Welcome to the new edition of the Gordonian Magazine! It has been another busy six months at Gordon’s, not only on the academic front but in sport, the creative arts and in the community.
One of the highlights was seeing over 400 students volunteering in the community, both locally and further afield, for the school’s annual MAD (Make a Difference) Day. They really did make a difference, litter picking on beaches and heaths, visiting residents in care homes and helping with activities for pre-school and primary aged children. It was particularly poignant for those clearing the graves of boys from Gordon Boys’ Home killed in the First World War, to realise that many would have been of similar ages to themselves.
The school has been visited by OFSTED inspectors twice this year – for boarding and curriculum inspections. In both, Gordon’s was awarded ‘Outstanding’ in all categories.
GCSE results were the second highest on record, breaking 50% for top grades for only the second time. The most recent A Level results were more modest but still led to a high percentage of Russell Group universities and medical school places. It was also another good year for overseas sports scholarships for our leavers.
Teachers, too, have been recognised. The PTI (formerly the Prince’s Teaching Institute) have awarded the school nine ‘Marks’ simultaneously for outstanding subject leadership in English, MFL, DT, mathematics, history, geography art, drama and PE – making Gordon’s the only school in England to have achieved this.
Creative arts and sports continue to thrive, as do the iconic Pipes and Drums, who impress with both the quantity of events and their performance at such events. Work is now underway for the whole school production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which will be performed at Woking’s Rhoda McGaw Theatre. This will be the last year we perform off-site as later this term we will be opening the new theatre on the site of the old Gym.
The rugby players on the Harlequins/ Gordon’s Partnership Programme, having won the South of England RFU ACE League for second year running and are through their first grand final. They will face Hartpury in the final, I am sure you join me in wishing them all the best in this historic endeavour.
In other sports, the golfers continue to turn the national leaderboards green in the National Schools competitions and our netball 1st team is though to Regional Finals of the England Netball Championships for only the second time and seek to emulate last year’s feat and reach the National Finals.
Closer to home, the Model United Nations (MUN) students get ready for the fourth conference at Gordon’s (GMUN).
Next year we look forward to celebrating the 140th anniversary as the National Memorial to General Gordon with many events planned.
Finally, thank you Gordonians for your continued support of the school through mentorship, fundraising, and participation in events.
Welcome to the Winter Edition of The Gordonian. Our community continues to go from strength to strength and we have enjoyed a very busy six months since our last magazine. This edition includes our new digital photo archive, new events, Gordonian weddings and Gordonian visits!
To our newest Gordonians, who left Gordon’s this summer either as Year 13 or Year 11s, welcome! We are delighted to have you as part of our community.
Our 2024 Annual Parade was a double celebration, not only welcoming alumni back to school, but celebrating 20 years of China Girls’ Day House. Alumni from various years, filled our newly located area inside the marquee, sharing their memories and the enthusiasm for Gordon’s now.
We have welcomed Hannah Russell MBE 11120 (2012) to the Gordonian Advisory Panel, alongside current members Paul, Nigel, Jonathan and Josh. After a hugely successful career as a Paralympic swimmer, Hannah, is now a primary school teacher and brings with her a wealth of knowledge, excitement and ideas.
It was lovely to welcome back Zaki Soliman 10616 (2008) who had reached out to us as his company, based locally, are looking to connect to see how they can help with our careers education for students. This will no doubt be a great addition to the vast careers programme we already run and we are looking forward to seeing the relationship grow! During his visit we took a trip down memory lane, visiting his old House, Khartoum and also had the opportunity show Zaki the new parts of school, the sports hub and new teaching blocks.
We also welcomed back Ellen McCarthy 12714 (2019), Harrison Dodd 13523 (2023) and Natasha Greenhead 10022 (2004) as part of National Careers Week in October. Thank you to all of you who spoke to students on careers and apprenticeships, it was hugely valuable to them, and we have received some wonderful feedback. If you are able to help with similar careers events please do get in touch.
On Page 10 you can read about our new digital archive we launched in October! The response we have had from you has been overwhelming and we are so pleased that our photos are now being enjoyed, shared and, most importantly, our archive is growing thanks to the feature which allows you to upload your own photographs.
