Gordon's School

Sevens Heaven for Head of Rugby Chris Davies as he makes his way to Dubai for the second tournament in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, where he will be the assistant coach for the Men’s Spanish 7s side. Spain, currently in 12th place, just one behind Great Britain, takes on Ireland in their first game of this leg, on Friday 2nd December.

This is the first time Mr Davies, a former skills coach for the Fiji Men’s 7s team, has worked with the Spanish team. Even though there will be a language barrier (he admits to not knowing a word in Spanish!), he is relishing the opportunity and has even been picking up Spanish tips from a current player, Sixth Form student Rodriguez who is part of the Senior squad at the school.

“It will be difficult because we share a pool with Ireland, as well as France and Uganda”, said Mr Davies, adding: “I will be assisting Pablo Feijoo and helping ensure that the team remains in the top ten of the world series, qualifies for the Olympics and inspires the next generation of Spanish rugby players”, he says, adding: “I’m really looking forward to returning to the 7s series and the challenges that it will present. I am thankful to Gordon’s for allowing me this opportunity. When I return, I am hoping to be full of ideas to put into practice in readiness for the school’s extensive 7s programme and of course our 7s tour to Portugal next year.”

As England battled on the pitch against America in the World Cup 2022 last night, Sixth Form student Nicole was hoping her question would blind-side the panel of BBC Radio 4s Any Questions? The 17 year old founder of Gordon’s Political Society, speaking in the live broadcast from the school, posed the question to a panel of MPs, a trades unionist and editor, “Is it fair for the UK to criticise other countries such as Qatar for their moral values?”. The answers from trade unionist and writer Paul Embery; Shadow Business Minister Seema Malhotra MP; Transport Minister Huw Merriman MP and Economist Editor Zanny Minto Beddoes can be heard today when the programme is repeated at 13.10. Thank you BBC Radio 4 for a fascinating evening.

Engaging and thoughtful exchanges in the Rec this afternoon for the final of the Year 9 and 10 Inter-House Debating. While Kensington proved worthy opponents on the motion ‘This house believes there should be more regulations placed on the use of smoking and drinking in music videos’, Buckingham House argued their way to a convincing win.

Arriving tomorrow at Gordon's, BBC Radio 4s Any Questions? team and panel, announced today as - trade unionist and writer Paul Embery; Shadow Business Minister Seema Malhotra MP; Transport Minister Huw Merriman MP and Economist Editor Zanny Minto Beddoes. A few tickets are still available free through the school box office - www.gordons.school/boxoffice

Putting the final touches to their culinary creations this morning, Henri and Roisie, who are through to the local finals of the Springboard's FutureChef competition. Henri has been perfecting his open lasagne with a parmesan crisp and pesto oil and Roisie, battered mackerel with chips, minted peas and tartar sauce. The two have just one hour to cook their plates of food and a budget of £5 and will present to judges next week at the Hammersmith and Fulham Catering College. The Year 10 students are hoping to follow in the footsteps of Gordon’s last entrant to the competition, Megan, who reached the London finals. Wishing them the best of luck next week.

Students listening to E-safety expert Karl Hopwood, who is speaking to year groups today on developing safer online behaviours. Tonight Mr Hopwood, a former primary school headteacher, who is a member of UKCCIS (UK Council for Child Internet Safety) and sits on the advisory board of the UK Safer Internet Centre and the Education Advisory Board of CEOP, will speak to parents and members of the wider community. Tickets for this free talk are available here - www.gordons.school/boxoffice

Box office

E-safety expert Karl Hopwood will be visiting Gordon’s tomorrow (Tuesday 22nd). The former primary school headteacher, works closely with children, young people, parents and teachers in developing safer online behaviours and promoting digital literacy. His talk in the evening (from 6pm in the Rec) is open to anyone in the wider community as well as Gordon's parents and carers. Tickets for his talk are free but should be booked through the School Box Office - www.gordons.school/boxoffice

Box office We have a number of items of merchandise for sale which are suitable for both Gordonians and current students parents and would make excellent Christmas presents.

