Hot, sunny days and glorious sunsets and scenery for the students on their Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold expedition in Wales this week. The teams on their practice expedition in the Black Mountains will be trekking and orienteering for four days while carrying their tents, food and water. The expedition final, in ten days, will take place in Snowdonia. Best of luck to all of them!
Gordon’s has been awarded the highest accolade for a school for its continued commitment to student-led environmental action and sustainability education. The annual accreditation for The Eco-Schools Green Flag Award this year comes with Distinction. The award recognises the work of G-ECO, the school’s Eco Society, which meets to discuss environmental matters, as well as undertaking practical work in the school. Earlier in the term, members of G-ECO were planting water lilies and reeds in the school pond and putting up bird boxes in an area close to Woolwich House.
A third national win for Gordon’s Golfers, after claiming the Schools Golf National Final Scratch Title at Belton Park Golf Club. Jake shot -2 through 36 holes to claim the Championship by six shots from Zach on +4 par. An incredible achievement in the 32C heat!
In the individual stableford National Final at Luffenham Heath Golf Club, Ben finished fourth on 39 points and Jamie tenth on 34 points.
Congratulations all on a fantastic end to the season, which has also included wins at the ISGA HG Trophy and the ISGA British Schools!
Congratulations to Jess Fowler, who has been chosen as a Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet, assisting the Surrey Lord-Lieutenant over the coming year.
Cadet Sergeant Fowler was presented with her Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet badge during Army Camp in Kent this week by Brigadier Jonathan Mullin MBE, the CCF Link Trustee for Gordon’s. The position is for outstanding service, dedication and ability to act as an ambassador for the youth of Surrey. A Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet assists the Lord-Lieutenant when required, often on parade for Royal visits.
Jess, who is also the school’s Trumpet Sergeant, has been an enthusiastic and committed member of the school’s CCF for the past three years. She says of the CCF: “It has given me so much confidence, leadership skills and means I am part of such an amazing community of people that I am so glad to have met”.
The first residents of the school’s newest boarding accommodation, Woolwich House. These students (standing) joined the bespoke 32 bed mixed Year 7 boarding House when it first opened in 2019 and have just completed Year 13 and their time at Gordon’s. Here’s what they had to say about boarding:
‘Boarding has been a journey. I feel it’s really matured me, made me independent’.
‘Having the boarding experience was really useful for me for developing my independence. It’s helped me to realise that you don’t always need to go to someone, you can figure things out for yourself’.
And the best bit about boarding:
‘On the weekends, having fun, doing different things, playing pool, table tennis’.
‘All the Inter-House activities. They allow you to grow new friendships with people who you may not have been friends with before’.
‘The weekend trips, like Thorpe Park’.
‘It’s the relationships you make, friends, the activities you do in the evening’.
The 141st Annual Parade and Prize Giving ended the academic year on the Front Field at Gordon’s today, with students, parents, Gordonians and staff. With temperatures nudging 30 degrees, students were permitted to march without their ceremonial jackets and glengarries! The packed programme included the Gordonian Memorial Service, a Big Blaw and prize giving for both the Lower and Upper School in the Wynter Bee Theatre. Guest of Honour Major General Andrew Sturrock MA Meng MSc MinsRE, President of the Institution of Royal Engineers presented prizes to individuals and later, the winning Houses. Sounding his last fall-out, Trumpeter Ben Hallett, alongside Jess Fowler, ended the Parade.
They painted, scrubbed, cleaned, washed, raked and baked to make a difference in the community. Students travelled to West Wittering Beach to litter-pick, Hinton Ampner to garden and local churches to work in the graveyards. They sang to people in Horsell and Bagshot Care Homes and Greenview Care Home, played music; sorted donations at Woking Foodbank and helped with ground maintenance at Chobham Cricket Club, Chobham Rugby Club and Aldershot Football Club. At school, the mountain biking area was upgraded, windows were cleaned and cakes baked for sale at Teas on the Rec as well as students raising money for the school’s four charities through an endurance challenge.
A dinner table, complete with candelabras was pulled in on a trailer as Year 11s celebrated their Prom arrivals. Vintage and high performance cars together with convertibles, a lorry cab and go-cart ensured rapturous applause from the crowd of students, staff and parents on the Parade Square. After their entrances on the red carpet, Year 11s enjoyed drinks on the Front Field with their parents and teachers before sitting down to dinner. Many of them also won some fun awards.
Launching this year's Summer Arts, the Pipes and Drums (complete with a piper on the roof of the Rec)! Art, music and musical theatre filled a packed programme enjoyed by the whole community. As well as the school bands and choirs, the choir from Holy Trinity School, a group of Year 9s and another of staff made up this wonderful celebration of the creative arts at Gordon’s and the talent of students and staff.
Last year the Pipes and Drums were playing for His Royal Highness the King, the School Patron, at Windsor Castle. This weekend they were at Buckingham Palace for the National Marching Music Day!
They've done it! The 1st VII netball team, won the Senior World Schools Netball Cup after beating Australia’s All Saints Anglican School 25-22. Captain Anna was also voted MVP with Lily awarded MVP in the semi-final. The U15s also came away with a trophy after winning the bowl final of the international event! Congratulations girls! Here are some of the jubilant scenes from Loughborough University, where the girls were competing:
A Levels over, and a chance for the Year 13 students to relax and celebrate with their peers, staff and their parents. As well drinks on the Front Field, there was time for reflection during their Leavers’ Service in the School Chapel and a formal dinner (with a few surprises!) with the staff that may have taught them for seven years. A memorable, special evening for all.
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