Our youngest members of school in Woolwich House have also enjoyed the photos. It has helped support their knowledge of Gordon’s and is a lovely addition to their current display in their common room.
Harriet Turk Gordonian Officer
MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY:
Hundreds of students were sent all over the county and country in July to make a difference. As a Development Team we took 56 Year 10 students to Holy Trinity Church throughout the day to help clear the graveyard and the gravestones around the Gordon Boys’ Graves.
The students worked incredibly hard, filling eight bags over the day. Thank you to our Gordon’s grounds team who made numerous trips throughout the day to the Church to help take the bags back to School.
The students also wrote letters to Gordonians about their school life now and their MAD Day.
Seeing the graves really showed our students some of the history of Gordon's and provoked thoughtful questions about why these boys died at a similar age to theirs now. Some very honest discussions about how different their lives are now, and it really emphasised how lucky and grateful they are to have modern medicine, family and to be a member of Gordon’s School.
WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST GORDONIANS:
We are delighted to welcome our newest cohort of Gordonians which is made up of 177 Year 13 leavers and 30 Year 11 leavers.
Whilst your journey at Gordon’s School has now come to an end, your affiliation with Gordonians has just begun! It was wonderful to welcome our Year 13 leavers for a drink in the village in September, before lots of them headed off to university, apprenticeships, work or an exciting year of travelling. Also, great to meet those who left us in Year 11 in 2022 but who are still in touch. What a wonderful bunch! Chatty, grateful and full of excitement, we're very lucky to now call you all Gordonians!
To our Year 11’s who have moved on to college or sixth form, good luck on your journey, we are looking forward to seeing you thrive and see what you get up to next!
Looking forward to seeing you all soon. Remember you’re always welcome at Parades and events. Keep an eye on our socials!
WEDDING NEWS:
Harry Millard 10973 (2013) and Sophie Millard 11274
Congratulations to Gordonians Sophie and Harry Millard who married on 7th September 2024.
The wedding had 11 Gordonians attending, including the bride and groom and Sophie’s siblings, Kate and Richard. It looks like you all had a beautiful day. Congratulations to you both, wishing you both a wonderful marriage.
Jacob Parmenter 11111 (2014) and Megan Parmenter (nee Baldwin) 11429 (2013)
Congratulations to Gordonians Jacob and Megan who married in Kefalonia in September! A great group photo from the wedding too where every person in the photo is a Gordonian, a true testament to the friendships Gordon's creates.
Wishing you both a wonderful marriage!
(2013) (nee Williams)
ANNUAL PARADE: YPRES, BELGIUM:
Students from the Pipes and Drums band travelled to Ypres, Belgium, on Sunday 7th July, where the school chaplain Reverand Graham Wright led the service to dedicate the plaque to the 156 Gordon Boys who gave their lives in World War 1. The plaque was funded by Gordonian donations and placed in St George’s Memorial Church, Ypres, in March 2023.
All the students attended the service in their Blues uniform, together with Gordonian Officer, Harriet, Senior Pipe Major, Iona Scotson and other members of staff on the trip. A very moving and memorable dedication service.
The students then played as part of the Last Post Association’s Remembrance Service at Menin Gate, which included Pipe Major, Harry, playing the Lament, Flowers of the Forest.
Students also have a trip to the Battlefields in Belgium as part of their GCSE History studies, and visiting this plaque will now become part of their day.
Whilst the weather wasn’t on our side, the sun shone for the important Parade and with our newly located area inside the marquee it was wonderful to still see so many Gordonians back at school.
The Gordonian Memorial Service was well attended and a moment for us to remember the Gordonians who have died in the last year, with tributes to George Jones 5840 (1951) and readings from former Deputy Head (Pastoral) Rob Pavis. If you weren’t able to attend this Service, a recording of the video is available to watch on our website.
As part of the day we hosted our China Girls’ Day House 20th Year Anniversary! Twenty years ago to the day, China House was officially opened by Captain Peter Cobb OBE. Whilst our China House marquee wasn’t possible due to the rain, China girls reunited, together with former Heads of House Heather Pavis and Pam Barlow and current Head of House Heidi Doe. The amount of visiting Gordonian girls is testament to their hard work, passion and role in Gordon’s.
