Downe House
- web site: www.downehouse.co.uk
- telephone: +44 (0)1635 200286
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We left Downe on Monday morning and it took about six and a half hours of video watching to arrive at the YMCA Patterdale, near Ullswater Lake in the Lake District . We unpacked our bags and went outside to play some team building games and stretch our legs. We were divided into groups and my group's name was Scafell which was named after a mountain in the Lake District . Then we had a delicious supper and we had to pack and prepare for our camping trip the following night.
In the morning we were given our John Muir Award book and looked at the nature part of it. He was a conservationist and set up a scheme to get children to be aware of the environment. After lunch we set off camping. Our bags were so heavy as between each group of three we carried: a cooking stove and gas, the tent and pegs, a change of clothes for if we got soaked (which we did!), a torch, insect repellent, sun cream (not that we needed that!), food for supper and breakfast, water bottles, maps, sleeping bag and roll mat. We walked for almost six hours to reach our camping destination. When we finally arrived we set up camp, filled our bottles with water from a river and made our own suppers on the stoves we had carried. We then washed up in the river which was a challenge and I think most the cutlery got washed away. After this we settled into our tents and tried to sleep in spite of the torrential wind and rain…
When we woke up we were almost floating as there had been so much rain! When we got back to the YMCA I think that rather a few people – including our instructor – were rather relieved although it was a fantastic experience. In the afternoon we set off for canoeing on Ullswater. It was really beautiful and despite the water temperature some mad people decided to jump in at the end! In the evening we went to the mountain rescue centre. We had a tour and learnt about how people rescue walkers who have injuries up the mountains. It was very interesting and great fun: I was strapped into a stretcher and carried around the centre!
The next morning we went to the Outward Bound centre to do the Jacobs Ladder. You were put into groups of three and as a team had to work your way up the ladder as each of the rungs got further and further apart as you got higher. It was really challenging and a really good team bonding exercise that we all enjoyed. After lunch we went rock climbing. It was really difficult because of the wind and rain but most people completed it and did very well. After going back to the centre to pack, dry off and have supper it was then sadly time for our last activity which was the night walk. We went to the Arial Falls nearby and the waterfall there was absolutely amazing due to the amount of rain there had been.
On Friday morning it was time to pack and return equipment and clean our boots and find odd socks! We then had to say our goodbyes to the Outward Bound staff and get onto the coach for the trip back to Downe. It was a great trip that everyone got something out of and enjoyed, including the staff. Overall I loved every minute of it and thought that it was a great way to finish our first year at Downe.
Emma Dalco
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>