Athletics gets off to a running start with a 37 year old school record for the 1500 metres smashed by Year 8 student L Hewson. The same student who holds the Year 7 records for 800; 1500 and 3000 metres shaved 13 seconds off Gordonian S Jee’s school record set in 1982. Congratulations! To view all Girls’ and Boys’ Athletics Records, please click here.
The Bishop of Guildford, The Right Reverend Andrew Watson visited for a double celebration in the school’s beautiful Victorian Chapel – the 125th Dedication Anniversary and the restoration of its stained glass windows. The Bishop, who is Vice-President of the Gordon Foundation, the charitable arm of the school, addressed a congregation of staff, students, parents and Gordonians. The Chapel, a Grade II Listed building was erected at the insistence of Queen Victoria in memory of her grandson the Duke of Clarence and Avondale. Two years ago it was found that conservation work needed to be carried out on the windows and a fundraising target of £28,000 was set. Thanks to contributions from parents, staff, Gordonians; the collection from the retiring Chaplain the Reverend Denis Robinson and donations from the Rowan Bentall Charitable Trust and Allchurches Trust Limited, the windows have been restored. Pictured outside the St Edward the Confessor Chapel after the Service are (left to right): Susan Meikle Gordon’s Bursar; The Reverend Sarah Norbron, Gordon’s School Chaplain; The Bishop of Guildford and Vice President of the Gordon Foundation The Right Reverend Andrew Watson and Head Teacher Andrew Moss. For more information on the Chapel, please click here.
Our two teams completed their 35 mile trek across Dartmoor in excellent times, all qualifying for the Ten Tors Bronze Award. The challenge, which is the nation’s largest outdoor youth engagement event saw 400 teams of six teenagers spending two days on the moor. Gordon’s was represented by two teams of boys and girls who completed the challenge in 18 hours 34 minutes and 19 hours 11 minutes. Congratulations all 12. For full report and further pictures, please click here.
It’s back! The colour run is returning this Friday. This paint-filled, messy, carnival of fun is open to all students for an entry fee of £4 which will be given to local charities including Eikon and Surrey Pride. See Box Office for further details and to enter.
Double Olympian medallist George Nash inspired our rowers when he opened the school’s new Ergo Centre. The veteran rower, a three times World Champion who competed in four Oxford v Cambridge Boat Races cut the ribbon for the centre, on the Back Field, also giving students the chance to try his gold and bronze ware. Rowing is becoming increasingly popular at Gordon’s and the school is affiliated with British Rowing, the National Governing Body for the sport. Annual competitive rowing events include the Burway Head and Ball Cup. Students are also taking part in the National Schools Regatta; British Junior National Championships and Henley Women’s Regatta. Please click here to read more about rowing at Gordon's.
The dozen students making their way to Okehampton today for Ten Tors which will see them cover 35 miles of Dartmoor’s rough terrain in under two days carrying all they need to complete the route and stay out overnight. Over 2,000 teenagers take part in the challenge in teams of six. Best of luck to all those embarking on the challenge.
The extraordinary talents of our GCSE Art and Photographic students are on display tonight at their exhibition. Their two year course is showcased in the gym between 6pm and 8pm. All welcome to view.
A day in the life of CCF at Gordon’s as Wing Commander Martin Larwood-Hughes, Head of the Combined Cadet Force (RAF) branch of the Air Cadets visited for the Biennial Inspection. The Navy demonstrated watermanship training in the swimming pool; the Army showed their skills in the school’s shooting range; there were battle drills; simulated flying and command tasks. CCF is compulsory in Year 10 and is held on a weekly basis with cadets taking part in weekend activities; field days and annual camps. Cadets are offered training in the Army; Royal Navy and Royal Air Force and provides students with the opportunity to develop their powers of leadership, self-reliance and resourcefulness.
Speaking for the motion ‘monuments to controversial figures should remain’, Gordon’s won the Arete Debating competition against Woking High School. Congratulations to Amelie Harris and Darcy Watson.
T-Day has arrived! Some 350 tablets have now been issued to students in Years 7-9, which will allow them to access the internet; their digital files and learning resources. The Surface Pro-Go features a detachable keyboard and protective case and heralds a new era in the classroom. The tablet scheme is part of the school’s Classroom 2020 vision transforming the learning opportunities available to students. It will ensure they have the best possible access to learning and make them technologically prepared while maintaining the much-valued traditional values of paper and pen. NB if parents still have forms to hand in for the scheme, please do so as soon as possible.
All that elbow grease paid off as students presented sparkling shoes and beautifully ironed Blues for their annual Drill competition. Sandringham House started the event, which was inspected by Lieutenant Joshua Edwards from Pirbright. Judging the drills was Sergeant Andrew Roberts from the Cadet Training Team at Longmoor. Girls were competing for the Longmoor Cup and boys for the Talbot Cup. The winners of the hotly contested Cups, will be announced at the Patron’s Parade in June.
The annual Inter-House drill competition takes place tomorrow with the girls competing for the Longmoor Cup and the boys for the Talbot Cup. Judging the drill is Sergeant Andrew Roberts from the Cadet Training team at Longmoor and carrying out the inspection will be Lieutenant Joshua Edwards from Pirbright.