Ready for action? New to the sporting facilities at Gordon's, a fitness suite, opening Monday and offering 150 square metres of space in which to work out. The suite overlooks the 3G pitch and sports hub and uses the latest energy efficient heating and cooling system in the form of air source heat pumps. The suite also boasts a steel-lined wall to enable medicine balls to be thrown at it for developing upper body power.

For her snowman, complete with red scarf and hat, Darcey was chosen as the 2022 winner for this year’s PTI Christmas card competition. The competition attracted entries from all over the country and Darcey’s winning design will be sent to supporters of the PTI this year. Also confirmed today were the results of the Winter Arts competition with Pia’s village scene voted the winner, followed by Emily’s trees and Morgan’s robin. Congratulations all!

Major awards for Gordon’s soloists and instrumentalists as they hit the high notes at the Woking Music Festival. Alice Kermeen sung her way to a First Place (Folk Song U19), Distinction, The Ryde Cup (U19 for a musical after 1970) and the Newman Cup in Musical Theatre (U19 category); Emily Hallett bagged the Pop/Jazz U19 category as well as the Hilliger Memorial Cup (U19 Solo category) and Max Scannell was awarded distinction in the String Sonata category. Congratulations all!

Always a pleasure to welcome back Gordonians to Parades. Among the many that were in school on Sunday for the Remembrance Parade and Service were (left to right) Corporal Michael Van-Santen of the 6th Battalion, Tidworth; Flying Officer George Whiteman of 57 Squadron, RAF College Cranwell and Charlotte Winckley a Sub-Lieutenant in the School’s CCF, who is also pictured with Sub-Lieutenant Paul Curley Officer Commanding of the Royal Navy Section of the CCF and W01 Philip Fox, staff instructor of the CCF.

Semper Fidelis - Edition 6

Out now, Semper Fidelis magazine, edition 6. Packed full of events, sport, art, Inter-House competitions and Parades and so much more. Enjoy!

Semper Fidelis - Edition 6 Read Semper Fidelis - Edition 6 by GordonsSchool on Issuu and browse thousands of other publications on our platform. Start here!

All welcome to attend our next Insight Talk on Thursday 24th November at 6pm when Fred Lynam will speak on: ‘Contesting imperial legacies: The ghosts of empire in Africa and Europe today’.

Fred is a postgraduate History student from Balliol, Oxford. During both his undergraduate and postgraduate study, he focussed on the legacy of imperial heroes in Africa, particularly through the material culture of statues and monuments.

Fred’s undergraduate dissertation on the afterlife of Gordon, originated from a long-time fascination with this intriguing, albeit partly forgotten hero of high-imperialism. His postgraduate studies took this interest wider, in a study of how European imperialists are remembered today across the African continent, and how this differs from our own recent reactions in the West.

This is a free event, open to the wider community with tickets available through the School Box Office - www.gordons.school/boxoffice

When you go home today, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow we gave our today.

Gordon’s Remembrance Parade - 10.45am on Sunday 13th November 2022, on the Parade Square.

Particularly special for Gordon’s Contingent Commander of the school’s CCF, Major John Balmer, to meet Gordonians Paul Gardiner during his visit to the Falkland Islands this week. Paul, who is stationed with the Royal Air Force on the Islands, is the brother of Gordonian Darryl Gardiner, who was killed by a mine strike in Afghanistan in 2008 and in whose memory an award is made every year to the best senior cadet in the school.

As well as laying a wreath in remembrance of his fallen colleagues from the Falkland Island’s War, Major Balmer who was one of the 26,000 Armed Forces personnel deployed there 40 years ago as a section commander in the Third Battalion of the Parachute Regiment, has been visiting memorials and both British and Argentinian war graves.

Admiring the hydrogen car on the Parade Square this morning, students in Year 10, who also listened to a presentation from Hector Wilson, Operations Lead for Hydrogen across the UK for Air Products UK. Mr Wilson spoke about hydrogen for mobility and sustainability and future careers in this industry as part of Green Careers Week.

