Foundation Day 2023

Foundation Day was held on Saturday 10 June and we welcomed back members of the Devonshire Society and other major donors to the College.

Following a service in the College Chapel, guests enjoyed a champagne reception in the Christopher Kirk-Greene Function Rooms where they were treated to a musical interlude from College pupils.

A luncheon followed where guests were welcomed by Development Director Emma Garrett (Nugent 1984-86) and Chairman of the Eastbournian Society Hugh Price (School House 1961-66). 

Later, Chairman of the Board of Governors Philip Broadley (Wargrave 1974-79) spoke about the importance of the bursary fund and the Blue Sky Bursaries Appeal which aspires to offer 500 pupils each a bursary in the next decade. He paid tribute to Douglas Fergusson (Blackwater 1966-70) who sponsors a pupil through the sixth form, honouring a former teacher of his, Bernard Drake.

Bernard also attended the lunch and taught at Eastbourne College full time from 1967-96, finally retiring in 2008. Douglas will sponsor his fourth pupil through the sixth form in September and takes enormous pleasure from seeing young people thrive while they are at the College. 

Philip is also continuing to support two pupils through the sixth form, and encouraged others to consider doing the same.

'Together Douglas and I want to think of our commitments as seed capital, that others will want to join us and share the joy of supporting young people with a gift that is priceless. Donation income of £23,000 per year supports a day pupil at the College, assuming we can claim Gift Aid. Could you provide support individually or, perhaps, with a group of contemporaries? Could you make a regular monthly commitment? Contributions of any amount to our Bursary Funds go to supporting pupils.'

Two recent recipients of the Jack Broadley Award, named after Philip's father; Justin Bonneau Diesce (Wargrave, Y13) and Leander Walters (Wargrave, Y13) spoke to the guests about their gratitude at having received bursary funding while at the College, and reflected on the opportunities a College education had given them.

The afternoon concluded with an opportunity to watch cricket on College Field and tennis on Powell Courts on a beautiful summer's day.

If you would like to find out more about our Devonshire Society, please visit our support us page.