The School Chaplain, the Reverend Sarah Norbron writes:

'My husband and I were watching the Virtual RHS Chelsea Flower Show on Tuesday evening and I have to admit I loved seeing some of the gardens from previous years and seeing garden tours from some of the presenters. It’s good that they are addressing the need for making the most of urban gardens and I can imagine that for many, a balcony or a patio has been very welcome in the glorious weather during lockdown. Our garden is not the best, especially the lawn, which could be better described as ‘a moss’. However, regular visits into the garden have meant that we have been able to study and watch the growth of the plants more closely. I can’t believe how quickly an Acer has come into leaf and my ‘Blessings’ rose has gone from bud to full flower in two days. Amazing.

When Jesus taught his followers, he often used plant analogies. There were figs and mustard seeds, wheat and weeds, but the favourite of mine is the vine. Jesus says of himself that “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” He goes on to talk about the pruning that is necessary for the vine to be fruitful. And sometimes this pruning is not always that comfortable. In my experience when things are not so easy, when life is uncomfortable, I know I need to root myself in Jesus’s love and it is this that carries me through.

For many of us it is half term. My prayer for our students is that they will grow and eventually bloom through this lockdown experience, even though they might feel like they are being pruned a bit. They are working so hard and so are their parents, and they thoroughly deserve their week off. Enjoy!

General Sir Peter Wall will be giving Thursday’s Insight Talk on ‘How is the global pandemic shaping UK prospects in the current superpower confrontation?’ Sir Peter, Chairman of the Gordon Foundation Trustees, served with the Royal Engineers, retiring after a 40 year career as Chief of the British Army. The talk is open to all and Sir Peter will also be available for questions. Please book to listen via Zoom on 21st May at 5pm through www.gordons.school/boxoffice or click here.

Appearing in his first Lockdown Live, Head of Gravesend House, Gary Knight, will be bringing his own brand of 'Swing' to Gordon's School, with some classic songs from the likes of Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble and Sammy Davis Jr mixed with a few modern surprises. Watch live tonight from 7.00pm via the Gordon's School Facebook page (@GordonsSch) or the Gravesend House Instagram page (gravesend_gordons).

Motivational messages and bright pictures are now adorning the inside of London ambulances to cheer up COVID-19 patients thanks to student Elysee Spacie. The keen baker, who drew and laminated sheets of colourful images, is also producing cakes and brownies and biscuits for ICU staff at St Peter’s Hospital each week to give them a treat while working. Each delicious offering from the young student, who makes between 60 and 70 each week, comes complete with a message of hope for those on the frontline.

He’s won two Olympic medals, is a three times World Champion and has competed in four Oxford v Cambridge Boat Races.  Last year the rower opened our new Ergo Centre and now George Nash MBE is back for a virtual breakfast when he will talk about his rowing days and his career in engineering over a cup of coffee and piece of toast. The talk is available  on the Careers section of the Gordon’s website.

Remembering all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Second World War and our own, commemorated on the Roll of Honour In the school chapel.

The Friday Reflection from the Reverend Sarah Norbron the school Chaplain:

VE day celebrations have been somewhat dampened by the lockdown situation we find ourselves in. When the decision was made to change the Bank Holiday date, we could never have expected to be largely ‘Staying at home’ due to the coronavirus. Today there is a plan for remembering the fallen in a two-minute silence at 11.00am, for listening to Churchill’s speech and to sing along with Vera. This is good and important that we remember, and the words of ‘We’ll meet again’ ring very true at this time. But I do hope we are honouring the heroes of today as well as those of yesteryear, celebrating the multicultural Britain that we are, and those who are putting themselves on the frontline for us all. I know we are, and the NHS/key worker banners and rainbows will no doubt mingle with British bunting.

After war there usually follows a degree of peace. And I know that many of us are looking forward to greater peace to calm anxieties once the virus is no longer a threat. But I do believe that we don’t have to wait until such a threat is over, to experience this inner peace. Yes, there will still be those moments of fear, but God can give us ‘The peace that passes all understanding.’ May those going through difficulties right now, know this peace, whether they are sick, know someone who is sick, or are working on the frontline. I hope this UK blessing from Churches around the country, offers you that peace right now. Please click here for 'The Blessing' from churches across the UK.