Want to get the best exam results? According to Sixth Former Charles Aldridge, sleeping is the way forward! Charles has just had his EPQ research on sleeping and effective learning, published by the Medic Mentor, a national magazine dedicated to applying healthcare students. The Cambridge hopeful, who discovered a passion for medicine after breaking his collar bone last year, says: “I was stunned by how important sleep hygiene is in memory”. As well as memory and the transfer of information from short to long term Charles also found that sleep has a direct impact on understanding; focus and motivation. His in depth article looks at how memories are formed, the five sleep cycles and how memory consolidation varies over the night through the cycles. And the secret to a good night’s sleep according to his research is reducing exposure to artificial light one to two hours before bedtime and sleeping in a cool environment (around 18 degrees). “Sleep is the solution to many issues related to learning, so investing your time into building healthy sleep habits is a simple way to fuel success in your future career.” To read the article, please click here.

Harvest Festival items, collected by all the school Houses, have arrived at the Woking Foodbank. In addition, £800 has been raised for this worthy local charity by Gordon’s parents, friends and students. The foodbank provides emergency food to people in crisis and was founded by local churches and community groups with the aim of stopping hunger in the Woking area. Pictured is Paul Curley (far right) delivering the donation, with volunteers from the Foodbank.

Rugby titans Chris Ashton and Jordan Turner-Hall joined some 70 talented rugby players at Gordon's for the first DiSE (Diploma in Sporting Excellence) Assessment Day. The students, from all over the South of England, were here to show their skills for a place on next year's Harlequins/Gordon's DiSE programme. In a talk to the young hopefuls, Mr Ashton who has played 44 games for England, said his rugby career had followed a pathway similar to those the students were hoping to embark on and that he had known what he wanted to do from a young age and had stayed motivated. When friends were allocated places after trials, "...that was my motivation to get ahead of them". For more information on the DiSE programme, please click here.

Armed with maps, camping equipment and food and water provisions, Bronze DofE students made their way from Newlands Corner, across the Surrey Hills to Bentley Copse. Eighty eight of them took part in the marathon walk.

Claiming their second national title this week, the senior golf team of Charlie Roper; Sarah Mardani and Alex Jakins who were confirmed winners of the ISGA Virtual National Finals. The team also clinched the ISGA Schools Cup. Charlie Roper (+1) -3   68; Sarah Mardani (2) +3  75; Alexandra Jakins (5) +2  74

Tonight’s virtual insight talk into careers will feature Sarah Dean, a further education and early career skills coach. The talk is applicable to all students, whether considering going to university, starting work or studying for an apprenticeship. It is also ideal for those who are currently making up their minds about what to do after Gordon’s! Back to the Future looks at all the options available, how to decide the best way forward and top tips on how to stand out from the pack when applying for a job; university place or apprenticeship. It is available tonight from 5pm (click here).