Hannah Jones who was commended for her work as a delegate in the awards at the closing ceremony. Our experience at MUN was both exhausting and fulfilling and we left knowing that China and Guinea had been in very capable hands!
Bryony McCabe LVI SJF
Dan Cruikshank - 'Adventures in Architecture'
Dan is a leading expert on architecture and historic buildings and a regular presenter on the BBC. He is best known for his popular series Britain's Best Buildings and Around The World in 80 Treasures; and for his appearances in Under Fire and What The Industrial Revolution Did For Us. Dan's latest series, Adventures in Architecture has recently screened on BBC 2.
Pupils from Downe House have walked the 300km (200 miles) from Downe House to Salcombe in Devon to raise awareness and funds for Cancer Research UK's vital research. The girls arrived wet and tired, but triumphant, after a gruelling 16 day march which took them acorss fields, rivers and along the coastal path.
The competition is open to all students in Year 12 and essay titles are set by Corpus Christi. Poppy will be attending the Prize Giving on 3 July.
Annie entered her design for her AS Level Product Design Resistant Materials coursework and has been selected as one of the 20 finalists. She will take her project and portfolio to the Finals, which will be held at Dulwich College in London on 20 June 2008.
Sunday, 10 August 2008
Performances at 11am and 6pm at 'The Dell', the outdoor performance space in the RSC Centenary Gardens, bordered by the river and Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon.
Bring a picnic, all welcome!
2nd - 4th May in the Performing Arts Centre
‘Times' writer Mary Ann Sieghart gives Summer Term Medley Lecture
Newbury's MP, Richard Benyon, visited Downe House on 25th April speak to thePolitics Society about his work in the House of Commons and the constituency.
Congratulations to Emma Powell (U5) who was selected for NYT's highly acclaimed acting course.
On Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th March, Downe House hosted a charity fashion show. The events were organised by Rosie Fortescue, Georgiana Haig and Celia Thursfield, in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust, raising a total of just over £5,500.
Gillian Clarke, renowned poet, who has written poetry and prose for children and adults, visited Downe House on Sunday, 16 March. Her poetry reading began with her first publsihed poem 'The Sundial' and the audience were immediately impressed by her passionate and erudite ideas......
Diane Louise Jordan, businesswoman and one of the most popular presenters of BBC One's Songs of Praise, gave a talk and answered questions about how her faith influences the way she conducts her own business life and on matters relating to business ethics and corporate social responsibility more generally.
If you missed House Drama, or would like to see your daughter's performance again, a professional Double DVD recording by Kingsbridge AV Limited of all five productions will be available to order at a cost of £22.50 each.
Click here to find out how to order
This Trust was established in November 2006 as part of the agreed resolution of the OFT's recent investigation.
The objects of the Trust are to:
There are three criteria for eligibility:
For further details go to <Joining Downe> and click on <Scholarships>