Students from Gravesend House and Sandringham House standing on the Parade Square this morning just before 11 o’clock when the whole school joined in remembrance for a two minute silence. Parents and the community are invited on Sunday for the Remembrance Parade at Gordon’s.

Fostering independence at boarding schools

How Woolwich Houseparents Sam and Daisy Cooper settle in their new Year 7 Residential Boarders and encourage independence.

Fostering independence at boarding schools Sam Cooper, Head of Boarding at Gordon’s School, shares how he and his wife Daisy engender independence in a supportive environment.

THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION PRESENTS....!

The Royal British Legion poppy appeal Poppy Appeal Concert at the Lakeside Country Club, Frimley Green. This year the Surrey Police Band will be joined by the Gordon's School Pipes and Drums

Book Tickets Now At: www.ticketsource.co.uk/poppy-concert

Surrey Police Surrey Heath Beat (Surrey Police)

Stunning rainbow over the Parade Square this morning, promising a great day ahead, with Year 11s taking their mocks, Year 12 on a Geography field trip to the Isle of Wight and fixtures for our football, rugby, cricket and hockey teams. Good luck all!

Creating stunning wire sculptures today, Year 10 GCSE art students. The group are using zigged wire for their artworks, under the direction of Darcy Turner of Artists in Schools.

Forty years ago, Major John Balmer, Contingent Commander of Gordon’s School’s Combined Cadet Force (CCF) travelled to the Falkland Islands, one of 26,000 Armed Forces personnel deployed there to fight in the war against Argentina to liberate the islands from Argentinian occupation.
This week, he is returning to the islands off the south-east coast of South America, with other veterans of the war, to lay a wreath in remembrance of his fallen colleagues.
Major Balmer, who was a section commander in the Third Battalion of the Parachute Regiment and in his early twenties during the 74 day war, remembers taking six weeks on board the cruise liner The Canberra to travel to the remote islands. He is returning to the islands by plane from RAF Brize Norton, a journey that will take just over 16 hours!
The opportunity to return to the islands and commemorate those he fought alongside, was offered to Major Balmer by the Ministry of Defence who held a ballot. He and his wife will stay with a family from the islands.
“I remember the Falklands as being a bleak, barren place with a constant roaring wind and frequent rain and snow showers. I was involved in the battle for Mount Longdon which was one of the final battles leading to the liberation of the Islands. It will be interesting to see it now” said Major Balmer.

A chance for our Art Ambassadors to create stop motion animation today with children from the nearby Holy Trinity CofE Primary School. The animation was based around the theme ‘Heroes and Villains’ and proved a riveting exercise for all those involved.

Gordon's School Cadet selected as Lord-Lieutenant Cadet

Gordon's School Cadet selected as Lord-Lieutenant Cadet Gordon's School Cadet selected as Lord-Lieutenant Cadet Posted on 3rd Nov 2022 in School News Awarded an RAF Scholarship, at the beginning of the year, 17 year old Leonor Nunes is now ending the year with an honour, having learned that she has been selected as one of His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant....

It’s a hat-trick for First XI Hockey team who have retained their title of Champions of the King’s College School XI Tournament for the third year running. The team battled hard against tough opposition, staying strong in defence, to win the final against Wimbledon High in the last two minutes of the game. Congratulations all!

Did you play in the Band whilst at School? Whether you have an instrument or not, join us online to catch up and maybe even have a few tunes with fellow Gordonians!

Meeting virtually for the first time on Wednesday 16th November at 2015hrs, with a view to getting together in person throughout the year.

To register your interest, please click the following link: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing?eid=33834&

They’re back tomorrow at Canon Street Station in the heart of the City! The Gordon's School Pipes and Drums will be taking part in the Royal British Legion’s London Poppy Day. Watch/listen out for them!

A special Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving will be held in the School Chapel of St Edward the Confessor this Sunday (6th November) at 3pm. The Chapel Service, led by the School Chaplain the Reverend Graham Wright will provide an opportunity to quietly remember loved ones with thanksgiving and recall all that they gave and meant. The Semper Fidelis Singers will be singing and refreshments will be served afterwards in the Library. All are welcome to attend.