A big thank you to Heidi, who lent us Inter-House tops and many China House items, from photos to water bottles! Heather and Pam travelled from Devon and Wales respectively; a huge trip and we
are so grateful to all those who managed to celebrate with us. We hope you enjoyed the day, and the photos brought back lots of good memories!
Annual Parade is our biggest reunion of the year (with Whitehall in January quickly catching up!) – do come back and see us! Save the date for next year (Saturday 5th July 2025).
GORDONIAN AWARDS:
TheAwards continue to help six students a year and seeing these students flourish within their discipline and the whole school community is the biggest thank you we can give for those who donate to ensure the longevity of the awards. We are proud to share these wonderful updates from our 2023 winners Maya and Ben.
MAYA: ‘This past season I have participated in over 20 rugby matches, tournaments, and festivals at clubs all over Surrey and surrounding counties with Chobham Rugby U16 girls team. As a team we had a very successful season which we are very proud of, one of the highlights being a match against Battersea Ironsides in which we managed to score 14 tries and 13 conversions as well as defending extremely well, leading to a final result of 96-0 to us.
Another highlight of the season was the team building day we had where almost all members of the U16 age group completed the tree top course at Wildwood, Guildford, followed by a meal afterwards. In addition, at our end of season awards night, I was very grateful to be awarded the Clubman award which is presented to the player who displays the values of rugby and the club while showing leadership towards others and being a reliable teammate to all. I have also participated in two rugby matches at school for the Girls First XV which are only a small piece of evidence of the growth of girls’ rugby at Gordon’s that I am extremely proud of.
During the Autumn and Spring Terms I also continued to help weekly with the younger girls’ Period 7s. All that said, I am extremely grateful to have been given all of these opportunities which have been greatly helped by the money I have kindly been given as part of the Gordonian Award.
So far, I have purchased a new set of No1s uniform to wear after rugby matches as well as a new specialist braces gumshield. I have also used the money to buy a pair of women’s shorts which were a new addition to the Chobham RFC kit this year. The funds have also gone towards my membership fees for the club for the 2024/25 season as I move into the U18s team and next season we have plans to go on tour as a team which will be another use of the prize money.
BEN: Firstly, I would just like to thank the Gordonians for choosing me to receive the award. I am incredibly grateful that you all thought that I am the appropriate person.
Near the end of Year 11, I purchased a new mouthpiece for my trumpet, that in my opinion, has improved my playing massively. I am also looking to upgrade my trumpet for my Grade 8 exam which I am taking in the Spring Term. Between now and then, I hope to be able to represent the school in as many ways possible to help improve my standard of playing so that I can achieve the highest grade that I can.
Remembrance Day took place on 11th November, and I was lucky enough to be asked to perform in multiple different performances of the Last Post. I was thoroughly looking forward to playing these as it gave me an opportunity to show my gratitude for the soldiers that laid down their lives for the freedom of our country.
Since I won the Gordonian Award, I have started to fully play in the local brass band and since I joined, we have performed in a variety of events. The most major of these included their annual summer concert and a tribute to the Last Night of the Proms. I attend weekly rehearsals on Tuesdays, and I am enjoying learning about how people arrange music for a brass band.
As well as this, in the final term of school I auditioned for the school play, and we have now started rehearsals where we are working towards a final performance at the end of January. It has been exciting seeing all of the songs that I have been listening to begin to turn into a proper performance and seeing friends immersing themselves into their characters.
At school, all the bands that I am involved in (the Jazz Bands, Semper Fidelis, Concert Band, Under the Arches and the School Orchestra) have begun their practicing for upcoming concerts including the Christmas concerts. It has been refreshing to start looking at new pieces to play and begin to perfect.
I would once again like to say thank you for the faith that you have put in me and the music I am producing, and I look forward to telling you what else I have done in the coming months.
GORDONIAN GOLF DAY:
We welcomed nine teams to our inaugural Golf Day at Sunningdale Heath Golf Club in October. We were lucky enough to enjoy blue skies and sunshine all day as Gordonians, staff, parents and friends enjoyed breakfast, 18 holes and lunch. A wonderful day where players navigated the greens and reminisced over their time at school together and caught up with friends.
