Sadly no Remembrance Parade tomorrow (Sunday) but Gordon's will pay tribute and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in a simple Remembrance Service that will be live-streamed via our Facebook page -https://m.facebook.com/GordonsSch/ on Sunday. Please join us from 10.57am.
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.
He has set himself the target of 5,691 press ups this month to represent the number of male suicides last year. Already Khartoum's Ethan Leech has notched up 860 in his fundraising campaign for the Samaritans and male suicide prevention. The Sixth Former is hoping to raise the equivalent in pounds to donate to the charity that not only acts during the time of crisis but also in the prevention of it. He said: “I am in the fortunate position to be at a school where we are encouraged to talk about our mental health and have recently been inspired by a teacher who has helped many people within our school community through their struggles.
"....Today, there are so many stigmas attached with men talking about their mental health and not being able to talk about this compounds the problem, and in the worst of cases, leads to suicides. I feel that by raising awareness and starting the conversation, we can better support those who may be struggling. It is important they that they know they are not alone.”
To donate to his fundraising, please click here.
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.
No half term rest for the rowing squad! Under the watchful eye of their coach, three times Olympian cox Alan Inns, the group have been taking part in a week-long rowing camp at the Burway Rowing Club. Unable to get to the river due to the high water levels, the squad were put through their paces on ergos. More hard work to come as the group prepares for next year’s rowing season. For more information on the Gordon's Boat Club, 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.
Two days of trekking through the Surrey Hills awaits these students, who are embarking on their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award Final Expedition. Eighty eight of them made their way to Newland's Corner this morning to begin their journey, which will involve carrying all their camping equipment and food provisions, emergency rations and two litres of water. Best of luck to all of them.
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
Congratulations to Victoria; Khartoum; Windsor; Kensington and Gravesend Houses, presented with Inter-House cups and trophies at drill practice by the Head Andrew Moss. Based on scores up to the end of the Spring Term, the awards were made to: Banbury Cup (most academic stamps) Victoria; Headmaster’s Cup (Girls’ Inter-House sport) Victoria; Headmaster’s Cup (Boys’ Inter-House sport) Khartoum; Rees-Graham Memorial Trophy (winning House for major sports) retained by China; Arts Cup Windsor; House Trophy (best effort grade average girls’ Houses) Kensington; House Trophy (best effort grade average boys’ Houses) Gravesend and for drill – the Longmoor Cup (girls) and Talbot Cup (boys) were retained by China and Buckingham.
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).
Harvest Festival items already appearing in the Chapel for donation to the Woking Foodbank. Monetary donations can be made via the school’s GoFundMe page (https://www.gofundme.com/f/4ybp4f-harvest-festival-campaign/donations?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1). Perishable items for the foodbank should be brought into Houses between 9th and 16th October.
A team score of 157 made our girls' golfing team HMC Team Champions for 2020. The girls’ and boys’ teams – all of whom play off single figure handicaps – were taking part in the HMC National Singles tournament at the Berkshire Golf Club. Both finished second with Charlie scoring an impressive -1 and Evie carding a 3 over a round of 75. A seventh place on the girls’ individual leader board meant that the Girls’ joint team score was 157 which won them the team event. While the ISGA National Finals has been cancelled next week, the golf team will take part in the virtual finals at Foxhills.