Gordon’s has been awarded all of the possible eight PTI Subject Leadership Marks. The Marks recognise outstanding teaching in Art, English, Geography, History, Mathematics, Modern Languages, Music and Science. In order to achieve a PTI Mark, these eight departments have shown that they have increased the challenge within their subject curriculum, developed their staff’s specialist subject knowledge and subject-based links outside school as well as enthusing students through their subject-based activities beyond the curriculum.

The news comes just months after the announcement that Gordon's had been awarded Tes Boarding School of the Year in the annual schools awards.

Congratulations to all the staff in these departments for their commitment and inspirational teaching.

A host of fantastic events coming up this month at Gordon’s, beginning with Heathcote’s Comedy Club on Friday 11th November. Four great acts – Andy Storey, Scott Capurro, Dominic Holland and Matt Daniel Baker are set to provide laughs galore. The following week (Friday 18th November) it’s time to brush off the dancing shoes for a fundraising Ceilidh featuring the school’s Pipes and Drums and a live ceilidh band. And on Friday 25th November BBC Radio 4 visits, recording the topical Any Questions? All events can be booked through the School box office – www.gordons.school/boxoffice

Awarded an RAF Scholarship, at the beginning of the year, 17 year old Leonor Nunes is now ending the year with an honour, having learned that she has been selected as one of His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets.

Leonor, a Sergeant in the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) at Gordon’s, will support Surrey’s Lord-Lieutenant Michael More-Molyneux on official engagements. She is one of three Cadets to have been appointed, due to her outstanding service to the school’s CCF.

The Sixth Form student, who is also captain of the school’s shooting team and plays the pipes in the Pipes and Drums Band, was presented with a certificate and Lord-Lieutenant’s Badge by Lord-Lieutenant More-Molyneux at South East RFCA's His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey Awards 2022 in Guildford Cathedral recently. Pictures, courtesy of Stewart Turkington Photography.

Enjoying a well-earned rest under a bridge in Staines, our senior rowers who have been practising throughout the half term holiday to prepare for the Burway and Walton Small Boats Heads in November and December. Best of luck to them and our junior rowers as they continue with their training.

BBC Radio 4s topical current affairs programme Any Questions? comes to Gordon’s School in West End, Surrey Heath on Friday 25th November.

The programme has been running since 1948 and now attracts 1.59 million listeners. What hasn’t changed in its history is that the panel never sees the questions posed in advance, by members of the audience, and hear them for the first time at the same moment as the live audience and those listening at home.

Who will be on the panel is a closely-guarded secret but is usually made up of prominent politicians as well as leading figures from the worlds of Arts, Science, Business, Law and other areas of public life.

Given the current political situation, the event promises some particularly lively debates!

Tickets for Any Questions? are available free, on a first come, first served basis from the Gordon’s School Box Office – www.gordons.school/boxoffice.

First time they have raced in a double together and their first ever head race, yet Izzy and Ella overcame the odds to win the women’s Junior 14 double at the Weybridge Silver Sculls. Second places for James in his Junior 17 single scull and racing with James in the Junior 17 double sculls against tough opposition. The Weybridge Silver Sculls is the oldest sculling head on the non-tidal reaches of the Thames and previous scullers who have won the trophy there include Sir Steve Redgrave, Dan Topolski and Guy Pooley. Congratulations to all our Gordon’s rowers on a great competition!

Fitting that the generous donations of food and household groceries to the Woking Foodbank Harvest Festival appeal should weigh the equivalent of a dromedary camel! Around 492 kilograms of items were delivered to the foodbank today (apparently an adult dromedary camel weighs around 500 kilograms!). Thank you to all those who contributed.

In the pink! A whole school m***i day has turned the usual sea of green on the Parade Square to a mass of pink. Students and staff donating money to Breast Cancer Now in exchange for wearing m***i today.

Timeline photos

Just four years after taking up the water sport of wakeboarding, 12-year-old Marley O'Toole, who goes to Gordon's School, is to show the skills he has learned at the world championships in Thailand. See https://bit.ly/MarleyWakeboardsToWorldChampionshipss