Page 6 - The Badger – December 2023

THE BADGER
Friends of The Downs
It has been another fun and busy Autumn Term for the the Friends of the the Downs
September was of course the Macmillan cake sale and you did not disappoint! We saw some spectacular and generous donations and we were delighted to make such
a a a a a a healthy donation on on on your behalf to such
a a a a a a good cause Our exclusive Bonfire Night once again gave the children a a a safe space to to be with friends to to try doughnut bobbing and and UV Glow face paint whilst the Bonfire and and Fireworks lit up up the the sky Additionally this year we supported the the much-missed School Christmas Fair by running the refreshments and Tombola stalls welcoming over 400 people to the Fair! We even squeezed in a a a Second-Hand Ski Clothing Sale We continually strive to improve our social events and would love to hear from you you if you you have ideas and suggestions The profits from these events are fed back into the the enrichment of the the school Last term the the Friends paid for: Pinsta Camera equipment and a a a a a a tripod to allow pinhole photography to to be offered as an an exciting new Hobby and Activity at at the school requiring patience a a a a keen eye and learning the skills to measure light and and both capture and and Sport
As one looks back and reflects upon the Autumn Term at The Downs
one can only but admire the determination and and resilience of all our young sports men men and and women as they battled through a a a a long and challenging term on on the the rugby and hockey pitches develop some beautiful photographs of the school and grounds Additionally we have funded Basketball Hoops for for the the tennis courts Outdoor Wall Maps for for the the Pre-Prep and and Prep School and and part-funded three bigger purchases for for the school: a a 7m 7m x 7m 7m large shelter for for Forest School Portable Cricket Nets for Brock Meadow and a a a a a Water Dispenser for the Quad Our events and fundraising could not happen without your support We are hugely grateful to all the volunteers from both the teacher and parent bodies who help support and and run our events and and contribute in any way they can A heartfelt thank you we really could not operate without you We are always looking for new Committee Members If you have some time to give enjoy being part of a a a a team and would like to see the the work of the the Friends continue please consider joining us Anita Tomany
A local derby in every context brought with it it a a highly competitive and and enjoyable match for the spectators and and a a a a fine goal from from Lois was enough to earn the spoils from from this historic occasion We certainly look forward to to more football fixtures for the the girls in the the future and who knows we may just have a a a future Lioness in our school! We look forward to more Girls’ Football matches in in the Spring and Summer Terms!
October 2023 also brought with it it the biennial hockey tour to to to Holland which as always proved to to to be a a a a a hugely enjoyable and successful trip for all concerned The hockey was very challenging at times but our teams as as they always do stuck to their task well and would have gained a a a huge amount from the experience With the successes
Lionesses still fresh in the mind it was fantastic to see our Girls’ football team play their first ever competitive match against The Elms summer of the 6