Congratulations to the U16s, plate winners for the second time in the Junior 7s Tournament in Lisbon at the weekend. Also bringing home silverware from the international, staged at Agronomia Rugby Club, were the U18s with a plate win. Head of Rugby Chris Davies commented: "I see tours of this kind, as the ideal opportunity to assist with our preparation for the sevens season. To play different opposition in a foreign country presents these boys with many challenges which of course is great for their learning and improvement of their 7s game." 

Recreate a famous piece of artwork was the brief this year for Inter-House Art and the results were inspired! Congratulations to Khartoum for their first place, followed by Victoria and Buckingham.

Marking the start of the European Championships, Kanishk Rao competed at the European Winter Cup in Valencia at the weekend. The 11 year old karter with a national ranking of 9, began the Mini X30 race in 16^th position, speeding his way to sixth position at the chequered flag, just missing out on a podium place by just 0.9 of a second. Congratulations Kanishk!

Honoured once more to play at the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, our Pipes and Drums. The ceremony, held every evening at 8pm since 2nd July 1928, is in remembrance of the soldiers of the former British Empire and its allies, who died in the Ypres Salient during the First World War.

Through to the County Final, the U15 girls who won the West Surrey Area finals of the Surrey Indoor Secondary School Competition today. Their victories against Hinchley Wood and Chertsey Salesians will see them at the crease again in March. Congratulations all!

A regular runner, with a lifetime ambition to complete the London Marathon, Gordon’s PE teacher Emily King has finally taken the plunge and signed up for it after the death of a close friend and former colleague Steve Monk.

Mrs King (nee Clarke), has just over 12 weeks in which to prepare for the run, in aid of ABF, The Army’s National Charity.

While she has completed half marathons and usually runs three times a week, the lead up to the marathon and the event itself, will prove the ultimate test in endurance and stamina.

“It’s going to be a tough and a huge challenge, but I know Steve’s voice will be in my head through the dark winter training” she revealed.

Her friend Steve Monk, who was Director of Sport at Gordon’s for 20 years, joined the school after a 20 year career with the Army PT Corps. Emily recalls not only working with him on the sports pitches but on staff videos, singing together to entertain students in ‘Gordon’s has Talent’ and enjoying the annual school ski trip.

“Steve was the one that got me into running”, explained Emily, adding: “I contacted Steve’s wife when the ABF offered me a place and she said ‘go for it, Steve would be so chuffed’. All I thought was ‘oh no I am going to have to do it!’.”

A PE teacher for 22 years at Gordon’s, Mrs King also chose the charity not only for its connection to Steve Monk but due to the number of children attending Gordon’s from Forces families and the staff with links to the Services.

“ABF the Soldiers’ Charity really do make a difference to so many lives supporting our Army personnel and their families in so many ways.

“I’ve set myself a challenge and I’ve got to just go for it and hope I can do it.”

To sponsor, Mrs King, please click this link - ABF The Soldiers' Charity - Emily King (soldierscharity.org)