The players enjoyed their day in the sunshine, whilst the Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin added an element of competitiveness. A host of prizes were available and presented at the end of the day, including gifts kindly donated from Worplesdon Golf Club. Congratulations to our induvial and team winners of the day! With plans already underway for the next year’s event, we are looking forward to making this an annual date in the calendar.
Congratulations to our winners
Nearest The Pin – American Golf Voucher
Steve Layzell
Longest Drive – Aldershot Hospitality Tickets
Jamie Stephens
Closest to the Hole in Two –Headcover and Golf Cap (Donated by Worplesdon Golf Club)
James Harrison 9956 (2003)
• 1st Place Team – Round of Golf for four at Chobham Golf Club
(Max Roffey 11661 (2008), Jake Hurley 11629 (2018), Matt Boote and Josh Dodd)
• 2nd Place Team – Round of Golf for four at Sunningdale Heath Golf Club
(Paul King, Carl Bezuidenhout and Jamie Stephens)
• 3rd Place Team – Gordon’s Merchandise Bundle
(James Harrison 9956 (2003), Alf Gale, Mark Layzell and Steve Layzell.)
THE GORDONIAN RUNNERS:
The Gordonian Runners were established in April 2015 with the aim of providing a running club for those with an association to Gordon’s School and we will be celebrating our 10th Anniversary next year. The club colours are predominantly green and yellow with the Gordon’s badge, enabling members to proudly display their affiliation to the school.
We organise a club event every year and since formation we have enjoyed trips to Cyprus, Malta and Jersey. Sadly the Club lost our founder, Steve Davis, in April last year and we promised him that the Gordonian Runners would complete events in the five European countries he did not run a full or half marathon in. This year we have ticked off Italy and have just returned from a great long weekend in Albania where Gordonian Runners were represented in the 10k, Half and Full marathons. We are now making plans for Estonia, Bratislava and Romania to fulfil our commitment to Steve in the next couple of years.
Gordonian Runners have had relay teams in the Peterborough Marathon and Jersey Round the Rock Race and are keen to enter a squad for the five mile Wimbledon Cross Country alumni race as part of our 2025 tenth anniversary celebrations.
We also have an annual 5k event where members compete for the Large Butler trophy based on the best age graded time, won in 2024 by our Club Patron, Paula Fudge, the first recognised women’s 5000m world record holder and Commonwealth Games gold medallist. Club members have the privilege of being able to run with Paula at local Park Runs in Frimley and Rushmoor most Saturdays. Our Club Secretary, Mark Bissett, is an elite level ultra marathon runner and is age grade qualified for most major international marathons including London in which he regularly competes.
As an England Athletics registered Club, Gordonian Runners welcome everybody with an affiliation to the school whether they be new to running or casual runners and those already registered with other clubs as we can still be nominated as a second claim club.
There are many benefits to joining Gordonian Runners including:
• Maintaining affiliation with the school and wearing club colours at events
• £2 discount on entry fees for all licensed and multi-terrain events
• Participation in team events, overseas trips and club competitions
• Engagement in online community via WhatsApp group and Facebook
• Potential to enter London Marathon ballot via the Club
So why not get in touch with the Gordonian Runners if you would like to join us or require further information email gordonians@gordons.school
Mike Loftus 8016 (1981)
THE GORDONIAN FOOTBALL CLUB:
Spectators are always welcome to watch the Gordonian football team – keep an eye on their Instagram to stay up to date @ gordonsoldboys. A huge thank you to their new sponsor Martin Tyres, a local business in West End, the new kit looks great!
‘The Camels this season have had an interesting start to the season, currently
sitting third in the league. With certain fixtures coming up, we can find ourselves making a charge to close the gap at the top.
With plenty of new lads coming into to the squad it’s taken a little bit of time for us to click, but in recent weeks we’ve started to look back to our normal selves!
Recently we had a county cup fixture in which we won 5-2 which pushed us into the third round.
Plenty of games left in the league along with three cup competitions to compete in. Hopefully bringing us some silverware come the end of the season!’
