Through to the regional finals of the Springboard FutureChef competition, Matilda Spink, who wowed the judges today with her butternut squash and ricotta tortellini served with a rocket pesto and parmesan crumb and won the local final! She will join other local finalists early next year for the regional finals. Congratulations Matilda!
Presenting the new Senior Student Leadership Team for 2024/25 of (left to right) Isabel Miles (Deputy Head Girl); Adaora Ambrose (Head Girl); Ned Hewson (Head Boy) and Fraser Bates (Deputy Head Boy). They are pictured below with (far left) Nerys Tullett (Colour Sergeant) and (far right) Thomas Allen (School Sergeant Major). All six students were required to write a letter of application and submit their CVs before being interviewed by a panel of three – Headmaster Andrew Moss, Deputy Head (Pastoral) Helen Carruthers and Chair of Gordon’s School Governors Jane Valner. Pictured are (left to right): Nerys Tullett (Colour Sergeant); Isabel Miles (Deputy Head Girl); Adaora Ambrose (Head Girl); Ned Hewson (Head Boy); Fraser Bates (Deputy Head Boy) and Thomas Allen (School Sergeant Major). The six will take on their new roles after Memorial Weekend. Congratulations and the best of luck to all of them!
Back by popular demand, the ultimate quizzer, the Dark Destroyer aka Shaun Wallace. Mr Wallace, a chaser in ITVs The Chase, put Sixth Form students through their paces, asking a terrifying range of questions guaranteed to test every bit of their knowledge. Very much enjoyed by all and medals for the winning team!
When student Angus was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in the Summer, those in his boarding house rallied to his support, forming themselves into Angus’ Army. First they completed (along with Angus’ parents and school staff) the Oxford Half Marathon. Then they achieved a 100 mile run of the South Downs. Frankie Lewis, one of the founders of Angus’ Army collected a certificate from Headmaster Andrew Moss on behalf of Angus’ Army, from The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, in recognition of the staggering £18,050 the group has raised for the charity.
In a Gordon’s first, four students competed in the Cranmer Awards, reading passages from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer this week in the regional heat for the Diocese of Guildford, at Charterhouse. Gordon’s students achieved a second in the Seniors and third place in the Juniors for the public speaking competition, which aims to keep the Book of Common Prayer alive.
A keen golfer from the age of five, who hit a hole in one by the age of six, Lewy Lawrence has only this year started lessons in the sport. However, In just one week, he has qualified for the National Schools Golf Finals in July after winning the Individual Stableford event with 38 points; helped the school team to win the Stableford Event in the same tournament at Moor Park; was appointed Junior Captain of the Royal Eastbourne Golf Club for this year and won the Junior Club Championship; Junior Challenge Trophy (lowest total score in all qualifying junior competitions); Golf Foundation, team competition of a Man, Lady and Junior and the Vaughan Cup, the Men’s Matchplay knockout competition! He is pictured with his Royal Eastbourne Golf Club Awards.
A haul of silver and certificates for Emily Hallett at the Woking Music Festival. The Sixth Form student won in six categories - pop, folk, vocal solo, composition and musical theatre and was awarded both the Hilliger and Ryde cups. Congratulations Emily!
When her son came home from Gordon’s and said Major Robinson [the then Commanding Officer of the school CCF] needed help with the CCF, Jane Powell immediately put her name forward. That was over 20 years ago!
Now Mrs Powell, who is in the Army section of the cadets, has been presented with a Meritorious Service Award by the His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux in recognition of her contribution to the CCF.
The mother of three sons, two of whom were students at Gordon’s, Mrs Powell has volunteered with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and RAF Section at Gordon’s, joining the Army Section in 2007 and accompanying children since 1994 in the Ten Tors Challenge.
She had neither a military background nor experience of the CCF before volunteering at Gordon’s, and says: “I enjoy it, it has become part of my life”.
Every student in Year 10 joins the CCF at Gordon’s, which offers a tri-service of Army, Navy and Air Force. Mrs Powell commented that the most rewarding part of her work is seeing how much the students progress during the year and how they ‘come out of themselves’ when taking part. She added: “Winning awards at Army camp is always a highlight and the friendships made over the years. The CCF section has great staff who work hard for the cadets”.
Speaking of the Award, Mrs Powell said: “It was an honour to be recognised for doing what I am doing and very nice”.
Staff, students and their families, many of whom are serving in the Armed Forces, joined together today for the Gordon’s Parade and Service of Remembrance for the sacrifices of so many including the 155 former students killed in action during the First World War; 31 in the Second World War and those in more recent conflicts. Wreaths were laid on behalf of students and staff, governors and trustees and the Gordonians. The Reverend Graham Wright, conducting the Service said: “The way of life we enjoy is in no small measure, the result of the sacrifices of young people, who saw the bigger picture and were willing to put others before themselves”.
When you go home today, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow we gave our today.
Gordon’s Remembrance Service and Parade - 10.45am on Sunday 12th November 2023, on the Parade Square. All welcome!
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Back in London once more, the Pipes and Drums, who are taking part in the Lord Mayor’s Show today. The band joined 7,000 people, 250 horses and 50 decorated floats in the three mile pageant, watched by thousands on the streets and millions on TV at home.
To watch them in action, please go to 45.03 of the video below.
Another win for Gordon’s golfers, playing in the National Schools Golf at Moor Park. The team of eight recorded the top stableford score of the day and the best average stableford score of 33 points. Lewy won the Individual Stableford event with 38 points, qualifying him for the National Final in July. He also finished fourth in the scratch event with +5, competing against two England golfers! Ben, Max, Dylan and Sophie topped the leaderboard of 50 top golfers. Congratulations all!
