On this, the 6th International Day of Women and Girls in Science, it emerges that Gordon's Sixth Form girls are bucking an international trend! According to UNESCO data, only 30 per cent of all female students selected STEM-related fields in higher education. Our statistics show that over 67 per cent of our female students in Years 12 and 13 are studying STEM subjects.
Over 200 students and staff took on the Gordon’s School KM Challenge, seeing how many kilometres they could cover between Monday 18th January 2021 and Wednesday 10th February 2021. Through rain, wind, snow and some sunshine the students and staff managed to cover over 19000km either running, walking, rowing or cycling! Fantastic to see so many people staying active and a new challenge is planned for after the half term! Individual results are available here: Gordon's School - LOCKDOWN CHALLENGES
Tributes to Captain Sir Tom Moore, who died last week from the Gordon's School Pipes and Drums in the form of a video recorded from their homes and back gardens and a poem written in his honour by a student in Year 7:
This poem was written by student A Goswami in Year 7 in honour of this inspirational character.
He may have been frail but his honour was strong,
His body was stooped but he kept walking on.
He earned his medals through bravery and service.
He earned our respect by battling through this.
When the pandemic started,
He wanted to act.
His charity plan went from dream to a fact.
His aim was 1,000 laps to make pounds.
But 32 million! By walking his grounds!
Though even heroes don’t live forever,
We can maintain his legacy and endeavour.
So what can we do to be more like Moore?
General Gordon's life, was commemorated on Sunday with a simple Memorial Service in the school's Chapel of St Edward the Confessor followed by the laying of a wreath at his statue overlooking the Front Field. The event, held as it snowed for the first time in the year, was attended by Residential Boarders and staff living on-site, in line with COVID restrictions. Please see below for a video of the two services.
Our proud history of commemorating General Gordon’s life, that has endured since the late 19th Century, will continue with a simple service in the School Chapel on Sunday, in line with Lockdown restrictions. Today would have been the annual Whitehall Parade to the statue of General Gordon, in whose memory the school was founded, on the banks of the Thames. As the only school in the country permitted to march along this central London venue, the Parade and the laying of wreaths at the foot of General Gordon’s statue, together with the Memorial Service at Guildford Cathedral the following day, are the most important events in the school’s calendar. Tomorrow Residential Boarders and on-site staff will mark Memorial weekend with a service in the School Chapel followed by the laying of a wreath at his statue on the Front Field. A recording of this will be released on Tuesday - the anniversary of General Gordon’s death.
Hit the high note with our Lockdown Music Festival! Any style or genre of music is welcome and as well as prizes for the best vocalists and instrumentalists in each category there will be ones for individual year groups. Just film yourself in landscape and send to astanworth@gordons.school by 12th February.
Capture your day on Monday 25th January for posterity. The Art Department wants students, staff, parents and anyone in the local community to take part in this activity to show how the community was connected in these challenging times through photography on this particular day. Working from home; your daily walk; cooking or having a cup of tea – any part of your day (or night!). Please send your entry with a short explanation on the idea behind the photograph to epankhurst@gordons.school by Friday 29th January.
To launch our Spring Term of Careers Talks, we are delighted to be joined by Professor Gordon Murray CBE, one of the world's foremost vehicle engineer and designers. With a career spanning over 50 years, Professor Murray is credited with designing or influencing iconic cars for Brabham and McLaren as well as lightweight concepts; one-off specials and city cars. In 2024 he will become a near neighbour as he is relocating his global headquarters to Windlesham and opening an automotive college. The video of him, in conversation with Mrs Nash, will be available from 5pm tonight on the careers page.
Lateral flow tests for COVID have now been carried out on staff and students in school by newly-trained staff and results logged with the NHS. Once a week the tests will be redone on the children of keyworkers, who are permitted onsite and staff. As well testing for COVID, the school is constantly reviewing risk assessments and has implemented a number of other measures to ensure everyone's safety.
Tonight at 6pm Gordon’s will join thousands of others across the country in ringing bells to help spread hope and togetherness. Please join us live on Facebook (@GordonsSch) or with your bells from your doorsteps in West End.
Congratulations Jayda and Pippa on their selection for the England Netball Roses National Academy. The National Academy brings together the best U17 and U19 players in the country for extra coaching and training prior to a final selection in February.