Jake Ayres 10656 (2011)
GORDON’S ONLINE SOCIAL ARCHIVE :
Hopefully you have had a chance to enjoy our new online photo archive which launched in October. The archive holds hundreds of photos which date back all the way to 1940 and include everything from Parades, Inter-House, sport teams to the buildings of the school.
This project allows us to cherish memories and enjoy the vast array of photos which the school hold in a physical archive. The photos also include the camel statue installation and old classrooms, workshops and the site as it is now, including the new sports facilities.
As Gordonians, registration is completely free and allows you to not only browse the treasure trove of historical content but comment, interact with Gordonians around the world and even submit your own photos to the archive.
Benefit of the online archive:
• Let facial recognition find your old photos and automatically build you a personal gallery
• Complete your own biography and browse those of other Gordonians to see what friends have done since leaving
• Share your memories and help us build a more complete history with built in comments
• Upload copies of your own photos to the archive to ensure they're saved for posterity and help the school build a more complete history
If you haven’t already, log in and take a look. New material is regularly being added and in time, will include documents and magazines so be sure to keep checking back!
Log in here www.gordonians.co.uk.
Here’s what Gordonians had to say after seeing the archive...
‘I have really enjoyed showing my family these pictures, from my time at school and also before then’
‘Thank you for sharing these photos with us, it’s been great to take a trip down memory lane’
‘Great idea and wonderful pictures’
SCHOOL LIFE IN PICTURES:
GORDONIAN FUNDRAISING:
Harvey Harriss 12402 (2023) is currently in his second year at Kent and Medway Medical School and is taking part in an initiative where he will be travelling to Panama in August 2025 to set up free health clinics in small communities. Read below what Harvey will be up to and how you can support him if you are able, via the link below.
“ Hello! My name is Harvey Harriss. At school I had the privilege of acting as a Senior Charity Prefect, where I helped organise many charitable events. Now, I am excited to share that I am volunteering with Global Medical Brigades, and I would appreciate your support.
Global Medical Brigades is a student-led initiative dedicated to improving global health. This coming August, my colleagues and I from Kent and Medway Medical School will travel to Panama to set up free health clinics in rural communities. Access to healthcare in these areas is often limited, with few clinics available, and those that exist frequently lack physicians and essential medications.
Our mission is to set up pop-up clinics, empowering these communities by providing essential services such as basic medical checks, dental support, lab testing, consultations, medications, healthcare and hygiene education.
To make this initiative possible, I would greatly appreciate any donations possible. Please feel free to reach out to me for any more information at kmmshech2@kent.ac.uk . Thank you for your support!’
We remember those we have lost most recently. Semper Fidelis.
• Robert Kidd 6822 (1962) passed away in 2004.
• Malcolm Gray 8080 (1981)
UPCOMING EVENTS:
JANUARY
• Saturday 18th January 2025 Whitehall Parade and Gordonian Reunion
FEBRUARY
• Tuesday 11th February 2025 Gordon’s School Careers Fair
MARCH
• Sunday 23rd March 2024 Parade and Chapel Service
JUNE
• Saturday 7th June 2025 Patron’s Parade
JULY
• Saturday 5th July 2025 Annual Parade and Gordonian Reunion
CLOCK RESTORATION:
During 2025 Gordon’s will celebrate its 140th anniversary. The clock, which sits on the Parade Square, is now in urgent need of restoration. Restoring the clock is not just about repairing a mechanism, it is about preserving the heritage and the iconic symbol of the Parade Square.
We cannot achieve this without your help. Your donation, whether large or small, will directly contribute to restoring the clock to its former glory. All donors will have their name inscribed onto a plaque as a thank you. If you are able to donate, you can do so by scanning the QR code below.
WHITEHALL PARADE AND GORDONIAN REUNION
2025:
Following the spectacular Parade, where students will march through Whitehall to the General Gordon statue in Embankment Gardens, we will once again be hosting an alumni reunion at the Old Shades Pub. Please RSVP to enjoy a free drink. RSVP via our QR code below or via https://gordonians. co.uk/#upcomingevents
KEEP US UPDATED!
K eep in touch with us and make sure we can with you! Log on to your profile, update your contact details and tell us what you’re up to now at www.gordonians. co.uk .
To keep up to date with events, check out the events section on our website and make sure we have your email address. www.gordonians.co.uk
