The weekend began with our annual Sports Day where our athletes showcased their skill in field and track events in the crowning event of the summer calendar, with congratulations going to Holcombe House, who won the overall prize for Sports Day.

The Creative Arts faculty had free rein to transform the Murray Centre into their annual exhibition, showcasing the breadth and depth of our students’ talents in fine art, textiles, photography and 3D design.

The soundtrack to Founder’s Weekend was provided by a fantastic range of musical performances expertly put together by our passionate Music department. The Founder’s Concert gave nearly 200 young musicians the chance to explore a range of styles from Elgar to Kate Bush. The Downe House choirs performed Gloria by Vivaldi followed by a special collaboration between the Music and Dance departments as they performed a selection of dances from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite.

A cast and crew of talented students took to the stage in Amélie for the Founder’s Production, capturing the charming quirkiness of the iconic film. Months of work and collaboration come together in a fabulous show.

To close the weekend, our musicians took to the Founder’s Festival Tent in a varied programme which got the community up and dancing the night away!

Since its revival three years ago, the Alumnae Lacrosse Match has become a regular feature of Founder’s Weekend. Nine alumnae returned to play again this year, alongside nine debutants, including recent leavers Ella Snow and Cecilia Stone (DH 2024).

The Downe House team had a youthful feel, composed primarily of Lower Fifth. The alumnae team had a more generous average age, many graduating before 2002! The alumnae were quick to show that age and experience are worth their weight in gold.

Vicki Scott (DH 1999) helped the alumnae win valuable possessions from the draw and take control of the game. But it was a close affair from start to finish. Jo Avery (Lamplough, DH 2000) showed just why she was one of the most feared attackers in the 90s, whilst Jessie Robinson (DH 2014) and Lara Harries (DH 2022) displayed some slick stick work and Heidi Marvin (Cooper, DH 1988) controlled the attack. The alumnae defence anchored by Charlotte Williams (DH 2001) was an impenetrable force. Time after time Ceara Bastin (DH 2022) or Tilly Bridgeman (DH 2022) would be seen surging out of defence with the ball, often after a Tamara Gall (DH 2001) block
or Frankie Luke (Blackmore, DH 1999) intercept.

Alumnae match regulars Cesca Major (Martin, DH 2000) and Laura Williams (Priestly, DH 2001) ran their socks off in the midfield. In goal, Emma Stonebridge (DH 2016) and Sally Niedringhaus (DH 2025) were instrumental to the alumnae nullifying a charge from the Downe House team as they searched for a late winner.

After 60 minutes of end-to-end lacrosse only a single goal separated the two teams, and it seemed only fitting that the winning goal was
scored by the alumnae’s Anna Neville (DH 2020), current Senior England International.