Congratulations to James West, who was awarded Bronze in the U21s Men’s Sporter (10m Rifle) at the England Small-Bore Shooting Union (ESSU) Championships recently. Nobody was more surprised by the result than the Year 9 student, who only took up shooting three years ago as a co-curricular activity at Gordon’s! He said: “I was not expecting it! It was my first competition after Lockdown and I just thought I would get back into it and shoot as best I can!”
The Bishop of Dorking, The Right Reverend Dr Jo Bailey Wells officially licensed the Reverend Graham Wright today as Gordon's 30th Chaplain. The Commissioning and Installation Service, held in the school's Victorian Chapel of St Edward the Confessor, was attended by Year 7 students and staff as well as members of Mr Wright's family.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Reverend Justin Welby was welcomed to Gordon’s last night, bringing to a close the Big Questions events in the Diocese of Guildford. During the weekend he addressed local communities throughout the Diocese in schools, churches and a football stadium, making 11 visits, during which audiences were given the chance to hear him speak on how to find security and hope in uncertain times. They were also given the opportunity to ask him questions. Greeted in true Gordon’s style by the school’s Pipes and Drums, the Archbishop spoke to hundreds in the school’s sports hall on a wide-range of topics from homosexuality to Prince Charles becoming a ‘defender of the faiths’ rather than faith when he ascends to the throne. A student, asked what their response should be to their peers who claim the Bible is a fairy tale. Bishop Andrew Watson said: "The Pipes Band was a great touch and a reminder of the history of Gordon's".
Picked for the Roses Academy once again, our netball scholars Jayda and Pippa will be attending monthly England camps aiming for selection for an U19 tour next Summer. In addition Jayda has been named in the England U21 squad of 12 with Pippa as a reserve, to compete in Europe Netball in November in the Isle of Man! Congratulations to both of them and the best of luck!
Gravesend House has become the first boys’ House to win the Bunbury Cup since girls arrived at Gordon’s! The boys’ Day Boarding House achieved the most academic stamps during the year. Stamps are awarded by staff for good work over a period of time or exceptional progress and recognise good effort, self-discipline and motivation. A “thrilled and delighted” Gravesend Head of House Gary Knight said: “It is down to the effort and enthusiasm of all the boys in the course of the last year, particularly during lockdown”. To celebrate their success, the boys will be treated to donuts at Friday’s breaktime!
Congratulations to Alex Phelps, who helped secure victory for Surrey in the Ladies National County Finals. Her match-winning point on the 18th hole put Surrey in pole-position for the following day and she ended up winning two out of three of her matches overall. Next month sees the Sixth Former compete in the Justin Rose Telegraph Championship Final, having qualified after her win at Guildford Golf Club in the Surrey Schools Final.
Welcome to our new school Chaplain, The Reverend Graham Wright! The father of two daughters, Mr Wright is married to Joanna, a Headmistress in Witley, and takes over from The Reverend Sarah Norbron, the school’s Chaplain for the past four years. Since his ordination, he has undertaken parish ministry and also worked for the international charity The Leprosy Mission before moving to school chaplaincy. The family relocated from York where Mr Wright was House Master of a junior boarding house, a teacher and school chaplain. Gordon’s is the fourth school in which he has ministered. He will continue the daily Chapel Services, Holy Communion during a Friday lunchtime, an informal worship group, as well as preparing candidates for the annual Confirmation Service. However, he would also like to introduce Chaplain’s Dinners, a prayer group for parents and informal gatherings with students to explore Christianity. He is already keenly anticipating the start of the Gordon’s Parade Services. “The Pipes and Drums band parades are very special” he said, adding, “particularly in England. Three Parades this term and then London [Whitehall Parade] – I’m looking forward to that!”.
Congratulations to Lakhan Barrotte, who made the top 50 of 7,000 students on a Cambridge Chemistry Challenge, winning a 4-day weekend at St Catharine’s College to attend a series of lectures and carry out practical work. Describing the weekend as “amazing” Lakhan said that having met everyone and experiencing university life, he appreciates chemistry even more. The Sixth Former added that he will now be applying to Oxbridge.
Welcome to all our new students and those returning. Our younger years have already got to know each other during an action-packed activity and camping trip while Sixth Formers enjoyed team building exercises and a BBQ on Friday. Packed term ahead with Inter-House competitions; sports and arts events.
