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.
The First World War Battlefields for students in Year 9 today, who are visiting the Langemark German Cemetery and Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery as well as museums at Passchendaele and Ypres Salient. The group were also able to hear about and see the inscribed names of the three Gordonians, W Male, C Tancock and G A Lillywhite who died at Passchendaele. Tomorrow the Pipes and Drums are in Ypres, where they are honoured to be performing in the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate.
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!
Girl power stormed Gordon’s this week with pink-apron clad students taking to the stage to tell the true story of the Ford sewing machinists of the 1960s who brought the Dagenham factory and workforce of 55,000, to a standstill and paved the way for the Equal Pay Act of 1970. Gritty and compelling, Made in Dagenham, performed to capacity audiences over three nights, was also humorous and touching and demonstrated the exceptional ability of those singing, acting and dancing. Many of the production team were also students.
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)
Sports Scholar Kiki Webb has been crowned Surrey Schools Cross Country Champion following her win at Priory Park in Reigate. Kiki, representing Gordon’s and North West Surrey beat 32 runners qualifying from ten districts across the county in the Senior Girls Race of 3.7kms. The Sixth Form student will now compete for the county at the English Schools Championship in Nottingham in March.
The Seaford 10s Tournament will be livestreamed on NextGen on Sunday 29th January. To watch our boys in action, head to:
Oval 1: https://youtube.com/watch?v=BsuuhQg84AM&feature=shares
Oval 2: https://youtube.com/watch?v=NHDxxCsgl6o&feature=shares
The Gordon's v Reeds game from Wednesday is available here - https://youtu.be/FYUaJL0ViBw
With wins against Chertsey High and Chessington in the West Surrey Area Finals of the Surrey Indoor Secondary School Competition, these U13 cricketers are now through to the county finals in March! Congratulations!
Students in Years 10 and 12, interested in a career in dentistry, had the opportunity to give it a go with a Meducators UK Dental Workshop today. As well as learning about dental anatomy, disease and treatment, students also handled dental instruments and equipment under the supervision of qualified dentists. Part of their training day was to make dental impressions!
Live stream of this afternoon's game between Gordon's 1st XV and Reed's from NextGen starting at 2.30pm. To watch our boys in action:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=FYUaJL0ViBw&feature=shares
#BleedGreen
The annual Gordon Memorial Service took place in Guildford Cathedral this morning, attended by staff, students, parents and Governors of the School. The service, to honour General Charles Gordon in whose name the school was founded, featured readings from the Head Boy and Girl with The Reverend Michael Parker, Chaplain-General to His Majesty’s Land Forces delivering The Gordon Sermon. Pipe Major L Massie played the Lament Flowers of the Forest.
Students, led by the Pipes and Drums brought Whitehall to a standstill today for the annual Parade in memory of General Charles Gordon, in whose honour the school was founded. Over 200 students took part in the Parade to the General Gordon statue on the banks of the Thames. There, during the Memorial Service, wreaths were laid at the foot of the statue by Trustee Tom Gordon and representatives of the school and Gordonians.
