Founderstide will take place on Saturday 25th June 2022 and is a day of celebrations at Bloxham School. The guide below gives you a brief history of the day and outlines key times and locations for the day’s activities.
What does ‘Founderstide’ mean?
The first Founders Tide was held in 1913 in memory of the school’s Founder, P.R. Egerton, shortly after his death. It originally took place on Egerton’s birthday, 14th July, but was soon moved to the weekend nearest that date so that a cricket match could be played between Old Bloxhamists and students a tradition still honoured now.
Founders Tide was for many years a two-day event which consisted of speeches and a prize-giving; a church service, cricket match and a ball. Over the years the celebration was condensed into one day and the title words combined to ‘Founderstide’, as we now know it.
As summer terms grew shorter and the exam season longer, the celebration was moved to the end of May in 1979 and then in 2004 to the beginning of May. In 2016 we moved the day to late June, closer to its original date. This year pupils and visitors can expect a prize-giving, picnic lunch, cricket match, student relays and a range of activities and displays during the day, before the ball in the evening. We look forward to welcoming you.
Who can attend?
Founderstide Day is open to families of all students, Old Bloxhamists, staff, Governors and friends of Bloxham School.
What are the timings of the day?
| TIME | ACTIVITY | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| 10.00am | Prize-giving | Marquee at Second Field, Courtington Lane |
| 10.30am | Old Bloxhamists vs 1st XI Cricket Match | Main Field |
| 11.15am | Refreshments | Various locations on the main site |
| 11.30am | Activities and Displays | Various locations on main site |
| 12.30pm | Picnic Lunch | Served on Main Field |
| 2.00pm | Relays (inter-house sport) | Raymond Field |
| 7.00pm | Founderstide Ball | Marquee at Second Field, Courtington Lane |
How do I get there?
Founderstide Day takes place on the main field at Bloxham School. The Founderstide Ball takes place within a marquee on a nearby sports field on Courtington Lane, walking distance from the school itself. Parking for both Founderstide Day and the evening’s Ball (tickets sold out) will be on the Courtington Lane sports field. Use postcode OX15 4PE and follow signs for Founderstide Parking.
What else should I be aware of?
Sustainability: We are committed to improving the sustainability of this event and as such we encourage guests to the daytime celebrations and ball to help us by making use of our separate bins and reusing cups, plates and water bottles where possible.
Photography: During the day we will have a number of photographers on site. Photographs will be taken during prize-giving assembly and around the school during activities, lunch and the House Relay Event. We also will have a photographer at the ball. Photographs will be used by our Marketing Team and shared online using Flickr, Facebook and Twitter; if you would not like your picture taken please let the photographer(s) know when you see them.