Crucial volunteer work being done by the school's Internal Fleet Manager and mini-bus co-ordinator Edwin Sutton, who is transporting blood products and Covid-19 specimens across the country on his 'blood bike'. Mr Sutton, a former traffic policeman, travelled some 250 miles over the weekend and can be on call for 24 hours at a time. He has been a member of the volunteer group for over a year, joining them because "I decided to put something back into the community".

Balmoral House Parent Ben Heathcote staged another uplifting end to the week with his guitar outside the Rec. Much enjoyed by all in school and those watching the livestream around the world. Watch out for details of the next gig. 

Horse chestnut trees in full bloom now and a new competition from Deputy Head Andrew Reeve! In his online assembly this morning, Mr Reeve said that while lockdown presents many challenges, it also provides opportunities to slow things down; develop new interests and work more independently.  He urged students to pick up a book or magazine or take up a new hobby or interest. Students were also challenged to design an academic poster by half term showing how our understanding of space and the creation of the universe has developed over time.

Today Gordon's is launching details of the exciting Home School Programme, covering all aspects of school life, from academic to pastoral and co-curricular for the Summer Term. This video shows how it will work:

 

Inundated with offers of materials and practical help in making protective visors at Gordon's for the NHS and Key Workers, as well as well-wishers wanting to contribute financially to the school's production, we have today launched a Gofundme page. All donations made through the page will go towards these frontline workers.

Hundreds of visors have been supplied so far to hospitals such as Frimley Park; St Peter’s; Woking Community. In addition, they are now being worn by staff in care homes; GP and vet surgeries; supermarkets and charities.

The visors were made by DT Teacher Tom Webb and his team of teachers from PE; Careers and Psychology as well as House Parents.  

Our picture shows Gordon's Medi Nurse Emma Light (left) and a colleague at Frimley Park Hospital sporting visors freshly made in the school's workshop.

We thank you in advance for your donation and for helping us to continue contributing to frontline workers. For updates on the voluntary work the school is doing, please follow us on Facebook (@GordonsSch); Twitter(@GordonsSch) and Instagram (@gordonsschofficial).

Wishing all our students, Gordonians, staff, and their families a safe and happy Easter.

Good Friday's Reflection from our school Chaplain, the Reverend Sarah Norbron:

So what is so amazing about grace? I love the word ‘grace’, and it is made so clear in John Newton’s famous hymn about Jesus’ sacrifice for us that first Good Friday, ‘Amazing Grace’. It is also the title of the 2006 excellent film about William Wilberforce. Maybe during this lockdown period, you could give it a watch. I have heard grace described as ‘Great riches at Christ’s expense’ which reminds us of Christ’s suffering. But of course Easter Day itself shows that Good Friday and Jesus’ death was not the end. Easter celebrates the joy of His resurrection. “Jesus is alive”. I shall miss our little Easter garden at school this year.

There are so many opportunities for us to show grace too. It’s those moments when we think before we speak. Are we being kind? But grace also speaks of putting ourselves forward for the sake of others and I know that members of the community are doing this, either in practical ways or by being on the end of a phone, or trying out the various ways of communicating on the internet, making sure people are getting some contact with others. Thank you all of you who are doing so much, especially our key workers.

I was so touched to see pictures of two of our girls getting involved in making masks and delivering food parcels. And it was good to see Mr Webb making all those visors. Thank you so much.

 

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found;

Was blind, but now I see.

 

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

And grace my fears relieved;

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed.

 

Through many dangers, toils, and snares,

I have already come;

’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,

And grace will lead me home.

 

The Lord has promised good to me,

His Word my hope secures;

He will my Shield and Portion be,

As long as life endures.

 

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,

And mortal life shall cease,

I shall possess, within the veil,

A life of joy and peace.

 

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,

The sun forbear to shine;

But God, who called me here below,

Will be forever mine.

 

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun,

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise

Than when we’d first begun.

 

John Newton 1779